20-08-2007 Rugby World Cup Betting - England

It may be only four years since Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to the most dramatic win in the short history of the Rugby World Cup, but a great deal has changed since that victory in Sydney. Wilkinson has barely kicked a ball in anger, and the victorious English team are a sorry shadow of the side that were greeted as returning heroes.

England - Have the Wheels Come Off Ashton’s Chariot?
The RFU have struggled to replace Sir Clive Woodward, the architect of the 2003 victory, whose attention to detail was second to none. England went into the tournament in Australia on the back of their first Grand Slam since 1995 with a convincing run of results over the Wallabies and All Blacks. Understandably Woodward’s team were one of the pre-tournament favourites with the Internet’s leading bookmaker, PinnacleSports.com but this time around England’s odds of 32.08 reflect the stark contrast in their preparation for the upcoming event in France.

They suffered a (record) seven game losing streak from February to November 2006 that culminated in the resignation of Woodward’s successor, Andy Robinson, and appointment of Brian Ashton. Beaten by both Ireland and Wales in this year’s Six Nations, England suffered a record home defeat in November 2006 (against New Zealand) and their worst result in South Africa against the Springboks in June 2007 in a two test series that ended 113-32. However in the case of the ill-fated tour to South Africa, there were mitigating factors as England were reluctant tourists due to hectic domestic and European Cup commitments which depleted the squad enormously.

As tournament top-scorer, Wilkinson played a huge part in the 2003 World Cup, but since then a series of devastating injuries have blighted his career, keeping him out of international action until January 29th, 2007. He made his very belated return against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup in some style, breaking the previous individual points record and earning the Man of the Match award. Minor injuries interrupted his involvement in the failed Six Nations campaign, but he was involved in the tour of South Africa without being able to make a difference to the outcomes of either test.

Should Wilkinson rediscover his best form England’s chances would be greatly enhanced, and they have been boosted by the return of two of the heroes of 2003, Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Robinson will spearhead another World Cup campaign. Ashton hopes that the influential duo’s reputation and experience will bring the necessary lift to a squad that is low on confidence, but isn’t the most progressive of team choices given both announced their retirement in 2005. England’s three-match warm-up campaign prior to their opening World Cup against the USA hardly inspires confidence featuring two defeats to France without a single try scored.

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