Cheetahs v Ospreys

The Cheetahs have enjoyed a solid start to life in the Pro14 and having won back-to-back home matches including an impressive 38-19 win over Leinster last time out, they will be confident of taking advantage of the Ospreys’ poor start. After three successive defeats the pressure is on Ospreys coach Steve Tandy to turn his sides fortunes around and much improvement will be needed if they are to leave South Africa with any points. Cheetahs by 8

Glasgow v Benetton

Early-season pacesetters Glasgow welcome Benetton to Scotstoun looking to maintain their 100% record this season. Having ended Munster’s winning start with a comprehensive 37-10 victory at home in the last round, the Warriors will not be short of confidence in front of their home support. After two opening defeats, Benetton have recovered with impressive wins over Edinburgh and Ospreys respectively, but a trip to Glasgow represents a much sterner test for Kieran Crowley’s men. Glasgow by 23

Leinster v Edinburgh

Two sides coming into round five off the back of heavy defeats, both Leinster and Edinburgh will not be lacking in motivation when they do battle at the RDS. Leinster suffered their first defeat of the season last week out in South Africa to the Cheetahs, whilst Richard Cockerill’s side will hope to arrest a slide that has seen them lose to Benetton and the Scarlets in the two previous rounds. Expect a full-blooded encounter that the hosts might just shade. Leinster by 8

Scarlets v Connacht

Last season’s Pro12 champions got back in the swing of things last week with a bonus-point victory over Edinburgh and will be looking to repeat the feat against Connacht this week. Connacht have endured a sticky start to the season with one win and three defeats from four games, and after going down to the Dragons and Blues in the previous rounds will be looking to avoid an unwanted hat-trick of defeats to Welsh opposition. Scarlets by 14

Munster v Cardiff Blues

The hosts will be looking to respond from a disappointing defeat in Glasgow last time out, whilst the Blues arrive in Limerick on a high after finally getting off the mark against Connacht in Galway last weekend. Despite Munster’s defeat in the last round they remain one of the favourites in Conference A and have enough quality to get back to winning ways swiftly, but the Blues showed last week they are capable of taking a scalp on the road and will hope to cause another upset. Munster by 12

Zebre v Ulster

The Italian side aren’t quite bringing up the rear in Conference A with Ospreys and Blues one point beneath them in the table, but with one win from four games it has been another tough start for Zebre. Having said that with the exception of a heavy home defeat to the Scarlets in round two, the Italians have put in a number of solid performances and having secured their first win against the Southern Kings last round will be looking to back that up this weekend. Ulster continued their fine start to the season with a convincing win over the Dragons and lead the way in Conference B with four wins from four this season, and should have enough firepower to see off their hosts. Ulster by 20

Dragons v Southern Kings

Having rested many first-team players for the trip to Ulster last week, Bernard Jackman’s Dragons side should be back to near full-strength against the South African strugglers. With no wins and no points from four matches it has been a real baptism of fire for the Kings, and with the Rodney Parade faithful likely to still be on a high from their recent home win over Connacht it could be a long night in Newport this Saturday for the bottom side in Conference B. Dragons by 22

By Jon Davies