Leinster vs Stormers Tips - Leinster to cover handicap at home

It makes it hard to predict this one but at home I fancy Leinster to cover the -10 handicap.

Stormers beat Leinster 20-13 in their only previous meeting. That match took place last season in Cape Town.

Leinster are cruising at the top of the URC table on 71 points, 12 clear of their opponents who are in second place. The Irish giants have won all 15 matches and have a points different of 269 along with 11 bonus points.

There has not been much URC rugby in recent weeks with the Six Nations ongoing, and while that is finished, we could find key players being rested now. At the end of January Leinster beat Cardiff 38-14 before seeing off the Dragons 43-14.

Last time out, in the beginning of March, Leinster beat Edinburgh 47-27 in Scotland. Key for Leinster will be that they keep their winning momentum, as last year they dominated every competition but then fell at the semi-finals or finals.

Leinster are not expected to be at full strength with key Irish internationals being rested after the completion of the Six Nations last weekend.

The defending URC champions have put in another good showing this year, winning 11 of their 15 matches. One ended in a draw along with three defeats, which puts them five points clear of Ulster in third place.

Quite conceivably this could easily end up being the URC final this year, so it is an opportunity for the Stormers to test themselves against Leinster in foreign conditions. 

The Cape Town-based outfit has won their last three games, all local derbies. They have beaten the Sharks twice and the Bulls once. 

What may be on John Dobson’s mind is their last trip to Ireland where the Stormers were comfortably beaten 35-5.

Ruhan Nel has been ruled out as he awaits the birth of his child. That means Suleiman Hartzenberg or Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu could fill in at centre.

The other option is Damian Willemse who could occupy the 12 jersey. While all internationals are available, they have not played for close on two months which would make them quite rusty.