The Stormers are the only SA franchise playing away from home on a URC weekend that gives Leinster a grand opportunity to go top again. With three rounds remaining, there is still all to play for in the URC with a number of clubs desperate to break into the top eight.
Friday 10 May
Edinburgh 1/50 | Draw 45/1 | Zebre 12/1 (20:35)
Handicap
Edinburgh (-27.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+27.5) 17/20
Edinburgh have made big strides under Sean Everitt this season, sitting ninth and just a point off the play-off spots. Although this weekend’s clash against bottom-of-the-log Zebre should be a comfortable one, the men from the Scottish capital cannot afford to get complacent given dates with Munster and Benetton are still to come.
Verdict: Edinburgh (-27.5) 17/20
There’s plenty at stake here for Edinburgh. Expect the Scottish outfit to blow the Italians out of the water here as they hunt a play-off place.
Dragons 48/10 | Draw 28/1 | Stormers 1/7 (20:35)
Handicap
Dragons (+14.5) 17/20 | Stormers (-14.5) 17/20
Dragons are just a point above Zebre in 15th and although they will be motivated to pick up what would be a fourth win in their bid to avoid the wooden spoon, the Stormers’ desire may be even greater on matchday.
The Capetonians are fifth, with play-off rugby still not secure given the close-knit nature of the league standings. After something of an indifferent campaign this time around, one would think John Dobson has the quality at his disposal to see off the hosts here.
Verdict: Stormers (-14.5) 17/20
The Cape side should prove far too good for Dragons in Wales on Friday evening… especially with a decent weather forecast.
Saturday 11 May
Bulls 2/15 | Draw 28/1 | Glasgow 5/1
Handicap
Bulls (-15.5) 9/10 | Glasgow (+15.5) 8/10
The Bulls face log-leading Warriors here with plenty to prove given their indifferent form of late. Jake White’s men lie fourth with the possibility of climbing even higher still good. The Highveld altitude and some renewed focus should see them get the job done.
Can Warriors hold onto their No 1 ranking until the end of the round robin stage? It looks like a tough ask given their fixture list, but Franco Smith’s men will be strong contenders in the play-offs regardless. It remains to be seen how many frontliners will feature on their SA tour, but the Bulls will be tough to beat at Loftus in any case.
Verdict: Glasgow (+15.5) 8/10
The Scottish side should just about keep within a pretty hefty handicap.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 42/100 | Draw 22/1 | Benetton 2/1 (16:05)
Handicap
Sharks (-5.5) 17/20 | Benetton (+5.5) 17/20
The Challenge Cup finalists insist they will not take their next two URC games lightly ahead of the historic showdown with Gloucester. The fact that Benetton were the English club’s semi-final opponents last week will serve the Sharks well in terms of gauging certain key areas to attack as they gear up for that almighty encounter.
For the Italians, URC playoff rugby is within touching distance. Sitting eighth, they will be there post-season if they can safely navigate their remaining games. Unfortunately for them, this tour of the Republic will do their campaign no favours.
Verdict: Benetton (+5.5) 17/20
It remains to be seen whether the Hollywoodbets Sharks will be at full strength or not. I suspect not. As such, take the Italians to remain within the handicap.
Scarlets 26/10 | Draw 22/1 | Ulster 32/100 (16:05)
Handicap
Scarlets (+7.5) 17/20 | Ulster (-7.5) 17/20
Like the rest of Welsh rugby, Scarlets are enduring a difficult time of it. They lie 14th and will already be playing their final games with next season in mind.
Ulster are seventh and locked on 44 points with two other clubs. Victory at Parc y Scarlets is vital given they must still contend with Leinster at the Kingspan and Munster at Thomond Park.
Verdict: Ulster (-7.5) 17/20
Ulster’s quality should shine through against what is a far from vintage Scarlets outfit.
Munster 19/100 | Draw 25/1 | Connacht 4/1 (18:15)
Handicap
Munster (-10.5) 17/20 | Connacht (+10.5) 17/20
The defending champions are third following a highly successful South African tour which included massive wins over the Bulls and Lions. Irish derbies are always close affairs, and this week’s tussle will be no different – particularly given Connacht are sixth and looking to secure their own play-off participation.
This will likely be a low-scoring encounter, and with the men from Galway involved it’s always close to call, but the hosts should have the pedigree and BMT to edge a win.
Verdict: Connacht (+10.5) 17/20
As mentioned earlier, I think this will be a closely-fought encounter. Connacht on the plus for me.
Lions 1/10 | Draw 28/1 | Cardiff 6/1 (18:15)
Handicap
Lions (-16.5) 9/10 | Cardiff (+16.5) 8/10
An indifferent run of form of late looks to have put paid to the Lions’ quarter-final ambitions. Currently lying 11th, five points off eighth place, Ivan van Rooyen’s men will need a minor miracle to feature in the post season. Still, they’ll have too much firepower for Cardiff in Joburg here.
The tourists may be just one place behind their opponents this week, but the 14-point gap between the teams speaks volumes. They should struggle at altitude too.
Verdict: Lions (-16.5) 17/20
The Joburgers will be on the hunt for a bonus point win, and they should secure it too against the men from the Welsh capital.
Leinster 1/33 | Draw 33/1 | Ospreys 11/1 (20:35)
Handicap
Leinster (-20.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+20.5) 17/20
Second-placed Leinster have a good opportunity to finish the season in first with two of their remaining three games at home (with the small matter of a third successive Champions Cup Grand Final sandwiched in-between). Ospreys shouldn’t pose a realistic threat on Saturday.
The Swansea side are 10th and although they lie just four-points off the top eight, their quarterfinal race is likely already run. Coming up against the Leinster juggernaut in Dublin here should prove too much.
Verdict: Leinster (-20.5) 17/20
A big handicap, sure… but still one you’d expect the Dubliners to clear without much fuss.
