In the other game in Ireland on Friday night both Ulster and Llanelli Scarlets will be looking to capitalise on the result in Galway. Should Leinster slip up the second placed Scarlets will hope to close the gap at the top with a win at Ravenhill (which would be their fifth in a row against the Irish province). For their part a second win under Matt Williams could see Ulster put more space between themselves and Connacht at the bottom - depending on how things go in the west.
Elsewhere on Friday night the Ospreys are up against Glasgow Warriors at Firhill, with the hosts looking for their first league win since November - a run that has seen them drop to eighth, while the Welsh region will be looking for their first away league win of the season.
Friday's schedule is completed at Rodney Parade where the Newport Gwent Dragons host Edinburgh, who are looking for a second win in the Principality this season, following their victory at Cardiff last month. A win for the Scots and defeat for the Scarlets in Belfast could see Edinburgh up to second place - at least until Saturday evening when third and fourth meet at the Arms Park.
Cardiff Blues will be looking for a fourth straight Magners League win over Munster, although the Irish will be looking for a fourth win over Welsh opposition this season.
ROUND 12 PREVIEWS
Friday 29 February
CONNACHT v LEINSTER
At Sportsgrond, 7.30pm. Live on Setanta Sports
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU). Touch Judges: D Wilkinson (IRFU), M Black (IRFU).
TMO: Dave MCHugh (IRFU).
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
C |
L |
Connacht scorers |
Leinster scorers |
|
Fri 13 Sep 02 |
Donnybrook |
26 |
23 |
Mark McHugh(D) Wayne Munn(T) Eric Elwood(2C/3P) Chris Keane(T) |
Brian O'Meara(2C/3P) Keith Gleeson(2T) |
|
Fri 17 Oct 03 |
Donnybrook |
6 |
21 |
Eric Elwood(2P) |
Matt Leek(T) Brian O'Meara(C/3P) Aidan Kearney(T) |
|
Sat 13 Mar 04 |
Sportsground |
35 |
24 |
Matt Lacey(2T) John O'Sullivan(T) Andrew Farley(T) Mark McHugh(P) Eric Elwood(2C/P) Darren Yapp(T) |
Aidan Kearney(T) Gary Brown(T) Felipe Contepomi(C/3P) Matt Leek(P) |
|
Fri 5 Nov 04 |
Donnybrook |
9 |
18 |
Paul Warwick(3P) |
Niall Ronan(T) Felipe Contepomi(T/C/2P) |
|
Sun 20 Mar 05 |
Sportsground |
21 |
26 |
Matt Lacey(2T) Eric Elwood(C/2P) Mark McHugh(P) |
Felipe Contepomi(T) Victor Costello(T) David Holwell(2C/4P) |
|
Sat 3 Dec 05 |
Sportsground |
9 |
21 |
David Slemen(D/2P) |
Felipe Contepomi(C/3P) Jamie Heaslip(T) Girvan Dempsey(T) |
|
Sun 5 Mar 06 |
Donnybrook |
13 |
16 |
Andrew Mailei(T) Paul Warwick(C/2P) |
Felipe Contepomi(T/C/3P) |
|
Fri 29 Sep 06 |
Sportsground |
16 |
31 |
Darren Yapp(T) Mark McHugh(C/2P) Danny Riordan(P) |
Trevor Hogan(T) Guy Easterby(T) Shane Horgan(T) Denis Hickie(T) Felipe Contepomi(C/2P) Gordon D'Arcy(D) |
|
Sat 24 Mar 07 |
Donnybrook |
21 |
30 |
Paul Warwick(T/C/3P) Adrian Flavin(T) |
Felipe Contepomi(3C/3P) Shane Horgan(T) Bernard Jackman(T) Keith Gleeson(T) |
|
Fri 2 Nov 07 |
Royal Dublin Society |
9 |
29 |
Tim Donnelly(D/2P) |
Gordon D'Arcy(2T) Christian Warner(2C/5P) |
It's top plays bottom in the Magners League in this fixture. Connacht have won their last two home games in the Magners League but have not won three in a row in the competition in Galway since season 2005/06. Connacht's only win over a fellow Irish province since March 2004 was 22-12 at home to Ulster on New Year's Eve 2005.
