Preview: Magners League, Rd Nine
After two weeks of Heineken Cup action, the Celtic teams return to the Magners League as we move into Round Nine of what has been – up till now – a very intriguing season.
It’s a full weekend of post-Christmas action as the top Celtic teams go head-to-head one more time – some of whom are hoping to remain at the top (the Warriors, Edinburgh, Leinster and the Dragons) and the others who are hoping to sneak into the top four (the Ospreys, Munster and Ulster).
There is something of a log-jam at present on the Magners League table; the Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh – in positions one and two, respectively – have 23 points, followed by Leinster and the Dragons (both on 22 points), the Ospreys (21 points), Munster (20 points) and Ulster (19).
As luck may have it, Glasgow and Edinburgh will be up against each other this weekend in a bid to decide just who the best team is in the Magners League at present, but all the other fixtures in Round Nine could also have some interesting ramifications when it comes to the overall standings.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26:
Scarlets v Ospreys – Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 14.05
The Scarlets have had plenty of good news off the field this week, with four of the region’s top, and most promising, players putting pen to paper for contract extensions.
Matthew Rees, Ken Owens, Iestyn Thomas and Daniel Evans represent the past, present and the future of Scarlets rugby and even though only Owens – of the quartet – will be starting this weekend, their retention has caused plenty of excitement at the Parc y Scarlets.
Speaking of the Parc y Scarlets, Scarlets staff are expecting its biggest ever crowd… The largest crowd recorded to date was 14,400 when the Scarlets played the Barbarians at the official opening of the stadium in January this year. And, with a record attendance of around 14,800 expected on Saturday, the Scarlets staff are busy preparing Parc y Scarlets for the biggest and busiest game of the season so far.
Of course, the Scarlets are not the only Welsh region to have had some good news in terms of players re-signing, but at this time of the year – and given their lowly position on the Magners League standings at present (they are in ninth place!), any news is good news!
rugby365.com Prediction: This is a very, very tough one to call – but we’ll give it to the home team… only just. The Scarlets’ confidence will be low after their pasting at the hands of Leinster last week, but we are backing them to bounce back in the Magners League this week. The Scarlets by five points.
Leinster v Ulster – Royal Dublin Society
Kick-off: 17.30
This all-Ireland clash is bound to produce plenty of pride and passion – but as far as shocks are concerned, don’t hold your breath!
Leinster, simply put, were quite awesome in their demolition of the Scarlets last weekend and although some might argue that the Heineken Cup is different to the Magners League; form can easily be transferred from one competition to another.
Also, Leinster head coach Michael Cheika has made just two changes to the side that smashed the Scarlets, both of which came up front, meaning the star-studded Leinster backline – headlined by one Brian O’Driscoll – is back… and on the sniff again.
O’Driscoll will team up with wrecking ball Gordon D’Arcy in the centres and with Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin opting to rest Paddy Wallace and Andrew Trimble – as part of the IRFU Player Management Programme – we have also been robbed of a mouth-watering midfield match-up.
rugby365.com Prediction: Only one winner here – Leinster by at least 14 points.
Munster v Connacht – Thomond Park
Kick-off: 19.30
Although Munster are – by their lowly standards – ‘languishing’ in sixth position on the Magners League table, one win could see them take a giant leap up the standings and well back into the Top Four.
Connacht, however, are really languishing at the bottom of the standings – in 10th position and with just two wins to show from their eight fixtures thus far they should not prove to be much of an issue for a red-hot Munster.
Munster, fresh off their stunning 37-14 Heineken Cup away win over Perpignan last Sunday, will be full of confidence heading into this weekend’s action – even though they are missing nine players from that historic victory.
However, the man who pulled the strings at the Stade Aime Giral, star No.10 Ronan O’Gara, will lead Munster into battle on Saturday and two of last week’s try-scorers, Denis Hurley and Jean de Villiers, have also been included in the starting line-up.
Paul Warwick, the Man of the Match against Perpignan, can be called on from the bench should the need arise, but Denis Leamy – who picked up a season-ending knee injury last weekend – is obviously missing from the matchday 22.
Looking ahead to the weekend’s clash, veteran lock Mick O’Driscoll commented: “We’re not at all happy with our form in the Magners League.
“It’s something we’ve spoken about and need to address. This game provides not only the chance to do that but also gives lads the opportunity to put their hands up.”
rugby365.com Prediction: Again, like with the Leinster match – one cannot see the Mighty Munster losing this one at home, even if they have made so many changes from last week. Munster by eight points, at least.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27:
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh – Firhill Arena
Kick-off: 15.05
This top-of-the-table clash, one of two fixtures on Sunday, could produce some real fireworks at the Firhill Arena.
An all-Scotland Derby, for starters, the Warriors and Edinburgh deservedly find themselves in first and second place, respectively, on the Magners League standings – although that could all change this weekend.
The Warriors – who suffered an away loss in the Heineken Cup last weekend – are unbeaten in their last four games in the Magners League since their 16-26 reversal at home to Ospreys on September 25.
Edinburgh’s last two games in the Magners League have both been won by the away side on the day, whilst Edinburgh – who beat Bath at home last week, in dire conditions – are formidable on the road in the league with victories in five of their last six matches.
The last eleven meetings between the two teams have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the only team to buck that trend in league history being Edinburgh with their 25-16 victory at Hughenden on December 27, 2003.
Can that change on Sunday? Stay tuned…
rugby365.com Prediction: This truly is a tough result to call… History, however, is made to be broken and for that reason we’re going to plump for Edinburgh to cause a ‘shock’ away from. Not by many, however, fewer than six points.
Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons – Cardiff City Stadium
Kick-off: 18.00
The Cardiff Blues will be hoping to make it six wins from six against the Newport Gwent Dragons when they host their countrymen at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.
In fact, so dominant have the Blues been over the Dragons in recent years, that the Dragons’ only previous win in Cardiff was a 25-13 victory at the Arms Park in the Magners League way back in November 2003.
Going on current form, however, and based purely on the Magners League table, one would be tempted to give the Dragons the edge in this encounter, but with a bench containing household names like Paul Tito, Andy Powell, Gareth Cooper, Ceri Sweeney and Gareth Thomas, Cardiff just have too much firepower across the board.
rugby365.com Prediction: With quality across the board, in the shape of Blair, Shanklin, Roberts, James, Rush, etc, we are going to plump for the home side. Also, the Dragons have lost their last five fixtures against fellow Welsh regions… And we don’t see that changing this week. The Blues by at least 10 points.
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