With the new Guinness PRO14 season less than one week away from kick-off, it’s time for us to preview the teams from Conference B.
BENETTON
Last season: 5th in Conference B
Head coach: Kieran Crowley
It’s continued steady progress from Benetton and more of the same in 2018/19 could begin to yield a play-off push. Within seven points of Irish outfit Ulster, yet on a squad with far less financial might or individual quality.
The gulf between Italian rugby and its European counterparts is so large that progress often seems an unenviable task, but the gap in quality, especially over the last two to three seasons, has decreased massively.
10 wins, including scalps over the Ospreys, Scarlets and Leinster in Dublin, shows this Benetton side are far from the pushovers of old. Still not able to attract the calibre of player they would like but what they lack in sheer quality they make up for in other ways.
Few will bet on Ulster being as average as they were last year so the seven-point gap between the two sides should widen this term and fellow Conference B sides don’t look like dropping off enough to allow Benetton a sniff of play-off rugby. Nevertheless, they are a side on the up and will no doubt cause an upset or two once again this season.
Player to watch: If Benetton are to continue improving then they will need Tommaso Allan firing on all cylinders. The Italian fly-half helps elevate the Treviso-based side to heights that years ago would’ve been beyond them. If his pack that can give him the kind of ball he needs Allan is a man to keep tabs on.
DRAGONS
Last season: 6th in Conference B
Head coach: Bernard Jackman
Two wins across 21 contests tells a story in itself for the Welsh region. In recent years the Newport outfit have done little more than make up the numbers but new investment could bring about a change in fortunes.
Marquee signings Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard arrive from Gloucester and boss Bernard Jackman will hope they can influence proceedings at Rodney Parade.
The Southern Kings and Connacht were the only sides to be beaten by the Dragons and the Welshmen didn’t pick up a single win on the road. Their problems appear considerable, ranging from a lack of player quality, depth and ability to go on the road and win.
The positive is that the only theoretical way is up. League position shouldn’t be a gauge of their progress this term but more how they equip themselves.
Player to watch: Welsh back-row Ross Moriarty left Gloucester after little playing time in 2017/18 but, the season prior to that, he earned himself a spot in the Lions squad and that’s no easy feat. Hugely physical, he will bring a ferociousness desperately needed by the Dragons. Go-forward ball is something he can provide alone, the hard task is using it but in Moriarty they have the first piece of the puzzle.
EDINBURGH
Last season: 3rd in Conference B (quarter-finals)
Head coach: Richard Cockerill
Edinburgh enjoyed an outstanding first season under Richard Cockerill, qualifying for the play-offs and reaching the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup.
Although they ultimately endured disappointment in both, after going down to Munster in the PRO14 and Cardiff Blues in Europe, it has given them something to build on.
Having laid the foundations, the Scottish outfit will be looking to improve, although the added pressures of the Champions Cup may affect them.
They have, however, bolstered their squad with some impressive additions. Henry Pyrgos, Simon Hickey, Juan Pablo Socino and Matt Scott are excellent signings in the backline while Pierre Schoeman, John Barclay and Luke Hamilton will increase their options up front.
Asking for an improvement may be a stretch but the capabilities are certainly there for them to match their performance from the previous campaign and earn their place in the play-offs once again.
Player to watch: After an impressive campaign, which saw him called up to the Scotland squad, Blair Kinghorn will be looking to build on last season. Well-balanced, strong and quick, the full-back is a threat to any rearguard and PRO14 defences will once again have to be wary of Kinghorn. With Simon Hickey and Juan Pablo Socino increasing Edinburgh’s playmaking options in midfield, that should open even more space for the youngster to thrive.
LEINSTER
Last season: 1st in Conference B (winners)
Head coach: Leo Cullen
It’s hard to have anything but compliments and praise for this Leinster side. Last year they completed the clean sweep domestically and in Europe playing rugby their way.
Littered with star quality from front-row to full-back, the departure of several high profile and high quality players was embraced and their replacements are ready. Goodbye Isa Nacewa, hello Jordan Larmour. Jamie Heaslip retires and the likes of Dan Leavy look here to stay.
They have such class across the squad that selecting Johnny Sexton was a luxury they only afforded themselves when necessary. Joey Carbery crosses the divide to Munster but they have sufficient depth to cover.
