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Dublin: 10 °C Monday 20 May, 2013

Opinion: 3 Heineken Cup wins from 4 but foreboding sense remains

Munster may yet rue their tentative approach in Scotland while Leinster rediscover the joy of tries.

'Did we make it?' - Murray gets try number two.
'Did we make it?' - Murray gets try number two.
Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland

IN THE GRAND scheme of things, this weekend’s Heineken Cup action went pretty well for the Irish sides.

Granted, Connacht were obliterated by Harlequins at The Stoop but Conor O’Shea’s side have now won 17 from 20 games in all competitions this season.

Connacht’s Heineken Cup highlight came in the 22-14 home win over the two-time finalists Biarritz in early December.

They should get their third win of the campaign when Zebre visit next week.

Ulster got back onto the winning horse after the slip-up to Northampton and guaranteed their name would be in the last eight with a 23-6 win over Glasgow.

Mark Anscombe’s men gave away a lot of foolish penalties but this season’s reliables – Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne, Nick Williams and Paul Marshall [in his now customary super-sub role] produced the goods again.

Congratulations to Ulster.

The focus now shifts on Munster and Leinster next weekend and they are both in with a shout, if not a holler.

Leinster

Sean Cronin and Richard Kelly 12/1/2013

Sean Cronin was a force of nature for the Blues. (INPHO/Cathal Noonan)

Three tries from four games going into Saturday night’s contest but, with the surnames Kearney, Nacewa and Fitzgerald operating in the Leinster backline, four scores flooded in after 43 excellent minutes.

The worry for Leinster is that they have hit form one game too late but one suspects another five-point haul is achievable at Sandy Park next weekend.

Joe Schmidt will not be looking forward to the Monday morning fitness updates but he is due a bit of luck.

Fergus McFadden and Brian O’Driscoll will remain in the ‘concerns’ column for now but results of rivals have not buried the champions yet and they love a good comeback.

Munster

There was a certain logic in the Ronan O’Gara and Doug Howlett discussions at Murrayfield today, which inevitably ended when the veteran out-half kicking for three-pointers, but the sense of a big missed opportunity lingers.

The Edinburgh front row was getting minced by Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley and BJ Botha but the half-time score read a paltry 12-3 after 40 minutes of domination.

Munster opted to kick for the corner for the first time, rather than aim for the sticks, after 38 minutes. The attacking spurt almost led to a try before Earls knocked on.

The attacking intent was clear in the second-half but the heavy pitch and a stuttering Munster failed to cause Edinburgh enough problems.

Two stats sums up Munster’s inability to get the bonus point – they made 138 carries but registered one line break all day.

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Comments (31 Comments)

  • Well done Connacht for another Heino Cup campaign. Enjoyed my day at the Stoop, met many old friends and had a great night,
    Looking foward to next Friday v Zebre in Galway,
    Keep it going !

    Reply
  • The way results went this weekend both provinces could squeak in. Looking forward to next weekend

    Reply
  • lenny 13/01/13 #

    That’s some stat – 138 carries 1 line break. I’m a Munster fan and today’s game was depressing. Hate to say it but will be glad when O’Gara is cited – we won’t score 4 tries next week with him standing a mile behind the gain. line.

    Reply
    • That’s shocking in fairness, the backs let the pack down badly today, Downey and Earls were chronic in defense in the 2nd half. It was like watching a j3 centre pairing at times. Don’t like Downey or Laulala, ship them out. ROG is playing so far back it’s beyond laughable, no way anyone can get go forward ball with him playing that way. Today was chronic, very few positives at all,

      Reply
  • Eamonn 13/01/13 #

    Scotland is not rugby country, 60,000 empty seats?

    Reply
  • If only Hernandez didn’t implode yesterday and Racing beat Sarries! Munster can do the 5 pts next week but a stint in Amlin would not be end of the world. Need to re-learn knock out rugby stubbornness

    Reply
  • Stephen Leicester are playing Toulouse, so little chance of both teams qualifying. Look at the tables and fixtures for next week.

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  • With racing out of contention I think Munster will score bonus win and qualify ahead of leinster( should leonster manage 5 points) because I can’t see toulan winning in Montpelier and that leave one spot up for grabs, other freak result would be Leicester beating toulose but toulose getting 2 bonus points which puts toulose on 20 pts too. Nervy weekend ahead for us all

    Reply
    • Why wouldnt toulon win in montpellier they are top of top 14?? They will still be giving it their all so they guarantee a home QF. Munster should beat racing but not sure they will get 4 tries they can be a very good side. Exeter will be badly beaten and bruised after clermont away so fingers crossed for Leinster.

      Reply
    • I hope your right and would be great if both Munster and leinster sneaked in but its not all going to go our way

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    • Have to disagree, Toulouse beating Leicester would be the shock, Toulouse are not good against teams that match them physically and Leicester at home will dispatch them without much trouble.

      Toulon won’t be bothered with winning at Montpellier, home win all the way.

      It’s a slim shot for Munster or Leinster, one of them might scrape thru but they will need a 5 point win.

      Can you see Munster scoring 4 tries against a side who even with a half team are better than Edinburgh ? If rog is cited I think Munster will do it, if rog starts you have not a hope

      Leinster are the long long shots. They will beat Exeter as Exeter won’t bother, but will they score 4 tries? Not unless they fly out of the blocks and rack up 2 in the 1st half.

      Not holding much hope for Leinster sadly. If Munster go they they’ll be hammered in the 1/4s.

      Reply
    • Agree but my point on the freak result was for Leicester to beat toulose but for toulose not to get 2 bonus points otherwise they will be on 20 pts too

      Reply
    • Ah, point taken, apologies

      Reply
  • I am a Leinster supporter not a Heineken Cup supporter. I will however support whatever other Irish teams are left in the HC if Leinster don’t make it. Unless of course Leinster are playing at the same time in some other competition then I will be watching them instead.

    Reply
  • Can’t see Munster and Leinster sneeking through. Slight advantage to Munster of the 2 as we are at home. That said I am sorry to say I think neither will quality. Leicster and Montpellier will go through.

    Reply
  • If munster are to score tries will someone please try to get through to them, that sidestepping is probably there best option rather than trying to barge through the opposition.

    Reply
  • As a Munster fan I unfortunately can’t see us getting 4 past Racing as they have a consistent problem breaking the line. Racing will be good defensively and can hit us on the break. I’m not concerned as Munster is rebuilding this year. The likelihood of a Munster miracle hasn’t been on the cards for a while. Hate to say it but if they want that line moving faster Keatley might be better option

    Reply

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