It is now full steam ahead in the Guinness PRO14 with complete rounds of matches scheduled between now and the end of March.
Bar a couple of re-arranged fixtures, the 12 teams now know what awaits them as the battle to reach the final and secure European places continues.
Champions Leinster, bidding for a fourth successive title, and nearest rivals Ulster both have away games on Friday night with Leo Cullen’s men sitting four points ahead in Conference A.
Munster, who won the last of their three titles in 2011, are in a more dominant position in Conference B, having a 10-point advantage over Connacht.
The battle below them for European places is proving even more exciting.
While Ospreys are 12 and 13 points clear of Glasgow Warriors and Dragons respectively, the chasing duo have a game in hand in Conference A. In Conference B, a single point separates third-placed Cardiff Blues from Scarlets in fourth.
Edinburgh sit seven points behind the Blues, who have played two games more, so that fight could well go down to the wire with the two teams clashing in a potential blockbuster of a match in the final round!
Dragons v Leinster – Match Preview
Champions Leinster will hope to be on cloud nine at the full-time whistle as they continue their quest for a fourth successive PRO14 title.
Leo Cullen’s men hold a four-point advantage over Ulster at the top of Conference A with five rounds remaining and have won their previous eight meetings with the Dragons.
Leinster’s home defeat by Connacht on January 2 remains their sole loss in all competitions since last September.
Dragons, on the other hand, are on a four-game losing streak in the competition which has seen them fall 13 points adrift of the top three, albeit with a game in hand. The Dragons will be aiming for their first victory since defeating Glasgow 22-23 at Scotstoun in December.
Location:
At Rodney Parade, Newport, 7.35pm Kick Off
Officials:
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 71st competition game) Assistant Referees: Dan Jones, Mike English (both WRU) TMO: Ian Davies (WRU)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record
Played 34, Dragons won 9, Leinster won 25.
Did you know?
• Dragons have not been victorious since beating Glasgow Warriors by a single point at Scotstoun on 5 December, whilst their most recent win at Rodney Parade was against Zebre in early October.
• Leinster Rugby have lost just one game in any competition since September 2020: 24-35 at home to Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 on 2 January.
• The Leinstermen’s most recent defeat on a trip to Wales in the Championship was on a visit to Scarlets in September 2018.
• Leinster have won their last eight fixtures against Dragons since the Men from Gwent’s 23-13 victory at Rodney Parade in January 2016.
