Sunday, January 13, 2013

Leinster Ulster and Munster profit, while the cards don't fall for Connacht


I got that prickly feeling in my neck when I realized that I’d called all the four Irish provinces results! How’s that for a dramatic start!

I was at the Leinster match for a change, great to see the lads up close. They have woken up to the fact that they are in last chance saloon, and played with a determination and purpose that’s been missing for large parts of the season. Whenever they got close to the Scarlet’s try line, it looked like a try was on the way, and often it was. Kearney is looking sharp, and Sexton is playing better than ever, so flat on attack and so quick with his hands. They defended everything the Scarlet’s could throw at them, and only conceded the try when they had a man down injured. The fat lady hasn’t sung yet, Leinster are hanging in there.

Ulster had a bit of a wobble mid match, and then eased their way to a good victory over Edinburgh. They have fantastic options at scrum half, with the potential to bring on Marshall if they ever need to up the tempo. Tom Court is growing in skill and confidence, and they look like they have their groove back, qualified now and hunting down the home semi.

It was yellow cards a go go as Connacht got fairly well thrashed by Quins. It was 14 v 12 for Conacht at one stage. No budget, no big names, and the ref still has to tie their hands behind their backs to get the job done. McSharry was again impressive, as was Jonny Concrete, and for Quins Mike Brown and Ugo Monye were in top form.

Didn’t watch the Munster Edinburgh match, but at least Munster got the win if not the bonus point. They are still a work in progress, and while they could still be alive in the HC, hard to see major honours for them this season.

Heineken Cup
Sunday , January 13
Edinburgh 17 - 26 Munster 
Ospreys 15 - 15 Leicester 
Toulouse 35 - 14 Benetton Treviso
Saturday , January 12
Racing Metro 92 28 - 37 Saracens 
Harlequins 47 - 8 Connacht 
Zebre 6 - 32 Biarritz 
Toulon 45 - 25 Cardiff Blues 
Clermont Auvergne 46 - 3 Exeter 
Leinster 33 - 14 Scarlets 
Friday , January 11
Northampton 18 - 12 Castres 
Sale 6 - 27 Montpellier 
Ulster 23 - 6 Glasgow 

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