Leinster are top of the table courtesy of an unbeaten run of seven matches in the Magners League including six straight wins. Leinster's last loss in the league was 17-21 at Glasgow on 12 October. The Dublin based Province has lost just once in their last 14 league games against fellow Irish sides since October 2005: 11-25 at Munster on 27 December 2006.
Leinster have won the last seven clashes between the two provinces since Connacht' last victory, 35-24 at the Sportsground on 13 March 2004.
GLASGOW WARRIORS v OSPREYS
At Firhill Arena, 7.30pm.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SARFU). Touch Judges: Neil Paterson (SRU), Ronnie Duma (SRU).
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
G |
O |
Glasgow Warriors scorers |
Ospreys scorers |
|
Fri 6 Feb 04 |
The Gnoll |
11 |
33 |
Colin Gregor(T) Dan Parks(2P) |
Gavin Henson(T/3C/4P) Shaun Connor(T) Dave Tiueti(T) |
|
Fri 14 May 04 |
Hughenden |
34 |
31 |
Sean Lamont(2T) Dan Parks(T/4C/2P) Andrew Wilson(T) |
Jonathan Thomas(T) Andy Newman(T) Richie Pugh(T) Gavin Henson(4C/P) Duncan Jones(T) |
|
Sat 2 Oct 04 |
St Helen's |
17 |
40 |
Cameron Mather(T) Donnie Macfadyen(T) Dan Parks(C/P) Calvin Howarth(C) |
Steve Tandy(T) Sonny Parker(T) Andrew Millward(T) Ryan Jones(T) Richard Mustoe(T) David Bishop(T) Gavin Henson(2C/2P) |
|
Sat 29 Jan 05 |
Hughenden |
27 |
27 |
Joe Beardshaw(T) Kenny Logan(T) Rory Lamont(T) Calvin Howarth(3C/2P) |
Richie Rees(T) Andrew Millward(T) Stefan Terblanche(T) Shaun Connor(C/2P) Matt Jones(2C) |
|
Fri 27 Jan 06 |
Old Anniesland |
8 |
22 |
Kevin Tkachuk(T) Colin Gregor(P) |
Adrian Cashmore(T/C/P) Shaun Connor(D/3P) |
|
Sat 8 Apr 06 |
Liberty Stadium |
13 |
16 |
Sam Pinder(T) Dan Parks(C/2P) |
Richard Mustoe(T) Steve Tandy(T) Gavin Henson(P) Shaun Connor(P) |
|
Fri 13 Oct 06 |
Liberty Stadium |
9 |
26 |
Colin Gregor(3P) |
Nikki Walker(T) Sonny Parker(T) Steve Tandy(T) Shane Williams(T) Gavin Henson(3C) |
|
Fri 4 May 07 |
Hughenden |
29 |
26 |
Dan Parks(T/2C/5P) Graeme Morrison(T) |
Lee Byrne(T) James Hook(C/2P) Shane Williams(2T) Shaun Connor(P) |
|
Sun 30 Sep 07 |
Liberty Stadium |
23 |
37 |
Colin Gregor(2C/3P) Sam Pinder(T) Colin Shaw(T) |
Lee Byrne(2T) Ben Lewis(T) Shaun Connor(2C/2D/4P) |
Glasgow Warriors' only win in any competition since early December was 18-15 in Viadana in the European Cup on 12 January. Glasgow have not won in the Magners League since a 17-5 victory at home to Cardiff Blues on 23 November.
Ospreys have won their last three games against Gloucester, Bourgoin and Connacht. The Welshmen are winless on the road in the Magners League this season, with their last away vistory in the competition being on the day they took the 2006/07 Magners League title at Border Reivers on 12 May.
The Warriors have won just one of their last seven encounters with Ospreys.
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v EDINBURGH RUGBY
At Rodney Parade, 7.10pm. Live on BBC Sport Wales.
Referee:Alan Lewis (IRFU). Touch Judges: Phil Connett (WRU), Gary Davies (WRU).
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU).
