RaboDirect PRO12 Round 21 Previews: Connacht, Ulster, Munster, Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, Newport Gwent Dragons, Benetton Treviso, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Aironi: Includes 12 Page Preview

The end of the 2011/12 RaboDirect PRO12 season is fast approaching, and the first team to claim a place in the Play-Offs has been confirmed; Leinster, with an unassailable lead of 73 points, have booked themselves a home slot and number 1 seeding. Their opponents are still undecided, and with just seven points separating the teams in 2nd to 6th place, it could be any one of five teams making the trip to Dublin.
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One of those teams, Ulster, are already scheduled to travel to the RDS on Friday night, any points they can pick up their game against Leinster will be welcomed as they have the daunting visit of a trip to the reigning champions, Munster in the last round.

Second placed Ospreys are also in action on Friday night, in an all-Welsh affair against Newport Gwent Dragons, before facing trip to Aironi in the last round. One more win, or less should other results go their way, will secure Ospreys a top four finish, if not a home Play-Off yet.

Scarlets host Munster at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday in what is a must win game for both teams if they wish to further their ambitions in the knockout stages, whilst the last team still in with a chance of making it into the Play-Offs, fourth placed Glasgow Warriors, are in action on Sunday travelling to Benetton Treviso.

At this stage of the season any points dropped can make the difference between having a chance for a shot at the title, or the season being over for another year, and so close are the margins it is still anyone’s guess who will be joining Leinster in the knockout stages of the RaboDirect PRO12. The eyes will certainly be on the prize as round 21 unfolds.