Shaun Goosen takes a look at this weekend’s Pro 14 fixtures. Conference A tablet-toppers, Leinster face off against Dragons who could well finish the season as Conference wooden-spoonists. Munstser – who top Conference B – face a far more difficult prospect when they make the trip to Murrayfield to face off against Edinburgh.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Friday 19 February
Dragons v Leinster
21h35
Rodney Parade
To Win Match
Dragons 12/1
Draw 40/1
Leinster 1/50
Leinster shouldn’t have any trouble overturning the Dragons at Rodney Parade on Friday.
The three-time defending champions’ depth is well-documented. Even without their established Irish internationals, they will have too much for the hosts.
Dean Ryan’s men have lost six in succession and may struggle.
Verdict: Leinster 1/50
Leinster should cruise to victory here.
Glasgow v Ulster
21h35
Scotstoun Stadium
To Win Match
Glasgow 43/20
Draw 20/1
Ulster 39/100
Ulster must maintain the pressure on Leinster when they tackle Glasgow at the Scotstoun on Friday.
The Belfast-based club are second in Conference A, four-points adrift of Leinster. With the top two in each conference qualifying for the play-offs, and just five matches to play, Dan McFarland’s won’t be giving an inch.
Glasgow, meanwhile, look likely to miss out on Champions Cup rugby next season after a tough adjustment following Dave Rennie’s departure. They will need to rely on their two games in hand.
Verdict: Ulster 39/100
The Irishmen should have the measure of a Glasgow outfit who have battled a bit this season.
Saturday 20 February
Scarlets v Benetton
17h00
Parc y Scarlets
To Win Match
Scarlets 2/13
Draw 28/1
Benetton 46/10
Scarlets can maintain the pressure on the Conference B top three with a win over Benetton at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
The Llanelli-based club are fourth, with the top three from each conference guaranteed Champions Cup participation next season. They will certainly have more to play for than the visitors.
Benetton are zero from 10 this season. With nothing much to play for, Scarlets should expect four-log points here at the least.
Verdict: Scarlets 2/13
The Welshman will come away with the win here against a very poor Benetton side.
Ospreys v Zebre
19h15
Liberty Stadium
To Win Match
Betting unavailable at the time of publishing.
Ospreys can advance their Champions Cup claims this season by beating Zebre at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts are well-positioned in third-place in Conference A, two-points ahead of Glasgow albeit having played a game more. Another win here will increase the likelihood that they won’t be supplanted from that position.
Zebre may be in last place Conference A, but they’re just two-points off of the fourth-placed Warriors, albeit having played a game more. They should give the Ospreys a fight here but ultimately come up short.
Verdict: Ospreys
Ospreys will be desperate to claim a seat at Europe’s top table next season. A big win against the Italians will help in that regard.
Connacht v Cardiff Blues
21h35
Galway Greyhound Stadium
To Win Match
Connacht 2/7
Draw 22/1
Cardiff 29/10
There will be much to play for when Cardiff travel to the Greyhound Stadium to take on Connacht on Saturday.
The Blues are third in Conference B, one-point ahead of next-placed Scarlets and six behind Connacht, albeit having played a game more. Winning is a non-negotiable if they are to keep up the pace for a top-three finish.
Connacht are in a good position in second place and should have enough in them to beat their opponents this week.
Verdict: Connacht 2/7
In what is a must-win match for Cardiff, I expect them to fall just short. Get on Connacht here.
Edinburgh v Munster
21h35
Murrayfield
To Win Match
Edinburgh 22/10
Draw 20/1
Munster 39/100
Fifth-placed Edinburgh will continue to punch above their weight on search of a Champions Cup place when they host Munster at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The hosts have played two matches less than both Cardiff (third) and Scarlets (fourth), and sit six and seven-points behind the sides respectively. They will be craving a win to close that gap and shouldn’t die wondering here.
Munster have top spot in Conference B all but wrapped up and may fall to a team that desperately needs a positive result here.
Verdict: Edinburgh 22/10
The Scottish outfit represent excellent value here at 22/10. A nice little dark horse for the weekend.
Written by Shaun Goosen.
