Round 4 of the RaboDirect PRO12 kicks off on Friday night with the champions and current leaders, Munster, travelling to the team they deposed from the top of the table, Cardiff Blues.
CLICK HERE For 12 page PDF Review Of Stats For every TEAM
Munster’s defensive record is such that they haven’t conceded a try so far this season, however Blues possess two of RaboDirect PRO12’s top try scorers in Sam Hobbs and Tom James, who have scored three apiece so far, so perhaps this time the Munster tryline may be breached.
Also on Friday night Newport Gwent Dragons travel to Galway to face Connacht, a team they haven’t beaten on their own soil since the first visit in 2004, whilst Glasgow Warriors host Benetton Treviso. The Italian outfit have not yet won outside of Italy in the RaboDirect PRO12, and Glasgow, having won in Dublin last weekend, must be looking to consolidate on that performance.
The Scotland v Italy theme continues on Saturday, but this time the action moves to Italy when Aironi welcome an Edinburgh team who will remember that they lost on their last visit to that country; 31-6 to Benetton Treviso in May. Scarlets and Leinster are also in action on Saturday. Neither side has had a very good start to the season, both with a won 1 lost 2 record, and are sitting the wrong side of the Play-Off zone, so will be looking for a win to get their campaign back on track.
The round wraps up on Sunday afternoon, with RaboDirect PRO12’s other two unbeaten teams, Ospreys and Ulster, in action at the Liberty Stadium. Both teams have been building up impressive records from the end of last season, however if home advantage is anything to go by, Ospreys have the edge on that having won 5 of the 7 encounters at Liberty Stadium.
For full match previews, updated tables and the Specsavers Fairplay League, see attached PDF file.
