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France no longer favourites with the bookmakers after Ntamack injury
By Kim Ekin
World Cup host nation France have lost the favourites tag with the bookmakers after a devastating double blow losing flyhalf Romain Ntamack and prop Cyril Baillie to injury.
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On the eve of the World Cup the key injuries came in France’s warm-up clash with Scotland where they fielded a near-full strength side.
In a statement, the FFR writes: “Romain Ntamack was hit in the left knee and had to leave the field. Imaging performed this morning diagnosed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Consequently, Romain Ntamack will be forfeited for the World Cup.”
New Zealand have now firmed as favourites with many betting agencies including at home with the New Zealand TAB at $3.50 as outright winners.
France are second while Ireland are third despite being the world’s number one ranked side.
It is a similar pattern with UK’s Bet365, Betfair, Skybet and Paddy Power all installing New Zealand as favourites.
Malta-based Unibet, BetUK and SportingIndex were the only bookmakers to have New Zealand and France as equal favourites.
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The defending champions South Africa are ranked fourth.
France have two warm-up matches remaining, against Fiji and Australia, and now have to decide whether to rest other stars like Antoine Dupont to avoid catastrophe before the home Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand play just one game against South Africa at Twickenham in two weeks while Ireland have matches against England and Samoa.
I dont know the 'real' Test depth of Frances propping stocks but if another front-liner goes down then au revoir France! Cause if you want to nullify Dupont then take away his go-forward and set-piece 'platform'.
Eeek, RWC favouritism is generally a death knell for ABs.
A long time ago
Ridiculous! France team is chocka will talent. I don't want my team with favorite tag either. Please!
I dunno, the loss of Ntamack doesn’t make me think that France will be any less awesome. Plus I don’t like the bookies talking up the ABs - it’s NZ’s year to waddle into the tourny without too much attention. Nothing to see here.
Crazy. NZ did it without Carter in 2011 and France are more than capable without Ntamack. If they lost Dupont... that would be cause for worry.
France have been coming very close to losing to average sides recently (Italy, Australia, Scotland last weekend). NZ in 2011 were never like that. Ntamack matters
It's just that Dupont and Ntamack always play together with France and Toulouse, they're a settled combination. Jalibert is up there with the best. Look up his highlights. Highlight is resume in French, just a hint.
It should be noted that New Zealand beat France 37-17 in 2011 in pool play with Carter, without him in the final they were lucky to win 8-7.
France has depth it's a massive disruption to bring in less experienced players in crucial playmaking roles, even if Dupont comes through unscathed a few more injuries at 10 like the ABs had with Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden in 2011 and it'll be a different story.
In 2011 NZ had the world's best loose forward trio and an extremely solid tight five and yet France was the better team in the final and still lost it. If the Allblacks had Carter in the final it would've probably been a more definite victory like 2015. Is France an incredibly solid 8 that with Dupont can carry the replacement first five to world cup victory? To be honest I don't know enough about their forward pack other than they lost their best prop. What I do know is they have a chance at winning the semi with the Irish captain rusty and old or the Springboks without Pollard. The pool match against the Allblacks will be though the true litmus test as the Allblacks will be at full strength and will have every intention of winning it to play the second best team in the opposition pool. If France can win their first pool game then they can win RWC but if they lose then they will not.