The Hollywoodbets Sharks and the remainder of South Africa’s URC contingent are all at home in the penultimate round of tournament action with plenty on the line for a number of clubs.
Friday 9 May
Hollywoodbets Sharks | Draw | Ospreys
The Hollywoodbets Sharks’ recent tour wins in Edinburgh and Belfast have left them in the ideal position to lock down fourth spot on the standings. They’re in a bubble all their own on 53-points, seven better off fifth-placed Cardiff and five behind the Bulls in second. With their frontline players back in action and picking up some steam, a bonus point win should be the order of the day come Friday.
Ospreys’ big win over Dragons has propped them up to 11th, just three-points off the playoff bracket albeit with two mighty games in the Republic still in store. They’ve run a good race, but their quarterfinal ambitions should be extinguished at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.
Verdict: Sharks on the minus
The hosts to collect all five log points on offer.
Munster | Draw | Ulster
Munster, like their derby rivals this week, have left themselves with much still to do to force their way into the top eight. They’re ninth, level on points (41) with eighth-placed Benetton and can all but end Ulster’s quarterfinal hopes with a big enough win in Limerick. For the 12th-placed visitors (38-points), the season is coming right down to the wire.
Although both clubs have each lost their last three games in all competitions, Ulster are looking more vulnerable given they’re playing away here and copped a 19-22 defeat in the reverse fixture in Belfast in December.
Verdict: Munster on the board
Munster to edge it in front of their fans at Thomond Park.
Saturday 10 May
Bulls | Draw | Cardiff
The third-placed Bulls are just a single place and point off Glasgow, and more likely than ever to finish second for a second year in succession given what the draw holds in these final rounds. Jake White has again put his side in a fantastic position from which to contest the title, with the challenge of Cardiff sure to be swept aside at Loftus.
After a very shaky patch that included five losses on the spin, the Blue and Blacks have bounced back well to occupy fifth spot, though this two-game tour of South Africa will ultimately make or break their season.
Verdict: Bulls on the minus
The Bulls to bully Cardiff at Loftus.
Benetton | Draw | Glasgow Warriors
Benetton are eighth but will require a superhuman effort to remain there over the next fortnight given a trip to Thomond Park lies in wait next week. They were superb in their 31-42 win at the Lions in April but will need to channel a similar kind of performance at the Stadio Comunale here to knock over Franco Smith’s men at this stage.
Warriors haven’t been the same since their 52-0 Champions Cup drubbing at Leinster in April. Since then, the defending champions limped to a 6-14 win at Zebre before falling to a 19-26 home loss to the Bulls. They’re now just a point better off Jake White’s side with this trip to Benetton set to be followed up by an intimidating rematch with Leo Cullen’s outfit in Dublin.
Verdict: Glasgow on the board
Warriors will have enough to get back to winning ways.
Stormers | Draw | Dragons
The Stormers look to be hitting form at just the right time following recent wins over Connacht and Benetton. Lying sixth, the 2022 champions are well poised as Dark Horses, especially with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the driver’s seat at No 10. It could get messy for Dragons on the west coast.
Verdict: Stormers on the minus
The Capetonians to canter to victory in the Mother City.
Leinster | Draw | Zebre
It remains to be seen just how many of under-fire Leo Cullen’s A-listers play on Saturday following their Champions Cup heartbreak against Northampton Saints last week, but odds are Zebre will be under the cosh regardless. The Italian outfit, so impressive this season, could just find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Verdict: Leinster on the minus
Leinster to go all out in Dublin.
Connacht | Draw | Edinburgh
Connacht have been below their usual standard this season, and four defeats from their last four has left them effectively down and out in 14th spot, six-points off the top eight. With coach Pete Wilkins having stepped away from his role several weeks back, the set up in Galway may be in slight disarray.
It’s difficult knowing what to expect from Edinburgh, who were well beaten by Bath in their EPCR Challenge Cup semi-final in the Scottish capital last week. However, with their big players in tow and just two points off the pace in 10th, they’re due a big performance.
Verdict: Edinburgh on the board
Sean Everitt’s men to outgun Connacht.
Sunday 11 May
Lions | Draw | Scarlets
The Lions will be looking to build on their recent win over Connacht to keep alive their slim playoff hopes. The Pride are seemingly down and out, lying 13th and six-points off the top eight, but can end their campaign on a high with more wins over the coming fortnight.
They tackle a Scarlets lineup that did the seemingly unthinkable by downing Leinster in round 16 to occupy seventh ahead of their trip to the Republic. Although they have plenty to play for in Joburg, how well they adapt to the altitude will make or break their efforts.
Verdict: Lions on the board
It may be another tight one, but the hosts will win at altitude.
