United Rugby Championship season preview, predictions & rugby betting tips: Take a chance on Sharks finding their bite

United Rugby Championship prediction & best bet

Sharks to win URC Grand Final
1pt each-way 20-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

United Rugby Championship season preview

Yet again the betting on the United Rugby Championship is all about Leinster, who are odds-on favourites to lift the trophy despite a run of three successive semi-final exits.

Leinster even failed to nail their customary top spot in the regular-season standings last season, finishing third behind Munster and the Bulls, and they added a third successive defeat in the European Champions Cup final to their saga of disappointing endings to the campaign.

They will no doubt be more fired up than ever to right those wrongs and have recruited All Black Jordie Barrett to their squad on a short-term deal, but odds of 8-11 are pretty unappealing given that record.

Champions Glasgow finished fourth last season with 13 wins from 18 and are boosted by the signing of fly-half Adam Hastings from Gloucester. They could be generously priced at 10-1 to top the table and 14-1 for a repeat success in the final, although they have lost pre-season matches to Zebre and Connacht.

Munster were crowned champions two seasons ago, defying a poor start to stun Leinster in the semis before beating the Stormers in the final. Last season they topped the table but were themselves turned over at home in the semi-finals, and their inconsistency is a concern.

Ulster have been playoff regulars but have lost fly-half Billy Burns as well as South African prop Steven Kitshoff, while of the Welsh teams, only Ospreys sneaked into the playoffs last year.

In contrast to the decline of the Welsh sides, the South African teams have been stepping it up since they were brought into the fold three years ago.

There has been a South African finalist every year and the Stormers won it in their first season, beating the Bulls in the final, but one of their rival sides look the best bet at generous odds.

The Sharks had a season to forget last time, losing ten of their first 11 games, although a World Cup hangover could have been a factor.

However, they lifted silverware with victory in the European Challenge Cup where their powerful pack overpowered Gloucester in the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Their fixture list is favourable – they play Glasgow, Munster and Leinster at home – and the international cadre in their squad has been boosted by the return of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi from Racing 92.

Of course, international and European Champions Cup commitments mean they will have to balance the playing time of their many star names. But in a betting heat that looks so open, taking a chance on a big-priced runner looks the best approach.

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