Munster host the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship in Limerick on Saturday, a repeat of last season's final which was staged in Cape Town where the Irish side claimed victory.
Munster v Stormers, Saturday 18th November, Limerick, KO 19:15 (South African time)
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland), Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Wayne Davies (Wales)
Weather Forecast: - Limerick
Munster:
Munster have started the defence of the URC title with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat and they have 13 log points.
They began at home to the Sharks, a game they won 34-21 before they had to settle for a 13-13 draw away to Benetton. Munster had way to much for the Dragons in a Round 3 home fixture, claiming a 45-14 victory but last weekend they tasted defeat for the first time, going down 21-14 in a derby away to Ulster.
They now renew rivalry with the Stormers whom they beat 19-14 in the Grand Final in Cape Town last season. Munster had finished off the 22/23 regular season by ending the Stormers long unbeaten run (26-24) in Cape Town before drawing with the Sharks (22-22) in Durban. In home games against SA opposition last season Munster beat the Bulls (31-17) and the Lions (33-3).
In the outright betting Munster are 62/10 second favourites to win the tournament with BoyleSports who make Leinster 0.64/1 favourites.
Stormers:
The Stormers have won 2 and lost 2 of their first 4 matches and with 11 log points they are 2 shy of Munster.
The Stormers started with 2 bonus point wins away to the Lions (35-33) and at home to the Scarlets (52-7). However they were unable to add to their tally in their first tour match at Glasgow Warriors in Round 3 when they went down 20-9. A round 4 visit to Treviso to face Benetton was priced up as a choice game by the bookmakers and although the Stormers won the try count 3-2 they lost the match 20-17.
On tour in Ireland last season the Stormers went down 35-5 to Ulster and they drew 22-22 at Leinster and it was Saturday's opponents Munster who punctured their proud home record on 2 occasions.
After this the Stormers end this tour in Cardiff and in the outright betting they are 67/10 third favourites to win the tournament with BoyleSports
Team News
Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shay McCarthy, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 John Ryan, 2 Scott Buckley, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Chris Moore, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Alex Kendellen
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Gary Porter, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Neethling Fouche (captain), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Brok Harris, 19 Adre Smith, 20 Keke Morabe, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Clayton Blommetjies, 23 Angelo Davids
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The Betting,
Munster -10.5 points at 9/10
Stormers +10.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
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Although I handicapped this game Munster -8.5 and the cap is a couple of points higher I find myself leaning towards the home team here. Munster’s best work has been at home this season and the Stormers were far from impressive in Italy last week and I get the sense they need their Boks to return ASAP.
The points line of 45.5 looks about right and my play here is Munster to beat the handicap.
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BET: 4 units Munster -10.5 at 19/20 at Betxchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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