The final action in the United Rugby Championship regular season comes from Limerick on Saturday night and depending on how earlier results go it could be a very significant clash between Munster and the Lions
Munster v Lions, Saturday 16th May, Limerick, KO 20:45 (South African time)
Referee: tbc
Assistant Referees: tbc
TMO: tbc
Weather Forecast - Limerick
Munster:
Munster finished Round 17 in sixth position with a record of 10 wins and 7 defeats and they have earned 51 log points. That puts them 2 points shy of their opponents here, the fifth placed Lions whilst looking down they have Cardiff and Ulster (both 50 points) and ninth placed Connacht (49) points on their heels. It’s very possible Munster may already have enough for a play off spot, a top 4 finish would be preferable but for that to happen they will need the Bulls to slip up at home to Benetton earlier in the day and then overhaul the Lions.
Derby matches in the two previous round saw Munster thrash Ulster 41-14 in aa Round 16 home fixture but last time out they went down 26-7 away to Connacht. Munster were on tour in SA in Rounds 13 and 14 where they lost 45-0 to the Sharks in Durban and 34-31 to the Bulls at Loftus. In earlier an earlier home game against the Stormers in Round 6 Munster went down 27-21.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Munster are 16/1 shots with Sportingbet
Lions:
The Lions finished the previous round in fifth place with a record of 10 wins, 1 draw and 6 defeats for 53 log points. They slipped out of the top 4 on the back of a 31-7 defeat to Leinster in Dublin last week and like their opponents here by kick off time they will know if a top 4 finish is possible and how the composition of the play offs stands.
Prior to the loss at Leinster the Lions had catapulted into the top 4 on the back of six successive home wins. Most recently they beat a Connacht side (who had turned over the Stormers in Cape Town a week earlier) 33-21 picking up another bonus point. Prior to that they thrashed Glasgow Warriors 54-12. In one earlier match at home to Irish opposition this season the Lions beat Ulster 49-31 in Round 5.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Sportingbet have the Lions priced at 20/1
Line Ups:
Munster: tbc
Lions: tbc
The Betting,
Average early show
Munster -6.5 points at 9/10
Lions +6.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Bets:
Tips, more news and betting angles for Round 18 of the URC will be available on Brent Graham's betting blog which is available here.
Brent’s plays for Round 14 of Super Rugby will be available here
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.
