Magners League weekend predictions
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:03
rugb365.com head writer Nick Pawson takes a look at this weekend's Magners League match-ups and gives his prediction on the sides who should come up trumps.
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The Welsh teams are, to their possible detriment, missing a range of key players on national duty (Wales play Australia in their final autumn international on Saturday), which could give some of the resurgent Scottish and Irish sides an opportunity to play catch-up.
Scarlets v Munster
rugby365.com prediction: The (fifth-placed) Scarlets play their first game at the brand new Parc y Scarlets which should definitely give them a boost against (first-placed) Munster. The Scarlets have not defeated Munster in the Magners League however since a 25-12 victory at Stradey
Park in 2006. And with Munster benefiting from no less than seven returning internationals, the log-leaders should be back at their dominative best. Munster by 10.
Edinburgh v Ospreys
rugby365.com prediction: (Sixth-placed) Edinburgh have won three of their last four games against Welsh opponents, while the (second-placed) Ospreys have won four of their five games in the Magners League this season. The Welsh side though are missing a host of key players this weekend, while the Scots are near to full-strength, with a seasoned backline, playing at the home of Scottish rugby. Edinburgh by eight points.
Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues
rugby365.com prediction: The (third-placed) Warriors' three-game losing run in all competitions ended last time out with a courageous 15-12 victory over reigning champions Leinster. The (seventh-placed)
Cardiff Blues have equaled their best ever winning run since becoming a Region in 2003, but have not beaten Glasgow at Firhill since September 2005. With the visitors' personnel department also having taken an international drain, the full-flavour Glasgow side should take this one. Warriors by five or more.
Ulster v Connacht
rugby365.com prediction: An all-Irish affair between two sides full of surprises, or at least from what we've seen so far this season. (Eighth-placed) Ulster have won their last three encounters against fellow Irish provinces, while (10th-placed) Connacht's last victory over Ulster was 22-12 at Galway in 2005; having not won in Belfast since a 6-3 victory in 1960 in the Irish Interprovincial Championship. And with Ulster's threatening pack and quality replacements this week, the Ulsterman's home record against Connacht looks to remain secure. Ulster by 12 points.
Leinster v
Newport Gwent Dragons
rugby365.com prediction: (Fourth-placed )Leinster are in the midst of their worst run in the Magners League since March 2004, suffering three successive defeats to Munster, Connacht and Glasgow, although have only lost just one of their last 14 matches at the RDS in all competitions. (Ninth-placed) Newport on the other hand have won back to back Magners matches, but face a full-strength Leinster this weekend desperate to get their campaign back on track. Leinster by 10 or more points.
