With the Rugby Championship taking a week’s break before the final two rounds, we look at the best bets from the Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14.
Newcastle v Exeter Chiefs
These sides have endured contrasting fortunes at the start of this campaign, which is probably the reason why the odds heavily favour the Chiefs, but an away victory should not be taken for granted.
Dean Richards’ men succumbed to Saracens and Leicester in their opening two games, but responded well to defeat Worcester Warriors at Sixways and claim their first win of the campaign.
It displayed an improvement from the Falcons and, back on home soil, they will be far more assured when Exeter visit on Friday. The Tynesiders, after finishing 2017/18 in an impressive fourth position, did not lose any of their star players over the off-season and should be a significant test for Rob Baxter’s outfit.
Newcastle also defeated the Devonians in the corresponding fixture last year and 10/3 with Black Type therefore seems quite generous, while 2/7 (Bet365 and William Hill) for Exeter to overcome the hosts at Kingston Park looks a bit too short.
Either way it should be a tight game and Richards’ side are evens with Betfred on a handicap of +9, which seems like a prudent option.
Dragons v Zebre
Zebre will be looking for a win over the Dragons at Rodney Parade that would see them keep pace with Glasgow and Munster in PRO14, Conference A.
Both the Italian sides have impressed so far in 2018/19 and Zebre come into this game on the back of a narrow victory over Cardiff Blues. Dragons meanwhile were comprehensively beaten at Leinster which was their second loss of the campaign, their only win coming against the Kings.
The Welsh region are best priced 27/50 (Marathon Bet) but it’s the Zebre price of 11/5 with William Hill which looks to be a shrewd punt. For a Zebre half-time/full-time win that can be found at 10/3 with Bet Victor while those who aren’t overly confident in the upset win – according to the bookmakers – then the handicap line is five points.
The pressure is very much on Dragons and their head coach Bernard Jackman after a disappointing start and with confidence high at Zebre, this seems the best value bet in the PRO14 this round. Interestingly Benetton at 19/5 with 888 Sport is also a price that caught our eye.
Racing 92 v Castres
One of the big games of the weekend in the Top 14 sees the defending champions head to the capital to take on Racing, who finished the previous season in second position.
Castres actually ousted Saturday’s opponents in the semi-finals in 2017/18 and no doubt the hosts will be looking for revenge. However, Christophe Urios’ men have started the campaign strongly, winning three of their four games, with the only defeat coming at Toulon.
They narrowly succumbed 28-27 to Patrice Collazo’s outfit but Urios’ charges were unfortunate not to come away with the victory. Having duly shown themselves to be strong on the road, following that performance and their triumph over Montpellier at Altrad Stadium in Round One, it will be a tough encounter for Racing.
The Parisians are one of the favourites for the title and recruited well in the off-season but, after losses to Clermont Auvergne and Toulouse, they have yet to find their rhythm. With William Hill offering odds of 3/1 for Castres to pick up the win, it is a decent price for those who fancy a punt.
It is worth remembering that Racing have only lost once at home at their new stadium, which is why Sky Bet have them down at 2/7, but that defeat did occur recently and Castres have no fear when it comes to facing the big teams in France.