Lions odds-on to roar Down Under

SPORTS BETTING:

I admit I was shocked to hear the British and Irish Lions had lost a tour match 14-12 to a load of Brummies yesterday. Then I looked again and realised it said “Brumbles”.

But fear not: this was merely a warm-up game for the real thing, which gets under way in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Lions will be boosted by the return of key winger George North - the bookies reckon they will win the first of their three Tests against Australia.

The Lions are 4-6 to roar, with the hosts a generous-looking 8-5. It’s a close one to call, but value-seekers will be on the Aussies.



WIMBLEDON gets underway next Monday and, fresh from his victory at Queen’s, Britain’s Andy Murray is only 7-2 to win his second grand slam - the one he wants most - following his US Open triumph.

Iron man Novak Djokovic is a worthy favourite at 7-4, with French Open champion Rafael Nadal on 7-2 and Roger Federer 6-1.



THE Tour de France is almost upon us - and it’s tremendous to see another Briton heading the betting

With Sir Brad Wiggins out of the picture this time, last year’s runner-up, fellow Briton Chris Froome, is 8-11 to go one place better this time.

There are those who believe that had he not obeyed team orders last year, he might have beaten Wiggins. Here he gets his chance to show how good he is. The race starts a week on Saturday.