Magners League / Editor / 05 September 2008 / Leave a comment

The return of the Magners League has generated genuine excitement amongst rugby fans and it's easy to understand why. The competitiveness of the tournament is at an all-time high and that's exemplified in the betting for this weekend's opening round of fixtures. Mark Doyle tells us more.

Although opening-day games are, by their very nature, difficult to predict because of the absence of previous form and the uncertainty over just how quickly new players will settle, the games look extremely well-balanced.

Perhaps the other most attractive fixture of the weekend is Munster's trip to Murrayfield.

In Andy Robinson's Edinburgh, the Irish outfit are going up against the most-improved team in the league over the past 12 months and, with expert goal-kicker Chris Paterson back within their ranks, they will be quietly confident of beating the reigning Heineken Cup champions. However, Munster have all of their Irish internationals available for this game. There are undoubtedly concerns over the experimental nature of the back row but the incredibly strong front five will doubtless lay a platform for Munster's backs, guided as ever by the peerless playmaker that is Ronan O'Gara, to win this game. The likelihood is that they will do so by quite a narrow margin, though, and I think a winning margin of under 12.5pts at [2.84] could be the value.

The game of the weekend, Cardiff Blues versus Leinster, underlines this. The Blues go into Saturday's match, which pits last year's runners-up against last year's champions, as the slight favourites, primarily because of home advantage but also because Leinster will arrive at the Arms Park without two of their most high-profile summer signings: CJ van der Linde and Rocky Elsom. The absence of South African prop Van Der Linde is of the greater concern as Leinster have a worrying lack of adequate front-row replacements at the moment. As a result, it is not difficult to foresee the Leinster set-piece struggling on Saturday night.
The champions, make no mistake about it, look vulnerable. But it is that vulnerability which makes things very interesting, as they can be found at an attractive [2.1] to win in Wales.

Yes, there are concerns over the pack and games are undoubtedly won up front. However, with the likes of Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman and Malcolm O'Kelly on board, it is not as if Leinster are short on quality or experience in the forwards.
In addition, the back-line is absolutely overflowing with talent, so much so in fact that the continued unavailability of the injured Gordon D'Arcy is very nearly a blessing for head coach Michael Cheika as it gives him one less selection headache.This, after all, is the reigning Magners League champions we're talking about here, so [2.1] seems quite generous.

Elsewhere, Ulster's clash with Llanelli is almost too close to call. Consequently, the visitors look overpriced to me at [2.52] to win the game. The Welsh side has bought big during the summer and bought well, with David Lyons, Kees Meeuws and Simon Maling likely to prove terrific acquisitions. They have always had the backs but now it seems they could now have the forwards.

Elsewhere, The Ospreys really should prevail in Connacht, even if The Westerners have been buoyed some interesting close-season transfers. The visitors have been quiet in the transfer market by contrast but have added Tommy Bowe to an already star-studded back-line and The Ospreys -7.5 at [1.92] looks about right.

In the other game of the weekend, Dragons versus Glasgow, I think the Warriors are worth a punt at [2.26]. The Scots finished last season with a flourish and it remains to be seen if The Dragons have strengthened sufficiently over the summer to turn their ailing fortunes around.

Recommended Bets:

Leinster to win: [2.1]
Munster to win by under 12.5pts: [2.84]
Scarlets to win: [2.52]
Glasgow to win: [2.26]