Rugby Union
WXV Global Series Predictions: Canada 15/8 to pick apart Red Roses again
The WXV Global Series returns this weekend, and William Hill News provide tips and predictions for the latest round of fixtures.
The second edition of the WXV Global Series has provided as many thrills and spills as expected, with some giant killings, shock results and eye-catching performances in the past few weeks.
There are six matches to get stuck into this weekend, with one taking place on Friday and the other five stretching from the small hours of Saturday morning right into Saturday night. Here, we predict how it could all unfold.
Australia Women v Scotland Women – Friday, 9:45am
- Australia Women – 1/11
- Draw – 40/1
- Scotland Women – 11/1
This is the third meeting between these sides in four weeks, and it has been one-way traffic. Australia won 30-10 in Edinburgh on 26th September, then 56-12 at the same venue last Saturday, their biggest ever win over Scotland. A game in which Desiree Miller became the first Wallaroo to reach 20 international tries.
Scotland have conceded 66, 64, 30 and 56 in their four WXV Global Series games so far. They are struggling to live with the pace of their opponents.
Our prediction: Australia Women -28 Handicap Betting – 10/11
Canada Women v England Women – Saturday, 12:00am
- Canada Women – 15/8
- Draw – 18/1
- England Women – 4/9
Last Friday Canada beat England 24-21 in Toronto, their first win over the Red Roses in a decade. Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the late try from the bench. It followed a 26-26 draw in Exeter in September, and Canada have now taken four points from six against the team that beat them in last year’s World Cup final.
England haven’t been beaten twice in a row for years, though, and they will want to show that Toronto was an off night. A narrow defeat by Canada in Ottawa or a bounce-back win both look plausible. We’re backing the Red Roses to find the answer in a tight one.
Our prediction: Canada Women To Win – 15/8
New Zealand Women v France Women – Saturday, 3:05am
- New Zealand Women – 1/200
- Draw – 40/1
- France Women – 11/1
The Black Ferns beat France 81-12 last weekend, with Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a scoring four tries. France were without several senior players and gave away far too many penalties. That scoreline followed a 28-14 win in the opening fixture on 12th September, and this is the third of four meetings between the sides.
France showed resilience in beating Australia and Canada earlier in the series, so they’re not a soft touch. But New Zealand scored 81 last week and look in the mood to do it again.
Our prediction: New Zealand Women -35 Handicap Betting – 4/5
Japan Women v Wales Women – Saturday, 10:30am
- Japan Women – 13/8
- Draw – 20/1
- Wales Women – 1/2
Wales head to Japan after beating South Africa 50-19 and losing 26-24 to the USA, a result head coach Sean Lynn said left his squad frustrated. Full-back Nel Metcalfe returns after missing the Six Nations through injury. Wales are a place above Japan in the world rankings, at 11 against 12.
Japan have lost to Italy (55-21) and Ireland (31-24), and an out-of-window fixture against Ireland in Cork finished 43-19. Their defence has been leaky, and Wales scored eight tries against South Africa. Wales also play Japan again next Saturday.
Our prediction: Wales Women -4 Handicap Betting – 4/5
South Africa Women v Ireland Women – Saturday, 2:00pm
- South Africa Women – 11/5
- Draw – 22/1
- Ireland Women – 3/10
This should be the closest of the six. South Africa lost 50-19 to Wales, then beat Italy 41-29 after being pegged back from 24-12 up. Anushka Groenewald scored twice in the first half of that game. Ireland lost 40-36 to the USA after leading by 19 points, then beat Japan 31-24.
Ireland have the more experienced squad and should have the edge up front. But South Africa are at home and they showed against Italy that they can score points. We expect Ireland to edge it, with a second leg to come next Saturday.
Our prediction: Ireland Women -7 Handicap Betting – 10/11
USA Women v Italy Women – Saturday, 9:15pm
- USA Women – 4/11
- Draw – 28/1
- Italy – 21/10
The USA are on a four-match winning run. They beat Italy 36-27 in Texas last Saturday, with Bella Vogel kicking well and captain Georgie Perris-Redding scoring twice. They have already beaten Ireland and Wales this autumn.
Italy led for spells in the first meeting and scored through Francesca Granzotto and Vittoria Vecchini, but they turned the ball over 15 times. They have lost two of their three WXV Global Series games, though they will be hard to shut out again. The USA are the form side in the competition, and we’re backing them to go 4-0.
Our prediction: USA Women -7 Handicap Betting – 10/11
*Prices accurate at the time of writing – odds subject to change*
