Finally, it's here! The United Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend with a full set of fixtures as South Africa's four premier franchises make their European debuts.
Friday 24 September
Zebre v Lions
18h35
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
To Win Match
Zebre 13/20
Draw 17/1
Lions 27/20
Zebre and the Lions kick-off the very first match of the United Rugby Championship at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday.
The hosts managed just four wins from 16 in the entirety of last season’s Pro14 and lost all five of their matches in the Rainbow Cup.
The Lions haven’t exactly been too hot themselves of late either, finishing bottom of the Currie Cup. With the Scarlets and Glasgow up next for Cash van Rooyen’s charges, they’ll know the importance of winning here first up, and win they should.
Verdict: Lions 27/20
The Lions had shown glimpses of their quality the Currie Cup and could provide a good bit of value to win on the board at 27/20.
Cardiff Blues v Connacht
20h35
Cardiff Arms Park
To Win Match
Cardiff 59/100
Draw 18/1
Connacht 29/20
Cardiff and Connacht go head to head at Cardiff Arms Park in the first Welsh/Irish clash of the season on Friday.
Cardiff won half of the 16 games they played in the Pro14 last season, enough to qualify for the Champions Cup, and bagged three wins from five in the Rainbow Cup. Director of rugby Dai Young will have a tough task this campaign but does have some quality to work with, with the acquisition of Rhys Prietland from Bath giving them some depth at pivot.
Connacht finished second in Conference B of the Pro14 last season. They’ll put up a fight here but may just be usurped by their hosts. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not young Shayne Bolton will get a look in after a good Varsity Cup campaign for Shimlas.
Verdict: Cardiff 59/100
Cardiff look well set to bag an opening day win here and actually represent decent value at a shade under 6/10.
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
20h35
Kingspan Stadium
To Win Match
Ulster 1/6
Draw 24/1
Glasgow 46/10
Ambitious Ulster host Glasgow Warriors at the Kingspan on Friday as they look to get their season up and running the right way.
Dan McFarland’s men will have the playoffs well and truly in their sights this season. The acquisition of Duane Vermeulen is a huge coup for the boys from Belfast, especially after Marcell Coetzee’s departure. They’ll want to be in a good position on the standings when he arrives in November, and a win here will help them achieve that.
Glasgow lost more than they won last season, as they continued to rebuild following the departure of some key players. They will search for steady improvement in their inaugural URC campaign but may start off on the back foot.
Verdict: Ulster 1/6
Ulster look well-positioned to challenge the Leinster’s and Munster’s domination of the tournament this season. Back them get off to a flyer against a Glasgow side who are still very much in transition.
Saturday 25 September
Benetton v Stormers
14h00
Stadio Comunale Monigo
Rainbow Cup winners Benetton host the Stormers at the Stadio Comunale Monigo on Saturday.
Nobody could have predicted Benetton, a side coming off the back of a winless Pro14 campaign, going on to lift the Rainbow Cup in June. But they did and, despite the departure of flyhalf sensation Paolo Garbisi, they will be keen on springing even more surprises in the URC.
The Stormers have faced many challenges on and off the field of late. While they should be in contention to compete for play-off berth, especially once their Boks return.
Verdict: Benetton 46/100
You never quite know what you’re going to get with this Stormers outfit. Without their Springboks, they may battle against a very good Benetton side.
Leinster v Bulls
18h15
RDS Arena
To Win Match
Leinster 1/100
Draw 45/1
Bulls 13/1
The clash of the weekend sees Pro14 champions Leinster host Currie Cup winners the Bulls at the RDS Arena on Saturday.
In a similar vein to Scott Robertson’s Crusaders, Leinster have built a real dynasty under Leo Cullen. They’ve won the past four editions of the Pro14 and are favourites to maintain that winning record in the URC this term. That said, they may be caught out by a Bulls team coming into this one with more game time and momentum behind them.
If any side in the competition can challenge Cullen’s for squad depth, it’s Jake White’s Bulls. With the wily coach having signed a number of former Springboks to help guide the next youngsters in the squad, they are a proper contender for the URC title. Back them to claim an upset win here.
Verdict: Bulls 13/1
Big call here, but I reckon the Bulls can really challenge Leinster on Saturday evening. 13/1 is too good a price to ignore here.
Edinburgh v Scarlets
18h15
Murrayfield Stadium
To Win Match
Edinburgh 62/100
Draw 18/1
Scarlets 14/10
After missing out on a Pro14 playoff place last season, Edinburgh will be eager to put themselves back in that bracket when they host Scarlets at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scotsmen were disappointing last term, losing 10 of their fixtures. With a much more competitive campaign ahead of them now, they’ll hope their pre-season work pays off and they can spring some surprises.
Scarlets were the last side not named Leinster to win the Pro14 back in 2017. After Glenn Delaney’s departure, fans of the Llanelli-based outfit will hope former scrumhalf Dwayne Peel can deliver the goods this season. They should win first up here.
Verdict: Scarlets 14/10
Back the Welsh side to bag an opening day win here.
Munster v Sharks
20h35
Thomond Park
To Win Match
Munster N/A
Draw 45/1
Sharks 14/1
Injury-hit Munster host Currie Cup runners-up the Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday.
The men from Limerick will be without a number of key men, including influential centre Chris Farrell and second-rower Jason Jenkins. The likes of British & Irish Lions duo Connor Murray and Tadhg Beirne are also out of this one.
Sharks coach Sean Everitt has a virtually full-strength side to choose from, with the exception of their Springboks of course. After going down to the same opponents in a Currie Cup final for the second time this year, the Durbanites will be hurting. That pain could propel them to a big win at Thomond Park here.
Verdict: Sharks 14/1
Very small punt on the Sharks here. They come into this one with a lot of rugby under their belts and possess the kind of exciting young side that could blow the hosts away if everything falls into place on the day.
