Rob Howley's Tie of Round 3

"All the games this weekend are huge to be honest but I think Scarlets against Leinster will be massive. The Scarlets have probably been the in form team in terms of producing one of the big upsets so far against London Irish. I think that they will really fancy their chances against Leinster on Saturday. They have suffered a few injuries through the autumn campaign unfortunately but they're playing some rugby at the moment with confidence, and they played particularly well against Irish and they will be looking to take that form into the Leinster game.

I think that the brand of rugby that the Scarlets played against London Irish in Reading was pretty special. Steve Jones and Martyn Roberts, the half backs, were both able to dictate the tempo and control the game and put them in the right area. They're playing the Heineken Cup champions and the team who will come out of this could put them in number one position to go onto the quarter finals.

They are obviously missing Matthew Rees but have Ken Owens who's performed superbly well when he's been asked, who is a very dynamic forward and a good ball carrier. He takes the ball in hand and is pretty phenomenal on the pass. David Lyons, the Australian number 8 has also been playing particularly well, giving them the go-forward and creating quick ball at the tackle area.

On the other hand you have Leinster, with Irish rugby being in very good health at the moment. Irish confidence is sky high from their autumn window. In Brian O'Driscoll they've got probably one of the best players of the year who is simply phenomenal in attack and defence. Leinster have got huge core players and a huge amount of talent and that's why this game will be so tasty. If I had to pick, I still fancy the Scarlets to give Leinster a real go at home.

These games just before Christmas are defining moments. It either puts you in a stage whereby you need to win one game in the last two, or you find yourselves in third or fourth and out of the competition."