RaboDirect RO12 Previews Round 1: Ulster Rugby. 12 Page Round Up Included

Current champions Ospreys are in action in the opening night of the RaboDirect PRO12 season when they travel to Italy to face Benetton Treviso. The title holders will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run against the Italians to give them the best possible start to this year’s campaign.
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Another Welsh v Italian fixture sees RaboDirect PRO12 newcomers Zebre the visitors to Rodney Parade. The new franchise, which is packed with Italian internationals and led by former Italian captain Marco Bortolami, will be out to impress on their debut in the competition.

Also on Friday night Glasgow Warriors, who reached last season’s Play-Offs , face European Cup finalists, Ulster, at Ravenhill, where they have not tasted victory since December 2009.

The remaining round 1 games all take place on Saturday, one each in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Something will have to give at the Sportsground in Connacht as both teams, Connacht and Cardiff Blues, have won their opening games over the last two seasons, whereas European Champions, Leinster, who are the visitors to Parc y Scarlets, last won their opening round game in 2007.

The final game of the round is in Scotland’s capital city where Edinburgh Rugby face Munster. Overall history may favour the visitors, but Edinburgh won the equivalent fixture last season, so there is all to play for.