The PRO14 will make its return on Friday the 22nd of March. Darry Worthington previews the Round 18 action below.
The PRO14 returns from its three-week break for the end of the Six Nations this coming Friday with some cracking games set to go down in Round 18.
The pick of the weekend’s action is likely to be a toss-up between the Scottish-Irish tie featuring Edinburgh and Leinster or the Irish-Italian affair between Connacht and a Treviso side who are having by far their best season ever.
Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Friday 22 March
Cardiff Arms Park
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Cardiff 6/10
Draw 17/1
Scarlets 14/10
The first of the Round 18 fixtures will be a Welsh derby between Conference A’s fourth-placed side, the Cardiff Blues, and the Scarlets who occupy fourth position on the Conference B standings.
Both teams head into this one in decent enough form winning two of their last three fixtures. The away side come into this one having registered an impressive 12-6 victory over Irish Province Munster in Round 17, whilst Cardiff beat the Kings 26-19.
Verdict: Cardiff 6/10
These derbies traditionally go the way of the hosts and I cannot see that changing here.
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Connacht v Treviso
Friday 22 March
The Sportsground
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Connacht 3/10
Draw 18/1
Treviso 28/10
Next up is one of the choice games for the weekend with Conference B’s third-placed side, Connacht, taking on Conference B’s second-placed side Treviso.
The visitors come to town having won four of their last five games with the only blemish on their record being a 17-17 draw away to Ulster. Their most recent outing saw them claim a memorable 18-10 home win over Edinburgh.
Connacht haven’t been as impressive in their last five games, although they did rack up a handsome win in their last fixture where they beat the Ospreys 46-5.
Verdict: Connacht 3/10
This game should be a tight one and if you’re offered a Treviso plus line that is more than 8.5 points then I would recommend backing the away side on the plus. While I do fancy the Italians to stay within the aforementioned margin, I simply cannot see them winning this game.
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Edinburgh v Leinster
Friday 22 March
Murrayfield
21:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Edinburgh
Draw
Leinster
Friday night’s action will come to a close with what should be another cracking tie between Edinburgh and Leinster.
The visitors have been in scintillating form this term and have only suffered two defeats. They currently sit clear at the top of the Conference B standings by 22 points and head into the clash off the back of a 19-7 victory over the Cheetahs.
Edinburgh haven’t been as all-conquering this term with the Scottish outfit losing nine of their 18 fixtures. They head into Friday’s affair off the back of successive losses with their most recent defeat being an 18-10 loss to Treviso.
Verdict: Leinster
With a couple of their Irish internationals in the frame for a start, I can see Leinster racking up a big win over their hosts. My money is on the visitors to take it by 12 points or more.
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Ospreys v Dragons
Saturday 23 March
Liberty Stadium
17:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Ospreys 1/5
Draw 22/1
Dragons 37/10
Our second all-Welsh affair of the weekend is up next with the Ospreys playing host to the Dragons.
Both teams have struggled this term with the Ospreys sitting fifth on the Conference B standings and the Dragons languishing in seventh on the Conference A standings.
The Dragons head into Saturday’s clash on an awful streak of form, and have lost 13 of the 17 PRO14 matches they have played this season.
While the Ospreys have a healthier record than their opponents – they have won 8 of their 12 fixtures – they do come into this clash having lost their previous four encounters, with their last defeat being a 46-5 hammering at the hands of Connacht.
Verdict: Ospreys 37/10
Despite their recent woes, I can still see the Ospreys bagging the points here. The Dragons have been horrific this season and I cannot see them causing an upset here. My money is on the hosts taking this one by eight or more.
Ulster v Kings
Saturday 23 March
Kingspan Stadium
19:30
To Win (80 Mins)
Ulster 1/50
Draw 35/1
Kings 10/1
The Kings will be looking to claim their first away win in Europe when they take on Irish Province Ulster.
The hosts currently reside in third-place on the Conference B standings and are on a three-game winning streak, with their most recent victory being 15-28 win over the Dragons.
The Kings come into this one off the back of a far less impressive string of results with the en from South Africa having lost their last four fixtures. They did give a good account of themselves during their latest defeat which saw them claim a losing bonus point going down 26-19 to the Cardiff Blues.
Verdict: Ulster 1/50
The Kings have been a lot more competitive on the road this term and have managed to avoid a few cricket scores against some of the better European sides. I doubt that will be the case this weekend, however, as Ulster will be determined to claim a bonus point win. My money is on the hosts taking it by 16 points or more.
Glasgow v Cheetahs
Saturday 23 March
Scotstoun
21:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Glasgow 1/14
Draw 35/1
Cheetahs 13/2
The penultimate game of the round will see an in-form Glasgow side take on a Cheetahs outfit that is struggling for away results.
The hosts currently have been in fine fettle over the past few months, racking up for wins on the trot. They gave a solid account of themselves in Round 17 as they beat Zebre 10-42 out in Italy.
The Cheetahs have been far less impressive in recent weeks with the Free Staters losing their last three fixtures. Their most recent loss saw them go down 19-7 to a very understrength Leinster side.
Verdict: Glasgow 1/14
The hosts will have a handful of internationals back for this one which is bad news for the Kings. I can see the Scottish side taking this by 22 points or more.
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Munster v Zebre
Saturday 23 March
Thomond Park
21:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Munster 1/100
Draw 25/1
Zebre 16/1
We close out the round at Thomond Park where Munster will be looking to bounce back from their 10-6 defeat to the Scarlets when they take on a Zebre outfit who were beaten 10-42 by the Warriors in Round 17.
Zebre have struggled for results this term and currently sit at the foot of Conference A with only four wins two their names. They have struggled on the road this season and have suffered some very heavy defeats. They may well be in for another drubbing here as Munster will also have a number of Irish internationals returning from Six Nations duty.
Verdict: Munster 1/100
The Irish side will be fired up after their Round 17 defeat and they’ll be looking to bounce back in style against Zebre. My money is on the hosts taking this one by 20 points or more.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