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
N |
E |
Newport Gwent Dragons scorers |
Edinburgh scorers |
|
Sat 1 Nov 03 |
Rodney Parade |
34 |
22 |
Jason Forster(2T) Gareth Baber(T) Craig Warlow(2C/5P) |
Brendan Laney(T/C/3P) Alistair Warnock(2P) |
|
Fri 2 Apr 04 |
Meadowbank |
19 |
14 |
Peter Sidoli(T) Percy Montgomery(C/2P) Lee Jarvis(2P) |
Simon Webster(T) Brendan Laney(3P) |
|
Fri 19 Nov 04 |
Rodney Parade |
16 |
17 |
Jason Forster(T) Craig Warlow(C/3P) |
Derrick Lee(T) David Callam(T) Brendan Laney(2C/P) |
|
Sat 9 Apr 05 |
Murrayfield |
3 |
33 |
Ceri Sweeney(P) |
Andrew Kelly(T) Simon Webster(T) Simon Taylor(T) Allister Hogg(T) Chris Paterson(T/4C) |
|
Fri 14 Oct 05 |
Murrayfield |
15 |
17 |
Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(T/C/P) |
Francisco Leonelli Morey(T) Simon Webster(T) Chris Paterson(2C/P) |
|
Sat 13 May 06 |
Rodney Parade |
11 |
37 |
Hal Luscombe(T) Craig Warlow(2P) |
Chris Paterson(2T/4C/3P) Hugo Southwell(T) Simon Webster(T) |
|
Fri 10 Nov 06 |
Rodney Parade |
17 |
10 |
Nic Fitisemanu(T) Nathan Brew(T) Aled Thomas(C/P) Craig Warlow(C) |
David McCall(T) Duncan Hodge(C/P) |
|
Fri 6 Apr 07 |
Murrayfield |
20 |
30 |
Aled Brew(T) Ceri Sweeney(T/2C/2P) |
Chris Bentley(T) David Callam(T) Andrew Kelly(T) Allister Hogg(T) Duncan Hodge(P) Chris Paterson(2C/P) |
|
Fri 12 Oct 07 |
Murrayfield |
19 |
13 |
Wayne Evans(T) Ceri Sweeney(2T/2C) |
Nick De Luca(T) Phil Godman(2P) Alistair Warnock(C) |
Newport Gwent Dragons have lost their last three games in all competitions, and at Rodney Parade have won just once since early October: 15-13 over Llanelli Scarlets in the Magners League on New Year's Day. The Dragons have lost kust one of their last eight matches against Scottish opponents since May 2006: 20-30 to Edinburgh at Murrayfield in April 2007.
Edinburgh Rugby's 7-11 loss at home to Munster last time out ended a four game winning run in the Magners League. Edinburgh have won their last two matches away from home in the league and they have not won three in a row on the road in the league since season 2002-03. Edinburgh have already won on their only visit to Wales this season: 11-10 at Cardiff on 4 January.
The Dragons won 19-13 when the two teams met at Murrayfield in October.
ULSTER v LLANELLI SCARLETS
At Ravenhill, 7.30pm. Live on Setanta Sports
Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU). Touch Judges: D Keane (IRFU), B Macneice (IRFU).
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (IRFU).
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
U |
L |
Ulster scorers |
Llanelli Scarlets scorers |
|
Fri 6 Feb 04 |
Ravenhill |
10 |
9 |
Bryn Cunningham(T) Adam Larkin(C/P) |
Gareth Bowen(2P) Mike Phillips(D) |
|
Fri 14 May 04 |
Stradey Park |
16 |
23 |
Neil McMillan(T) David Humphreys(C/3P) |
Matthew Watkins(T) Stephen Jones(D/5P) |
|
Sun 28 Nov 04 |
Stradey Park |
9 |
22 |
Adam Larkin(3P) Paul Steinmetz(P) |
Phil John(T) Gareth Bowen(C/5P) |
|
Fri 15 Apr 05 |
Ravenhill |
16 |
3 |
Paul Steinmetz(T/C/3P) |
Gareth Bowen(P) |
|
Fri 27 Jan 06 |
Ravenhill |
30 |
13 |
Andrew Maxwell(T) Tyrone Howe(T) Paul Steinmetz(C/6P) |
Dafydd James(T) Gareth Bowen(C) Barry Davies(2P) |
|
Fri 19 May 06 |
Stradey Park |
12 |
12 |
Tommy Bowe(T) Andrew Maxwell(T) David Humphreys(C) |
Phil John(2T) Craig Evans(C) |
|
Sat 2 Sep 06 |
Ravenhill |
31 |
16 |
David Humphreys(T/2C/4P) Paul Steinmetz(T) Mark Bartholomeusz(T) |
Darren Daniel(T) Stephen Jones(C/3P) |
|
Sat 3 Mar 07 |
Stradey Park |
11 |
17 |
David Humphreys(2P) Andrew Trimble(T) |
Barry Davies(T) Ceiron Thomas(4P) |
|
Fri 12 Oct 07 |
Stradey Park |
8 |
32 |
Tommy Bowe(T) Paddy Wallace(P) |
Jonathan Edwards(T) Mark Jones(T) Deacon Manu(T) Matthew Watkins(T) Rhys Priestland(3C/2P) |
Matt Williams began his tenure as Ulster head coach with a 38-13 victory over the Dragons at Ravenhill on 15 February, ending Ulster's two month winless run in the Magners League. Ulster have won their last nine matches at home to Welsh teams in the league since the Ospreys 20-12 victory at Ravenhill on 4 November 2005.
