RaboDirect PRO12: Three things to watch

This week sees Ulster's game at Zebre called off after the tragic events of last weekend, but there is still plenty of rugby action to look forward to. Connacht are looking halt a poor run in Glasgow, Leinster also face Scottish opposition at the RDS while Munster have Stringer and O'Gara together for the first time in 19 months.

By Declan Whooley

Here are three things to look forward to this weekend in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Connacht look for away performance

Connacht’s start to the season has been slightly underwhelming. Home defeats to Cardiff and the Scarlets were sandwiched by a big win over Zebre. Last time out they led the Welsh table-toppers at half-time but the visitors physicality came to the fore and Simon Easterby's side ran out comfortable winners.

Glasgow has not been a happy hunting ground for the Westerners, and though the home side now play at Scotstoun, the recent history does not auger well. Eric Elwood’s side have not won there in ten years and have conceded an average of 30 points on each occasion since. Tonight would be the perfect time to put that record to bed and get the season back on track.

Stringer and O’Gara are back together

Like a couple that have taken time out of their relationship, all eyes at Thomond Park will be on the re-united partnership of Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara. The visit of the Dragons has become almost an after thought as the scrum-half makes his first appearance in a year, while it has been 19 months since the two players were the starting half-back partnership.

Stringer comes in to win his 226th cap for his Province, a remarkable career for Munster that had at times seemed over last year. With almost 450 caps between them, the duo will look to steer their side to victory after last week’s reversal at Ravenhill. Conor Murray can count himself unlucky to be on the replacements bench, but few would begrudge the Cork native the chance to wear the red jersey again.

Edinburgh could be in for a long night at the RDS

Leinster scraped to a win over Treviso last week, relying on a late drop-goal from Jonathon Sexton to see them over the line, while the ever-green Brian O’Driscoll put in a man of the match performance on his return to action. Joe Schmidt will not have been pleased with certain aspects of their play and this will be ringing in the players ears all week. It’s rare that Leinster put in two below par performances in a row so Edinburgh could face the full wrath of the European champions attacking threat tomorrow night.

Michael Bradley’s team have been impressive with two wins on the bounce since the opening day defeat at home to Munster. Dutch winger Tim Visser is the obvious scoring threat and would be one of the few players in the league that would get game time in the Leinster back line. They are a threat on their day, but an early score for Leinster and it could be curtains. The defeat at the RDS in April will be fresh in the mind where they were beaten by more than 40 points.