Hosts Ulster need every point if they are to claim a home draw in the PRO12 Play-offs whilst this really is a must-win match for visitors Leinster; lose and should other results go against them, they could be out of contention for the last four for the first time.
Madigan meanwhile is in a battle to finish the league as top points scorer, currently back in joint third on 127 points for the season, although the playmaker is top of the Rhino Golden Boot award with a success rate of 89.36%
Ulster have a couple of individuals with one eye on personal tallies as well with Ian Humphreys seven short of 500 points for his career in the GUINNESS PRO12 while Craig Gilroy currently tops the try scoring charts for this season on nine, one clear of the Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb.
Also on Friday Challenge Cup finalists Edinburgh are one of three teams battling for automatic qualification to the top tier of next season's European competition, whilst Zebre are closing in on Benetton Treviso in the race to claim the Italian spot and must be hoping their hosts' attention will be focused elsewhere.
All eyes in Wales will be on the "Judgement Day" double-header at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Ospreys need a win over Cardiff Blues to keep up their challenge to make the final four of the PRO12.
Dan Biggar currently sits second in the overall points table with 130, alongside clubmate Sam Davies who also has 130, two behind overall leader Ian Keatley of Munster.
Scarlets can still claim automatic qualification to the Champions Cup next season and victory over Newport Gwent Dragons is therefore essential. The Dragons will hope that Lee Byrne can make his long-awaited return from injury as he currently sits on 24 career GUINNESS PRO12 tries.
Another team with European qualification on their mind, Connacht, find themselves in action against league leaders Glasgow on Saturday.
The Warriors are looking for every point to claim top seed in the Play-offs and Connacht know both Scarlets and Edinburgh are making advances on the 6th placed spot they've held since round 7.
James Eddie will bring up century of GUINNESS PRO12 appearances if selected by the Warriors while winger DTH van der Merwe is not out of the running for top try scorer this season with six.
And finally Munster, who are in second place thanks only to a better points difference than fellow Irish province Ulster, will be looking to consolidate their advantage with a win over Benetton Treviso, which will be no easy task as the Italians are also looking towards next season's Champions Cup qualification.
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Guinness PRO12 Zebre News
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