Leinster Begin Pro 14 Campaign With Test Against Cardiff Blues

The Guinness Pro 14 returns this week as round 1 gets underway and defending champions Leinster travel to Cardiff to take on Challenge Cup champions Cardiff Blues, in the hope of getting their quest for back-to-back titles off to a winning start.

Leo Cullen’s European Champions Cup winners are firm favourites to fend off the Blues at 4/9, while Cardiff Blues are vying for their first win under new coach John Mulvihill and can be backed at 7/4 to do so on Friday.

Munster look set for an easy victory in Limerick as they host Cheetahs at Thomond Park and see odds of 1/50 to win. Cheetahs are available at 11/1 to cause upset for Johann van Graan’s side.

In the Outright betting, Leinster lead the charge as the 11/8 favourites to get their hands on their sixth Guinness Pro 14 title. Munster and Glasgow are tied at 5/1 with last year’s runners-up Scarlets next at 11/2.

Leinster’s James Lowe is being tipped to be the tournament’s top tryscorer at odds of 6/1 with fellow teammate Barry Daly, Edinburgh’s Duhan Van der Merwe and Ulster’s Craig Gilroy all priced at 12/1.

*Prices correct at time of publication