With nearly 400 points scored and 47 tries in Round 1 – the Guinness PRO14 returned to action in eye-catching style last weekend with games taking place across all five participating nations.
The Toyota Cheetahs, Munster, Ulster and Edinburgh all posted big scores as they opened up their campaigns while defending champions Leinster earned a valuable away win against Benetton while Cardiff Blues were pushed hard by the Isuzu Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.
Scarlets picked up their first win under new head coach Brad Mooar against Connacht and the New Zealander brings his squad up to Glasgow in Round 2 where Dave Rennie’s Warriors’ team will be eager to bounce back from their heavy loss to the Cheetahs.
The South Africans welcome Ulster to Bloemfontein where Cheetahs’ scrum-half Ruan Pienaar will face his old team – both sides will be eager to build their points tallies during the World Cup period and this promises to be a tight contest.
After recording four successive attendance highs for the Guinness PRO14 Final, tickets will be limited for this year’s decider at Cardiff City Stadium and fans are encouraged to take advantage of Early Bird prices to get the best seats
ZEBRE RUGBY VS DRAGONS
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, 6pm (kick-off 5pm UK time).
- Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU, 15thcompetition game)
- Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Johnny Erskine (IRFU)
- TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
- Citing Commissioner: Gabriele Villari (FIR)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record: Played 12, Zebre won 4, Dragons won 7 with 1 game drawn.
Did you know?
- Zebra have not won since beating Enisei in the European Challenge Cup in December 2018, whilst their most recent victory in the Guinness PRO14 was against Edinburgh in Parma last October.
- The Italians recorded just one victory over a Welsh Region last season, 26-24 at home to Cardiff Blues in round 3.
- Dragons have won only once in 2019 in the Guinness PRO14: 34-32 over Scarlets at ‘Judgement Day’ in round 21 last season, whilst they haven’t won on the road in the Championship since a trip to Italy to face Benetton in March 2015.
- The last eight encounters between the two side have been evenly shared with 4 wins apiece whilst Dragons only previous victory away at Zebre was at Stadio Lanfranchi in February 2013.
