Shaun Goosen takes a look at this weekend’s Pro 14 fixtures set to kick-off on Friday 12 March
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday 12 March 2021
Zebre v Leinster
19h45
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
To Win Match
Zebre 13/1
Draw 50/1
Leinster 1/100
Zebre will need a big effort to usurp Conference A winners Leinster at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday.
The Italian club are last in Conference A after collecting just four wins all season. They will find the going tough against Leinster.
Leo Cullen’s side, who booked their place in the final against Ulster last week, will have too much quality on show for the hosts to handle.
Verdict: Leinster
Glasgow v Ospreys
22h00
Scotstoun Stadium
To Win Match
Glasgow 4/10
Draw 20/1
Ospreys 22/10
Glasgow can continue to push for a Champions Cup berth when they host Ospreys at the Scotstoun on Friday.
The Warriors are fourth in Conference A but have five-points less than Conference B’s fourth-placed side, Cardiff. They do have a game in hand however and a bonus-point win here would put them right back into contention for the Champions Cup.
Ospreys have secured a place in Europe’s top championship next season and may be outplayed by a side that wants it more here.
Verdict: Glasgow
Munster v Scarlets
22h00
Thomond Park
To Win Match
Munster 2/10
Draw 28/1
Scarlets 44/10
Munster will continue to build for the final when the host Scarlets at Thomond Park on Friday.
The hosts’ win over Connacht last week secured their place in the title decider after running away with Conference B. They should see off the challenge of Scarlets here.
The Welsh club has all but guaranteed Champions Cup footy next season but they may fall to Munster this weekend.
Verdict: Munster
Saturday 13 March
Connacht v Edinburgh
21h35
Galway Stadium
To Win Match
Connacht 3/10
Draw 22/1
Edinburgh 3/1
Connacht host an Edinburgh side still in with a shot of claiming Champions Cup rugby next season at the Galway Stadium on Saturday.
The Scottish side are fifth in Conference B but still have an outside chance of qualifying with two games in hand. They’ll need to pick up bonus-point wins and hope other results go their way as the season draws to a close, though.
Connacht are second in the same conference and will be out to end the visitors’ hopes here.
Verdict: Connacht
Dragons v Ulster
21h35
Rodney Parade
To Win Match
Dragons 18/10
Draw 20/1
Ulster 5/10
Ulster will want to bounce back from their heart-breaking loss to Leinster with a big performance over the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
The men from Belfast have been forced to settle for second place in Conference A after their title hopes were dashed in last week’s 19-38 defeat at the Kingspan. Still though, one would expect a side boasting such enormous pride to hit back hard.
The Dragons could well be on the receiving end here and won’t want a big defeat in the final weeks of the season. They’d do well to keep it tight.
Verdict: Ulster
Sunday 14 March
Benetton v Cardiff
15h00
Stadio Comunale Monigo
To Win Match
Benetton 16/10
Draw 20/1
Cardiff 5/10
Cardiff can bring Champions Cup qualification ever nearer when they visit Benetton at the Stadio Comunale Monigo on Sunday.
If the Blues keep winning, they will be guaranteed a place in the competition next season. They should have no problems against Benetton.
The hosts came close to knocking over Connacht last time out and may come close again but should ultimately fall short here. They’ve lost every game they’ve played this season.
Verdict: Cardiff
Written by Shaun Goosen.
