IT’S DEEP IN darkest November, so it’s about time we got this provincial season cooking.
The Irish provinces have fared well in the opening seven games of the Pro12, but the European weekends remain the big attraction and this is the week we can put the bread and butter of league duty aside and reach for something from tasting menu of the Champions and Challenge Cup.
If you haven’t found yourself with enough time outside of World Cup-watching hours to keep up with club rugby around Europe, here’s what’s in store for you and your province this weekend.
Connacht
Enisei STM v Connacht (Saturday, 0800 Irish time)
The European rugby season’s first Saturday morning involves a trek to Asia. It won’t be televised.
Before most of us get up from a weekend lie-in, Connacht will kick off in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk where the ‘Heavy Machines’ Enisei STM will be hoping to make it a miserable 12,000 KM round trip.
After an excellent opening seven games in the Pro12 Pat Lam has to choose between consolidating that form by keeping some of his front-liners close to the Atlantic, or attempting to build on the five-game winning run that has pushed him to the top of the table.
And after that… Brive travel to Galway on Saturday 21 November. Perhaps Lam will take a leaf out of the French playbook and direct his resources in to winning home games.
Ulster
Oyonnax v Ulster (Saturday, 1300 Irish time)
Broadcaster: Sky
There is no longer a fear factor when Ulster travel to France and despite Oyonnax’s impressive upsurge in recent seasons, they currently languish 13th in the Top14 with only home wins over Pau and Bordeaux to celebrate this season.
Still, when they’ve clicked, they’ve clicked. And the midfield power of Eamon Sheridan, the sight for sore Ulster eyes that is Pedrie Wannenburg and the great Piri Weepu will give Ulster plenty to think about.
Ulster have 23 tries in the Pro12 so far – the joint-highest tally alongside Connacht and Cardiff – and despite their injury worries, confidence should be high the Les Kiss era was started with a strong defensive display and a first away win since April.
And after that… Just the small matter of Saracens in Belfast.
Munster
Munster v Treviso (Saturday, 1715)
Broadcaster: Sky
Don’t write off the Italians, improving every year etc etc… but on paper this is by far the most straightforward task for Irish provinces this weekend.
The northern Italians have lost all seven of their league games so far this season. They have four losing bonus points to their name, however, and Munster fans won’t have too many non-CJ Stander themed happy memories about the season-opening 18 – 13 win in Cork.
Still, that was then, this is the big time and Anthony Foley’s men sit just a point behind Connacht with their only loss coming away to Scarlets.
And after that… It’s Paris in the winter time as Munster will head for a Sunday afternoon clash with Stade Francais on 22 November.
Leinster
Leinster v Wasps (Sunday, 1300)
Broadcaster: BT
Like Munster, Leinster’s last defeat came in Llanelli. And like their red provincial rivals, Leo Cullen’s men have struggled for consistency of performance with so many key men away with Ireland.
At times the young stars have flourished in the RDS while matches such as the loss to Edinburgh and Friday’s win over Scarlets were stuttering affairs.
The hope for Leinster fans now, must be that the throat has been cleared and Jonathan Sexton can have everyone on the same hymn-sheet just in time for the Champions Cup’s Pool of Death.
Wasps have two wins and two defeats under their belt this season and will be without Leinster old boy Jimmy Gopperth this weekend after he was suspended for leaving an elbow in on Leicester’s Matthew Tait. Still with Ruairidh Jackson stepping in to take the reins, Joe Launchbury powering the pack and Christian Wade and Charles Piutau in the back three, the men from Coventry have plenty more weapons to worry Cullen.
And after that… Saturday 21 November pits Leinster against the Sam Burgess-less Bath at the Rec.
