HAVING BEEN TREATED to three Ireland wins this month, attention turns back to the Guinness Pro12 and how the Irish provinces perform this weekend, before European competition returns.
The provinces were, of course, in action last weekend, although much of the rugby focus across Ireland was on Joe Schmidt’s national team. Here are some of the talking points as the provincial season moves to the forefront again.
********************
Ian Madigan back at 10?
Having been used as a replacement in Ireland’s wins over South Africa and Australia, as well as excelling against Georgia, it seems Matt O’Connor will be able to call on Madigan for Saturday’s clash with the Ospreys at the RDS.
The 25-year-old underlined his quality in the 10 shirt two weekends ago, directing Ireland around the pitch with composure against the Georgians. Madigan also made important interventions off the bench last weekend, albeit as a replacement centre.
Jimmy Gopperth struggled against Treviso in Sunday’s 24-24 draw in Italy, although the service he was provided with was inaccurate at times. Presuming that O’Connor does get Madigan back this weekend, does he give his playmaker a fresh shot at 10?
Connacht’s backline continuing to gel
Mils Muliaina showed glimpses of his quality in Connacht’s comprehensive win over Zebre on Friday night, even if it was apparent that he was lacking match sharpness on his debut.
Another run out against the Scarlets on Saturday evening at the Sportsground would be greatly welcomed by the Kiwi legend, allowing him to better understand his teammates and find his feet physically.
In midfield, Bundee Aki has bristled with attacking intent in his two starts since joining, and will be similarly keen for another start this weekend. When those two click with the talent around them, Connacht will be a major threat.
Ireland’s supporting cast unleashed
Having made their Ireland debuts this month, Dave Foley and Dominic Ryan have returned to their provinces with confidence boosted. The latter was used off the bench by Leinster last weekend in Treviso, but would relish a starting opportunity against the Ospreys.
Foley’s growth for Munster over the last two years has been a pleasure for their fans to watch, and his return against Ulster on Friday night would be welcomed. Elsewhere, Kieran Marmion is back with Connacht and quite probably desperate to play.
Madigan, Felix Jones, Eoin Reddan, Robbie Diack, Dave Kilcoyne and Tommy O’Donnell are other players for whom a start this weekend would be ideal before the Champions Cup resumes in December.
Munster v Ulster inter-pro derby
This fixture has developed into a tasty rivalry over recent seasons, sparked in part by Ulster’s win in Thomond Park in 2012. As has become normal in the Pro12, the two Irish provinces meet as top-four sides.
Neil Doak’s men dispatched the Ospreys 25-16 last weekend to move up to second in the table, while Munster’s 38-12 victory away to the Dragons saw them shift above Glasgow Warriors and into third.
Thomond Park on Friday nights this season has not been the most thrilling venue, but this encounter should raise excitemement levels.
Depleted Ospreys arrive in Dublin
While Ulster and Munster are nestled in the top four, O’Connor’s Leinster are looking in from the outside, lying fifth following that disappointing performance in Italy on Sunday.
That the top-of-the-table Ospreys come to Dublin missing a host of their stars means the Australian head coach has a strong opportunity to get swiftly back to winning ways.
Key Ospreys players such as Alun-Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb will be on Wales duty against South Africa this weekend, while the likes of Eli Walker and Ryan Bevington are out injured at present.
Aisea Natoga, Sam Davies, Dan Baker and Ashley Beck will all provide quality in Dublin, but Leinster may have no better chance to beat the Welsh region.
