THE SIX NATIONS euphoria is beginning to wear off and you may need to phone work and let them know you will be back in, soon.
You turn on your TV or radio, however, and there they are. Joe Schmidt has already reviewed all the tapes and is drawing up plans for the World Cup. Dave Kearney is on TV3, his brother Rob is blaspheming on the national airwaves and you have to get used to seeing Gordon D’Arcy without his legendary beard again. These lads never take a break.
Yes, the RaboDirect Pro12 is back this weekend and many of Ireland’s Six Nations stars will be involved. The league has rolled on during Ireland’s successful quest for silverware, however, and we are here to get you up to speed.
1. Leinster have leapfrogged Munster
The league champions love sneaky 100% records during the international breaks. Fringe players like Darragh Fanning, Noel Reid, Tadhg Furlong and Jack Conan have pitched in — with relentless Shane Jennings goading them on — and four matches have resulted in four wins, and 19 points. Matt O’Connor’s men now lead Munster by a single, solitary, tantalising point.
2. Stephen Ferris is back
‘Fez’ made his first Ulster appearance in 16 months and helped his team to an vital home win over Scarlets. On his first play of the game, he did this:
3. Connacht are winning games. Really.
Last time you may have looked, Pat Lam’s men were probably hovering perilously close to the Pro12 basement [keeping Zebre cosy]. Now, the westerners are on a roll and targeting their first ever run of four consecutive wins.
They have Dragons away on Sunday and victory see them spring into seventh. If they keep this up, they may automatically qualify for the European Cup.
4. Treviso are getting hammered on a regular basis
The Italians have conceded 168 points in their last four games, which have all been defeats. They pushed understrength Ulster close at home the week after they were whomped 75-7 by Ospreys.
Connacht eviscerated them 38-6 at The Sportsground and they are only two points clear of Zebre. Only the top Italian side will qualify for the Heineken Cup next season.
5. Simon Zebo is scoring for fun
It is perhaps unfortunate, then, that they meet Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday evening. Rob Penney’s men may have slipped up away to Scarlets, last time out, but will fancy their bonus point chances. Munster’s last two home wins have been 54-13 over Cardiff and a 36-8 thumping of Zebre. Simon Zebo has four tries in four games and looks in top form.
6. This man will be back for the visit of Munster
Brian O’Driscoll misses the game against Zebre this evening but should be back in the Leinster XV for Munster’s visit to Lansdowne Road. The should prove another ‘last’ in O’Driscoll’s farewell season. However, if league results go their way [and Heineken Cup results do not], we may yet see the living legend in a Pro12 final at his old stomping ground.
