The big one of the weekend was Saracens v Toulon. For once
this season, Saracens came up against a team where their physicality didn’t
count. Big players for them like Burger and Britz just didn’t feature, Toulon
had size on the pitch, and size on the bench, and they murdered Saracens at the
breakdown. And playmakers for Touolon like Giteau, Basteraud, Mitchell, Fernandez
and Smith combined to make tries that overcame the stout Saracens defense. Saracens
are really good team, but Toulon are a class above – they need to develop a
more rounded game to have a plan B for when they don’t dominate physically.
Toulon are the modern team of all nations, but Saracens
aren’t far behind. There were a huge number of South Africans on the pitch – Burden,
Botha, Rousssow , Smith, Claassens and Habana for Toulon, and Britz, Hargreaves,
De Cock, Stevens, Botha and Barett for Saracens (OK, some of them are English
now!). And even some English and French players! Jonny Wilkinson is a total
professional, and a regular down to earth guy too, one of the best players of
all time. But unlike Sky commentator Stuart Barnes, I wouldn’t bear his babies without anesthetic. A word too for Alain Rolland, signing off on a
high , one of the greats of the game.
Northampton v Bath wasn’t quite the free flowing event it
might have been, but it was decent contest for most of the match. Bath took
their chances well in the first half, but just couldn’t live with Northampton’s
power in the second half, as the Saints claimed their first cup of the season.
Wasps made hay against a flaky Stade Francaise team, who
pressed the panic button way too early in the match, and at the end handed the
win and the final spot in the new European on a plate to Wasps. There’s a lot
of quality in that Wasps team, my man of the match was Joe Simpson, who ran the
show superbly from scrum half.
Finally Leinster A
retained the British and Irish Cup with a 44 – 17 wins over Leeds Carnegie.
With the Rabo taking a break this weekend, there’s a few top matches to catch across in Europe.
The final of the Amlin Challenge Cup takes place tonight, an all English affair between Bath and Northampton. Bath had a pretty decent season this year, just missing out on a playoff spot for the Premiership, but they can still end their season on a high tonight. Northampton, meanwhile, are in the Premiership final already, and did that with 14 men for a good chunk of the match. Just to spread the wins around, I’ll be supporting Bath, even though I reckon Northampton will win. I’m not against the Saints, I hope they win the Premiership. I’m hoping for an open match, there’s not the pressure you get from playing in a HC final.
Wasps travel to Paris to take on Stade Francaise, after taking the home leg of the tie, for the last spot in the imaginatively named European Cup. They did well, because Stade have a much better season than of late, although there is always the brutal away form of French clubs to think of. They start with a great line up, as do Wasps, but Stade have 4 internationals on the bench, so over the 80 minutes I reckon that will tell, and I expect Stade to be in Europe next year.
Finally, it’s the big one, Saracens v Toulon in the final of the last ever Heineken Cup, also notable for last European appearance of Mr. J.Wilkinson. And no doubt his kicking prowess, while not what it used to be, will have a big say in the final outcome. The packs will be like two panzer divisions facing off, and the breakdown is going to be lethal, as 6 of the best loose forwards in the world get stuck in. Toulon’s edge is in the backs, with just an edge in power and skill, and they have a better bench. It’ll probably only be a few points either way, but the right side I think for Toulon.
Heineken Cup Saturday , May 24 Toulon vs Saracens Stade Francais vs Wasps Amlin Challenge Cup Friday , May 23 Bath vs Northampton
I watched the Leinster Stade Francaise with a fair amont of trepidation – there’s a good word. I wasn’t sure about the team that Joe Schmidt had picked, and thought Stade had looked impressive beating Perpignan. I guess that’s why I write a blog and Joe is just about to coach Ireland. With consummate team management, he’s 2 from 2 in the knock matches in the last two weeks, and has a fresh team going into the Rabo final. Quinn Roux is starting to come into his own, prop xxxx had a decent outing, and McFadden and Madigan could go a long, long way as a centre pairing. This was one touch rugby from Leinster – get one chance, string passes together, try! They made it look embarrassingly easy, and their defense was more than able to cope with anything Stade came up with. I hope we some game management and new faces like that from Scmidt in the Ireland job too.It’s not the Heineken Cup - but is A Cup!
Then on to the final itself, as Dublin was overrun with rugby fans. The first half was brutal in every sense of the word – no tries, a penalty each, and unbelievelable physicality. It had Clermont playing all the rugby, and Toulon just about holding them out. Then after half time – two quick Clemont tries (which I missed because I was getting the salmon en croute ready to put in the oven –as you do) and it looked like the game was up. How Clermont lost it from there, I don’t know, but they’ll be deeply sickened they didn’t go on to close this out, as Toulon hung in, snatched the lead and defended it. I really wanted Clermont to win, and thought they deserved to, but they have only themselves to blame for not going on and winning it. – that and Toulon’s defense. Fair play to Toulon for holding their nerve.
Heineken Cup Saturday , May 18 Clermont Auvergne 15 - 16 Toulon Amlin Challenge Cup Friday , May 17 Stade Francais 13 - 34 Leinster
So, with three French teams heading for Dublin this weekend, the conventional wisdom is to lock your daughters and wives up. And maybe, just to be sure your mothers and grandmothers. I mean, Irish fans would never behave like that when they go away. Anyway, leaving aside the perceived prowess of Frenchmen...what about the rugby?
