Zebre go in search of their first win of the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup when they host Munster in Round 6.
The Italians sit bottom of the table after failing to chalk up a single victory and round off their campaign against the Guinness PRO14 runners-up, who will be bidding to climb above Glasgow Warriors to finish second.
Leinster’s defeat to Glasgow last weekend ruled them out of contention for the final but they could yet jump into the top three should the result in Parma go their way and they achieve the necessary swing in points difference against the Dragons in Dublin.
The Dragons sit three points behind this weekend’s hosts so could climb above the PRO14 champions with victory at the RDS.
The final match of the weekend sees the Scarlets host Edinburgh in a battle between two sides who have earned one win apiece in the competition so far.
Leinster vs Dragons – Match Preview
Leinster’s home form has been patchy by their own lofty standards, having lost three games at the RDS so far in 2021 - against Connacht, the Ospreys and Munster.
That said, the Dragons come into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats and have not beaten an Irish province since a 21-8 victory over Connacht in September 2017.
Leinster have won the last nine meetings between these sides, including a 35-29 triumph at Rodney Parade in February. The last encounter at the RDS ended in a 35-5 win for the Dubliners.
Location:
RDS Arena, Dublin – 8.15pm
Officials:
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU, 54rd competition game) Assistant Referees: Chris Busby, Eoghan Cross (both IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Overall Guinness PRO14 head to head record:
Played 35, Leinster won 26, Dragons won 9.
Did you know?
- Leinster Rugby have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions and have been overturned at the RDS Arena on three occasions in 2021, by Connacht in January, Ospreys in March, and Munster in April.
- Dragons have lost their last three matches in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup since beating Scarlets 52-32 at Rodney Parade in Round 1.
- The Welshmen have won three times on the road this season, on trip to Treviso in November, Glasgow in December, and Ospreys in March.
- Dragons have not beaten an Irish province since a 21-8 victory against Connacht in September 2017.
- Leinster have won their last nine encounters with Dragons since the Men from Gwent’s 23-13 victory at Rodney Parade in January 2016 whilst Dragons most recent success visiting an Irish province was 16-14 against Leinster at the RDS Arena in February 2015.
