Superbru 6: Predictions for this weekend's rugby

With the Northern Hemisphere seasons kicking off this weekend, along with the latter stages of the Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup final, we are starting a new series. I'll be picking 6 of the biggest games on Superbru Rugby each week and sharing my predictions for them.

We’re calling it the Superbru 6 for now…

Here are my Superbru 6 picks for this week.

Friday

Edinburgh v Leinster - United Rugby Championship
Edinburgh tend to be a top-half team based on their home form - they are notoriously tough to beat in the Scottish capital, but if anyone can win there, it’s Leinster. The Dublin-based side have topped the URC table without winning the trophy in each of the first three seasons, and they’ll be desperate for silverware this year. I think they’ll want to put a marker down in Round 1. Prediction: Leinster by 9

Bath v Northampton - Gallagher Premiership
We are treated to a repeat of last season’s final as the Premiership gets underway in England. The Saints won the title as Bath were reduced to 14 men in the final, and this is a good opportunity to get one back at them. Prior to the final, the home side had won the last 4 meetings between these teams, and I’m backing Bath in front of their own fans at the Rec. Prediction: Bath by 4

Saturday

Argentina v South Africa - The Rugby Championship
The Springboks are clearly favourites here, but the Pumas shouldn’t be underestimated. They have already beaten the All Blacks and the Wallabies, and are still in with a shout of winning the trophy for the first time ever. However, South Africa’s team is so full of power, allied to a seemingly indestructible belief that they’ll win every game they play, that it’s hard to see anything but a Bok victory. Prediction: South Africa by 8

Exeter v Leicester - Gallagher Premiership
Michael Cheika arrives in the Premiership as the new Leicester Tigers coach and this is a tough first assignment away at Exeter Chiefs. It’s not a bad time to play the Chiefs, however, with internationals Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins both missing through injury. The home team has won 6 of the last 7 meetings between these teams, but I’m going for Cheika’s new team to get a morale-boosting early-season victory. Prediction: Leicester by 7

Lions v Sharks - Currie Cup
This year’s Currie Cup culminates at Ellis Park, with the table-topping Lions taking on the 3rd placed Sharks. The hosts won 9 of their 10 games during the regular season, whilst the Sharks won 6 of 10, and with home advantage, it looks a straightforward pick. However, the only defeat for the Lions was at home to the Sharks back in July, and that might just sow some doubt. I’m going for the upset pick. Prediction: Sharks by 2

Ulster v Glasgow - United Rugby Championship
This is a tough pick, with the reigning champions playing away in Belfast, and after winning the semi-final and final away from home last year, who is to say they can’t win this one too. I’m still going with home advantage, as the Scots might save that sort of rousing performance for the business end of the season. Prediction: Ulster by 7

What do you think of these picks? And what do you think of this preview format, picking out the best of the weekend’s Rugby ahead?

Remember, for match previews of every individual URC game this season, upgrade to Superbru Premium to access said previews on the picks pages of both the web and Superbru Rugby app.