Stade Francaise are a bit of an unknown quantity these days – they came 11th in the Top 14 this year and none of their players (in the match day squad) are involved with the French national team. What impressed me about their win over Perpignan in the semis though was their physicality – they sucked Perpignan in like a giant crushing machine and dropped little bits out the other side. And the carrot for Stade here is that this is their ticket to the Heineken cup next season. On the flipside, what disappointed me about Leinster’s narrow win over Glasgow last weekend was their lack of physicality – it was mainly a gigantic defensive effort, we weren’t on the front foot almost at all. Then we don’t have BOD or D’Arcy, and out locks look iffy – not iffy maybe but not threatening. This is not shaping up well for us. I had a sense last week that they were pacing themselves for effectively three finals in a row. If they give it a 100% this weekend, will anything be left in the tank for next week? Also , we last played on Saturday, while Stade fielded a B Team last weekend, so they’ve had two weeks break. I’m examining the entrails here and I don’t like what I see. We have home advantage, we took out Biarritz who are as good as Stade and maybe better...so after all that i’m still going Leinster, but just, just squeaking home.
In the HC final, it’s the really big guns of French rugby, Clermont and Toulon slugging it out. I want Clermont to win it, for a few reasons. Firstly, they beat Leinster, and I want us only to have been beaten by the HC winners. Then I like Clermont too – they play attractive rugby, do the basics well, and are stuffed full of players you’d like for your own team. I don’t really like Toulon – I see them as the Man City of rugby, just going out and buying the best player in each position. They only had four French players in their starting 15 which is a bit poor for a French team you’d have to say. Overall, I think despite all of Toulon’s stars that Clermont have a better balanced team – brilliant forwards, and more creative and threatening backs. It’ll be close, but I think Clermont will do it.
Heineken Cup Saturday , May 18 Clermont Auvergne vs Toulon 17:00 Amlin Challenge Cup Friday , May 17 Stade Francais vs Leinster
The Heineken and Amlin Cup finalists were decided this weekend, two tournaments with very different feels to them. The Amlin Cup was bonkers and enjoyable, while the Heineken Cup was intense and enjoyable.
Perpignan Stade was all over the place as expected, but in a good way. The passion of the home crowd was second to none, and it took some very strange bounces of the ball in penalties for Stade to steal it at the end. Perpignan had it, they had it, and then they lost it…and were left totally broken, with players slumped all over the ground. From a Leinster perspective, I was hoping Perpignan were going to win as the size of those Stade players is unbelievable. Great, enjoyable match to watch anyway.
Leinster kept hold of their official ‘Blue Magic’ title with a storming performance to stomp all over Biarritz. Biarritz kept it half decent until the last three minutes of the first half, when Leinster ran in two tries and killed the match off as a contest. Leinster ran everything, and with Sexton, Madigan, Nacewa , Bod and Kearney all looking dangerous – it wasn’t going to be Biarritz’s day. There was a sublime interchange of passes between Nacewa and Sexton for Sexton’s try, that won’t be matched for a long time. I was also impressed with how Leinster fronted up to the physical challenge of Biarritz, even without SOB. Home final too!
The Clermont Munster match was a far lower scoring affair, but way more intense. Clermont came out of the blocks at 100mph, and while they conceded an early penalty, they came roaring back with a try and looked like they were going to totally dominate Munster. But Munster were playing the game in the right parts of the field, and picking up points with penalties, staying in touch. Munster were much stronger in the second half, Hurleys try brought them back into it, and they NEARLY stole it at the end, but it wasn’t to be. Clermont are a hugely impressive team, so big and talented and well balanced, this looks like their year. For Munster, with POC back in the team, they are a physical force to contend with any team. And O’Gara played his best game in ages, awesome stuff, pinning Clermont back and putting through perfect little grubbers. Munster played well and it’s no disgrace to be beaten by a team like Clermont.
Finally, Saracens succumbed to the runaway juggernaut that is Toulon. They have the biggest, or the most skilled player, (or both) in every position, and JW to take the points. He squeezed out a drop goal there like threading a needle, he’s just pure pure class. It’s going to make for an awesome final, with Clermont the only team you could see beating them. Saracens were right there for most of the match, but faded at the end – Touoln’s subs were just better, and they totally lost their heads at the end. I think Saracens need a scrumhalf/flyhalf pairing with more flair, to present some sort of back play challenge to go with their awesome pack.
Heineken Cup
Sunday , April 28 Saracens 12 - 24 Toulon Saturday , April 27 Clermont Auvergne 16 - 10 Munster Amlin Challenge Cup Saturday , April 27 Leinster 44 - 16 Biarritz Friday , April 26 Perpignan 22 - 25 Stade Francais
I was going to cover the BIG competition first, but at the risk of looking partisan, I suppose I should glance over the Heineken Cup.
It’s only heavyweights left at this stage of the competition – is it a coincidence that the four remaining teams would be well known for their physicality ?
