Magners League: Round 2 Preview
Following an opening Magners League weekend in which no home team recorded a victory, two round 5 games, both Welsh derbies, have been brought forward to midweek (this Tuesday and Wednesday).
On Tuesday, the Ospreys host Cardiff Blues – the visitors have only once tasted victory at the Liberty Stadium (in December 2005).
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Newport Gwent Dragons welcome a team whom they beat on the double last season, Llanelli Scarlets, to Rodney Parade.
Next weekend’s round 2 games open with Ulster visiting the Arms Park, where the Cardiff Blues will hope to continue their home winning streak. Ulster will have to overturn recent results as they have not won in the principality for two years.
Also on Friday Leinster host a resurgent Edinburgh team who, following their defeat by European champions Munster last week, will again be looking to overcome Irish opposition.
Edinburgh will have a tough task on their hands as Leinster have not been defeated at home since October 2007.
The final game on Friday night sees the Ospreys visit Glasgow Warriors, where all eyes will be on Dan Parks, should he be selected, to see if he can overtake David Humphreys to become the Magners League all-time top points scorer.
On Saturday in what promises to be the emotional highlight of the weekend, the last scheduled Magners League game takes place at Stradey Park when Connacht are the visitors to the famous old ground.
The round wraps up on Sunday when the Newport Gwent Dragons travel to Musgrave Park.
The Dragons face a difficult task as since March 2003 the only visiting Welsh team to win on Munster soil has been the Cardiff Blues, who did so twice in 2007.
MAGNERS LEAGUE – RESCHEDULED ROUND 5 FIXTURES:
Tuesday, September 9 –
Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Liberty Stadium, 7.35pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/S4C)
Wednesday, September 10 –
Newport Gwent Dragons v Llanelli Scarlets, Rodney Parade, 7.05pm (live BBC Sport Wales)
MAGNERS LEAGUE – ROUND 2 FIXTURES:
Friday, September 12 –
Cardiff Blues v Ulster, Arms Park, 7.05pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/BBC Wales)
Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys, Firhill Arena, 7.30pm
Leinster v Edinburgh, RDS, 7.30pm (live Setanta Sports 1/2)
Saturday, September 13 –
Llanelli Scarlets v Connacht, Stradey Park, 5.30pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/S4C)
Sunday, September 14 –
Munster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Musgrave Park, 6pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/S4C)