GUINNESS PRO12: Round 15 Preview
It was all change in the play-off zone after last weekend’s fixtures with all four teams moving around in the table. Following their resounding win over Zebre, Glasgow Warriors returned to the top of the table, having not been at the summit of the GUINNESS PRO12 since round 9, while Munster would also currently claim a home semi-final as they now sit in second place.
The biggest losers from the last round must be the Ospreys, who dropped from top to third after their loss at Edinburgh, the lowest position they have been after a complete round all season.
Meanwhile, Leinster and Ulster swapped places yet again, Neil Doak’s men climbing back into the play-off zone at the expense of their provincial rivals.
Both provinces are in action once more on Friday night as Ulster travel to Edinburgh and Leinster host Zebre. Neither game will be easy as both of their opponents have plenty to play for.
Zebre are looking to overhaul Treviso for the Italian spot in next season’s European Champions Cup, and Edinburgh are one of three teams, along with Connacht and the Scarlets, competing for sixth place in the table.
The Ospreys are in action on Saturday in what must be the game of the round when they travel to Scotstoun Stadium to take on the league leaders. Already four points adrift of Glasgow, another loss for the Ospreys could see the Welsh region drop out of the play-off zone altogether.
In the opening game of a televised double on Saturday, the Scarlets and Munster go head to head in Llanelli. The Scarlets have already stated their aim of finishing in the top six so need to make their home games count, as their close rivals, Edinburgh, are also at home this round.
Connacht, the other team in the battle for European qualification, are away at the Newport Gwent Dragons in the final round 15 fixture on Sunday.
The Scarlets v Munster match also sees the start of the GUINNESS PRO12 trials of the Hawk-Eye technology system with the support of Sky Sports. These results will no doubt assist player welfare and match officiating going forward, maybe into the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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GUINNESS PRO12 – ROUND 15 FIXTURES:
Friday, February 20 –
Edinburgh (8th) v ULSTER (4th), BT Murrayfield, 7.35pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland/BBC 2 Scotland)
LEINSTER (5th) v Zebre (12th), the RDS, 7.35pm (live TG4/Nuvolari TV)
Benetton Treviso (11th) v Cardiff Blues (9th), Stadio di Monigo, 8.05pm (live Nuvolari TV/BBC 2 Wales)
Saturday, February 21 –
Scarlets (7th) v MUNSTER (2nd), Parc y Scarlets, 2.40pm (live Sky Sports 3 HD)
Glasgow Warriors (1st) v Ospreys (3rd), Scotstoun Stadium, 5.15pm (live Sky Sports 3 HD)
Sunday, February 22 –
Newport Gwent Dragons (10th) v CONNACHT (6th), Rodney Parade, 4pm (live S4C/deferred coverage TG4)