Ulster to make up lost ground?

 

Round 16 of the Pro12 concludes with a new leader at the top of the table, after a complete round for the first time since October 26.

 

However, it is still the Irish provinces that dominate the play-off zone.

 

Leinster took over at the top from Munster, with Ulster in third place and Ospreys the highest placed Welsh region in fourth.

 

Ulster have the chance to make up some ground on their competitors as they have to play a rearranged fixture against Scarlets on Friday 14th March.

 

Scarlets themselves still have ambitions to make to the top four but know that every point counts, so this will be no easy match. Should Ulster falter, Glasgow Warriors are lying in wait, with two games still in hand and currently just three points behind the Ulstermen in the table.

 

Zebre completed a first season's double, over the Cardiff Blues, the TMO called upon in the last play to secure the victory in Parma.

 

New coach Pat Lam  is having a positive impact in Connacht as the province have now secured their third win in a row under his leadership which  has lifted them to ninth in the table, their highest spot since round 2.

 

When the full programme returns on the weekend of 21st March, the 6 Nations Championship will have been decided, two of the Pro12 nations still have a chance to win the trophy, so there is plenty of rugby to look forward to.