The Blues nearest challengers, Llanelli Scarlets are also at home on Friday with Ulster at Stradey Park. The former champions have had a miserable start to their season and are currently in an unaccustomed last place in the league with only win to their name. The Scarlets have a proud record in the league at Stradey park against Irish sides, and Ulster have never won on the Scarlets patch.
Andy Robinson saw his Edinburgh side draw with the Ospreys in his first match in charge last weekend while their opponents on Friday night, Newport Gwent Dragons, pulled of something of a shock last Saturday by recording their first win of the season over Ulster. The Scots however have won five of their last six against the Dragons.
Friday?s final game pits Glasgow Warriors against Leinster with the Warriors having lost just once in the League at home since the start of last season. Leinster however will be looking for a quick return to winning ways after losing their long standing home record to Llanelli Scarlets last week.
Sunday afternoon sees the last game of the round with Munster, smarting from a narrow loss to Cardiff Blues last weekend facing The Ospreys in Swansea. After a shaky start the Ospreys have picked up a win and a draw in their last two outings and will be looking for a third successive win over Irishmen at the Liberty Stadium.
Friday 12 October
CARDIFF BLUES v CONNACHT
At Arms Park, 7.30pm.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU). Touch Judges: Gwyn Morris (WRU), David Williams (WRU).
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HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
C |
C |
Cardiff Blues scorers |
Connacht scorers |
|
Sat 13 Sep 03 |
Arms Park |
33 |
17 |
Nick Macleod(T) Jamie Robinson(T) Dean Dewdney(T) Nick Robinson(3C/4P) |
John O'Sullivan(T) Conor McPhillips(2T) Eric Elwood(C) |
|
Sat 21 Feb 04 |
Dubarry Park |
21 |
18 |
Nick Robinson(2T/C/3P) |
Adrian Clarke(T) Mike McCarthy(T) Eric Elwood(C/2P) |
|
Fri 24 Sep 04 |
Arms Park |
31 |
6 |
Tom Shanklin(T) Rhys Williams(T) Craig Morgan(T) Dean Dewdney(T) Nick Macleod(C/3P) |
Paul Warwick(2P) |
|
Sat 22 Jan 05 |
Sportsground |
18 |
8 |
Nick Macleod(C/2P) Dean Dewdney(2T) |
James Downey(T) Paul Warwick(P) |
|
Sat 3 Sep 05 |
Sportsground |
9 |
13 |
Nick Robinson(3P) |
Conor McPhillips(T) Paul Warwick(C/D/P) |
|
Sat 29 Apr 06 |
Arms Park |
30 |
12 |
Marc Stcherbina(2T) Gethin Jenkins(T) Nick Macleod(3C/3P) |
Mark McHugh(4P) |
|
Sat 18 Nov 06 |
Arms Park |
15 |
13 |
Ben Blair(5P) |
Paul Warwick(C/2P) Matt Mostyn(T) |
|
Sat 7 Apr 07 |
Sportsground |
16 |
16 |
Ben Blair(C/3P) Tom Shanklin(T) |
Paul Warwick(C/3P) Ray Ofisa(T) |
Cardiff Blues? only defeat in their last six Magners League games was 19-30 at home to Leinster two weeks ago, a reversal which ended the Blues? record home winning run at 17 matches.
Connacht?s only win since March was 22-7 at home to the Dragons on 21 September. Connacht?s last win in Wales was 10-9 over Ospreys at the Gnoll on 21 November 2004.
Connacht?s only previous victory over the Blues was 13-9 in Galway on 3 September 2005. Connacht have won before at the Arms Park, beating Cardiff RFC 6-3 in the league on 18 August 2001.
Friday 12 October
EDINBURGH RUGBY v NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS
At Murrayfield, 7.30pm.
Referee: David Keane (IRFU). Touch Judges: David Changleng (SRU), Ronnie Duma (SRU).
