The Stormers are the first South African side in United Rugby Championship action this weekend and their next assignment comes against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night
Ulster v Stormers, Friday 28th March, Belfast, KO 21:35 (South African time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland), Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Stefano Roscini (Italy)
Weather Forecast - Belfast
Ulster:
Ulster have a record of 6 wins and 7 defeats and their tally of 32 log points puts them just outside the play off places in ninth position.
They have edged out Welsh opposition in their last 2 matches, getting the better of the Scarlets (30-28) in a home fixture before a 34-30 victory away to the Dragons. They still have to host the Sharks whilst earlier in the tournament on tour in South Africa they lost at the Lions (35-22) in Round 2 and a week later they went down 47-21 to the Bulls at Loftus.
In the outright betting to win the URC title Ulster are 200/1 with WSB.
Stormers:
The Stormers have climbed into the play off places after last week's bonus point win away to the Scarlets. They finished Round 13 in 8th position, 1 point and 1 position better off than their opponents here and their overall record comprises of 6 wins and 7 defeats. Looking upwards the Stormers are still 11 points shy of the fourth placed Sharks.
The Stormers saw off the Scarlets 29-17 in Wales in Round 13 to shoot up the standings. That win came on the back of a surprise 19-16 win away to the Bulls. In earlier matches against Irish opposition this season the Stormers lost away to Leinster (36-12) in Round 10 and they beat Munster (34-19) in a Round 5 home fixture.
After this the Stormers finish up with 4 consecutive home games against Connacht, Benetton, the Dragons and Cardiff. The Stormers only match against Welsh opposition this season came back in Round 2 when they lost 37-24 away to the Ospreys.
In the outright betting to win the URC title the Stormers are 25/1 shots with WSB.
Team News
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Rob Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 John Cooney, 8 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Matty Rea, 6 Kieran Treadwell, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Harry Sheridan, 20 James McNabney, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Ben Carson, 23 Zac Ward
Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Neethling Fouché (captain), 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Wandisile Simelane
The Betting,
Updated 27 March 18h43
Ulster -1.5 points at 9/10
Stormers +1.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 27 March 18h53
I handicapped this game Ulster -5.5 and was surprised when they opened +2.5.
The line has shifted after team selection and while still short of my forecast Ulster are now the favourites.
The points line is 48.5 and with some rain forecast I would be going unders or no bet but I am going to stick with my guns and back the Ulsterman.
Click here for the URC Week 14 Blog and all of the weekends URC bets
Bet: 3 units Ulster win at 17/20 at Pokerbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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