The Hollywoodbets Sharks, Lions and Bulls are all at home in round six of the URC. There’s also a monster clash in Dublin between Leinster and Munster. Shaun Goosen previews the round 6 action.
Friday 24 November
Edinburgh 21/100 | Draw 25/1 | Benetton 37/10 (21:35)
Handicap
Edinburgh (-10.5) 17/20 | Benetton (+10.5) 17/20
Sean Everitt’s men have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, winning four of their five games so far and looking likely to properly challenge for a play-off spot this term. Their only loss so far understandably came at Leinster, but with an upcoming series of matches that includes Ulster, Clermont (both away), Castres and the 1872 Cup clashes against Glasgow, they can’t afford anything but a win at home here.
Benetton have been seriously impressive themselves so far though they do head into this one off the back of a first loss; a 12-26 reverse at Glasgow. They will be competitive again at the DAM Health but could cop a narrow defeat.
Verdict: Benetton (+10.5) 17/20
The Italian outfit will run the Scottish side close.
Cardiff 39/20 | Draw 20/1 | Stormers 44/100 (21:35)
Handicap
Cardiff (+5.5) 17/20 | Stormers (-5.5) 17/20
Not unlike the rest of the Welsh clubs, Cardiff are enduring a difficult time of it in the URC. Sitting 12th and with just one win from five ahead of this weekend’s encounter against what is sure to be a hungry Stormers outfit, things don’t get any easier.
The Stormers are winless on tour but will target Friday’s clash as a must-win. Even in front of the Arms Park faithful, the two-time finalists should be too good.
Verdict: Stormers (-5.5) 17/20
The Capetonians are tipped to clear a modest handicap here.
Saturday 25 November
Lions 1/11 | Draw 33/1 | Zebre 13/2 (14:55(
Handicap
Lions (-15.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+15.5) 17/20
The Lions (13th) are back home and will look to collect two wins in the coming fortnight against first Zebre and then Dragons. They played some good footy on tour and will look to build on that on their return to Emirates Airline Park.
Zebre, with a win and draw in their previous two outings, are on something of a roll of late. They’ll be competitive when they get back to Parma but this SA tour may be too intense.
Verdict: Lions (-15.5) 17/20
The Lions won’t have a problem easing to a comfortable win on the Highveld.
Bulls 1/8 | Draw 28/1 | Connacht 54/10 (17:00)
Handicap
Bulls (-14.5) 17/20 | Connacht (+14.5) 17/20
The seventh-placed Bulls could be boosted by the return of some Springboks when they face Connacht at Loftus. After picking up two wins on tour, they’re back home and will be eager to put on a show for their loyal home support. With Willie le Roux also seemingly set for a debut in blue, the hosts will have too much firepower.
Connacht occupy fourth after winning four of their five so far but could struggle on the highveld. The men from Galway are clearly eyeing a crack at the play-offs but should come unstuck on Saturday.
Verdict: Bulls (-14.5) 17/20
Get on the Bulls to win comfortably.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 1/20 | Draw 40/1 | Dragons 8/1 (19:05)
Handicap
Sharks (-17.5) 17/20 | Dragons (+17.5) 17/20
After a harrowing first five rounds, John Plumtree’s men will surely get their first win over Dragons at home this weekend. Rooted to the bottom of the standings, the likely return of more Springboks should give them the pick-me-up they need.
Dragons are 14th with just a single win to their name and shouldn’t cause the hosts too much trouble.
Verdict: Sharks (-17.5) 17/20
The Sharks to come good here.
Leinster 1/7 | Draw 25/1 | Munster 5/1 (20:30)
Handicap
Leinster (-12.5) 17/20 | Munster (+12.5) 17/20
The game of the weekend pits mighty Leinster against defending champs and old rivals Munster at the Aviva. Leo Cullen’s charges are top of the log after their demolition of Scarlets in the last round and will head into this one full of confidence and with a point to prove after last season’s semi-final.
It was Graham Rowntree’s boys that triumphed by a single point on that occasion before going on to down the Stormers two weeks later. Another victory in Dublin would certainly be seismic in the context of the Irish game but it remains unlikely.
Verdict: Munster (+12.5) 17/20
Munster to stay within a pretty big handicap.
Glasgow Warriors 39/100 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 22/10 (21:35)
Handicap
Glasgow (-6.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+6.5) 17/20
Second-placed Glasgow tackle third-placed Ulster in another blockbuster of a game this weekend. Warriors are level on points with leaders Leinster and will be keen on making their impressive form, and home-ground advantage count against the Belfast boys here.
Ulster (18 points) are just two back of their opponents this week and could be top by the end of the weekend if certain results go their way. They’ll come within a whisker but should ultimately go down at the Scotstoun.
Verdict: Ulster (+6.5) 17/20
Big value on the Ulster plus this week.
Sunday 26 November
Ospreys 42/100 | Draw 20/1 | Scarlets 2/1 (17:00)
Handicap
Ospreys (-6.5) 17/20 | Scarlets (+6.5) 17/20
Ospreys are 11th and the best-placed of the Welsh sides heading into round six. While the knockouts look out of reach already this season, the Welsh Shield should be top priority in the months ahead.
For Scarlets, who took a 5-54 battering at Leinster last week and who languish in 15th, a win here would be a welcome boost though the home-ground advantage could work against them.
Verdict: Ospreys (-6.5) 17/20
Ospreys on the minus in Swansea.