Leo Cullen deserves huge praise for how he’s managed this group. They did back-to-back European Cups in 2011 & 2012 and that will again be a priority. However, the domestic crown will want to be defended and the Pro14 has been utilised excellently as a breeding ground for the next generation. Whether that’s degrading the competition, enhancing Leinster or both it remains a tried, tested and successful method.
Expect more of the same, and expect more quality also. They are the team to beat.
Player to watch: Is it easier to suggest who not to watch? Picking one you would say Garry Ringrose. The kid is a class act and could well match the legend of one Brian O’Driscoll. That is not said lightly but the way he sidesteps and waltzes past people is dangerous; such an intelligent rugby brain and so mature for his age. The compliments are easily given to Ringrose and across the year it’ll be easy to see why.
SCARLETS
Last season: 2nd in Conference B (runners-up)
Head coach: Wayne Pivac
The winds of change are coming in Llanelli after it was announced Wayne Pivac’s days at Parc y Scarlets are numbered. The Welsh job looms while the likes of Scott Williams, John Barclay and Aled Davies have gone to seek new challenges.
They surrendered their title last year to the outstanding Leinster and lost to the Dubliners in the final four of Europe. Some scores will need to be settled and the Scarlets won’t veer from the methods that have made them synonymous around the continent for their style of play.
They play from anywhere and Pivac has given them the confidence to do so. It’s quite outstanding to watch this Welsh region more than give it to the might of Europe.
Steff Evans is one of the best wingers in Europe while Aaron Shingler is an impressive player. That, combined with the assurances provided by the likes of Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny, makes the Scarlets a side that will be hunting for trophies.
Player to watch: Scarlets are more than the sum of their parts so to pick an individual is tough. Steff Evans looks like a man ready to shine internationally let alone domestically. His step is frightening and for such a small man he packs a punch. He scored some big tries last term and his all-round improvement shows no signs of slowing.
SOUTHERN KINGS
Last season: 7th in Conference B
Head coach: Deon Davids
They didn’t adapt anywhere near as quickly as their fellow South African counterparts as they finished last in their conference. A new side in their own right even before Super Rugby decided to drop them, the Southern Kings are in need of a vision and people who buy into that.
Several players left after it was announced they would play in a different competition and much of the squad was made up of loan players. Hardly a recipe for success but it does allow the Kings are new slate with which to work.
Their first season has laid down a marker, an unwanted one at that, as bottom of the PRO14 pile and they will be singled out as winnable opponents by the other 13 sides. That could work to their advantage but right now, having disappointed hugely in their baptism year, they have an open target upon them.
A solitary win over the Dragons was all they had to show for their efforts and defeats were often anything but close. The Kings shipped over 40 points in a game on 10 occasions and, with defensive records like that, winning games is going to be a tall order.
The to-do list is endless but defence must be somewhere near the top. They also need to equip themselves with as many seasoned professionals as they can; the PRO14 is a different kettle of fish to Super Rugby and those who understand it will help their learning.
Player to watch: There wasn’t an overload of good going on in Port Elizabeth throughout last season but veteran Dries van Schalkwyk has experience of playing in Italy. He was part of the Kings side that took on the Lions in 2009 and returns after time away. This young team will be wise to tap into his experience as they aim to acclimatise.
ULSTER
Last season: 4th in Conference B
Head coach: Dan McFarland
Surely guilty of being the most underperforming side in Europe, never mind their own league. Ulster finished fourth in their conference, which was enough to ensure Champions Cup rugby this year, but not enough to get them into the quarter-finals.
Les Kiss left midway through last season and they’ve waved goodbye to Charles Piutau, who joined Bristol over the summer after a two-year spell.
The Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding saga loomed over Ulster last year but with that now put to bed there are no excuses. Billy Burns crosses the Irish Sea to stamp a more long-term perspective on the fly-half position occupied by several short-term candidates last year.
Marty Moore heads over from Wasps and Jordi Murphy swaps European Cup winners Leinster for Belfast – astute signings to go alongside the quality already present. Jacob Stockdale’s profile rises and rises while Iain Henderson and Rory Best lead from the front.
It’s a similar story of turning this Ulster side into a team capable of challenging; the blocks are in place it’s just finding a formula that works.
Player to watch: Named the Six Nations Player of the Tournament after a bucket load of tries, Jacob Stockdale is fast becoming one of Europe’s most feared marksman. A new contract was penned last term and Ulster will be expecting the young winger to pick up where he left off. Piutau has now left so the try-scoring column is short of a few scores but Stockdale is more than capable of filling in the blanks.
by Sam Meade