PRO 14: Round 14 Preview

Stadio Comunale Monigo

20:00

To Win (80 Mins)
Treviso 1/5
Draw 25/1

Zebre 37/10


Handicap
Treviso (-10.5) 17/20

Zebre (+10.5) 17/20

We kick things off with an all-Italian affair as Treviso play hosts to domestic foes, Zebre. The two sides have had completely contrasting seasons with the visitors only winning two of their 13 games and the hosts winning five of theirs. 

Treviso still have an outside chance of making the play-offs but they’ll need a bonus-point win here to keep that dream alive.

Verdict:  Treviso (-10.5) 17/20

When the two sides met last December we were treated to an absolute points fest with Treviso running out 36-25 victory. They would have just cleared this weekend’s handicap then and I reckon they win by a bigger margin this time around.

Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
Saturday 22 August
Parc Y Scarlets

16:00

To Win (80 Mins)
Scarlets 3/10

Draw 20/1

Cardiff 11/4


Handicap
Scarlets (-7.5) 17/20

Cardiff (+7.5) 17/20

We move from Italy to Wales now for our first Welsh derby of the weekend which sees the Scarlets play host to the Cardiff Blues. A loss for the visitors here would see Cardiff left without of a hope of play-offs qualification and would all but assure the Scarlets a play-off berth.

The two sides have been in decent enough nick this term with Cardiff winning six of their 13 fixtures and the Scarlets winning eight of theirs. When the two sides met back in in January the Scarlets edged the game 14-16. 

Verdict: Cardiff (+7.5) 17/20

While Scarlets have made some sharp signings during the COVID break, a lot of these new recruits are unable to play this weekend for various reasons. I also find Welsh derbies tend to be rather tight and this is why I’m on the plus. 

Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh

Saturday 22 August
BT Murrayfield
18:15

To Win (80 Mins)
Warriors 5/10

Draw 20/1

Edinburgh 16/10


Handicap
Warriors (+4.5) 17/20
Edinburgh (-4.5) 17/20

We hop across to Scotland for our next clash which will see Glasgow and Edinburgh lock horns for the first of game of their double-header.

The hosts head into this one as heavy favourites with the bookmakers but they may well struggle here as they have a number of backs out and Huw Jones will be playing out of position with the former Western Province man set to line-up at fullback.

Edinburgh seem a bit more settled, and while their squad is nowhere near as star-studded as Glasgow’s it’s still a decent enough.

Verdict: Edinburgh (+4.5) 17/20
Edinburgh actually have a decent recent record against Edinburgh and have won three of the last five clashes between the sides including the most recent meeting. I reckon they’ll give Glasgow a good run here. 

Leinster v Munster

Saturday 22 August
Aviva Stadium

20:35

To Win (80 Mins)
Leinster 3/10
Draw 20/1

Munster 28/10


Handicap
Leinster (-8.5) 17/20
Munster (+8.5) 17/20

One of this weekend’s more eye-catching fixtures is next up with Leinster taking on Munster in an all-Irish battle.

Leinster, who have won all 13 of their games this term, have already qualified for the semi-finals and don’t have much besides pride riding on this game. Munster, on the other hand, need two points from this one to secure a play-off berth.

The host had some really bad news this week with star fly-half Joey Carbery ruled out of the fixture with a long-term ankle injury.


Verdict: Leinster (-8.5) 17/20

The loss of Carbery is a massive one for Munster and I think they’ll struggle without the Irish international. This is one of the few derbies that I’ll be backing the handicap to be cleared in.

Ospreys v Dragons

Sunday 23 August
Liberty Stadium

15:15

To Win (80 Mins)

Ospreys 4/10

Draw 18/1

Dragons 21/10

Handicap
Ospreys (+6.5) 17/20
Dragons (-6.5) 17/20

We’re back to Wales for our next instalment which will a struggling Ospreys side look to take something away from a very poor season when they take on a Dragons outfit that is also out of the running for a play-off berth.

Both sides have endured horrendous seasons with the Ospreys currently at the foot of Conference A having only won two of their 13 fixtures. Their opponents haven’t fared all that better with the Dragons in fifth-place on the Conference B standings with five wins from their 13 games.  

Verdict: Ospreys (+6.5) 17/20

Again, I’m going to back the plus line in a Welsh derby.

Ulster v Connacht

Sunday 23 August

Aviva Stadium
17:30


To Win (80 Mins)
Ulster 7/20

Draw 20/1

Connacht 22/10


Handicap
Ulster (-7.5) 17/20

Connacht (+7.5) 17/20

We close out the Round 14 action with an Irish derby that sees Ulster and Connacht lock horns at the neutral venue of the Aviva Stadium. 

Ulster just need a couple of points from their remaining two games to claim a berth in the play-offs while Connacht need to overtake Scarlets, who are two points ahead of them on the Conference B standings, to sneak into the next phase of the tournament. 

Verdict: Connacht (+7.5) 17/20
I actually fancy Connacht’s chances here. Ulster are missing a couple players through injury while Connacht are getting close to full strength.