The Rainbow Cup fixtures for rounds 4,5 and 6 have finally been confirmed, with leaders Munster set to face Welsh and Italian opposition in the next two rounds.
Johann van Graan's side have put themselves in prime position to reach the final of the northern section of the tournament, following inter-pro wins against both Leinster and Ulster in recent weeks.
And the province have been pitted against the Cardiff Blues and Zebre in rounds 4 and 6, with the Welsh side visiting Thomond Park on Friday May 28th for a 7.35 kickoff, before they travel to Parma to face Zebre two weeks later, with a 6pm kickoff Irish time. The PRO14 runners-up will be on a bye-week in round 5 of the competition.
Munster will be hoping to make it three wins from three to start their Rainbow Cup campaign this Friday, when they entertain Connacht in the last of their interpro games in Limerick.
Meanwhile PRO 14 champions Leinster will have their Rainbow Cup bye-week next week, following this weekend's game versus Ulster at the RDS. Leo Cullen's side will than face an away trip to the Glasgow Warriors in round 5, before hosting the Dragons in their final game of the mini0league.
Winless Ulster face a tough finish to the season, hosting the Scarlets and travelling to Edinburgh in successive weeks, with their bye week in round 6 likely to mean their season officially ends a week earlier than everyone else.
Connacht will also be on the bye-week in round 6, but would likely need to beat Munster this weekend to stand any chance of making a final, with an away trip to Benetton and a home tie with the Ospreys to follow in rounds 4 and 5.
SELECTED RAINBOW CUP FIXTURES:
Round 4 – Friday, May 28
Munster v Cardiff Blues – KO 19:35
Thomond Park, Limerick
Saturday, May 29
Ulster v Scarlets – KO 15:00
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Benetton v Connacht – KO 17:15 (IRE)
Stadio di Monigo, Treviso
Round 5 – Friday, June 4
Connacht v Ospreys Rugby – KO 18:00
The Sportsground, Galway
Glasgow Warriors v Leinster – KO 20:15
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Saturday, June 5
Edinburgh v Ulster – TBC
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Round 6 – Friday, June 11
Zerbe Rugby Club v Munster Rugby – KO 18:00 (IRE)
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Leinster v Dragons – KO 20:15
RDS Arena, Dublin
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