RaboDirect PRO12 Previews Round 6
Most of the RaboDirect PRO12 action this week takes place on Friday night, with five games scheduled to open the weekend. Pick of day must be the top of the table clash at Scotstoun, where leaders Glasgow Warriors face second placed Munster.
Warriors are the only team left with a 100per cent winning record this season, and are building a formidable record at home, so Munster will have their work cut out if they are to topple the leaders. Success however would see the Munstermen climb to the top of the table.
Elsewhere on Friday night last season’s finalists Ulster welcome Cardiff Blues to Ravenhill, both teams will be buoyed by their notable successes in Europe last weekend. Ulster are one of three RaboDirect PRO12 teams, along with Scarlets and Leinster, who head their pools in the European Cup following the opening two rounds of that competition.
Meanwhile the all-Welsh affair in Swansea between Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons will see referee Nigel Owens take charge of his 100th RaboDirect PRO12 (formerly Celtic league) game.
Both Italian teams are in action on Friday, Zebre hosting Scarlets in Parma and Benetton Treviso travelling to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Zebre and Edinburgh Rugby must both be hoping that home advantage will help them claim a second victory in this season’s competition.
The round wraps up with current champions Leinster hosting their fellow Irish province, Connacht, at the RDS on Saturday evening, a ground where the hosts remain unbeaten since March.
And to show support for all the fundraising activities that the RaboDirect PRO12 teams get involved with, the match officials this weekend will (where practical) be wearing pink!