Llanelli Scarlets ended a four game losing run in all competitions with their 30-7 win over Glasgow at Stradey Park on 15 February. The Scarlets have lost their last seven away matches since a 52-23 victory over Leinster at the RDS in the Magners League on 5 October.
The Scarlets have won their last four encounters against Ulster in all competitions.
Saturday 1 March
CARDIFF BLUES v MUNSTER
At Arms Park, 5.30pm. Live on Setanta Sports & S4/C
Referee: Peter Allan (SRU). Touch Judges: Phil Fear (WRU), Phil Connett (WRU).
TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU).
|
HEAD TO HEAD - PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS |
|
||||
|
Date |
Venue |
C |
M |
Cardiff Blues scorers |
Munster scorers |
|
Fri 28 Nov 03 |
Musgrave Park |
10 |
31 |
Jamie Robinson(T) Iestyn Harris(C/P) |
Frank Sheahan(2T) Shaun Payne(T) Mike Mullins(T) Penalty Try(T) Ronan O'Gara(3C) |
|
Fri 30 Apr 04 |
Arms Park |
60 |
14 |
Craig Morgan(3T) Dan Baugh(T) Jamie Robinson(T) Tom Shanklin(2T) Heino Senekal(T) Martyn Williams(T) Iestyn Harris(6C/P) |
Rob Henderson(2T) Jason Holland(2C) |
|
Sat 16 Oct 04 |
Thomond Park |
18 |
49 |
Craig Quinnell(T) Kort Schubert(T) Lee Thomas(C/2P) |
Christian Cullen(2T/D) Jim Williams(T) Paul Devlin(T) Rob Henderson(T) Ronan O'Gara(2C/5P) Paul Burke(C) |
|
Sat 5 Mar 05 |
Arms Park |
30 |
20 |
Nick Robinson(T/D) Kort Schubert(2T) Lee Thomas(2C/2P) Nick Macleod(C) |
Marcus Horan(T) Frank Sheahan(T) Paul Burke(2C/2P) |
|
Fri 4 Nov 05 |
Arms Park |
16 |
18 |
Marc Stcherbina(T) Lee Thomas(C/3P) |
Paul Burke(5P) Jeremy Manning(P) |
|
Sat 27 May 06 |
Thomond Park |
8 |
37 |
Duane Goodfield(T) Nick Macleod(P) |
John Kelly(2T) Federico Pucciariello(T) Mossie Lawlor(T) Trevor Halstead(T) Jeremy Manning(C/2P) Paul Burke(2C) |
|
Fri 1 Sep 06 |
Arms Park |
22 |
13 |
Chris Czekaj(T) Scott Morgan(T) Nick Robinson(4P) |
Tim Ryan(T) Jeremy Manning(C/2P) |
|
Fri 2 Mar 07 |
Musgrave Park |
19 |
12 |
Ben Blair(C/4P) Tom James(T) |
Eoghan Hickey(4P) |
|
Fri 5 Oct 07 |
Musgrave Park |
19 |
17 |
Tom James(2T) Nick Robinson(3P) |
Paul Warwick(2C/P) Mark Melbourne(T) Niall Ronan(T) |
Cardiff Blues slipped up 17-24 against Leinster in Dublin last time out, but at the Arms Park the Blues have lost just once since September: 10-11 to Edinburgh in the Magners League on 4 January.
Munster have won five of their last six games in all competitions, and have also won their last three matches against Welsh opponents since Ospreys beat them at Liberty Stadium on 14 October.
The Blues have won their last three encounters against Munster in the Magners League, whilst Munster have won on two of their last three visits to the Arms Park.
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