The short side: Chance to impress and Fiji’s defence

Adam Kyriacou
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action.

PRO14 game to watch – Leinster v Scarlets

It is that time of the season when squad depth comes under the spotlight and this is where Leinster are hit the most in terms of absentees due to Six Nations duty. Scarlets, too, are without several of their first-team stars so it’s a big chance for the fringe players to impress, with 12 internationals currently with Wales. Steff Hughes captains them from centre while Jake Ball also starts but they have been hit hard ahead of Friday’s PRO14 clash. A victory in Dublin would be huge for the Scarlets in the play-off race but, as we’ve already seen this campaign, even a third-string Leinster are a formidable opposition as they sit an impressive 19 points clear of Edinburgh in Conference B.

Top 14 game to watch – Lyon v Racing 92

Two play-off chasing teams go head-to-head in France‘s top-tier as fifth hosts sixth on Saturday. Both have been slightly inconsistent in the league recently, but there are signs that the respective sides are beginning to find better domestically. Lyon have won their previous two games in the Top 14, including a fine 25-14 triumph at Montpellier, while Racing 92 were too good for an improved Toulon outfit in Round 14. It therefore sets up a thrilling clash at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland with them looking to keep the pressure on the top-two.

Player to watch – Tyler Bleyendaal (Munster)

With fly-half Joey Carbery preparing with Ireland for their Six Nations opener against England, Bleyendaal comes in to start and lead against the Dragons at Rodney Parade. It wasn’t too long ago that Bleyendaal was excelling in Munster colours, showing real leadership and intelligence in the decision-making role. Then in came Carbery from Leinster and both Bleyendaal and Ian Keatley were shunted down the pecking order. There’s no doubting Bleyendaal’s quality, though, and his showing will be vital as Munster look to remain atop Conference A.

Team to watch – Fiji Sevens

Fiji will be hoping to defend their Hamilton Sevens crown in New Zealand this weekend and subsequently move to the top of the World Series standings. It’s incredibly tight at the summit after the first two rounds as USA sit pretty on 38 points following runner-up finishes in Dubai and Cape Town, while New Zealand have 37, Fiji 35, England 30 and South Africa 29 in what is shaping up to be a thrilling Sevens campaign.

Last year’s final in Hamilton was a gripping clash but Fiji came out on top with a fine win over the Blitzboks. Can they go back-to-back?

One-v-one battle to watch – Rob Kearney (Leinster) v Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets)

As mentioned at the top of the article, Leinster and Scarlets are hit by international call-ups. However, at full-back there are two superb operators as Kearney takes on McNicholl. Kearney will be looking to prove to Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt that he’s ready to return to that green jersey while McNicholl is in fine form right now, scoring two tries against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup clash last weekend.

Subplot of the weekend – Perpignan to end their run?

Needless to say, it has been a disastrous campaign for Perpignan but this weekend may just be the time spirits are lifted at the Stade Aime Giral. They have endured a torrid season having failed to win a game in any competition so far. The closest they came was against Bordeaux-Begles in the Challenge Cup where they secured a draw at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, but the Catalans will sense an opportunity against Pau. Although Simon Mannix’s men eased themselves away from danger with an impressive triumph, ironically against Bordeaux, they have struggled recently and the 2017/18 Pro D2 champions must surely win a match at some point?

Best of the rest

While the PRO14 and Top 14 takes precedence, there is also action in the World Rugby Sevens Series and Premiership Rugby Cup. Three matches take place in the latter, with the other encounters a week later, as the English clubs go head-to-head in the ‘derby’ matches. Of course, the odd way this tournament works means that they will be facing teams from other groups, but Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs could still seal qualification with bonus-point triumphs.

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