WHILE THE SIX Nations takes a rest weekend, there are crucial Guinness Pro12 fixtures for the four Irish provinces, with just six games of the regular season remaining.
Below are some of the aspects of the Pro12 weekend we’re most looking forward to following.
Friday
Cardiff v Connacht [19.35, TG4], Cardiff Arms Park
Saturday
Ospreys v Munster [14.40, Sky Sports], Liberty Stadium
Scarlets v Leinster [17.15, Sky Sports], Parc y Scarlets
Sunday
Dragons v Ulster [16.00, S4C/BBC NI], Rodney Parade
Connacht’s charge to continue?
After the disappointment of defeat away to the Scarlets two weekends ago, Connacht have rebuilt a six-point cushion over the Welsh region in the race for sixth position and Champions Cup qualification.
The weekend where we don’t point to Connacht’s game as vital is long gone, and this time around they take on the Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park. This evening’s encounter [KO 19.35, TG4] gives them the chance to extend their lead over the chasing Scarlets.
Edinburgh, two points further down the table, might back themselves to win away to Treviso, but the Scarlets have a tough home tie against Leinster tomorrow. Four points on the road for Connacht coupled with a favour from Matt O’Connor’s men is the ideal.
Another strong Leinster team
It could be argued that Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Marty Moore would be a strong front row for Ireland to start next weekend in Wales, but it’s actually the scrummaging trio Leinster are putting out tomorrow against the Scarlets.
Behind them are a pair of international locks, as well as two Ireland-capped back rows and one of the finest prospects in the league at number eight. Every player in the backline aside from Jimmy Gopperth has been capped too, and he was a Junior All Black.
Perhaps the only frustration for Leinster fans is that Luke Fitzgerald is not used at outside centre, although Ben Te’o's athletic prowess has been promising in recent times. Either way, this is a Leinster team that should not be contemplating anything other than victory at Parc y Scarlets.
Ryan returns
It’s been a torrid year for Donnacha Ryan, and Munster fans will have their fingers firmly crossed if the Tipperary forward does make it off the bench on his return to the match day 23 against the Ospreys tomorrow.
Despite his long-term absence, few have forgotten the quality Ryan brings to the pitch. A first-choice lock for Ireland as recently as 2013, the aggression, technical excellence in the tight, ball-carrying prowess and set-piece excellence Ryan offers have been missed by Munster this season.
The 31-year-old has had a difficult road back to this point and the journey is not quite complete, but it would be a relief for Anthony Foley to have one of his leaders back up and running hard.
Arnold drops in for Ulster
The Ireland U20s are not in action this weekend, but centre Sam Arnold won’t be putting the feet up to recuperate. The 96kg back may still have another year of U20s rugby left after this season, but he looks physically ready for the professional game and has been selected on the Ulster bench for Sunday’s clash with the Dragons.
Alongside his powerful ball carrying, England-born Arnold possesses the offloading and passing skills a modern centre absolutely requires, making him the latest in Ulster’s line of promising midfielders.
After he linked up with the Exiles system, Ulster managed to secure Arnold on academy terms, much to the displeasure of Conor O’Shea at Harlequins, for whose underage sides Arnold had previously played.
Luke Marshall, Stuart Olding and Stuart McCloskey are already established in the senior squad, while Chris Farrell is now excelling in the Top 14, but Arnold -who has roots in Wexford – looks to be the next big Ulster centre prospect.
