A Welsh derby between the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues will kick off the Guinness PRO14 action this weekend. Friday's encounter at Parc y Scarlets is one of four Guinness PRO14 fixtures slotted into the timetable following a postponement of Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games.
The Blues beat their fierce rivals 29-20 recently and they return to action with interim rugby director Dai Young at the helm, launching his second spell with the Cardiff region, while Scarlets are minus suspended Wales back Liam Williams.
Leinster, having returned to winning ways by beating Ulster last time out, tackle Munster in Limerick on Saturday, chasing a fifth successive victory over their opponents.
Leinster were the last away team to win at Thomond Park 13 months ago, although Munster has lost just once this season.
Also on Saturday, Zebre will target a fourth successive victory in all competitions - something they have not achieved since the 2015-16 campaign - when Edinburgh arrive at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.
And Sunday's action takes the Ospreys, resurgent under new head coach Toby Booth, to Galway, where Connacht, who lie second in Conference B, await.
Friday - Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
Dai Young marks his return to Cardiff Blues as interim rugby director with a quickfire rematch against the Scarlets.
Less than a fortnight after the teams last met - the Blues came out on top 29-20 at Cardiff City Stadium - they go head-to-head again in West Wales.
"The (match-day) 23 that were involved in the Scarlets game previously won’t be too far away from the 23 that goes down there, and I think they deserve it," said Young, who is back at the Blues following nine years with English club Wasps.
Former Scarlets player and current Blues forward Josh Turnbull could become just the fifth player to reach 200 PRO12 and PRO14 appearances.
The Scarlets, two points above the Blues in Conference B, will be without Wales back Liam Williams, who starts a three-match ban.
Saturday - Zebre v Edinburgh
Zebre will go into Saturday's rearranged clash against Edinburgh in Parma with an aim to hit a five-season high.
The Italian side knows that victory at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi would make it four successive victories in all competitions, which they last achieved during the 2015-16 campaign.
Confidence is high following back-to-back triumphs over Benetton, and Edinburgh faces a testing assignment, especially as they have lost on their lost three trips to Italy.
The Scottish side, buoyed by international wing Blair Kinghorn signing a contract extension with them this week, were pipped 23-22 by Glasgow last time out.
Saturday - Munster v Leinster
Munster will aim to continue their domination of Conference B when they host fierce rivals Leinster at Thomond Park.
The game, rearranged for Saturday from Boxing Day when it was postponed in line with coronavirus guidelines, sees Munster going into the contest with an 11-point advantage over their closest rivals Connacht.
Dave Kilcoyne and Jack O'Donoghue, who missed a tense 16-10 victory over Connacht last time out because of minor injuries, could feature after returning to training.
A bonus-point victory for Leinster in Limerick, meanwhile, would move them level with Conference A leaders Ulster, and they returned to winning ways by beating Ulster earlier this month.
Although Leinster boss Leo Cullen has a number of injuries, he could have hooker Sean Cronin available following a minor knee knock.
Sunday - Connacht v Ospreys
The Ospreys will face a stern test following their recent resurgence when they tackle Connacht in Galway.
New head coach Toby Booth has made an immediate impression with the Ospreys, with three wins from their last four Guinness PRO14 games consolidating third spot in Conference A.
The Ospreys are also chasing a third successive away win, after accounting for Cardiff Blues 17-3 and the Dragons 28-20 in their last two fixtures.
But any trip to Galway has difficulty written all over it, and although Connacht suffered a 16-10 home loss against Munster last time out, they went agonisingly close to claiming a win.
Connacht trailed by 13 points but Peter Sullivan's late converted try, then relentless pressure after Munster had two players sin-binned, almost brought an outstanding victory.
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