GUINNESS PRO12: Round 21 Preview
With just two rounds of the GUINNESS PRO12 remaining, the tension and excitement is building as teams battle to earn a place in the league’s flagship event – the final at BT Murrayfield on May 28.
Judgement Day in Wales, set to be the biggest to date, will surely live up to its billing with Cardiff Blues and the Ospreys going head to head in their efforts to secure Wales a second place in next season’s European Champions Cup, while a victory for the Scarlets over the Newport Gwent Dragons could see the Llanelli side return to the play-off zone having dropped down to fifth place after round 20.
Only the top five teams are now shooting for the two home play-off spots, (currently jointly held by Leinster and Connacht on 68 points apiece) and should Glasgow Warriors and Connacht both win their round 21 games against Italian opposition this weekend it will be nicely set up for a round 22 head-to-head between them for one of the coveted home berths.
However, Benetton Treviso are only three points behind Zebre in the race for the guaranteed Italian spot, so one win could make a huge difference there also.
Two of the top four, Ulster and Leinster, face each other this weekend in what could be classed as a real ’10-pointer’. Ulster must win if they are to maintain their push for a home play-off, but should they lose to the leaders, their place in the top four could be at risk.
As the table stands, Edinburgh, Munster and Cardiff are all playing for one Champions Cup spot. Munster and Edinburgh go head to head in round 21, while Edinburgh and the Blues meet in round 22 with Munster also facing the Scarlets at exactly the same time, so the result of those matches will be vital for each team’s ambitions.
The GUINNESS PRO12 final will take place at BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh on Saturday, May 28. See www.pro12rugby.com for ticket details.
GUINNESS PRO12 – ROUND 21 FIXTURES:
Friday, April 29 –
Benetton Treviso (12th) v CONNACHT (2nd), Stadio di Monigo, 7.30pm local time/6.30pm Irish time (live TG4 (UPC 602/Saorview Red Button)/Rai Sport)
Glasgow Warriors (3rd) v Zebre (11th), Scotstoun Stadium, 7.35pm (live BBC ALBA)
MUNSTER (7th) v Edinburgh (6th), Irish Independent Park, 7.35pm (live TG4/live stream BBC Sport Scotland website)
Saturday, April 30 –
Cardiff Blues (8th) v Ospreys (9th), Principality Stadium, 2.30pm (live BBC 2 Wales)
ULSTER (4th) v LEINSTER (1st), Kingspan Stadium, 3pm (live Sky Sports 1 HD)
Newport Gwent Dragons (10th) v Scarlets (5th), Principality Stadium, 5pm (live S4C)