Rugby World Cup 2019 warm-up match betting preview, free tips & TV details

England v Ireland
Sky Sports Action, 3pm Saturday

England are worth backing to complete their Twickenham preparations for the upcoming World Cup in Japan with a victory over Ireland by between one and 12 points.

The Red Rose have one more warm-up against Italy at St James' Park, Newcastle in a fortnight before the tournament.

England won the teams' two London warm-ups for the 2015 and 2011 World Cups 21-13 and 20-9.

Head coach Eddie Jones has named a near first-choice side, albeit with centre Henry Slade still sidelined and loosehead prop Mako Vunipola given a chance to return from injury off the bench.

He is unlikely to move far away from the intensely-physical tactics that underpinned February's 32-20 Six Nations win in Dublin.

Jones finally gets the opportunity to combine powerhouse number eight Billy Vunipola with ace contact-area pilferers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill in the back row and giant wing Joe Cokanasiga is now settled in the squad.

Jones' counterpart Joe Schmidt has made a solid selection too and is likely to target the George Ford-Owen Farrell axis with strong runners. Ireland won 24-15 at Twickenham last year to complete their Grand Slam.

However, their supreme game-controller Johnny Sexton is out with a thumb injury so back-to-back London successes may just be beyond Ireland.

Recommendation
England to win by a margin of one to 12 points
1pt 6-4 Betfair, BoyleSports

Scotland v France
Premier Sports 2, 1.10pm Saturday

A week after being hammered 32-3 in Nice by France and six months are losing 27-10 in Paris, Scotland are favourites to beat Les Bleus at Murrayfield.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes to his starting side – full-back Stuart Hogg remains – bringing back most of his main men who were missing from the Cote d'Azur clash. They have won the teams' last two Edinburgh meetings.

However, away boss Jacques Brunel makes only four changes, one forced by the suspension of lock Paul Gabrillagues, so they may have more continuity in attack.

A tryscorer wager looks best in Edinburgh, therefore, and the pick is bulldozing six-Test number eight Greg Aldritt, who has crossed the whitewash three times against Scotland this year.

Recommendation
G Aldritt to score a try
1pt 4-1 Betfred, Ladbrokes

If you are concerned about your gambling and are worried you may have a problem, click here to find advice on how you can receive help

For exclusive must-have bookmaker offers and free bets search racingpost.com/freebets

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport