David Jordan's Round 5 Preview

Round five of the Magners League sees the last series of fixtures before a break for the European competitions.

Despite their defeat last weekend after nine consecutive victories, Edinburgh are still holding on to the top spot in the table, although they have seen their advantage cut to just one league point by defending champions Munster.

The closeness of the Magners League is once again illustrated by the fact that the top six teams in the table are separated by just five league points, the value of a bonus point win in the competition, whilst a mere nine points separates the top from the bottom team. With almost a quarter of the league programme completed, every point really does count as teams aim for a top four finish to qualify for the finals stage of the competition. This season's newly-introduced play-offs should ensure a far more competitive end to the season with each result having a meaningful outcome on the league table.

One of the highlights this weekend will be the clash of the champions at the RDS in Dublin, when reigning Heineken Cup holders Leinster meet defending Magners League champions Munster. With the provinces both tied on 13 points in the Magners League table, the outcome of this game could significantly help the winners, not only by adding to their own points tally whilst denying one of their main competitors the chance to increase to theirs, but of course also improving the winner's standing within Ireland. And coming as it does the week before the focus turns to the European competition, it is a must win game for both teams.

Leinster kick-off the defence of their European title at the RDS in Dublin with London Irish the visitors. Current league leaders Edinburgh face a trip to Paris to play French aristocrats Stade Francais, whilst reigning Magners League champions Munster travel to England to play Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens. Wherever they are playing I'm sure all the Magners League teams will showcase the brand of rugby we have become familiar with in our tournament to the rest of Europe. Good luck to all the teams involved in both levels of the competition.

Before then there is the a matter of settling this weekend's Magners League fixtures so on behalf of all the teams thank you for your support.