Dragons v Leinster
When: Tonight, 7.0pm.
Where can I watch? Not on TV.
The story so far: The eastern province are back in form, having won seven in a row since losing to Ulster before Christmas.
The run of results has placed them firmly in the play-off places. Joe Schmidt’s men sit third, just five points behind the leaders.
Despite picking up two wins from three in February, the Dragons continue in 11th place. Last time out, they beat rock bottom Zebre by a single point in Parma, but that win came nine days after suffering the league record defeat; a 60 – 3 home hammering by Glasgow.
Team news: Schmidt has handed a first start to academy prop Jack O’Connell while taking advantage of the international down week by restoring Luke Fitzgerald, Devin Toner, Sean Cronin and Eoin Reddan to the starting line-up after the quartet were on Ireland’s bench for the Six Nations defeat in Edinburgh.
Dragons: D Evans; A Hughes, P Leach, J Dixon, H Amos; S Jones, J Evans: P Price, S Parry, N Buck, I Nimmo, J Groves; L Evans, N Cudd, I Jones.Replacements: H Gustafson, A Coundley, D Way, R Sidoli, A Jones, W Evans, t Prydie, W Harries.
Leinster: L Fitzgerald, D kearney, B Macken, F McFadden, F Carr; I Madigan, E Reddan: J O’Connell, S Cronin, J Hagan; M Flanagan, D Toner; D Ryan, S Jennings, R Ruddock.
Replacements: A Dundon, J McGrath, M Bent, L Cullen, J Cooney, A Goodman, E O’Malley.
Ulster v Treviso
When: Tonight 7.05pm.
Where can I watch? BBC.
The story so far: Mark Anscombe’s side will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways after allowing Glasgow Warriors to narrow their lead at the top of the table to just three points last week.
In the league, Ulster have only managed home wins over Scarlets and Zebre since the beginning of the year, losing by a combined 10 points at the hands of Ospreys and Glasgow in February.
©INPHO/Presseye/Darren Kidd
Team news: Against the Italian side, Anscombe has opted to deploy John Afoa at loose-head as Declan Fitzpatrick gets some game-time on the other side of the scrum. Behind them, Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy will add grunt to the pack.
Paddy Jackson will take over kicking duties from his half-back partner Ruan Pienaar as he looks to prove he should be retained by Declan Kidney for the Six Nations clash with France next Saturday.
Ulster: R Andrew, A Trimble, D Cave, S Olding, M Allen, P Jackson, R Pienaar: J Afoa, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, M McComish, R Diack.Replacements: N Brady, C Black, R Lutton, N McComb, A Birch, P Marshall, N O’Connor, C Cochrane.
Treviso: B Williams; L Ntoglia, L Morisi, D La Grange, G Tonolatti; A Di Bernardo, F Semenzato: A De Marchi, F Sbaraglini, L Cittadini; V Bernabo, C van Zyl; R Barbieri, D Budd, C Loamanu.
Replacements: G Maistri, M Muccignat, B Roux, M Fuser, M Filippucci, P Derbyshire, J Ambrosini, T Iannone.
Connacht v Zebre
When: Tonight, 7.45pm.
Where can I watch? TG4.
The story so far: Ninth placed Connacht host the winless Zebre who are cut adrift at the foot of the Pro12. Eric Elwood’s side will be hoping a win over the Italians and a win for the in-form Glasgow against the Blues will be enough to see the western province move up a place in the table.
Should they beat Zebre in what will be the fourth meeting between the sides, it will mark a third straight win for Connacht who enjoy using the internationall period to build some momentum heading to the end of the season.
Team news: Robbie Henshaw’s return to the setup is a big boost for Connacht as the young fullback is available again after time in the Ireland camp.
Dan Parks is back in the number 10 shirt after a minor hamstring injury sidelined him last week. Gavin Duffy captains the side from the left wing, keeping Fetu’u Vainikolo on the bench. Mick Kearney and Andrew Browne continue in the second row as both Mike McCarthy and Michael Swift are out injured.
Ex Munster prop Dave Ryan starts the game at loose-head for the visitors.
Connacht: R Henshaw; D Poolman, E Griffin, B Murphy, G Duffy; D Parks, K Marmion: B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, N White; M Kearney, A Browne; J Muldoon, W Faloon, E McKeon.Replacements: A Flavin, D Buckley, R Loughney, TJ Anderson, G Naoupu, P O’Donohoe, M Nikora, F Vainikolo.
Zebre: A Benettin; L Sarto, M Pratichetti, G Garci, S Sinoti; P Buso, A Chillon: A De MArchi, A Manici, D Ryan; J Sole, M Bortolami, F Ferrarini, M Bergamasco, A Van Schalwyk.
Munster v Ospreys
When: Saturday, 6.30pm.
Where can I watch? RTE.
The story so far: Munster’s season hit a low ebb last weekend. First, they were subjected to indignity of playing at the same time as Ireland lined up in Murrayfield. Then, they fared even worse than the international side, slumping to a 34-10 loss in Treviso.
The seventh league loss of Rob Penney’s reign is the third defeat in four this year. It leaves the southern province eight points off Ospreys in the play-off places. A lay of the land which adds some much-needed spice to this fixture for Munster.
©INPHO/Simone Ferraro
Team news: Scrum half Cathal Sheridan is awarded his first senior start after some disappointing displays from Duncan Williams. The rookie will be complemented by the experienced old head of Ronan O’Gara who will hope to put the demons of Murrayfield behind him and win his international slot back from Jackson.
The half backs will have an experienced back-line to fuel with Doug Howlett returning and Casey Laulala joining James Downey in the centre.
Dave Kilcoyne is also given a start after appearing off the bench for Ireland, he fronts a pack containing Ian Nagle, Tommy O’Donnell and James Coughlan. BJ Botha and Ian Keatley will hope to make an impact off the bench.
Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, D Hurley; R O’Gara, C Sheridan; D Kilcoyne, D Varley, S Archer; I Nagle, B Holland; P Butler, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan.Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, D Foley, S Dougall, D Williams, I Keatley, I Dineen.
Ospreys: R Fussell; T Habberfield, J Spratt, A bech, T Isaacs; M Morgan, K Fotuali’i. D Jones, S bladwin, C Griffiths; AW Jones, L Peers; J King, S Lewis, J Thomas.
Replacements: M Dwyer, M Thomas, D Arhip, I Gough, D Baker, A Ellis, R Webb, T Grabham.
