Scarlets v Racing 92 – Saturday @ 17.30
One of the closer matched games in the Champions Cup takes place at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday evening with last year’s beaten semi-finalists taking on last year’s beaten finalists.
Although they’ve won four from six this season, the Scarlets haven’t looked their usual selves and seem to be missing Steff Evans on the wing more than expected, while Tadgh Beirne has also left a big, beard-shaped Irish hole in the Scarlets pack. They are still getting over the line though, even if it’s not in as convincing manner as you’d like.
Across the park from them on Saturday will be a Parisian side brimming with talent, flair and Donnacha Ryan.
Rugby Union – European Champions Cup Final – Racing 92 Press Conference – San Mames, Bilbao, Spain – May 11, 2018 Racing 92’s Donnacha Ryan during the press conference REUTERS/Vincent West
The French side have had quite the opposite start to their season compared to their Welsh counterparts, winning four from seven but looking damn good doing it, with two of their being victories away from home.
Finn Russell and Simon Zebo have started their Racing careers very well, with Zebo touching down in five of his six appearances and Russell bringing a little bit of Scottish nous to the table.
Despite French teams notoriously not caring too much when it comes to playing away from home, especially in Europe, we think Zebo touches down once again in a Racing victory here.
Best bets
Winning Margin: Racing 92 1-12 points – 21/10
First Try Scorer: Simon Zebo – 8/1
Britain Rugby Union – Wales v Ireland – Six Nations Championship – Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 10/3/17 Ireland’s Simon Zebo in action Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Ulster v Leicester Tigers – Saturday @ 17.30
Leicester Tigers travel to the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday hoping to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions.
Standing in their way is a Red Hand side who, in all honesty, must have red arses too at the moment, having been trounced at Thomond Park two weeks ago before succumbing to a Connacht team that hadn’t won in the northern province in 58 years!
Grim reading for all involved.
Guinness PRO14, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast 5/10/2018
Ulster vs Connacht
Ulster’s John Cooney and Bundee Aki of Connacht
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
Ulster got off to a good start, winning their first three games, mainly thanks to John Cooney’s boot, but their red-and-white bubble has well and truly burst with Munster’s drubbing and the men from the west strolling into Kingspan and walking away without a glove being laid on them.
Nevertheless, Ravenhill is a stadium that has been, and will be for a good while yet, one of the hardest places to pick up points in Europe.
The Tigers have won three and lost three of their Premiership games so far, a modest return to say the least. It only took Matt O’Connor one game to get the boot from Welford Road.
Rugby Union – Premiership – Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks – Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Britain – September 30, 2018 Leicester Tigers’ George Ford kicks a conversion Action Images/Peter Cziborra
George Ford is doing his best to get back into the England set up with his performances at 10 for the Tigers though, and Jordan Olowofela looks like one of the better prospects coming through the English ranks at the moment.
With both teams struggling to find consistency this season we reckon the home crowd can get the Ulstermen home in a game which will most likely come down to who kicks better out of John Cooney and George Ford.