Superbru 6: Club rugby resumes and Women's Six Nations begins!
The Six Nations takes another break before returning for the last two rounds, but there’s a good lineup of Super Rugby Pacific and United Rugby Championship fixtures to look forward to.
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the matches I have picked out:
Two of the three URC Champions go head-to-head on Friday night, and it looks like most of the international stars in each squad have been given a week off after their Six Nations exertions. It makes it a tough pick, and I suspect the visitors might have the edge with their squad depth. Prediction: Munster by 2
This was the headline fixture in the Men’s tournament in Round 4, and whilst the Women’s teams aren’t quite so evenly-matched, it should still be a great occasion to kick off the tournament. France have been too strong for Ireland in recent meetings, and this is a hurdle to overcome as they try to challenge England for the Championship. An away win looks likely here. Prediction: France by 16
Scarlets v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers’ away record has been poor this season, until they beat the Bulls at Loftus at the beginning of this month. They have also never lost to the Scarlets, and with Welsh rugby in disarray, it makes sense to pick the South Africans here. Prediction: Stormers by 6
Bulls v Leinster - United Rugby Championship
Leinster remain unbeaten so far this season, but this is likely to be their toughest test so far. Jacques Nienaber will likely have a second string available given that most of his first-choice players have been on international duty, and that will make the Bulls favourites. I’d love to see full-strength teams going head-to-head in this fixture, and hopefully we’ll get that before too long. Prediction: Bulls by 8
Saracens v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership
It’s Derby Week in the Gallagher Premiership, and this London derby is being played at Tottenham’s Stadium in the English capital. Whether the England players are thrown straight back into action remains to be seen, but both teams will be desperate to win to push up into the Top 4. The hosts have had the better of this fixture in recent years, and a Sarries win is more likely - they won 52-7 in the equivalent game last year. Prediction: Saracens by 6
1st plays 3rd in the latest instalment of this West Country Derby, and hosts Bath have won the last 4 in a row - 3 of which were away from home. It’s normally an entertaining game and worth watching, and Bath are not far off cementing their place in the playoffs. Prediction: Bath by 11
How do your picks compare?
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the matches I have picked out:
Friday
Glasgow v Munster - United Rugby ChampionshipTwo of the three URC Champions go head-to-head on Friday night, and it looks like most of the international stars in each squad have been given a week off after their Six Nations exertions. It makes it a tough pick, and I suspect the visitors might have the edge with their squad depth. Prediction: Munster by 2
Saturday
Ireland v France - Womens Six NationsThis was the headline fixture in the Men’s tournament in Round 4, and whilst the Women’s teams aren’t quite so evenly-matched, it should still be a great occasion to kick off the tournament. France have been too strong for Ireland in recent meetings, and this is a hurdle to overcome as they try to challenge England for the Championship. An away win looks likely here. Prediction: France by 16
Scarlets v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers’ away record has been poor this season, until they beat the Bulls at Loftus at the beginning of this month. They have also never lost to the Scarlets, and with Welsh rugby in disarray, it makes sense to pick the South Africans here. Prediction: Stormers by 6
Bulls v Leinster - United Rugby Championship
Leinster remain unbeaten so far this season, but this is likely to be their toughest test so far. Jacques Nienaber will likely have a second string available given that most of his first-choice players have been on international duty, and that will make the Bulls favourites. I’d love to see full-strength teams going head-to-head in this fixture, and hopefully we’ll get that before too long. Prediction: Bulls by 8
Saracens v Harlequins - Gallagher Premiership
It’s Derby Week in the Gallagher Premiership, and this London derby is being played at Tottenham’s Stadium in the English capital. Whether the England players are thrown straight back into action remains to be seen, but both teams will be desperate to win to push up into the Top 4. The hosts have had the better of this fixture in recent years, and a Sarries win is more likely - they won 52-7 in the equivalent game last year. Prediction: Saracens by 6
Sunday
Bath v Gloucester - Gallagher Premiership1st plays 3rd in the latest instalment of this West Country Derby, and hosts Bath have won the last 4 in a row - 3 of which were away from home. It’s normally an entertaining game and worth watching, and Bath are not far off cementing their place in the playoffs. Prediction: Bath by 11
How do your picks compare?
Superbru on X
What about the other 2 matches in the Women's 6 Nations tournament?