22nd April 2010

Super 14
The match of the weekend has to be the Reds against the Stormers, the best attack against the best defense. Who’s it going to be? I’m going with the Stormers by not underestimating the Reds. See what the Reds have done with a decent coach? Is this not something teams like the Sharks and the ‘Canes should be thinking about? After that the all Australian derby of ‘Tahs and Brumbies looks to produce some fireworks, where the ‘Tahs at home are going to trying to ‘bring the pain’ and should tame those Brumbies. The Sharks should see off the Blues, and the Lions would probably wish they were doing something safer than playing the Bulls, like bungee jumping or swimming with sharks.

Magners League

Connacht came up with a good win against Leinster on Wednesday, which will give their Heineken Cup hopes a shot in the arm. What kind of quality of rugby are we going to see with this kind of fixtures list, that’ll be three games in a week for Connacht and Leinster by the end of the weekend? The Ospreys vs Munster looks good, while Leinster vs Glasgow should still have a bit of an edge from the 6 Nations

Guinness Premiership

Saints and Saracens at Franklin Gardens will be the showpiece this weekend and a real test for both teams. The Saints look as hungry as anything and with Dylan Hartley who has England captain written all over him (if you’re reading Mr. Johnson) leading from the front this could be a bit of a meltdown for the Saracens. Wasps vs Bath looks pretty good too although I can’t see Wasps losing, and at the bottom Sale and Newcastle, and then Leeds and Worcester are all walking a tight rope. How did Sale get down there? Newcastle and Leeds I think.

News

Sounds like there is going to be a shake in the South African coaching set up, with Pieter De Villiers unhappy about rumours he’s not really in charge still circulating. If you judge PDV on his results, he’s a pretty good coach, but if you judge him on what he says then all I can tell you is that east is west and that up is down. Ricky Flutey is going back to Wasps after an unhappy stay at Brive.