First up is the tournament favorites Clermont taking on a resurgent Munster side. There have been some impressive battles between the teams in the last 5 years or so – battle generally being the operative word. I can remember a Munster/Clermont match at Thomond where Jamie Cudmore was red carded for punching Paul O’Connell (I’m sayin’ nothing!) and even with 14 men proceeded to push Munster right down to the wire. The key of course is whether Munster can stand up and fight like they did against Quins. It’s absolutely the approach that Clermont will be expecting, and one I think they’re looking forward to the physical challenge Munster will present. Then if the Clermont forwards can get an upper hand – their backs will ram home the advantage. This is probably the hardest one to call this weekend – I think Clermont really mean business this year, and I’m going with them, even if they do look a bit iffy at fly half with James and Skrela in doubt. And if they do win, it will probably be by a bit.
Saracens Toulon is going to be a total slugfest. Flair, finesse, running rugby – are words unlikely to be spoken on Sunday. It’s going to be a last man standing matching, and a shoot out between Owen Farell and Johnny Wilkinson. Toulon have the biggest club rugby budget in the world I’d say, so man for man they are bigger, and probably more skilled. They are away, which doesn’t suit them, but nothing I’ve seen from Saracens suggest they’ll be able to beat someone they can’t bully. So I’m going Toulon and an all French final.
In the boutique club tournament, the Amlin Challenge Cup (think Electric Picnic to Oxegen) Perpignan and Stade get it going on Friday. That is likely to be a classic French derby ie pretty bonkers- lots of physical stuff up front, and a bit of insane throwing the ball around at the back. Perpignan should take it with home advantage.
Leinster look to be able to pick nearly from a full squad this weekend, which has been a relative rarity for this season. They won’t have many players without international caps in the team, and if Sexton, BOD D’Arcy, Nacewa and Kearney bring their a game that wil probably decide it. Biarritz Olympique coach Didier Faugeron said "If you want to beat Leinster you must be well in the head ". You can’ argue with that! Even if Biarritz aren’t a top team anymore, they have awesone depth, but if their away form is as brutal as normal, Leinster should grab this one.
Heineken Cup Saturday , April 27 Clermont Auvergne vs Munster 18:00 Sunday , April 28 Saracens vs Toulon 15:00 Amlin Challenge Cup Friday , April 26 Perpignan vs Stade Francais Saturday , April 27 Leinster vs Biarritz
Leinster got things going for Ireland with a smashing performance against Wasps. This is Leinster! Their defense wasn’t 100% - I think a unfamiliar centre partnering had a lot to do with that – and Wasps have some attacking ability in their backline. But this is the form that wins you cups – when you can attack, and the opposition trembles in their boots! Madigan just ran through their whole team. Add in some great loose forward play, a stellar return from D’Arcy, and now a home semi – this is what we want! I like Christian Wade though – doesn’t he want to move to Ireland?
The main thing that was emphasised in Ulster’s loss to Saracens, is that Chris Aston is a gigantic knob. He really is peerless in this department. Ulster had a bad day at the office at Twickenham. They came with a bad gameplan – you don’t try and outmuscle a team stuffed with Saffers. Outwitting them is generally simpler. They just got bulldozed by Saracens, wacked in the lineout and monstered at the breakdown, with the scrum being the only area that had parity. They just never got out the blocks, they had butter fingers, it was hard to watch really. No lack of effort, but they were just smothered by Saracens.
It was the Munster’s turn to peg things back for Ireland, with a rousing second half comeback, picking up the game by the scruff of the neck and having their Munster way with it. Paul O’Connell was imperious, at the lineout, with ball in hand, the engine of the victory, ably assisted by the loss trio who just bossed Quins off the park. We could have done with that energy in the 6N. They stood up and fought alright!
Out of the 8 remaining teams, five are French, two Irish and one English. We punch way above our weight! Heineken Cup Sunday , April 7 Harlequins 12 - 18 Munster Toulon 21 - 15 Leicester Saturday , April 6 Clermont Auvergne 36 - 14 Montpellier Saracens 27 - 16 Ulster Amlin Challenge Cup Saturday , April 6 Bath 20 - 36 Stade Francais Friday , April 5 Perpignan 30 - 19 Toulouse
So the BIG challenge this weekend for Leinster is the Amlin Challenge Cup! After having graciously bowed out of the Heineken Cup to give Ulster and Munster a sporting chance :) , it’s a fresh challenge for Leinster to win a cup they’ve never won, but which is every bit as prestigious as the Heineken Cup. It’s a major, major cup, like, a really big one. Ok, no it isn’t, and we’d far rather be in the Heineken cup. Will they add a half star to the jersey if we win it? Maybe an asterisk? With a note on the bottom of the jerseys to explain what it’s for?
Leinster have put out a strong team – performers like Sean O’Brien, Gordon D’Arcy and Fergus McFadden Come back in. We still have issues at lock, but the backline looks much better balanced. The Wasps team looks decent but not exceptional – I really rate Christian Wade and Joe Launchbury, but player for player we are better on average. They do have home advantage. Wasps are 7th in the premiership and have lost to Saracens Saints Worcester and the Exiles in their last matches. So, I think we’ll do it if we play any rugby at all.
Ulster have a tall order at Saracens. Early on in the season, they had a hard physical game, and a good running game, and the combination propelled them to the top of the Rabo, and into the Heineken Quarters. But this year, things have been a lot mixed. They seem to have rediscovered their physical edge, which they are going to need because Sarries are only bloody massive. If they stand up to Sarries, and play the game out of the range of Owen Farrell’s boot, they could win this. On recent form though, I think Sarries will bulldoze them. Hope not.
