Rugby World Cup: Have You Heard The One About The Scotsman, 2 Frenchmen, 3 Aussies, 3 South Africans, 3 Kiwis And 3 Englishmen?
Using historical World Cup statistics William Hill commissioned Opta* to create the ultimate World Cup team – with the most dominant players to have ever graced rugby’s main event.
There are four home nations players, however, Ireland and Wales do not feature, while Scotland have just the one representative in Gavin Hastings.
France get two in the form of Phillipe Sella at 13 and Thierry Dusautoir at number six – England, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa all have three representatives at the top table.
England representatives: at number 10 – Jonny Wilkinson, number 1 – Jason Leonard and Lawrence Dallaglio at number 8.
“You can tell how strong this team is given that the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Martin Johnson and Dan Carter do not feature,” said William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke. “If this lot were representing a nation at this year’s World Cup then they would surely be odds on to win it.”
William Hill predict that industry turnover for the World Cup could hit £100 million, with William Hill alone expecting to accept bets in-excess of £20 million. As it stands an astonishing 26% of Hill’s customers have backed England to win this year’s World Cup. Wales, Australia & Ireland have attracted 12% with the favourites New Zealand attracting just 9%.
New Zealand are the current 6/5 favourites with William Hill to win the World Cup, with England 9/2 and South Africa 13/2. England are 1/50 to beat Fiji at Twickenham on Friday night.
Rugby World Cup 2016: 6/5 New Zealand, 9/2 England, 13/2 South Africa, 9/1 Australia, 9/1 Ireland, 14/1 France, 20/1 Wales, 50/1 Argentina, 100/1 Scotland, 250/1 Samoa, 1000/1 Canada, 1000/1 Fiji, 1000/1 Georgia, 1000/1 Italy, 1000/1 Japan, 1000/1 Tonga, 1000/1 USA, 2500/1 Romania, 5000/1 Namibia, 5000/1 Uruguay