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
E |
N |
Edinburgh scorers |
Newport Gwent Dragons scorers |
|
Sat 1 Nov 03 |
Rodney Parade |
22 |
34 |
Brendan Laney(T/C/3P) Alistair Warnock(2P) |
Jason Forster(2T) Gareth Baber(T) Craig Warlow(2C/5P) |
|
Fri 2 Apr 04 |
Meadowbank |
14 |
19 |
Simon Webster(T) Brendan Laney(3P) |
Peter Sidoli(T) Percy Montgomery(C/2P) Lee Jarvis(2P) |
|
Fri 19 Nov 04 |
Rodney Parade |
17 |
16 |
Derrick Lee(T) David Callam(T) Brendan Laney(2C/P) |
Jason Forster(T) Craig Warlow(C/3P) |
|
Sat 9 Apr 05 |
Murrayfield |
33 |
3 |
Andrew Kelly(T) Simon Webster(T) Simon Taylor(T) Allister Hogg(T) Chris Paterson(T/4C) |
Ceri Sweeney(P) |
|
Fri 14 Oct 05 |
Murrayfield |
17 |
15 |
Francisco Leonelli Morey(T) Simon Webster(T) Chris Paterson(2C/P) |
Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(T/C/P) |
|
Sat 13 May 06 |
Rodney Parade |
37 |
11 |
Chris Paterson(2T/4C/3P) Hugo Southwell(T) Simon Webster(T) |
Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(2P) |
|
Fri 10 Nov 06 |
Rodney Parade |
10 |
17 |
David McCall(T) Duncan Hodge(C/P) |
Nic Fitisemanu(T) Nathan Brew(T) Aled Thomas(C/P) Craig Warlow(C) |
|
Fri 6 Apr 07 |
Murrayfield |
30 |
20 |
Chris Bentley(T) David Callam(T) Andrew Kelly(T) Allister Hogg(T) Duncan Hodge(P) Chris Paterson(2C/P) |
Aled Brew(T) Ceri Sweeney(T/2C/2P) |
Edinburgh Rugby are unbeaten in their last two matches having defeated Ulster and drawn with Ospreys at Murrayfield.
Newport Gwent Dragons beat Ulster 31-11 at Rodney Parade last Saturday, however the Dragons have not won in Scotland since a 20-8 victory against Border Reivers at Galashiels on 22 September 2006.
Edinburgh have won five of the last six meetings with Newport Gwent Dragons in the league, whilst the Dragons have won just once in four previous visits to Murrayfield: 17-13 in the European Cup on 31 October 2004.
Friday 12 October
GLASGOW WARRIORS v LEINSTER
At Firhill 7.30pm. Live on Setanta Sports
Referee:Hugh Watkins (WRU).
Touch Judges: Neil Paterson (SRU), Peter Carruthers (SRU). TMO Peter Allan (SRU).
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HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
G |
L |
Glasgow Warriors scorers |
Leinster scorers |
|
Fri 17 Aug 01 |
Donnybrook |
11 |
39 |
Tommy Hayes(2P) Andy Nicol(T) |
Girvan Dempsey(T) Gordon D'Arcy(T) Andy Dunne(T) Brian O'Meara(3C/6P) |
|
Fri 7 Dec 01 |
Lansdowne Road (SF) |
13 |
35 |
Michael Bartlett(T) Tommy Hayes(C/2P) |
Girvan Dempsey(T) Denis Hickie(T) Brian O'Driscoll(T) Shane Horgan(T) Nathan Spooner(3C/2P) Brian O'Meara(P) |
|
Fri 6 Sep 02 |
Hughenden |
25 |
21 |
Stuart Moffat(T) Jon Steel(T) Tommy Hayes(T/C/2P) Calvin Howarth(C) |
Kieran Lewis(T) Brian O'Meara(C/3P) Ben Gissing(T) |
|
Fri 31 Oct 03 |
Hughenden |
10 |
31 |
Rory McKay(T) Calvin Howarth(C) Dan Parks(P) |
Peter McKenna(T) Gordon D'Arcy(T) Aidan Kearney(T) Brian O'Meara(2C/4P) |
|
Fri 2 Apr 04 |
Donnybrook |
30 |
31 |
Glenn Metcalfe(T) Dan Parks(T/3C/3P) Gordon Bulloch(T) |
Ben Gissing(T) James Norton(T) James Downey(T) Brian O'Meara(2C/4P) |
|
Fri 26 Nov 04 |
