RaboDirect PRO12: Round 6 Preview

Most of the RaboDirect PRO12 action this week takes place on Friday night, with five games scheduled to open the weekend. Pick of day must be the top of the table clash at Scotstoun Stadium where leaders Glasgow Warriors face second-placed Munster.

Glasgow are the only team left with a 100% winning record this season and are building a formidable record at home, so Munster will have their work cut out if they are to topple the current league leaders.

Success, however, would see the Munstermen climb to the top of the table.

Elsewhere on Friday night, last season’s beaten finalists Ulster welcome Cardiff Blues to Ravenhill, both teams will be buoyed by their notable successes in Europe last weekend.

Ulster are one of three RaboDirect PRO12 teams, along with the Scarlets and Leinster, who head their pools in the Heineken Cup following the opening two rounds of that competition.

Meanwhile, the all-Welsh affair in Swansea between the Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons will see referee Nigel Owens take charge of his 100th league game.

Both Italian teams are in action on Friday, Zebre hosting the Scarlets in Parma and Benetton Treviso travelling to the Scottish capital Edinburgh.

Zebre and Edinburgh must both be hoping that home advantage will help them claim a second victory in this season’s competition.

The round wraps up with current champions Leinster hosting provincial rivals Connacht at the RDS on Saturday evening, a ground where the hosts remain unbeaten since March.

And to show support for all the fundraising activities that the RaboDirect PRO12 teams get involved with, the match officials this weekend will (where practical) be wearing pink!

RABODIRECT PRO12 – ROUND 6 FIXTURES:

Friday, October 25 –

ULSTER (4th) v Cardiff Blues (7th), Ravenhill, 7.05pm (live BBC 2 Northern Ireland)

Ospreys (3rd) v Newport Gwent Dragons (6th), Liberty Stadium, 7.05pm (live BBC 2 Wales)

Zebre (10th) v Scarlets (8th), Stadio XXV Aprile, 7.30pm local time (live Sport Mediaset)

Glasgow Warriors (1st) v MUNSTER (2nd), Scotstoun Stadium, 7.35pm (live TG4/BBC ALBA)

Edinburgh (12th) v Benetton Treviso (9th), Murrayfield, 7.45pm

Saturday, October 26 –

LEINSTER (5th) v CONNACHT (11th), the RDS, 6.45pm (live RTÉ Two)