The Sharks face a tough task in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship when they travel to take on defending champions Munster in Limerick on Saturday.
Munster v Sharks, Saturday 21st October, Limerick, KO 18:15 (South African time)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Erskine (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
Weather Forecast: - Limerick
Munster:
Munster finished fifth on the log last season with a record of 10 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats for 55 log points. That mean they had to travel in the play offs but they were up to the task, beating the Warriors in Glasgow and then turning tournament favourites Leinster over in the semis. That set up a Grand Final clash with the Stormers in Cape Town and Munster came out on top 19-14.
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 11/2 shots to win the tournament with BoyleSports who make Leinster 0.63/1 favourites.
Sharks:
The Sharks just held on to a play off place in 2022/23, finishing eighth on the log with a record of 9 wins, 1 draw and 8 defeats for 48 log points. The Sharks then fell at the first hurdle in the quarters, going down 35-5 away to Leinster.
The Sharks also lost 54-34 at Leinster in the regular season in addition to going down to Irish opposition in the shape of Ulster, 31-24 in Durban and Connacht (24-12) in Galway and they drew with Munster (22-22) in Durban.
In pre-season a Sharks XV lost to the Stormers (33-21) on the Garden Route. After this the Sharks have another tough game away to Leinster before they visit the Ospreys and Zebre Parma.
In the outright betting the Sharks are 13/1 shots to win the tournament with BoyleSports.
Team News
Munster: 15 Shane Daly; 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Calvin Nash; 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Ethan Coughlan; 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 Alex Kendellen, 6 Jack O’Donoghue (captain), 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Edwin Edogbo, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Kieran Ryan, 18 John Ryan, 19 Tom Ahern, 20 Brian Gleeson, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Alex Nankivell, 23 Shay McCarthy
Sharks: 15 Boeta Chamberlain, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Murray Koster, 12 Francois Venter (c), 11 Marnus Potgieter, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cameron Wright, 8 George Cronje, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Emile van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Vincent Tshituka, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 23 Aphelele Fassi
The Betting,
Munster -11.5 points at 9/10
Sharks +12.5 points at 17/20
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
It feels like we say it every season but this could be the Sharks year. They have a new coach and a strong squad with plenty of depth. Munster will be no pushovers at home but I can see an upset win here although will restrict my interest to a handicap play for now.
The points line is 48.5 which feels about right but if I get involved I will place bets in the Goodforthegame Forum
Bet: 5 units Sharks +12,5 at 17/20 at Hollywood*
*If you are not signed up yet, please use this link to open your account at Hollywood
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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