Guinness Pro12 Round Twelve Preview and Predictions - Ruck

Guinness Pro12 Round Twelve Preview and Predictions

  • Scarlets hoping to extend lead at the top when they host third-placed Connacht
  • Edinburgh hoping to maintain fourth place when they face Italians Treviso
  • Ospreys and Leinster both hoping for back to back wins
Friday 8th January
Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso
Saturday 9th January
Scarlets v Connacht
Ospreys v Leinster
Postponed Matches Due to European Rugby Commitments
Ulster v Newport Gwent Dragons
Zebre v Glasgow Warriors
Cardiff Blues v Munster

Marquee Game
Scarlets v Connacht
There is only one place to start in the Guinness Pro 12 this week, with first placed Scarlets hosting third-placed Connacht. Either side could be sitting at the top of the division when the round comes to a close, and the away team will be hoping to put round 11’s disappointing result behind them.

Connacht failed to put points on the board when they lost 13-0 on their travels to Leinster, struggling to attack with any real force all game. Scarlets were also on the losing side, for just the third time this season when they lost out to the Cardiff Blues 29-27, thanks to a late Alex Cuthbert try.

A win could put Connacht top for the time being, as they sit in third place on 34 points, just two behind Scarlets, but second-placed Leinster have a game in hand.

Ruck Prediction: This will be a tough one to call in the Guinness Pro 12, with both sides looking for positive performances to bounce back from defeat last time out. If Connacht are to stand any chance they need to start performing in attack again, but they were up against a strong side in Leinster.

Scarlets looked solid at times last week, managing to put points on the board, and in front of their home fans should be able to see off the challenge of Connacht, but only just.


Edinburgh v Benetton Treviso

The first game of the round sees Italian side Benetton Treviso travel to Scotland to face Edinburgh, with the home side hoping to cement themselves in fourth place and mount some serious pressure on the top three.

After eleven games, Treviso are still searching for their first win of the season and are currently in bottom place, nine points off their nearest challengers.

They lost last time out at home to Zebre, will Edinburgh recorded a credible result on their travels, beating Glasgow Warriors 14-11.

Ruck Prediction: Edinburgh have hit some real form over the last few weeks which has seen them rise to fourth in the table, and they will not let that slip against the bottom placed side. They should win this won very comfortably.


Ospreys v Leinster

The only other game in the Guinness Pro 12 this week sees Ospreys host high-flying Leinster, who could go top of the league with Scarlets slip up at home to Connacht.

The home side currently sits in seventh place after they overcame Newport Gwent Dragons last time out 12-7 after a solid defensive display.

They will need the defensive to stand firm once more if they are to come away with the win, and shut down Leinster, who beat Connacht 13-0 last week.

Ruck Prediction: Both sides come into this game on the back of some excellent results, and it will be a good matchup, but Leinster will walk away victorious in this one.

Johnny Sexton will need to be at the top of his game, but they should come away with the win here.