As round 4 approaches only three teams still maintain a 100% winning record, and two of those, Glasgow Warriors and Connacht go head-to-head on Friday night. Glasgow have built up a formidable home record at Scotstoun, and even though Connacht defeated Edinburgh on their last trip to Scotland, they will find it harder against last season’s finalists, Warriors.
Rhys Webb’s second minute try for Ospreys in their victory over Edinburgh Rugby on Sunday was the fastest scored in the Guinness PRO12 so far this season, whilst Simon Zebo became just the 4th player to score a first-half hat trick in the history of the competition. Their scores helped to raise the tries per match average to the best ever at 4.88, and the 10 try bonus points claimed so far is a new record after three rounds. And even more fans were enjoying those performances; the aggregate PRO12 attendance is over 13% up on the same point last season.
Edinburgh themselves are in action Friday night, but this time against Welsh opponents, Scarlets, whilst in Dublin Leinster also welcome Welsh opposition, Cardiff Blues. Both hosts have won only one of their three games so far this campaign, so must be hoping home advantage will work in their favour this weekend.
League leaders Ospreys, the only other side with a 100% winning record, will be pushed to maintain that when they travel to Munster on Saturday for what is, arguably, the game of the round. Elsewhere on Saturday Ulster face Zebre in Parma, Italy. Thanks to an opening day 32-all draw with Scarlets, Ulster remain unbeaten in the PRO12 this season, and with the two teams directly above them facing each other, could see this as an opportunity to climb up the table.
The round wraps up in Newport on Sunday when Benetton Treviso are the visitors at Rodney Parade. The last four games between Newport Gwent Dragons and Benetton Treviso have been won by the home side on the day, so Dragons fans must be hoping that is a good omen.