How the RaboDirect Pro 12 teams will fare this year

WITH the RaboDirect Pro 12 league due to kick off this weekend, we take a look at the teams involved, and their chances of success.

BENETTON TREVISO

Coach: Franco Smith

Captain: Antonia Pavanello

Last season: Tenth

This season: A little higher... eighth.

Tell me more: The Italians are being tipped as dark horses for a play-off place although that seems optimistic. Look out for the Australian under-20 stand-off James Ambrosini, who qualifies for Italy and may even appear in the Six Nations.

Opening match: v Ospreys (H)

Odds on winning: 150/1

CARDIFF BLUES

Coach: Phil Davies

Captain: Andries Pretorius

Last season: Seventh

This season: Mid-table.

Tell me more: A return to the Arms Park but will it herald a return to the glory days? Despite losing several key players the Blues should remain competitive with Jason Tovey pulling the strings at No.10.

Opening match: v Connacht (A)

Odds: 25/1

CONNACHT

Coach: Eric Elwood

Captain: Gavin Duffy

This season: An excellent eighth

Best guess: Lower... tenth.

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Tell me more: Last season was a good one for Eric Elwood and Co when they finished eighth in the league and bested Quins, England’s eventual champions, in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Opening match: v Cardiff Blues (A)

Odds: 250/1

EDINBURGH

Coach: Michael Bradley

Captain: Greig Laidlaw

Last season: An ugly 11th

This season: Higher. Please God, higher.

Tell me more: The capital club have recruited well in the summer and, if Bradley can get the new boys singing in time and in tune, then Edinburgh will have no excuse for another no show in the league.

Opening match: v Munster (H)

Odds: 30/1

GLASGOW

Coach: Gregor Townsend

Captain: Al Kellock (for the seventh year)

Last season: A fighting fourth

This season: There or thereabouts.

Tell me more: Richie Gray will be a loss but Glasgow have several new exciting faces including lock Tim Swinson and Tongan breakaway Viliami Fa’afu. All they need now is a shirt sponsor. Anyone?

Opening match: v Ulster (A)

Odds: 25/1

LEINSTER

Coach: Joe Schmidt

Captain: Leo Cullen.

Last season: Losing finalists for the third time

This season: First.

Tell me more: Champions of Europe but chumps in the domestic league after letting Ospreys pip them by a point in a Dublin final. Rather than spend money on transfers Leinster are relying upon their academy products.

Opening match:v Scarlets (A)

Odds: 10/11 favourites

MUNSTER

Coach: Rob Penney

Captain: Doug Howlett

Last season: Third

This season: Fourth or fifth.

Tell me more: Can Ronan O’Gara still cut it at 35? Will Penney pick him? Can Munster afford to lose their veterans or will it be their making? Will there be a reaction to last season? Can they still play with that potent mix of prose and poetry?

Opening match: v Edinburgh (A)

Odds: 5/1

NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

Coach: Darren Edwards

Captain: Lewis Evans

Last season: Ninth

This season: 11th.

Tell me more: The Dragons have lost some of their teeth over the summer with the departure of Jason Tovey, Luke Charteris and Aled Brew. Scottish lock Ian Nimmo, once of Heriot’s, joins from the Cornish Pirates.

Opening match: v Zebre (H)

Odds: 150/1

OSPREYS

Coach: Steve Tandy

Captain: Alun-Wyn Jones

Last season: Champions

This season: Not champions.

Tell me more: Coach Steve Tandy worked wonders after taking over from Scott Johnson mid-season but he has lost players hand over fist and hasn’t got the budget to replace them.

Opening match: v Benetton Treviso (A)

Odds: 7/2

SCARLETS

Coach: Simon Easterby

Captain: Rob McCusker

Last season: Fifth

This season: Sixth.

Tell me more: The Scarlets are a team who run hot and cold, sometimes in the same 80-minute match. Simon Easterby is new to the job but he can always get advice from brother Guy, who manages Leinster.

Opening match: v Leinster (H)

Odds: 22/1

ULSTER

Coach: Mark Anscombe

Captain: Johann Muller

Last season: Sixth

This season: Top four.

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Tell me more: If you thought Gregor Townsend was under pressure, spare a thought for new Kiwi coach Anscombe who must emulate Ulsterman Brian McLaughlin in reaching the Heineken Cup final or risk being run out of town.

Opening match: v Glasgow Warriors (H)

Odds: 8/1

ZEBRE

Coach: Alessandro Troncon

Captain: Marco Bortolami

Last season: They didn’t exist

This season: Last, probably.

Tell me more: Emerging from Aironi’s ashes, they should be dubbed “Phoenix”. The fact that Italian rugby federation president Giancarlo Dondi is the chief executive says all you need to know about who controls this club.

Opening match: v Newport Gwent Dragons (A)

Odds: 250/1

Odds provided by Paddy Power and are correct as of August 27th.

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