Preview: Magners League, Round Six
Log leaders Leinster face a tricky trip to Ravenhill on Saturday but before that, on Friday evening, Munster have a crack at the Gunners at Murrayfield. rugby365 previews all the Magners League action...
Two action-packed European weekend's have been and gone with Welsh region the Scarlets the biggest winners. Undefeated after victories over Brive and London Irish, Nigel Davies' men will return to domestic action this weekend full of confidence.
The Ospreys meanwhile hard two hard-fought matches against the Leicester Tigers and Clermont but will take a lot of confidence from their performances in both matches, drawing at Welford Road before just edging out the Top 14 side at the Liberty Stadium.
Friday, 23 October
Scarlets v Dragons (19.05) (18.05 GMT) - Parc y Scarlets -
The Dragons recorded a fine win over the Warriors last weekend while the Scarlets are flying high after a dramatic 27-25 victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
Domestically though Nigel Davies' men have struggled so far this season, winning just one of their five matches in the Magners League.
The Dragons, by contrast, have surprised a number of people and won three of their five matches.
rugby365 Prediction: Given their recent form the Scarlets have to be favourites. Home side by ten.
Warriors v Connacht (19.30) (18.30 GMT) - Firhll Arena -
After a great start to the season the Warriors have gone somewhat off the boil in recent weeks. Sitting seventh place on the log at the moment they will be hoping for a straight-forward five point victory over Connacht.
The Irish Province enjoyed to good weeks in the Amlin Challenge Cup but would be desperate to secure a win this weekend over their Scottish opponents.
rugby365 Prediction: Despite their poor form the Warriors should feel confident heading into this match. Glasgow by 10 or more.
Edinburgh v Munster (20.00) (19.00 GMT) - Murrayfield -
The last time Munster were in domestic action they were on the wrong end of a 30-0 beating at the RDS. That was quickly followed by a loss at Franklin's Gardens before Paul O'Connell's men finally found their winning form last weekend in Treviso.
Edinburgh meanwhile started the season in brilliant form but have slowly lost their way in the league. Europe offered a welcomed break but their performance against Stade Francais is certainly not one which they will want to remember for too long.
The Gunners bounced back last weekend at home to Ulster, winning 17-13. Up against Irish opposition again this weekend, the Scottish side will need to dominate the Munster pack if they are hoping to have any chance of containing the likes of Jean De Villiers and Doug Howlett out wide.
rugby365 Prediction: Despite still not being at their best Munster should have enough in them to record a much needed win on the road this weekend. Munster by six.
Saturday, 24 October
Ulster v Leinster (18.00) (17.00 GMT) - Ravenhill -
Ravenhill welcomes the Magners League log leaders this weekend for what could be a fantastic encounter. Ulster, while sometimes inconsistent, have shown that they can beat more fancied opposition on the day and currently find themselves hot on Leinster's heels at the top of the table.
Leinster meanwhile are on a run of four straight domestic wins. A slip up at at home against London Irish was followed by a good win in Brive, meaning confidence will no doubt be high in the Heineken Cup Champs camp.
Off the field Leinster have been disrupted by the loss of Shane Jennings for 12 weeks. The flank forward was been banned for 12 weeks following an incident in the London Irish game and had his appeal turned down earlier this week.
A comprehensive win over the Scarlets last time helped boost Ulster's scoring record, making them the second most lethal team currently in the competition, but Leinster's outstanding defence has been a real factor so far this season. Conceding, on average, just over 12 points a match, Michael Cheika's men have impressed with their resolve.
rugby365 Prediction: Two good back-to-back victories at Ravenhill will give Brian McLaughlin's troops plenty of confidence but Leinster will prove a test too far. Leinster to edge it out by eight.
Blues v Ospreys (18.30) (17.30 GMT) - Cardiff City Stadium -
The mind games have begun. Both the Welsh regions have been full of praise for eachother, this weekend's big game is set to be an exciting affair.
Both teams have been seriously disrupted by injury recently with the visitors believed to even be considering switching Welsh wing Shane Williams back to scrumhalf to cover for the loss of Mike Phillips and Jamie Nutbrown.
Cardiff, despite boasting a squad brimming with international talent, have struggled in the Magners League so far this season. Sitting down in eight place with just one win from five matches the Blues welcome an Ospreys side lying third in the domestic table and fresh off two very tough European weekends.
rugby365 Prediction: The Ospreys have still not found a solid eighty minute performance this season... despite that though they are still getting the results. Two tough Heineken Cup matches would have set them up perfectly for the trip to Cardiff. Ospreys by six.
by rugby365