Although the top eight is fixed as the URC heads into its final round this weekend, certain qualified teams will be out to improve on their positions ahead of the knockouts.
Friday 21 April
Stormers | Draw | Benetton
Handicap
Stormers | Benetton
Odds TBA*
The defending champs dropped the ball against Munster last week, surrendering second place in a 24-26 defeat in Cape Town. With their usurpers, Ulster, facing lowly Edinburgh in Belfast later in the evening, it looks as though John Dobson’s charges will have to be content with the bronze.
Benetton will look to complete their fine season by retaining ninth come the end of the weekend, though that seems to be a tall order here.
The resurgent Stormers should comfortably clear the handicap on Friday.
Ulster 1/9 | Draw 30/1 | Edinburgh 54/10
Handicap
Ulster (-15.5) 17/20 | Edinburgh (+15.5) 17/20
The Stormers’ loss was very much Ulster’s gain a week ago, with Dan McFarland’s boys now second and unlikely to let up against Edinburgh here. Though they’re just a point above the Capetonians, their superior points difference means they’re unlikely to be shifted from their current standing.
Edinburgh’s forgettable season should end in defeat.
Ulster on the minus.
Saturday 22 April
Lions 1/50 | Draw 40/1 | Zebre 12/1
Handicap
Lions (-23.5) 8/10 | Zebre (+23.5) 8/10
The Lions will be hurting big time after they allowed a weakened Leinster outfit to come back and steal the win in Johannesburg last week, in turn forgoing the opportunity to become the first team to beat Leo Cullen’s side this season. Having just played the table-toppers, Cash van Rooyen’s charges should have the resolve to bag five-log points against winless Zebre here.
Lions to clear the ‘cap.
Bulls | Draw | Leinster
Handicap
Bulls | Leinster
Odds TBA*
The Bulls can do what their trans-Jukskei rivals nearly achieved last week and deal Leinster their first L of the season in Pretoria on Saturday. Jake White’s men will look to their semi-final heroics of last year for this one and will this time have the added advantage of playing at home and against a much-depleted Leinster lineup. They could potentially finish as high as fifth with a win and positive outcomes in other games.
Leo Cullen’s second stringers did superbly well to hit back against the Lions a week ago but could just cop that first loss here.
Bulls to win narrowly.
Dragons | Draw | Scarlets
Handicap
Dragons | Scarlets
Odds TBA*
15th-placed Dragons can finish their season on a positive note with defeat of Scarlets. Having gone down 17-33 at Rodney Parade in December. They head into this one on a seven-game losing run and will be eager to give their supporters something to cheer about.
With a Challenge Cup semi-final to look forward to, Scarlets will be looking to build some momentum but may come unstuck here.
Dragons to take it.
Ospreys 21/20 | Draw 18/1 | Cardiff 83/100
A bonus-point win for Ospreys would see them steal the Welsh Shield from right under the noses of leaders Cardiff here and secure Champions Cup qualification. With neither sides’ form particularly good, this one could go either way and will invariably be another close one.
Playing at home, get on Ospreys here.
Sharks 46/100 | Draw 20/1 | Munster 37/20
Handicap
Sharks (-5.5) 17/20 | Munster (+5.5) 17/20
The Sharks will know their Champions Cup qualification is effectively out of their hands, currently two-points back of the seventh-placed Bulls, but they can give themselves the best chance of bagging a spot amongst Europe’s elite with a bonus-point win here.
Munster, superb in their win over the Stormers, will be out for blood again but should ultimately fall short in Durban.
Sharks on the minus.
Glasgow Warriors | Draw | Connacht
Handicap
Glasgow | Connacht
Odds TBA*
Warriors face stubborn Connacht who, despite an indifferent start to their campaign, have really hit their stride and shot up the log standings to occupy sixth. Playing at the Scotstoun this weekend could be a stretch too far for them though and they may find themselves falling down a few pegs on the ladder.
Connacht on the plus.
