Connacht are ready…
There were five painful matches to endure before the western province claimed their first ever Heineken Cup win last season.
Following that match in January, Conor O’Shea will bring a much wiser Harlequins back to the Sportsground in three weeks’ time.
However, judging by last night’s 32-6 hammering doled out to Leinster, knowing the threat of Eric Elwood’s side and stopping them are two completely different things. They were much more than simply a wild, rabid pack. The westerners’ back-line was confident and assured, delivering the first three tries to put the home side out of sight.
A return to Zebre (where they have already won with a bonus-point this season) is first up on their second Heineken Cup adventure. Having put the European champions to the sword, though, they must ensure that they resist complacency and force themselves into a high gear against the lesser lights.
…and Ulster haven’t weakened on Mark Anscombe’s watch
On it’s own, a 19 -48 win in the Cardiff Arms Park looks like a freak result – an emotion fuelled tribute following the tragedy which befell Nevin Spence and family. But viewed alongside a home win over Munster and a smash and grab against the Ospreys, Anscombe’s side look an accomplished outfit.
Friday was their first outing against a team who was not a Pro12 semi-finalist last season, and the first game they could unleash Tommy Bowe alongside Jared Payne and Andrew Trimble – a back three which will be the envy of most sides in Europe.
Despite having played a game less than everyone else – bar Zebre – Ulster proudly sit top of the Pro12 table. Just think what they are capable of with Ruan Pienaar in the side.
Leinster’s young guns need to fire
Joe Schmidt’s tenure has been characterised by the absence of results like last night. ‘One game at a time’ was the familiar mantra when they were winning with ease and every opponent was treated like they were Clermont Auvergne.
Next week mark’s the first real big games of the season as our provinces ramp up to Heineken Cup intensity to face off against one another. As things stand Leinster look likely to go in against Munster without Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney.
The loss would be easily absorbed against lesser opponents or at a different point of the season. But meeting a revived Munster side a week out from resuming the defence of the Heineken Cup is a pressure-cooker.
Fergus McFadden and and Isa Nacewa will slot seamlessly into 12 and 15, but the knock-on effect will open up wing places for youthful faces. Youthful faces like Andrew Conway and Fionn Carr, who at the moment, can only dream of accruing the kind of experience and skill which Doug Howlett has amassed over the years.
Munster will have all-guns-blazing against Leinster
It was a curious thing. Within seconds of landing his fourth penalty from four to put Munster back within 11 points of the Ospreys, Ronan O’Gara was called ashore at the Liberty Stadium.
There were 20 minutes still on the clock and the pack had just been bolstered by the introduction of BJ Botha, Donnacha Ryan and Peter O’Mahony. It appeared to be a pre-ordained move, there was no protest in O’Gara’s open book of a face.
Rob Penney clearly had given up on this game and reigned in his fly-half for the next big test. There will be some notable absentees in the shape of Paul O’Connell and (possibly) Damian Varley, who is likely to be cited following his red card five minutes from time in Wales. We see so often than mentality is more critical than personnel in encounters like this.
Leinster will be a wounded animal protecting their proud record at the Aviva, for sure. But for the second week in a row they will go into an inter-pro as a target, in Munster’s sights for more than just seven days.
