Stephen Ferris: Munster clash with Connacht will be a close contest

There are still a couple of Autumn Nations Series games to be played this weekend, but Stephen Ferris is looking at the latest round of games in the United Rugby Championship.

Leinster v Glasgow (Sat, 15.15)

Leinster are the hot favourites to win the URC and are currently top of the log, but even with several Irish players unavailable due to being rested, they will still be able to field a strong and experienced team that should be able to deal with a below-par Warriors side.

📥| Kelleher returns from injury!

Here is your #LeinsterRugby matchday squad for tomorrow's #BKTURC clash with @GlasgowWarriors

Rónan Kelleher makes his first appearance since September, as Harry Byrne could make his season debut from the bench#LEIvGLA #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/ywOizDkwFH

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 25, 2022

A few of the Glasgow players might still be having sleepless nights after the hammering Leinster inflicted on them in the quarter-final last season. It was a game of nightmares for Glasgow which ultimately resulted in their head coach getting the chop. Franco Smith might not be expecting his team to go to Dublin and win, but a non-negotiable is effort,and not rolling over like they did earlier this year. Glasgow’s away form has been sketchy and Leinster’s home form imperious, so I can only see one winner here. Leinster to extend their lead at the top of the URC table.

Ulster v Zebre (Fri, 19.35)

Holding on to Leinster’s coat tails are Ulster Rugby.  Will it be an easy game against Zebre or could it prove tricky after that unbelievable Italy win against Australia? Ulster have dominated this fixture in recent years and Zebre haven’t beaten Ulster since 2017. Zebre are also glued to the bottom of the URC table and after 80 minutes battling it out with Ulster, I don’t expect their league standings to change. Word on the street is that Kingspan Stadium will be at full capacity to watch a lot of these up-and-coming Ulster prospects, so tune in for this one as it could be an awesome game with an atmosphere to match.

Munster v Connacht (Sat, 19.35)

There seems to be an Irish derby every other week for Connacht, and this is the case again. They travel to a Munster side that lost narrowly at home to Ulster in their last URC game. Munster will be without Peter O’Mahony, Tadgh Beirne and Conor Murray to name a few. They will more than likely be missing a few more who were involved throughout Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series, which means Graham Rowntree will have to rely on several of his young fringe players to step up.

Bundee is ready! 👊

Who's coming with us to Thomond Park tomorrow? 🟢🦅#MUNvCON | #BKTURC pic.twitter.com/nhRC0X997C

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) November 25, 2022

Connacht on the other hand will welcome back Bundee Aki who was suspended for a few weeks after picking up a red card against the Stormers, and with limited players in the Irish squad they should be much better equipped to deal with what Munster might throw at them. History tells us that it’s going to be very tight. There hasn’t been more than nine points between the two sides in their last six meetings. With Connacht winning their last two games and Munster losing their last two games in the URC, this one is hard to call.

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