RaboDirect PRO12 Round 8 Previews

Round 8 of the RaboDirect PRO12 kicks off on Friday night with both Scottish teams in action – early season leaders Glasgow Warriors welcoming Newport Gwent Dragons to Scotstoun, whilst Edinburgh travel to Belfast to face Ulster.

Glasgow are building a formidable home reputation since their move to their new base at Scotstoun, so Dragons will have their work cut out if they hope to come away with the points. Ulster have a similar reputation at Ravenhill Stadium, coincidently their most recent RaboDirect PRO12 loss coming at the hands of a Scottish team, Glasgow Warriors.

In the early game on Saturday Zebre are the visitors at the Liberty Stadium to face third placed Ospreys. The Italian outfit lost by just one point when they played at the stadium in January, so will hope to go one better this time.

Table topping Munster are also in action on Saturday facing Welsh opposition for the second round in a row, this time travelling to the Principality to play Cardiff Blues. A similar result to their last outing could see them retain their pole position in the table.

Meanwhile Scarlets make the reverse trip over the Irish Sea to play Connacht in Galway. Scarlets are just outside the Play-Off zone but know every point counts at this time of the season if they are to make the final cut off for the top four.

The round wraps up in Treviso, Italy, on Sunday with Leinster the visitors to Stadio Monigo. Having lifted themselves into the fourth Play-Off spot with victory over Dragons in the last round Leinster will be looking for a win to consolidate their position.