Rugby Union | Rugby World Cup warm-up games | Preview and Odds

The countdown to the 2019 Rugby World Cup continues as sides look to fine-tune their preparations.

Wales host Ireland in a repeat of the Six Nations decider, but both Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt have decided to give some of their fringe players a chance to impress.

Of the other home nations in action, Scotland face Georgia in Tbilisi, and our rugby union expert previews both ties and gives you the best rugby union bets to look out for.

Wales v Ireland

Warren Gatland has made 14 changes, and Joe Schmidt 11 so it would be fair to say both will be nowhere near full strength this weekend.

Wales are ranked the number one side, and despite the changes, Gatland will be looking for some of his players to prove a point and provide him with a selection dilemma before he names his World Cup squad.

The Welsh head into this game on the back of a 13-6 win over England, and are Evens to pick up the win.

Ireland, fresh from a humiliating 57-15 defeat suffered the previous weekend at the hands of England, will simply be looking for a morale-boosting performance before heading to Japan.

They have made the lesser number of changes and are 8/11 to come away from the Principality Stadium with their win in Wales for the first time since 2015.

A victory for Wales would see them head into the World Cup as the number one ranked side, and while Ireland expected will put in a much better showing than last weekend,  I still fancy the hosts to win this by 1-10 points, which can be backed at 5/2.

Georgia v Scotland

Gregor Townsend takes his Scotland side to Georgia and they become the first Tier One nation to play a Test in Georgia.

The hosts are arguably the top Tier Two side heading into the World Cup in Japan and are currently ranked above Italy heading into the tournament.

The Georgians have progressed significantly in the last four years, but are yet to pass the group stage at the highest level, and though their under-20s side recently defeated the Scots, this is a completely different kettle of fish.

The hosts are likely to make this difficult for Townsend’s charges who have made 10 changes ahead of the Tbilisi Test, so expect them to come out with a point to prove.

Despite all that, I can’t see anything but a Scotland win, and a victory by 11-20 points for the visitors can be backed at 5/2 and looks of the most appeal to me.

Find out all you need to know about the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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