Launching a revamped multi-nation rugby competition during a global pandemic was always going to be a challenge and so it has proven with the United Rugby Championship enduring a tough maiden campaign. Covid has decimated the fixture list and has left the South African quartet of competitors effectively cut off with international travel once again limited.
The sides from South Africa have yet to stage a home game against a foreign opponent and face an uncertain future as to how they will fulfil their fixture list. The Stormers, Lions, Sharks and Bulls all had ambitions of turning around disappointing starts to the season when their rivals headed to the southern hemisphere with all four having losing records after five games.
| #OnThisDay three years ago, we saw a Christmas cracker!
Trailing Connacht 29-12 with 11 minutes left on the clock, #LeinsterRugby pulled off a memorable victory.
#FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/VxE5L0HdhZ
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) December 22, 2021
It was hoped the addition of more sides from South Africa might spice up a competition that had been dominated by Leinster, the Irish province winning the last four editions of the Pro 14. Instead, Leinster are once again top of the pile with six wins from seven matches and are 1/2 favourites to win the first United Rugby Championship. Edinburgh are hot on their heels, sitting one point and place behind and are 25/1 to win a first title.
Ulster, the only team to beat Leinster this season are third and a 7/1 chance, with fourth-placed Ospreys flying the flag for Wales. Only ten points separate the top six sides in the standings with Munster amongst the chasing pack; they are 4/1 to go one better than last year’s Grand Final defeat to Leinster.
Connacht Could Catch Out Ulster
Munster would have had a chance to exact a measure of revenge against Leinster this weekend, only for the Dublin-based outfit to postpone the Boxing Day encounter due to Covid. That cancellation has left the United Rugby Championship’s festive offerings stripped of its main event, with Ospreys against Dragons also falling victim to coronavirus.
Of the four remaining fixtures – the first of which takes place on Christmas Eve when bottom of the table Zebre entertain Benetton – Ulster’s clash against Connacht looks the most intriguing. Both teams are in good form with Ulster winning both their European Champions Cup matches over the last fortnight.
The Ulsterman recorded a famous win against Clermont in round one of Europe’s premier club competition but weren’t alone in claiming the scalp of French opposition that weekend as Connacht put Stade Francais to the sword at home. The western province followed that up with a brave showing away from home against Leicester as they just fell short against the Premiership leaders.
Although they won plaudits for their performance at Welford Road, the fact remains Andy Friend’s men have now lost their last five away games in all competitions. They are 8.5 point underdogs for the trip to Ravenhill but should travel in good spirits having won on their last visit to Ulster, while they also beat them in the reverse fixture in October, triumphing 36-11.
That defeat was one of a handful of poor showings by Ulster, who have struggled to put together a complete 80 minutes at times this year and will have to cope without skipper Iain Henderson and Stuart McCloskey for the big Boxing Day game.
With Connacht having won six of the last ten meetings between the sides and this fixture having a tendency to be close, taking the visitors with the 8.5-point handicap at 50/57 looks a strong play.
Warriors Favourites For 1872 Opener
The other Boxing Day matchup pits Cardiff and Scarlets against one another in the Llanelli outfit’s first competitive game since October. The following day, all eyes will be on Scotstoun for the first of a festive double header between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both games will be played behind closed doors as Glasgow bid to retain the 1872 Cup, which will be decided on aggregate this year.
Glasgow should be full of confidence after recently defeating Exeter in the Champions Cup and they are 5/12 favourites to win the opener. Edinburgh also enjoyed a decent European window, winning away at Saracens in the Challenge Cup to make it three straight away victories.
Away wins in Glasgow have been a little less frequent with the Warriors winning five of the last six meetings on home soil. However, often there isn’t much in these all Scottish clashes – eight of the last ten games have been decided by 10 points or less – and without the presence of fans, Edinburgh should be able to cover the 5.5-point handicap at 50/57.
*All odds correct at time of writing