Munster come into their match against Quins in disarray. Donnacha Ryan, Connor Murray, and maybe Howlett and Zebo will be back. A decent scrum half is a good start. After a battering last week, I don’t know if they can pull it together against Quins, especially away. Having said all that, Quins have lost their last three matches on the bounce. Most people are expecting Quins to take this at a canter, and I think they’ll win, but probably not by much.
In the rest of the matches – I’m going Clermont and Toulon in the HC, and Gloucester, Toulouse and Bath. Let’s see how I do!
Heineken Cup Saturday , April 6 Clermont Auvergne vs Montpellier 15:40 Saracens vs Ulster 18:30 Sunday , April 7 Harlequins vs Munster 14:00 Toulon vs Leicester 17:30 Amlin Challenge Cup Thursday , April 4 Gloucester vs Biarritz Friday , April 5 Perpignan vs Toulouse 20:00 Wasps vs Leinster 20:00 Saturday , April 6 Bath vs Stade Francais 13:00
This is it, le grande frommage, 42 matches played in the build up, only one winner on Saturday. Looking back, Toulouse have won the Heineken Cup a record four times, while Munster, Leicester Tigers and London Wasps have won it twice each. Leinster have won it once, and so have the Saints. Cardiff are the only Welsh side to have played in a final, which they lost, and Scotland and Italy have never had a team in the final. Romain Poite is the ref, and the Millenium Stadium is the venue.
Northampton are going to be gunning for Leinster – they were savagely beaten by Leicester Tigers last weekend and winning the Heineken Cup would the prefect tonic for that. Also a number of their players were denied the grand slam in England colours by a very Leinster flavoured Ireland in the Six Nations. Most importantly, they have to avenge Ireland’s slighting of Blue in the Eurovision, after the UK generously gave their douze points to Jedward, while all Ireland could come up for Blue was a measly 6 points. The Queen is bound to have a word this week as well. So it’s going to be revenge, and redemption on the Saints’ mind this Saturday.
Leinster come into the match with a few injury worries, notably BOD, and Richardt Strauss. They’re also carrying the burden of favourites, which hasn’t always worked for them in the past. How do things get decided anyway, who the favourite is? The teams look pretty evenly matched to me. I see the major threats to Leinster as:
1. Northampton’s front row – They have been making mincemeat of most teams this season, and I wouldn’t pick Leinster’s front row as major strength. But Tonga'uiha and Mujati are no strangers to the pie shop, so if Leinster keep the pace up, these lads will start to puff.
2. Discipline – The Saints’ will be all over Leinster like a cheap suit – Hartley and Downey are going to be pushing the boundaries the whole match. This could be yellow cards for Leinster if they react, or it could go the other way as well, depending on how Poite refs the match
3. Careful kicking – Ashton and Fodden are pure dynamite for the Saints, so Leinster need to avoid kicking to them in broken field play – that means kicking the ball into the stands, and chasing up all their kicks.
Leinster’s 9,10.12,13 and 15 are going to have to play as well as they ever have to pierce that Saint’s defence, this is the key is for me - they can, and they will. Leinster by 3. Going to be hanging off the edge of my seat and shouting the house down for this one!
Amlin Chalenge Cup
I can see an almighty clash coming up here. Sure the rugby is going to tough, but the pink of Stade against that Harlequins pattern? On paper, Stade have a much stronger squad than Harlequins. Looking at their league finishes, Stade finished a very disappointing 11th in the T14, while Quins were 7th in the premiership. Stade’s coach Michael Cheika has tasted the big time already with Leinster in the Heineken Cup and Stade won the T14 in 2007. Quins don’t have the cups to back up the quality of their squad, but on their day they can beat anyone. The odds are heavily stacked in Stade Francaise’s favour, but who knows with the French, they’re not the world’s greatest travellers. On this occasion, I see the men in pink prevailing.
Shark Bite
The Sharks scoffed a horse on their last outing, does a Bull have any better chance? The Bulls got biblical on the Rebels arses last weekend, but these are pretty puny rebels it has to be said. With Lambie playing, I’d say the Sharks are going to take this one. Probably should end it that with I hope, but lets see.
Aviva Stadium was a noisy seething sea of blue, broken only very occasionally by a dab of red and black. The pitch was in great shape, it was warm, not windy and dry.The scoring started with an almighty balls up by Leinster, with the ball bouncing off the post from a penalty followed by the simplest of touch downs by Toulouse. It took a good 20 minutes for Leinster to find their rhythm after that early set back, but they clawed their way back into the lead eventually when Jamie Heaslip burrowed his way over to score. After that it was a ding dong battle with the lead changing hands several times until Brian O’Driscoll’s try sealed the win for the home side.
On the pace for Leinster were Heaslip, O’Driscoll and D’Arcy. Off the pace was Fitzgerald, who looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights every time he got the ball. Also not at the races was Eoin Reddan whose box kicking was ordinary, who unenerringly passed to an isolated player, and if it was on on the left, he went right, and vice versa. There were also a fair amount of dropped balls and Leinster’s front row creaked, but there was awesome defense, heart in spades and bucket loads, and a steely intention to prevail. Toulouse’s scary backs never seemed to really get going, from a neutral perspective that was a pity, but it was a huge relief for me. And we’re in the final now! Sweet!
