This season’s URC knockouts are finally here, with the Bulls hosting Benetton, the Stormers in Glasgow, Munster tackling Ospreys in Limerick and Leinster facing Ulster in Dublin.
Friday 7 June
Munster 1/12 | Draw 33/1 | Ospreys 13/2 (20:35)
Handicap
Munster (-16.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+16.5) 17/20
Munster have put themselves in an ideal position to defend their title after finishing top of the standings this term. Given the position Graham Rowntree’s charges have put themselves in, it will take something very special to prevent them from marching all the way to the final.
Welsh Shield winners Ospreys did well to sneak into the top eight at the Lions’ expense, but it’ll be a seismic shock if their campaign continues after the weekend. Munster claimed a 27-17 win in Swansea in March which may also play on the minds of Toby Booth’s players.
Verdict: Munster (-16.5) 17/20
Munster should have little trouble clipping the Ospreys’ wings in Limerick on Friday evening.
Saturday 8 June
Bulls 1/20 | Draw 30/1 | Benetton 9/1 (15:30)
Handicap
Bulls (-19.5) 17/20 | Benetton (+19.5) 17/20
The Bulls have enjoyed a terrific campaign, finishing second overall after winning 13 of their 18 regular season matchups. Having recently cruised to a 56-35 win at Loftus against Benetton in their penultimate round-robin clash, they should have no trouble repeating that result on the highveld on Saturday, even without the services of an in-form Canan Moodie.
Benetton finished seventh in a memorable season for a team that seems to keep getting better and better. They should be competitive in patches this weekend, but ultimately they don’t have the ammo up front to take down a Bulls outfit gunning for a potential home final. It’s a pity for them that they aren’t playing this one at the Stadio Comunale Monigo considering they won 12 of their 13 matches at their beloved home ground this term.
Verdict: Bulls (-19.5) 17/20
The Bulls should produce the goods in what should be a comfortable win.
Leinster 1/12 | Draw 33/1 | Ulster 13/2 (18:00)
Handicap
Leinster (-16.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+16.5) 17/20
The Irish Shield winners missed out on a top league finish for the first time since 2017 as Leo Cullen’s supreme underachievers gear up for what should be a more challenging play-off route. For the first time in ages – and particularly after yet another Champions Cup final loss – Leinster will feel they have their backs against the wall. How they respond over the course of the coming weeks will be as interesting to follow as any of the myriad other URC subplots taking place this weekend.
Ulster will be buoyed by the fact that they have already beaten Leinster home and away this season, with the former result coming as recently as three weeks ago. They’ve done a great job finishing sixth considering the club’s head coach left mid-season, but the desire in this Leinster unit means the visitors could be caught short.
Verdict: Ulster (+16.5) 17/20
Don’t be surprised if Leinster go up a level or two this weekend. Still, Ulster should be shown more respect than the 16.5-point handicap suggests.
Glasgow 11/20 | Draw 20/1 | Stormers 15/10 (20:35)
Handicap
Glasgow (-3.5) 17/20 | Stormers (+3.5) 17/20
Glasgow have been formidable this season, finishing just three points shy of top spot in fourth. Under the tutelage of Franco Smith, the Warriors have continued to improve and will be difficult to get past come kick-off time.
When the Stormers visited the Scotstoun in November, the 20-9 result favoured the home side. John Dobson’s men have not been as dominant as usual this season, and without the Cape Town faithful behind them on Saturday they’ll need a particularly massive shift.
Verdict: Glasgow 11/20
Glasgow should grab the win at home, but the Stormers will run them close.
