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United Rugby Championship

PREVIEW: 2024/25 URC – Round 9

The year 2024 comes to an end with more derby matchups this weekend, the highlight of which is the Stormers’ Cape Town clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Grant Williams - Hollywoodbets Sharks
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

The year 2024 comes to an end with more derby matchups this weekend, the highlight of which is the Stormers’ Cape Town clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Friday 27 December

 37/10 Munster | Draw 28/1 | Leinster 1/5 (21:35)

Since their famous 2023 URC semi-final win over Leinster, Munster have lost three straight games against their eastern rivals.

For an even broader perspective, the Red Army have succumbed in 13 of their last 15 head-to-head games with Leo Cullen’s outfit in a damning reflection of their derby aptitude.

They did well to down Ulster in Belfast last week, thanks largely to Tom Farrell’s hattrick, but don’t look like they have it in them to trump Leinster this season.

Leinster have won all of their games so far and doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. They triumphed 26-12 in the reverse fixture in October, and while Friday’s clash may not be as one-sided, they should still help themselves to a ninth URC win of the campaign.

Verdict: Leinster on the board

The log-leaders to keep up their superb form.

 Saturday 28 December

39/100 Stormers | Draw 21/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 43/20 (17:00)

The Stormers capitalised against the 14-man Lions to put a stop to their four-game losing run in Cape Town last week, ultimately recording a 29-10 win against the highveld side. They will be in for a bigger challenge in the form of the Sharks on Saturday, though they are being continually bolstered by the continual return of a number of side-lined players.

John Plumtree’s boys showed great fight to beat the Bulls in Durban in the last round and can make it two out of two against their fellow SA sides this season. The Sharks held off a late surge to down the Capetonians 21-15 at the end of November and are looking good to record another come the weekend.

Verdict: Sharks on the board

Get on the visitors to sneak it on the west coast.

5/2 Zebre | Draw 23/1 | Benetton 1/3 (17:00)

Amid growing speculation surrounding their future involvement in the competition, Zebre came oh so close to seeing off their fellow Italian rivals a week ago. The final 11-10 scoreline at the Stadio Comunale is an indication of just how tight the affair was, with a last-gasp penalty by Rhyno Smith proving the difference. If Zebre can direct that disappointment into the right channels, there’s no reason they can’t put an end to what is now a seven-game losing run against Benetton.

Verdict: Zebre on the board

The hosts to get one over their fellow countrymen for a third win of the season.

37/20 Edinburgh | Draw 20/1 | Glasgow Warriors 47/100 (17:00)

Edinburgh were well and truly beaten at the Scotstoun last week and will need a massive improvement at Murrayfield to prevent a repeat of that 33-14 result. Although the 1872 Cup looks likely to be out of reach for yet another season, they can still restore some lost pride by getting one over the defending champions in the Scottish capital.

Franco Smith’s men are looking imperious again this term and seem well on their way to securing a top-four finish once more. They showed again last week why they’re considered one of the top attacking and mauling club sides in the game and should pick up where they left off on Saturday.

Verdict: Glasgow on the board

Warriors to collect another win over their old foes, albeit this time with a closer deficit.

37/100 Connacht | Draw 22/1 | Ulster 9/4 (21:35)

10th-placed Connacht and 11th-placed Ulster are two of five teams locked on 18 points heading into the weekend’s fixtures. Given the congested nature of the log standings and considering both sides come off the back of losses to Ireland’s “Big Two”, plenty is riding on the result of Saturday’s game.

It was Ulster that triumphed 32-27 in the reverse fixture in October with things likely to be just as tight again in Galway. With so much said in the aftermath of the Connacht loss at Leinster, get on the home team to hit back hard with a victory here.

Verdict: Connacht on the board

The Westerners to beat out the Northern Irishmen

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