And we’re going to be facing Northampton, who must have left Perpignan feeling like they’d been sucked through a giant cement mixer. They absolutely pulverised the French, there was some deft running by the outstanding Foden, and Ashton showed a few good flashes, but this match was all about the Saints’ scrum, who basically beat 7 colours of poo out’ve Perpignan. The Saints are a team who really know how to get under your skin, they got Perpignan’s number and dialled it mercilessly until you could feel the French frustration seething out of the screen. I’m really surprised there was only one yellow card and no massive dust up. Tonga'uiha, Hartley and Mujati could be the form front row in the world right now.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Clermont went into this match as favourites (well I said they were going to win anyway). But as they discovered, even they aren’t good enough to give Stade two tries and still expect to win. The tries were both gift wrapped, presented on a silver platter and sealed with a kiss by Brent Russell. If any further proof were needed, Russell is not a fly half, has never been a fly half, and will never be a fly half. His safest bet would have been to catch a taxi from the stadium to the airport and fly straight home to SA. There was a shockingly small crowd in to watch a pretty unlikely victory for the home team, the French don’t get the Amlin Cup I don’t think. There was some good rugby played in the middle of all the gifts, but really, Clermont should have won this at a canter.
Munster’s difficult season dropped down another gear as they were beaten by Quins in front of a 25000 crowd at home. Nobody expected Quins to win, I didn’t catch the match and as a supporter of Irish rugby, the result isn’t something I wanted to see. But as bitter a pill it must be for Munster to swallow, you have to hand it to Quins, going to Thomond Park and winning is arguably one of the biggest challenges in European rugby. I fancy them in the final too now.
Cardiff put in a risible performance against the Dragons to keep the Ospreys play off hopes alive. And Bath’s win over Newcastle leaves them with a mathematical, if not realistic chance of making the playoffs.
There’s a huge amount to look forward to this weekend, big crowds, lots of enthusiastic fans, tradition, impressive starting line ups, teamwork , fantastic ball handling skills – but enough about the royal wedding, let’s talk about rugby!
Starting with the Heineken Cup and Leinster v Toulouse, what a match in prospect! The best bit is that I’m going to be there, and Leinster’ll actually to get to hear me roaring for a change. Toulouse have a pedigree as long as your arm - record four times Heineken Cup winners, runners up twice, and with a record 17 T14 titles, it’s amazing they aren’t coming to Dublin as favourites. Looking at their record and their players – Dusatoir, Skrela, Heymans, Poitrenaud – actually I think I’ll stop doing that, it’s one scary team. But Leinster are a complete team this days, tough front row, ultra competitive loose trio, incisive backs, passionate defenders. They play smart, smart rugby, prepare well, and deliver. At home, on a roll after a good portion of the team beat England, pretty well brushed Leicester aside, I’m backing them to take this one. The BOD is going to be missing the aforementioned wedding for his Friday Captains run.
On Sunday, the Saints welcome Perpignan to the MK Stadium. This larger venue for the Saints seems to be quite an intimate cosy ground, but with one fatal flaw - soccer supporters aren’t allowed to drink if they can see the pitch apparently. This doesn’t apply to rugby, but it sounds by all reports that it’s pretty difficult to observe one of the fundamental human rights – that’s liberte´. equalite´ , and having a pint while watching a game of rugby. In the Saints/Ulster match both sets of supporters struggled manfully to deal the problem, and came through without too much hardship. No doubt the Saints/Perpignan will overcome the odds as well. And what about the rugby? Saints’ home advantage makes them favourites of course, and I think they would have been a lot more worried about playing Toulon. Also Perpignan are 9th in the T14. But I hope that doesn’t distract the Saints, Pepignan were beaten T14 finalists last year, this is a one off, and anything could happen. In particular, I don’t think the Saints are going to bully Perpignan’s forwards (one Mr Tualagi will help with that), so it’ll be interesting to see how their backs cope with slower ball. Their broken field players like Aston and Fodden are second to none, but I’d say the teams are pretty evenly matched, and this one will be decided on penalties, and is Myler the man to do that for them? Saints by a whisker.
Amlin Challenge Cup
Stade Francaise/Clermont – should be a mighty match, home advantage in France is everything, but Clermont are such an awesome team I think they’ll win this, even away from home.
Munster/Harlequins - Munster will be without POC for this match, but I don’t think that’ll be much comfort for Quins as they head for the cauldron that is Thomond Park. Munster have clicked back in to gear, they even defeated mighty Leinster a few weeks ago, and will triumph again on Saturday.
Magners
The Blues will wrap up a semi final place if they beat the Dragons, and they will.
Shark Bite
The Sharks head to Cape Town to take on the enigmatic Stormers. Likely to be a typical SA slugfest, which the boys from Durban should win.
This was a really dull in the first half. Two French teams, big crowd, dry hot day, few penalties – I want a refund! Then in the 39th minute, George Smith ( all over the field, but looking as though there is a pie shop on his road) charged down a kick and scored for Toulon. That put a bit of daylight between the teams. So in the second half Perpignan threw caution to the wind, there was lots of running rugby and I got my money’s worth. I wasn’t that convinced by either side though – certainly Toulon took no advantage of being a man up for 20 minutes, and to me didn’t really look like they thought they could win. And Perpignan, full of fumbles, bumbles and stumbles, are hardly going to strike too much fear into their next round opponents.
