1. Don't rule out the defending champions just yet
Glasgow Warriors have not quite banished the memories of their inconsistent start to the season, but after a win over Newport Gwent Dragons, another victory next weekend against Cardiff Blues will equal their best run of the season.
And despite not hitting top gear just yet, Gregor Townsend's men are only seven points off fourth spot with two games in hand.
With a host of players set to return from international duty in a month, the 2015 GUINNESS PRO12 champions are not out of touch and could well mount a late charge to make the play-offs.
2. Leinster are still the team to beat
Ten wins from eleven games and Leinster remain hot on the heels of Connacht at the top of the table.
It may not have been the same emphatic victory as it was two weeks ago at the RDS Arena, but Dan Leavy's late try meant they still left Zebre with maximum points ahead of a tricky test at home to Ospreys next weekend.
And with no European distractions and comfortably the strongest defence in the GUINNESS PRO12, Leo Cullen's side look set to deal with the clashes with Glasgow and league leaders Connacht in the coming weeks.
3. Newport Gwent Dragons not far away
Four losses from their last four games does not tell the whole story for the Dragons, as they have been just one score away in each of those defeats.
The latest, an 18-15 home defeat to Glasgow, saw Duncan Weir cross late on to wrestle an all-important victory away, and after squandering a lead once again Lyn Jones will be tearing his hair out at his side's lack of killer instinct.
But one win could bring several for the Dragons who have in truth not been outclassed since their 32-13 loss in Edinburgh all the way back in November.
4. Scarlets get a taste of their own medicine
After two one-point victories in consecutive weeks, Scarlets had to deal with the frustration of being on the wrong end of the narrowest of reverses on Sunday.
They may have lost ground on the top two but Wayne Pivac's men are still sitting pretty in the play-off spots, and a home clash with bottom-side Benetton Treviso this weekend will give them the chance to rediscover their mojo.
5. Cardiff Blues still imperious at home
Danny Wilson's Cardiff proved their home loss to Leinster last week was only a blip, and their 23-13 victory over Ulster at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park was their fifth in seven home games this season.
With three more home matches up in their next five GUINNESS PRO12 fixtures, Cardiff could yet find themselves in mid-table and pushing for a top-six finish when big guns Sam Warburton, Gareth Anscombe and Alex Cuthbert return from international duty.
6. Edinburgh have stopped the slide
Three straight losses equalled Edinburgh's worst run of the season in the GUINNESS PRO12, and another loss on Sunday could have seen them out of the top six.
But they answered their critics in style with a win over high-flying Scarlets, and in ending their slump, Alan Solomons side have shown they are here to stay at the top end of the table.
They had to come from behind to do it but Edinburgh are very tough to beat at BT Murrayfield, and have still only lost there once this season.
7. Munster scrum now firing on all cylinders
Anthony Foley's side have not always been convincing in defence this season, but two scrum penalties were the difference as they stuttered past bottom-side Benetton Treviso in Italy.
That moves Munster into the GUINNESS PRO12 top six, as they now lie just four points behind fourth place with seven games to go.
And like Glasgow, their conquerors in last season's final, they can still have a lot of hope for the end of the season if they hit their straps in the coming weeks with games in hand on the sides above them.
8. Free-scoring Healy showing no signs of slowing down
Matt Healy's sixth try in five matches saw Connacht on their way to yet another victory on Saturday, and like his side the 26-year-old winger is proving to be no flash in the pan this season.
In Healy Connacht have the competition's top scorer, and if his scores can spur Pat Lam's men on to GUINNESS PRO12 glory in May, there is no reason he cannot overhaul the likes of Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls in the international pecking order.
9. Return of Webb bodes well for Ospreys
Rhys Webb continued his return from injury on Saturday, and while his first start this season for the Ospreys did not bring them a victory over Connacht, one bright spark was the scrum-half's try at the Sportsground.
Top try-scorer in the GUINNESS PRO12 last year, Webb's effort showed he has not lost his eye for the tryline as he flew between the posts in the 55th minute.
Webb pulled the strings expertly at the heels of his pack, as the region's offloading game caused huge problems for the table-toppers, and that is surely great news for Ospreys and Wales fans alike.
10. Ulster's injury woes costly but may be set to ease
Ulster stayed fourth in the GUINNESS PRO12 standings but two straight losses have allowed the teams behind them to make up ground.
The likes of Iain Henderson and Tommy Bowe cannot return soon enough for the province, with both expected to play some part in the end-of-season run in after their recoveries from long-term injury.
But Rob Herring (hamstring), Paul Marshall and Alan O'Connor (both illness) are all now available to face Zebre on Friday, with Nick Williams (shoulder), Luke Marshall (ankle) and Ian Humphreys (hip/back) potentially also returning against the Italians.
As Ulster's injury woes begin to ease expect their results to improve, so watch this space.
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