1/7 Bulls | Draw 28/1 | Ulster 5/1
Handicap
Bulls (-12.5) 9/10 | Ulster (+12.5) 9/10
The Bulls held off Edinburgh 22-16 at Loftus final week to stat their marketing campaign with a win, however could really feel barely aggrieved at not having locked in all five-log factors on provide. They need to have one other alternative to try this on Saturday towards an Ulster outfit that struggled at instances on the highveld final week.
Though the Northern Irish membership will probably be higher acclimatised for this one, their defeat to the Lions in Joburg confirmed once more simply how troublesome it’s for European sides to win at altitude. They’ll have their moments however don’t look set to topple the Bulls in Pretoria over the course of a full 80-minutes.
Verdict: Bulls on the minus
The Bulls to earn a snug win at house.
26/10 Dragons | Draw 22/1 | Hollywoodbets Sharks 31/100
Handicap
Dragons (+8.5) 9/10 | Sharks (-8.5) 9/10
Dragons have been all the time going to wrestle towards Leinster on the Aviva Stadium in spherical two however could make home-ground benefit rely when the Sharks go to Rodney Parade on Saturday. The Newport membership will probably be trying to comply with up their first-round win over Osprey with one other right here, although they may have the Durbanites’ muscle with which to contend
Coming off the again of an intensely demanding Currie Cup playoff run, it appeared the Sharks’ fatigue lastly caught up with them in Galway final week. John Plumtree’s facet led 27-7 at halftime, however a powerful Connacht fightback meant the guests needed to be content material with only a dropping bonus-point in the long run. Developing towards a much less bodily Dragons outfit right here, they might have the sting.
Verdict: Sharks to win
The Sharks to get their first win of the marketing campaign.
52/10 Benetton | Draw 28/1 | Leinster 2/15
Handicap
Benetton (+13.5) 9/10 | Leinster (-13.5) 9/10
Benetton have had a fairly rotten begin to the brand new marketing campaign, drawing at house to Scarlets earlier than being on the receiving finish of a 42-10 loss in Glasgow after dropping Scott Scrafton to a crimson card. With Leinster visiting the Stadio Comunale on Saturday, issues may worsen earlier than they get higher.
Leinster put Dragons away 34-6 in Dublin to lock in all 10-log factors on provide thus far this season, and one would anticipate them to have 15 within the financial institution come the top of spherical three.
Verdict: Leinster on the minus
Leinster to return good in Treviso.
32/10 Zebre | Draw 24/1 | Stormers 24/100
Handicap
Zebre (+9.5) 9/10 | Stormers (-9.5) 9/10
Zebre’s good 42-33 defeat of Munster every week in the past was simply the third win the membership has achieved for the reason that inception of the URC. Whereas there will definitely be trigger for celebration for followers of the Parma outfit, the fact is that getting one other victory on their season tally gained’t come simple. That stated, they confirmed an actual doggedness to return again from 13-points down towards the two-time European champions final week, and harnessing extra of that can serve them properly going ahead.
The Stormers bought their marketing campaign underway in a disappointing 24-37 loss at Ospreys, however will really feel they’ve the weather to choose up a primary win this weekend. Whereas they gained’t be underestimating Zebre given what they achieved in spherical two, you’d suppose John Dobson’s boys will get the job completed, even with so little rugby behind them.
Verdict: Stormers to win
It could be nearer than anticipated, however the Capetonians will get the consequence.
1/7 Munster | Draw 28/1 | Ospreys 48/10
Handicap
Munster (-11.5) 9/10 | Ospreys (+11.5) 9/10
Munster will nonetheless be reeling from that horror end in Parma and easily should hit again with victory over travelling Ospreys right here. Whereas Zebre deserve all of the credit score they bought for his or her spherical two efficiency, the actual fact is that Graham Rowntree’s males ought to by no means let a 13-point lead slip towards any facet, not to mention one with as poor a contest document because the Italian outfit. Nonetheless, the 2023 champions ought to get again on the horse in Limerick.
Ospreys rebounded properly from their opening-round defeat at Dragons to see off a rusty Stormers outfit by 13 factors final week. They’ll take loads of confidence from that consequence into this week, however a hurting Munster facet will probably be troublesome to cease at house
Verdict: Munster to win
The hosts to lock within the win at Thomond Park.
