RaboDirect PRO12 Round 7 Previews

Having had the wealth of five fixtures to choose from last Friday night, there are only two games on Friday in round 7 – Edinburgh Rugby host Zebre whilst Newport Gwent Dragons face reigning RaboDirect PRO12 champions Leinster.

Zebre are the second Italian opponents to travel to the Scottish capital in succession, but will hope to come away with more than just the losing bonus point their compatriots gained last week. Leinster are just one place in the table above their opponents, Dragons, and as they head towards the Autumn internationals, will be keen to secure as many points as possible from their trip to Rodney Parade.

The pick of the games on Saturday is the top of the table clash at Thomond Park between three times champions, Munster, and four times champions, Ospreys. Munster currently lead the pack thanks to winning one more game than Ospreys, but Ospreys have garnered more bonus points in the 6 rounds to date than their hosts, so the scene is set for an epic battle.

Elsewhere on Saturday, 8th placed Cardiff Blues host 9th placed Benetton Treviso at the Arms Park. Both teams are level with ten points apiece so victory for either strikes a blow to their nearest rivals.

Ulster are the visitors to Parc y Scarlets in a reverse of last season’s Play-Off, a game that the visitors won by an 11 point margin. However having drawn their last two games in all competitions, Scarlets will be keen to get back to winning ways.

The final game sees the early season leaders, Glasgow Warriors, face a team sitting at the wrong end of the table, Connacht. With the two teams above them in the table playing each other, Warriors have the chance to make up the ground they lost in their last outing when defeated by Munster.