Leinster vs Glasgow
First up we have the bulk of the Scotland team taking on a fair chunk of the Irish team (although several have actually been withdrawn by the IRFU) in a sort of mini replay of that thrilling final day of the Six Nations. Last time out, Leinster went down away to Scarlets and will be looking to find a way to claw back into the top four. With only a handful of games left in the season this is a match Leinster cannot afford to lose. Glasgow, meanwhile, are riding high on top of the table but won’t be taking this match lightly as they were thoroughly outclassed in the second half back when these sides met in last year’s final. Glasgow’s record in Dublin isn’t good, but they’ll take confidence from the fact that Leinster have only won one of their last five matches. Both teams have named strong line-ups, and in all honesty it could go either way – home advantage swings it for me.
Prediction: Leinster by 7
Ulster vs Cardiff Blues
This is a big ask for the Blues as Ulster have yet to lose at home this season. They are currently sitting second in the table, with only five matches to go, although three of those matches are against Leinster, Munster and Glasgow, who are all duking it out for a place in the top four. Simply put, the will have targeted this match as one they can and should win and their need to earn themselves vital league points will mean they are focused. Meanwhile the Blues have only won twice on the road all season and have not won three matches in a row since May of last year. An upset is always possible, especially in the post-Six Nations chaos when players return to their clubs and the teams aren’t as cohesive as they should be, but Ulster should win comfortably here.
Prediction: Ulster by 17
Llanelli Scarlets vs Edinburgh
This match is tricky to call. The Scarlets have a pretty decent streak going at home and have yet to be defeated in Parc y Scarlets this season (albeit with two home draws in the mix there). Meanwhile Edinburgh are surprisingly the form team currently, despite their position in the league table. And they’re also less shaken up from the Six Nations given that Glasgow contributes the bulk of the national side. They’ve won on the road a grand total of three times this season however, and that stat along with Scarlets’ near perfect home defence puts me off backing the visitors.
Prediction: Scarlets by 10
Munster vs Connacht
All eyes turn to Thomond next as Munster host Connacht. Again like the last match one side sees a lot of players returning from international duties while the other only sees one or two. We all know how that disruption can upset the tempo one would normally expect. When these two sides last met Connacht were the victors, and in all of Connacht’s games against fellow Irish provinces, the win has gone to the home side. They’ve never done the double over the men in red and haven’t won at this venue since 1986! Thomond is hardly the fortress of old but the home side should still take it.
Prediction: Munster by 10
Ospreys vs Zebre
Ospreys are hanging on in there in fourth position in the league with Leinster breathing down their necks. This weekend is a perfect chance to put some daylight between them however when they face perennial whipping boys Zebre. Leinster should, but are by no means guaranteed to, get four league points from their own game, but Ospreys will be very disappointed if they don’t get maximum points against this weekend’s opponents. In fact of all the current top four teams, Ospreys have arguably the easiest run to the end of the season. If they grab the five points on offer here, it could go a long way to getting them a home semi-final. In much the same way Wales hammered Italy last weekend, I expect Ospreys to win this match by 30 points or more!
Prediction: Ospreys by 31
Benetton Treviso vs Newport Gwent Dragons
Last up we have Treviso hosting the Dragons. Treviso’s season has been abysmal. Luckily for them Zebre should get hammered and therefore even if they lose this match it won’t affect their current standings or their place in Europe next year. The Dragons have recorded unexpected wins over Leinster and Cardiff already this year, both away from home no less. Meetings between these two sides tend to go the way of the home side, but that could well change this weekend as the Dragons look to do the double over Treviso.
Prediction: Dragons by 3
By John O’Brien (@tiptackler)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images