Friday night's third game sees last season's bottom two teams, Connacht and the Newport Gwent Dragons, coming together at the Sportsground in Galway with recent form between the two sides suggesting a home win.
Saturday's two games both kick off at 5.30pm with Munster playing host to the Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park, while Leinster will looking to extend a 20 match undefeated home record in all competitions against Edinburgh in the unfamiliar setting of their new home at Royal Dublin Society's Showgrounds - although the last team to beat them in Dublin was in fact Edinburgh - back in November 2005.
PREVIEWS
Friday 21 September
CARDIFF BLUES v GLASGOW WARRIORS
At Arms Park, 6.10pm. Live on BBC Sport Wales.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU). Touch Judges: Neil Ballard (WRU), Huw David (WRU). TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU).
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
Date |
Venue |
C |
G |
Cardiff Blues scorers |
Glasgow Warriors scorers |
Fri 5 Sep 03 |
Hughenden |
13 |
23 |
Nick Macleod(T) Nick Robinson(C/2P) |
Gareth Maclure(T) Sam Pinder(T) Euan Murray(T) Calvin Howarth(C/D/P) |
Fri 13 Feb 04 |
Arms Park |
29 |
19 |
Jonny Vaughton(2T) Nick Walne(T) Nick Robinson(T/3C/P) |
Alan Bulloch(2T) Joe Beardshaw(T) Colin Gregor(2C) |
Sat 13 Nov 04 |
Arms Park |
24 |
19 |
Freddie Tuilagi(T) Kort Schubert(T) Lee Thomas(C/4P) |
Andrew Wilson(T) Calvin Howarth(C/4P) |
Fri 25 Mar 05 |
Hughenden |
14 |
19 |
Craig Quinnell(T) Nick Macleod(P) Nick Robinson(D/P) |
Sean Lamont(T) Calvin Howarth(C/2P) Dan Parks(2P) |
Sat 24 Sep 05 |
Hughenden |
28 |
23 |
Nick Robinson(T/3C) Craig Morgan(T) Maama Molitika(2T) Lee Thomas(C) |
Calvin Howarth(T/P) Mike Roberts(T) Rory Lamont(T) Dan Parks(C/P) |
Fri 24 Mar 06 |
Arms Park |
31 |
3 |
Mike Phillips(T) Nick Robinson(T/3C) Chris Czekaj(T) Martyn Williams(T) Andy Powell(T) |
Dan Parks(P) |
Fri 22 Sep 06 |
Arms Park |
27 |
9 |
Ben Blair(T/3C/2P) Mosese Luveitasau Yabakitini(T) Tom Shanklin(T) |
Dan Parks(3P) |
Fri 26 Jan 07 |
Hughenden |
3 |
22 |
Ben Blair(P) |
Kevin Tkachuk(T) Colin Gregor(2C/P) Sam Pinder(T) Fergus Thomson(T) |
Cardiff Blues' only loss in their last eight Magners League encounters was at Llanelli Scarlets on 5 May. The Blues will be looking to stretch their League record to 17 successive home wins at the Arms Park.
Glasgow Warriors defeat at Munster in the final match of last season ended a four match winning run in the Magners League for the Warriors. Glasgow have won three of their last four games against Welsh opponents.
Cardiff Blues have the edge by five wins to three in previous encounters with Glasgow.
Friday 21 September
CONNACHT v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS
At Sportsground, 6.00pm.
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU). Touch Judges: George Clancy (IRFU), Peter Roche (IRFU).
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
Date |
Venue |
C |
N |
Connacht scorers |
Newport Gwent Dragons scorers |
Sun 23 Nov 03 |
Rodney Parade |
19 |
28 |
Bernard Jackman(T) Mark McHugh(C/4P) |
Steve Jones(T) Ben Breeze(T) Hal Luscombe(T) Lee Jarvis(2C/3P) |
Sat 1 May 04 |
Sportsground |
14 |
32 |
Matt Mostyn(2T) Eric Elwood(2C) |
Nathan Brew(T) Percy Montgomery(T/3C/2P) Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(T) |
Sun 28 Nov 04 |
Sportsground |
19 |
14 |
Matt Mostyn(T) Paul Warwick(C/D/3P) |
Gareth Baber(T) Craig Warlow(3P) |
Sat 16 Apr 05 |
Rodney Parade |
19 |
24 |
John O'Sullivan(T) Bernard Jackman(T) Brendan O'Connor(T) Paul Warwick(2C) |
Jason Forster(T) Ben Breeze(T) Kevin Morgan(2T) Ceri Sweeney(2C) |
Fri 6 Jan 06 |
Rodney Parade |
19 |
27 |
David Slemen(T/C/3P) Paul Warwick(P) |
Gareth Chapman(T) Michael Owen(T) Penalty Try(T) Jason Forster(T) Craig Warlow(2C/P) |
Sat 15 Apr 06 |
Sportsground |
15 |
10 |
Mark McHugh(5P) |
Luke Charteris(T) Craig Warlow(C/P) |
Fri 13 Oct 06 |
Sportsground |
16 |
9 |
Ray Ofisa(T) Mark McHugh(C/D/2P) |
Ceri Sweeney(3P) |
Fri 4 May 07 |
Rodney Parade |
0 |
23 |
- |
Richard Fussell(T) Gareth Maule(T) Aled Thomas(C/2P) Colin Charvis(T) |
Connacht's only victory in the Magners League since October 2006 was 20-17 at home to Border Reivers on 2 March, whilst the Irishmen have not beaten a Welsh region since this equivalent fixture played on 13 October 2006. However, Connacht have never lost their opening fixture of a new League season.