Leinster vs Leicester
Speaking of bumbles… In the prematch build up we heard all about how England had been blown away by Ireland at the Aviva – and how Leicester had learnt all those lessons, they were going to bring the intensity, They were going to be patient etc,etc. And of course the matches were completely different- Flood and Youngs, who froze last time they were at the Aviva… froze again. Hand on a minute haven’t we seen this before? Forwards getting outmuscled? English backs standing back and watching with interest while irish backs weave intricate patterns round them? Leicester did of course have something new to bring to the party (see picture above) but unfortunately even this showstopper did them no good. Their attack strategy seemed to be as follows:
Except they didn’t run over everybody, only round a few people which is actually when they actually made some ground. There's not nearly enough flair or guile in the Tiger's backline at the moment. I though Jordan Crane had a reasonable match for the Tigers, and that was about it. Conventional wisdom was Leicester’s pack were going to make mincemeat of Leinster’s pack, but Leinster looked thoroughly unminced to me, it was the reverse if anything. Tiger’s lineout was a total balls up as well. For Leinster, Strauss is a gift that keeps on giving, Sexton did his thing, thought D’Arcy and O’Driscoll had the Tigers worried in attack and defended stoutly, and all hail Isa Nacewa, the man’s a legend. Oh well, at least the travelling Tigers fans got a nice day out in the sun and a decent pint of Guinness.
Northampton Saints vs Ulster
Saints went into this match as favourites, very threatening in the qualifying rounds, with several players in the England squad, and after a try in the first few minutes it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Ulster. Ulster though weren’t going to lie down, bided their time, chipped away with penalties, struck back with a really good try, and went into the break with an improbable lead. Jim Malinder would have been tearing his hair out if there was any left to tear. He obviously found the right words to say at half time, as Ulster didn’t trouble the score in the second half, apart from one achingly close try . The Saints worked one magic try, kicked their penalties, and came away with a comfortable win. For Ulster, Rory Best is in the form of his life – think Roman Poite was a bit confused by his accent though, and in the backs, Humphries, Danelli, Trimble and D’Arcy. For the Saints, Lawes is in fantastic form, Ashton looked dangerous and Fodden is seriously dangerous. Dylan Hartley is in a class of his own, but not for the right reasons.
Biarritz vs Toulouse
It must have been the weather in Spain – which fell mainly on the players – but this match went from the sublime to the ridiculous. The first half was all Toulouse, two absolutely perfect inventive tries, and it looked like there could only be one winner. The second half was all Biarritz’s though, grinding their way back into the game with penalties, then managing to score a try from a charge down in the last few minutes of the match to tie it all up. Then to extra time, penalty apiece, and with the scores tied up, Toulouse were going through because they’d scored two tries. But it was all laid to rest in the last 2 minutes of extra time, as Nyanga charged down Yachvili’s kick and scored under the posts. Nyanga, French international, only managing to make the Toulouse bench.
So the after the quarters, the semis will be: Semi-Final 1: Leinster v Toulouse
Heineken Cup Quarters - 24 into 8 won’t go – so they took it outside…and only the biggest, baddest meanest mutha’s made it big in for the quarters ( sporting the odd scrape /black eye). Fantastic weekend for Ireland as Leinster, Munster , Ulster and Connacht rode out like the four horsemen of the apocalypse
And this is how they finished :
Heineken Cup Quarter-Finals:
(Matches to be played over April 8/9/10)
Northampton v Ulster
Leinster v Leicester
Perpignan v Toulon
Biarritz v Toulouse
Heineken Cup Semi-Final Draw:
Leinster/Leicester v Biarritz/Toulouse
Northampton/Ulster v Perpignan/Toulon
So four from France and two each from Ireland and England, real pity for Wales. The draw mwans only two French teams can progress to the Semis.
Amlin Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals:
(Matches to be played over April 8/9/10)
Stade Francais v Montpellier
Brive v Munster
La Rochelle v Clermont Auvergne
Harlequins v London Wasps
Amlin Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw:
Stade Francais/Montpellier v La Rochelle/Clermont Auvergne
Brive/Munster v Harlequins/London Wasps
That’s 5 French, 2 English and one Irish, again, incredibly no Welsh team, and at least one Scottish team should have made it. The French are in the ascendancy.
Racing Metro 92 11 - 36 Leinster
Leinster went to Paris and came back with more than an Eiffel Tower miniature replica and some perfume for their girlfriends. They only went and smashed one of the current top teams in France with another sublime performance. I really wish the quarters were being played straight away so they could take some of this momentum into the next round. After Leinster’s shaky start in the Magners League, you have to pinch yourself when you see how far they’ve come this season. I’ve said it before, but what has made the difference this season is the way the replacements have stood up, none more so than Sean O’Brien, Strauss and Ross. SOB was in full cry again and birthday boy Brian O’Driscoll celebrated with a typically well taken try. Racing were no pushover either, making Leinster defend for long, long periods.
Leinster are now going to take on Leicester at home which is going to be an ultra tough match, Tigers progressing after dispatching Treviso with ease. Jordan Crane scored three, and Leicester are going to be a tough nut to crack in Dublin. But Leinster can play the Nutcracker if they need to… Whoever wins here gets a home semi.
