RaboDirect PRO12 Round 2 Preview
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Round 2 of the RaboDirect PRO12 hits our screens this week and promises to be another round of fantastic rugby. While the Heineken Cup saga continues it’s business as usual on the pitch as the Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Italian teams battle for PRO12 supremacy. RugbyLAD continues it’s weekly preview off all the games, along with our predictions. Feel free to comment and let us know who you think will impress this weekend and which teams will grab the W.
Cardiff Blues v Connacht
John Muldoon will win his 200th cap for Connacht against Cardiff Blues in the RaboDirect PRO12 on Friday – but the flanker is fully focused on continuing his side’s winning start to the season.
Under new head coach Pat Lam, Connacht saw of Zebre on the opening weekend of the season and will travel to the Arms Park for the first ever RaboDirect PRO12 match to be played on the Blues’ new artificial surface.
Prediction: Cardiff by 5-7
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend admits it was a relief to get their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign up and running with a victory but he wants to see an improved performance against Ulster on Friday night.
The Warriors got underway last weekend with a 22-15 win against Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun but face a stern trip to Belfast to take on last year’s beaten RaboDirect PRO12 finalists.
Prediction: Ulster by 7-14
Zebre v Munster
Director of rugby Rob Penney admits he sat back and watched Munster’s opening RaboDirect PRO12 win against Edinburgh with pride – but will not take underdogs Zebre for granted on Friday.
Munster travel to Parma to take on a side who are yet to record a victory in the RaboDirect PRO12 after making their introduction to the competition last year.
Prediction: Munster by 14+
Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons
Netani Talei insists it will be all business as he dons the Newport Gwent Dragons No.8 shirt against his former Edinburgh team-mates at Murrayfield on Friday night.
After three years with Edinburgh, Fijian Talei swapped Scotland for Wales this summer as he teamed up with the Dragons.But after making his Dragons bow off the bench in their victory over last season’s beaten RaboDirect PRO12 finallists Ulster at Rodney Parade, Talei will be back at his old stomping ground of Murrayfield to take on his former side.
Prediction: Edinburgh by 3-7 points
Prediction: Edinburgh by 3-7 points
Leinster v Ospreys
Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy has called for more of the same after their backs to the wall performance away to Treviso ensured a winning start to their RaboDirect PRO12 campaign.
This weekend the Ospreys travel to defending champions Leinster for their fourth success away game in the competition and they are winless on their last three visits to Ireland.
Prediction: Leinster by 10+
Scarlets v Benetton Treviso
Scarlets forwards coach Danny Wilson insists the return of triumphant British and Irish Lion Jonathan Davies is just the boost the side need ahead of their RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Treviso.
Davies comes onto the bench while head coach Simon Easterby makes one change from the side that lost to Leinster last time out.
Prediction: Scarlets by 7-14
