1
France no longer favourites with the bookmakers after Ntamack injury
By Kim Ekin
World Cup host nation France have lost the favourites tag with the bookmakers after a devastating double blow losing flyhalf Romain Ntamack and prop Cyril Baillie to injury.
On the eve of the World Cup the key injuries came in France's warm-up clash with Scotland where they fielded a near-full strength side.
In a statement, the FFR writes: “Romain Ntamack was hit in the left knee and had to leave the field. Imaging performed this morning diagnosed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Consequently, Romain Ntamack will be forfeited for the World Cup.”
New Zealand have now firmed as favourites with many betting agencies including at home with the New Zealand TAB at $3.50 as outright winners.
France are second while Ireland are third despite being the world's number one ranked side.
It is a similar pattern with UK's Bet365, Betfair, Skybet and Paddy Power all installing New Zealand as favourites.
Malta-based Unibet, BetUK and SportingIndex were the only bookmakers to have New Zealand and France as equal favourites.
The defending champions South Africa are ranked fourth.
France have two warm-up matches remaining, against Fiji and Australia, and now have to decide whether to rest other stars like Antoine Dupont to avoid catastrophe before the home Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand play just one game against South Africa at Twickenham in two weeks while Ireland have matches against England and Samoa.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Steve Borthwick handed fresh injury concern ahead of Six Nations
3
Standout women's rugby moments of 2024
4
Munster continue to secure backroom staff after reshuffle
5
Latest Comments
End of the day it wasn't Fozzie that missed two vital kicks at goal. It wasn't Fozzie who tackled high. It also wasn't Fozzie who fired his two closest friends lol. Razor already did the same with Leon McDonald, so this is nothing against him. Also, wasn't Fozzie who came up with the lame excuse called Suzie, that basically damned them for the next 100 years. Mark my words, they will keep losing important Rugby World Cup games until they apologise for what they did in post 1995. Disgraceful.
Go to commentsI’m a Bristol fan and it’s been brilliant watching them play this season and huge credit to Lam for the philosophical and strategic buy-in he’s gotten from his players.
My concern - and as illustrated against Leinster, is how the Bristol approach will hold up through the wet and windy winter months when fast, free-flowing, 15-man rugby becomes harder to execute.
Squad depth - again, illustrated by the capitulation to Leinster when McGinty went off, is also something that might see performances drop over the second half of the season.
All that being said, If they can hold firm’ish then you expect them to be in the top 4 come the Spring.
Go to comments