A dour battle dominated by wet and windy conditions and extended periods of kicking ended in a narrow win for Munster, as Jean Kleyn's 62nd-minute try saw them pip the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Given they have lost on their last five visit to Wales, overturning Conference A rivals Cardiff Blues would have added significance for Connacht as they look to widen the current five-point gap between the sides in the table.

Munster will want to reclaim top spot from Glasgow Warriors' grasp when they resume their GUINNESS PRO14 campaign with their first trip to Rodney Parade, the home of the Dragons, since September 2016.

Ulster got out of jail in the dying seconds against Benetton Rugby, needing a last-gasp penalty try to share the spoils with the combative Italian who remain two points ahead of the province in Conference B.

Tries from James Lowe and Barry Daly in the final quarter steered runaway Conference B leaders Leinster to a 22-17 victory over the fast-finishing Scarlets at the RDS.

Munster head coach Johann van Graan has made a raft of changes to the team for Saturday's GUINNESS PRO14 round 14 match against the Dragons at Rodney Parade (kick-off 3pm).

Connacht head coach Andy Friend has given 21-year-old Sligo man Cillian Gallagher his first start of the season as the province prepare to face Conference A rivals Cardiff Blues in the GUINNESS PRO14 on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).

Ahead of their crunch home clash with Conference B rivals Benetton Rugby, Ulster head coach Dan McFarland said: "Benetton are a good side on the up and they have shown a steel in defence which puts them among the top sides in the league defensively. They will challenge our attack, so coming here it will be physical and a real test for us."

Armed with an already significant lead at the top of their Conference table, Leinster will aim to put further distance between themselves and the chasing Scarlets when the teams meet as GUINNESS PRO14 rugby returns to the RDS.

After a fortnight of European action and on the eve of the Six Nations, the GUINNESS PRO14 returns for round 14. There is plenty to prove as the race hots up for the final series.

The Ulster team has been finalised for Friday night's crucial GUINNESS PRO14 encounter with Benetton Rugby at Kingspan Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).

The Leinster team to play the Scarlets in the GUINNESS PRO14 at the RDS on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm) has been named by head coach Leo Cullen. The province are currently 19 points clear at the top of Conference B.

Hooker Dave Heffernan and winger Niyi Adeolokun are the latest two Connacht players to sign contract extensions with the province.

Connacht Rugby have announced that the province's attack coach Nigel Carolan, forwards coach Jimmy Duffy and defence coach Peter Wilkins have all signed two-year contract extensions to take them up to the end of the 2020/21 season.

Iain Henderson's man-of-the-match performance for Ulster against Leicester Tigers came at a price, as a finger injury will sideline him for several weeks according to an Ulster injury bulletin issued this afternoon.

Munster Rugby have confirmed that out-half Ian Keatley will depart the province for Italian GUINNESS PRO14 side Benetton Rugby following the completion of the 2018/19 season.

Former Ulster prop Paddy McAllister will return to Irish Rugby next season, having signed for Connacht from English Premiership club Gloucester.

Luke McGrath is set to miss Ireland's entire GUINNESS Six Nations campaign after his injury during the second half of Leinster's Heineken Champions Cup win over Toulouse was confirmed as knee ligament damage. The scrum half has been ruled out for up to eight weeks.

Ireland international Ultan Dillane is the latest player to commit his future to Connacht by signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Sportsground up to the end of the 2020/21 season.

Connacht Rugby have announced that out-half Jack Carty has signed a two-year contract extension with the province to take him up to the end of the 2020/21 season.