**The first of Round 6’s mouth-watering match-ups promises to be a thriller, with both Connacht and Scarlets eager to build on two wins apiece and strengthen their claims for a Final Series spot.** The hosts will be chomping at the bit to continue where they left off, having overcome Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh either side of a defeat at Cardiff Blues, before two postponements due to Covid-19 left them starved of action since the end of October. While Andy Friend will hope his charges will return refreshed, Scarlets will be in confident mood having edged past Zebre in Round 5, leaving them one point ahead of the Irishmen – having played two games more – ahead of kick-off. **What’s at stake?** Both sides are looking to reclaim former glories this season, and victory here would certainly keep them in the mix for the top two, and ensure that so-far high-flying Munster remain in touching distance. A 2018/19 quarter-finals showing is the best Connacht have managed since being crowned champions three years earlier, and having finished 11 points off the pace last season, they are desperate to reassert their authority in the standings.
