RaboDirect PRO12: Round 7 Preview

The focus turns once again to the RaboDirect PRO12 this weekend, with Ulster leading the table courtesy of their unbeaten run so far this season.

Ulster travel to Rodney Parade on Friday to face a Newport Gwent Dragons team who are uncomfortably sat at the wrong end of the table, although at this stage of the season there are only five points – or a bonus point win – between them and fifth-placed Munster.

Also on Friday night, the second-placed Scarlets travel to Edinburgh and must be hoping to recapture the form that saw them emerge as early leaders of the competition.

Simon Easterby’s side won three games from three in the opening rounds, but the Welsh region’s record in Edinburgh is not encouraging.

The final game on Friday sees Munster hosting Italian newcomers Zebre at Thomond Park, a ground where the home team have won all their matches so far this season.

There are three games on Saturday, starting with the reigning champions, the Ospreys, welcoming Connacht to the Liberty Stadium, a venue where the visitors have never won.

The Ospreys are one of three teams on 14 points, just outside the play-off zone, alongside Munster and the Cardiff Blues.

The Blues are also in action on Saturday, facing European kingpins Leinster at the RDS, but the Welshmen can take heart from the fact they have won both away games in the RaboDirect PRO12 so far this season.

The final game of the round takes place at the Stadio di Monigo in Italy where the third-placed Glasgow Warriors, who face off against Benetton Treviso will be looking to repeat last season’s away success.

RABODIRECT PRO12 – ROUND 7 FIXTURES:

Friday, October 26 –

Newport Gwent Dragons (11th) v ULSTER (1st), Rodney Parade, 7.05pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland/BBC 2 Wales)

Edinburgh (9th) v Scarlets (2nd), Murrayfield, 7.35pm (live BBC ALBA)

MUNSTER (5th) v Zebre (12th), Thomond Park, 7.45pm (live TG4)

Saturday, October 27 –

Ospreys (6th) v CONNACHT (10th), Liberty Stadium, 2.30pm

LEINSTER (4th) v Cardiff Blues (7th), the RDS, 6.30pm (live RTÉ Two/S4C)

Benetton Treviso (8th) v Glasgow Warriors (3rd), Stadio di Monigo, 7.05pm (live Sport Italia/BBC ALBA)