Round 4 of the Guinness PRO14 returns in style this weekend after a much-storied previous round where the undefeated Championship sides were whittled down to three.
Two of them also have a full rack of bonus points. Toyota Cheetahs and Leinster Rugby are jostling for position at the top of Conference A on 15 points, with the South Africans having swept aside Munster 40-16 last time out and Leinster recording a very similar scoreline – 40-14 - at home to Edinburgh.
The Cheetahs start their European tour at a very tricky place to travel – Connacht Rugby’s Sportsground – with Andy Friend’s side in excellent form having played some scintillating rugby at Dragons last time out – young fly-half Conor Fitzgerald pulling some tuneful strings.
Elsewhere in Conference A Leinster are at Zebre, Ulster host Cardiff Blues and there’s a mid-table battle as Glasgow Warriors travel to Dragons looking to build on their first win – an intense 17-13 over the Blues at Scotstoun.
The action kicks off on Friday as Munster welcome Ospreys to Irish Independent Park, Johann van Graan’s men looking to bounce back from that defeat to Cheetahs and the Welsh region looking to build on Round 3 success against Benetton.
Elsewhere on Saturday Benetton and Isuzu Southern Kings are both without a win – they trade blows in Italy, while it all rounds off with a blockbuster finish in the evening as the other undefeated side – Scarlets - travel up to Edinburgh.
Conference B is already stacking up as one of the most competitive ever, and Richard Cockerill’s men will be desperate to rein in Brad Mooar’s rejuvenated west Walians.
Dragons v Glasgow Warriors
- Referee: George Clancy (IRFU, 117th competition game)
- Assistant Referees: Simon Rees (WRU), Chris Busby (IRFU)
- TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
- Citing Commissioner: Gwyn Bowden (WRU)
Two sides with points to prove do battle on the bank of the River Usk as Glasgow Warriors enter the Dragons’ den. After putting a stop to their three-game losing run in Guinness PRO14 action, the visiting Warriors will be desperate to underline their credentials as they look to replicate last season’s run all the way to the showpiece. The Dragons, meanwhile, failed to back up their away-day win at Zebre in Round 2, with Connacht running out 38-14 winners at Rodney Parade last time out. They are winless against the Warriors since February 2014, although will look to last season’s 15-15 draw in the same fixture for inspiration on Saturday.
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 30, Dragons won 13, Warriors won 14 with 3 games drawn.
Did you know?
- Dragons were victorious at Zebre in round 2 but lost to Irish provinces Munster and Connacht in rounds 1 and 3.
- Dragons most recent victory at Rodney Parade in Guinness PRO14 was by a single point over Ospreys on 30 December.
- The Welsh region have beaten a Scottish opponent just once since 2016, at home to Edinburgh in November 2018.
- Glasgow Warriors ended a three-game losing run in Guinness PRO14 with their 17-13 victory over Cardiff Blues at Scotstoun in round 3.
- Warriors only defeat to a Welsh region since the 2018 semi-final was 21-25 to Scarlets at Scotstoun in round 2.
- Dragons have not beaten Warriors since a 24-23 success at Rodney Parade in February 2014, although the two sides did draw 15-all at the same venue in February 2018.
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