Women's World Cup predictions: Improving Wales should be competitive

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Where to watch

Australia v Wales
ITV, 2.15am Saturday

New Zealand v Scotland
ITV, 4.45am Saturday

Best bet

Wales +9
1pt 10-11 general

Saturday's betting preview

Pool A of the Women's Rugby World Cup concludes with what could be a quarter-final shootout between Australia and Wales, and the signs are it should be a close battle.

Winless Scotland are 49-point handicap underdogs in their clash with reigning champions New Zealand so all eyes are likely to be on the Wallaroos and Wales, who have noticeably similar records in this tournament.

Both were heavily beaten by the Black Ferns and both just edged the Scots - 18-15 in the case of Wales, 14-12 for Australia - and given how little there is between those scorelines it's surprising to see Wales handed a handicap start of up to nine points.

The losing side could still make the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams but Wales ought to be confident of making their physicality count.

The pack has a solid look to it as Cerys Hale comes back in at tighthead prop, Alex Callender returns to the back row and Gwen Crabb moves back to the second row.

Despite heavy defeats to England and Canada in the build-up to this tournament, Wales are progressing on the international stage and can make this a close-fought battle.

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