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United Rugby Championship

PREVIEW: SA derbies front and centre of URC weekend action

The Lions host the Sharks while the Stormers travel to Pretoria to tackle the Bulls as the URC makes its return with the Six Nations on a bye this weekend.

The Lions host the Sharks while the Stormers travel to Pretoria to tackle the Bulls as the URC makes its return with the Six Nations on a bye this weekend.

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Friday 17 February

Glasgow 6/10 | Draw 20/1 | Ulster 29/20

Handicap
Glasgow (-3.5) 17/20 | Ulster (+3.5) 17/20

Warriors are having a great time of it of late, unbeaten in their last nine in all competitions (eight wins) and sitting top of the pile in the Scottish/ Italian Shield and fifth overall. With four of their final six matches in the tournament coming at the Scotstoun, Glasgow fans have every reason to feel optimistic about securing a top-four finish, and a subsequent home quarterfinal.

After a roaring start, third-placed Ulster have fallen off the wagon recently. A string of defeats has seen them lose the momentum they once had, and they’re now in danger of being overtaken by several sides on the log; including their opponents this week. While they will be buoyed by the return of two released Ireland Six Nations players in hooker Tom Stewart and experienced fullback Jacob Stockdale, a victory here remains unlikely.

Get on the Warriors to maintain their astonishing run and clear the handicap against the men from Belfast.

Munster 1/14 | Draw 33/1 | Ospreys 7/1

Handicap
Munster (-16.5) 17/20 | Ospreys (+16.5) 17/20

Munster’s recovery this season has been remarkable. After starting the campaign with five defeats from their first seven under new coach Graham Rowntree, they’ve dug deep to claw their way up to sixth and put themselves right in the thick of it amongst the playoff contenders. Their squad has this week been bolstered with Gavin Coombes (loose forward), Roman Salanoa (prop) and club legend Keith Earls (winger) all returning from Six Nations duty to provide the hosts with even more ammo.

With Warren Gatland having not released any Welsh players back to their regions this week, Ospreys will have to rely on their squad depth for a good result at Thomond Park. Much like Glasgow, their form over the past few months has been phenomenal, with six wins from seven in all comps putting them right back in the fight for Welsh Shield honours; they’re currently level on points with Cardiff at the top albeit with an inferior points difference.

Playing at home and with the 98-Test caps’ worth of experience from Keith Earls to fall back on, Munster should take it at home. Ospreys on a very generous plus.

Saturday 18 February

Lions 2/1 | Draw 20/1 | Sharks 43/100

Handicap
Lions (+5.5) 17/20 | Sharks (-5.5) 17/20

The Pride face an uphill battle if they are to qualify for the playoffs for the first time, occupying 13th with a 5-7 record. Things looked bright for Cash van Rooyen’s charges early on in their campaign, but they’ve since fallen back and look hard-pressed to improve on their 12th-place finish from last season.

The Sharks are still licking their wounds from a 46-19 embarrassment at the hands of the Stormers in Durban a fortnight ago. The side will head into the encounter without their contracted Springboks, who remain unavailable for selection due to resting protocols, which will doubtless play into the Lions’ hands given their lack of national players.

With wet weather expected though, the tactical boot of Curwin Bosch may give the Sharks an edge. Lions on the plus here.

Bulls 5/10 | Draw 20/1 | Stormers 7/4

Handicap
Bulls (-4.5) 17/20 | Stormers (+4.5) 17/20

The Bulls (fourth) are due some big performances after going down in five of their last seven in all comps to put themselves at risk of being leapfrogged by several teams on the URC standings. On top of that, they’ve lost each of their last four league encounters with their bitter southern rivals, who’ve become the clear South African pacesetters following the Bulls’ dominance during the early part of Jake White’s reign.

The Stormers thrilled in their demolition job in Durban and will back themselves to produce a similar performance at Loftus here; Springboks or no. If they can replicate the set piece quality and clinical finishing they showed in the coastal derby, they’ll be hard to beat this weekend.

The Bulls, less affected by Springbok absentees and with plenty to prove, should end their barren run against the Capetonians at home here. Get on them to clear the handicap.

Zebre 38/10 | Draw 25/1 | Connacht 1/5

Handicap
Zebre (+10.5) 17/20 | Connacht (-10.5) 17/20

Despite some underwhelming displays this season, Connacht are currently 10th and just three points shy of the playoff places. With three of their final five league games coming at home, they will be pushing hard from here on out.

Zebre remain without a win and may feel the brunt of a determined Connacht outfit with eyes on the quarterfinals here. Get on the visitors to clear the handicap.

Cardiff 27/100 | Draw 22/1 | Benetton 29/10

Handicap
Cardiff (-8.5) 17/20 | Benetton (+8.5) 17/20

With a 0-3 URC record so far this year, Cardiff have endured a far from encouraging 2023. They still lead the way in the Welsh Shield, albeit on points difference over Ospreys, but have fallen off the pace in a big way after a solid start to the season. While a quarterfinal place isn’t out of the question, their main target will be to claim regional honours with a potentially make-or-break final round trip to the Swansea.com Stadium on the horizon.

Seventh-placed Benetton have been fantastic this campaign and will have all eyes on a post-season debut. Unfortunately though, the competition run-in won’t do them any favours, with four of their final five matches all being scheduled away from their beloved Stadio Communale.

As good as the Italian outfit have been at home, their record on the road doesn’t quite match up. Get on the visitors on the plus in the Welsh capital.

Scarlets 82/100 | Draw 20/1 | Edinburgh 21/20

Scarlets have hit a purple patch of late, winning five on the trot in all comps to put some respectability into their season.  Still, 14th is a far from ideal placing and they remain within four of 15th-placed Dragons, with a final round clash at Rodney Parade set to be key in determining which side finishes bottom of the Welsh Shield.

Edinburgh are ninth and sill right in the playoff scrap. The Scottish outfit suffered a narrow home defeat to the Sharks last time out and can’t afford to fall much further off the pace given they must face the likes of Leinster (home), Connacht and Ulster (both away).

Edinburgh should claim a narrow win at the Parc y Scarlets.

Leinster 1/100 | Draw 50/1 | Dragons 13/1

Handicap
Leinster (-24.5) 17/20 | Dragons (+24.5) 17/20

Incredibly, Leinster are still unbeaten this season and will this weekend have Ireland quintet Jordan Larmour, Joe McCarthy, Michael Milne, Jimmy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne all back to face 15th-placed Dragons. It’s very difficult to see the Welsh outfit getting anything out of this game.

Leinster on the minus.
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