The European clubs will be without their Six Nations stars this week as they all gather for their pre-tournament camps. Meanwhile, there are two fascinating SA derbies on the go. Shaun Goosen previews.
Friday 28 January
Ulster 1/33 | Draw 45/1 | Scarlets 10/1 (21:35)
Dan McFarland’s Ulster have enjoyed a memorable campaign thus far, occupying third in the URC and qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions Cup. They’re also the only side to topple Leinster so far this season, and truly seem to be becoming a consistently dominant team under former Scotland assistant. Scarlets shouldn’t prove to be too tough a challenge here, especially considering their wobbly current form (they’ve lost their last two on the bounce). Ulster should win this one comfortably. I’m expecting Ulster to clear the 17.5 handicap here – get on at 17/20.
Dragons 52/100 | Draw 20/1 | Benetton 17/10 (21:35)
The hosts have endured another difficult campaign and have collected just one win from seven matches in the URC to date. That record sees them in 14th-place on nine-points, 12 off their opponents this week. Benetton (seventh) have definitely turned a corner since they claimed the Rainbow Cup last June — especially considering they didn’t win a single game in the Pro14 last season. Keep in mind, however, that no fewer than 23 Benetton players have been named in Italy’s Six Nations squad. With this in mind, a small play on Dragons to claim the win at 52/100.
Saturday 29 January
Lions 31/10, Draw 22/1, Bulls 1/4 (15:00)
The Lions did well to claw their way back into the contest against the Sharks last week, but they lacked the pedigree to upset the Durbanites in the end. The Bulls fell to the Stormers at Loftus on the same day for a fourth loss from five this season, leaving them 15th on the standings. One would expect Jake White’s men to deliver a rousing comeback here, but the hosts are not to be underestimated and could claim a good home win instead. The Lions played really well last week and did enough for me to back them to win on the board here.
Connacht 43/100 | Draw 20/1 | Glasgow 2/1 (16:55)
Glasgow remain in the running for a home quarter-final, sitting fourth and trailing leaders Edinburgh by just seven-points, but. They travel to Galway this weekend to tackle eighth-placed Connacht, who’ve claimed four wins from their eight matches to date. The Scots have had the majority of their starters plucked by the national team with Connacht only losing three players to the Irish setup. An almost full-strenght Connacht should be far too good at home.
Sharks 5/10, Draw 22/1, Stormers 16/10 (17:05)
The Sharks will look to back up their eye-catching display against the Lions with another at home over the Stormers here. In what will be Sean Everitt’s side’s first home match of the season, the Durbanites will push for a fourth win of the campaign to continue their playoff challenge. The Capetonians did well to see off the Bulls last week but could come unstuck here. With the likes of Ox Nche and Siya Kolisi likely to return the run-on XV, I’m expecting a full-strength Sharks to claim the win.
Zebre 13/1 | Draw 46/1 | Munster 1/100 (19:00)
Winless Zebre have another shot at breaking their bagel when Munster come knocking, but they’ll be up against it again. The season has been business as usual for the Munstermen, who are fifth with a game in hand on leaders Edinburgh. They’ll be hard to stop this weekend as they continue their search for a first piece of silverware since 2017. Even with nine players missing through Six Nations commitments, Munster should clear the double-digit handicap.
Ospreys 12/10 | Draw 20/1 | Edinburgh 72/100 (19:15)
Sixth-placed Ospreys host leaders Edinburgh and can take a massive confidence boost out of a positive result here. The Scottish side have 33 points, four more than next best Leinster albeit having played a game more. Victory for Edinburgh will see them keep up the heat at the top ahead of a series of massive upcoming games that includes Leinster, Munster and Glasgow. Both sides are missing plenty of stars which should make for interesting viewing. I still think Edinburgh should get over the line in Wales, though it’ll be a close-run thing.
Cardiff 15/2 | Draw 33/1 | Leinster 1/16 (21:35)
Cardiff will be the latest team to take a crack at Leinster. Since their defeat to Ulster, Leo Cullen’s men have scored a ridiculous 245-points in four matches (61 on average). Ospreys, who’ve lost five on the trot in all competitions, may not fare too well here. Leinster – as you’d expect – have shipped a heap of stars off to the Six Nations while Cardiff aren’t unaffected either, with nine of their starters off on International duty. The Irish team’s depth is near legendary at this point and they should cruise to a straight-forward win out in Wales.
