Time to stick on the green-coloured glasses and look at the weekend's rugby action
Back to domestic business in the pro rugby world now that the Six Nations is over...it will be interesting to see the selections of the various provinces, regions & clubs after a gruelling test rugby series.
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Saturday, March 23
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Munster v Connacht, Musgrave Park, 5:45pm
With five matches to go I reckon 11 pts might be too big a gap for Connacht to close for the 3rd automatic qualification spot, but the fact that we're even talking about it is as much down to their recent successes as it is to Munster's failures.
And here is a good place to point out that it's a bit unfair to play this match to Cork, when Thomond Park is much less of a journey for the ever-growing amount of Connacht fans. It may have made sense back in the early Celtic League days but since the Westerners have been in the Heineken Cup their stock has both fronted and risen up considerably, so there's every chance this tie could sell out the Limerick venue.
There's a bit of an “old school” look about Rob Penney's starting lineup for this key match on Saturday evening...O'Callaghan at 4, O'Connell at 5 and O'Gara at 10 will all be welcome sights for their fans.
But the Six Nations took its toll on the southerners and they must do without Conor Murray this week as well as of course the injured Zebo & Earls. Cathal Sheridan gets the nod over the ineffectual Duncan Williams as Peter Stringer prolonged his stay in Bath to the end of the season.
Judging by the Connacht lineup though it seems they're going for it, with pretty much their strongest available selection. Mike McCarthy is on the bench to allow for his test duty but will no doubt play a significant part in the proceedings.
In the backline, there is the usual mix of experience with Parks & captain Duffy along with the promise for the future of Henshaw & McSharry (who committed himself to the province today until 2015). Without doubt a side that isn't going to Cork to make up the numbers.
Despite the two provinces' most recent form, however, I'm going to go with history in my prediction – Munster generally prevail in these derbies so I expect that to continue though it probably won't be easy. Munster by 5.
Treviso v Cardiff Blues, 6:30pm
Is it purely by chance that ALL of the Blues' Six Nations stars/Lions hopefuls are on the injury list? We'll never know. But their fans may be ruing it this weekend. Treviso have been playing an awesome brand of rugby lately and were immensely unlucky not to win in Ravenhill for the second year running....playing at home should bring them more luck. Treviso by 8.
Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, RDS, 7:45pm
The handling of the news of Isa's impending departure by Leinster Rugby was excellent, particularly when you compare it to the several self-inflicted PR foot-shootings by the national setup in recent weeks.
Now his return to the lineup after injury will help keep an RDS crowd sizeable despite the promise of poor conditions.
In fact should it be a wet mud-fest it will be identical to the reverse fixture back in November when Leinster will have considered themselves very fortunate to come away with a 6-0 win.
Unlike that encounter however, this is a meeting between the two form sides in the Pro12 and not only will both be keen to extend their winning streaks (Leinster 8 in all competitions, Glasgow 7 in the Pro12) the long-term goal is a top-two finish on the table and the home semifinal that comes with it, so every league point will be valuable – particularly after Ulster’s defeat in Edinburgh last night. First place is the reward for tonight’s winners!
And Nacewa isn't the only welcome returnee to Joe Schmidt's lineup. Quinn Roux sustained his injury on that night in Glasgow so it's ironic he's back to face them again now. Also Gordon D'Arcy is a welcome sight in the 12 jersey though Andrew Goodman did a decent job deputising.
Thankfully for the RDS faithful Ian Madigan's prolonged (and impressive) cameo in Rome doesn't rule him out and he starts at outhalf. And with all the talk of back-three players leaving the promise I have to point out the dearth of talent Leinster still has right now at scrum-half…even with Eoin Reddan injured, we have Isaac Boss starting Saturday, John Cooney on the bench and Under 20 skipper Luke McGrath is unfortunate not to get a look in after a sterling Six Nations.
In Leinster's pack Leo Cullen will lead out the side & partner Roux in the second row while Heinke Van Der Merwe and Michael Bent perform the propping duties around Sean Cronin.
As often is the case when it's mucky underfoot there will be much reliance on the backrows...the home trio of McLaughlin, Jennings and Murphy will have their work cut out against Harley, Barcley and Strauss, not to mention the Warriors' talismanic scrumhalf Matawalu.
But seeing how the referee is Nigel Owens, I doubt the Warriors will be able to get up to much treachery on the evening so I'm expecting a scrappy encounter but a home victory. Leinster by 7.
Aviva Premiership
Gloucester v London Welsh, 3pm
London Irish v Worcester, 3pm
London Wasps v Northampton Saints, 3:15pm
Leinster fans get a chance to size up the form of their Amlin quarterfinal opponents on Sky Sports. The Saints appear to have plans to really go for some silverware next season with Kahn Fotuali’i and George North seemingly on the way. But the two clubs have more pressing matters at hand today…just three points separate them on the Premiership table with the crucial fourth playoff spot at stake. Interesting names on the Wasps bench for this one…Joe Launchbury and Andrea Masi could both make a serious difference in the final quarter.
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers, 5pm
Top 14
Bayonne v Toulon, 2pm
Racing Métro v Perpignan, 4pm
Bordeaux-Begles v Mon-de-Marsan, 5:30pm
Castres v Agen, 5:30pm
Grenoble v Montpellier, 5:30pm
Biarritz v Clermont-Auvergne, 7:50pm
Super Rugby (click here for previews on Pinkrugby.com)
Reds v Bulls, 8:40am
Western Force v Cheetahs, 10:45am
Sharks v Melbourne Rebels, 3:05pm
Stormers v Brumbies, 5:10pm
Ulster Bank League – Division 1A
Clontarf v Dolphin, 2:30pm
Cork Constitution v Old Belvedere, 2:30pm
St Mary's v Shannon, 2:30pm
UL Bohemians v Lansdowne, 2:30pm
RFU Championship
Jersey v Bristol, 3pm
I'll be keeping a close eye on Bristol until they face Leinster A in the B&I Cup quarterfinals on April 7. They are in quite the scrap to reach the Championship top four (they now lie 5th, 3pts behind Leeds) and with two away matches to come after they face Leinster to round off the regular season, we could well be facing their “A” side as well when the tie comes around.
Sunday, March 24
Aviva Premiership
Saracens v Harlequins, 2pm
First plays second, and the Premiership’s best defence welcomes its best offence. Most importantly for Irish rugby however, it’s a clash between the Heineken Cup opponents for both of our remaining provinces Ulster & Munster respectively. The two sides seem to be virtually at full strength which should have them match ready when the European weekend comes along. Sarries’ style of rugby doesn’t exactly make this promise to be a thriller, though. I reckon they’ll grind out the win. Saracens by 6.
Top 14
Toulouse v Stade Francais, 8pm
Super Rugby
Waratahs v Blues, 5:05am
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That's it from me for this week...be sure and enjoy your rugby this weekend wherever you are! JLP
