The Great Tipster Experiment Week 1

OK, I've had his idea for a while. You may have noticed that I have a bit of a tip for myself when it comes to knowing the game of rugby. So I figure I should put my money where my mouth is and prove myself as a tipster to the nation.

Every Friday I will post a selection of score predictions for the upcoming weekend of rugby. I will personally bet £10 every week spread evenly across all the games I predict, this will include one accumulator bet (i.e a bet that all my predictions will be correct). Every Monday I'll tell you if the bets made a profit or loss and by June we will know if I'm all talk or a true rugby expert.

My expectation is that after a month or so I'll have entire communities making a living solely by following my predictions. It's important to me that I remain in touch with my people so I will only be betting £10 a week and all my profits will be spent on alcohol, but please feel free to get involved and bet your house on me.

(Disclaimer: I take absolutely no responsible for anyone stupid enough to follow me)

This weeks predictions:
Italy Vs Wales: Italy to finish within 10 points of Wales 10/11 stake £2.50 (returns £4.77)

I think it would be a massive mistake to give too much credit to Wales for winning in Murrayfield, Scotland were deplorable, and I still think their attack is predictable. Italy will be hurting after Twickenham and are always tough at home. Very confident about this one.

England Vs France: Less than 40.5 total points to be scored in the match 5/6 stake £2.50 (returns £4.58)

Just feel this one is being so built up that it will be a low scoring, tense affair.

Scotland Vs Ireland: Scotland to win outright 2/1 stake £2.50 (returns £7.50)

I am Scottish so maybe you should take this one with a pinch of salt but to quote the immortal words of Ian Dowie Scotland have shown great 'bouncebackability' under Andy Robinson. Just fancy this one.


 Total return (including an accumulator on all 3 bets) if all are correct £42.50

Good luck chaps and enjoy the weekends rugby.



 

The Best Piece of Rugby Blogging I've seen in a While

Don't worry folks, I will be posting my own preview of the upcoming six nations weekend (and some really interesting selection decisions need discussing). Anyway for now I thought  I would bring to your attention one of the best rugby blogging pieces I've read in a while. It's by Tom Fordyce of the BBC. It explores the unique environment and pressures of top level rugby. It's,really well written and certainly not just for the rugby buffs.

Well worth a read check it out here

Cipriani Will be a Worried Man

Many months ago I wrote about Cipriani's chances of resurrecting his England career in Australia. I concluded that in time it will work out for him, in fact I backed to start at 10 for England in the 2015 World Cup. I still stand by this prediction partly out of stubborness but mainly out of a real belief in his talent. But right now if I was Danny Cipriani I would be a very worried man.

Firstly Cipriani didn't even make the starting XV in his first game for his new club (or province or franchise or whatever the hell they're calling a team these days). James Hilgendorf, picked in front of him, is a 28 year old journeyman of Australian rugby and is supposed to be in the squad as cover for Cipriani.

Then 8 minutes into the first game of the season (and with the score still at 0-0) Hilgendorf has to leave the field and Cipriani gets his big chance to prove himself.....Final score Rebels 0 Waratahs 43.

Now don't get me wrong here, the Rebels need time and Cipriani needs time. All I'm saying is that doubts must be creeping into his mind. Last night I heard Mark Lawrenson talk about how important it is for a football team to be playing as close to a full strength side as possible when giving young players there debut, so as to give them the best possible chance of performing well. I thought this was a good point, and it got me thinking that maybe a brand new team is not the place for Cipriani to rediscover his confidence.

And on the other side of the world the England number 10 spot is looking very secure in the hands Toby Flood. Not only is he playing superbly well but England are benefiting hugely from a 9-10 combination that play together at club level. Its hard to see either Flood or Youngs being replaced in the near future. And if he gets injured Johnny Wilkinson represents a pretty able deputy.

Danny Cipriani needs to understand three things 1) His career in England fell seriously off-track 2) The Rebels are not going to be competitive for a while and 3) There is no chance of him going to the 2011 RWC. If he accepts these three points then he'll understand that he needs to be extremely patient, If he doesn't show this patience I worry for the guy.