The focus returns once again to the RaboDirect PRO12 after two weeks of European competition, with Irish Provinces topping three of the six Heineken Cup Pools. Ulster are the stand-out performers so far, the only team with a 100 per cent winning record still left in the competition, garnering 18 pool points in the process. Munster and Leinster, both also past winners of the trophy, top their respective pools, whilst Cardiff Blues, the top placed Welsh Region, are only two points shy of their pool leaders, reigning champions Toulon.
The Irish provinces are faring well in the RaboDirect PRO12 as well, with three of the four Play-Off places taken up by them, Munster pulling out a four point lead at the top of the table as the half-way point of the season approaches. They are in action at Musgrave Park on Saturday evening when they face Scarlets, the Welsh region having won at this venue last time they visited.
The round starts off on Friday night with the remaining three teams currently in the Play-Off Zone – Leinster, Glasgow Warriors and Ulster – all in action. Second placed Leinster travel to Murrayfield buoyed by the fact they have won their last five contests with Edinburgh, whilst in Glasgow, Benetton Treviso are the visitors. Having led in the early part of the season Warriors now reside in third place in the table, level on points with Ulster and need a win to keep their season on track.
The remaining top-four team, Ulster, will be looking to maintain their near perfect record against Italian teams when Zebre run out at Ravenhill.
