Rugby
Experts Ferris and Barclay Preview URC Quarterfinals: Munster, Bulls, Leinster, and Glasgow Tipped for Victory
Experts Stephen Ferris and John Barclay preview the URC quarterfinals, predicting wins for Munster, Bulls, Leinster, and Glasgow. They analyze team strengths, key match factors, and potential upsets in this detailed overview of the upcoming fixtures.
Image Credits:Planet Rugby
Former Ulster and Ireland back rower Stephen Ferris and former Scottish and Glasgow warriors back rower John Barclay, preview and predict the upcoming quarterfinal fixtures of the URC. Both are leading Premier Sports leading rugby experts in the URC.
Munster vs. Ospreys
“I can’t look past Munster”, said Ferris.
“I expect Munster to win, it will be close. Munster will have too much in the tank”, said Barclay.
Bulls vs. Benetton
“Bulls will have too much power for Benetton”, said Barclay.
“I can’t look past the Bulls. Benetton scored four tries against the Bulls only few weeks ago and were very good with ball in hand. Maybe they (Benetton) are the dark horse to spring a real upset in the quarterfinals. Will there be an upset? Again, team selection for me is going to be key, so I’m going with John Barclay with four home wins”, said Ferris.
Image Credits: The Scotsman
Leinster vs. Ulster
“The most important thing for me is when the teams are read out the day before the game and what team will be selected. This season is slightly different with the Champions Cup Final being before the Quarterfinal or Semi-final of the URC. Leo Cullen (Leinster Coach) has been really good and staying true to the players that have been pretty consistent for him in the URC”, said Ferris.
“Will we see all those guys been casted aside and the front liners being brought back in again? I’ll tell you what…If I was a Jack Conan or a Max Deegan or Molony (Martin) and given your all throughout the season in the URC and you have got the team to where they are now and get left out of the squad for a quarterfinal, that wouldn’t sit particularly well for me. Leo has been pretty loyal to those guys but maybe that’s out of the window and maybe stop thinking like that and go with a full strength side until the final. If they get there”, said Ferris.
“I don’t see Ulster winning. Specifically because of the set piece. At the weekend, their pace and momentum of the game against Munster was in the scrums, they got dominated a few times with penalties. Early on in the season, Dan McFarland (former Ulster coach) got the sack after the Ospreys game when they got pumped in the scrum and again against Edinburgh at home when they lost that game.
“The first game of their season set the tone, when they got pumped in the scrum against Zebre. It’s been a huge area of concern, the Tadgh Furlong’s, Sheehan (Dan) and Andrew Porter there it’s going to be real tough,” said Ferris.
Glasgow Warriors vs Stormers
“I think this will be tightest one to call. Glasgow’s form has dipped a little bit at the moment, whereas the Stormers seem to be hitting their straps at the right time. They (Stormers) always seem to hitting their straps under (Head Coach) John Dobson”, said Barclay.
“I’m going to go for a Glasgow home win. I think they (Glasgow) need to pick it up, they have sort of put their eye off the ball but now it’s knockout rugby. John Dobson wants to see what his team are made of, away from home. He has talked about that, saying it’s not a bad thing to play away from home. Take them out of their comfort zone and if they win that then they get to stay over this side of the pond. Have a mini camp and spring a surprise in the semi-final”, said Ferris.
Nathan has over a decade of knowledge and experience, both as a former professional sportsperson and journalist. Nathan, a former radio sports presenter and producer is an award-winning community radio sports producer/presenter.