Magners League: Round 16 Preview

With the end of the Magners League season now in sight, leaders Munster kick-off the round 16 games with their last league game of the season at Musgrave Park where they host the Scarlets on Friday night.

The Scarlets have not won on Munster soil since September 2003, and while Munster cannot claim the trophy on the night, a victory could, dependent upon other results later in the round going their way, ensure their success.

Munster’s main rivals for the title now appear to be the Ospreys, who, with a game in hand over the Magners League leaders, must win at home to Edinburgh on Saturday to keep alive their prospects of an enthralling winner-takes-all clash against Munster at Thomond Park in the last round of fixtures.

Elsewhere in round 16, Cardiff Blues, after their resounding victory in the Anglo-Welsh EDF Cup final at Twickenham last Saturday, travel to Ravenhill where they will be hoping to keep up the momentum that has seen them win seven out of their last eight encounters in all competitions.

Current champions Leinster entertain Glasgow Warriors at the RDS on Saturday, a ground where no team from Scotland has ever won.

The round finishes off with a game between the Newport Gwent Dragons and Connacht at Rodney Parade on Sunday, the hosts looking for points to stake their claim for European qualification next season.

MAGNERS LEAGUE – ROUND 16 FIXTURES:

Friday, April 24 –

ULSTER v Cardiff Blues, Ravenhill, 7.30pm

MUNSTER v Scarlets, Musgrave Park, 7.35pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/Setanta Sports 2/BBC Wales)

Saturday, April 25 –

Ospreys v Edinburgh, Liberty Stadium, 7.30pm (live S4C)

LEINSTER v Glasgow Warriors, The RDS, 7.35pm (live Setanta Sports Ireland/Setanta Sports 2)

Sunday, April 26 –

Newport Gwent Dragons v CONNACHT, Rodney Parade, 5.05pm (live S4C/Setanta Sports Ireland)