The Scarlets know that should they topple the leaders they could, with four games in hand, still make a late challenge for the title, however the Dubliners have won all but one of their last seven games, and have yet to lose in their five Celtic League encounters at the famous old Stadium.
However there will watchful eyes from the north as a Scarlets victory would open the way for Ulster to return to the top should they collect a win from their trip to Glasgow Warriors on Saturday evening. Ulster too are in impressive form and have the best away record in the league, while the Warriors will need to reverse a three game losing streak if they are to keep their hopes of a Heineken Cup place alive.
Two sides with European aspirations of their own are Cardiff Blues and Border Reivers who meet on Saturday afternoon at the Arms Park – with the Blues looking for a fourth straight league win against a Reivers side who know they could move ever closer to a return to the Heineken Cup should they come home with the spoils. However the away side has yet to win in any of the last five meetings between these two sides.
Saturday also sees third v fourth as Edinburgh Gunners travel to Munster trying to reverse a recent slump in form which has seen three consecutive defeats. Munster have also suffered a run of three league losses and will want a morale building Thomond Park win to send them into their Heineken Cup semi final with Leinster in high spirits.
The round’s final game pits bottom side Connacht against the Dragons. With the Ospreys set to collect four points for the free weekend, and the Scarlets having two games in hand over their Gwent based neighbours, the Dragons know they will need to win at the Sportsground to keep their Heineken Cup hopes for next season alive.
