Leinster will be looking to ensure they finish the regular season as Conference B winners when they take on Connacht on Saturday the 28th of April.
It’s an all-Irish Derby this Saturday with Connacht playing host to Leinster in the final round of the inaugural Pro14 round-robin phase. The visitors just need a point from this one to ensure they secure top spot on the Conference B standings. Connacht, on the other hand, have nothing but pride to play for as they have no chance of qualifying for the next round of the tournament.
Connacht v Leinster
Saturday 28 April
Sportsground
16:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht 14/10
Draw 17/1
Leinster 6/10
Connacht
The 2015/16 Pro12 champions have struggled during the inaugural Pro14 and currently sit sixth on the Conference B standings with only six wins to their name. The Irish Province are actually only two points off Conference B cellar-dwellers Zerbre, and a loss this weekend could well see Connacht end the regular season at the front of their conference.
Thankfully for Connacht fans, their side has been slightly better at home than on the road winning half of the Pro14 fixtures played at the Sportsground. Even more promising for the Connacht faithful is that their side have been able to up their game against local opposition, beating Munster and Ulster at the Sportsground this season.
Leinster
Unlike Connacht, Leinster have enjoyed a marvellous season and currently sit top of the Conference B standings. They have endured some patchy Pro14 of late, however, going down 17-15 to Benneton in their previous domestic fixture. They have also gone down to the Ospreys (32-18) and held to a 10-10 draw by Scarlets over the past month and a half.
Leinster head into Saturday’s clash off the back of a brilliant 38-16 European Rugby Champions Cup semi-final victory over the Scarlets. if they play anything like they did in that game, then they will have no troubles getting one over Connacht.
Verdict: Leinster 6/10
When these sides last met Leinster managed to edge it 21-18. It’s likely to be as tight this time around and I can see Leinster ending on the right side of the scoreline yet again.
