England’s Aviva Rugby Premiership Kicks Off Friday
Wallabies fans eager to forget Saturday’s oh-so-close-but-no-cigar Bledisloe Cup heartbreak at Dunedin, should turn their eyes to the north, where a steady parade of rugby union action is about to unroll until May. The 2017-18 Aviva Rugby Premiership starts on Friday, featuring 12 English clubs in 10 rounds-robin until December, with knockout stages starting in the new year.
The reigning champions are Devon-based Exeter Chiefs, who only made the Premiership division in 2010. After finishing as runners-up to the Barnet-based Saracens in the 2015-16 tournament, the south-coast team won their first championship ever just three months ago, beating Coventry’s Wasps 23-20 at Twickenham in the 2016-17 Aviva Rugby Premiership Final.
Exeter head to the west coast on Friday, for the opening match of the tournament against Gloucester at Kingsholm Stadium. The champs are odds-on to win, as low as $0.60 on some betting sites, with Gloucester offered at around $1.80.
Defending Champions Third in Outright Futures Betting
Not everyone believes that Exeter is ready to cope with the added pressure that comes with being champions, however. In terms of outright futures betting to win the tournament, the Devon side is ranked third, at odds ranging from $3.00 to $4.50.
The two biggest threats to Exeter retaining their crown are the previous champions and last season’s runners-up. The Saracens are outright favourites across all betting sites to take the tournament, with odds starting at even money and stopping at $1.25.
The Wasps will be welcoming Springbok centre Juan de Jongh into their line-up this season, and betting sites reckon they’re the team most likely to thwart the Saracens. Some sites are offering them at as little as $1.40, but in general they’re at $2.50, with one site offering $2.75.
Saracens and Wasps Favourites on Saturday
The Saracens start their 2017-18 campaign at Twickenham against Northampton Saints on Saturday, and they’re odds-on at around $0.20 to win. The East Midlands side are being offered at $4.00. The Wasps are also odds-on to win at home, in Coventry’s Ricoh Stadium, on Saturday, at less than $0.20. They’ll be playing the Sharks, from Sale in Greater Manchester; on offer at $5.10.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Jones Says Tackle Height Should Be Lowered
England coach Eddie Jones says the allowable height of tackles should be lowered in youth rugby. This will further lower the risk of brain injuries in the sport, he explained. ….
Rugby Australia Commits To Improved Expenditure For 2027
Rugby Australia has promised that they will by wasting no money in the lead up to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup. This comes after the country was selected to ….
RFL To Roll Out Risk-Detecting Mouthguards
The Rugby Football League has now approved the use of a special mouthguard capable of detecting the risk of head trauma and/or concussion. The guards will come into play from ….
Brain Injury Still A Risk For Rugby Players
Modern-day rugby players should not consider themselves exempt from the possibility of developing the same neurological disorders as former players of old as a result of injuries to the head ….
Toutai Kefu In Surgery After Home Invasion
Former Wallabies star Toutai Kefu is reportedly undergoing emergency surgery after a stabbing incident in Brisbane. Queensland police have now confirmed the incident, as well as that Kefu has sustained ….