Brian and his trophy wife (sorry Amy)
Now that The Best Team in Europe © has been decided (and it’s Leinster in case you’re wondering) , time to work out who’s the best in the Magner’s League. This is the first year of the Magners League with the Italian teams in the competition, and the last with Magners as the sponsor, as Fiat take over next year. Leinster and Munster have each one it twice, so one of them (see how fair I’m being here) is going to join the Ospreys on three wins. Leinster amazingly came out the cauldron of the Millennium Stadium without any injuries – I suppose they only played in the second half so that probably helped. Maybe they had one eye on the Magners’ after all! We all know how Leinster can play, the question is, who’s going to play on Saturday, the first half team or the second half team? My feeling is that they have momentum now, and as long as they don’t underestimate Munster they should win, and claim a rare double.
How Munster are going to play is a lot harder to predict. I’d pinpoint their loss to Quins as a hugely influential factor for them. Thomond Park has been a fortress for them now just about forever, so to lose there to a team they don’t rate, has hit their confidence hard. Then on top of that, the lady boys of Leinster go and win the Heienken Cup! I think a mixture of uncertainty in their own ablilty, and undoubted respect for Leinster’s achievements are going to play with their heads for the match. I have a lot of respect for Munster, they have a very talented players, and are fearsome at home. Leinster are going to need to give them that respect as well if they want to beat them. For Munster, I’d like to see them give their promising youngsters their head, player like Felix Jones and Connor Murray need to be brought into the game as much as possible, those are the sparks that can ignite them. And at the end of the day, if things don't work out, second to Leinster is no disgrace is it? Couldn't help myself there!
For the sake of my heart, if you it’s Ok with you lads, I know the comeback against Northampton was amazing, but would mind beating Munster without too much drama this weekend?
Aviva Premiership
Twickenham is the venue as last year’s finalists Leicester and Saracens get to lock horns again. I don’t get to watch a huge amount of Premiership rugby, partly because the TV rights are fragmented, and partly because there’s so much other rugby on. When I do get to watch, London Irish are my team, but I also like to watch the Saints, who, in my mind, play some of the most attractive looking rugby in the league, with Bath and Quins also up there. Attractive isn’t the first word that springs to mind when I think of Leicester or Saracens, brutally efficient is closer to the mark. Saracens seem to live off their defense, and hit teams on the counter attack, while the Tigers put the opposition through a cement mixer and then drive over them with a tank, which can be enjoyable in it’s own way. I don’t really see anyone except the Tigers winning this, they have the players, have the confidence and finished top because they are the most consistent team in the tournament. Would have loved to have seen an Irish/Saints final, but there you go.
The Baa Baa’s match looks like it could be a bit of fun.
Shark Bite
The Sharks have a go at the Waratahs this week – hmmm, I wonder what’s going to happen there? The men from Sydney are going to be straight off the plane, so this could be an opportunity for the Sharks to keep working on their play off place. The Sharks could be level with the Crusaders if they do well! I think they’ll win but not with a bonus point.
Magners League
Saturday , May 28
Munster vs Leinster 17:05
International Match
Sunday , May 29
England vs Barbarians 14:30
Aviva Premiership
Saturday , May 28
Leicester vs Saracens 15:00
Super Rugby
Friday , May 27
Hurricanes vs Western Force 19:35
Saturday , May 28
Highlanders vs Lions 19:35
Brumbies vs Stormers 19:40
Sharks vs Waratahs 17:05
Bulls vs Cheetahs 19:10
Sunday , May 29
Reds vs Crusaders 16:10
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