GUINNESS PRO12: Round 16 Preview

Glasgow Warriors stretched their lead even further at the top of the GUINNESS PRO12 after defeating Ospreys last weekend, while Munster were held to a 25-all draw at the Scarlets. There are now just three points separating the second to fifth-placed teams in the table, so as the league heads towards its conclusion, the challenge to make the play-offs intensifies.

Another four points then separates the three teams in line for the elusive sixth spot that could see them claim a place in Europe’s top tier next season.
 
Round 16 opens on Friday night with the Ospreys, the team that have slipped from top to fifth in the table over the last couple of rounds, facing another tough challenge with the visit of Leinster, who themselves have been dropping in and out of the play-off zone over the last six rounds.  
 
Also on Friday Ulster, who have climbed three places in the last two weeks, welcome the Scarlets to Kingspan Stadium, a tough task for the visitors who have European qualification on their minds.  
 
Glasgow Warriors are not in action until Saturday when they visit the redeveloped Irish Independent Park, and although their record in Cork is not great, the leaders are building up a formidable reputation having won 12 of their 15 games so far this season.

So, with the Warriors in very good form, Munster will have their work cut out to keep their play-off hopes on track. This match will be the second trial in the GUINNESS PRO12 of the Hawk-Eye Smart Replay system to assist the TMO.
 
Connacht and Edinburgh, the other two teams with their eyes on the prize of European Champions Cup qualification next season, both play on Sunday against Benetton Treviso and Cardiff Blues respectively.

Connacht have held on to sixth place in the table since round 7. They are the team making the running at present, however Pat Lam and his players know there is not much room for error.

GUINNESS PRO12 – ROUND 16 FIXTURES:

Friday, February 27 –

Ospreys (5th) v LEINSTER (4th), Liberty Stadium, 7.35pm (live TG4/BBC 2 Wales)

ULSTER (2nd) v Scarlets (7th), Kingspan Stadium, 7.35pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland)

Saturday, February 28 –

MUNSTER (3rd) v Glasgow Warriors (1st), Irish Independent Park, 7.15pm (live Sky Sports 3 HD)

Sunday, March 1 –

Cardiff Blues (10th) v Edinburgh (8th), BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, 12.45pm (live BBC ALBA/S4C)

CONNACHT (6th) v Benetton Treviso (11th), the Sportsground, 5.15pm (live TG4/deferred coverage Nuvolari TV)

Zebre (12th) v Newport Gwent Dragons (9th), Stadio Lanfranchi, 6pm local time (live Nuvolari TV)