Rugby Predictions Today

Our TopBets, rugby experts will provide you with the latest rugby predictions on rugby from across the globe. The emphasis will be on the major leagues like the United Rugby Championship(URC), Super Rugby and of course our very own local Currie Cup. All the major international tournaments such as the Rugby Championships and the Six Nations will also be covered with our team providing rugby betting tips. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.

Rugby Predictions for SATURDAY 27 December 2025

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Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Zebre vs Benetton 

Tip 1: Benetton to win 

Reason for the tip: Zebre Parma welcomes Benetton for an all-Italian URC derby that carries plenty of pride and contrasting ambitions. Captain Giovanni Licata will be looking to the home crowd to give them the edge as they look to bring physicality and intensity, especially at the breakdown through Samuele Locatelli and Giacomo Ferrari. Half-backs Alessandro Fusco and Giacomo Da Re will be key to controlling tempo while Marco Zanon and Damiano Mazza provide structure in midfield. Simone Gesi offers pace and finishing threat on the wing but Zebre will need accuracy and discipline to stay competitive.

Benetton arrive as clear favourites as they boast a side packed with international quality and experience. Captain Michele Lamaro leads a powerful back row alongside Manuel Zuliani and Alessandro Izekor which gives the visitors a strong edge in contact and turnovers. The backs are equally dangerous with Tommaso Menoncello and Malakai Fekitoa forming a formidable midfield pairing, while Paolo Odogwu and Ignacio Mendy offer strike power out wide. Jacob Umaga and Andy Uren should ensure control and sharp execution. I am backing Benetton to come away with a hard fought victory. 

Edinburgh vs Glasgow Warriors  

Tip 2: Edinburgh to win

Reason for the tip:.Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors renew their fierce Scottish rivalry in what promises to be a high-tempo, emotionally charged URC clash. The 1872 Cup is again on the line but Edinburgh will need to win this match by more than 12 points after losing last week 24-12. The home side will again be led by Magnus Bradbury who forms a powerful back row that includes Dylan Richardson and Liam McConnell. The home side boast serious attacking threats out wide, with Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe capable of turning half-chances into tries while Ben Vellacott and Cammy Scott will aim to keep the tempo high and move Glasgow’s defence around. In the engine room, Grant Gilchrist provides leadership and lineout control.

Glasgow arrives with a more settled and experienced spine. Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall offer a strong midfield combination, while half-backs George Horne and Adam Hastings give the Warriors pace, control and creativity. The pack is anchored by Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson with captain Kyle Steyn setting the standard defensively and in broken play. The biggest threat to the home side will be Glasgow’s bench that features Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings and Rory Darge. Edinburgh’s home advantage and back-three firepower should keep them competitive and will eventually get them over the line. 

Connacht vs Ulster 

Tip 3: Ulster to win

Reason for the tip: Connacht welcome Ulster to Galway in what looks set to be a tightly contested URC encounter with both sides fielding strong line-ups. The hosts are captained by Cian Prendergast whose work rate at the breakdown will be crucial against an abrasive Ulster pack. Connacht’s attacking shape is guided by the experienced Jack Carty at fly-half while the midfield combination of Bundee Aki and Cathal Forde gives them power and creativity in equal measure. Sam Gilbert and Finn Treacy offer pace and counter-attacking threat especially on turnover ball.

Ulster arrives with plenty of firepower and physicality with Juarno Augustus leading the way at No.8 . The South African and Captain Nick Timoney form a dynamic back-row pairing, capable of dominating collisions and carrying hard. In the backs, James Hume and Stuart McCloskey provide a strong defensive and attacking axis, while Jacob Stockdale remains a constant try-scoring threat from fullback. The Ulster bench looks particularly strong with Angus Bell, Tom O’Toole and Nathan Doak offering impact in the final quarter. The strength of the visitors bench makes me predict an away win. 

Munster vs Leinster 

Tip 4: Munster to win

Reason for the tip: Munster and Leinster renew their fierce interprovincial rivalry as the home side look to complete a rare double over the champions, having upset them earlier in the season at the Aviva Stadium.  Munster are captained by Tadhg Beirne whose influence at the breakdown and lineout will be central to the home side’s game plan. The pack looks formidable with Gavin Coombes providing go-forward at No.8 and the young second-row pairing of Edwin Edogbo and Tom Ahern adding athleticism and plenty of power. In the backs, Jack Crowley and Craig Casey offer tempo and control while Alex Nankivell and Thaakir Abrahams give Munster strike power out wide.

Leinster arrive with a star-studded side of their own. Captain Caelan Doris leads a powerful back row that includes Josh van der Flier while the engine room of James Ryan and Joe McCarthy brings physical dominance. The backline is stacked with quality with Jamison Gibson-Park dictating pace, Robbie Henshaw providing midfield authority and Rieko Ioane adding explosive attacking threat. Leinster’s bench which features Tadhg Furlong and Scott Penny could be decisive late on. I am backing Munster to complete the double as they champions have not been at their best this season and were lucky to beat Ulster last week. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Bristol vs Newcastle Red Bull: Away team (+32.5)

Reason for tip: Bristol Bears host Newcastle Falcons in a Premiership clash that pits attacking ambition against grit and forward resilience. The Bears look well balanced across the park with Fitz Harding captaining a powerful back row and Ellis Genge anchoring the scrum. Bristol’s backline has real pace and punch, highlighted by Louis Rees-Zammit at fullback and the destructive midfield pairing of James Williams and Benhard Janse van Rensburg. At halfback, Kieran Marmion and Tom Jordan will look to play at tempo and stretch a Newcastle defence that has struggled away from home.

