Take on the Tipster

To Murrayfield: Leo Cullen

Another knockout weekend awaits the planet's rugby followers as northern and southern hemispheres head into further levels of intensity and drama.

Such late-season fixtures always cut winning margins down to a minimum and the Tipster expects Friday and Saturday's action to be no different from the norm, with Super 14's opening semi-final proving just that earlier today.

It was the injury-hit Chiefs who just about prevailed though by a slender 14-10 success - just in time by the looks of things as surreal fog smothered both teams for the final minutes.

Will it be the Bulls or Crusaders at Hamilton or Pretoria next weekend?

Above the equator and we're already down to the final two in both European Challenge and Heineken Cup competitions at Kingsholm..I mean, Twickenham Stoop and Murrayfield respectively.

Quite a weekend I'm sure you'll agree so let's see what the Tipster has for us as he picks the best that Sky Bet has to offer.

Banker of the week

Despite the Tigers carrying four European finals on their backs for Saturday's second main event, I expect experience will not be enough to halt this maturing Leinster group.

Question marks have been raised over whether they can raise their form to the same intensity that saw off rivals Munster, but this is the Heineken Cup Final so you'd do well to cast such pessimistic talk to one side.

Michael Cheika's side boast international quality in all the right areas and should have too much in the tank after resting up their stars over recent Magners League weeks...

Get on Leinster to repeat their Croke Park feat in Edinburgh!

Worth a shot

Injuries and suspension could be the undoing of the Bulls this weekend.

Having already lost starting outside centre JP Nel to a four-week ban, the hosts were on Friday hit by Wynand Olivier's failure to recover from a knock sustained against the Sharks.

But there are a couple of twists to consider...this is Pretoria we're talking about and very rarely do teams leave Loftus with victory. On the other hand, if one team can upset the applecart it is the Crusaders.

But take the visitors to book and all-New Zealand final at Waikato Stadium!

Hail Mary

Just the three fixtures to be thrown into the mix for this weekend's long shot so without further ado...

Northampton, Crusaders, Leinster

Stake - £5.00 = £BIG Return!

Anything take your fancy?