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Rugby Union tips

International stars give Munster the edge against Glasgow

Cardiff, Max Deegan and Saracens are worth wagers too

CJ Stander is a key ball-carrier for Munster
CJ Stander is a key ball-carrier for MunsterCredit: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Pro14 matches
Premier Sports & S4C from 3pm Saturday
Saracens v Leicester
BT Sport 3, 3pm Saturday

Squad rotation is normally in fashion in the Pro14 on this weekend after two hard games in Europe and with the autumn internationals around the corner, but that's not the case at Thomond Park, where Conference A big guns Munster and Glasgow do battle.

Both head coaches make changes from their Champions Cup sides but not as many as to suggest that the outcome of this clash is not considered as important as it would be in a less demanding window.

The Warriors won last month's league meeting at Scotstoun 25-10 but Munster are taken to give up 13 points in exacting their revenge in Limerick. The Red Army have won their three previous home league games by margins of 38, 36 and 57.

Munster were not outplayed in Glasgow as much as the scoreline suggests and Johann van Graan clearly wants more than a repeat of April's 21-10 home win because nine of their 11 players called up by Ireland this week are in the matchday squad. Back-row bruisers CJ Stander and Peter O'Mahony both start.

Warriors counterpart Dave Rennie has named a pack that should stand up to Munster at the set-piece and breakdown but the section leaders have conceded at least 24 points on all three away league trips with a mix-and-match selection stunned 38-28 at the Kings.

Cardiff cannot count on their current Wales stars in Bloemfontein but they still look worth support getting a start from the Cheetahs.

In April, the Blues defied a dreadfully delayed journey down to the Free State to lose only 29-27 in the Free State and they have gone from strength to strength since, whereas their hosts have struggled, losing heavily to Glasgow and drawing with Ulster.

Logistics have proved smoother this week and Cardiff head coach John Mulvihill has picked a speedy starting side and decided to call upon the nous and power of Samu Manoa and Nick Williams off the bench.

Leo Cullen makes 11 changes from their Champions Cup loss in Toulouse but Leinster's 23 for their trip to Treviso still looks heavy-duty enough for victory.

However, Benetton are building on a decent campaign last season rather than treading water, and the champions scraped a win at Cardiff and were edged out at Scarlets in their first two away league games. The best-value wager looks to be to back Max Deegan to score a try. Leinster's young number eight scored five tries last season and gets stuck in with the forwards as well as supporting the backs.

Both Saracens and Leicester have respected the Premiership Rugby Cup with their teams for the televised tussle at Allianz Park. Schalk Burger, Calum Clark and Telusa Veianu are among the internationals and senior players on show.

Sarries are taken to give up nine points. Their senior side are in much better shape than the visitors and the Storm have won three and lost one of their four Premiership Shield South Conference games, with a narrow home defeat to Exeter, who have won all three with a try bonus, being the blemish. By contrast, the Tigers A team have lost all three of their outings including a heavy 54-13 defeat at Newcastle.

Recommendations
Munster -13
1pt 10-11 bet365, Hills, Sky Bet
Cardiff +4
1pt 10-11 Betfair, BoyleSports, Paddy Power
M Deegan to score a try in Benetton v Leinster
1pt 13-5 bet365
Saracens -9
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power


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