Preview: Magners League, Round Four
rugby365 previews a potentially riveting Fourth Round of the 2009/10 Magners League with the arrival of Jean de Villiers and the clash between Edinburgh and Leinster just two aspects of the action to look forward too.
The Magners League is starting to heat up with the Gunners and the Newport-Gwent Dragons the surprising pace setters at the top.
Edinburgh of course finished second on the table after the 2008/09 season but even they could not have expected to get off to such a fantastic start to the new season. The only side to have scored 100 points already, and that after just three matches, the Gunners take on Leinster, the team with the best defensive record in the competition, on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Connacht and Cardiff are both at home and, languishing in the bottom two spots on the table, could both do with securing a win in their respective derby matches.
Magners League Round Four:
Friday, 25 September
Glasgow v Ospreys (19:05) (18.05 GMT) – Firhill Arena – Two teams who both come into this game in need of a win. The Warriors, after two strong wins in the opening couple of rounds, crashed to a disappointing defeat last weekend and need therefore to bounce back this weekend and prove themselves as top contenders.
The Ospreys meanwhile are under massive pressure already after two home defeats to Ulster and Leinster. Sean Holley and Scott Johnson have both tried their best to avoid talk of ‘panic buttons’ etc. but the truth is that their star studded squad certainly need to take something from this weekend.
Looking to return to winning ways – Sean Lineen has reversed the six changes he made ahead of last weekend’s defeat at the Dragons and also handed Sevens star Dave McCall his first start in Warriors colours.
For the Ospreys, James Hook is lining up at inside centre with Dan Biggar at No.10. New Zealand flank forwards Marty Holah and Jerry Collins have both been taken out of the starting XV with Holah being rested completely and Collins dropping down to the bench.
rugby365 prediction: Looking at the Ospreys teamsheet it is always hard to bet against them. It is the return of Alun-Wyn Jones though which has us believing again… the Ospreys to win by five.
Connacht v Ulster (19.00) (18.00 GMT) – The Sportsground – An all-Irish derby, Michael Bradley has already called on the home fans to make it as hostile an environment as is possible for Ulster this weekend.
With both teams failing to impress so far this season, this weekend could certainly be a springboard for either of them to start their seasons in earnest once again.
Connacht come into the match fresh off a victory over Cardiff while Ulster, after an away win over the Ospreys the week before, narrowly lost out to the top-of-the-table Gunners 16-13 last weekend.
Tom Court, Robbie Diack and Dan Tuohy have all returned to bolster the Ulster pack while Bradley’s Connacht side shows just one change from last weekend’s winning team. Centre Ian Whitten moves to the bench as Darren Cave returns.
rugby365 Prediction: Neither team has set the world alight just yet this season and yet both have recorded good wins over powerful Welsh sides (Cardiff and the Ospreys respectively). This though is an Irish affair and, as such, will have it’s own rules. Ulster will have the edge, even away from home, and take in by six points.
Saturday, 26 September
Cardiff v Scarlets (18.30) (17.30 GMT) – Cardiff City Stadium – Dai Young has been sending some pretty odd messages out of Cardiff this week. Labelling his own side as ‘lucky’ following the success they achieved last season, the former Welsh captain is clearly trying just about anything he can to spur his team on to a win this weekend.
Last years Heineken Cup semifinalist have been poor so far this season – losing all three of their matches so far and recording just two bonus points in the process.
The Scarlets too though come into this weekend’s all-Welsh derby needing to take something from it. With just the one win, against Leinster on Day One, Nigel Davies’ expensive collection of talents need to prove they are potential playoff candidates by beating their struggling Welsh brothers.
Cardiff will be boosted by the return of Tom Shanklin – his partnership with Jamie Roberts will no doubt be a major danger for the ScarletS. It is though the performance of flyhalf Sam Norton-Knight which we will all have our eyes on.
The Australian had a shocking first round display and has featured only off the bench ever since… he gets his chance again this weekend.
rugby365 Prediction: The Scarlets are a powerful looking side but sooner or later this Blues side will have to show some signs of life. Expect big performances from the likes of Paul Tito and Xavier Rush and for the Blues to finally get their season back on track with a win by eight.
Edinburgh v Leinster (18.30) (17.30 GMT) – Murrayfield – Top of the table versus the defending Heineken Cup Champions; we could be in for a cracker of a match.
After a hiccup in the opening round, Michael Cheika’s men have responded well with two consecutive victories over the Dragons and the Ospreys and currently find themselves in third spot on the table.
The return of Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Jamie Heaslip will be a massive boost for the Irish side while, on the Gunners’ side, captain Mike Blair starts for the first time this season.
rugby365 Prediction: Leinster’s starting lineup is starting to resemble their Heineken Cup winning XV more and more every week but Edinburgh continue to impress. The visitors, lead by captain Leo Cullen and Lions Nathan Hines, will dominate up front and should win by six.
Sunday, 27 September
Munster v Dragons (17.05) (16.05 GMT) – Thomond Park – A few weeks back everyone was focusing on the arrival of Jerry Collins; this week it is the arrival of Jean de Villiers.
The Springbok centre is one of the games great players and, after arriving in Ireland last week, will finally make his debut for the Munstermen this weekend.
Some more good news for Munster sees Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan also return to action this weekend. With Tomas O’Leary promoted to the starting fifteen from the bench last weekend Declan Kidney will once again get to see his first choice half backs in action together.
The Dragons meanwhile are still without usual captains Tom Willis and Luke Charteris but have found some good early season form so far this season.
rugby365 Prediction: The Dragons have surprised a couple of sides this season already but it is unlikely to happen at Thomond Park this weekend. Slowly getting back to their best, the Red Machine should win it by 12 or more.
by rugby365
