Magners League, Aviva Premiership, Super Rugby, and hey! Post number 100!

This is a bit of a land mark post for me – post number 100! Being feted as expert, having my opinion eagerly sought, seeing my posts widely circulated – well, none of this has happened yet. Maybe by the time I get to 200! Fixtures are at the bottom by the way.

Leo Cullen Image from http://bit.ly/ek6mYH

Leinster vs Scarlets

Leinster get a boost for this match with the return of the likes of McFadden, Cullen, and Sexton, and with Hines on the bench. 14000 tickets have been sold for this match, which is more than decent for a Magners match in the middle of the Six Nations. Leinster are going to be relishing getting their first choice locks back into the fold, as they’ve definitely lacked a bit of grunt up front. Having Stan Wright back from injury is another boost – at the time he was injured, the question was, will Mike Ross be able to step up to the plate? He’s done more than that, pretty well cementing a place for himself in the Ireland team. I really rate the Scarlets, but with the stars they have out on international duty, and playing away from home, I’d say they are going to succumb to the Blue Magic.

Connaught and Ulster take on Italian opposition at home – Ulster are in pretty irresistible form and should make short work of Aironi. Connaught need to watch out against Treviso, as the Italians have done some sterling work at home, including overcoming Munster at home. Treviso don’t have any of their internationals though, only a few fringe internationals on the bench. Connacht at home and at full strength should roll the Italians over.

Munster vs Newport-Gwent Dragons

Munster get Stringer back from international for this match, probably the form scrum half in Ireland, and Leamy, not the form loosie in the country, as they welcome the Dragons to Limerick. They miss their locks when Ireland calls, there is not the back-up steel to compensate for the loss of O’Callaghan and O’Connell. But the Dragons are not that fiery, and not that toothy either, sitting at 7th in the league. 25 points below Munster, especially at Thomond Park, Munster are going to be way too strong.

Exiles


Leeds Carnegie vs London Irish

After their recent troubles, the Exiles could be on a mini road to recovery. They saw off Gloucester last weekend in reasonable style, and will eyeing up this match like a parched man in a desert spotting a waterhole. If we read their thought bubbles, it would say bonus point win in flashing neon letters. I don’t know if they’ll achieve the bonus point,but win they will.

Shark Bite

The Sharks are two from two so far, and get to take on the Western Force in Aus. Flying half way round the world won’t have helped their chances in this match, although they at least have their first choice squad available. The Force had a bye last week, and lost their opening match to the Reds, although only just. The Reds then got pretty well smashed by the Waratahs. To me, that means neither the Reds nor the Force are that great this year, so the Force are going to bitten, with the Sharks to open their tour with a win.

Aviva Premiership



Friday , March 4

Newcastle vs Harlequins 20:00

Saturday , March 5

Gloucester vs Bath 13:00

Leicester vs Saracens 15:15

Sunday , March 6

Exeter vs Northampton 15:00

Wasps vs Sale 15:00

Leeds Carnegie vs London Irish 15:00

Super Rugby


Friday , March 4

Lions vs Blues 19:10

Crusaders vs Waratahs 19:35

Saturday , March 5

Chiefs vs Melbourne Rebels 19:35

Stormers vs Cheetahs 17:05

Western Force vs Sharks 19:05

Bulls vs Highlanders 19:10

Brumbies vs Reds 19:40

The Magners League


Friday , March 4

Connacht vs Benetton Treviso 19:00

Ulster vs Aironi Rugby 19:05

Edinburgh vs Cardiff Blues 19:30

Leinster vs Scarlets 19:35

Saturday , March 5

Ospreys vs Glasgow 17:30

Munster vs Newport-Gwent D'gons 19:30