Thursday is the day we get the chance to see England in action once more, while Six Nations counterparts Italy are also back on the field as Canada and the USA touchdown at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Eddie Jones’ England and Conor O’Shea’s Azzurri both made winning starts to their campaign on Sunday are back against Northern Hemisphere opposition as the competition begins to hot up.
Canada were the last to qualify for Japan through the repechage, while the USA have slightly more pedigree in their locker having beaten Scotland in a Test match last year.
Italy v Canada
Level5 Stadium – Pool B
Conor O’Shea will be keen to see his Italy side build on their momentum from Sunday’s victory over Namibia as they take on Canada in Thursday’s firs kick-off.
If Canada are to hold any hopes of victory you imagine it would be against Namibia, but the likes of Chiefs forward Tyler Ardron, boasting Super Rugby experience, and Glasgow Warriors DTH Van Der Merwe could offer strength.
Italy, though, are a much stronger proposition and should be in for back-to-back success stories before moving on to harder, almost impossible, Tests against New Zealand and South Africa.
Matches odds with Coral: Italy 1/12 Draw 40/1 Canada 15/2
Ben’s Prediction: Italy win by 30 points
England v United States of America
Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium – Pool C
England made a successful start on Sunday, a relatively convincing victory and no injuries, but Eddie Jones will be after a much more cohesive performance against USA on Thursday in the coastal resort of Kobe.
There are a couple of familiar names England with USA players AJ MacGinty and Blaine Scully both European-based linchpins for the Eagles.
Manu Tuilagi crossed in two scores of England on Sunday, but Jones would be encouraged to see other backs chalk up tries ahead of sterner challenges against France and Argentina.
Matches odds with Coral: England 1/200 Draw 80/1 USA 50/1
Ben’s Prediction: England win by 25 points