Magners League: Round 2 Preview
With Welsh teams occupying three of the top four places in the Magners League table after the opening round of games, the balance may be re-addressed this weekend as three of the regions find themselves on the road.
The most difficult task must face the Cardiff Blues who, after a narrow loss at home to last season’s runners-up Edinburgh, now face the prospect of playing the reigning Magners League champions, Munster, at Thomond Park Stadium on Friday night.
A Welsh side has not won at the venue since a Newport Gwent Dragons victory in March 2004.
Elsewhere on Friday night, Connacht are the visitors at Murrayfield, with their hosts Edinburgh having continued the momentum they built up last season by recording their seventh straight victory in the opening round.
Saturday sees European champions Leinster welcome the Newport Gwent Dragons to the RDS in Dublin.
The Welsh region are top of the Magners League table going into the weekend, but they have yet to record a victory in six previous matches in the Irish capital.
The other Saturday fixture is also a Welsh v Irish affair, this time the Liberty Stadium in Swansea is the venue as the Ospreys host Ulster.
The Irish province have won just once at the stadium, when they secured the Magners League title in May 2006.
The round wraps up on Sunday when Glasgow Warriors play the Scarlets at Firhill Arena, but with both teams victorious first time out, someone’s record will have to go.
The Scarlets have won just once in league games against Glasgow, at Hughenden in November 2003.
MAGNERS LEAGUE – ROUND 2 FIXTURES:
Friday, September 11 –
MUNSTER v Cardiff Blues, Thomond Park Stadium, 7.05pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/BBC Wales)
Edinburgh v CONNACHT, Murrayfield, 7.30pm
Saturday, September 12 –
Ospreys v ULSTER, Liberty Stadium, 6.30pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/S4C)
LEINSTER v Newport Gwent Dragons, The RDS, 7pm (live Setanta Sports 1)
Sunday, September 13 –
Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets, Firhill Arena, 5.05pm (live S4C/Setanta Sports Ireland)