It might be only the third round of the tournament but a couple of key fixtures are up for decision tomorrow night. Munster Rugby play host to Conference A table toppers Ospreys while Connacht make their first road trip of the season to Edinburgh Rugby who will be desperate to secure their first win of the season. Hawkeye Sidekick previews the action.
Must win game for Munster Rugby?
Fans of this blog (I know there is a few of ye out there) will wonder on the headline but it is a key fixture for Munster Rugby. A loss to Ospreys this weekend will see the Irish province at a minimum nine points or a maximum ten points behind Ospreys after three rounds. In a conference where Glasgow Warriors look destined to make the early season pace, it is imperative for Munster Rugby to reduce the gap to Ospreys, a key rival in the playoff race this season.
Ospreys come into this game with a 100% record. An opening day fixture win at home to Edinburgh Rugby was thoroughly deserved, a game which exploded in the last quarter and saw George North return to the Guinness Pro 14 with a debut try; some things never change. They backed this result with an emphatic dismantling of Cheetahs last weekend; the side were expansive with ball in hand throughout and the pack dominated throughout.
Munster Rugby come into this fixture looking to redeem themselves after a torrid league loss to Glasgow Warriors last weekend. Glasgow Warriors were well deserving of their victory and will rue not adding a bonus point to the 25-10 win late on. Munster Rugby struggled in all facets of the game, struggled with game tempo and cohesion particularly in the opening period and unforced errors were plentiful for video analysis sessions in Limerick at the start of this week.
I was eagerly looking forward to this game; podcast which will appear later tonight predicted a standout fixture but I cannot but feel short changed by the Ospreys team selection. I wanted to see Ospreys have a real cut off Munster Rugby but leaving Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Dan Lydiate, Aled Davies, Owen Watkin, Bradley Davies, Dan Evans, Scott Williams or captain Justin Tipuric is a kick in the solar plexes for the tournament organizers and the crowd which will assemble in Cork tomorrow.
Munster Rugby’s team selection is interesting in stark contrast. A seasonal bow for the likes of Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Chris Cleote and Peter O’Mahony. Darren O’Shea gets the opportunity to stake a claim in the second row along with Tadhg Beirne; a second row partnership full of physicality and mobility. A solid back line containing Goggin and Arnold which should see plenty of ball considering the Ospreys lineup provided that Duncan Williams is quick with his distribution.
Verdict: Munster Rugby
A fixture which looks a home win banker considering the personnel changes in the Ospreys side. Disappointing not to see the likes of Tipuric, Jones and North feature but what can you do. Ospreys obviously identifying other fixtures to use these players. Stuart Berry officiating may add an unpredictable element to proceedings particularly at the set piece but Munster Rugby should have more than enough to win this contest. If not and the alarm bells will start to ring loud and clear for van Graan. BP win.
Edinburgh Rugby in must win fixture territory
A late heartbreaking loss to Ulster Rugby last weekend has left Richard Cockerill and his side backed into the corner. The penalty award at the death from Stuart Berry was debatable and Cooney’s penalty was the final act in a game which Edinburgh conspired to lose after being 13 and 15 points up at two different periods of the contest.
This fixture will reveal the resiliency in this Edinburgh Rugby side. There were standout phases of play last week; superbly worked tries and Simon Hickey was on point off the tee throughout. The issues were the defensive and disciplinary lapses which allowed Ulster Rugby back into the contest. Edinburgh Rugby could not handle the attacking threat of Addison last weekend; his running coming into the line caused havoc and provided superb platform for the rest of the Ulster Rugby back line unit to flourish.
It will be interesting to see the adjustments (if any) have being made this weekend by Edinburgh Rugby. Watson, van der Merwe and Johnstone come back into the first team lineup with Bennett and Mata out of the squad entirely due to injury. Hamilton switches to eight to compensate for the loss of Mata. An abrasive pack on show which will look to dominate and look at the line out as a source of success. Connacht beware!
Connacht Rugby head into their first road trip fixture on the back of an excellent win over Zebre Rugby last weekend. Five tries scored with defensive improvements seen. Paul Boyle was a standout performer along with Blade. The set piece was decent even though the line out misfired particularly in the opening period (inclement weather a factor).
The Connacht Rugby team sees a seasonal debut for Kieran Marmion and bench impact is assured from Bundee Aki on his opening cameo too. The front five is rotated with O’Donnell and Dillane coming in. Niyi Adeolokun slots onto the wing for Cian Kelleher.
Verdict: Edinburgh Rugby
Nothing better to focus the mind than an opening home fixture, a must win to get the season back on the road. Murrayfield is a tough venue to get a result and I worry for Connacht Rugby in the pack exchanges as I expect Edinburgh Rugby to attack the line out and scrum from minute one. Connacht Rugby will look for the game to be expansive as possible but I think the result is the objective for Edinburgh Rugby and Cockerill will instruct his side to keep it tight until the game is secured in the final quarter when an explosive back line will express themselves. Connacht Rugby to have good moments and after a few nervy moments, Edinburgh Rugby to win by seven points.