Cardiff Blues v Dragons
The first regional derby of the season sees a Cardiff side still licking their wounds from a painful defeat to Munster entertain a Dragons team fresh off the back of a first bonus-point win in the league in over two years. Amidst financial troubles and the recent news that head coach Danny Wilson will be leaving at the end of the season, the Blues will be pleased to return to familiar surroundings at the Arms Park, although with the hosts yet to win on their own patch this season, Bernard Jackman’s Dragons may fancy their chances of curing their recent travel sickness. Big match which could swing either way. Blues by 6
Edinburgh v Zebre
After a bright start that saw them win their opening two games, the wheels have come off for Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh side with three consecutive defeats. Visitors Zebre are heading in the opposite direction having won their last two games including a surprise victory over Ulster last weekend, and the Italian side have put in a number of promising displays so far this season to suggest they are not the whipping boys they once were. Edinburgh should take confidence from running Leinster close last time out and should have enough quality to get back on the winning trail. Edinburgh by 9
Ulster v Connacht
With their unbeaten start to the campaign brought to an abrupt end in Italy last week, Ulster will be looking to get back on the horse at home to provincial rivals Connacht on Friday night. Defeat to Zebre saw Les Kiss’ men relinquish top spot in Conference B but with Scarlets and Leinster facing tricky derby matches this round, Ulster may fancy their chances of returning to the summit ahead of the European break. Connacht have endured a difficult start with just the one win from five games although they gave the Scarlets a fright last round with some great attacking play and if they can maintain that form they could sneak this one. Ulster by 7
Cheetahs v Warriors
The last remaining unbeaten side in the competition, Glasgow will look to preserve their 100% record this season against the new entertainers the Cheetahs in South Africa. After a tricky start to life in the Pro14 the South African side have found their feet with three consecutive wins racking up fourteen tries in the process. Early-season pacesetters Glasgow are enjoying life under Kiwi coach Dave Rennie although they were given a tough examination by Benetton last week and will need to up their game if they are to become the first Pro14 side to win in Bloemfontein this season. Cheetahs by 12
Leinster v Munster
Leinster made hard work of overcoming Edinburgh at home last week, whilst opponents Munster came back from a half-time deficit to secure a big win over the Blues. A match never lacking in edge, the return of a number of British and Irish Lions for both sides will only add to the excitement for supporters, and with identical records seeing both teams lying second in their respective conferences something will have to give this weekend. Leinster may have better creativity amongst their back division but with Munster likely to be able to call on Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander in the pack they may have enough muscle up front to steal this one. Munster by 4
Ospreys v Scarlets
Two clubs seemingly heading in opposite directions. Bitten by lions before being mauled by Cheetahs it wasn’t a happy trip to South Africa for the Ospreys last week with Scott Baldwin’s bizarre injury only adding to coach Steve Tandy’s woes after their dreadful start to the season. In contrast the Scarlets have looked impressive once more in attack this season in reeling off four wins from five games, although having nearly let Connacht in at the death last week their defence may need some working on. Tandy’s men owe their fans a big performance in the derby and they surely will improve upon last week’s pitiful display, but whether it will be enough to take down their free-scoring rivals is another question. Scarlets by 8
Benetton v Southern Kings
A basement battle in Conference B as the two strugglers go head-to-head. Brought back down to earth with a bang in Glasgow last weekend after back-to-back victories over Edinburgh and the Ospreys in the previous rounds, Benetton will be confident of getting back to winning ways against a Southern Kings who don’t seem to be enjoying life in Northern Hemisphere competition with no points to show from five games this season. Despite another bonus-point defeat in round five against the Dragons, the Kings at least showed a bit of fight in the final half-hour to avoid any further embarrassment but it is difficult to see them breaking their duck this weekend. Benetton by 19
By Jon Davies
Cheetans by 12?
I don´t think so. With Rennie on the bench this match is 50/50. For me Glasgow could sneak this one by narrow margin.
For me Glasgow by 2
It’s going to be a close one, Warriors have named a strong 15/23. Altitude could be a issue but it’s not like DR doesn’t already know how to handle it. Heart says Warriors, just.
Hoping for a fast paced attacking match, just hope it’s good Niko rather than bad Niko who turns up.
Agree, close match. Rennie already knows who to play in Bloemfontein and how to win. I think Glasgow by 1-12 points is a good bet.
Didn’t realise Rennie made a comeback. Rennie knows conditions, but he isn’t running onto the pitch. The players that haven’t played at altitude yet, will be surprised at the effect it can have.
Glasgow Warriors haven’t been as impressive in their away matches, as they have been at home. This one is going to ask different questions of the players.
As a Warriors fan I wish I could share your optimism. Personally I think avoiding a battering would be a good result at this moment in time. We’ll see.
Glasgow have named a strong side, and they’ve got solid defence (only 1.2 tries/game conceded), but the Cheetahs are solid in the set piece and have some seriously quick players. Plus, Glasgow have played troubled teams so far this year, Treviso aside: You could argue whether they contributed to or benefited from the trouble in Ospreys and Blues; Connacht have a new coaching staff (like Glasgow); and (also like Glasgow) Munster put out a B+ team.
Add to that playing at altitude, all the travel, key players returning for their first games and Cheetahs comfortably taking down Leinster and Ospreys, and I think we’ve got the makings of a match that will almost certainly end in my untimely demise. I think whichever side clicks will dominate the other. If both click, I think Glasgow have the quality to win, but not by much.
That said, Clancy’s refereeing, so I guess it could just end up being a shit-fest.
Glasgow have been impressive at home. Looking at their away wins, it suggests they aren’t travelling well. Playing at altitude, as you say is a novelty for many of the Warrior players. Add to that, the Cheetahs like to play a fast paced game. The Warriors will need to stay with pace for 80 minutes. If they can tie the Cheetah pack down it can be a very close match.
If the Cheetahs get quick ball, and forward momentum, the Warriors defence could be conceding more than 1.5 tries.
About the altitude, Glasgow are one of the fittest teams in the league. The S&C coach we have came over with Rennie and has said that the players are in far better shape than the ones they had at the chiefs. Both Rennie and the S&C coach have experience of getting players ready (in a relatively short period of time) for games in Bloem, so this could play in our advantage.
Did you even look at the leinster Munster squads? Leinster are playing kids in the back 3 and Munster have 3 10s on the pitch. Leinster will try grind it out while Munster will be flinging (or kicking more likely) it to the wings as much as possible to get their Conway and earls in space against Daly and byrne. I’m a very worried leinster fan
Glasgow by 1-12 points was definitely a valuable bet. Rennie´s factor
Thought we were in for a battering – crazy win. The bonus point was deserved, but it wasn’t as if we blew them out of the water. Hopefully we don’t do some bs against Kings next time.
Phew, close game. Hopefully see the Cheetahs towards the end of the season.