After a three-week break, the URC resumes with the South African local derbies being the pick of the action, while first play second with Leinster hosting Benetton.
Friday 16 February
Zebre 42/10 / Draw 28/1 / Edinburgh 17/100
Handicap
Zebre (+11.5) 17/20 / Edinburgh (-11.5) 17/20
With Munster and Leinster up next for Zebre, they must get some kind of log points when they host Edinburgh at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday. The hosts are currently 14th, just three points off the bottom and must keep up their encouraging progress to avoid another last-place finish.
Sixth-placed Edinburgh are just two positions and four points off a home quarter-final berth and will be out to rebound from an inconsistent run of results with a solid performance here. They should take it.
Verdict: Zebre on the plus
Zebre shouldn’t be too far off Sean Everitt’s men.
Scarlets 24/10 / Draw 22/1 / Munster 1/3
Handicap
Scarlets (+8.5) 17/20 / Munster (-8.5) 17/20
Scarlets have lost each of their last six matches in all competitions and will need a big performance in Llanelli on Friday to knock over a hurting Munster unit. It’s been another season to forget for Dwayne Peel’s troops, who occupy 13th – level on points with 14th-placed Zebre and a mammoth nine off Cardiff in 12th.
Currently 11th, Munster face a real challenge to remain relevant beyond the regular season. Their wayward performances of late haven’t inspired much optimism and they will be in for another tricky test at Parc y Scarlets on Friday.
Verdict: Scarlets on the plus
The hosts to go down fighting in this one.
Saturday 17 February
Lions 7/4 / Draw 20/1 / Bulls 5/10
Handicap
Lions (+4.5) 17/20 / Bulls (-4.5) 17/20
The Lions will be chomping at the bit to get another crack at the Bulls after their narrow 30-28 Loftus defeat last month. The Pride, steered by the sublime Sanele Nohamba, came oh so close to recording what would have been a statement win, but that hurt could be just the driving force they need to get over the line this week. Theirs is a continually improving group of players who’ll relish the chance to make amends.
The visitors are sitting pretty in fourth, with just four log points separating them from leaders Leinster. Although they will be confident of making it two on the bounce against their trans-Jukskei rivals, the absence of Willie Le Roux (on honeymoon) will be felt at the back and in attack which could be a big factor in the final outcome.
Verdict: Lions 7/4
Get on the Lions to right the wrongs of their last encounter and get over the line on Saturday. Take the plus if you want a bit more security.
Leinster 1/50 / Draw 40/1 / Benetton 11/1
Handicap
Leinster (-22.5) 17/20 / Benetton (+22.5) 17/20
No 1 vs No 2 in Dublin, with the Leinster juggernaut only two points ahead of Benetton, the surprise package of the season. Although both sides will be without their Six Nations internationals, Leinster’s freakish depth means they are arguably the best-equipped European side in the competition to deal with those losses.
Benetton have refused to fall off the pace in the tournament and remain well on course to feature in the knockouts for the first time. Unfortunately for them though, they could cop a second defeat of their campaign here given the venue and nature of the opposition.
Verdict: Leinster (-22.5) 17/20
As good as the Italian outfit has been, Leinster should pick up a relatively routine win against the weakened side.
Hollywoodbets Sharks 13/10 / Draw 22/1 / Stormers 13/20
Handicap
Sharks (+3.5) 17/20 / Stormers (-3.5) 17/20
The fact that the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ best performance of the season came in their one-point defeat to the Capetonians in December could spur them on to what would be a very special result on Saturday. On top of that, the return of what should be a rejuvenated John Plumtree, Bongi Mbonambi and their break of four weeks could just provide the Durbanites with the boost they need to see out the remainder of the campaign – and come out on top on the weekend.
The Stormers lie seventh and need a big push themselves if they are to claim a home play-off berth come the post-season. Knowing the mentality of John Dobson and his side, they’ll be eager to improve on what has been a fairly so-so campaign thus far considering their lofty standards. They’ll hold nothing back in Durban.
Verdict: Sharks 13/10
The Sharks appeared to be turning the corner a few weeks ago. The break will have done them good. Get on the hosts to pick up an invaluable win. Alternatively, back them to remain within the handicap.
Cardiff 17/10 / Draw 20/1 / Connacht 5/10
Handicap
Cardiff (+4.5) 17/20 / Connacht (-4.5) 17/20
Cardiff occupy 12th, just three places and three points off their opponents this week. Picking up what would be just a second win in eight games in all competitions is vital for the Blue and Blacks ahead of a very testing upcoming few fixtures.
Connacht are ninth and remain right in the fight for a quarter-final spot. While they should have more luck in two upcoming home games, a win at the Arms Park could just be out of reach.
Verdict: Cardiff 17/10
The hosts to take this one in the Welsh capital.
Glasgow 1/12 / Draw 28/1 / Dragons 7/1
Handicap
Glasgow (-15.5) 17/20 / Dragons (+15.5) 17/20
Considering the form Warriors have shown this season, there’s little reason to believe they will falter at the Scotstoun on Saturday. Sitting third, just three points off Leinster and playing some superb footy, they should earn a full five log points this weekend.
It’s been another season of struggles for Dragons, who’ve picked up just two URC wins to date and shouldn’t pose too much of a threat in Glasgow.
Verdict: Warriors (-15.5) 17/20
Glasgow to win and potentially end the weekend in second.
Sunday 18 February
Ospreys 31/20 / Draw 20/1 / Ulster 11/20
Handicap
Ospreys (+4.5) 17/20 / Ulster (-4.5) 17/20
Ospreys are riding a wave of confidence at the minute after collecting four wins from their last four encounters, a rare achievement after last season’s lows. Ulster are fifth overall, just three places and three points ahead of the hosts. As good a side as Dan McFarland has at his disposal, they could fall in Swansea.
Verdict: Ospreys 31/20
The Ospreys are a dangerous prospect at home. I’m backing them to win on the board, but of course, the safer option would be to back the Welsh outfit on the plus.
