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Ulster vs Lions Preview & Tips - Ulster backed to cover -20 handicap

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 15 Oct 2021

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Ralph Staniforth 15 Oct 2021

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Ulster vs Lions predictions for Friday’s United Rugby Championship fixture
Match is being played at 19:35 BST at the Kingspan Stadium
Can Ulster rack up another bonus point victory?
Preview, tips, stats & team news

Expired

Ulster should be far too good on home soil agains the Lions (Getty Images)

Ulster vs Lions Preview & Tips

Ulster have started the season with a bang. They have had three bonus point wins in a row, and I am backing them to make it four. The -20 handicap looks a good option for the hosts.

Ulster vs Lions Preview & Tips
Head to Head
Ulster Form
Ulster Team News
Lions Form
Lions Team News
Ulster vs Lions FAQ

Ulster have covered the -20 handicap in their last 2 matches.
Ulster have conceded 1 try in their last 2 matches.
Ulster’s Craig Gilroy has scored 58 tries in the United Rugby Championship.
Lions have lost their last 2 matches.

Head to Head

Ulster and the Lions have never previously met.

Ulster Form

Ulster have made a superb start to the United Rugby Championship. They are second on the table, behind only Munster on points difference. They have taken the full available points (15) from their opening three matches.

The season started with a narrow 35-29 home win over Glasgow before seeing off Zebre 36-3 in Italy. Ulster scored a four-try bonus point in both matches.

Last week Ulster beat the other Italian side, Benetton 28-8 at home in another bonus point win. Ulster are one of the stronger sides in the competition and regularly feature in the latter stages of the tournament.

Ulster Team News

Head coach Dan McFarland has named an unchanged side this weekend for the first time this season.

It was widely expected that Andy Warwick would miss the match after going off with a dislocated finger last week. He has however been declared fit.

Craig Gilroy needs one more try to become the standalone 2nd highest try-scorer in the league. He is currently tied on 58 tries with two other players.

Lions Form

The Lions are in 11th place on the table with one win from their three matches. They would dearly like to increase that tally as their first block of away fixtures comes to an end.

It was an impressive start in the United Rugby Championship as the Lions beat Zebre 38-26 on the opening weekend. That victory secured them five points.

They then performed admirably in a 36-13 defeat to Scarlets the following week. That scoreline does not tell the full story as the Welsh outfit ran away with it once the Lions went down to 14 men.

Last week the Lions suffered a very controversial 13-9 defeat to Glasgow away. The match was played in very wet conditions and the Lions failed to cross the line for a try.

It was however Glasgow’s try that received much scrutiny. It was clearly not a try but the television match official never intervened. Fortunately the Johannesburg-based outfit got the losing bonus point.

Lions Team News

Prop Carlu Sadie, lock Reinhard Nothnagel and flank Sibusiso Sangweni all come into the side to make their first starts of the season.

Ulster vs Lions FAQ

Where can I watch Ulster vs Lions live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch Ulster vs Lions live stream.

Verdict

Ulster v Lions

Ulster are very strong and home and should prove too much for the the Lions. I am backing Craig Gilroy in the anytime and first tryscorer market as the hosts cover the -20 handicap.

Ulster -20 Handicap

Handicap

@9/10 - 3 Units

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