All the Guinness PRO14 action is on Saturday this weekend when two rearranged games take place.
Italy is the first port of call as Benetton attempt to get their maiden win of the season on the board, but they face a daunting test against Munster, who are the runaway leaders in Conference B despite defeat last weekend.
The focus then switches to Wales where Scarlets host Leinster, who have the chance to replace Ulster at the top of Conference A.
Leinster are the leading points scorers in this season’s competition and also have the best defensive record, so Scarlets know the size of the task facing them as they look to avoid suffering a third straight Guinness PRO14 defeat for the first time since December 2018.
Both teams were involved in matches which ended 13-10 last weekend but while Scarlets lost at home to Cardiff Blues, Leinster came out on top at Munster.
SAT – Benetton v Munster
Stadio Monigo, Treviso | KO 17:00 UK / 18:00 ITA | Live on DAZN, eir Sport, Premier Sports
It is top against bottom in Conference B as Munster look to bounce back from only their second Guinness PRO14 defeat of the campaign. Jordan Larmour’s late try condemned them to a 13-10 loss against Leinster but they will expect to return to winning ways this weekend. Benetton have lost all nine matches and are without a win at this venue since December 2019.
Munster will be without two scrum-halves who have joined up with Ireland’s Six Nations squad while Neil Cronin remains sidelined. As a result, Ethan Coughlan has returned to the squad as cover and Leinster Academy member Paddy Patterson has joined the province on a short-term basis.
SAT – Scarlets v Leinster
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | KO 19:35 UK | Live on S4C, TG4, eir Sport, Premier Sports
A close encounter can be expected when Leinster face Scarlets in Llanelli based on the last two meetings, with the hosts winning 23-21 when they last met here in September 2018 which followed a 10-10 draw in March of the same year.
Scarlets come into the game on the back of two successive defeats against Cardiff Blues while Leinster were 13-10 winners at Munster last weekend and remain unbeaten on their travels since April 2019.
Experienced prop Tadhg Furlong is expected to make his long-awaited return for Leinster after not playing for almost a year due to back, calf and hamstring problems.
