Ospreys vs Munster Rugby Preview
The United Rugby Championship is back for two weeks after the interruption caused by the Six Nations. With the tournament concluded and the bragging rights secured by Ireland, we can turn our attention back to the URC. This week, the Ospreys welcome Munster to Swansea in a mid-table match on Friday, March 22, at 7:35 pm.
The Ospreys represent the best team from Wales in this campaign as the Scarlets, Dragons, and Cardiff have all lost seven or more games. They have found winning form recently, edging closer towards the top eight in the league table. Currently, sixth in the URC is Munster, having picked up two wins during the Six Nations. While the Irish rugby giants played two teams at the foot of the table, they demolished the opposition and will fancy their chances heading into this game.
Ospreys vs Munster Rugby Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Since 2009, Ospreys vs Munster has taken place over 30 times. Most of these fixtures have been in the United Rugby Championship, but a handful have occurred in the ERCC. The ten most recent matches in all competitions reveal how one-sided this matchup has been. Munster has secured the bragging rights in nine out of the ten games. While it sounds tough for the Welsh side, their most recent victory came at home in 2021.
The last time these teams faced off was in February 2023. It was a one-sided affair, as the Irish side were the runaway leaders. A yellow card to Shane Daly gave the Ospreys the chance to get three points on the board inside the first five minutes. Unfortunately, that remained the only point the Welsh team could secure that day. In the first half, tries from Coombes, Fekitoa, Frisch, and Carbery put the home side 27-3 up. The second half only worsened as Coombes secured a hattrick and three other players added scores. It finished 58-3 with nine tries all scored by Munster.
The most recent home fixture for Ospreys vs Munster came in October 2021, and the Welsh side picked up a rare win. It was a close game, as the teams did not create many opportunities to score. The Ospreys won 18-10 thanks to Stephen Myler kicking all 18 points. The home side worked hard to win penalties in each half, and Myler was in fine form to score six penalties in 80 minutes. The only try from the game came in the 53rd minute, thanks to Craig Casey. However, Munster had a rare off-day and could not find a way past the Welsh defence.
Looking back at the matches between the rugby union clubs, the other Ospreys victory came in 2016. That means in the past 15 meetings, Munster has been victorious in all but two matches. This spells serious trouble for the hosts this week, as they look to bounce back from the fixtures three weeks ago. The Ospreys lost in the previous round of URC fixtures to Edinburgh in a game that finished 19-15.
Munster went through a poor run of games in the buildup to the new year. From early December to late January, Munster played six games across the URC and ERCC. They lost four matches, drawing once to Bayonne and winning one against Toulon. They lost both matches against their Irish rivals, Leinster, and Connacht. Since then, they crushed the Scarlets and Zebre and hope to use this momentum on Friday.
Betting on this rugby union game will not be as straightforward as you think. Consider the current form, previous meetings, and the advantage of playing in front of the home crowd this week. To help you make a winning wager, we have put together some fantastic betting tips and predictions of what to expect across the 80 minutes.
Ospreys vs Munster Rugby Predictions
Prediction: Ospreys 13-22 Munster
This week we predict the Ospreys will start on the front foot, but Munster will hunt them down. After a low-scoring first half, the home side will trail by three points. The Irish side will stretch out a lead, and Munster will win this match by at least nine points at the final whistle. This match requires a top-notch defensive performance from the Ospreys, or they risk being blown out of the water by Munster.
Making a URC prediction this week is hard. Given the Six Nations and the interruption to the regular playing schedule, it’s difficult to judge who to watch this Friday. The Ospreys five-game winning streak ended in round 11 on the road to Edinburgh. Munster needed the pause in regular action and is riding a two-game winning streak, even with some of their best players on international duty.
There is only one way this game can go, looking at the form and recent history between the Ospreys and Munster. The Irish side is playing the better rugby in the league, albeit against teams placed lower in the URC league table. However, the Welsh home fans will not make it easier for the visitors. The atmosphere will play a big part in this game, especially if there are any cards from the referee. The last time these clubs faced off, the Bradley Davies yellow card changed the game. With a man down, the Ospreys conceded two tries and then had to chase Munster. They were open at the back and conceded 58 points while only scoring three.
