We’re not happy here at HoR covering just the Irish provinces in the RaboPro12, so throughout the season Liam Sinclair will keep an eye on the rest of the league for us.
We’re still in business here at the Non-Irish Pro 12 watch centre with a respectable 5/6 in the last week. The Ospreys - Glasgow match was a coupon buster for a few I’d say so my head is held high and I’m ready to give next weekend a lash. The biggest difference between my table (on the right) and the actual table (left), I feel, are the bonus points. Not much of a difference anyway as the table threatens to start taking shape.
Plenty to look forward to this week starting with another Welsh Derby which promises to be a spicy one.
Scarlets v Ospreys
Scarlets: Continued their good start to the season in Galway by tearing shreds out of Connacht consolidating their position on top of the table. A two point cushion as a result of healthy try counts versus Leinster and Connacht and anyone who wasn’t paying attention to the Welshmen have certainly stood up to have a closer look by now.
Ospreys: The defending champions shocking start to the season continues apace after falling with a whimper to the visiting warriors. There were questions raised over how competitive the ‘Spreys could be after losing a lot of key players but no-one expected the implosion to be so immediate and comprehensive.
The Match: The Scarlets should be able to win this against the demoralised Ospreys. Quick starts have been a weapon used by the Scarlets and slow starts have plagued The Ospreys. Maths does itself in my opinion and the home team will win this having controlled throughout. Keep those Oxygen tanks handy lads it’s another week at the top.
Cardiff v Treviso
Cardiff: A solid away victory in a Welsh derby, fifth in the early standings. Cardiff will be feeling pretty good about their place in the world. They seem especially happy with the defensive solidity that saw them restrict the opposition to five points through the 80 and close the game off with the scores in the last few minutes.
Treviso: O.K Treviso, message received loud and clear, there’s not going to be any easy points gotten in Stadio di Monigo. Very rarely can a team feel they’ve been hard done by after losing to Leinster but the looks on the faces of the Treviso players (when pixilation on the stream allowed) told a tale. The players know they had this match by the scruff of the neck and feel they’ve dropped three points rather than one salvaged.
The Match: Treviso are going to be a force to be reckoned with at home this year but a slip in away form will be an indirect result. The usual muscly display from Treviso won’t be enough and The Blues will get a hard earned win here to continue their assault on the top spots.
The Rest
Glasgow v Connacht: A successful weekend saw Glasgow heap more misery on The Ospreys. Came out if the traps quickly, DTH Van Der Merwe scoring their first inside five minutes, and kept them under the cosh for the majority of the match. While many were surprised at the swagger displayed by the Warriors it can be noted that they have displayed good qualities in their first two matches despite defeats. Scoring early was the whiff of blood they needed to get them going and I feel they can beat anyone on their day. Not what Connacht fans will want to hear but I think Scotstoun will taste its first success this Friday night.
Leinster v Edinburgh: Zebre never stood a chance against the swashbuckling Edinbourgeois who used their attacking powers to the maximum to rack up as many points as possible against the meek by comparison Zebras. Edinburgh are up in third now and this win sees them mixing with the hoi polloi in third place with ten points. I rate them to stay there or thereabouts for the entire season and this next match will be a real test of their mettle. Leinster are looking disjointed at the moment but managing to gain points. If a team with top 4 ambitions is going to beat Leinster on their own turf now is the time. I’m having trouble calling this because there’s really not much between these teams. I’ll go with Leinster but I think it may be, at least partially, the blue tinted glasses. If Edinburgh have a +5 or better handicap it’s the bet of the week.
Munster v Dragons: They may have topped the table after week one, but two defeats on the trot has seen the Dragons fall quickly back to a position that feels more familiar. The fourth team of Welsh rugby are likely going to struggle all season. Up next are a stung Munster coming off an InterProv defeat and with the Thomond crowd cheering them on they will make short work of the Dragons to get themselves back on track.
Zebre: I had no enthusiasm for writing about Zebre’s upcoming match. It has been correctly postponed giving the people in Ulster and the wider Rugby world much needed time to process the tragic events of the week. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence.
It’s threatening to be an interesting weekend and the table should really start taking shape so let’s sit back and enjoy. Until next week.
Liam Sinclair (@liam_bs) – Guesses, generalisations and clichés.