Newport Gwent Dragons won away from home in the Magners League at Llanelli on 1 September, their first win on the road in the competition since September 2006. The Dragons have not won in Ireland since a 28-21 victory against Ulster at Ravenhill on 8 October 2004.
The last four fixtures between the two sides have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the Dragons' last win in Galway was on 1 May 2004.
Friday 21 September
ULSTER v OSPREYS
At Ravenhill, 6.30pm.
Referee: David Changleng (SRU). Touch Judges: Eanna O'Dowd (IRFU), B Macneice (IRFU)
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
Date |
Venue |
U |
O |
Ulster scorers |
Ospreys scorers |
Fri 5 Sep 03 |
The Gnoll |
30 |
41 |
Shane Stewart(T) Ronan McCormack(T) Andy Ward(T) Paddy Wallace(3C/3P) |
Dave Tiueti(T) Adrian Durston(T) Gavin Henson(2T/C/P) Shaun Connor(2C/4P) |
Fri 13 Feb 04 |
Ravenhill |
31 |
19 |
Neil Best(T) Scott Young(T) Paddy Wallace(T) Warren Brosnihan(T) Adam Larkin(4C/P) |
Gareth Morris(T) Dave Tiueti(T) Gavin Henson(C) Shaun Connor(C) Barry Williams(T) |
Sat 25 Sep 04 |
Ravenhill |
24 |
37 |
Bryn Cunningham(T) Kevin Maggs(T) Campbell Feather(T) David Humphreys(3C/P) |
Shane Williams(T) David Bishop(T) Dave Tiueti(T) Sonny Parker(T) Gavin Henson(4C/D/2P) |
Fri 21 Jan 05 |
St Helen's |
21 |
22 |
Andrew Maxwell(T) Tommy Bowe(T) David Humphreys(C/3P) |
Gavin Henson(T/C/5P) |
Fri 4 Nov 05 |
Ravenhill |
12 |
20 |
Paul Steinmetz(4P) |
Jason Spice(T) Shaun Connor(D/4P) |
Fri 26 May 06 |
Liberty Stadium |
19 |
17 |
Matt McCullough(T) David Humphreys(C/D/3P) |
Jonny Vaughton(T) Jason Spice(T) Gavin Henson(2C/P) |
Fri 22 Sep 06 |
Ravenhill |
43 |
7 |
Rory Best(T) Tommy Bowe(T) Paul Steinmetz(T) Neil McMillan(T) David Humphreys(4C/5P) |
Lee Byrne(T) James Hook(C) |
Sat 27 Jan 07 |
Liberty Stadium |
22 |
29 |
Stephen Ferris(T) Paul Steinmetz(C/5P) |
Nikki Walker(2T) Shaun Connor(2C/2D/3P) |
Ulster have won just one of their last six encounters with Welsh opponents in all competitions: 14-7 at home to the Dragons on 16 February. Ulster have only lost once before in their opening match of a League season: in 2003 away to the Ospreys.
This is Ospreys worst start to a league campaign with two successive defeats so far, although they have won their last four matches against Irish opposition.
The Ospreys have had the better of their previous League encounters with Ulster winning five games to the Irishmen's three.
Saturday 22 September
LEINSTER v EDINBURGH RUGBY
At RDS Dublin,5.30pm.
