We take a look at the 4 URC New Year’s Day fixtures and suggest a bet for each game.
Leinster have shortened into 5/10 to win the URC and you can Click here for the outright betting.
CONNACHT v MUNSTER – click here to bet
Connacht are currently 10th on the URC log with 4 wins and 4 defeats. They were away to Ulster last week where they trailed early but fought back to eventually lose 20-19.
Munster are currently 6th on the log with 4 wins, a draw and 3 losses. Last week they were at home to Leinster and the match finished 9-3 to the visitors with all points being scored by the boot.
Connacht have won 3 of the last 5 head-to-heads but the last time these sides met in Munster; it was the home team that won 24-17.
Handicap: Connacht -2.5
Suggested Bet: Connacht win at 7/10
Munster are missing a number of players, and the money has come for Connacht. I was tempted by the Connacht -2.5 but will take the conservative option of a straight win.
OSPREYS v CARDIFF – click here to bet
Ospreys are currently 9th on the log with a 50% win/loss record. They were away to the Scarlets last week and came out convincing 25-11 winners in the Welsh derby.
Cardiff climbed to 11th on the log when they got their 3rd victory at home to the Dragons last week. They started favorites but made a mockery of the handicap wining 55-21 in a very entertaining match.
These sides last met at Ospreys in April 2023 with Cardiff winning 38-21. That was Cardiff’s only win in the last 5 matches between the sides.
Handicap: Ospreys -3.5
Suggested bet: Handicap Ospreys -3.5 at 17/20
I have been impressed by the Ospreys this season and think they will have enough in hand to beat the handicap.
DRAGONS v SCARLETS – click here to bet
The Dragons are currently bottom of the table with just 1 win in 8 matches. They travelled to Cardiff last week where they were put to the sword and given a 34-point hiding.
The Scarlets sit 2 positions above them at 14th with 2 wins and 6 losses in their 8 matches. They were at home to the Ospreys last week, but their fans left disappointed after a 14-point loss in a low-scoring game.
These sides last met where the Dragons hosted in April 2023 and the home team won by 17 points. The Scarlets won their last home match against the Dragons on New Years Day 2023 by 33-17.
Handicap: Dragons +2.5
Suggested bet: Dragons win at 13/10
This is a match between 2 struggling teams and as poor as the Dragons were last week, I think they can win this in front of their own fans.
LEINSTER v ULSTER – click here to bet
Leinster are top of the table with only 1 defeat in their 8 games. They came through a stern test away to Munster last week where they won an arm wrestle 9-3.
Ulster are 5th on the log and 12/1 in the outright betting. They have won 5 and lost 3 of their 8 matches and last week held off a determined Connacht team to win by a single point at home.
Leinster have won the last 3 head-to-heads between the sides including a 30-15 home win in April 2023.
Handicap: Leinster -16.5
Suggested bet: Handicap Leinster -16.5 at 17/20
This is a big handicap but Leinster, despite not losing matches, are under pressure to deliver a big home win.
Click here for all the betting for the New Years weekend rugby betting fixtures
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
