RaboDirect PRO12: Round 19 Preview

The meeting of provincial rivals Ulster and Connacht is sure to draw a bumper crowd to Ravenhill on Friday as the battle to fill the RaboDirect PRO12 play-off positions continues.

Glasgow Warriors took their opportunity and turned one of their games in hand into points last weekend, overcoming Benetton Treviso in their rearranged fixture and climbing back into the play-off zone in the process.

The Scottish side feature in what is one of the matches of the round this weekend when they travel to Thomond Park on Saturday to take on second-placed Munster.

With a further game still in hand, it is not inconceivable that the Warriors could take the home semi-final spot off their opponents before the end of the season. This is a ‘must win’ game for both teams.

Table toppers Leinster are in action on Friday night against the Ospreys, the team Glasgow displaced from the top four.

With only four rounds of the regular season left, the Ospreys will know that every point counts in their bid to reach the play-offs while Leinster will be aiming to secure that vital home semi-final advantage.

The remaining top four team, Ulster, are also in action on Friday night welcoming fellow Irish province Connacht to Ravenhill.

Ulster too will have their eye on the much-sought after home semi-final spot, but must also be wary as any slip up could let Glasgow climb above them in the table.

There is no easy game between now and the end of the season, and with Munster the sole PRO12 representatives remaining in the Heineken Cup, all eyes will be on the prize of the glittering league trophy.

RABODIRECT PRO12 – ROUND 19 FIXTURES:

Friday, April 11 –

ULSTER (3rd) v CONNACHT (8th), Ravenhill, 7.05pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland)

Ospreys (5th) v LEINSTER (1st), Liberty Stadium, 7.05pm (live BBC 2 Wales/RTÉ Two)

Edinburgh (7th) v Cardiff Blues (10th), Meggetland, 7.45pm

Saturday, April 12 –

MUNSTER (2nd) v Glasgow Warriors (4th), Thomond Park, 6.30pm (live TG4/BBC ALBA)

Scarlets (6th) v Zebre (12th), Parc y Scarlets, 6.30pm (live S4C)

Benetton Treviso (11th) v Newport Gwent Dragons (9th), Stadio di Monigo, 7pm local time (live Sport Mediaset)