All the euphoria of Ireland’s Natwest 6 Nations success last weekend is done and dusted, it is time for the Guinness Pro 14 to take center stage. A critical round for the teams who will be involved in European Champions and Challenge Cup competitions next weekend; a last opportunity for those teams to create momentum ahead of those fixtures. Hawkeye Sidekick previews the action.
Connacht in must win territory
A critical fixture for Connacht Rugby. A loss at home at the hands of a resurgent Edinburgh Rugby side will condemn the side to looking at the playoff race unfold from the outside. Kieran Keane has decided to rest his international players apart from Quinn Roux for this fixture. Apart from that, the side is pretty much full strength.
Edinburgh make five changes from the side which accounted for Munster Rugby last weekend in a scrappy encounter. Kinghorn returns to the full back role. Marfo returns to the front row. Berghan and Gilchrist come into a strong looking pack.
50/50 contest here. Connacht Rugby need a strong performance before their Challenge Cup encounter against Gloucester Rugby. However, performance consistency has being a problem in recent rounds. Edinburgh will look to quell the hosts advances in the opening period and win this contest in the second half based on a solid pack platform. Edinburgh’s form and winning habit to get them over the line here in a close contest.
Can the Dragons roar past the Cheetahs?
This looks like an arduous task for Bernard Jackman’s charges. After a deflating beat down on the road to the Southern Kings, morale in the camp must be low. It is a blessing that the international contingent are available for selection to hopefully arrest the team performance slide.
Cory Hill, Elliot Dee and Hallam Amos all come into the start lineup. The three quarters partnership is an unknown quantity as Edwards and Beard are named. Kirchner plays from full back, interesting to see if the South African international can join the attacking line and contribute. Aaron Wainwright and Lewis Evans come into the back row and tight-head prop Lloyd Fairbrother lines up in the front row.
Cheetahs name a couple of changes to their starting lineup. Marais moves to inside centre to compensate for an injury to Nico Lee, meaning Fred Zeilinga comes in at fly-half. William Small-Smith returns to the side from injury on the right wing and Rabz Maxwano starts on the other wing. Oupa Mohoje comes into the back row.
The track conditions are vital in this fixture as the Cheetahs will look to create an expansive game from the first whistle. Can the Dragons pack stifle the Cheetahs at the breakdown? Dragons attacking options in Hewitt and Amos potentially will provide pace and creativity.
Dragons kicking game needs to be on point throughout; there will be occasions where loose kicking and game management will happen and the Cheetahs will flourish. Cheetahs to put pressure on Munster Rugby with a road trip win, no bonus point try.
Glasgow Warriors to dominate Zebre Rugby
It is top versus bottom in Conference A. Zebre Rugby’s focus this weekend is to be competitive. The pack needs to be on point in their ability to disrupt Warriors ball and provide a solid set piece platform for Canna to attempt to create line break opportunities.
It is going to be a tall order. Glasgow Warriors have named a strong squad for this fixture. Dave Rennie will be keen to start this tranche of games in the competition will renewed vigor on both sides of the ball. The pack looks strong with the likes of Fagerson and Harley in the unit. Hastings gets game time at ten. Jackson, Grigg, Van der Merwe feature in an exciting back line.
Zebre Rugby recall their Italian internationals for this contest; their road trip win in Galway was a high point and more of the same organized defensive setup with fluidity in their attacking play is required. The question for Zebre Rugby is how expansive do they become as their hosts will relish an open field battle.
Expect tries galore in this encounter. Glasgow Warriors to pull away in this fixture in the third quarter as Zebre’s pack is put on the back foot. Hoping Michael Bradley’s side produce a defiant performance but this Warriors side at home are an incredibly hard outfit to breakdown and their ability to launch defense into attack will be too much at times. Bonus point try win for Glasgow.