NOTE – This feature is based on a fixed page on the main HoR site but I keep a copy here for posterity.
Every Friday from 12noon I look ahead to the weekend's rugby for the Irish provinces and beyond.
The time for celebrations are over - Leinster fans however happy with their lot in the past two weeks must pack away the blue bunting and get behind the cream of the Irish crop who are scattered around the globe in as many as four different touring squads.
- LIONS - We have all seen the various Instagram shots of the Lions boys getting on like a house on fire, though it remains to be seen how they get along on the pitch, first in Hong Kong to appease the sponsors, then to Oz.
- IRELAND - Les Kiss is supposedly leading the tour to US & Canada but we all know it's Joe Schmidt's first chance to get to know his new squad, with many established players keen to play while the Lions are away, as well as a host of uncapped youngsters aching to break through.
- EMERGING - Nice to see this tour happening. Rhys Ruddock is the skipper and only he, Sean Cronin, Michael Bent (ahem) and Ian Keatley have caps as this "Emerging" Ireland squad takes part in a four-team tournament known as the Tblisi Cup that includes Georgia, Uruguay and a SA President's XV.
- WOLFPUPPIES - With all of the above you'd almost forget about the Under 20s, and their "reward" for finishing 5th last year is a stinker of a pool that includes the Baby Blacks, Australia and Fiji.
With the bulk of the tour matches on d'telly we should go into the off season with a decent idea of the tools Joe Schmidt will have at his disposal as he plans to make his formal debut in his role in November. Exciting times ahead as always!
* * *
(All times Irish)
(All times Irish)
Saturday, June 1
2013 Lions Tour
Barbarians v Lions, 12:30pm
Reminder - if you qualified for the Ladbrokes competition, the result of this match will determine the winning square on the "unriggable raffle" grid.
I'm not altogether sure how much we can read into Warren Gatland's first selection, with so many from his squad involved in last weekend's domestic finals.
Besides, this occasion is more of a spectacle than anything else as both sides feature star players from different nations thrown together and expected to gel after a couple of weeks.
My biggest personal concern stems from reports of the heat & humidity in Hong Kong this week and the toll it might take on a squad which has its first match as soon as the following Wednesday in Perth. I say give them twenty drinks breaks throughout the match if they are needed.
You certainly can't complain about the array of top talent on show. Sergio Parisse leads the BaaBaas but it's their back three of Ngwenya, Rokacoko and Payne who who benefit most from the traditional playing style of the black and white hoops.
As for the Lions, the all-Welsh backrow is probably the most interesting feature especially when you consider squad captain Sam Warburton isn't one of them. Both Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip will have their work cut out to make the test team, that's for sure.
Owen Farrell gets the nod at out-half...a commenter on the HoR Facebook made a good point about this match being an opportunity to try Stuart Hogg there but I have a feeling the sponsors HSBC may have insisted that Sexton was involved somehow as the match is on their turf.
Paul O'Connell will hold the famous BIL mascot in a throwback to 2009 and with a good showing alongside Richie Gray could well see the test lock pairing nailed down.
For me, Warren Gatland's biggest challenge will be finding a way to fit English players into his test XV...every time I try to pick it myself I seem to struggle to name one that stands out. In this matchday selection, perhaps Tom Youngs could do his chances the most favours but would need more than a quarter's action from the bench.
Given how the Barbarians capitulated last week plus the fact that this match represents an end to the season for most of their squad while the Lions are playing for test places, I can only see the actual result going one way but hopefully the scoring will be high by both sides. Lions by 18
Top 14 Final
Toulon v Castres, 3:30pm
PREVIEW WILL PUBLISH SATURDAY MORNING
Super Rugby
National Competition of Excellence Final
Cavalieri Prato v Mogliano, 3pm
Italy's wonderfully-named answer to the Ulster Bank League reaches a conclusion. I have no idea of the standard but I have a feeling the Treviso academy team would win this tournament at a canter.
2013 Lions Tour
Barbarians v Lions, 12:30pm
Reminder - if you qualified for the Ladbrokes competition, the result of this match will determine the winning square on the "unriggable raffle" grid.
I'm not altogether sure how much we can read into Warren Gatland's first selection, with so many from his squad involved in last weekend's domestic finals.
Besides, this occasion is more of a spectacle than anything else as both sides feature star players from different nations thrown together and expected to gel after a couple of weeks.
My biggest personal concern stems from reports of the heat & humidity in Hong Kong this week and the toll it might take on a squad which has its first match as soon as the following Wednesday in Perth. I say give them twenty drinks breaks throughout the match if they are needed.
You certainly can't complain about the array of top talent on show. Sergio Parisse leads the BaaBaas but it's their back three of Ngwenya, Rokacoko and Payne who who benefit most from the traditional playing style of the black and white hoops.
As for the Lions, the all-Welsh backrow is probably the most interesting feature especially when you consider squad captain Sam Warburton isn't one of them. Both Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip will have their work cut out to make the test team, that's for sure.
Owen Farrell gets the nod at out-half...a commenter on the HoR Facebook made a good point about this match being an opportunity to try Stuart Hogg there but I have a feeling the sponsors HSBC may have insisted that Sexton was involved somehow as the match is on their turf.
Paul O'Connell will hold the famous BIL mascot in a throwback to 2009 and with a good showing alongside Richie Gray could well see the test lock pairing nailed down.
For me, Warren Gatland's biggest challenge will be finding a way to fit English players into his test XV...every time I try to pick it myself I seem to struggle to name one that stands out. In this matchday selection, perhaps Tom Youngs could do his chances the most favours but would need more than a quarter's action from the bench.
Given how the Barbarians capitulated last week plus the fact that this match represents an end to the season for most of their squad while the Lions are playing for test places, I can only see the actual result going one way but hopefully the scoring will be high by both sides. Lions by 18
Top 14 Final
Toulon v Castres, 3:30pm
PREVIEW WILL PUBLISH SATURDAY MORNING
Super Rugby
Highlanders v Blues, 8:35am
Reds v Melbourne Rebels, 10:40am
Stormers v Southern Kings, 4:05pm
Cheetahs v Bulls, 6:10pm
Click here for Stephen Humphrey's Super Rugby previews on PinkRugby.com
Reds v Melbourne Rebels, 10:40am
Stormers v Southern Kings, 4:05pm
Cheetahs v Bulls, 6:10pm
Click here for Stephen Humphrey's Super Rugby previews on PinkRugby.com
National Competition of Excellence Final
Cavalieri Prato v Mogliano, 3pm
Italy's wonderfully-named answer to the Ulster Bank League reaches a conclusion. I have no idea of the standard but I have a feeling the Treviso academy team would win this tournament at a canter.
Sunday, May 26
CONSUR XV v England, 7:30pm
CONSUR XV v England, 7:30pm
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Be sure and enjoy your rugby this weekend wherever you are. JLP
Be sure and enjoy your rugby this weekend wherever you are. JLP
