Steve Starr
- France is a massive 57.5-point favorite over Uruguay in the group stage
- England plays Japan in a crucial Pool D showdown after both nations won their opening games
- The 20-nation tournament is taking place in France from September 8 to October 28
France opened the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a convincing 27-13 victory over New Zealand last Friday, in what was perhaps the most eagerly-anticipated match in tournament history.
In complete control of Pool A, Les Bleus will now face an overmatched Uruguay squad on Thursday. Like many of this week’s games, the contest has a mammoth point spread. Before we examine the odds, here’s where you can find the best Rugby World Cup Betting Odds and check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2023.
France vs Uruguay
 | Spread | Win | Draw |
| France | -57.5 (-110) | -10000 | +6500 |
| Uruguay | +57.5 (-110) | +3500 | +6500 |
Les Bleus should cruise
France handed New Zealand its first pool-stage defeat in Rugby World Cup history in Stade de France last Friday. Despite looking nervous throughout the match and not playing up to its high standard, Les Bleus won by a comfortable 14 points. They’ll now take on Uruguay, the 17th-ranked squad in the world, in Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
France opens as a 57.5-point favorite this Thursday. The Uruguayan squad upset Fiji in the 2019 World Cup, but only have three wins in the history of the competition. It’s hard to see los Teros keeping up with a loaded French unit that might get center Jonathan Danty and flanker Anthony Jelonch back from injury. While the spread is gargantuan, we’ll take the hosts to cover.
The All Blacks perform an incredible Haka to kick off the Rugby World Cup against host France. 😤
🇳🇿🇫🇷#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/w7rKDUgrVm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 8, 2023
More Round 2 Matches
| Spread | Win | Draw |
| New Zealand | -67.5 (-110) | -10000 | +10000 |
| Namibia | +67.5 (-110) | +6600 | +10000 |
| Samoa | -32.0 (-110) | -1000 | +5000 |
| Chile | +32.0 (-110) | +1600 | +5000 |
| Ireland | TBD | -20000 | +5000 |
| Tonga | TBD | +5000 | +5000 |
| England | TBD | -1500 | +950 |
| Japan | TBD | +4200 | +950 |
England vs Japan
England downed Argentina 27-10 on Saturday despite an early red card and a miserable record heading into the tournament. Meanwhile, Japan triumphed over Chile 42-12. The Brave Blossoms lost their only previous World Cup match with England 60-7 back in 1987. They also fell 35-15 and 52-13 in two international friendlies in 2018 and 2022.
However, while hosting the 2019 event, the Japanese beat both Ireland and Scotland in the group stage before losing to South Africa in the quarter-finals. Coming into this event, England had lost six of nine games under coach Steve Borthwick, so you at least have to consider a +4200 longshot wager on Japan.
Ireland vs Tonga
A week after destroying Romania 82-8, Ireland will have another cupcake matchup against Tonga. Their life in Pool B is about to get tougher, however, with games against both South Africa and Scotland. Of the three Pacific Island nations, Tonga is the only one not to progress beyond the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup and that trend will almost certainly continue in 2023. The Irish will win big again.
Prince William Supports Wales at Rugby World Cup Day After Kate Middleton Attended Game in France https://t.co/b7tHt5A2om
— People (@people) September 10, 2023
New Zealand vs Namibia
New Zealand is heavy 67.5 chalk over Namibia. They also have two upcoming pool-stage matches against Italy and Uruguay, so the All-Blacks will assuredly advance to the knock-out round. Namibia lost to Italy by 44 points in their opening match.
The African nation also holds the record for the biggest defeat in Rugby World Cup history – a 142-0 loss to Australia in 2023. Unless they show mercy, the Kiwis should cover the ridiculous 67.5-point spread.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
