Match Previews
- 2567
Match Previews
Ospreys vs Newport Gwent Dragons (14:00) BBC WALES
Steve Tandy's side come into this Welsh derby off the back of a cracking 27-26 win win on the road over Scarlets. The Ospreys XV has been rotated around after the Boxing Day win, Dan Biggar starts off the bench with Sam Davies coming into replace the influential fly half. Tighthead prop Dmitri Arhip will make his 50th appearance for the region if he comes off the bench. Dragons come into this one after a heartbreaking 20-21 defeat at home to Cardiff. Newport controlled the game throughout but slipped to defeat late on. DOR Lyn Jones makes 5 changes to the side, seeing injured duo Sarel Pretorius and Boris Stankovich return to the side.
Prediction: Ospreys by 7.
Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs (15:00) BT Sport
Saints come into this one off the back of a dissapointing result against London Irish, which saw them lose 25-23 late on. One plus for Saints is the return of George North to the score board, as he claimed his 1st try of hhe 15/16 campaign. They will look to bounce back in front of a sellout at Franklin Gardens against an inform Exeter Chiefs. Jim Mallinder has made 6 changes, which includes JJ Hanrahan in for Stephen Myler. Chiefs are in superb form domestically and are unbeaten in 6, winning their last 2 on the road. Rob Baxter's side won in this fixture last year 24-18 and will be hoping for a repeat. They make 3 changes to the side that won last week against Sale. This promises to be a superb clash with Saints hurting from last weeks result and Chiefs in great form.
Prediction: Saints by 5.
Leinster vs Connacht (17:00) TG4
Leinster got a much needed win last week, with a good performance at Thomond Park over Munster. Leo Cullen makes 11 changes to the squad, with Luke McGrath, Johnny Sexton and Ben Te'o all coming into the starting XV. Sean O'Brien is on the bench and if he comes on he will make his 100th appearance in the blue of the Leinster. Connacht make 3 changes from last weeks defeat against Ulster. Pat Lam leaves the backline unchanged, with Tom McCartney, Jake Heenan and Andrew Browne the changes in the forwards. With Connacht getting numbers back after an injury crisis, Pat Lam's side travel to Dublin with confidence knowing that a win will put Connacht 7 points ahead of Leinster. In this fixture last year Leinster came out on top with a 21-11 win, however Connacht have grown as a side in 2015 and will look to shock Leinster.
Prediction: Leinster by 5.
Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets (17:00) S4C
The Blues won last time out by the skin of their teeth, with Rhys Patchell knocking over a last minute penalty to claim a 21-10 win over Newport Gwent Dragons. They make 3 changes from the victory with Jarred Hoeata, Cory Allen and Dan Fish all coming into the side. Scarlets, who have lost 3 on the bounce, succumbed to their 2nd defeat of the season domestically last week to Ospreys in a thriller. Wayne Pivac also make 3 changes from last week with Tom Price and Jack Condy coming into the starting XV after injuries to Jake Ball and John Barclay. Gareth Davies comes into the starting XV as well, with Aled Davies named as a substitute. Scarlets, who sit top of the PRO 12 have only lost once on the road this year and will look to get back to winning ways. In this fixture last year Cardiff eased to a 21-9 win but expect it to be a lot closer this time round.
Prediction: Scarlets by 3.
