Preview: Pro12, Round Five
Pro12 frontrunners Glasgow Warriors and Ospreys know they can ill afford a slip-up this weekend before the short break to accommodate European rugby.
The two points Ospreys dropped in their second round draw with Leinster cost them dear as it handed over the top spot to Warriors courtesy of the Scots having won more games.
Ospreys are in action on Friday night, welcoming last season's finalists, Ulster to the Liberty Stadium, but Warriors do not play until Saturday, travelling to the west of Wales to face Scarlets.
Any slip-up by the top two could let the winner of what will undoubtedly be the game of the round, the interprovincial match between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park on Saturday, take over at the top of the table.
The remaining two games on Friday night see both Italian sides in action: Treviso hosting Connacht at Stadio Monigo, whilst Zebre make their second visit to Wales this season, this time to play Newport Gwent Dragons.
Zebre currently sit in 10th place on the table behind Treviso purely on points difference – just three points separating the two teams. Having tasted victory over Cardiff Blues on their last trip to Wales, Zebre will be anxious to repeat the feat, whilst Treviso are building up a reputation as difficult team to beat at home.
The round wraps up on Sunday with the clash of the capital cities – Cardiff Blues facing Edinburgh at the Arms Park. Neither team have made the start to the season they had perhaps hoped for; victory for either side going into the break will be a welcome bonus.
We look at all the Round Five matches!
Friday, October 4:
Treviso v Connacht
(Stadio Monigo – Kick-off: 20.30; 19.30 Ireland & UK; 18.30 GMT)
Treviso’s only win in the Pro12 so far this season was 29-19 at home to Munster in Round Three. The Italians have lost just one of their last eight games at Stadio Monigo in all competitions: 19-24 to Ospreys on September 7.
The most recent Irish province to win in Treviso were Ulster: 16-15 in November 2012. Connacht’s only victory in their last seven Pro12 encounters was 25-16 at home to Zebre in Round One. The Irishmen are unbeaten in their last eight games against Italian opponents in all competitions.
Connacht have the slight edge in previous meetings between the two sides, gaining three wins to two with one draw.
Teams:
Treviso: 15 Brendan Williams, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Christian Loamanu, 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Simone Favaro, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Antonio Pavanello (captain), 3 Alberto De Marchi, 2 Enrico Ceccato, 1 Michele Rizzo.
Replacements: 16 Giovanni Maistri, 17 Ignacio Fernandez-Rouyet, 18 Pedro Di Santo, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Dean Budd, 21 Luca Morisi, 22 Luke McLean, 23 Tobias Botes.
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Danie Poolman, 12 Eoin Griffin, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Paul O'Donohoe, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Craig Clarke (captain), 4 Aly Muldowney, 3 Ronan Loughney, 2 Sean Henry, 1 Rodney Ah You.
Replacements: 16 James Rael, 17 Brett Wilkinson, 18 Nathan White, 19 John Muldoon, 20 Mata Fifita, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Matt Healy.
Referee: Neil Hennessy (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alan Falzone (France), Simone Boaretto (France)
TMO: Mauro Dordolo (France)
Newport Gwent Dragons v Zebre
(Rodney Parade – Kick-off: 19.15; 18.15 GMT)
Newport Gwent Dragons last seven matches in the Pro12 have all been won by the home side on the day.
Dragons have won their last four games against Italian opponents in all tournaments since losing out in Treviso in the Pro12 last December.
Zebre return to the country where they recorded their maiden victory two weeks ago in Cardiff. Zebre gained a losing bonus point at home to Glasgow last Friday and are now going for a third successive league point scoring game for the first time in their history.
Dragons have won both previous encounters between the two sides, although the meeting in February in Parma was by the narrowest of margins; 14-13.
Teams:
Newport Gwent Dragons: 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Adam Hughes, 13 Ross Wardle, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Jason Tovey, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Lewis Evans, 6 Netani Talei, 5 Andrew Coombs (captain), 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Francisco Chaparro, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Owen Evans.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Gustafson, 17 Phil Price, 18 Dan Way, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Ieuan Jones, 21 Jonathan Evans, 22 Kris Burton, 23 Will Harries.
Zebre: 15 Ruggero Trevisan, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Tommaso Iannone, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Dion Berryman, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Samuela Vunisa, 7 Andries van Schalkwyk, 6 Mauro Bergamasco, 5 Marco Bortolami (captain), 4 George Biagi, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Salvatore Peugini.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso D'Apice, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Carlo Fazzari, 19 Michael van Vuuren, 20 Filippo Cristiano, 21 Alberto Chillon, 22 David Odiete, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.
Referee: Matteo Liperini (France)
Assistant referees: Simon Rees (Wales), Gwyn Morris (Wales)
Ospreys v Ulster
(Liberty Stadium – Kick-off: 19.05; 18.05 GMT)
Ospreys are one of just two unbeaten teams in the Pro12 this year and have won their last 10 home games at Liberty Stadium in the tournament since Glasgow won there just over 12 months ago. Just one Irish province have won in Swansea since April 2011: Ulster themselves, 16-13 in September 2012.
