Superbru 6: Premiership and URC action returns ahead of Six Nations
This is the final weekend of full domestic action before the Six Nations takes centre stage in Europe, and that’s worth considering in your picks because many of the international stars will not be available for their clubs.
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the games I have picked out this weekend.
This would normally be a fascinating battle between the two contenders for the England fly-half spot - Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. However, with both absent this weekend, the intrigue comes from how each side will cope without them. Quins will be missing fewer players overall, and with home advantage - Saints’ away form is very poor - I’m backing the home team. Prediction: Harlequins by 4
The Lions’ recent record against the Bulls is extremely poor, and they have generally struggled against teams ranked above them in the table. That’s not ideal when you’re 13th out of 16, and I suspect this will be another defeat to the Pretoria side. Prediction: Bulls by 6
Gloucester v Leicester - Gallagher Premiership
This match is a great occasion as they compete for the Slater Cup, raising money for Ed Slater’s MND charity. Expect a big, vociferous crowd at Kingsholm and a tight game - the last two meetings have been separated by 3 and 2 points respectively. Having won their last 5 in a row at home, I’m backing Gloucester here. Prediction: Gloucester by 3
Leinster v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
This should be a great fixture, and with many of Leinster’s first-choice players away on international duty, the Stormers have a chance of victory. Unfortunately their record outside Cape Town has been poor this season, and I’d find it hard to pick against Leinster in Dublin anyway. Prediction: Leinster by 9
Cardiff v Sharks - United Rugby Championship
The Sharks’ record against Cardiff is embarrassing, but surely they can win this one. The home side will be missing their 8 Wales internationals, and generally the Welsh teams suffer from a lack of depth, so I’m backing the Sharks regardless of the team lineup they announce. Prediction: Sharks by 6
Exeter v Saracens - Gallagher Premiership
It’s a good time to play Saracens, with so many players away with England, but for Exeter, Henry Slade has been so critical that I find it hard to predict a Chiefs victory without him. They’ve only won once all season, and I think Sarries will be too strong. Prediction: Saracens by 7
How do your predictions compare?
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the games I have picked out this weekend.
Friday
Harlequins v Northampton - Gallagher PremiershipThis would normally be a fascinating battle between the two contenders for the England fly-half spot - Marcus Smith and Fin Smith. However, with both absent this weekend, the intrigue comes from how each side will cope without them. Quins will be missing fewer players overall, and with home advantage - Saints’ away form is very poor - I’m backing the home team. Prediction: Harlequins by 4
Saturday
Lions v Bulls - United Rugby ChampionshipThe Lions’ recent record against the Bulls is extremely poor, and they have generally struggled against teams ranked above them in the table. That’s not ideal when you’re 13th out of 16, and I suspect this will be another defeat to the Pretoria side. Prediction: Bulls by 6
Gloucester v Leicester - Gallagher Premiership
This match is a great occasion as they compete for the Slater Cup, raising money for Ed Slater’s MND charity. Expect a big, vociferous crowd at Kingsholm and a tight game - the last two meetings have been separated by 3 and 2 points respectively. Having won their last 5 in a row at home, I’m backing Gloucester here. Prediction: Gloucester by 3
Leinster v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
This should be a great fixture, and with many of Leinster’s first-choice players away on international duty, the Stormers have a chance of victory. Unfortunately their record outside Cape Town has been poor this season, and I’d find it hard to pick against Leinster in Dublin anyway. Prediction: Leinster by 9
Cardiff v Sharks - United Rugby Championship
The Sharks’ record against Cardiff is embarrassing, but surely they can win this one. The home side will be missing their 8 Wales internationals, and generally the Welsh teams suffer from a lack of depth, so I’m backing the Sharks regardless of the team lineup they announce. Prediction: Sharks by 6
Exeter v Saracens - Gallagher Premiership
It’s a good time to play Saracens, with so many players away with England, but for Exeter, Henry Slade has been so critical that I find it hard to predict a Chiefs victory without him. They’ve only won once all season, and I think Sarries will be too strong. Prediction: Saracens by 7
How do your predictions compare?
Superbru on X
Like this weekend only 6 for the urc but almost 70% player are not there because of 6 nations duty.