Shaun Goosen previews all the Pro14 Round 11 action, which will get underway on Friday, 08 January.
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Friday 8 January
Leinster v Ulster
21h35
RDS Arena
Leinster will look to haul in an unbeaten
Ulster side on the Conference A standings when they clash at the RDS Arena on
Friday.
Ulster produced a sparkling performance to
see off Munster 15-10 in Belfast last week and maintain their invincible start
to the domestic season. It doesn’t get any easier for Dan McFarland’s team,
though, as they head into the weekend with Leinster welcoming back a number of
key players.
Johnny Sexton will captain a much-changed
Leinster lineup that includes Jordan Larmour, Robbie Henshaw and Scott Fardy.
Having succumbed to Connacht in round 10 – their first Pro14 defeat for two
seasons – Leo Cullen’s men will have revenge on their minds.
Verdict: Leinster
Saturday 9 January
Dragons v Ospreys
19h15
Rodney Parade
The Dragons can usurp Ospreys on Conference A with a bonus-point win at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
The hosts are four points behind their opponents this week with a game in hand. A big result here could propel them into third ahead of some tough matches to come.
Ospreys earned a fantastic 17-3 win in Cardiff over the Blues last week and will be desperate to back that performance up with another against more native rivals. Their result last week will give them a big confidence booster here.
Verdict: Ospreys
Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
21h35
Cardiff City Stadium
Cardiff can bounce back from their disappointing loss last week when they take on Scarlets at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues fell at home to Ospreys in a match that really set back their playoff hopes. They now lie six points adrift of their third-placed opponents this week having played one game more. They are now seriously under the cosh with Edinburgh just four points back and having two fixtures in hand.
Scarlets eased past the Dragons at home last week and are now just a point behind Connacht, albeit having played a game more. They shouldn’t have too much trouble getting one over a Cardiff team that has been found wanting on more than a few occasions this season.
Verdict: Scarlets
Connacht v Munster
21h35
Galway Greyhound Stadium
Connacht will want to take the momentum from their huge win over Leinster last week into battle against Munster at the Sportsground at Galway on Saturday.
Andy Friend’s charges produced arguably the performance of the season to see off bitter rivals Leinster and claim a first victory in Dublin since September 2002. This week, they face a Munster team who were beaten by Ulster for the first time this campaign last week.
Johann van Graan’s team still top Conference B, eight points ahead of Connacht. They will be eager to extend that lead this weekend and should do so with Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damien de Allende, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander all set to return to the park here.
Verdict: Munster