Ulster have now won their last two fixtures, against Connacht and Treviso, to end a three-game losing run. The Ulstermen have already been defeated by a Welsh region this season, going down 8-15 to the Dragons in Newport in Round One.
Both of last season’s fixtures were narrowly won by the away side on the day with the overall points scored in the two games being Ospreys 29, Ulster 28. Five of the last six encounters have seen the losing side gain a bonus point.
The match will be an especially memorable occasion for Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones who will win his 150th cap for the Welsh club.
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Joe Bearman, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Tyler Ardron, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 James King, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Matthew Morgan, 23 Ben John.
Ulster: 15 Craig Gilroy, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Michael Allen, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Johann Muller, 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Rory Best (captain), 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Darren Cave.
Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Jon Mason (Wales), Wayne Davies (Wales)
TMO: Derek Bevan (Wales)
Saturday, October 5:
Munster v Leinster
(Thomond Park – Kick-off: 18.45; 17.45 GMT)
Munster’s solo loss in their last five Pro12 contests came in Round Three in Treviso. The Munstermen have suffered just one reversal at Thomond Park in any competition since April 2012: 16-22 to Leinster in this equivalent fixture last season.
Leinster’s only defeat in their last dozen matches in all tournaments was 6-12 at table-topping Glasgow on 20th September. The Leinstermen have won four of their last six away games against fellow Irish provinces.
Munster have been defeated in their last four fixtures against Leinster since Munster took the 2011 Grand Final in Limerick. Leinster are going for a third successive victory on Munster soil for the first time since 1971.
Teams:
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Peter O'Mahony (captain), 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Mike Sherry, 1 Dave Kilycoyne.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 James Cronin, 18 BJ Botha, 19 Donncha O'Callaghan, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Conor Murray, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Denis Hurley.
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Lote Tuqiri, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Dominic Ryan, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland), Michael Black (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors
(Parc y Scarlets – Kick-off: 18.30; 17.30 GMT)
Scarlets have an even won two, lost two record after the first for rounds of this season’s Pro12. The Welshmen’s most recent try bonus point came during a 29-28 victory at Murrayfield in October 2012. Scarlets have won their last five matches against Scottish opponents.
Glasgow Warriors have made a 100 percent winning start to the 2013/14 season and have won their last six regular season encounters in the tournament. The Warriors’ only loss to a Welsh region in their last eight such encounters was to Scarlets in this equivalent fixture last season.
Scarlets have lost only once to the Warriors in their last six meetings: 9-19 at Firhill in February 2012.
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Nick Reynolds, 13 Jonathan Davies (captain), 12 Gareth Maule, 11 Jordan Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Rhodri Williams, 8 Rob McCusker, 7 John Barclay, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 John Snyman, 4 George Earle, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse/Samson Lee, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Adam Warren.
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Niko Matawalu, 13 Niko Matawalu, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 Richie Vernon, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Robert Harley, 5 Al Kellock (captain), 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Moray Low, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 on Welsh, 19 James Eddie, 20 Adam Ashe, 21 Scott Wight, 22 Gabriel Ascarate, 23 DTH van der Merwe.
Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (France)
Assistant referees: Chris Williams (Wales), Phil Fear (Wales)
TMO: Tim Hayes (Wales)
Sunday, October 6:
Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh
(Cardiff Arms Park – Kick-off: 14.05; 13.05 GMT)
Cardiff Blues’ solo victory in their last six Pro12 contests was 21-10 at home to Connacht in Round Two. The Blues have managed to record only one try bonus point at the Arms Park in any tournament since 2009, last September against Treviso.
Edinburgh’s solo victory so far this season was 16-13 at home to the Dragons in Round Two. The Scotsmen have won just one of their last 10 away games in all competitions: 9-7 over Zebre in Parma in March.
Edinburgh’s only win in Wales on their last 16 visits since December 2009 was 21-19 in this equivalent fixture at the Arms Park last season.
Cardiff Blues have won five of their last six encounters with Edinburgh in the Pro12, however, the Scotsmen have been victorious on five of their last six visits to the Arms Park.
Teams:
Cardiff Blues: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Williams, 12 Cory Allen, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Andries Pretorius 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Scott Andrews, 18 Sam Hobbs, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Robin Copeland, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Dafydd Hewitt.
Edinburgh: 15 Jack Cuthbert, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Joaquin Dominguez, 12 Ben Atiga, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Harry Leonard, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 David Denton, 7 Tomas Leonardi, 6 Dimitri Basilaia, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Sean Cox, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Cornell Du Preez, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Matt Scott, 23 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Neil Hennessy (Wales), Neil Perkins (Wales)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