Donnybrook |
16 |
22 |
Colin Shaw(T) Calvin Howarth(C/3P) |
David Holwell(T/2C/P) Shane Jennings(T) Ben Gissing(T) |
|
Sat 16 Apr 05 |
Hughenden |
23 |
30 |
Rory Lamont(T) Dan Parks(T/2C/3P) |
Girvan Dempsey(T) Kieran Lewis(T) Ben Gissing(T) David Holwell(3C/3P) |
|
Sat 10 Sep 05 |
Donnybrook |
21 |
26 |
Craig Hamilton(T) Rory Lamont(T) Dan Parks(C/D/2P) |
Rob Kearney(T) Kieran Lewis(T) Felipe Contepomi(2C/4P) |
|
Sun 7 May 06 |
Firhill |
18 |
21 |
Andrew Henderson(T) Stuart Corsar(T) Dan Parks(C/2P) |
Keith Gleeson(T) Rob Kearney(T) Felipe Contepomi(C/3P) |
|
Fri 10 Nov 06 |
Donnybrook |
23 |
38 |
Kevin Tkachuk(T) Thom Evans(T) Dan Parks(C/2P) Jon Petrie(T) |
Chris Whitaker(T) Brian Blaney(T) Jamie Heaslip(T) Denis Hickie(T) Andy Dunne(C) Rob Kearney(C/3P) Keith Gleeson(T) |
|
Fri 6 Apr 07 |
Hughenden |
26 |
20 |
Thom Evans(T) Dan Parks(C/3P) Rory Lamont(T) Hefin O'Hare(T) |
Felipe Contepomi(2C/2P) Gordon D'Arcy(2T) |
Glasgow Warriors had a successful return to Firhill last Friday, turning over Connacht 16-15 in a real nail biter. Glasgow have in fact been beaten just once at home in the Magners League since the opening game of last season: 8-19 to Ulster at Hughenden on 6 January 2007.
Leinster slipped up at home to Llanelli Scarlets last Friday ending a home winning run of almost two years. Leinster have lost on their last four visits to Scotland since beating Edinburgh at Murrayfield 31-8 in May 2006.
Glasgow beat Leinster 26-20 the last time the two teams met on 6 April to end a ten game losing run against the Irishmen.
Friday 12 October
LLANELLI SCARLETS v ULSTER
At Stradey Park, 7.10pm. Live on BBC Sport Wales and Setanta Sports
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (SRU).
Touch Judges: Tim Hayes (WRU), Matthew Alpin (WRU). TMO Tony Rowlands (WRU).
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
L |
U |
Llanelli Scarlets scorers |
Ulster scorers |
|
Fri 6 Feb 04 |
Ravenhill |
9 |
10 |
Gareth Bowen(2P) Mike Phillips(D) |
Bryn Cunningham(T) Adam Larkin(C/P) |
|
Fri 14 May 04 |
Stradey Park |
23 |
16 |
Matthew Watkins(T) Stephen Jones(D/5P) |
Neil McMillan(T) David Humphreys(C/3P) |
|
Sun 28 Nov 04 |
Stradey Park |
22 |
9 |
Phil John(T) Gareth Bowen(C/5P) |
Adam Larkin(3P) Paul Steinmetz(P) |
|
Fri 15 Apr 05 |
Ravenhill |
3 |
16 |
Gareth Bowen(P) |
Paul Steinmetz(T/C/3P) |
|
Fri 27 Jan 06 |
Ravenhill |
13 |
30 |
Dafydd James(T) Gareth Bowen(C) Barry Davies(2P) |
Andrew Maxwell(T) Tyrone Howe(T) Paul Steinmetz(C/6P) |
|
Fri 19 May 06 |
Stradey Park |
12 |
12 |
Phil John(2T) Craig Evans(C) |
Tommy Bowe(T) Andrew Maxwell(T) David Humphreys(C) |
|
Sat 2 Sep 06 |
Ravenhill |
16 |
31 |
Darren Daniel(T) Stephen Jones(C/3P) |
David Humphreys(T/2C/4P) Paul Steinmetz(T) Mark Bartholomeusz(T) |
|
Sat 3 Mar 07 |
Stradey Park |
17 |
11 |
Barry Davies(T) Ceiron Thomas(4P) |
David Humphreys(2P) Andrew Trimble(T) |
Llanelli Scarlets have won three of their last four games in the Magners League. The Scarlets have not lost a league match at Stradey Park to a non-Welsh side since Edinburgh won there 15-21 on 2 September 2005.
