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Four games, three wins, internationals returning and high hopes returning to Europe… sounds like a great weekend to me!
Munster were the only losing outfit but snatching two valuable bonus points from Loftus Versfeld is no bad thing; while Ulster and Leinster slowly went up through the gears in more than enough time to secure a full five points in their wins. As for Connacht, it’s five wins on the bounce ahead of a Challenge Cup odyssey.
All in all, lots to be happy about; and here are our main talking points for those of you who may not have been watching.
E. Papier (29', 46'), C. Moodie (34'), C. Jooste (57')
Tries
S. O'Brien (19'), T. Ahern (41', 51'), B. O'Connor (66'), E. Edogbo (74')
H. Pollard (30', 35', 46', 58')
Conversions
J. Crowley (20', 52', 67')
H. Pollard (60', 72')
Penalties
Munster: Half Back(s) = Fully Better
It’s amazing how much of an impact two players can make, but Munster’s Craig Casey and Jack Crowley were the conductors of a much improved performance this time around. The half-back tandem brought an air of control and attacking nuance to the performance, and instilled confidence in those around them to change the momentum of the game on more than one ocassion.
Despite losing 34-31 in Pretoria to the Bulls; Clayton McMillan’s men remain inside the top eight ahead of their final blocks of fixtures where they face Benetton (A), Ulster (H), Connacht (A) and the Lions (H). All of which are tricky ties, but performances like what we saw on Saturday makes for clearer skies than what was forecasted a week prior.
The Red Army province travel to Sandy Park this coming Saturday for their first Challenge Cup knockout tie since 2011, knowing they have one of the stiffest possible tasks in the Round of 16, albeit with a slightly nicer potential quarter final against Benetton (A) or Cardiff (H), if they can claim their first win in Exeter in three previous visits.
Connacht: On a Roll
From sunny South Africa to windy Galway next as Stuart Lancaster’s Connacht made it five wins in a row on Saturday, courtesy of a 21-14 win over the Ospreys. A late try from the very impactful substitute Matthew Devine helped the westerners close the gap on the playoff spots in fine fashion.
Their next slate of URC games will be tricky however as they travel to South Africa to take on 2nd placed Stormers and 5th ranked Lions in a crucial week for their season. It would seem like at least one win is necessary if they are to secure a top eight spot.
Next up however is a tasty Challenge Cup prospect with the Sharks rolling into town. Connacht’s home record against South African franchises is even more room for encouragement, with a likely quarter-final with Montpellier on the line, a team who Connacht ran close back in January, when crippled with injuries.
Leinster: Finding Gears
As we so often say about Leinster; a win is a win. Leo Cullen’s men kept pace with the league leaders on Friday night thanks to a routine (ish) 36-19 win over a Scarlets side who refused to shut up shop in Dublin.
The defending champions remain nine points behind league leaders Glasgow, so will need some good fortune and a perfect run to secure top spot. Their toughest remaining league game comes after the European break when they travel up to Belfast, before taking on Benetton (A), the Lions and the Ospreys (both at home). Thankfully, with Glasgow, Stormers and Ulster all playing one another; the seas may part for the D4 club.
An Easter Sunday clash with Edinburgh is the next focus point for Leinster, with another favourable potential quarter-final against Harlequins or Sale Sharks, also in Dublin, a few days later.
Ulster: Now For The Real Stuff
Ulster came, saw and conquered Parma, and that is all you could ask from them. A second half surge saw them past Zebre 28-12, in what is Ulster’s last real “gimme” from here until season’s end.
With arguably the toughest final run in of any remaining team, Richie Murphy’s men will face Leinster (4th, H), Munster (7th, A), Stormers (2nd, H) and Glasgow (1st, H) to close out their season. A bar minimum of two wins will be required to snatch a top four spot and home quarter-final, but even with their great season, it would be foolish to declare victory yet.
For now, it’s Challenge Cup on the mind as the Ospreys roll into town searching for a major scalp. Should Ulster come through unscathed, it’s a home quarter-final against Newcaste Red Bulls or La Rochelle; and then a potential semi-final showdown either away to Benetton or at home to Cardiff, Munster or Exeter. Glory is on their mind, but there won’t be any silver plate dining to get there.
