Ospreys v Bristol Rugby
At Liberty Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm. Live on S4C.
The Ospreys need just a single point from this match to progress to the semi-finals of this season’s EDF Energy Cup, having already beaten Gloucester and Bath. The Ospreys have won the last three games they have played against English opposition and have won 13 of the last 14 matches they have played at the Liberty Stadium in 2006.
Bristol Rugby are riding high at the top of the Guinness Premiership table but will need a 5-0 league point win in this match and then hope that Gloucester do not beat Bath if they are to make it to the last four of the EDF Energy Cup. Bristol’s only loss in their last seven encounters in all competitions was 21-26 at Newcastle in the Premiership on November 3rd.
The two sides met at the same stage last season with the Ospreys winning 43-28 with a try bonus point each at the Memorial Stadium on the 4th of December.
POOL B
Cardiff Blues v London Irish
At Arms Park, Friday 7.40pm. Live on BBC Wales.
Two match points will be enough to see the Cardiff Blues through to the last four of the EDF Energy Cup. The Blues have won three of their last four matches in all competitions and have won eight in a row at the Arms Park since the end of January.
London Irish need a bonus point win and prevent Cardiff Blues from picking up two bonus points to progress themselves into the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup. Any other win for the Exiles would see them sweating on the other result provided they have prevented the Blues gaining any bonus points. London Irish had an excellent 40-5 victory over Northampton in the Premiership last Sunday.
The two sides met at the same stage last season with London Irish winning 27-23 at Madejski Stadium
POOL C
Sale Sharks v Llanelli Scarlets
At Edgeley Park, Saturday 2.30pm. Live on BBC Network
Sale need to avoid defeat to make it to the last four of the EDF Energy Cup. The Sharks beat Harlequins 17-12 at Edgeley Park on Friday in the Premiership, and have only been beaten once in Stockport since March: 18-26 to Newcastle on November 17th.
Llanelli Scarlets are the top Welsh side in the Magners League and need to win with a bonus point to guarantee their progression to the semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup for a second successive season. The Scarlets have won nine of their last ten matches in all competitions.
The only previous meeting between the two sides was at Stradey Park last year when the Scarlets won a nail biter 24-23, withstanding an impressive last gasp fightback by the Sharks.
POOL D
Worcester Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons
At Sixways, Saturday 3pm.
The destiny of Pool D is already decided with Leicester already having qualified. Worcester gained only their third victory of the season on Sunday at Saracens, whilst their only home win this campaign was 25-7 over Viadana in the European Challenge Cup on the 21st of October.
Newport Gwent Dragons have not played a match since a 17-10 victory at home to Edinburgh in the Magners League on the 10th of November, whilst the Dragons have not won on the road since a trip to Border Reivers on September 22nd.
The two sides have met just once before at Rodney Parade last December with the Dragons winning 33-10.
