After a stutter a couple of weeks ago the Ospreys resumed normal service in the last round winning their eighth game of the season and opening an eleven point gap at the top of the table.
In contrast Sunday’s opponents, who had a bye last week, will be looking to bounce back from defeat in their last two league outings. However the omens are good for Connacht with a victory over the Scarlets in their only other trip to Wales this season – and the memory of a double over the Ospreys last term.
Aside from the Ospreys the form team of the league at the moment are Munster. Victory over the Dragons last week moved them equal on points with the Newport based side and they will be chasing a ninth consecutive win when they visit The Borders – without a win and with only four bonus points to their name this season.
Munster should go into the game with great confidence never having lost to The Borders in the league.
With Munster red hot favourites to take a win – and possibly pick up a bonus point – the pressure will be on the Dragons to keep abreast of the Irish province.
Edinburgh travel to Rodney Parade on Friday and may be hard pushed to end the Dragons 100% record at the ground stretching back to the inception of the regional side in 2003.
Glasgow Rugby – narrowly defeated by Cardiff Blues last week – will look to make up some lost ground against the Scarlets at Hughenden. Not only will be there be league points at stake – but both sides will be looking for an edge ahead of their Heineken Cup double header in the first two weeks of December.
The final tie of the weekend sees another two sides who are in the same Heineken Cup pool meet. Ulster got their only home win of the season when they beat the Cardiff Blues in the European competition last month and they will be looking to repeat the feat on Friday.
Despite winning their last two league games the Blues away record is as poor as Ulster’s home form this season – which could produce a very close game at Ravenhill.
