Argentina to run hosts close

In a straight fight, who would you prefer to back? A cockerel in its own pen, or the puma on any ground? If only the first match of the tournament were so easy. France raise the curtain on their own tournament in a tricky-looking fixture against Argentina in Paris. Argentina look to have been under-rated by the bookmakers, and at 11/2 they certainly look over-priced to cause a big shock. It's not the most difficult thing to envisage anyway. Argentina have beaten France in four of the last six meetings between the two countries, one of which was in the fearsome Stade Velodrome where only the best sides can hope to win. Even New Zealand couldn't manage anything better than a draw there in 2002. The only other time Argentina have clashed with France on their own patch recently was in November, when Bernard Laporte's side ran out 27-26 winners. Argentina's record against teams in the Six Nations is very impressive also. They have won 13 out of their 18 matches against such sides since the 2003 World Cup. That said, this is the World Cup, and not just an autumn international. A tournament I might add, that France are hosting, and the hosts are sure to be at their best. The French have been very strong at home recently and they look to be peaking at just the right time. They were comfortable winners over England in the warm-ups and in denying England a sniff of the tryline, they also proved their defence was rock solid. Argentina have never been a side to go through the gears and really put teams away and despite the talent that lurks in their three-quarter line, they have never really gone for the jugular. Coach Marcelo Loffreda has also gambled by naming his star full-back Juan Martin Hernandez at fly-half. There is no doubt that he is one of the best No 15s in the game, but surely it is a big ask to get him to orchestrate a victory with such little experience in the role? This game is sure to be close, and tactical, too, and there is certainly no harm in siding with Argentina to win this, although backing this match to be low-scoring could also yield a profit. However, we fancy the French to just sneak this one - the Hernandez ploy is too much of a gamble in such an important fixture - and the 7/1 that Les Bleus win by between 1-5 points looks the best bet. Verdict: 2pts France by 1-5 points @ 7/1 (Tote, Sportingbet, Ladbrokes)