With the top spot already sealed by the cancellation of Ospreys’ game against log leaders Benetton Treviso due to positive COVID cases, the rest have little else but pride to play for in the final round of Rainbow Cup matches this weekend.
Treviso now has an unassailable lead and will play the top South African side after this weekend’s games in the final next weekend in their home stadium. The Sharks and Bulls meet on Saturday with the Bulls needing just one point to make it through to the final.
Still, for the other sides, there will still be pride to play for in the final game of the season, as well as some opportunities for young players to make an impression.
Munster, who were one of the sides who had a chance until the cancellation, travel to Zebre to finish their season on a high.
Zebre has lost their last eight matches since beating the Dragons at home in February while their most recent success against an Irish province came at Connacht more than three years ago.
Munster have suffered just one defeat during the Rainbow Cup - against Connacht in Round 3 - and will be expected to see off Zebre this weekend, having won each of the past 16 meetings between these sides.
Johann van Graan's men, who have lost once away from home since January, were 52-3 victors at Thomond Park in November while they won the last encounter on Italian soil 28-0.
Leinster will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Glasgow Warriors last weekend, but there is likely to be a lot of experimentation for them against Dragons on Friday night. Leinster have won the last nine meetings between the two sides and even though their form has been patchy, they should have enough to win the match.
Edinburgh’s search for redemption after a long season takes them to Llanelli this weekend where they will meet Scarlets.
The sides last met in what can only be termed a classic in February, where Scarlets won 27-25 in a thrilling encounter. Scarlets have, however, lost two of their last three games at home, but Edinburgh has won once in their last seven games.
Still, both sides will want to finish off their season on a high.
Rainbow Cup fixtures
Friday
Zebre vs Munster (19.00)
Leinster vs Dragons (21.15)
Sunday
Scarlets vs Edinburgh (14.00)