We are about two-thirds of the way through the season now and coaches will soon be thinking of it as the run in to the playoffs. Can the top 4 firm up their advantage? Here are my predictions for this weekend.
How did your Round 15 predictions go?
4 from 6, which is ok considering that there were some really close games.
Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
As has been well documented, Warriors lose a lot of players during the international windows. This has led to them being inconsistent this season and the weather meaning several games have been postponed hasn’t helped either. Dragons on the other hand have had a poor season with only four wins. Those though have all come at home and they have had some good results in evening games. With this being a Thursday evening I’m going for an upset home win.
Newport Gwent Dragons by 3
Connacht Rugby v Ospreys
Connacht had a poor end of year losing four games on the bounce. They have arrested that side with three back to back bonus point wins. Ospreys are also in good form with only 1 loss in the last 9 league games. So this should be a good one to watch and I’m going for a home win on the west coast of Ireland.
Connacht Rugby by 7
Edinburgh v Scarlets
Edinburgh are coming off the back of three away losses on the trot. They will be looking at stopping the losing trend now they are at home. Scarlets have won their last two games by 1 point including Edinburgh at home. Amazingly 6 out of the last 7 games involving Scarlets have been decided by 2 points or less. I’m backing home advantage and revenge to drive Edinburgh to the win.
Edinburgh by 5
Cardiff Blues v Ulster
Blues looked to have picked up some form with four consecutive wins in December and January. Since then they have regressed including giving Treviso their first win of the season. Ulster were top of the table temporarily, until they lost a tight one last weekend, I’m expecting them to bounce back and reaffirm their playoff challenge away in Cardiff.
Ulster by 7
Benetton Treviso v Munster
Treviso have now won two games on the bounce at home. Those were against lower table Welsh sides though and whilst Munster have been having their problems that’s not how you would describe them. Munster are in a very tight mid table pack and know that if they are to have any chance of the playoffs need to win games like this. Coming off the back of two losses their moral will be low but this is the perfect tonic.
Munster by 5
Zebre v Leinster
Zebre were the better of the Italian sides but how much of that was down to the schedule? Two rounds ago they visited Leinster and not only lost by over fifty points but were also nilled. Leinster will travel with plenty of confidence and need to be wary of complacency. I’m not expecting another half century but it should be a comfortable away win.
Leinster by 10
Super Rugby Prediction League
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