RaboDirect PRO12 Previews Round 4 – Big Games

As the RaboDirect PRO12 enters its 4th round, just one team remains with a 100 per cent winning record, Glasgow Warriors, and they are in action in Parma on Friday night when they face Zebre. Having waited so long for their first win in the competition, the Italian outfit will have their work cut out to make it back to back victories as table topping Warriors have already defeated champions Leinster and last season’s runners up Ulster so far this season.

Scotlands’ capital team, Edinburgh Rugby, are also in action on Friday night welcoming Scarlets to Murrayfield. Neither team has made the start to the season they would have wished for; both will be searching for their second victory of the campaign, only one side can be successful.

There are two games in Ireland on Friday night, Leinster hosting Cardiff Blues and Ulster facing Benetton Treviso. Leinster succumbed to the early season leaders, Glasgow Warriors, at Scotstoun last weekend, but their record in Dublin is impresive. Cardiff Blues will be breaking new ground if they come back from the RDS with a win.

Ulster saw their impressive home winning run bought to an end by Glasgow last time out, victory over Treviso will help to reinforce Ravenhill’s reputation as a formidable place play and come away with the points.

The two remaining Irish provinces are both in action on Saturday evening, and both against Welsh opposition. First up Connacht welcome Ospreys to the Sportsground in Galway. Ospreys have recorded the only draw of the season so far when they were held 29-all by Leinster at the RDS in round 2, and are the only other unbeaten team so far in this campaign.

The round wraps up in Cork where Munster face Newport Gwent Dragons. This game sees third in the table host fourth, Munster sitting higher than Dragons courtesy of securing more try bonus points than their opponents.