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The opening round of EPCR action always gets people talking in Ireland. However, after just one weekend of action, half of the country will be keeping to themselves.
Munster’s beatdown by Bath and Connacht’s snatch-and-grab loss to the Ospreys will take the wind out of their sails, but if it gets redirected, we know where to.
Leinster looked like themselves of old in a high scoring win over Harlequins, while Ulster put SIXTY ONE POINTS on Racing in Ravenhill.
You can’t win anything on the opening night, but you can make a name for yourself, which the provinces certainly did.
For better or worse.
Leinster: Quins ‘Quashed
The contender status of Leo Cullen’s men will hinge on tougher tests than this one, but, a 45-28 home win over Harlequins can be filed under the ‘Job Done’ folder.
New man Rieko Ioane took the headlines on debut, but the four time champions will be delighted to have started with five points secured, ahead of a tricky Friday night trip to Welford Road.
Granted, this was not a marquee Leinster performance, leading by just three points heading into the final quarter. But, as they so often do, a clinical finish helped the home side drift away. Investec Player of the Match Jordan Larmour was the star on the field, dotting down twice in an electric performance, while Caelan Doris looed closer to his best, after a lengthy layoff.
A growing injury list and home form of the Tigers makes round two a slippery prospect, but for now, they can breathe a little easier.
Ulster: Racing to Favourites
If you weren’t doing so before, you will be taking Ulster seriously now. A home demolition job on Racing 92, with five late tries, was a statement of intent from Richie Murphy’s men.
A 61-7 win is impressive by any metric, but this was a live game heading at half-time. However, for the second week running, they produced an emphatic second half, scoring eight tries, and racing home.
Ulster’s clinical edge is in possession, in a re-imagined Mark Sexton attack. Nathan Doak looks a more polished version of himself, Zac Ward and Jacob Stockdale have both power and pace in open play, while new men Juarno Augustus and Angus Bell are already proving to be human wrecking balls.
They will be a fun side to watch, especially in the Challenge Cup.
Connacht: Their Own Worst Enemy (again)
A 15 point cushion wasn’t enough for Munster last week, and 21 wasn’t enough for Connacht on Sunday. Connacht led for 65 minutes in Bridgend, with three tries in 15 minutes; but still managed to fall to a 24-21 defeat to the Ospreys.
Stuart Lancaster was bound to have been thrilled at half time with the visitors looking destined to fly home with a full five points, but slowly but surely, it all unravelled. As it so often does for Connacht.
Injuries to Finlay Bealham and Jack Aungier caused major scrum pressure, while the galeforce breeze in the south Welsh town made Ospreys’ route to victory a little clearer with every passing minute.
As we have seen so many times before, Connacht’s own inaccuracy and ill-disciple came back to haunt them. A familiar story for the fans, but one Stuart Lancaster will have to see more, before he can fully eradicate it.
Munster: A Thorough Clean Down in Bath
The club’s heaviest loss in almost 30 years in Europe, Clayton McMillan’s Munster were given a stern welcome to the Rec on Saturday night. An opening quarter from hell catapulted Bath into a 28-0 lead, and former Munster head coach Johann van Graan could hardly believe his luck.
This game served as a temperature check in an abysmally wet night for McMillan. Munster were outfought, outthought and overpowered by a Bath side who understood the assignment, and made sure to take the most efficient route to victory.
Munster’s 1.4 points per 22 entry, off 10 entries, was a reminder of problems that long precede the Kiwi coach, and highlighted why they are in the market for powerful front row forwards. The visitors also managed 58% possession, 56% territory; but as always, rugby is a simple game.
Win collisions. Score more points.
And Munster did neither.