Jordan Larmour is this season's Gary Ringrose!

 

Jordan Larmour

Well, Leinster again made a mockery of my predictions with a fantastic away win over Ulster, their first win there for a few years. They got a 15 point win, while butchering two tries, so it wasn't even as close it looked. Jordan Larmour  scored an astonishing try - he's this years Gary Ringrose! Overall, Leinster's back play is out of the top draw, the running lines, the interpassing, and is hugely hard to defend against. How was the dummy from O'Brien? And the forwards are putting in the hard yards to let the backs shine. Ulster are struggling - their lineout was disaster, their scrum was iffy, and their handling in general wasn't great. They look like a side with a lack of confidence.

On Friday night, Connacht got a valuable home win over Munster. Conway's red card was the defining moment, but it was a closely fought match that could have gone either way up until then anyway. Connacht are just starting to string a bit of form together - O'Halloran is playing well, as is Marmion, and great to see Adeolokan back too. Butler is brilliant  - outstanding. Munster have fantastic solid forward play, but would look so much better with more creative back play. Hanrahan was a mixed bag - fumbles and mistakes, but bringing runners on to him too. He needs a good run in the team to bring his confidence along.


Saturday 28th October
Benetton Rugby 13 24 Edinburgh FT
Zebre 23 24 Cheetahs FT
Ulster 10 25 Leinster FT
Scarlets 30 17 Cardiff Blues FT
Friday 27th October
Connacht 20 16 Munster FT
Glasgow Warriors 43 13 Southern Kings FT
Ospreys 28 14 Dragons

Irish derbies, and the loss of Zebo!

 

 Jacob Stockdale

It's derby weekend again for the Irish provinces, with Munster traveling to Connacht, and Leinster going up to Belfast to take on Ulster.

Munster and Irish Rugby has been rocked by the loss of Zebo to Racing. You can#t really blame him I suppose, he could injured next week and never play again, so why not cash in while he can. It#s a question we haven't find the answer to - where do we find the money to hang on to our stars? While at the same time doing the women's game justice, and nurturing the stars of the future? It's going to be tough match, Munster start as favourites but anything can happen at the Sportsground!

Ulster meanwhile are going to be keen to bounce back froma very dispiriting loss last weekend to La Rochelle. When Lealiifano went off, they fell to pieces really, and he's a big doubt for this weekend. However, that was a was away from home, Kingsholm inspires them with the vocal passionate fans. Everyone is talking about Jacob Stockdale, and Leinster will do will to contain him! Leinster have have played some great rugby, and bar a rash of midfield injuries, are starting to look like they did at their best last season. I would certainly love to see Ringrose back! I've said Leinster would struggle two weeks in a row.. three now, how about a draw?

Friday 27th October
Connacht 19:35 Munster
Glasgow Warriors 19:35 Southern Kings
Ospreys 19:35 Dragons
Saturday 28th October
Benetton Rugby 14:00 Edinburgh
Scarlets 19:35 Cardiff Blues
Ulster 18:30 Leinster
Zebre 17:00 Cheetahs