Predictions: Premiership, PRO14 and more…

Editor

The Premiership and PRO14 finals take place this weekend, while the Top 14 has reached the last-four stage.

There are also five more matches to be played in Super Rugby Round 15 following the victories earlier for the Crusaders and Rebels.

EXETER CHIEFS v SARACENS

Comfortably the two best sides in the Premiership this year go head-to-head in the final at Twickenham and it should be a thriller. The Chiefs are the defending champions and ended the regular season at the top of the table, but they will be facing a much-improved Saracens outfit. Mark McCall’s men have been outstanding over recent weeks with their impressive attacking game seeing them thrash the previous five opponents. The Londoners emerged 57-33 triumphant against Wasps in the semi-finals and therefore go into this contest as favourites, but Exeter were similarly dominant in the last four.

Rob Baxter’s charges overcame Newcastle Falcons 36-5 and will back themselves to retain the title. There is not much to choose between the teams, with most facets in good working order, but the Devonians may just have a slight edge in the back-row, despite the presence of Billy Vunipola for Sarries. Jackson Wray, while a superb player, is not a natural openside and, with Nick Isiekwe – usually a lock – alongside him, Dave Ewers and Don Armand will expect to gain an advantage. Still, Sarries have been in excellent form, have more experience in these situations and we think that they will just about shade the contest. Saracens by 4.

LEINSTER v SCARLETS

On paper, following the previous encounter between the two, this should be a comfortable victory for Leinster, but they are perhaps fortunate to be in the final after battling past Munster, 16-15. Although Johnny Sexton and Dan Leavy were absent, their issues went beyond that with the Irish province struggling to find their fluency. The Scarlets are therefore ready to pounce should Leo Cullen’s men be off their game once more, having shown why they are the defending champions during their semi-final triumph.

Wayne Pivac’s outfit were at their best, defeating the Glasgow Warriors 28-13 at Scotstoun, and have form when it comes to winning in Dublin. It was this time last year that the Welsh region beat both Leinster and Munster over successive weeks to win the PRO14 title and it is within their capabilities to do it again. Cullen’s charges are a better team in 2018, however, and we expect them to have the edge on the Scarlets. It will be tighter than the Champions Cup semi-final, which the Irishmen won 38-16, but the four-time European victors should have enough to claim the double. Leinster by 6.

TOP 14 SEMI-FINALS

Montpellier v Lyon: Montpellier by 10
Racing 92 v Castres: Racing by 7

SUPER RUGBY

Jaguares v Sharks

Preview: The Jaguares’ record against the Sharks reads four successive defeats since their inception into Super Rugby, but can they end that run this weekend?

Prediction: The Sharks are playing well but their opponents have been outstanding over the past few weeks and we see that continuing. Jaguares by eight.

Chiefs v Waratahs

Preview: The Chiefs will be looking for their eighth straight win against Australian sides when they host the Waratahs in Hamilton on Saturday.

Prediction: The Waratahs to upset the Chiefs on home soil. ‘Tahs by five.

Reds v Highlanders

Preview: The Reds and Highlanders will be determined to get their respective campaigns back on track when they face off in Brisbane this Saturday.

Prediction: Although the Reds have shown plenty of improvement, the Highlanders will prove too strong for them. Highlanders to win by 10 points.

Bulls v Brumbies

Preview: The Bulls will be looking to bounce back after last weekend’s loss to the Jaguares when they host a struggling Brumbies outfit on Saturday.

Prediction: This could be a high-scoring affair on the Highveld but one which the hosts should edge. Bulls by eight.

Stormers v Lions

Preview: Fifth takes on first in the South African Conference this Saturday as the struggling Stormers look to salvage some pride against the Lions.

Prediction: With plenty riding on this result, expect a close scoreline at Newlands but we expect the visitors to sneak it. Lions by three.