Scary Saturday for Leinster and Ulster

(picture http://bit.ly/XgtOKp)

This is where the Pro 12 starts to get interesting – not that it hasn’t been fascinating all season (it hasn’t) but in the final straight there is still a lot to be sorted out. Down to Munster in 6th, it’s still all to play for. Munster need a fair amount of luck to make it to the play offs, but it could happen. They could have a big say in it if they beat Glasgow. They have a strong looking team out. I don’t know the ins and outs of the team that well, but I wonder why CJ Stander and Dave O’Callaghan don’t even make the match day 22? Also, I’d be pushing JJ Hanrahan a bit further. I think Glasgow will probably win this on their recent form.

On Saturday, the Scarlets need to make sure they don’t slip up against the Dragons, who have a habit of being annoyingly competitive at the wrong time. The Ospreys also have to make sure they put the Blues away, which is by no means a certain result.

The big match has to be Leinster Ulster though. All the talk this season has been about the good form of Ulster, and Leinster’s indifferent season, but it’s at the end it really matters. Leinster sound like they could have all their big guns back apart from Sexton (Heaslip will hit 160 appearances) ,  while Ulster have Ruan Pienaar, and Henderson, Henry and Wilson back in the frame. Neither  team wants to lose this – and Ulster can’t afford to lose if they want to stay in the top four. They also both want to get a bit of momentum going for big matches next weekend. Bring it on! I wish they were playing other teams to get points, but it is what it is. If Leinster get their backline moving, this is only going one way… and I’m going with Leinster in a heartbreaker for Ulster.

Friday , March 29
Zebre vs Edinburgh 
Glasgow vs Munster 
Saturday , March 30
Newport Gwent D'gons vs Scarlets 14:30
Cardiff Blues vs Ospreys 17:15
Leinster vs Ulster 18:15
Benetton Treviso vs Connacht 19:00