United Rugby Championship Predictions for Week 1
Team Ratings for Week 1
The basic method is described on my Department home page.
Here are the team ratings prior to this week’s games, along with the ratings at the start of the season.
| Current Rating | Rating at Season Start | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leinster | 12.09 | 12.09 | -0.00 |
| Glasgow | 9.39 | 9.39 | -0.00 |
| Munster | 9.28 | 9.28 | 0.00 |
| Bulls | 8.83 | 8.83 | 0.00 |
| Stormers | 6.75 | 6.75 | -0.00 |
| Lions | 6.73 | 6.73 | 0.00 |
| Ulster | 2.52 | 2.52 | -0.00 |
| Benetton | 1.02 | 1.02 | -0.00 |
| Cheetahs | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.00 |
| Edinburgh | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.00 |
| Connacht | -0.76 | -0.76 | 0.00 |
| Ospreys | -2.51 | -2.51 | 0.00 |
| Cardiff Rugby | -2.55 | -2.55 | 0.00 |
| Sharks | -2.94 | -2.94 | 0.00 |
| Southern Kings | -6.52 | -6.52 | 0.00 |
| Scarlets | -10.65 | -10.65 | -0.00 |
| Dragons | -15.41 | -15.41 | -0.00 |
| Zebre | -16.17 | -16.17 | 0.00 |
Predictions for Week 1
Here are the predictions for Week 1. The prediction is my estimated expected points difference with a positive margin being a win to the home team, and a negative margin a win to the away team.
| Game | Date | Winner | Prediction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff Rugby vs. Zebre | Sep 21 | Cardiff Rugby | 19.10 |
| 2 | Edinburgh vs. Leinster | Sep 21 | Leinster | -6.50 |
| 3 | Sharks vs. Lions | Sep 21 | Lions | -7.20 |
| 4 | Dragons vs. Ospreys | Sep 22 | Ospreys | -10.40 |
| 5 | Stormers vs. Bulls | Sep 22 | Stormers | 0.40 |
| 6 | Munster vs. Connacht | Sep 22 | Munster | 12.50 |
| 7 | Benetton vs. Scarlets | Sep 22 | Benetton | 17.20 |
| 8 | Ulster vs. Glasgow | Sep 22 | Glasgow | -1.40 |