Back on the Pro 12 trail for Leinster et al

(picture: http://bit.ly/HC8RCa )

After all the high flying games this weekend, time to get down to the more humble affair of the Pro 12. Well in fairness, it is going to be two fellow Heineken Cup semi finalists meeting up when Leinster welcome Edinburgh to the RDS. And with 15000 tickets sold already for the match, the fans are certainly taking it seriously. Eoin O'Malley should be back in the selection frame, and while I expect a few of the big guns will be rested, that’s not to say it’s not going to be a weak team.  It’s a chance for some of the fringe players like McFadden, Ruddock and Madigan to get some good game time and stake their claim to up into the big time. I’m expecting Leinster to knock over the Scots, using home advantage and the momentum of their excellent win over Cardiff. It sounds like Luke Fitzgerald is close to signing a new contract, which is just what we want to hear.

No Aironi for next year’s PRO 12 – that’s a pity for Italian rugby, but I guess the money just wasn’t in it. Out of all the suggestions for a replacement team, I like the sound of the Cornish Pirates the best, as much for their name as anything else.

Munster have to pick themselves up from their defeat to Ulster, and subdue the high flying Glasgow Warriors. They’ll be without James Couglan most likely Keith Earls, and are really going to have to work hard to shake off those HC blues. Munster at home will always be a fearsome proposition though, with the Scots to catch the backlash.

Ulster travel to Connacht on a high, and should overcome the men from the west in green.

RaboDirect PRO12
Friday , April 13
Newport-Gwent D'gons vs Benetton Treviso 19:30
Leinster vs Edinburgh 19:45
Saturday , April 14
Connacht vs Ulster 17:15
Cardiff Blues vs Ospreys 18:30
Munster vs Glasgow 19:15
Sunday , April 15
Aironi Rugby vs Scarlets 14:05