Munster v Glasgow
A top of the table clash in Conference A sees second-placed Munster host conference leaders Glasgow this weekend. Defeat in Cardiff last week coupled with Glasgow’s win over Cheetahs has seen Munster lose further ground on the Warriors – who have remarkably already secured a play-off spot with six games to spare – and the Irish province will be looking to cut the 16-point gap between the sides in the table and avenge their 37-10 defeat at Scotstoun from the reverse fixture. Despite Six Nations call-ups, both sides still contain a number of internationals in squads that possess some good strength in depth, and with that in mind this could be a tight affair and with Munster having suffered just one defeat on home soil this season, that passionate home support may just give them the edge for this one. Munster by 6
Dragons v Edinburgh
A home away from home this weekend for Bernard Jackman’s Dragons as they host Edinburgh at Ebbw Vale’s Eugene Cross Park. After yet another disappointing defeat last week against Benetton at Rodney Parade, a match deep in the regional heartlands may be just what this Dragons side need to register a first league win since Septmeber. In contrast opponents Edinburgh will travel to Ebbw Vale in high spirits after three successive wins, the last of which saw them secure a late smash-and-grab win against Ulster, a result which saw them leapfrog their Irish opponents into the third and final play-off spot. With Richard Cockerill continuing to enjoy an impressive debut season as head coach of the Scottish outfit, the Dragons will be up against it to grab that much-needed win, especially with key men Gavin Henson and Tyler Morgan both out for significant periods of time with respective injuries. The return of Welsh international Ollie Griffiths to the playing squad will be a boost for the Dragons as well as the presence of internationals Leon Brown and Hallam Amos in the starting XV but with Edinburgh also including a number of internationals in their squad, the wait for that elusive Dragons win might drag on. Edinburgh by 8
Leinster v Southern Kings
Visitors to the RDS, the Southern Kings can take heart from a plucky effort that frustrated the Ospreys in the last round yet in losing 26-15 they suffered their 15th loss from 15 games this season. Any chance of breaking that duck at the home of Conference B leaders Leinster looks mightily unlikely and with Leinster coming into this match having beaten last season’s champions Scarlets to leapfrog the Welsh region into first place, home fans will be expecting a bonus-point victory over the South Africans to push clear of their rivals at the top in the race for a home semi-final. Leinster by 27
Benetton v Connacht
After securing a 5th successive Pro14 win against the Dragons last week, Kieran Crowley’s Benetton will look to maintain their great run of form with a win over Kieran Keane’s Connacht. Having lost ground to Cardiff in the race for Champions Cup qualification with a shock defeat at home to Zebre, the visitors will hope to bounce back in Italy but will need to be at their best to overcome a confident Benetton side. Eight points behind 3rd-placed Edinburgh in Conference B, the hosts may mathematically still have a chance to sneak a play-off spot but Champions Cup qualification may be a more realistic goal. After a disappointing defeat, an improved performance by Connacht is likely but Benetton are riding high and will back themselves to get the job done at home. Benetton by 5
Ospreys v Cheetahs
After an uninspiring victory over the Kings last week, the Ospreys play host to more South African opposition in the shape of Conference A high-fliers Cheetahs. Sitting sixth in Conference A yet just seven points behind regional rivals Cardiff Blues in fourth, the Ospreys may have had a dismal season by their own standards but with a Champions Cup place for next season still up for grabs there is much to play for in the final few rounds of the regular season. Opponents Cheetahs themselves have much to play for as they occupy the third and final play-off spot in their conference in what has been a very successful debut Pro14 season so far. Despite this the visitors will arrive in Swansea looking to avoid a third consecutive league defeat after defeats in Cardiff and Glasgow. Facing an exciting attacking side, the Ospreys will most likely try and keep the match a tight and scrappy affair against a Cheetahs side who have struggled on the road but with the hosts still low on confidence expect the visitors to steal this one. Cheetahs by 9
Scarlets v Ulster
After two defeats on the bounce, Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets’ team have dropped from the top of their conference for the first time this season in the last few weeks and face another tough test against an Ulster side fighting hard for a play-off spot. A last-gasp defeat to Edinburgh last week saw Ulster relinquish the third and final play-off spot in Conference B to their opponents, and having looked in a fairly comfortable position a few weeks ago they need to be wary of losing any further ground on their rivals. With both sides missing internationals neither team are likely to be at their best this weekend, and whilst Scarlets may have lost to Leinster last time out their performance was a marked improvement on their previous game against Benetton. An important match-up in this season’s title race, I expect the Scarlets to bounce back and avenge their defeat from the Kingspan with a comfortable win. Scarlets by 12
Zebre v Cardiff Blues
Two sides not lacking in confidence having both recorded wins in the last round, Zebre and Cardiff go head-to-head in Italy with Danny Wilson’s visitors looking to make it three league wins in a row for the first time this season. Hosts Zebre may sit bottom of Conference A but will be boosted by winning on the road for just the second time this season after overcoming Connacht in Galway last week, and have proven a tricky customer at home having already taken the scalp of Ulster this season. With Cardiff sitting fourth in Conference A just five points above Connacht, the visitors need to maintain their impressive form to keep others at bay and whilst it may be a tough match the pressure to hold off their rivals should be enough to fire the Blues up for a win on the road. Blues by 6
By Jon Davies