Weekend Preview

With the Rugby Championship taking a break this week, we cast our attention to Europe and preview the biggest matches from the Top 14, Pro 12 and Aviva Premiership.

Pro 12

We begin our weekend preview with an Irish derby which has thrown up countless upsets over the last number of years. On Friday Leinster travel to Galway to face an in form Connacht side, who will have little to fear after their blistering start to the season. Having recorded two narrow wins against tough opposition, Connacht currently stand above Leinster in the table, but will be all too aware of the class their opponents possess. The visitors have made just two changes to last week’s side, with Rhys Ruddock coming in in the back row, and Fergus McFadden replacing the injured Zane Kirchner on the wing. On the bench there is one further change, Luke McGrath unlucky to miss out as the fit again Eoin Redden takes his place amongst the reserves. Connacht are unchanged save for lock Aly Muldowney, who replaces Mick Kearney in the second row. Having defeated Leinster three times in the last six games at the Sportsground, Connacht will fancy their chances, but this Leinster side may prove ultimately too strong for the ever improving men from the west. Elsewhere Glasgow travel to the Dragons on Saturday in what is sure to be a tight match between two of the leagues form sides, while on Sunday the action continues as early pace setters the Ospreys welcome Edinburgh to the Liberty Stadium.

Aviva Premiership

With the Aviva Premiership off to a blistering start over the past few weeks, few would bet against another weekend of high scoring and high tempo action. The game of the weekend comes from the Rec, where Bath will welcome the ever competitive Leicester Tigers on Saturday. The big team news from this game has to be the return of the injured Tom Croft, who will make his first appearance of the season. The pacy flanker has been missed by the Tigers so far this season, and is sure to bring an injection of power to the pack. The home side make one change to their side from last week, with the imposing figure of Matt Banahan returning to action on the wing. While games between these two are seldom predictable, the Tigers have come up short in each of the past four games between the two sides, and Bath will be confident they can keep that run alive at home this weekend. In the leagues other big match up, Quins welcome the in form London Wasps to the Stoop. This game takes on added significance for the home side after last weekend embarrassing demolition at the hands of Northampton, and they will have to be in top form if they are to pick up a win against the free scoring Wasps.

Top 14

Round 6 of the French competition brings with it another host of titanic clashes. The biggest of these comes from Paris, as Racing Metro play host to Toulouse. Racing are the only team from last years playoffs still unbeaten in this year’s competition at home, and will surely fancy their chances of extending that run against Toulouse on Saturday. Toulouse have made a wholly unconvincing start to this season competition, the lowlight being their convincing defeat at the hands of Brive two rounds ago. Add to that the poor form of Toby Flood, their new outhalf who has yet to find his feet in France, all signs point to a home victory in this one.