With the South African sides having the week off, attention turns to the European URC outfits this week. Oddly, the match between Cardiff and Zebre has been postponed... following a severe weather warning.
Friday 18 February
Munster 29/100 | Draw 20/1 | Edinburgh 28/10 (21:35)
Munster can go level on points with Edinburgh if they earn a bonus-point win at Thomond Park on Friday. The Irish side are fifth, trailing fourth-placed Edinburgh by five-log points albeit having played a game less and boasting a superior points difference. With both sides having copped away losses last week, Friday can provide one with a shot at keeping the pace at the top.
The Red Army have won all six of their home matches this season and should make it seven here.
Saturday 19 February
Scarlets 72/100 | Draw 20/1 | Connacht 12/10 (21:35)
Scarlets welcome Connacht to Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening. Both teams currently find themselves in some pretty poor form, with the hosts having lost their last three and the away raise their last four on the bounce. The Welsh outfit are in 13th, trailing their 10th-placed foes by four points but having played three games fewer. Considering the tough run the Irishmen have up ahead though, they could take this one to put an end to their bad showings of late.
Back the away team to cause an upset here.
Glasgow 1/6 | Draw 25/1 | Benetton 46/10 (21:35)
Glasgow will be intent on maintaining their great campaign thus far when they tackle Benetton at the Scotstoun. The Warriors are second after collecting seven wins from 10 and will be gunning for top spot as the competition begins to ebb towards the post-season. Their opponents this week have been greatly improved this campaign and occupy eighth. They achieved a one-point win in the reverse fixture in November and may be able to upset the Scots again here.
Benetton could get under Scottish skin again this weekend. Back them on the plus when it becomes available.
Leinster | Draw | Ospreys *betting tba
Leinster will be favourites again to knock over Ospreys at the RDS. The defending champions beat then second-placed Edinburgh last week to rise to third and will be eager to get one over the Welsh outfit here for an eighth win in 10. To their credit, Ospreys are another team who have been much improved this season but may not have the depth to upset Leo Cullen’s juggernaut here.
It should be another standard win for this mighty Leinster team.
Sunday 20 February
Dragons 28/10 | Draw 22/1 | Ulster 2/7 (14:00)
The final match of the weekend pits the Dragons against Ulster at Rodney Parade on Sunday. The Dragons are 15th after another season of struggles, with just one win and a draw from eight to their name. Beating first-placed Ulster this weekend will take a mighty effort and unfortunately, they may not have it in them.
The front runners shouldn’t have a problem here.
