Just three teams remain unbeaten heading into Round 4 of the Guinness PRO12 with the Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Ulster Rugby setting the pace at the top of the Championship table.
The Ospreys continue to set new records in the Championship and their most recent victory over Benetton Treviso at the Liberty Stadium ensured that they became the first club to win their first three games of the PRO12 season with try-bonus points. In addition, they stretched Championship record of consecutive try bonus-points to seven games.
What’s at Stake?
Scarlets will be aiming to come good on the pre-season expectations when they take on defending champions Connacht Rugby on Saturday night and surprisingly both teams will be battling for their first win of the season.
Scarlets will also look to avoid losing four PRO12 games in succession at Parc y Scarlets for the first time ever.
Benetton Treviso and Zebre Rugby are also yet to register a first win of the campaign and both teams will have home advantage as they take on Newport-Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues, respectively.
However, one of the ties of the round will be seen at Scotstoun, where Glasgow Warriors and Ulster Rugby will resume their rivalry on the fast artificial surface which should suit Opta Top Performers such as Tommy Seymour, Stuart Hogg, Craig Gilroy and Charles Piutau. The hosts will also be looking to extend their unbeaten run on home turf to 10 Championship games.
Fixtures
Friday, Sept 23: Leinster Rugby v Ospreys (7.35pm); Glasgow Warriors v Ulster Rugby (7.35pm); Benetton Treviso v Newport-Gwent Dragons, (8.05pm Italian).
Saturday, Sept 24: Munster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby (3pm); Zebre Rugby v Cardiff Blues (5.05pm); Scarlets v Connacht Rugby (7.35pm).
LEINSTER v OSPREYS
At RDS Arena, Friday 23rd September, 7:35pm
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 55th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Matteo Liperini (FIR), Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)
Did you know?
- Leinster are unbeaten in their last 16 Guinness PRO12 home games since Newport Gwent Dragons 16-14 victory at the RDS Arena in February 2015.
- Ospreys became the first side to record maximum league points after three rounds of the Guinness PRO12 with their 64-10 demolition of Benetton Treviso on Saturday. The Welshmen have now recorded a try bonus point in each of their last seven matches in the Championship, including their defeat at home to Ulster in round 22.
- Leinster’s only defeat to the Ospreys in their last nine encounters in all competitions was 19-25 at Liberty Stadium in the Guinness PRO12 in April 2014.
- Ospreys most recent victory at the RDS Arena came in the 2012 PRO12 final.
For more Opta statistics visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/powered-by-opta/
Guinness PRO12 Final 2017 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 adults and €5 child, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie. For further information visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/final