After two weeks of Six Nations action, the PRO 14 will make its return this coming weekend.
Round 15 of the 2019 PRO 14 season could well throw up a few shocks with a number of Northern Hemisphere internationals sitting out this weekend due to them still being tied up with the Six Nations squads.
While the absence of some star names mean the games may be slightly diluted in quality this weekend, this doesn’t mean there’s not some great value on offer for the shrewd rugby punters out there.
Ospreys v Ulster
Friday 15 February
Morganstone Brewery Fields
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Ospreys 13/20
Draw 16/1
Ulster 27/20
We kick proceedings off with a clash between Conference A’s third-placed side, the Ospreys, and Conference B’s fourth-placed side, Ulster.
Both sides come into this one off the back of rather poor results with the hosts going down 9-3 to a struggling Glasgow Warriors outfit in Round 14 and Ulster being held to a shock 17-17 home draw by Italian side Treviso.
Verdict: Ulster 27/20
This could well prove to be a scrappy old affair with both teams missing a host of stars due to Six Nations commitments. My money is on the visitors edging a very dour affair.
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Munster v Kings
Friday 15 Februar
Independent Park
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Munster 1/100
Draw 30/1
Kings 11/1
A somewhat depleted Munster outfit will be looking to remain at the summit of the Conference A standings when they take on a full-strength Kings side this Friday evening.
The hosts have put forward a solid campaign thus far and head into the fixture having won 10 of their fourteen fixtures.
The Kings, on the other hand, have once again struggled for results and come into the game having only won two of their 14 games this term. On top of this, the Kings two aforementioned victories have come on home soil.
Verdict: Munster 1/100
The Kings have been competitive in recent weeks, running the Cheetahs close in the two derby games between the sides and beating Scottish high-flyers Edinburgh. I can’t see them being as dogged here though, and I think they may be in for a bit of a rude welcome call from a weakened yet talented Munster second-string. My money is on the hosts winning this one by more than 25 points.
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Edinburgh v Dragons
Friday 15 February
Murrayfield
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh 1/8
Draw 25/1
Dragons 5/1
Edinburgh will be looking to leapfrog Treviso into second spot on the Conference B standings when they play host to the struggling Dragons in Friday’s final fixture.
The hosts had been in sensational touch until the faced the Kings in Round 14, with the South African side producing the shock of the tournament as they beat Edinburgh 25-21 out in South Africa.
Like Edinburgh, the Dragons also head into this one off the back of a defeat, although there’s was a far more credible 7-8 loss to Munster.
Verdict: Edinburgh 1/8
This should be another tight fixture with both teams missing a plethora of internationals. My money is on the host edging a very hard-fought clash.
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Zebre v Leinster
Saturday 16 Feburary
Stadio Luigi Zaffanella
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Zebre 15/2
Draw 30/1
Leinster 1/20
Zebre have the unenviable task of taking on Conference B leaders and reigning PRO14 champions Leinster is Saturday’ opening fixture. The visitors head into this one having won 12 of their 14 games this term, while the hosts have only been able to register three victories.
Leinster will again be devoid of their big-name Irish internationals this weekend, but this shouldn’t trouble them too much as they were missing the same players in Round 14 and still managed to notch up a 22-17 victory over the Scarlets.
Zebre didn’t fare as well in Round 14 as they were hammered 61-28 by the Cheetahs out in Bloemfontein.
Verdict: Leinster 1/20
The hosts may be fielding a second strength side and be away from home, but I still expect them to take this one by 15 points or more.
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Treviso v Scarlets
Saturday 16 February
Stadio Communale do Monigo
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Treviso 9/10
Draw 16/1
Scarlets 19/20
Treviso will be looking to maintain their decent run of form when they take on the Scarlets in Saturday’s second fixture. The hosts are enjoying a remarkable season and currently reside in second place on the Conference B standings having won seven of their 14 matches.
Scarlets are two points off the hosts on Conference B standings and come into the fixture off the back of a solid showing during their five-point loss to mighty Leinster in Round 14.
Verdict: Treviso 9/10
The Italian side have become a real force to be reconded with, especially at home. I can see them registering another victory at the Stadio Communale do Monigo this Saturday.
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Connacht v Cheetahs
Saturday 16 February
The Sportsground
19:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht 1/7
Draw 25/1
Cheetahs 47/10
The Cheetahs will be looking to notch up their seventh win of the season and in the process, move up into the play-off spots in Conference A when they take on a very handy Connacht side in Saturday’s penultimate fixture.
The visitors have been in decent nick lately winning their last four games on the trot. It must be noted, however, that all of these victories have come on home soil.
Connacht, on the other hand, have lost three of their last four games and head into the fixture off the back of an 8-7 away defeat to the Cardiff Blues.
Verdict: Connacht 1/7
While the Cheetahs have been in great form over the past month and a half, they are still a team that struggles on the road. I can see the men from Free State winning streak coming to an end in Galway this weekend.
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Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 16 February
Cardiff Arms Park
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Cardiff 12/10
Draw 16/1
Glasgow 7/10
The curtain will come down on the Round 14 action with a clash between the Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors.
The host currently reside in fifth place on the Conference A standings but a win could see them move up to third should results go their way. Glasgow sit in a much prettier position with the Scottish side currently second on the standings. The Warriors also broke their losing streak in Round 13 as they beat the Ospreys 9-3 in an attritional affair.
The hosts also came out on top in their Round 14 clash as they beat Connacht 8-7 in another game that resembled trench warfare.
Verdict: Glasgow 7/10
I’m backing the Warriors to sneak the win here. They may be without their Scottish internationals but they have a few fringe players coming back from injury which will be a massive boost.
