Magners and Aviva semis - make or break time in Ireland, Wales and England

Fergus McFadden- this is what we want on Friday (picture from: http://bit.ly/kFRDwd )

The Magners Semis kick off at the RDS as Leinster play Ulster, hoping to make their second final in a row. On paper this is a done deal, with Leinster soaring high in the Heineken Cup, and comfortably above Ulster in the final Magners table. However, Ulster are going to be totally focused on this match, a loss here and their season is over. Leinster have more on their plates with both the Magners League and the Heineken Cup in their sights, which present a chink of opportunity for Ulster. Of course Leinster want to win both, they’d want the Amlin Challenge Cup as well if that was open to them. But if they win the Magners and lose the Heineken, in old money they are going to feel like they lost a sixpence and found a penny. I really rate Ulster as a side on the up, they have their SA contingent who are delivering in spades, they have their home grown talent shining too, and if Leinster are thinking about the Saints in this match, they are going to swoop. I’m hoping Leinster can keep their focus, think about things one match at a time, play like they did in the second half last Friday, and not stop winning until the end of the season. Leinster by 5.


On Saturday, it’s Munster’s turn to welcome the Ospreys to Thomond Park. The Ospreys have been pretty enigmatic in the last few weeks ( sounds much nicer than sh*t doesn’t it?). They’ve had their arses kicked by (takes deep breath) Edinburgh, Munster, the Dragons, and came within a whisker of seeing mighty Aironi do the same last Friday. Ospreys problem, as I delve into areas I know nothing about, is that a host of their stars are leaving – there’s a core issue there apart from filthy lucre to leave, and the players that are staying are doing to have to deal with that issue as well as the fact they are losing three big stars.

But all, in all, they are fourth in the League for their performances over the season and their current squad oozes talent. I’m sure the players leaving want to end on a high, so they are perfectly capable of winning this fixture.
Munster meanwhile, are really hard to call. I said they’d lose to Leinster at Thomond, and they beat them. Then I said the Ospreys would beat them and they won. Then I said they’d cream Quins, and they didn’t. Soooo, that wasn’t too bad, 0/3 , small room for improvement. Really the last person you want to be asking whether Munster are going to win or not is me. But I’ve never let rank ignorance get in the way of a good opinion before, so as long as they can keep focused on the game in hand and not fret too much about the next match (if they get one), they should win this easily enough.

Aviva Premiership

The big one here for me is Leicester and Northampton. And for selfish Leinster reasons. I want Leicester to win it. Firstly I want to see how they do it so we can get a few hints. My suspicion is – bully them up front. Don’t kick the ball to Ashton or Fodden. Simple really. Also a loss for them is going to dent their confidence, and make them more vulnerable for the taking in the Heineken. Northampton don’t quite seem to have the confidence in their own league that they have in Europe, and they’re playing away as well. These are two big confident teams, I hope the best one wins, and in this instance I think it’s going to the Tigers.

Saracens and Gloucester is a clash of teams that are both showing real form in the Aviva Premiership. They’ve ended up being placed where they are both for results of the season, and in particular for their form in the last 4-6 weeks. Saracens are at home and that gives them a big advantage. Their pack is pretty well faultless and allied with a mean defence, makes them a hard nut to crack. Gloucester scored 10 tries against Sale last weekend, if they score a few of those it’s going to make for a really entertaining match. I think home advantage is going to see Gloucester home though.

Magners League


Friday , May 13

Leinster vs Ulster 19:05

Saturday , May 14

Munster vs Ospreys 18:30

Aviva Premiership


Saturday , May 14

Leicester vs Northampton 15:15

Sunday , May 15

Saracens vs Gloucester 14:30

Super Rugby


Friday , May 13

Highlanders vs Hurricanes 19:35

Reds vs Blues 19:40

Saturday , May 14

Chiefs vs Stormers 08:35

Brumbies vs Lions 10:40

Bulls vs Melbourne Rebels 17:05

Cheetahs vs Crusaders 19:10