Leinster vs Sharks 2023 URC Round 2 Predictions, Odds, Picks and Betting Preview

• Leinster lost to the Glasgow Warriors in their tournament opener of the United Rugby Championship
• The Sharks lost to Munster in their opening match of the season
• Leinster are favourites to record the win over the Sharks in Round 2

The United Rugby Championship is underway.

Leinster and Sharks will look to bounce back after the lost their respective matches in the opening round of the 2023-24 season.

Read on as Sports Brief brings you a preview of their showdown in Round 2.

Leinster vs. Sharks Betting Preview

Where: RDS Arena, Ireland

When: Saturday, October 28 - 4:55 pm local time

Odds: Leinster (-17.5) vs. Sharks (+17.5); total: 53.5 - view all URC lines

Betting on Leinster (-17.5)

Leinster kicked off their 2023-24 URC campaign with a 43-25 loss to the Glasgow Warriors.

The Irish side entered the match at a disadvantage, with Glasgow naming seven World Cup players to their squad for the tournament opener, per the BBC.

2023/24 United Rugby Championship Predictions, Odds, Picks and Preview: Leinster Favourites to Win

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Leinster didn't have any of their World Cup stars and they struggled as a result. Josh McKay, Sebastian Cancelliere, Huw Jones, and Angus Fraser all scored tries in the first half to give the Warriors a 24-13 lead at the break.

Leinster made things interesting in the second half, cutting the deficit to just four points after Lee Barron and Tommy O'Brien both crossed.

That was the closest they got to Glasgow. The Warriors sealed the win with a try from Johnny Matthews and a late penalty.

Next up for Leinster is a clash with the Sharks. They faced each other in the quarter-finals of the URC last season, with Leinster recording a comprehensive 35-5 victory.

Betting on the Sharks (+17.5)

The Sharks began the new campaign with a 34-21 loss to URC champions Munster at Thomond Park last Sunday.

The South African side trailed 21-7 at the break, with Edwin Edogbo, Diarmuid Barron, and Antoine Frisch each scoring a try for Munster.

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Werner Kok scored the Sharks' only try during that period to keep the visitors within striking distance, diving in at the corner after he was sent through by Curwin Bosch.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg gave the Sharks life early in the second half, scoring his team's second try to cut the deficit to 10 points.

That was the closest they got to Munster, who sealed the win with tries from Andrew Conway and Ethan Coughlan.

Aphelele Fassie made the score respectable, scoring a late consolation try for the Sharks.

Former Springbok and Lions wing, Aphiwe Dyanti may make his much-awaited rugby comeback for the Sharks in the game against Leinster, per Supersport.

The Sharks' second-row problems have worsened, though, with lock Reniel Hugo suffering a shoulder injury against Munster.

Writer's Prediction

Leinster (-17.5) win and cover the spread against the Sharks (all odds courtesy of 1XBet).

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New Zealand vs. South Africa Betting Preview

Sports Brief also previewed the showdown between New Zealand and South Africa.

The All Blacks have been installed as slight favourites over the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.

Both teams are looking to win their fourth Rugby World Cup title this Saturday.

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