Referee: Phil Fear (WRU). Touch Judges: Colin Stanley (IRFU), J Peake (IRFU)
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
Date |
Venue |
L |
E |
Leinster scorers |
Edinburgh scorers |
Fri 26 Sep 03 |
Donnybrook |
30 |
33 |
Gordon D'Arcy(2T) Brian O'Riordan(T) Matt Leek(3C/2P) Brian O'Meara(P) |
Tom Philip(T) Derrick Lee(2T) Brendan Laney(T/2C/D/2P) |
Fri 27 Feb 04 |
Murrayfield |
34 |
40 |
Niall Ronan(T) Christian Warner(T) James Norton(T) Des Dillon(T) Felipe Contepomi(4C/2P) |
Derrick Lee(2T) Hugo Southwell(T/P) Matt Dey(T) Nathan Hines(T) Ander Monro(3C/2P) |
Sun 10 Oct 04 |
Donnybrook |
35 |
13 |
Shane Byrne(T) Denis Hickie(2T) Aidan McCullen(T) David Holwell(3C/3P) |
Allan Jacobsen(T) Rory Lawson(T) Chris Paterson(P) |
Sat 19 Feb 05 |
Murrayfield |
33 |
41 |
Kieran Lewis(T) Guy Easterby(T) Christian Warner(2T) David Holwell(T/4C) |
Alasdair Dickinson(2T) Simon Taylor(T) Derrick Lee(T) Phil Godman(T) Marcus Di Rollo(T) Simon Webster(T) Brendan Laney(3C) |
Sun 6 Nov 05 |
Donnybrook |
13 |
27 |
Keith Gleeson(T) Brian O'Meara(C/2P) |
Peter Jorgensen(T) Fergus Pringle(T) Simon Webster(T) Alasdair Strokosch(T) Phil Godman(2C/P) |
Fri 26 May 06 |
Murrayfield |
31 |
8 |
Brian O'Driscoll(2T) Shane Horgan(T) Felipe Contepomi(T/4C/P) |
Scott Murray(T) Ander Monro(P) |
Fri 8 Sep 06 |
Murrayfield |
14 |
20 |
Ronan McCormack(T) Felipe Contepomi(3P) |
Allister Hogg(T) Duncan Hodge(T) Chris Paterson(2C/2P) |
Fri 16 Feb 07 |
Donnybrook |
13 |
6 |
Felipe Contepomi(C/2P) Jamie Heaslip(T) |
Duncan Hodge(2P) |
Leinster have won their last 20 home matches in all competitions since Edinburgh won 27-13 at Donnybrook on 6 November 2005. Leinster have won four of their last five matches against Scottish opponents.
Edinburgh's only win in their last eight games in the Magners League since January was 30-20 over the Dragons at Murrayfield on 6 April.
The two teams met on four occasions last season with all fixtures going the way of the home side on the day.
Saturday 22 September
MUNSTER v LLANELLI SCARLETS
At Musgrave Park, 5.30pm. Live on S4/C, Setanta Sports
Referee: Peter Allan (SRU). Touch Judges: D Keane (IRFU), P Haycock (IRFU). TMO: Olan Trevor (IRFU).
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
Date |
Venue |
M |
L |
Munster scorers |
Llanelli Scarlets scorers |
Fri 12 Sep 03 |
Thomond Park |
12 |
19 |
Jeremy Staunton(4P) |
Gareth Bowen(T/C/D/3P) |
Fri 20 Feb 04 |
Stradey Park |
20 |
37 |
Eoin Reddan(T) Anthony Horgan(2T) Rob Henderson(C/P) |
Matthew Watkins(T) Richard Rees(T) Gareth Williams(T) Gareth Bowen(T/4C/3P) |
Sun 3 Oct 04 |
Thomond Park |
19 |
13 |
Alan Quinlan(T) Christian Cullen(T) Denis Leamy(T) Ronan O'Gara(2C) |
Garan Evans(T) Mike Phillips(T) Gareth Bowen(P) |
Sat 29 Jan 05 |
Stradey Park |
17 |
32 |
Peter Stringer(T) Alan Quinlan(T) Ronan O'Gara(2C/P) |
Matthew Watkins(T) Andy Powell(T) Aisea Havili Kaufusi(T) Chris Wyatt(T) Gareth Bowen(3C/2P) |
Fri 23 Sep 05 |
Musgrave Park |
14 |
13 |
Ronan O'Gara(3P) Alan Quinlan(T) |
Lee Byrne(T) Matthew Watkins(T) Mike Hercus(P) |
Tue 9 May 06 |
Stradey Park |
6 |
18 |
Jeremy Manning(2P) |
Alix Popham(2T) Craig Evans(C/2P) |
Sun 5 Nov 06 |
Stradey Park |
12 |
25 |
Jeremy Manning(D/3P) |
Darren Daniel(T) Barry Davies(T) Deacon Manu(T) Ceiron Thomas(C/P) Dafydd James(T) |
Sat 14 Apr 07 |
Musgrave Park |
20 |
0 |
Anthony Foley(T) Marcus Horan(T) Ronan O'Gara(C/P) Barry Murphy(T) |
- |
Munster have won their last four matches in the Magners League, and have also won five of their last six games in the competition at Musgrave Park.
Llanelli Scarlets have won four of their last five matches in the Magners League. The Scarlets have beaten Irish opponents in seven of their last nine such encounters in all competitions.
The last seven League encounters between Munster and the Scarlets have all gone in favour of the home side on the day.