Newcastle arrive with a physical pack led by captain George McGuigan while Amanaki Mafi and Tom Christie will be key around the breakdown. They will need a major improvement after being 50-5 by Bath in their last match. Flyhalf Brett Connon remains their chief playmaker and goal-kicking threat but could be replaced by Boeta Chamberlain as he provides more in attack. Alex Hearle and Elliott Obatoyinbo offer counter-attacking ability out wide but need to see more of the ball. Newcastle’s depth and defensive consistency will be severely tested against Bristol’s high-speed attacking game. The home team has too much firepower across the park and I am predicting them to come away with a comfortable win but I am backing the visitors to cover the +32.5 handicap. 

Gloucester vs Saracens: Home team (+4.5)

Reason for tip: Gloucester welcome Saracens to Kingsholm for a heavyweight PREM clash that promises intensity and contrasting styles. The Cherry & Whites are well led by Tomos Williams whose tempo and game management will be key alongside the composed Ross Byrne at flyhalf. Gloucester’s back row of Jack Clement, Lewis Ludlow and Josh Basham gives them strong breakdown presence while the power of Val Rapava Ruskin and Nepo Laulala up front should help them challenge Saracens physically. Ollie Thorley remains Gloucester’s most dangerous finisher but needs to see more of the ball.

Saracens will be licking their wounds after losing at home to Exeter Chiefs last week which makes them very dangerous. Owen Farrell controls matters at flyhalf in the absence of Fergus Burke and will be supported by the relentless Ben Earl, Tom Willis and Juan Martín González in the back row. The midfield pairing of Nick Tompkins and Lucio Cinti offers both defensive steel and attacking punch while Elliot Daly and Max Malins add class and counter-attacking threat from deep. Saracens also boast significant impact off the bench, including Jamie George and Rotimi Segun. Gloucester’s home atmosphere will keep them competitive early but may struggle late in the game but I am backing them to cover the +4.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Bristol vs Newcastle Red Bull- Home win
• Zebre vs Benetton- Away win
• Edinburgh vs Glasgow Warriors- Home win
• Connacht vs Ulster- Away win
• Munster vs Leinster- home win
• Gloucester vs Saracens- Home win
• Castres vs Lyon- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Sale Sharks vs Harlequins- Home win✅
• Cardiff vs Dragons- Home win✅
• Scarlets vs Ospreys-Home win❌

Rugby tomorrow

• Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers
• Toulon vs Perpignan
• Toulouse vs La Rochelle

Understanding Rugby Betting 

It is crucial that players understand the different types of rugby betting. If a player places a wager on a handicap bet with fully understanding it, he could think they won the bet but instead they lost the bet as they did not understand how it works. Our rugby predictions will give you the option of the three way bet or the handicap betting as our previews will focus on this.

Different types of Rugby bets 

Match Winner

The most self-explanatory of bets to take on a rugby match. This is the most common and oldest type of rugby bet in which you select Team A or Team B to win. The odds on this type of bet may be low especially if your team is the favourite.

Draw No Bet

The draw is quite rare in Rugby Union, but it does happen from time to time. If you’re worried about the draw messing up your bet then take a Draw No Bet market. Your bet will be refunded if the match result ends in a draw.

Handicap Betting

The most popular bets on rugby are handicap bets. This is often where some of the best value is to be found. The handicap is an advantage that bookmakers give one team to make the game more balanced. The team given the positive handicap can win, draw or lose the game by less than the handicap to cover the bet and win. The team with the negative handicap must win the match by more than the points set out in the handicap to win their bet.

Total points over/under

The over/under betting market involves predicting whether the total number of points scored in a match will be above or lower than a certain predetermined number. For instance, if you bet on the over/under 50 points market and you bet on under, the combined score of the two teams shouldn’t exceed 50.

First Try Scorer

Rugby fans know the excitement that comes when a player breaks through the defence to score the first try. Betting on the first-try scorer is about predicting which player from either team will cross the try line first. This bet type carries higher odds as it’s challenging to predict, making potential payouts more lucrative.

Anytime Try Scorer

Less specific than the first-try scorer bet, the anytime try scorer wager involves picking a player you believe will score a try at any point during the match. The odds are typically lower than for the first-try scorer but offer a better chance of a payout.

FAQs

1 How long is a game of rugby?

A game of rugby is 80 minutes

2. How many players are there on a rugby team?

There are 15 players a side except in Rugby 7s where there are 5 players a side.

3. Where to watch rugby live?

Most of the rugby matches in South Africa can be watched live on Supersport. Betting sites like Betway and WSB offer live streaming on selected matches.

4. How to stream live rugby in South Africa for free?

Rugby Pass offers free streaming of selected matches.