And the situation at the top of the table could not be tighter with just one match point separating the top four teams currently in the Play-Off Zone, with two of those teams, Munster and Glasgow Warriors, meeting head to head on Friday night. Warriors will have to overcome their hosts’ impressive home record if they are to take the points from this game and complete a season’s double over the reigning Magners League champions.
Elsewhere on Friday night Cardiff Blues entertain Ulster at Cardiff City Stadium, and both teams are in need of a win if they are to maintain any possible challenge for a coveted top four spot, although history may favour the hosts as Ulster have only ever won once on Cardiff soil, in 2005.
The final game on Friday night is in Scotland with Murrayfield the setting for Edinburgh’s clash with Scarlets. History again favours the home side in this fixture as the Welsh region have never won on Edinburgh soil.
Saturday sees two same-union derbies – Leinster welcoming Connacht to the RDS, whilst Ospreys make the long trip down the M4 to play Newport Gwent Dragons. League leaders Leinster, with one eye on the result from Thomond Park on Friday night will be hoping to extend their four point gap at the top of the table with victory in this game, whilst for Ospreys and Dragons, both just outside the Play-Off zone, victory is vital to give either team a chance of still making a cherished top four place.
