History was made in Round 2 of the Guinness PRO14 as 53 tries were scored – more than in any other single round in Championship history.
The previous record stood at 51 and Connacht were the side who ensured a new high-water mark during the final game of the weekend against Benetton Rugby, as Tom McCartney crossed to surpass the total and Kieran Marmion then added a 53rd for good measure.
Round 3 has a tall task to match the entertainment levels of Round 2’s unparalleled scoring but a septet of mouth- watering fixtures means there are plenty of stories to follow.
Two teams with perfect records so far – Conference A leaders Toyota Cheetahs and Conference B toppers Munster – begin the weekend with a clash in Bloemfontein, while Leinster and Edinburgh also square off with 100 per cent streaks on the line on Friday night.
The fifth team with two wins from two, Scarlets, host winless Zebre and Dean Ryan’s Dragons – fresh off a first Guinness PRO14 away win in four-and-a-half years – return home to host Connacht.
Winless pair Ospreys and Benetton Rugby will face off at Liberty Stadium looking to kick-start their campaigns, as Isuzu Southern Kings host Ulster and Cardiff Blues travel to Glasgow Warriors.
DRAGONS v CONNACHT RUGBY At Rodney Parade, Newport, 7.35pm
- Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 91st competition game)
- Assistant Referees: Dan Jones (WRU), Federico Vedovelli (FIR)
- TMO: Charles Samson (SRU)
- Citing Commissioner: Denis Jones (WRU)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record: Played 30, Dragons won 11, Connacht won 19.
Did you know?
- Dragons were victorious 52-28 at Zebre last weekend but have not won back-to-back fixtures in Guinness PRO14 since November 2016.
- Dragons have lost their last two matches at Rodney Parade in the Championship, since beating Ospreys there by a single point last December.
- The Welshmen’s most recent victory over an Irish province was in this equivalent fixture against Connacht at Rodney Parade two years ago.
- Connacht’s 41-5 victory over Benetton on Saturday ended a three-game losing run in Guinness PRO14.
- The Irishmen have won just once away from home in the Championship since last December by a single point in 11 against Zebre in Parma in April.
- Connacht’s most recent victory in Wales was 19-13 at Cardiff Blues in February 2017.
- The last four fixtures between the two teams have all been won by the home side on the day, Connacht’s most recent success at Rodney Parade was in February 2016.
Watch Dean Ryan’s Dragons in action this Friday evening at Rodney Parade (kick-off 7.35pm). Tickets remain on sale NOW – Click HERE to buy online and join us at the home of the Dragons for the first home league game.
