After a two week break for the final stages of the Rugby World Cup, the RaboDirect PRO12 makes a welcome return with two games in Scotland and one in Ireland on Friday night.
In Scotland, Glasgow Warriors host table-toppers Ospreys; a victory would not only see the visitors equal their own best start to the season, but would also make Ospreys only the third team after Leinster and Munster to record 100 wins in the competition. Warriors however have made a good start to the season and a victory of their own could see them rise into a Play-Off place.
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Also in Scotland, Edinburgh host the current European champions Leinster, who recently have not fared well in the country. The hosts will be hoping to build on their record that has seen them lose just once in their last six games at Murrayfield.
In the final game on Friday night, Aironi travel to Musgrave Park still looking for their first away victory – the home of the reigning champions, Munster, may be a difficult place to find it.
The remaining three games take place on Saturday. Ulster, another team looking for their 100th victory in the competition, will have to overcome Scarlets in Llanelli to achieve that mark, never an easy task.
Newport Gwent Dragons travel to Italy to face Benetton Treviso, and will be hoping to repeat the success of their last trip to the country in February when they defeated Aironi. Treviso however are having a successful streak having won their last 3 games.
The round wraps up in Ireland with Connacht hosting Cardiff Blues. A home win, depending on other results, could see the teams swap places and Connacht returning to the Play-Off zone.
For full match previews, updated tables and the Specsavers Fairplay League, see the attached PDF file.
