The last round of Magners League fixtures before the start of the RBS Six Nations Championship opens at The Sports Ground in Galway on Friday night when Newport Gwent Dragons are the visitors. Connacht are building a good record at home, especially against Welsh Regions, so if Dragons are to keep challenging for a top four Play-Off spot they will have to complete a first season's double over their hosts since 2003/4.
There are two further games in Ireland on Friday night: in the north Ulster host Ospreys, whilst in Dublin European champions Leinster welcome the Magners League leaders, Glasgow Warriors, to the RDS. Leinster have won their last ten Magners League fixtures played at this ground and Warriors are looking to set a new Glasgow record as they are unbeaten in their last six Magners League matches, so there is plenty to play for in this fixture. A bonus point victory for Leinster, who now have a game in hand, could se them draw level on points with Warriors at the top of the table
Ulster will also be defending a good home record, having won five of their last six matches at Ravenhill in all competitions whereas Ospreys may not have won at Ravenhill since September 2007, but they have won three of their last four away fixtures in the Magners League. Victory for the visitors could, depending on other result, propel them to the top of the table, but Ulster will be determined to enhance their Play-Off chances and need the points themselves to keep in touch with the top four.
On Saturday, early season leaders Edinburgh, one of only two sides to have remained at the top of the Magners League for two or more rounds, will be hoping to put the disappointment of the festive derby games behind them with the visit of Cardiff Blues. Blues will be looking for a victory to keep them in touch with the Play-Off Zone, and to distance themselves from the 4th placed Welsh team, the Scarlets.
Munster have won their last 13 home games in all competitions, whilst the Scarlets only previous win on Munster soil was at Thomond Park in September 2003. With an eye on European qualification, the Welsh region need a victory to reduce the gap between themselves and the top three Welsh teams. A Munster victory would see them maintain their position in the Play-Off Zone.
There are two further games in Ireland on Friday night: in the north Ulster host Ospreys, whilst in Dublin European champions Leinster welcome the Magners League leaders, Glasgow Warriors, to the RDS. Leinster have won their last ten Magners League fixtures played at this ground and Warriors are looking to set a new Glasgow record as they are unbeaten in their last six Magners League matches, so there is plenty to play for in this fixture. A bonus point victory for Leinster, who now have a game in hand, could se them draw level on points with Warriors at the top of the table
Ulster will also be defending a good home record, having won five of their last six matches at Ravenhill in all competitions whereas Ospreys may not have won at Ravenhill since September 2007, but they have won three of their last four away fixtures in the Magners League. Victory for the visitors could, depending on other result, propel them to the top of the table, but Ulster will be determined to enhance their Play-Off chances and need the points themselves to keep in touch with the top four.
On Saturday, early season leaders Edinburgh, one of only two sides to have remained at the top of the Magners League for two or more rounds, will be hoping to put the disappointment of the festive derby games behind them with the visit of Cardiff Blues. Blues will be looking for a victory to keep them in touch with the Play-Off Zone, and to distance themselves from the 4th placed Welsh team, the Scarlets.
Munster have won their last 13 home games in all competitions, whilst the Scarlets only previous win on Munster soil was at Thomond Park in September 2003. With an eye on European qualification, the Welsh region need a victory to reduce the gap between themselves and the top three Welsh teams. A Munster victory would see them maintain their position in the Play-Off Zone.
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