The two week break for European competition has seen the RaboDirect PRO12 teams return with an impressive record having performed well in both Cup competitions.
Edinburgh, Leinster, and Scarlets top three of the Heineken Cup pools, with Ospreys sharing the lead in a fourth, whilst Newport Gwent Dragons head their pool in the Amlin Challenge Cup. In the top tier competition RaboDirect PRO12 teams have won 11 of the 18 games played against teams from other European Leagues, with the Welsh regions doing particularly well as they have not yet lost a game.
The RaboDirect PRO12 action starts on Thursday at the City Stadium, Cardiff, when Cardiff Blues face Aironi Rugby. Blues, who find themselves sitting second to Edinburgh in their European pool, will be aiming for the double over their Italian opponents this season, and in the process perhaps reclaiming their place in the Play-Off Zone.
The following evening sees an all Welsh derby with Scarlets hosting Newport Gwent Dragons at Parc y Scarlets. Both teams have performed well over the past two European weekends, Scarlets along with Edinburgh one of the only two teams in the top tier of the European competition to have claimed 9 out of a possible 10 match points, so this promises to be an intriguing fixture as Dragons themselves are also unbeaten in the Challenge Cup.
Also on Friday, Glasgow Warriors will hope to continue their good start to their RaboDirect PRO12 season that has seen them rise to fourth in the table occupying one of the Play-Off places, with victory over Ulster after both teams lost in Europe last weekend.
Ospreys, top of the table for the fourth round running, travel to Connacht on Saturday a ground where the visitors have not lost since May 2008. Ospreys were the only Welsh Region not to win in Europe last round, being held to a thrilling 26 all draw by fellow RaboDirect PRO12 team, Benetton Treviso.
Benetton Treviso are also in action themselves on Saturday, welcoming the reigning European champions, Leinster, to Stadio Monigo. The Italian outfit have started this season’s RaboDirect PRO12 campaign well this season, with four wins from eight, and are currently just outside the Play-Off zone. The visit of Leinster should not hold any fears for them Treviso won this same fixture last season.
The round wraps up in Limerick where reigning champions Munster Having slipped to 3rd in the table, will be looking for a home victory to get their campaign back on track, however they face a resurgent Edinburgh, who are heading Pool 2 of the European Cup.
For full match previews and updated tables see the attached PDF file.
