Round one of the European season got underway last weekend and the Irish Provinces won three out of four games. In the Champions Cup, Munster beat Sale Sharks thanks to an injury time drop goal by Ian Keatley. Leinster saw off Wasps by five points at the RDS on Sunday. Ulster earned a losing bonus point away to Leicester Tigers. Connacht opened their Challenge Cup campaign by scoring seven tries in a 48-12 win over La Rochelle.
Munster:
Most of the headlines after this game read along the lines of: “New Tournament, Same Old Munster.” It’s hard to argue with that assessment after the Red Army played their umpteenth get out of jail free card at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Not many teams would have believed they were still in with a chance of getting a win when they are 16 points down at half time but the belief never wavers when Munster play in Europe. Dave Kilcoyne gave them a great early start with a try but the game changed when referee Mathieu Raynal left the fray because of injury.
With Danny Cipriani pulling the strings, Sale Sharks took complete control of the game. Centre’s Sam Tuitupou and Johnny Leota caused serious problems off the back of Cipriani’s control. If not for the interpretation that led to Tommy O’Donnell’s sin binning for Munster, Sale may have gone in 23 points ahead. That would have been too much of a gap, even for Munster.
Andrew Conway and Connor Murray’s second half tries brought Munster back into the game but it was Keatley’s sensational last gasp drop goal that got the win. Anthony Foley’s side now welcome Saracens to Thomond Park on Friday night in a game that is expected to be a sell out. It should be a cracker.
Leinster:
Leinster managed to scrape a win over Wasps thanks to Dominic Ryan’s late try and a brace from winger Darragh Fanning. Losing by nine points at half time, Matt O’Connor will be delighted with his side’s comeback.
Along with Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Devin Toner and Jamie Heaslip played well for Leinster with Eoin Reddan, Darragh Fanning and Ian Madigan dangerous in the backs. Fanning in particular is having a superb season up to now.
Wasps looked dangerous from the off and in Christian Wade they had the game’s star man. Wade’s jink past Ian Madigan on the way to scoring his first half try was one of the highlights of this rugby season so far.
Leinster travel to Castres this weekend for a game they will have every chance of winning. Castres are having a nightmare season and didn’t show too much in their loss to Harlequins in this Pool’s other game.
Ulster:
A case of what might have been for Ulster as they earned a bonus point away to Leicester Tigers. Their mistakes were punished to the maximum and Neil Doak and his coaching team will be drilling that home at training this week.
They may feel a little hard done by with the decision of the TMO for Owen Williams’ try but Paul Marshall’s mistake that led to Graham Kitchener’s try will be the one that rankles the most with Ulster. Trying to play in his own 22 was a grave error and one Marshall will have to learn from.
There were plenty of positives for Ulster though. Paddy Jackson made a welcome return to the starting 15 and Tommy Bowe looks back to his best. Jared Payne looks to have settled into the outside centre position and his link up with Bowe for their second half try was outstanding.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Ulster men as champions of the last two years, Toulon visit the Kingspan Stadium this Saturday. This is a massive test for Ulster and they need a win to stay alive in this pool.
Connacht
Connacht got their Challenge Cup campaign underway with a very comfortable win over a poor La Rochelle. The French Top 14 outfit brought a second team but Connacht were professional in their approach, scoring seven tries in a 48-12 win bonus point win.
The bonus point was secured in the first half with tries from Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Robbie Henshaw and Ronan Loughney. Second half tries from Henshaw again, Danie Poolman and Matt Healy finished the scoring.
Connacht’s next game in the Challenge Cup is away to Exeter Chiefs. Both teams have had a great start of the season but Sandy Park is an extremely difficult place to get a result. Connacht will have to be at their very best to come back with a win.
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