The festive derbies are out-of-the-way and teams that will be losing a lot of players to the 6 Nations know that they have to be picking up points. Here are my round 13 predictions.
First here is a link to my round-up of all the action from last weekend.
How did the round 12 predictions go?
5 from 6, I was overly positive about Zebre.
Here’s my 60 second predictions, read below for my full reasoning.
Newport Gwent Dragons v Benetton Treviso
This is 1 of the few times that I’ll be confidently predicting a Dragons win. All the stars are aligning for them as they seem to always do well in Friday night home games. They are also facing 1 of if not the worst traveling teams in the league. I know that many Dragons fans have been saying that they will lost if they play like they did last weekend but I can’t see it myself.
Newport Gwent Dragons by 5
Leinster v Zebre
This is 1 of the easiest calls all season. Leinster are at the top end of the table and going well. Zebre at the bottom so this has home win with a TBP written all over it.
Leinster by 15
Scarlets v Ulster
This is the game of the round pitching fourth against sixth, but if Ulster win their game in hand (without a TBP) then they would be on the same points. Scarlets have been going well after losing their opening couple of games where as Ulster have been more up and down. I’m going with the greater consistency of Scarlets especially at home.
Scarlets by 5
Ospreys v Connacht Rugby
Ospreys really have impressed me this season and not only have they scored more points than anyone else in the league but also their defence is clicked. Connacht aren’t are the levels that they reached last season and so I think will find this trip a fruitless journey.
Ospreys by 10
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues
Glasgow are in a tight scrap with Scarlets and Ulster for that fourth playoff spot. They are all essentially on the same points as Ulster have a home game against Zebre in hand over the other 2 sides. Knowing that and knowing how many players that they will lose over the 6 Nations it’s imperative that Glasgow pick up points now. Cardiff looked like they had improved earlier in the season but it feels like they have regressed as time has gone on. In their current form a trip pup north is going to be too much for them.
Glasgow Warriors by 10
Note that Edinburgh v Munster has been postponed so that Munster can catchup on their postponed Champions Cup game with Racing Metro.
#RugbyChat
Join the #RugbyChat on twitter for an hour of discussion about the action this weekend. 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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