Connacht vs Scarlets Predictions - Connacht set to register back-to-back home victories in the URC

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 47 minutes ago

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Brad Newcomb 47 minutes ago

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Connacht are on a winning streak against the Scarlets
Scarlets struggle away games, winless last 4.
Connacht are favoured to cover the -11.5 handicap.

Connacht have often defeated the Scarlets in recent matchups (Getty Images)

Connacht have picked up vital points in their previous outing in the URC and have enjoyed regular success against the Scarlets at home recently. The Scarlets have had little success away from home recently and are on a losing streak against Connacht.

Connacht have won 3 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions.
Connacht have won 3 of their last 5 home games in all competitions.
Connacht have won 3 of their last 4 home matches against the Scarlets.
Scarlets are winless in their last 4 away games in all competitions.
Scarlets have lost 4 consecutive away fixtures at Connacht.

Head to Head

The Scarlets have the advantage with 17 wins to ten over Connacht in 27 meetings.

Connacht Form

Connacht left it late to secure a crucial home win in their last match before a break in the league, beating league leaders the Glasgow Warriors 15-10 after leading 3-0 at half-time.

Before that, Connacht had been in decent nick at home in the URC this season. They defeated Benetton 26-15, lost 28-27 to the Bulls, and beat the Sharks 44-17 before losing 29-24 to Ulster and 34-23 to Leinster.

Connacht are 10th in the United Rugby Championship standings with 25 points from 11 matches.

Connacht will relish the opportunity of pocketing more points when they play the Scarlets this weekend, having defeated their opponents four times in a row.

Scarlets Form

The Scarlets let a seven-point first-half lead slip against Edinburgh before a pause in the league fixtures, losing 24-19 to their hosts away from home.

The Scarlets have not had much success away from home in the United Rugby Championship this season. They lost 29-18 to the Lions, 29-19 to the Sharks, and defeated Cardiff 21-17 before losing 28-5 to the Dragons, and drawing 20-20 with Benetton.

The Scarlets are 15th in the URC table with 16 points from 11 games.

The Scarlets must improve their away form to have a chance of a victory against Connacht, as they are winless in their last four away matches, including three defeats, and have lost three of their last four visits to their opponents' stadium.

Team News

Connacht

Ben Murphy is available for selection after recovering from injury.

Dave Heffernan, Shamus Hurley-Langton, and Matthew Devine have returned to training this week.

Harry West and Caolin Blade are out after picking up injuries in the match against the Glasgow Warriors, while David Hawkshaw will be unavailable for a number of weeks.

Scarlets

Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies has stated that the Scarlets have a capable team, despite players away on international duty: "Almost two-thirds of our team are away with Wales at the moment, but I am really happy with the side that we are able to select.

"It's a really competitive team with some exciting players in it, so I am not dismayed. We have a strong squad and these boys are capable of fronting up."

Wales centre Johnny Williams is available after recovering from injury.

Carwyn Leggatt-Jones has been released from the Wales U20 Six Nations squad to play for Scarlets.