The Guinness PRO14 rugby returns with a bang following a wait of over five months and, with an abbreviated finish to the 2019/20 season lying ahead, there is plenty at stake in the penultimate round of the regular season before the coveted Final Series.
Games postponed prior to the suspension of play have been deemed 0-0 draws, leaving each team with two rounds of derby games left to play, with the results of Round 14 and 15 matches counting towards final positions.
While the confirmation of the top two teams in both Conferences might appear a foregone conclusion, don’t expect any drama to be missing from Round 14, with an 1872 Cup decider and the latest chapter in the race for Conference B top spot just a couple of things to keep an eye on.
Each team will be desperate to earn the bragging rights over their fellow countrymen, none more so than Munster who could besmirch Leinster’s unbeaten record with victory at Aviva Stadium - the venue for all of the remaining Irish fixtures.
Ospreys v Dragons:
Liberty Stadium, Swansea | KO 14:15 | Live on eir Sport 2, Premier Sports 1, DAZN, pro14.tv Deferred: Sunday, 21:00 S4C
Match Preview:
Conference A’s bottom side Ospreys have had a rough ride in 2019/20 and are desperate to move off the bottom before the season’s end despite only claiming two victories so far.
The omens don’t look good for new coach Toby Booth - with the Swansea-based side having lost each of their three matches against fellow Welsh regions this season - but the return of some of their key operators will certainly strengthen their cause.
The last three meetings between Ospreys and Dragons have been won by the home team, and the visitors - who have largely impressed under Dean Ryan this season - will be seeking only a second away win in the Championship in the last five years.
Officials:
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, competition debut)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Gwyn Morris (both WRU)
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 33, Ospreys won 22, Dragons won 11.
Did you know?
- Ospreys Rugby’s only victory in any competition since October was 26-24 at home to Ulster on 15 February.
- Ospreys have lost all three matches they have played against fellow Welsh regions this season.
- Dragons last six matches in the Guinness PRO14 have been evenly split with three wins and three defeats.
- Dragons have won only once away from home in the Championship in the last five years: 52-28 at Zebre in October 2019, whilst their most recent victory away from home against a fellow Welsh region was in a visit to Cardiff Blues on Boxing Day 2014.
- The last three meetings between the two sides have all been won by the home team on the day whilst Dragons only previous victory in the PRO14 on Ospreys soil was 21-16 at Liberty Stadium in October 2010.
