The United Rugby Championship returns this week and we take a look at the 6 matches taking place on Saturday and suggest a bet in each game.

Leinster are once again the firm favourites to win the United Rugby Championship and they are priced at 4/7 with the defending Champions, Munster 5/1, last season’s beaten finalists, the Stormers 11/2 and you can get 12/1 and better the balance.

Click here for the latest United Rugby Championship Outright Betting

ZEBRE v ULSTER – Click here to bet

Zebre had a disappointing season losing all 18 of their matches and finishing with a points difference of -391.  They have made a number of personnel changes and I am expecting an improvement from them this season.

Ulster finished 2^nd on the table last season, but were knocked out in the quarter-finals at home to Connacht.  They have said goodbye to quite a few of last year’s squad and have gone for quality over quantity as far as new recruits go with Steven Kitshoff from the Stormers being the headline signing.

Ulster hosted Zebre in the URC last season winning 36-15 and the last time they played at Zebre in 2021 Ulster won 36-3.

Handicap:  Zebre +14.5

I have a positive feeling about Zebre this season and I am going to back them to beat the handicap here.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Zebre +14.5 at 9/10

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CONNACHT v OSPREYS – Click here to bet

Connacht finished 7^th on the table last season before stunning Ulster in their quarter-final away from home.  Connacht lost to the Stormers on the road in the semi-finals.  There has been quite a lot of player movement in Connacht and overall they looked to have strengthened their squad.

The Ospreys finished 13^th on the log with 5 wins and 2 draws in their 18 matches last season.  They have lost a lot of experience and have only signed a handful of players and I think a long, hard season lies ahead for them.

Ospreys hosted Connacht last season with Connacht eking out a narrow 22-19 win, their third successive win over the Ospreys.

Handicap:  Connacht -12.5

I think Connacht will be too strong for the Ospreys and this is one of my more confident bets on the card.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Connacht -12.5 at 9/10

LIONS v STORMERS – Click here to bet

The Lions finished just outside the playoffs last season in 9^th spot with 9 wins and 9 losses.  They have had a relatively low influx and outflow of players and a lot will depend on the improvement of the youngsters.

Stormers were runners-up to Leinster on the table last season before going down to Munster at home in an exciting final.  Stormers looked to have made some shrewd signings and should be contenders for the game.

These sides met twice in the URC last season with the Stormers winning 40-8 in Cape Town and 31-22 in Johannesburg.

Handicap:  Lions +5.5

I think the Stormers will be too strong and they can pick up valuable away points.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Stormers -5.5 at 19/20

DRAGONS v EDINBURGH – Click here to bet

Dragons finished 15^th on the log last season and they look to have made some shrewd purchases in the off-season and they also showed some promise in pre-season friendlies.

Edinburgh finished 12^th on the log last season with just 6 wins in their 18 starts.  Former Sharks coach, Sean Everitt has taken over as coach and they have made a couple of interesting signings.

Edinburgh hosted the Dragons last season running out convincing 44-6 winners.

Handicap:  Dragons +5.5

I think this game could be tight and I am going for an Edinburgh win by 1-7 points.

Suggested Bet:  Winning Margin, Edinburgh by 1-7 points inclusive at 12/5

CARDIFF v BENETTON – Click here to bet

Cardiff finished 10^th on the log last season with a 50% win / loss rate.  There has been plenty of change for Cardiff at both coaching and player levels and I suspect they could be worth opposing early in the season.

Benetton finished 11^th on the log last season with 8 wins and 10 defeats.  They have looked good in pre-season and at a glance appeared to have made some shrewd purchases.

These sides met in the Champions Cup last season with Benetton winning 27-23 at home and in the URC Cardiff won 30-13 at home.

Handicap:  Cardiff -3.5

I am calling my first upset of the season, Benetton to win.

Suggested Bet:  Benetton win at 16/10

MUNSTER v SHARKS – Click here to bet

Munster finished 5^th on the log, but then beat Glasgow away followed by Leinster away in the semi-finals before beating the Stormers in Cape Town to take the title.  Munster have made some good purchases, but have also lost a couple of key players.

The Sharks finished 8^th last season and found Leinster on the road too strong for them in their quarter-finals.  Their new players and outgoing players look to cancel each other out in terms of ability and key here will be how coach, John Plumtree fares back at the helm.

The Sharks hosted Munster at the end of last season with the game finishing 22-22 despite Munster fielding a weakened side.  They also met in the European Cup with the Sharks winning 50-35 at home.

Handicap:  Munster -12.5

I feel like it could be a trap, but I am expecting a good start from the Sharks.

Suggested Bet:  Handicap, Sharks +12.5 at 17/20

Click here for all of the betting for the United Rugby Championship matches

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change