Looking at the recent Munster performances, they could run away with the game again. The Irish side has recorded 87 points in the past two URC league matches against Zebre and the Scarlets. Fellow Welsh team Ospreys will have to defend better than the Scarlets if they are to have any chance in this match. While it could be a blowout, we predict Munster will work harder this Friday than in the past two matches. If the hosts can defend diligently, they can take something from this game.
Ospreys vs Munster Rugby Betting Tips
This week, there are several one-sided fixtures in the United Rugby Championship. Unfortunately for the Ospreys, this match looks like one of them. The odds at our sports betting platform reveal a favourite. Betting on Munster this week is the most likely outcome. The odds of an away team victory this Friday are worth 4/11, which returns €13.64 from a ten-euro bet. Placing €20 on the Ospreys at 9/4 will give you €65 if they pull off an upset.
With a clear favourite, consider other markets when placing a wager this week. Just betting on Munster to win is not enough. You need to be more precise with your rugby prediction. Looking at the handicap markets at Novibet, choosing Munster at -9.5 will give you odds of 11/10. You stand to make over double your stake with this wager if Munster Rugby can win by ten points or more.
If you want greater insight into our betting platform this week, examine the winning margin market. This betting option reveals that the most likely outcome for this fixture is for Munster to win by 15 points or more. With odds of 23/10, you stand to make over €66 when you place a €20 bet. The next most likely outcome is Munster to win by one to seven points. Betting on the URC this week will be troublesome, but getting the winning margin right offers great returns.
Here's our league H2H against @URCOfficial champions @Munsterrugby
Whilst the Munster men are ahead, Ospreys have a positive 12 – 9 record on home turf. We're looking for one more this Friday to keep our knockout dreams alive!
🎟️: https://t.co/jKJ1IZjjx6#OurJourneyTogether pic.twitter.com/vf3oSmYyKy
— Ospreys (@ospreys) March 19, 2024
Live betting on this rugby match could get tasty. Given how many points Munster has scored in their recent games, there are several options to consider during the match. If the scores come in early, betting on Antoine Frisch or Shane Daly to score a try feels like a good move. If Tony Butler keeps his place, betting on him to kick eight points or more in the match also feels like it could be a winner. For the Ospreys, betting on Kieran Williams to get a score could be the best option. However, the scores have dried up from the Welsh team recently.
If you are considering a dicey bet, such as wagering on the Ospreys, there are ways you can reduce the risk. New Novibet members will receive a welcome bonus when they join our sports betting site. If you were to place a bet with an outside chance, you would only lose the promotion, not your funds. Something to consider this week as betting on Munster has smaller returns than we would like.
Ospreys Team News
There has not been too much news from the Ospreys recently. Academy player, Lewis Llyod has signed a new deal with the club. The hooker emerged into the first team this season and was a standout performer for the Wales U20 team. Another young player entering the fold in Wales is Will Greatbanks. Joining from Soyaux Charente, Greatbanks plays in the second row and is Welsh-qualified because of his father.
Munster Rugby Team News
There has been plenty of team news in Munster the past week. Fineen Wycherley and Oli Jager could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery consultations. Alex Nankivell, Craig Casey, John Hodnett, Jeremy Loughman, Simon Zebo, and Jack O’Donoghue all returned to full training following the Six Nations or recent injuries. In other news, Billy Burns will depart Ulster at the end of the season and join Munster on a one-year deal. Cian Hurley and John Ryan have agreed to extend their stay in Munster.
Although there has been plenty of good news, several players will not make a return to action this week. Liam Coombes, Dave Kilcoyne, Patrick Campbell, Paddy Patterson, Diarmuid Barron, Jean Kleyn, and Roman Salanoa are unavailable.
