Every week the URC will challenge a personality from rugby to go head-to-head with our Statmaster algorithm to see if the data can overcome expert knowledge and experience. In R1, Murray Kinsella - [@murray_kinsella](https://www.twitter.com/murray_kinsella), rugby writer for [www.the42.ie](https://www.the42.ie), stepped up to the plate first. Murray has previously appeared on ‘The Analyst Eye’ alongside Sean Holley and, he is also a TV analyst and is well-known on social media for his tactical breakdowns of the game having previously been part of the Munster academy. **How did the Statmaster Algorithm get on?** * Emirates Lions to win by 2 against Zebre / Correct win (26:38) * Cardiff to win by 8 against Connacht / Correct win (33:21) * Ulster to win by 9 against Glasgow Warriors / Correct win (35:29) * Benetton to win by 5 against DHL Stormers / Correct win (22:18) margin within 1 point * Leinster to win by 18 against Vodacom Bulls / Correct win (31:3) * Edinburgh to win by 4 against Scarlets / Correct win and correct margin (26:22) * Munster to win by 19 against Cell C Sharks / Correct win (42:17) * Ospreys to win by 3 against Ospreys / Correct win (23:27) margin within 1 point **8 wins predicted from 8 with one correct margin (Edinburgh v Scarlets)** **How did Murray Kinsella get on?** It was a pretty impressive opening for Murray who predicted an upset in Italy and out-foxed the algorithm to forecast a win for Ospreys in the first Welsh derby of the URC. * Zebre to win by 2 over the Emirates Lions / Incorrect (26:38) “Zebre appear to have the advantage as the Lions travel north for the first time but both sides tend to give up plenty of points.” * Cardiff to win by 5 against Connacht / Correct win (33:21) “The home side have some solid combinations across the park while Connacht are missing a few key men through injury.” * Ulster to win by 15 against Glasgow Warriors / Correct win (35:29) “The Belfast crowd back at Kingspan Stadium on a Friday night should get the best out of Dan McFarland's side.” * Benetton to win by 7 against DHL Stormers / Correct win (22:18) “The South Africans have scoring power but Benetton will still be bouncing from their Rainbow Cup success.” * Scarlets to win by 3 against Edinburgh / Incorrect, Edinburgh win (26:22) “Surely a tight battle here and it could go either way but Scarlets have the cutting edge to squeeze to an away win.” * Leinster to win by 19 against Vodacom Bulls / Correct win (31-3) “The Vodacom Bulls have confidence off the back of their Currie Cup success but Leinster in Dublin are a true force and have so many ways to beat teams.” * Munster to win by 17 against Cell C Sharks / Correct win (42:17) “Sean Everitt's side have some classy young players and some proven experience but Thomond Park with fans back is a major challenge and Munster will thrive on that energy.” * Ospreys to win by 1 against Dragons / Correct win (23:27) “Another tough call. Toby Booth has some top-class attacking talent that could prove the difference.” **6 wins predicted from 8 games** Think you can predict all of the winners in each round of the URC? Then sign-up and challenge your friends by playing the URC predictor game by visiting: [https://www.superbru.com/urc_predictor](https://www.superbru.com/urc_predictor)
