Pitchside with Ferris: Leinster, Ulster and Munster previews

Benetton v Leinster, Saturday, 14:00

Unfortunately, Benetton are out of the Europeancompetition and there is no possible way of them getting through to aQuarter-Final

Leinster are sitting pretty on top of their tablewith 24 points, being the team with the most points in the competition so far.

They can also equal the highest number of pointsfor the group stages if they win with a bonus point, only Biarritz haveachieved 29 points before. For them to be 100% sure of a home Quarter-Final,they need to go to Benetton and get a win.

Leinster more or less have everything to play forwhereas Benetton have very little to play for. I think Benetton head coachKieran Crowley will field an inexperienced team and can’t see them being boggeddown from getting beaten by Leinster.

These guys will keep their focus on the Pro14 overthe coming months. They are a good side and have come to play Leinster severaltimes over the last number of years and have ran them close on some occasions.

Prediction: Leinsterhave been consistently scoring over 40 points this year, a lot of those pointsbeing at the RDS or the Aviva stadium. They are unbeaten in all comps thisseason, so a convincing win is what I’m predicting. However, Benetton will notroll over at home and I expect them to sneak under the Handicap and giveLeinster a game for large parts of the match.

Exeter Chiefs v La Rochelle, Saturday, 17:30

Exeter had a kick to win the game last weekagainst Glasgow in the dying minutes, but it came back off the crossbar and thegame ended in a draw.

However, playing at home this weekend you wouldexpect them to get the job done. They play a very attractive brand of Rugby andlike to throw it around and get the opposition moving around the pitch. Theyplay with intensity and accuracy and are a match for anyone on their day.

Prediction: I can’tsee anything more than a very convincing Exeter win in this game by 20-25points.

Ulster v Bath, Saturday, 15:15

Ulster’s result last weekend against Clermont wasextremely disappointing. They got dominated in the last quarter up front andthis will be a concern for Roddy Grant who is the forwards coach for Ulster.

We all know how important set piece is in biggames, I’m sure the Rugby World Cup final is still fresh in people’smemories…. Finishing strong is crucial to success and Ulster will need to uptheir intensity for Baths visit to Belfast on Saturday afternoon.

I am hoping they are going to bounce back thisweekend, and with Bath being at the bottom of their group on four points itshould be a convincing win.

Bath have been very poor this season in both theGallagher Premiership and the European Cup. It’s been a disappointing couple ofmonths for the men in blue and white.

Prediction: I expectUlster to win and get four tries, that would give them five match points andbring them to a respectable total of 22 points after the group games. This willdefinitely be enough for a quarter final spot, albeit away from home. Scoreprediction for this game is Ulster to beat the Handicap -23!

Saracens v Racing 92, Sunday, 13:00

I am most looking forward to watching this game atthe weekend as both teams have a lot to play for!

Looking at Saracens and all the controversysurrounding them it’s amazing to see that they are still in with a shout ofqualification to the quarter finals.

It may be a game away from home, but this could bethe positivity the team needs not only for moral but financially also.

I think they are going to go full strength thisweekend which they have not done that often in the European Cup. For me, I cansee their big game players like Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Brad Barrittmaking a huge impact on this fixture and really setting the tone.

Prediction: Racing+14 points is my end score prediction. Reason being, if Racing win this game,they will be guaranteed a home Quarter-Final. I know Saracens will have hopesof making that Quarter-Final too, but with Racing 92 having so much to play forI am going to go for them to beat the Handicap… but Saracens to get the win.

Munster v Ospreys, Sunday, 13:00

Munster need all the results to go their way to bein with a chance of qualifying, and I personally cannot see this happening.

If they can go out and get a win this weekendagainst the Ospreys who have been struggling of late, then it will definitelyhelp lift a little of the pressure on the Munster players and coaching staff.

They have a good run of games coming up in thePro14 where you would back them to get victories, so it’s not all doom andgloom for the Munster men.

Munster need to shake those shackles off and goout and play some attractive rugby. They haven’t scored many tries this seasonso a big win would be awesome for the faithful Munster fans who I’m sure willbe turning out in their thousands once again on Sunday. I think it will be toolittle too late for this club to qualify for the Quarter-Finals which will behard to take for everyone involved.

I was surprised by the great determination theOspreys had shown last weekend. With their captain Alun Wyn Jones back, he ledfrom the front and really was a vocal point in his side.

One or two players will obviously add experienceand talent to the Ospreys team, but yet again I can’t see them getting out ofthis massive hole they find themselves in.

Prediction: My endscore prediction for this game is Munster to win by 20 points.

Toulouse v Gloucester, Sunday, 16:15 > My best value bet this weekend!

This is going to be a brilliant game! Gloucesterhad lost at home to Toulouse when they last came face to face so Gloucesterwill be coming back wanting revenge! However, I can’t see that happening.

Toulouse have been playing an excellent brand ofRugby. They are a very physical side with a lot of pace and intensity.

They seem to be able to go into second or thirdgear and then take it easy for 15/20 minutes and then ramp it up again!

Very similar to the style of play Racing92 hadshown in the last 10 minutes when they were facing Munster last weekend.

Gloucester still have a chance of qualificationand if they go over to Toulouse and get a big win, they could sneak in for aQuarter-Final position, but I really can’t see things going their way in thisgame as Toulouse will be wanting to get that home Quarter-Final sewn up.

Prediction: Toulouseto win 15-20 points and beat the Handicap!

My Five-Fold ACCA for this weekend:

Ulster v Bath: Ulsterwin
Munster v Ospreys: Munsterwin
Exeter Chiefs v LaRochelle: Exeter win
Toulouse v Gloucester: Toulousewin
Harlequins v Clermont: Clermontwin

Stephen