The Pro12 makes a return after a week off where the Welsh teams played their Anglo-Welsh ties. Here are my round 9 predictions.
First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from around the globe last weekend.
How did your round 8 predictions go?
3 from 6, I had a real shocker!
Here are my 1 line predictions, read below for the full reasoning.
Scarlets v Leinster
Scarlets are on a great run of form having won their last 5 games in the Pro12. Leinster however are going even better with only 1 Pro12 loss so far this season. However I think that Leinster will be impacted by the international call ups more than Scarlets. Add in that this is in Wales and I’m backing a narrow home win.
Scarlets by 3
Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys
Both these sides will be heavily impacted by the Internationals as was shown by the both losing last time out. With that factor it makes this 1 a bit of a lottery so I’m going to back the home side.
Glasgow Warriors by 5
Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Blues
Connacht aren’t heavily impacted by this international window. They are however having a poor season with only 2 wins. The Blues are on an upward trajectory but still have off days such as losing 3 on the trot recently. That run of form has been arrested though but I’m still backing the home side as both of Connacht’s wins were in their last 2 home games.
Connacht Rugby by 3
Ulster v Zebre
Ulster host Zebre in what will be a big of a grudge match for Zebre. They will still me smarting from the cancelled game that they were leading. Even with that motivation and Ulster missing players to international duty I can’t see anything other than a home victory.
Ulster by 10
Munster v Benetton Treviso
Again with Italian sides travelling it’s easy to go with the home victory. Traviso have shown even less than Zebre so I’m going for a slightly bigger margin.
Munster by 15
Newport Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh
This is an interesting 1. Dragons would have liked this to be a Friday night game but unfortunately for them it isn’t. Still they are hosting Edinburgh who are really poor travellers and even lost to Zebre at home. I’m backing a home win for Dragons to make it 2 wins on the bounce and a rare highlight of the season.
Newport Gwent Dragons by 5
#RugbyChat
Join the #RugbyChat on twitter for an hour of discussion reviewing the action on Tuesday. If you can’t make the hour then you can still give your view as the conversation keeps going over the following day.
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