The Hollywoodbets Sharks and Lions return from their challenging overseas tours in round four of the URC, with Leinster also hosting Munster in a blockbuster Irish derby in Dublin.
Friday 17 October
Dragons | Draw | Cardiff
Tom Bowen maintained his exceptional try-scoring form by bagging a brace in the 14-8 win over Connacht last week to see Cardiff head into the fourth round placed fourth overall. They should have no problem keeping up that momentum at Rodney Parade against a Dragons outfit that were blanked 49-0 in Glasgow last week.
Verdict: Cardiff on the minus
Edinburgh | Draw | Benetton
Despite having an abundance of territory and possession, Edinburgh’s four yellow cards sustained against Munster last week cost them dearly as they fell to a disappointing 20-19 defeat at Thomond Park. Still winless this term, this first home clash of the season provides them with an ideal opportunity to change that.
Benetton built on the momentum they gained from their round two win against Glasgow with a comfortable 41-15 victory over the Lions, thanks in large part to a four-try performance by Louis Lynagh. Although they do seem to be flying high at present however, Edinburgh will be highly motivated for this one which may see them fall short.
Verdict: Edinburgh on the board
Connacht | Draw | Bulls
A late David O’Connor try salvaged a bonus-point from Connacht’s game in Cardiff last week, with Stuart Lancaster’s boys occupying mid-table in ninth-place ahead of the arrival of a hurting Bulls team. Given what we saw from them in the first round, expect them to get the better of the visitors, who struggled last time out.
With Bulls president Willem Strauss providing a scathing analysis of new coach Johan Ackermann’s team following that 28-7 defeat to Ulster in Belfast, the side will be under big pressure in west-Ireland. In spite of the return of Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie and try-scorer Wilco Louw, the Pretoria outfit were well off the pace and will look to their impressive win in Galway last season for inspiration this weekend. Unfortunately, though, the immediate departures of Pollard, Louw and Devon Williams will create more disruption within the squad which doesn’t necessarily bode well.
Verdict: Connacht on the board
Saturday 18 October
Lions | Draw | Scarlets
Despite opening the scoring against Benetton last week, losing a returning Morne van den Berg inside the opening 10-minutes was always going to be a major blow for the Lions, and the subsequent defeat they suffered in Treviso means they arrive home still in search their first win. When Cash van Rooyen’s troops, placed 15th, face the 16th-ranked and equally winless Scarlets team on the Highveld though, a victory should be a non-negotiable.
Dwayne Peel’s charges had 57% of possession against the Stormers while winning all 16 of their lineout throws, making three clean breakdowns and tackling with 90% efficiency. Yet somehow they still couldn’t convert those positives into even a single point at Parc y Scarlets in round three, falling to a demoralising 34-0 defeat. Playing at altitude on Saturday won’t do them any favours.
Verdict: Lions on the minus
Hollywoodbets Sharks | Draw | Ulster
The Durbanites are expected to welcome back even more Springboks this week, including Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche, as they look to put their disappointing tour behind them and focus on maximising being back at the Tank. While the side’s scrum has been a particularly encouraging aspect of their play so far this term, their all-round game remains a massive work in progress, but the return of such experienced Springboks will work in their favour – even if it’s not always pretty.
Ulster took full advantage of Jeandre Rudolph’s yellow card last week, scoring three times while the Bulls loosie was in the bin to take the game completely away from the tourists and set themselves up for a comfortable 28-7 win. Their unbeaten start to the season does look set to come to an end on the east coast though.
Verdict: Hollywoodbets Sharks on the minus
Leinster | Draw | Munster
The big one this weekend. With their big guns back, Leinster were far too strong for the Sharks in Dublin as they restored a degree of normalcy to their season after two opening losses in South Africa. The defending champions will now look to properly shift into another gear as they welcome bitter foes Munster to the Aviva.
Three from three so far for Clayton McMillan’s Munster. Despite naming a heavily changed team against Edinburgh, the Kiwi coach has Michael Milne’s two tries to thank for powering the Red Army to yet another win to see them head into the weekend placed second. The 2023 champions are looking impressive this season, and that good form could give them the lift they need to claim what could be a season-shaping victory in the capital.
Verdict: Munster on the board
Zebre | Draw | Stormers
With Evan Roos again on the scoresheet and Damian Willesme and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu back, the table-topping Stormers romped to a 34-0 win at Scarlets a week ago and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them racking up a similar scoreline in Parma on Saturday. John Dobson’s men are looking lethal this term and the heartbreaking injury to Deon Fourie may even provide them with added motivation here.
Zebre did superbly well to win their first two matches of the season and currently lie eighth after being nilled at Ospreys in the previous round. Realistically though they don’t look like knocking over this Stormers lineup.
Verdict: Stormers on the minus
Ospreys | Draw | Glasgow Warriors
Having led 14-0 at halftime, there may be some regret that Ospreys didn’t push on to claim the bonus point in their ultimate 24-0 win over Zebre, but the result was still much needed after their difficult tour of South Africa. They face high-flying Glasgow in Swansea this week though which could spell danger.
Warriors struck back emphatically following their second-round defeat at Benetton, putting Dragons to the sword in a 49-0 rout at the Scotstoun in round three. The fact that they made 613-metres to the visitors’ 230 tells a story all on its own, and Ospreys could be in trouble if they don’t man up on defence on Saturday.
Verdict: Glasgow on the board
