Preview: Magners League

Champions Ulster will be targeting a return to the top spot. That opportunity will be presented on Saturday when, in a repeat of the Heineken Cup group games, the Llanelli Scarlets entertain the Belfast-based side at Stradey Park.

The Scarlets are unbeaten in their last dozen home games in all competitions, while the Ulstermen have won just once away from home since last October. However, should Ulster buck the trend and win at Stradey they will return to the first place position they surrendered to Leinster at the end of December.

The other four Round Sixteen games are on Friday night with the third-placed Ospreys looking to continue their fine run of form against Edinburgh. The Scots have won just one of their seven previous league encounters with the Ospreys and if things go with the form book the Welsh region will make significant strides to close the gap on the top two, with a game in hand.

Friday night’s other games see bottom two Connacht and Border Reivers come face to face at the Sportsground. The Borders are adrift at the foot of the table but will be looking for a repeat of their last away league win, also over Connacht, back in October 2005.

The third Scottish team are also on their travels with Glasgow Warriors trying to end an impressive home record for the Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade – where the Welsh region have won their last eight games. Although they don’t have a great record in Wales, the Warriors have won their last three away games and a victory on Friday night could take them above Edinburgh should the capital side lose out to the Ospreys.

The round’s fifth game sees another Heineken Cup repeat match as the Cardiff Blues travel to Munster. A run of five wins in their last six games has seen Munster rise to mid-table but they are still a long way back from the leaders.

They will be keen to leapfrog the Musgrave Park visitors and move to the business end of the table with a repeat of their European double over the Blues. The Welsh side will be chasing their first league win in Ireland for over two years.