Pro 14 2018-19 Season Preview

The second season of the Guinness Pro 14 begins on Friday. Last season saw the Pro 12 becoming the Pro 14 with two South African teams entering to join two from Italy, four from Ireland, two from Scotland and four from Wales.

The 2018-19 Pro 14 Final will break new ground with it being played in Glasgow, Scotland. The pragmatic decision follows a no-ris choice for the 2017 Final which was in Dublin, Ireland.

Benetton Treviso
Coming-off a solid 2017-18 season expectations are at an all-time high for Benetton Treviso. The Italians missed out on the Quarter Finals last season despite finishing higher than Cardiff Blues in the competition’s other conference. Missing out on this technicality is added motivation to do even better this season. Back for a second season are Argentine players Juan Ignacio Brex (center) and Tomás Baravalle (hooker).

Prospects: Mid-Table

Cardiff Blues
The Welsh region won last season’s Challenge Cup, making them a formidable team. Blaine Scully (wing) is back for another season and this time will be joined by Samu Manoa (lock) who joins from Toulon. Both players are certainties to play for the USA in RWC 2019, making the Cardiff Blues mandatory viewing for Eagles supporters.

Prospects: Quarter Finals

Cheetahs
Easily the best of the two South African sides last season, the same is extremely likely for 2018-19. A return to the Quarter Finals is a logical outcome for the Bloemfontein based side. On the roster is USA World Cup prospect Ruben de Haas (scrum-half). He made his Eagles debut against Chile in February.

Prospects: Quarter Finals

Connacht
The 2016 Guinness Pro 12 Champions were far less impressive in defending their title that they had been in winning it. A combination of losing players and it not being RWC season meant rivals fielded stronger opposition than in the 2015-16 season. The team enters as the Irish province expected to achieve the fewest wins and the most losses.

Prospects: Lower-Table

Dragons
The Newport based region contuse to recruit to slowly catch-up with the three other Welsh sides. Yet there is still a clear gulf and the team is expected to be among the worst in the Pro 14 this season. An improvement is required from the 2 wins, 2 draws and 14 defeats last season.

Prospects: Lower-Table

Edinburgh
The Scottish capital side, Edinburgh has been hit-and-miss in recent times yet it has a roster that suggests a strong season is due. Arriving from England in the off-season is Juan Pablo Socino (center). The Argentine mid-fielder continues the tradition which has seen the likes of Joaquín Domínguez, Tomás Leonardí, and Esteban Lozada at the club.

Prospects: Quarter Finalists

Glasgow Warriors
With Celtic Park hosting the Final added pressure is on the Warriors to succeed. A rounded roster means the team has the ability to go all the way. USA Eagle Greg Peterson (lock) has been at the side since 2015 while Canadian flier DTH van der Merwe (wing) rejoined the club last season. Eagle David Tameilau (back row) arrives for the new season.

Prospects: Semi Finalists

Leinster
Reigning champions Leinster are well positioned to defend their crown. Preventing the province from doing so is Ireland’s national selection policies which will see Leinster ‘A’ playing the bulk of the Pro 14 season. Back in the Irish capital is Felipe Contepomi who joins his former club now as part of the coaching staff.

Prospects: Finalists

Munster
The Southern Irish province is will be a side to challenge for the title. Having the furious Thomond Park home support a place in the play-off’s is virtually assured.

Prospects: Semi Finalists

Ospreys
The underwhelming Ospreys cannot perform worse than last season. The roster has been altered with Jeff Hassler opting to depart. The clubs is a rarity in that it has had an Argentine player. That is until now. Guido Volpi (back row) has been recruited for the new season.

Prospects: Quarter Finalists

Scarlets
The 2017 champions are packed with Welsh internationals. In 2018 the team came close to reaching the Champions Cup Final. For the new season the club is the best placed to threaten Leinster for the title.

Prospects: Champions

Southern Kings
The Port Elizabeth side was appalling last season, easily the worst team in the competition. Just 1 win and 21 losses was the Southern Kings’ return in their debut season in the Pro 14.

Prediction: Last

Ulster
The northern Irish province did not deliver last season. Off-field controversy played more than just its part in this.

Prospects: Upper-Table

Zebre
The Parma-based side had a relatively good season in 2017-2018. With 7 wins the team got five more than the Dragons, a side theoretically on par with them. Eduardo Bello (prop) is back for another season though Serafin Bordoli (fly half) has been released. Additional Argentine involvement sees Nicolás de Battista (center) joining from the Cornish Pirates.

Prospects: Lower-Table