Magners League Weekend 12/09/08 Predictions

Cardiff v Ulster - Playing three games in a week is massive. Although they have rotated players during the week most of the same players have appeared in each game. My belief is that this could effectively impact on recouperation and conditioning of Cardiff. The majority of the Cardiff players are basically playing nearly 190 mins of rugby in 8 days with little recouperation time, they'll have to tire by the second half. Ulster themselves lost badly against the Dragons last week however they are going to be hit and miss team this season. I don't think Ulster will win however when I saw Ulster + 12pts on Paddy Power I couldn't but get excited. If they are to improve this season which I think they can they can it will be to get closer to winning than they did the previous year. Cardiff beat Ulster 30-17 in the same game last May with Cardiff having practically the same team. Cardiff haven't moved on much this season with few signings, this is their third game in week, you'd have to fancy Ulster to make up at least 3 point score difference from last years peformance.

Prediciton - Ulster +12pts, 1 point @1.91 (With Paddy Power).

Leinster v Edinburgh - Leinster played well in the second half against Cardiff and can be slow to start at the beginning of the season. They now have a full squad with serious competition for places. The star of last week Nsawea on the subs bench today showing how confident Cheika is in his backs player selection. Trevor Hogan is back into the second row for Leinster which is an improvement from Devin Toner but most importantly Stan Wright is back in the front row to shore up what was a poor scrum last weekend. Edinburgh however have a few squad inuries. They have few strike runners, with Webster being injured and don't have a quality squad to pick form. Against Munster especially in the first half they were opened up quite easily by the improving Musnters backs.

With Leinster's backs recieving good ball from their pack we could see Edinburgh being opened up very easily. I think it could be close enough till half time, especially with Patterson to take all opportunies from his kicking but what the Munster game didn't show last week was the fact O'Gara missed 3 kicks, two of which were easy. This time last year Leinster beat Edinburgh (minus internationals because of the World Cup) 23-8. In the Heineken Cup last year Leinster somehow managed not to get a bonus point victory in a 28-14 game. Leinster should be stronger since then, are only missing a top class prop and Leo Cullen and have a stronger backline. Edinburgh are the same if not weaker.

Prediction : Leinster -10pts, 2 points @ 1.91 (Boyles are offering this handicap, every one else is minus 12pts. Great value and a nice penalty cushion).