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PRO14: Round 8 Preview

PRO14: Round 8 Preview

The PRO14 action continues this week, and it looks like for the first time in a long while we’ll have a full set of fixtures list with seven games scheduled for the weekend. 

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports

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The pick of the fixtures Leinster tackle the Scarlets in Wales, while the Treviso versus Dragons game should be a rather intriguing fixture as well. 

Connacht v OspreysSaturday 28 November

Galway Greyhound Stadium

21:35


To Win (80 Mins)

Connacht 1/5

Draw 24/1

Ospreys 15/4

We start things off in Ireland where Connacht will play host to Welsh side, the Ospreys on Saturday evening. The home side currently occupy third spot on the Conference B standings having won three of their five fixtures. They head into Saturday’s game having hammered Zebre 12-47 this past Sunday. 

The Ospreys weren’t as impressive as they edged Italian side Zebre 24-22 in the last round. This was the Welsh side’s third win, although they have played two more games than their opponents for this coming weekend. 

Verdict: Connacht 1/5

The Irish side tend to do well on home soil and I can see them getting a big win over a very hit-nad-miss Ospreys outfit. 

Treviso v Dragons

Saturday 28 November
Stadio Comunale di Monigo

18:00


To Win (80 Mins)Treviso 3/10

Draw 22/1

Dragons 26/10

Our next fixture will see Italian side Treviso play host to the Dragons. Treviso were extremely unlucky last weekend as they went down by just two points away to the Dragons’ fellow Welsh side, the Ospreys. Despite some solid showings this term, Treviso are still yet to win a game and sit at the foot of Conference B. 

The Dragons haven’t fared that much better, winning only one of the four fixtures they have played. They have spent a number of weeks watching proceedings from home as well as there has been a COVID outbreak in their camp. 

Verdict: Treviso 3/10

I really fancy the Italian side here. They were unlucky to lose last week, and I can seem them finally getting that first win of the season under their belts when all is said and done this Saturday. 

Scarlets v LeinsterSunday 29 November

Parc Y Scarlets

19:15

To Win (80 Mins)

Scarlets 11/2
Draw 28/1

Leinster 1/10

Next up the Scarlets face with the unenviable challenge of taking on a Leinster side that seems to be on a PRO14 winning streak that is older than some of their younger stars. 

The visitors enjoyed another solid win as they breezed past the Cardiff Blues 40-5 in the previous round. The Scarlets didn’t fare as well as they went down 26-24 to Ulster. They did give a decent account of themselves and did well to stay in the running against a very good Ulster outfit.  

Verdict: Leinster 1/10
It seems their talent pool is endless with the Irish giants still tearing oppositions apart with what is essentially their B side. My money is on them bagging another big win here. 

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Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors Sunday 29 November

Rodney Parade

21:35

To Win (80 Mins)

Cardiff 4/10

Draw 18/1

Warriors 43/20

The Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors go head-to-head in Sunday’s solitary fixture. The Blues are having a tough time of it this season and have only registered three wins from their seven fixtures. They head into Sunday’s fixture off the bat of a 35 point drubbing at the hands of Leinster. 

The Warriors have also struggled this term and have only managed one win from six fixtures. They also come into this one off the back of a disappointing defeat as they went down 13-27 to Munster at home this past week. 

Verdict: Cardiff 4/10
While both sides are struggling, Cardiff look the more cohesive unit at the minute. My money is on the hosts winning this one by more than eight points. 

Munster v ZebreMonday 30 November

Thomond Park

22:15


To Win (80 Mins)

Munster 1/100

Draw 40/1
Zebre 13/1

The penultimate game of the weekend will see Conference B leaders Munster tackle Conference A’slast placed side, Zebre. The hosts are yet to lose a game this term winning all six of the fixtures they have played. They head into this game having beaten Glasgow 13-27.  

While Zebre sit in a very lowly position, the Italian side have been a lot more competitive this term running some big sides close. They come into this game having gone down by just two points to the Ospreys. 

Verdict: Munster 1/100
While Zebre have given a decent account of themselves so far, I can’t see them keeping up with a clinical and talented Munster outfit. 

Edinburgh v UlsterMonday 30 November

Murrayfield
22:15

To Win (80 Mins)

Edinburgh 2/1

Draw 22/1

Ulster 4/10

We close out the Round with a Scottish-Irish affair as Edinburgh tackle Ulster on Monday evening. The hosts are having a nightmare season winning only two of their six games. They were out of action last week as their game against the Dragons was cancelled due to COVID fears. Their previous outing saw them hammered 50-10 by Leinster. 

Ulster have fared much better this season winning all seven of their fixtures. They come into Monday evening’s game off of a hard-fought but still impressive 26-24 win over the Scarlets.  

Verdict: Ulster 4/10

The Irish province are the form side and I can’t see them having any problems against an Edinburgh side that are struggling without their Scottish internationals. 

Written by Darry Worthington.

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