Magners League: Round 15 Preview
The pick of the fixtures in round 15 of the Magners League must be the interprovincial clash between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park on Friday night.
There is little to chose between the reigning Magners League champions, Munster, and the European Cup holders, Leinster.
In 14 previous league meetings, they have won seven games apiece, however Leinster have not triumphed at Thomond Park since 1995.
Anything other than an away victory could see Munster and the chasing pack whittle away Leinster’s current four-point lead at the top of the table.
Also on Friday night, Connacht host Edinburgh at the Sportsground, where the hosts are unbeaten since last September.
However, Edinburgh themselves have a good record at the venue and will need a victory on the road to maintain their push for a play-off spot.
The remaining game on Friday is the all-Welsh derby at the Liberty Stadium between the Ospreys and Scarlets.
The Ospreys will be keen to get back to winning form, their defeat by the Newport Gwent Dragons in their last league outing dropped the Swansea-based side out of the play-off zone.
Every point will now count and the Ospreys will be hoping to continue past form with a victory over their regional rivals.
Saturday sees the Cardiff Blues travel to Belfast to face Ulster. Although they have a good record against their hosts, the Blues have lost away against the other three Irish provinces so far this season.
A loss for either side could seriously damage their aspirations of making the play-offs.
The final game of the round on Sunday is another crucial game for those involved – fourth-placed Glasgow Warriors against the Newport Gwent Dragons, who are two places below Glasgow in the standings.
With just one point the determining factor between who is currently in or out of the play-off zone, the winners of this fixture will again reap the benefit of denying one of their closest rivals further match points.
After their victory over the Ospreys last time out, the Dragons are putting together a late charge for a semi-final spot, and their record against Glasgow should stand them in good stead in this fixture.
MAGNERS LEAGUE – ROUND 15 FIXTURES:
Friday, April 2 –
CONNACHT v Edinburgh, the Sportsground, 6pm
Ospreys v Scarlets, Liberty Stadium, 7.05pm (live BBC Wales)
MUNSTER v LEINSTER, Thomond Park, 8.05pm (live Setanta Sports 1)
Saturday, April 3 –
ULSTER v Cardiff Blues, Ravenhill, 7.30pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/S4C)
Sunday, April 4 –
Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons, Firhill Arena, 3.05pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/BBC Wales)