With a pause in the international matches, the RaboDirect PRO12 takes centre stage again this weekend, with games in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
First up on Friday night table toppers Ulster welcome Zebre to Ravenhill. The leaders will be keen to get back to their winning ways having suffered only their second defeat in this season’s campaign at the hands of Ospreys last week. However they will know Zebre can be tough opposition having only narrowly won the reverse of this fixture in Italy in November.
Ulster’s closest challengers, Glasgow Warriors, are also in action on Friday night travelling to Rodney Parade to face Newport Gwent Dragons, a ground they have not won at since 2008.
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It’s the battle of two capital city teams when Edinburgh Rugby host Cardiff Blues, also on Friday night. Edinburgh took the spoils in the reverse of this fixture in September, but they have not managed a season double over their visitors since 2009/10.
The final game on Friday night is in the West of Ireland when Connacht take on current champions, Ospreys. Buoyed by their success over leaders Ulster in the last round, the Welshmen will be looking to consolidate their Play-Off spot with victory at a ground where they have not lost since 2008.
The remaining two games are on Saturday with Leinster hosting Benetton Treviso and Munster travelling to Llanelli to face Scarlets. Both Munster and Scarlets are just outside the Play-Off zone, and defeat for either may compromise their plans of a top four finish. Likewise, with only eight rounds left, Leinster will be looking for every point to try and secure a home Play-Off spot, and their visitors have not won in Ireland for 15 months.
For full previews, updated tables and Specsavers Fairplay League below
