Guinness PRO12 2014/2015: Round 2 Predictions

Benetton Treviso vs Munster

Treviso had a poor start last weekend against Ospreys but are always a tougher side to beat at home. They’ve won three of their last 6 encounters against Munster, and having won this fixture the last two years in a row will go into this game with (deserved) confidence. Munster too had an awful start, compounded by the fact that it was at home and a game they know they should have won. They’ve made eight personnel changes this week, which may bolster the squad or disrupt the flow. Given how badly they played last weekend, I’m hoping for the former. They’ve not lost two opening games in a row since way back in the ‘04/’05 season and given the pressure they’re under already, it should make them come out all guns blazing. Treviso will make it difficult but Munster should prevail. The operative word there, being ‘should’.

Prediction: Munster by 7

Edinburgh vs Connacht

Edinburgh seemingly pulled off the impossible last weekend. It’s incredibly rare that any team can concede three yellow cards away from home against a normally formidable team like Munster and still come away with the win. Hats off to them. Hopefully they can build on this opening win and do better this season, though obviously they will have to cut out the penalties, which should have cost them the game. Connacht, like Edinburgh have ended a run of five defeats with their win over the Dragons last weekend. Not since 2006 have Connacht started a season with back-to-back wins, and unfortunately that doesn’t look likely to happen this weekend. Casting a cold eye over form, history and the fact that neither of these teams do well on the road, leads me to think that this is a bridge too far for the men from the West. Add to that the calibre of the respective opposition both teams faced last weekend and I’m going to have to go for the home side here.

Prediction: Edinburgh by 6

Newport Gwent Dragons vs Ospreys

A valiant effort last week in the Sportsground saw the Dragons go down with a losing bonus point. They’re at home this weekend but face the toughest of Welsh opponents in the Ospreys, who cruised to victory over Treviso in their season opener. Ospreys haven’t got a great record at Rodney Parade, having won there only once since 2007, (New Year’s eve, 2012) but they’re on a great streak against fellow Welsh opponents with 14 wins from 14 encounters. The Dragons’ squad will be bolstered by the return of some big guns for their home opener but I think Osprey will make it 15 from 15.

Prediction: Ospreys by 10

Ulster vs Zebre

Unfortunately I missed last weekend’s triller between Ulster and Scarlets where the men in white managed to snatch a rare three league points from a draw in what turned out to be the highest scoring tied game in the history of the Pro12. Hopefully they’ll build on their late second half performance throughout the rest of the season. Zebre meanwhile suffered yet another defeat at home this time at the hands of the revenge seeking Cardiff Blues. Zebre have never defeated Ulster though they did come close in their inaugural season albeit at home. A trip to Belfast is another matter entirely.

Prediction: Ulster by 24

Leinster vs Llanelli Scarlets

Leinster will be looking to bounce back from their defeat last weekend to Glasgow in Scotstoun stadium. Last gasp penalty or not, it was probably a fair result. The majority of Leinster fans I encountered felt the same. They will no doubt have gotten some of the cobwebs out this time round and will be looking to add to their impressive run of form on home soil (19 games unbeaten) this weekend against the Scarlets. Scarlets on the other hand must be cursing their luck to have let that almost certain victory against Ulster slip away. That was a game for the taking and ill discipline at the end cost them dearly. As I write this, I don’t see any team sheets but history and home form for Leinster sees me back them this weekend.

Prediction: Leinster by 15

Cardiff Blues vs Glasgow Warriors

The Blues got their revenge on Zebre last weekend in some fine style after a sluggish opening half. They face a much tougher test this weekend though, in the form of the Glasgow Warriors who managed to get their own revenge for last season’s final against Leinster. It’s hard to say which team will win this one as they had a strange run of results when they faced off four times last season. Cardiff won home and away to Glasgow in the Heineken Cup but Glasgow won home and away against them in the Pro12. Normally this early in the season with teams still being somewhat rusty, I’d back the home side to grind out the win but as with the Edinburgh vs Connacht match, I have to factor in who played whom the previous weekend. Glasgow faced a much stronger team and managed to get the win. They were excellent on the road last year too, so I’m backing them to carry on the winning streak here.

Prediction: Glasgow by 7

How do you see the weekend going?

By John O’Brien (@tiptackler)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images