Aironi Rugby 6 - 43 Ulster
Pedrie Wannenburg was man of the match with his two tries as Ulster qualified for the quarters of the Heineken Cup for the first time since 1999. It was a fantastic result for Ulster, a big team effort, Ian Humphries was on song with the boot and they were full value for their 5 trys. Ulster investment in players has paid off handsomely, and it’s a brilliant boost for rugby in the province. Last time they got to a quarter final they won it…
They get to take on Northampton, who got six out of six in the pool stages. Saints increasingly look like they should be the backbone of the England team, and to me they are Leinster’s main threat. Winner here also get a home semi. Stand up Ulster, stand up!
Munster 28 - 14 London Irish
There was no score at half time here, although it was pretty miraculous that Munster hadn’t got at least one try as the TV ref had a busy afternoon. Munster got into the lead, then basically handed London Irish two tries on a plate. Their pack, the formerly fearsome engine room of the team, has lately resembled more of a day center for OAP’s. The second Exiles try stung them into action and once more the capacity crowd cheered on the marauding Munster forwards, sweeping forward in wave after irrisistable wave, scoring three tries, nabbing the bonus point and making clear who was boss. Munster now face Brive away, and if they win that (which they will if they play like they did in the last 10 minutes) then they get a home semi too.
Connacht rounded off a fantastic weekend for Irish rugby with a 12 try romp over hapless Cavalieri Prato, with Brian Touhy scoring a hat trick of trys.
The Ospreys at least finished with a flourish taking out one of the French guns Toulon at home, Perpignan made it look easy against the Scarlets, and Wasps pooped Toulouse’s party with a last minute try to snatch a win and take away Toulouse’s home draw.
This is Florian Fitz's red card and aftermath - I just got the one red card I think hes' trying to say!
There’s enough stuff on my blog this week with fixtures and tables (at the bottom) to break the wheel on your mouse!
The last weekend of Heineken Cup pool matches and all you need is a degree in quantum physics to work out who’ll go through!
Let’s give an example – in pool four, if Biarritz beat Bath (with a bonus point) and Ulster beat Aironi (with a bonus point) by 56 more points than Biarritz beat Bath (and the cow jumps over the moon) then Ulster go through but if Bath beat Biarritz (and the cow jumps over Pluto)...it is about this stage that my eyes glaze over At the moment, Northampton, Leinster, Toulon, and Toulouse have qualified, while Barritz and Ulster, and Perpignan and Leicester are tied on points at the top of their groups. One each of these two will go through, and then the two best runners up overall. The next three best 2nd placed clubs go into the Amlin Challenge Cup. We’ll reconvene after the last matches to see how it worked out, OK? Everybody with me? Here is a proper analysis of the last round: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_6673930,00.html
And let’s hope the dish still gets to run away with the spoon.
It’s a huge pity that it looks like none of the Welsh sides are going to qualify for the final. When the finals were held in Paris, it was contested between two French sides, but there’s not going to be any Welsh spoken on the field in Cardiff. The Ospreys would surely have been the front runners to claim a final spot but they seem to have faltered in the final straight. Wales seems to be suffering a bad run of injuries at the moment, (Jones, Jenkins, Shanklin etc) to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, to lose one international may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose more than one looks like carelessness. Even a proto Welsh international like Gavin Henson is out for three week, another turn in his sad story, which will surely be made into a film one day. While I’m not sure who’s going to play Gavin and Charlotte (suggestions please), I do know that Bob Dylan’s ‘Hey Mr Tangerine Man’ is going to feature on the soundtrack.
Racing Metro 92 vs Leinster
I’m really looking forward to this one after last weekend. Leinster are going to be pushing hard for a good placing in the top 8. Racing pulled a few of their top player for last week’s match against Clermont, and with not a lot to play for this weekend will probably do the same again. Leinster to finish with a flourish and get the bonus point. Changes from last week Darce, Boss and Ruddock will all be looking for a good showing.
Aironi Rugby vs Ulster
It will pretty miraculous if Aironi beat Ulster and Aironi have also used their miracle card in beating Biarritz. So a big win for the Ulstermen and then they want Bath to beat Biarritz, which is a pretty tall order, pretty huge actually, but if they can just deny them a bonus point there will always be a soft spot for Bath in Ulster.
Munster vs London Irish
Munster will be aiming for an Amlin Challenge Cup place, they have lost their touch overseas, but at home Thomond Park is still a fortress, and I’m expecting a bit of venom in their play after last week’s disappointing loss. Exiles will be looking to pick up where they left off last week, but it’s going to be tough. Too tough, Munster to get the win but possibly not the bonus point. They may be out of the Heineken Cup this year, but this table shows the legacy they leave behind (ex Wikipedia)
Most Appearances
Player Club Games
John Hayes Munster 98
Ronan O'Gara Munster 96
Peter Stringer Munster 89
Anthony Foley Munster 86
David Wallace Munster 84
Shane Horgan Leinster 83
Fabien Pelous Dax, Toulouse 81
Martyn Williams Pontypridd, Cardiff, Cardiff Blues 79
Alan Quinlan Munster 78
Marcus Horan Munster 77
Amazing really.
