The English Premiership started last weekend after a lengthy break due to restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 virus. Domestic rugby competitions under the guise of ‘Super Rugby’ have been taking place in Australia and New Zealand. However the real rugby competition resumes tonight in Italy as Benetton and Zebre play the first of their two derby games in the re-jigged PRO14.

Clubs from 4 of the 5 nations taking part in the PRO14 will be in action this weekend, albeit in stadiums devoid of fans due to ongoing restrictions. When the South African teams, the Kings and the Cheetahs, play their next games remains a mystery. The PRO14 organizers will no doubt be pleased though that whether the Kings and Cheetahs play again this season or not it won’t make a difference to the knockout stages as neither team are in the running to get there. Had it still been possible for these teams to get to the Semi-Finals it could have posed a headache for the PRO14 with all the travel restrictions making it unlikely or very difficult for them to take part in knockout games.

The main game of the weekend takes place tomorrow when Glasgow ‘host’ Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Both of their remaining PRO14 games are against each other and are scheduled for Edinburgh’s home ground.

A number of players with South African connections will be eager to get their first opportunity to play a competitive game in a long time. Oli Kebble will line up for Glasgow while team mate, former Stormer,  Huw Jones will start in the unfamiliar 15 jersey. WP Nel will be Kebble’s direct opponent as he has been named at tight head prop for Edinburgh and will be joined by a host of other South Africans. Nick Groom and Jaco van der Walt are Edinburgh’s starting halfbacks with flyer Duhan van der Merwe taking off on the wing. Mike Willemse and Pierre Schoeman are on the bench and will look to make their presence felt in the latter stages of the game.

It is a pity that Schoeman, who barring any unforseen circumstances should be capped by Scotland next year, isn’t starting the game. The battle between him and Glasgow’s giant Zander Fagerson would have been an intriguing one. The two of them could well form two thirds of Scotland’s front row for many years to come. Fagerson seems to have been around for ages but is still only 24 and almost 2 years junior to Schoeman. However, he already boasts a lot of experience for such a young tight head having played in 91 games for Glasgow Warriors, starting in 60 of them, as well as 29 international games for Scotland.

This weekend’s games (kick off times are in British Summer Time)

Friday, 21 August

Benetton v Zebre, Stadio Monigo, 19:00 BST

Saturday, 22 August

Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Parc y Scarlets, 15:00 BST

Glasgow v Edinburgh, Murrayfield, 17:15 BST

Leinster v Munster, Aviva Stadium, 19:35 BST

Sunday, 23 August

Ospreys v Dragons, Liberty Stadium, 14:15 BST

Connacht v Ulster, Aviva Stadium, 16:30 BST