A pocket guide to the prospects of the Irish sides in the Champions Cup!

 

 Robbie Henshaw

I'm approaching this Champions Cup with modesty ambitions for the Irish sides this year. Leinster are in the same pool as Exeter, Montpellier and Glasgow. Frankly that's a feckin' awful draw. Montplellier are first in the Top 14, Exeter are the English champions, and Glasgow have looked really good this season. Leinster meanwhile, have been competent but not inspiring. Their best match however was last weekend against Munster,  they should step up again this weekend, and could well shade this match against Montpellier. It's the away games I'm worried about. I'm really pleased to see Robbie Henshaw back anyway.

Ulster have megabucks Wasps, Harlequins and La Rochelle, another form French team. We've seen the good and the bad from Ulster this season, they seem to permanently on the cusp of bigger things, but stay there. I don't know if they'll tame a full strength Wasps side, but they won't die wondering!

Munster, with Leicester, Racing and Castres look to have the best chance of advancing this season of the Irish sides. Castres and Racing look pretty iffy, while the Tigers will be their main challenge. If they get a good start at Castres, they could be the catalyst for good things. Brilliant to see a new coach in place.

Connacht have Brive, Oyannax and Worcester. If they find just a smidgen of form they could win that group, and I'd fancy them to beat Oyannax on Saturday.

Champions Cup
Friday 13th October
Ulster 19:45 Wasps
Saturday 14th October
Leinster 13:00 Montpellier On Sky
Racing 92 15:15 Leicester Tigers
Bath 17:30 Benetton Rugby On Sky
Harlequins 17:30 La Rochelle On Sky
Oyonnax 19:00 Connacht (Challenge Cup)
Exeter 19:45 Glasgow Warriors
Sunday 15th October
Castres 13:00 Munster On Sky
Toulon 15:15 Scarlets On Sky
Northampton 17:30 Saracens
Ospreys 17:30 Clermont Auvergne

Leinster get the bragging rights in the big derby!

 Rory O'Loughlin

Well, it was another enjoyable trip to the Aviva Stadium - I haven't been there to see Leinster lose yet, nor Ireland. Not that I've been there that often. There was a good crowd, a genial family atmosphere, and a bit of good natured banter between the fans. Pretty impressive support for Munster, but then I suppose a lot of them live up here (taking our jobs, stealing our partners etc ).

The game itself was a bit of a relief for me, as Leinster actually turned up and played some decent rugby. They still have to work on their defense, and Munster hurt them a couple of times on the counter attack. But apart from that, our scrum shaded theirs, our lineout was rock solid, we kicked better, attacked better, and our handling was better. We controlled the match all the way through really. Robbie Henshaw made a welcome return, Sexton is looking awesome, and Joey Carbury is combining well with the other backs. Daly and Berne competited well in the air for Sextons kicks, and O'Loughlin took his try superbly. And the pack put in a muscular controlled performance, letting the backs shine.

In fairness to Munster, they are really missing Taute who is a rock in midfield for them. Robin Copeland in the lock probably upset their scrum too. Keatley took his try well but his kicking was ordinary, and their handling let them down. A few tweaks needed. Tommy O'Donnell is a real gem for them.

Ulster overcame Connacht with reasonable ease, with Tommy Bowe putting a good performance, and John Cooney more than earning his keep. Connacht look like they're on the cups of better things, and I think Tiernan O'Halloran was a big loss for them early on.






Saturday 7th October
Leinster 23 17 Munster FT
Benetton Rugby 31 3 Southern Kings FT
Ospreys 18 19 Scarlets FT
Friday 6th October
Cardiff Blues 43 29 Dragons FT
Cheetahs 26 29 Glasgow Warriors FT
Edinburgh 16 15 Zebre FT
Ulster 16 8 Connacht