Irish set up Euro assault
Provinces head for Europe in fine fettle
THE feelgood factor from Ireland’s superb November series spilled into the provinces over the weekend with Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht securing a clean sweep of Pro14 victories.
It means the omens are especially good heading into a crucial spell of European double-headers this month.
Here, Sportsmail wraps up the weekend’s action as the provinces get down to the serious business this week.
LEINSTER
NOT many teams could leave 17 internationals at home and still take a fullstrength Dragons side to the cleaners on their home turf. For the second weekend in a row, Leinster’s second-string stuck 50 points on a Welsh region, Leo Cullen’s youngsters following up a 52-7 win over the Ospreys with a 5910 demolition of Bernard Jackman’s men at Rodney Parade.
The likes of Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien and Caelan Doris will be holding the tackle bags as the heavyweights return for Saturday’s meeting with Bath at The Rec, but their stock has risen this month.
Ross Byrne, fresh from winning his first two caps in November, produced another assured display last Saturday night. The Leinster fly-half set up a brace of tries for Dave Kearney and another for Keenan utilising his trademark kick pass.
That 28-27 loss in Toulouse in October will focus minds at Leinster HQ this week, while the form of the squad’s fringe players will ensure no complacency among the senior ranks. Johnny Sexton and his fellow Ireland brethren will be primed for action this week after a weekend off.
Saturday’s opponents Bath are a curious case. But for that Freddie Burns howler against Toulouse in the opening round, they would be right in the Pool 1 hunt. They looked decidedly poor in yesterday’s dour 7-7 stalemate with Sale Sharks, but any side that can field the likes of Semesa Rokoduguni, Francois Louw and Sam Underhill demands respect.
MUNSTER
MUNSTER are nowhere near the force of old, but this crop have retained that old habit of peaking for the big European weekends.
Last Friday night’s 44-14 rout of Edinburgh in Cork bodes well for next Sunday’s visit from reigning French champions Castres.
The Scots were vastly under-strength, but some of Munster’s attacking play was top drawer, while the sight of Conor Murray and Chris Farrell getting through 80 minutes unscathed on their first starts of the season was most welcome.
Farrell, in particular, looked sharp. The powerful centre had been out of action since suffering a serious knee injury during an open training session at Lansdowne Road — just days after he was named man of the match in Ireland’s thrilling 37-27 Six Nations victory over Wales at the same venue.
There were no signs of rust early doors at Musgrave Park as the former Grenoble midfielder barrelled his way over the line in the manner of Trevor Halstead after five minutes. It wasn’t all brute force, however. Joe Schmidt is a big admirer of the 25-yearold and Farrell showcased his skillset with a brilliant offload to send Mike Haley into space before the Munster fullback teed up Keith Earls for the second try of the evening.
But Murray’s return is the main reason why Munster must now be targeting top spot in Pool 2. Johann van Graan has his general back to run the show from scrum-half, and just in time.
Castres have been serving up nothing but mid-table mediocrity all season.
Saturday’s home loss to basement boys Agen does not inspire confidence ahead of their visit to Thomond Park.
ULSTER
THESE are early days in Ulster’s rejuvenation under Dan McFarland but the signs are promising ahead of Friday’s visit to the Scarlets.
John Cooney, not for the first time this season, kicked Ulster to victory against the Cardiff Blues on Saturday night. That win moved the northern province into jointsecond, alongside the Scarlets, in Conference B ahead of their European encounter. The return of Rory Best should add steel to the pack while Iain Henderson and Jordi Murphy will have points to prove after quiet Novembers with Ireland.
There is no shortage of attacking firepower in Ulster’s backline but defence coach Jared Payne will need to devise a plan to shut down a Scarlets side loading with Welsh stars such as Jonathan Davies, Steff Evans and Rhys Patchell.
CONNACHT
ANDY FRIEND’S squad arrived back in Galway this morning buoyed by a historic tour of South Africa.
Connacht became only the third visiting team to win both games against the Kings and the Cheetahs on their home turf since the South African franchises joined the Pro14 last season.
Connacht are looking more like the free-flowing, attacking outfit that flourished under Pat Lam’s stewardship and they can look forward to the visit of Top 14 strugglers Perpignan with confidence.