Rugby betting: Six Nations - Italy vs England

Although it is too early to tell, the gloomier critics are comparing England's Six Nations campaign to the disappointing 2004 vintage when the World Champions crumbled before our very eyes. Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker Lack of leadership on the pitch was a factor of that decline and fall and Saturday's 26-19 loss to Wales at Twickenham appeared to signal that very fear. Brian Ashton's squad were impressive in the first half, and shocking in the second half, and it was interesting to note that the players who excelled in the opening 40 minutes were not on the pitch when things started to go badly. Tom Rees was impressive when replacing Lewis Moody, who was himself an asset to the side. Mike Tindall added aggression and focus to the three-quarters and poor old Ben Kay was never going to be a hero playing at flanker. Jonny Wilkinson was the surprise scapegoat for many who wanted to pan the Red Rose performance but to be fair, every player has a bad day, let alone a bad 40 minutes, and Wilkinson certainly deserves another chance against Italy on Sunday. In the lead up to the game however, punters have shunned Wilkinson and Co and have plumped for Nick Mallett's Italy. Skybet offered a 16-point start for the Azzurri prior to the tournament's kick off, but now on their 14-point handicap, punters have been steaming in, forcing the firm to go 8/11 about Italy from 10/11. Italy were certainly impressive against Ireland and despite trial fly-half Andrea Masi not having the best kicking game in his squad, let alone the tournament, it was fascinating to see them put in a massive performance against Ireland at Croke Park last weekend. Italy have often used a kicker to get them field position, and/or out of trouble in the past, but Mallet's gameplan was very different in Dublin and it will be of interest to see whether he perseveres with the system against Sunday's visitors. Lesley Vainikolo has been hyped-up ahead of his debut, and Paddy Power make him the match's 6/1 favourite to score the first try and the 4/1 favourite to score England's first try. England lost four players to injury last week and hulking prop Andrew Sheridan has been the latest casualty. Skipper Phil Vickery might also miss the contest due to a clumsy forward stamping on his calf in training on Thursday. With such upheaval, and the fact that England need to demonstrate that they can really put a side to the sword, it's fair to suggest that Italy may be some value receiving a handicap start. After all, you would have made money backing them in this tournament on the handicap over the years, something which certainly is not applicable to England post World Cup. All in, a 14-point head start with Boylesports looks too good to miss. Verdict: 2pts Italy +14 @ 10/11 (Boylesports) Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker