Back to the Rabo...

Brendan Macken (picture - http://bit.ly/YC6Mtn)

For this week anyway, we can put aside the great Kidney debate and Ireland’s dire performance, and focus on the meat and potatoes Rabodirect. Leinster helped themselves to a bonus point win against the Scarlets, and should be planning to do the same against the Dragons. Quinn Rouz x is a possibility, as is Brendan Macken. The match isn’t going to be shown on RTE, but hopefully will be on SC4. Leinster to get 5 points.

Ulster welcome Treviso, with the Italians spanking Munster last weekend. Not too often you’re going to read that! Now, I’m not going to have a go at Munster here – I’ll do that when I talk about their match against the Ospreys! The Ulster squad is really strong, with Jackson, Henderson and Fitpatrick back, and they’ll restore some Irish pride against the Italians.

Connacht have been on a barn storming run in the last few weeks, collecting the scalps of the Ospreys and Cardiff along the way. They are a value for money team – feck all budget, small but committed fanbase, great defense and always try to put on a bit of a show with well worked backline moves. This should be their opportunity to continue their rise up the table. They could be 7th after this weekend!

The Irish matches close out with Munster entertaining the Ospreys at home. If you were going to bomb, last weekend was the time to do it , with all the focus on Ireland’s failings. Munster should beat Treviso anytime, anywhere, end of. Our poor run of international results, our bad run of injuries, and our lack of depth even at provincial level is very evident at the moment.  This could be a tough one for Munster, but I think home advantage should give them the victory they really need right now.

Friday , March 1
Newport Gwent D'gons vs Leinster 19:00
Ulster vs Benetton Treviso 19:05
Scarlets vs Edinburgh 19:05
Glasgow vs Cardiff Blues 19:35
Connacht vs Zebre 19:45
Saturday , March 2
Munster vs Ospreys 18:30