The Cardiff Blues will be looking to continue their fine start to the season when Connacht pitch up at the Arms Park. Michael Bradley’s Irish province have only ever beaten the Blues once, over two years ago, and after their defeat to Leinster in their last home game the leaders will be looking to rebuild their ‘Fortress Arms Park’ reputation.
The Blues’ nearest challengers the Scarlets are also at home on Friday with Ulster the visitors at Stradey Park. The former champions have had a poor start to their season and are currently in an unaccustomed last place in the league with only one win to their name.
The Scarlets have a proud record in the league at Stradey Park against Irish sides, and Ulster have never won on the Scarlets’ patch.
Andy Robinson saw his Edinburgh side draw with the Ospreys in his first match in charge last weekend while their opponents on Friday night, the Dragons, pulled of something of a shock last Saturday by recording a win over Ulster. The Scots, though, have won on five of their last six outings against the Dragons.
Friday’s final game pits Glasgow Warriors against Leinster with the Warriors having lost just once in the Magners League at home since the start of last season. Leinster will be looking for a quick return to winning ways after losing their long-standing home record to the Scarlets last week.
Sunday afternoon sees the last game of the round with Munster, smarting from a narrow loss to the Blues last weekend, facing the Ospreys in Swansea. After a shaky start the Ospreys have picked up a win and a draw in their last two outings and will be looking for a third successive positive result over the Irishmen at the Liberty Stadium.
