In the final week of URC action ahead of the 2025 Six Nations Championship, the Lions host the Bulls in the trans-Jukskei derby while the Stormers face a daunting trip to Dublin to face Leinster. The Hollywoodbets Sharks are in Cardiff.
Friday 24 January
Ospreys 4/10 | Draw 22/1 | Benetton 23/10
Despite sitting 14th, the Ospreys are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions and will fancy their chances at extending that run against Benetton. They’re just five points off the top eight and could yet force their way into the knockouts with enough good performances.
The Treviso side are fresh off a 32-25 defeat of two-time European champions La Rochelle and will also be very confident of coming away from Swansea with the win. They’re seventh and will be aiming to remain in the top eight come the end of the weekend.
Verdict: Ospreys 4/10
The hosts to hold off the Italian club and earn a fourth URC win.
Saturday 25 January
Lions 14/10 | Draw 24/1 | Bulls 6/10 (14:45)
The Lions have beaten the Bulls just once in the last five times of trying but will feel they have a good chance on Saturday given the absence of Johan Goosen. The Pride were devastating in picking Dragons apart 60-10 in Joburg last week and will take a lot of that momentum with them into this clash.
After their dismal Champions Cup campaign, Jake White’s men will take some solace in knowing they can at least take aim at the Challenge Cup title going forward this season. Their URC prospects are a lot brighter however, sitting fourth and still very much in the hunt for a home quarter-final.
Verdict: Lions 14/10
Get on the Lions to take the first trans-Jukskei derby of the season.
Scarlets 13/10 | Draw 20/1 | Edinburgh 7/10 (17:00)
Scarlets are enjoying a solid campaign in the URC and Challenge Cup and will be highly motivated to knock over the men from the Scottish capital here. Dwayne Peel’s boys are sixth on 23 points, two places and one point above their rivals this week and can’t afford to drop off.
On the other hand, Edinburgh will see this as a big chance to scale the log after some encouraging signs in the Challenge Cup. Sean Everitt’s side finished top of Pool 3 and will be well up for this one.
Verdict: Edinburgh 7/10
The away team to steal the win in Llanelli.
Leinster 1/6 | Draw 28/1 | Stormers 4/1 (19:00)
Still unbeaten in all competitions this season, Leinster marched into the Champions Cup round of 16 off the back of a very impressive 47-21 win over Bath. Again, it’s difficult seeing just where they will come unstuck this season because at the moment they are as good as ever, with the Stormers likely to struggle in Dublin.
The Cape side are 10th on 21 points but still very much in the race for the play-offs. They are being continually boosted by the return of so many injured players but even at full strength they would struggle to knock over the Irish giants at home.
Verdict: Leinster (-12.5) 19/20
Leinster to ease to victory over the Capetonians.
Cardiff 36/10 | Draw 25/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 1/4 (19:15)
Cardiff suffered two Challenge Cup losses over the past fortnight and look vulnerable. Still, Matt Sherratt’s troops have been formidable in the URC, racking up five wins to sit third, two places and four points better off the Durbanites and top of the Welsh Shield. They will be difficult to bring down at the Arms Park.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will be eager to put their Champions Cup performances behind them and go all in on the URC once more. They will be extra motivated given they have the opportunity to jump a few places on the log and should hold nothing back come kick-off.
Verdict: Sharks (-8.5) 19/20
The Sharks to clear the handicap in the Welsh capital.
Dragons 33/10 | Draw 25/1 | Munster 1/5 (21:35)
Dragons are ranked 16th after collecting just a single win and eight losses to date. Their Challenge Cup play-off hopes went up in smoke a week ago following a 50-point thrashing in Johannesburg and there’s not much to suggest they will be a match for Munster on Saturday.
Despite a fine performance from Jack Crowley, Munster were edged 34-32 at Northampton Saints last week but will be feeling in a confident mood heading to Rodney Parade. They look to be finding their feet again after the departure of Graham Rowntree and could yet have a say in the playoffs this term; they currently occupy 11th, albeit just a point off the top eight.
Verdict: Munster (-13.5) 19/20
The visitors to seal all five log points on offer.
Sunday 26 January
Glasgow Warriors 4/10 | Draw 22/1 | Connacht 9/4 (17:30)
Warriors have set themselves up nicely in the Champions Cup after finishing second in Pool 4, while they sit second in the URC ahead of the challenge of Connacht. The defending champs are looking in ominous touch and should be too good for the visitors.
Connacht topped their Challenge Cup pool with four wins from four, though they still have plenty of work to do in the URC, currently four-points off the top eight in 13th. As good as they have been of late, Warriors at home are just too tough a proposition in Glasgow.
Verdict: Glasgow 4/10
Warriors to win it at the Scotstoun.
Ulster 1/25 | Draw 58/1 | Zebre 9/1 (19:30)
Ulster are ninth, level on points with eighth-placed Edinburgh and should maintain the heat on the play-off contenders by holding off the challenge of Zebre, with the Parma outfit sitting in 15th place with just two wins to their name so far. Playing in Belfast, it’s unlikely they will keep pace with Richie Murphy’s team.
Verdict: Ulster (-21.5) 17/20
Ulster to lock in all five log points.
