The URC returns with another round of SA derbies in store, seeing the Hollywoodbets Sharks travel to Joburg to tackle the Lions while the Stormers visit Loftus to face the Bulls.
Friday 1 March
Edinburgh 21/100 | Draw 22/1 | Ospreys 37/10
Handicap
Edinburgh (-10.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+10.5) 17/20
Just one log point separates fifth-placed Edinburgh (30) from seventh-placed Ospreys heading into this one at the DAM Health, and neither side can afford a loss given the competitiveness of this season.
The visitors arrive in the Scottish capital off the back of an impressive five straight wins in all competitions while Mike Blair’s outfit have been far more inconsistent in that same period and must look to capitalise on the presence of their home support on Friday to come away with the goods.
Verdict: Ospreys (+10.5) 17/20
Ospreys are on a great run at the moment and should stay within a double-digit handicap.
Munster N/A | Draw 50/1 | Zebre 14/1
Handicap
Munster (-27.5) 17/20 | Zebre (+27.5) 17/20
The Red Army have made far from the ideal defence of their URC title, currently outside the playoff spots in ninth albeit having amassed the same number of points (29) as the two sides directly above them on the standings. They’ll expect nothing more than a BP win playing at Thomond Park against Zebre here though.
The Italian outfit have struggled on the road and don’t have the depth to front up in Limerick without their Six Nations stars.
Verdict: Munster (-27.5) 17/20
Under pressure, back the Munstermen to record a big victory against the Italians.
Saturday 2 March
Lions 61/100 | Draw 21/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 14/10
Handicap
Lions (-3.5) 17/20 | Sharks (+3.5) 17/20
The Lions’ improvement this season was palpable in the naming of the latest Springbok alignment camp squad, with no fewer than six of Cash van Rooyen’s charges called up by Rassie Erasmus. Given the fact that no Lions players cracked the nod at last year’s World Cup, it’s a testament to the current team culture in Johannesburg that so many have earned a shot this time round.
The Sharks come off an encouraging loss to the Stormers at home and will be looking to pick up their first win over SA opposition this season. In the form of the 11th-placed Lions, though, a team looking to close the five-point gap between themselves and the top eight, it might be a tall order.
Verdict: Sharks (+3.5) 17/20
This improving Sharks side should, at the very least, stay within the handicap here.
Benetton 12/10 | Draw 21/1 | Glasgow Warriors 72/100
Handicap
Benetton (+2.5) 17/20 | Glasgow (-2.5) 17/20
This affair at the Stadio Comunale is shaping up to be one of the games of the weekend, with second-placed Glasgow tackling the season’s surprise package, fourth-placed Benetton. Franco Smith’s men trail leaders Leinster by just three points and must maintain that pressure while the competition’s European internationals are away on Six Nations duty. Picking up a result in Treviso here would be huge for the club on a psychological and practical level.
For the hosts, who fell in Dublin last time out, a victory would be the catalyst they need to get back on the horse. However, they may struggle with a lack of depth this weekend.
Verdict: Glasgow (-2.5) 17/20
The Scottish outfit to come out trumps against the heavily depleted Italians.
Bulls 7/20 | Draw 20/1 | Stormers 24/10
Handicap
Bulls (-6.5) 17/20 | Stormers (+6.5) 17/20
Can Jake White put an end to a savage seven-game losing run against John Dobson in Pretoria? Playing at home, and having put up with a proverbial chip on their shoulder for the past several years, expect the Bulls to come out all guns blazing and finally clinch that elusive win over their southern rivals.
The Stormers are expected to unleash all their Springboks on the Bulls here, and as ever it’ll be a close contest. But given the hosts’ lofty aspirations this season, it’s unlikely they’ll let another chance slip.
Verdict: Stormers (+6.5) 17/20
You simply have to back the Cape side on the plus considering their recent record against the Pretoria franchise.
Connacht 1/20 | Draw 33/1 | Scarlets 17/2
Handicap
Connacht (-17.5) 17/20 | Scarlets (+17.5) 17/20
Connacht are 10th, just a point off the top eight and with plenty still to play for. They come off the back of two good wins over Cardiff and Bristol and should feel they have the goods to turn off struggling Scarlets.
The men from Llanelli, with just two wins to their name, will probably struggle in Galway as they have for much of this campaign.
Verdict: Scarlets (+17.5) 17/20
Connacht may not clear the ‘cap but should still take a fairly comfortable win.
Cardiff 52/10 | Draw 28/1 | Leinster 2/15
Handicap
Cardiff (+13.5) 17/20 | Leinster (-13.5) 17/20
Cardiff are nought from their last four and one from their previous eight. They shouldn’t stand much chance against Leinster, especially without their Welsh internationals. The Arms Park crowd will get behind them, but it won’t be enough.
Verdict: Leinster (-13.5) 17/20
Leo Cullen’s men to easily clear what is a very modest handicap considering the gulf in class here.
Ulster 1/33 | Draw 40/1 | Dragons 10/1
Handicap
Ulster (-21.5) 17/20 | Dragons (+21.5) 17/20
Ulster can put their painful loss at Ospreys behind them with a good win over basement dwellers Dragons here. The Belfast boys are eighth and cannot afford to fall off the pace. They should get it done against a side that lacks any kind of reasonable depth and currently occupies 15th place.
Verdict: Ulster (-21.5) 17/20
Ulster to clear the handicap.
