This weekend in the RaboDirect PRO12 sees Munster looking to end their poor away form, an Inter-pro derby at the RDS and Connacht seek to climb the table.
By Declan Whooley
Ulster seek to stop the Leinster rising
At one stage Ulster held a 14 point over Leinster in the Rabo table. Now Leinster sit top, with a one point lead over their interprovincial rivals and have named an all-international front row for the clash at the RDS.
Since defeat to the Ospreys back in November, Leinster have put aside their difficulties in Europe to reel off 10 victories in a row in the league, with last weekend’s win over Glasgow built on a solid work ethic and some individual brilliance from Ian Madigan. Whatever your opinion on his hair, there is no doubting he has the X-Factor in Leinster’s back-line.
Ulster’s campaign has stuttered since the turn of the year – their record is WLWLWLDL – but even if they fall short at the RDS tomorrow night, they should have enough to make a semi-final berth.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Dave Kearney, Brendan Macken, Gordon D’Arcy, Isa Nacewa; Ian Madigan, Isaac Boss; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Quinn Roux, Kevin McLaughlin, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (Capt).
Ulster: Jared Payne; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Craig Gilroy; Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Tom Court, Rory Best, Ricky Lutton, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Nick Williams.
Can Munster banish the away-day blues?
Rob Penney knows that qualification for a semi-final berth is going to be a tall order. Failure to gain the bonus point against Connacht leaves them two places and seven points adrift.
Tonight they travel to Glasgow to play the team in second place before entertaining table-toppers Leinster next time out in two weeks. Added to this the fact Munster haven’t won away since November, then you can see why they might be concentrating on Europe.With a daunting Heineken Cup trip to The Stoop next weekend, this will be a good run out for Penney’s charges. He has named a strong side – Paul O’Connell back for his second start in a row – and at the very least a performance is required.
Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, J Murphy; R O’Gara, D Williams; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell; P Butler, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan. Replacements -D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, B Holland, N Ronan, C Sheridan, I Keatley, I Dineen.
Connacht look for difficult Italian job
With just four games left in the season, there is a lot more riding on this fixture from a Connacht perspective. Last season Connacht finished a highest-ever eight position. Currently they lie in ninth, one point behind the Blues, but they could still get seventh place, the spot occupied by Treviso.
Before last week’ s disappointing 22-0 defeat at Thomond Park – Eric Elwood’s side have failed to register a point on the scoreboard on their three away interprovincial ties this season – they had won four of their previous five, but the Italians have won their last four home games convincingly, including a win over Munster.
It is a difficult task that faces the Westerners, but with such a prize at stake, expect Connacht to put up a brave challenge, especially with international Mike McCarthy returning to the side.
Connacht: Robbie Henshaw; Danie Poolman, Eoin Griffin, Brian Murphy, Gavin Duffy (capt); Dan Parks, Kieran Marmion; Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Mick Kearney, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
