There are some delicious URC fixtures in store this weekend as European heavyweights return following the conclusion of the Six Nations.
Friday 25 March
Lions 2/9 | Draw 24/1 | Ospreys 7/2 (19:00)
The Lions’ winning run will be under threat when they host Ospreys at Emirates Airlines Park on Friday. The Pride of Jozi beat Munster 23-21 on the weekend for a second victory in succession but their season doesn’t get any easier with Ospreys visiting the Lions’ Den. The Swansea-based outfit are ninth, four places and nine points ahead of the hosts and could condemn them to a narrow defeat.
The Ospreys have put in some really good performances this season against the likes of Ulster and Munster and I reckon they could get one over the Lions on Friday.
Munster 1/25 | Draw 35/1 | Benetton 9/1 (21:35)
Munster will look to get back to winning ways against Benetton at Thomond Park on Friday. The fourth-placed Red Army were beaten in both matches on their SA tour and lost ground in the race for a home play-off spot. They will be hurting here, which could spell bad news for Benetton, who haven’t won all year.
Munster should come good in front of their Thomond Park faithful.
Saturday 26 March
Zebre 8/1 | Draw 35/1 | Scarlets 1/16 (15:00)
Zebre could feel the brunt of a fired-up Scarlets team at the Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday. The men from Llanelli were soundly beaten by the Sharks and Bulls on their SA tour and will be eager to give their supporters something to cheer about when they visit winless Zebre here.
Zebre have been dire throughout this campaign and are tipped to get soundly beaten here.
Stormers 49/100 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 7/4 (15:00)
The Stormers will be up against it when Ulster visit the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. The hosts scored 95 points in their last two matches while conceding just 10, but this week host a second-placed Ulster side with enormous quality. This will be a close one, but the home side could just come away with it as Ulster embark on their first SA tour.
You simply can’t bet against the Stormers here after their barnstorming performances over the last two weeks.
Sharks 1/9 | Draw 28/1 | Edinburgh 56/10 (17:05)
The Sharks can leapfrog Edinburgh into fifth with a win over the Scottish side at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. The Durbanites are sixth after collecting four-consecutive bonus-point wins, despite some pretty underwhelming performances. Edinburgh, three points ahead of the hosts, will certainly offer them their greatest challenge in a while, but the Sharks to get over the line by a slim margin.
Despite not being anywhere near their best over the last two weeks, the Sharks have still grabbed bonus-point wins against Zebre and Scarlets. Back them to just get over the line against the Scots.
Bulls N/A | Draw 40/1 | Dragons 14/1 (19:15)
The Bulls can continue their red-hot form against Dragons at Loftus on Saturday. The Pretoria men have won three on the trot now after capitalising on their home run of games, much like the rest of the SA contingent. They should make light work of a 15th-placed Dragons team that has won just once this season.
There’s no price for the Bulls to win on the board. This speaks volumes. Take any minus up to around 38 points once it becomes available.
Cardiff 7/4 | Draw 20/1 | Glasgow 49/100 (19:15)
Cardiff can disrupt Glasgow’s home playoff charge with victory at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday. The lowly hosts are 14th and haven’t won in three games, while the Warriors are third, ahead of next-best Munster by a single log point. Playing in the Welsh capital, playoff favourites Glasgow could come unstuck to a tricky Cardiff team.
We’re going a bit left-field here and taking Cardiff to win in front of their home fans. Alternatively, with for the plus to become available and climb on.
Connacht 21/10 | Draw 20/1 | Leinster 4/10 (21:35)
The Irish derby between Connacht and Leinster in Galway rounds out the weekend’s URC action on Saturday. Table-toppers Leinster currently enjoy a slim one-point advantage over second-placed Ulster, but visits to Connacht are never easy and they could be upset here. The hosts, who are still in with a playoff shot, always raise their game for their Irish counterparts.
Leinster have lost a couple of games this season that you would have expected them to win. I’m on Connacht here to spring a surprise against their Irish neighbours.