Connacht vs Cavalieri Prato
Connacht will look to build on their win last week and rack up some points, go the men in green!
Other matches I’m looking forward to are Ospreys/Toulon, Biarritz/Bath, Castres /Northampton, Perpignan/Scarlets, and Wasps/Toulouse. What a feast!
Dublin had decent weather all last week, then on Friday night it all changed. Vertical rain, gale force winds – all that was missing was a bit of plague and pestilence as the elements got biblical on ireland’s ass. But for 80 minutes at the RDS, the sun shone, babies laughed, fair maidens danced at the crossroads and Leinster got biblical on Saracens asses. I can scarcely remember such a complete performance from Leinster – they weren’t perfect, but they made Saracens look distinctly ordinary. Let’s not forget either that D’Arcy, Heaslip and Kearney were kicking their heels in the stands. The revelation was the depth of class Leinster now possess, with players like Madigan, O’Malley, Dominic Ryan and Richardt Strauss all strutting their stuff. Sean O’Brien was in a class of his own, on attack, on defence, and it’s going to be seriously difficult to leave him out of the Ireland team now. Saracens had a slim mathematical chance of progressing which they obviously didn’t rate – and playing 19 year old Owen Farrell at fly half was probably the best sign of that. Leinster have to be serious title contenders at this stage as they book their seat in the quarters.
Ulster 9-6 Biarritz
My pesky children and a sense of fair play which characterises Leinster supporters meant I had to surrender the TV for this one. Awesome result for Ulster leaving them in a tie for first in pool 4. On paper Biarritz should have won this one hands down, and Ulster have it all to play for next weekend.
Bayonne 35-21 Connacht
The Ulster match was round about where my results went pear shaped this weekend. Connacht came roaring back into the competition. They aren’t going to win their group but they did Quins a massive favour anyway. Go Connacht! I don’t mind being wrong like this.
Toulon 32-16 Munster
This wasn’t a great match to watch, from an Irish perspective anyway. Munster never really got going, they were being tackled backwards, worked over in the scrums, and bashing it up in midfield to little effect all afternoon. Then on top of that you had the Sky commentary team salivating and going into ecstasies every time Wilkinson or Sackey touched the ball. It wasn’t Dave Pearson’s finest hour either but in fairness his harsh yellow card for O’Gara didn’t affect the result at all. Toulon played well, Munster didn’t. Personally I don’t think it’s ‘The end of an era’ that everyone was solemnly announcing. What, so they’re going to change ‘Stand up and fight’ to ‘All you need is love’? Munster are like the Terminator, this is like a flesh wound, and next season they’ll be back. The biggest problem for me at the moment is their lack of creativity in midfield. They could seriously do with Jean de Villiers back. Wouldn’t fancy being in London Irish’s shoes next weekend.
London Irish 24 - 12 Ospreys
This put the nail in the coffin of my punditry as Irish came right at exactly the wrong time for the Ospreys. Hopefully this is a turning point for the men from the Madejski Stadium and we’re going to see them kick some ass in the premiership. Some heavy soul searching is going to needed by the Ospreys, it’s not talent they are lacking that’s for sure.
This was Northampton laying down the law in Edinburgh
Round up of the rest
Wasps came unstuck in Glasgow – i saw them in a warm up game and thought they were going to go far this season, but apparently not. Good win for Exeter chiefs, and biggest loser – great if you’re dieting but not if you playing rugby – goes to Petrarca as they went down 54 - 0 to Sale.
Well about bloody time for something to come along to blow those New Year blues away! But is this weekend going to leave some teams with a bigger hangover than ever? Let’s have a look... All the match details are at the bottom.
Leinster vs Saracens
Yes please! The best South African Beef, with a bit of British Steel and some Welsh odd bit taking on Leinsters finest. Sean O’Brien should play and Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton all look likely to join him. Top of their group, it is all looking tickety boo for the men in Blue. They will do well not to underestimate Saracens, who are second in the premiership, but home advantage should send Saracens home with their tails between their legs. In an ideal world, Clermont Auvergne vs Racing Metro 92 in the same group would be a draw.
Another monster of a match - 1st plays 2nd, both teams have it all to play for. Toulon are 7th in the T14 but there is a real traffic jam from 4th to 9th. Toulon have a decent coach, deep pockets and home advantage. Paul O’Connell is available to start and I nearly resisted the temptation to say Munster are going to come out swinging but not quite obviously. Whether they win or lose to me rests more on the shoulders of O’Leary and O’Gara, even though it goes without saying that the pack is going to have to withstand a huge physical onslaught. As an aside, I’ve been hugely impressed by how Flannagan’s boots have been filled at hooker by Damien Varley and Mike Sherry. Munster have their impressive history in the Heineken Cup to draw on, and for that reason I think they’ll squeak in.
Bayonne vs Connacht
Connacht have been unable to match last season’s heroics in the ACC and Bayonne at home are a sobering prospect. They may be 8th in the T14 but they are still above Stade Francaise and Perpignan. Could be a black day for the men in green.
London Irish vs Ospreys
Irish are in free fall in the Premiership, and bottom of their table in the Heineken Cup. They have to entertain the star studded in form Ospreys this week and must be looking forward to the match like a trip to the dentist. They need a miracle to get out of this group, and I can’t see any motivation for them to win this so I’m going with the Ospreys.
