Connacht vs Leinster Predictions - Leinster to edge Connacht on the road in URC clash

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

Share this article

Leinster favored to cover -7.5 handicap against Connacht.
Connacht's mixed form includes strong recent home performances.
Leinster's injuries may impact lineup but emerging talent shines.

Leinster to win at Connacht in URC (Getty Images)

Connacht vs Leinster Predictions

Leinster are favourites away, with an impressive head-to-head win record. My best bet is Leinster to cover the -7.5 handicap.

Connacht vs Leinster Predictions
Head to Head
Connacht Form
Connacht Injuries & Team News
Leinster Form
Leinster Injuries & Team News

Connacht have won 3 of their last 5 home matches.
Connacht have lost their last 10 encounters against Leinster.
Leinster have won 4 of their last 5 away matches.
Leinster come into this match on the back of a 22-13 win at Bayonne.

Head to Head

Connacht have lost their last ten encounters against Leinster.

Connacht Form

Connacht have had a mixed run of form at home at the start of the season, winning three of their last five home matches in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 75-14 win against Montauban.

Their previous home results include a loss to the Bulls (28-27), wins against the Sharks (44-17) and Black Lion (52-0), and a loss against Ulster (29-24).

Connacht are currently 12th in the United Rugby Championship with 16 points after eight matches.

Connacht Injuries & Team News

Head coach Stuart Lancaster says that the opening of the completed Clan Stand at Dexcom Stadium will be a game-changer for Connacht. He has warned his players not to get distracted by the occasion when they take on URC champions Leinster at the redeveloped facility in Galway.

Connach is set to sign flanker Will Connors from Leinster.

Leinster Form

Leinster are currently experiencing a good run of form on the road, having won their last four away matches in all competitions leading up to their meeting against Connacht. They come into this match on the back of a 22-13 win at Bayonne.

Their previous away results include a close loss at Bulls (39-31), before going on a winning streak at Dragons (24-10), Leicester (23-15), and Munster (13-8).

Leinster are currently fifth in the United Rugby Championship with 30 points after nine matches.

Leinster Injuries & Team News

Prop Jimmy O’Brien (hamstring), winger Tommy O’Brien, prop Tadhg Furlong (both calf), and centre Robbie Henshaw (knee) will all require further assessment before a decision is made on their participation, while long-term absentees full-back Hugo Keenan and centre Jamie Osborne are still out of contention for this weekend.

Coach Jacques Nienaber has hailed the rapid rise of twenty-two-year-old winger Joshua Kenny, as anticipation grows that Leinster’s latest breakout talent will be named in Ireland's Six Nations squad.