Pro14 rugby union: free tips and match predictions

When to watch

Glasgow v Scarlets
Premier Sports 1, 7.35pm Friday
Leinster v Ospreys
Premier Sports 2 & TG4, 7.35pm Friday

Best bets

Leinster -20
1pt 5-6 Betway
Glasgow to win by one to 12 points
1pt 17-10 Betfair

Analysis

Leinster began their bid for a Pro14 title hat-trick with a 32-27 win at Benetton and they look worth a wager to give up 20 points to Ospreys in Dublin even though they have 14 players away at the World Cup.

The Ospreys were beaten 52-7 at the RDS Arena last season and, without ten international stars of their own, they lost 38-14 at Ulster last Friday. In Belfast, as well as the dismissal of wing Luke Morgan for two yellow cards, they picked up serious-looking injuries to influential centre Cory Allen and back-rower Sam King.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has reshuffled his back three, replacing Treviso hat-trick hero Dave Kearney, and his pack. However, his front-row, half-back and midfield combinations remain the same so there is the promise of continuity.

The call-ups include top-notch Kiwi flyer James Lowe and the vastly experienced ex-Wallaby lock Scott Fardy. Dynamic back-rower Max Deegan is poised to make an impact from the bench.

At Scotstoun, take last year’s runners-up Glasgow to bounce back from a 48-14 defeat at the Cheetahs with a narrow win over the Scarlets.

The Warriors won 11 of their 12 home league and playoff matches last season including the game against the Dragons straight after their South Africa trip and boss Dave Rennie is once again able to name a strong side despite their World Cup absentees.

Scarlets ground out a solid 18-10 home success in Brad Mooar’s first competitive game in charge last Saturday but they lost nine of their ten league trips last term including a 29-20 reverse at Scotstoun.

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