Leinster travel to Galway tonight to take on Connacht, Ulster are back in action after the postponement of last week’s fixture while Munster face a tough tie at the Liberty Stadium. Here are our three things to watch for the weekend.
By Declan Whooley
First game back for Ulster
After the tragic events in Ulster recently, the first game back in the league is bound to be an emotional occasion. Mark Anscombe takes his side to Cardiff tonight as they look to build on their victory over Munster last time out.
With three wins from three, Ulster have started strongly and welcome back Tommy Bowe for his first game this season. While the obvious objective is a win, Ulster will want to put on a performance fitting of the occasion. Cardiff’s Andy Kyriacou spoke in glowing terms during the week of his former team-mate and the Blues will be in little doubt as to the significance of the occasion.
Derby in Galway
Leinster travel to Galway tonight with both sides welcoming back household names. Dan Parks makes his long awaited debut after his recent injury problems, while Rob Kearney starts for the first time this season also.
Leinster were lucky to come away with all the points in the corresponding fixture last season, a game that many felt the home side would have won with somebody of Parks’ calibre in the side. The Westerners have had a disappointing start to the campaign aside from a comprehensive victory away to Zebre and will look for at least a performance, if not a victory, in tonight’s televised match.
With Muster to follow next week, the next eight days will give Joe Schmidt a good indicator of where his team are at, even at this early stage of the season.
Tricky away day for Munster
In Saturday night’s televised fixture on RTE, Munster travel to Wales to take on defending champions, the Ospreys. The Welsh outfit recorded their first victory of the campaign against the Scarlets and will be keen to build on that momentum.
Their home form has been poor with two defeats already, including to Ulster, but Munster have only won once at the Liberty Stadium. The Ospreys completed the treble over Munster last season, including a comprehensive victory in the semi-final.
Rob Penney has made a positive start at the helm and after a narrow defeat at Ravenhill last time out, they will be keen to put in another big performance with the Heineken Cup lurking around the corner.
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