Rugby betting will boost the Wizard's total

Newcastle and Sunderland shared the spoils in the Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park to give us a £40 payout. Unfortunately that was where the winners started and ended as we showed another small loss on the week.

Chelsea let us down, losing 2-0 to title-chasing Liverpool at Anfield, and the Pittsburgh Steelers failed to cover a six point handicap at the Superbowl.

This week the weather is expected to take its toll on the sporting calendar but with our recent losing run that's probably not a bad thing.

The football programme is expected to be decimated by the snowy conditions but the cold weather will not stop the rugger boys when the Six Nations championship gets underway on Saturday.

England manager Martin Johnson has had a baptism of fire since taking the Twickenham helm and the bookies rate his side at just fourth favourites to win their first Six Nations crown since 2003, at odds of 4/1.

That's the lowest they have been rated for almost 20 years.

They begin their campaign at home against Italy as red-hot favourites at 1/8. But the Italians were only beaten by four points in Rome last year so you can make a small case for them at 8/1.

But my heart rules my head and I think England will prevail, but maybe not by the 16 points the bookies predict.

The best bet is to back the total number of points to be less than 49 at even money. The two played out a 23-19 England victory last season and with no Danny Cipriani and question marks over Andy Goode's kicking points could be at a premium.

With sleet and rain predicted handling will be difficult, making scoring very difficult for both sides.

France travel to Dublin to face underachieving Ireland, with the Irish rated as four point favourites for the game. Again I predict points will be scarce and suggest betting on the match producing under 46 points, again at even money.

Last year France won 26-21 in Paris but that was in beautiful spring sunshine compared to the blustery Arctic conditions expected this weekend in a very exposed Croke Park.

The last match sees defending Grand Slam champions, and tournament favourites, Wales play Scotland at Murrayfield.

Scotland have improved immensely since last season and are predicted to do well this time round. But Wales may be too tough a test too soon for them.

Yes, you've guessed it, we are going for a bet of under 44 points in a game between two teams of vastly different styles.

Scotland rely on their kicking while Wales like to spin the ball out to the likes of Shane Williams on the wing.

The Scots' games have been the lowest scoring in the championship for the last six years, averaging just 36 points in all matches over that period.

I expect this game to be a very tense affair with both sides knowing defeat could mean their championship hopes are over before they get going.

Running total: -£265

Suggested bets:

£30 on under 49 points between England and Italy @ evens

£30 on under 46 points between Ireland and France @ evens

£30 on under 44 points between Scotland and Wales @ evens

3 x £10 doubles on any combination of the above

£10 on the treble.