The Guinness PRO14 completes its three-week stint between European breaks with six more matches this weekend, including two re-arranged games from Round 9.
The highlight perhaps comes on Friday night when Leinster try to get back on the horse after stumbling at home to Connacht last weekend against an unbeaten Ulster, while Munster and Connacht meet in a second Irish derby on Saturday.
Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby meet in the second 1872 Cup clash in six days in a game that was initially postponed, while Benetton and Zebre also complete their re-arranged game from two weeks ago.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Dragons meet Ospreys and Cardiff Blues face Scarlets in a pair of Welsh derbies.
Friday – Leinster Rugby v Ulster Rugby
Leinster suffered their first Guinness PRO14 defeat since April 2019 last weekend, snapping a 26-game winning streak.
They have never lost successive home Guinness PRO14 matches at the RDS Arena but face an in-form Ulster side that remain the last unVisual Editorbeaten team this season.
Ulster beat Munster last weekend to make it ten wins from ten this season but they have only won one of their last eight matches against Leinster.
Their record at the RDS Arena is even worse, with just one win in 17 visits, but they have not lost an away Guinness PRO14 match since August.
Friday – Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Rugby
Scotland’s two giants meet for the second time in a week after Saturday’s closely-fought encounter at BT Murrayfield, which Edinburgh claimed 10-7.
Hosts Glasgow Warriors have won just one of their last seven Guinness PRO14 matches, a 19-10 success against Cardiff Blues in Round 8, and just once at home in any competition since February.
After a slow start to the season, Edinburgh have picked up some form and have won the last two matches. However, they sit fifth in Conference B with just three league victories this season.
The overall head-to-head record lies at 19 wins each and one draw.
Saturday – Zebre Rugby v Benetton Rugby
Since losing 52-3 at Munster in Round 8 in November, Zebre Rugby are unbeaten in their last three matches, including Saturday’s 24-15 win at rivals Benetton.
That was only their sixth ever win against Benetton but this weekend’s visitors have won just once in all competitions this season, and not at all in the Guinness PRO14.
Zebre are seeking two derby wins in the same season for the first time since 2015/16 but Benetton have enjoyed recent trips to Parma, winning on each their last six visits.
Saturday – Dragons v Ospreys
The first Welsh derby of Round 11 comes from Newport, where Dragons and Ospreys do battle at Rodney Parade.
Dragons, who have not won at home since seeing off Zebre in October, have lost their last two derbies to Cardiff Blues and Scarlets but have not lost three in succession since November 2019.
Ospreys, in contrast, have lost just one of their last five matches and that came against Scarlets in Round 9 by only two points.
They beat the Blues 17-3 on New Year’s Day to snap a six-game winless streak against fellow Welsh regions but they have lost each of their last three visits to Rodney Parade – including to Cardiff Blues in August.
Saturday – Cardiff Blues v Scarlets
Cardiff Blues are seeking a first win at Cardiff City Stadium since 2012 when they host Scarlets on Saturday night in a crucial Conference B clash.
Scarlets are six points clear of the Blues, who have won just one of their last four Guinness PRO14 matches – against Dragons on Boxing Day.
Scarlets, by contrast, have lost just one of their last five league matches – a 26-24 defeat at Ulster in Round 7 – and that is their only away loss in all competitions since October.
Saturday – Connacht v Munster
Fresh from their surprise win against Leinster, Connacht are faced with another Irish giant in the shape of Munster this weekend.
Despite their success on Saturday, Andy Friend’s team have only won once at home since October and have lost each of their last five games against Munster.
Munster lost their 100 per cent winning record on Saturday to Ulster but have not lost successive away games in the Guinness PRO14 regular season since October 2018.
Even if they lose, Munster will remain top of Conference B after this weekend as they have an eight-point advantage over Connacht.