We take a look at the 3 URC boxing day fixtures taking place and suggest a bet in each game.
Leinster remain the firm favorites to win the URC and are currently priced at 8/15
Click here for the outright betting.
CARDIFF v DRAGONS – click here to bet
Cardiff are currently 12th on the log with 2 wins and a draw in their 7 starts. Cardiff’s most recent action was in the Champions Cup where they lost 32-39 at home to Bath. The week before that, they were hammered 52-7 at Toulouse.
The Dragons are currently bottom of the table with just 1 win in their 7 matches. The Dragons have been in Challenge Cup action where they lost by 3 points away at Pau and beat Oyonnax 24-7 at home.
Handicap: Cardiff -10.5
Cardiff have won their last 5 matches against the dragons, most recently winning 16-9 away from home. We expect the home team to be too strong here and I am going to back them to get more than 30 points.
Suggested bet: Cardiff over 30.5 points at 5/6
SCARLETS v OSPREYS – click here to bet
The Scarlets are currently 14th on the log with 2 victories and 5 defeats in their 7 starts. They have also been in Champions Cup action and went down by 18 points away at Castres in their first-round match, before being stunned 7-23 at home by Black Lion, the Georgian side.
The Ospreys are sitting 11th on the log with 3 wins and 4 defeats in their opening 7 games. They were away to Montpellier in Challenge Cup action last week, going down by 33 points and the week before that hosting Benneton, winning 43-34.
Handicap: Scarlets -0.5
The Ospreys, in particular, have been playing in some high-scoring fixtures and I’m betting 48 points or more in this one.
Suggested bet: Over 47.5 points at 9/10
MUNSTER v LEINSTER – click here to bet
Munster are currently 6th on the log with 4 wins and a draw in their opening 7 games. They opened their Champions Cup campaign with a disappointing 17-17 draw at home to Bayonne and were then beaten 32-24 by Exeter on the road.
Leinster are second on the log with 6 wins and 1 loss from their 7 matches. They opened their Champions Cup campaign with a hard-fought away win over La Rochelle getting up 16-9 and they were then at home to Sale where despite starting 25-point favorites they only won by 10.
Handicap: Munster +4.5
Leinster dominated this fixture in recent years by winning 8 out of the last 10 but the last 3 meetings have all been close and I think we could be in for another tight game. They Tribet hasn’t been priced up yet, but I’ll be looking for any other score at around 14/10 (that means that either team can win but not by more than 6 points).
Suggested bet: Tribet at approx. 14/10
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