Ulster have lost back to back matches in the Magners League to Edinburgh and the Dragons, but have not lost three in succession in the competition since season 2004/05.
The two sides met on four separate occasions last season with Ulster?s only success in those games coming at Ravenhill in September. Ulster have never won in six previous visits to Stradey Park.
Sunday 14 October
OSPREYS v MUNSTER
At Liberty Stadium, 4.10pm. Live on S4/C and Setanta Sports
Referee: Simon McDowell (IRFU).
Touch Judges: Jon Mason (WRU), Simon Harris (WRU). TMO: TBC (WRU).
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HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
O |
M |
Ospreys scorers |
Munster scorers |
|
Sat 27 Sep 03 |
St Helen's |
33 |
26 |
James Storey(T) Dave Tiueti(T) Andy Williams(T) Gavin Henson(3C/4P) |
Jeremy Staunton(2T/3C) David Wallace(T) Mike Mullins(T) |
|
Fri 27 Feb 04 |
Musgrave Park |
18 |
15 |
Elvis Seveali'i(2T) Shaun Connor(C/D/P) |
Shaun Payne(T) Eoin Reddan(T) Rob Henderson(C/P) |
|
Fri 3 Sep 04 |
St Helen's |
34 |
17 |
Gavin Henson(4C/2P) Jason Spice(T) David Bishop(T) Adrian Durston(T) Lyndon Bateman(T) |
Paul Burke(2C/P) Christian Cullen(2T) |
|
Sat 18 Dec 04 |
Musgrave Park |
9 |
13 |
Gavin Henson(3P) |
Frank Sheahan(T) Ronan O'Gara(C/2P) |
|
Sat 10 Sep 05 |
Musgrave Park |
10 |
37 |
Barry Williams(T) Matthew Jones(P) Shaun Connor(C) |
Anthony Horgan(2T) John Kelly(T) Shaun Payne(T) Paul Burke(3C/3P) Jeremy Manning(C) |
|
Fri 5 May 06 |
Liberty Stadium |
27 |
10 |
Shane Williams(2T) Jason Spice(T) Gavin Henson(3C/2P) |
Penalty Try(T) Ronan O'Gara(C/P) |
|
Sat 25 Nov 06 |
Thomond Park |
20 |
25 |
Jonny Vaughton(T) Shaun Connor(T/2C/2P) |
James Coughlan(T) Jeremy Manning(C/D/5P) |
|
Sat 7 Apr 07 |
Liberty Stadium |
20 |
12 |
James Hook(T/2C/2P) Justin Marshall(T) |
Brian Carney(T) Ronan O'Gara(C) Donnacha Ryan(T) |
Ospreys drew with Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday, whilst Ospreys only previous loss at Liberty Stadium to an Irish side was to Ulster on 26 May 2006.
Munster?s 17-19 home loss to Cardiff Blues last Friday ended a six match winning run for the Munstermen in the Magners League.
The last six league meetings between the two teams have all gone the way of the home side on the day. Munster have already won in Wales this season, beating the Dragons at Rodney Parade 26-16 on 28 September.
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