RaboDirect PRO12 Round 13 Previews
Issued on behalf of RaboDirect PRO12
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After just over a month out of the limelight, the rugby focus returns once more to the RaboDirect PRO12 and the first of four successive rounds that could have a huge impact on the outcome of this season’s tournament.
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The round kicks off on Friday night with Ulster, who have now qualified for the European Cup as the highest ranked team, at home to Ospreys. The teams sit in 4th and 3rd places respectively, with just two points separating them in the table, so each will be looking for a victory to consolidate their place in the Play-Off zone.
On Saturday there will be a continuance of the Ireland v Wales rivalry that will be on show earlier in the day at the Aviva Stadium, only this time at regional level, when Munster welcome Cardiff Blues to Thomond Park. Munster have retained their top of the table slot since round 6 and are unbeaten at home this season, so Blues will have a hard task on their hands if they are to take the points from this game.
Also on Saturday Scarlets travel to Italy to face Benetton Treviso, a game the Welsh Region really must win if they are to push for a place in the end of season Play-Offs.
The remaining three games are all on Sunday, starting with Newport Gwent Dragons early kick-off at Rodney Parade. Their visitors, Edinburgh, have not won at the venue for over 7 years, a record they will no doubt want to overturn.
Glasgow Warriors, who are placed just outside the Play-Off zone but have two games in hand, must hope that the weather does not have an adverse effect on their game against Connacht, as their two previous RaboDirect PRO12 home matches were both rained off.
The final game of the round, Leinster away at Zebre, does not kick off until 6pm local time (5pm Ireland & UK) to avoid a clash with the France v Italy international. The current champions, Leinster, have not dropped below 5th in the table all season, and good performances over the international period, could stand them in good stead when it comes to defending their title.
