URC Week 2 Round Up - Irish Shield
An unusually poor start for two of the Irish provinces, as Connacht and Munster both remain without a win after two round. On the other hand, Leinster and Ulster are both two from two and as a result, are both sitting pretty at the top of the table (Leinster ahead on points difference). So what’s going on with the Irish sides?
Leinster 41-10 Benetton
Having been given a slight scare against Zebre Parma away, there was no way this was going any other direction than a convincing Leinster win at home. Leinster made their statement early on, after just five minutes in fact, with a try through hooker Dan Sheehan after a powerful maul. Their second and third tries also came through their forward dominance, though their fourth was a bit more flamboyant with some beautiful hands to release flanker Josh van der Flier out on the wing.
The game was already secured before Sheehan’s second, Leinster’s fifth try, while Benetton got their only try just before the hour mark, which was nothing more than a consolation try before Leinster got a final try before the final whistle.
It was more or less a flawless, clinical display of rugby from Leinster on home soil. Despite the six-try run in, Leinster looked like they still had another gear or three to go through if they needed it.
They’ll face a far sterner test against Ulster in round 3, and it’ll be a battle for the top of the table and someone’s winning streak will come to an end.
Scarlets 39-55 Ulster
An outstanding game of rugby, and another powerful performance from the Ulstermen. Fullback Michael Lowery and scrumhalf John Cooney were purring and the Ulster pack once more operated like one cohesive unit.
Seven tries the visitors scored in total, though Ulster defence coach Jonny Bell may not be too pleased with the five tries they conceded. Nonetheless, it was another impressive display by Ulster.
They never really took the game away from the Scarlets until the 74th minute, with Cooney slotting a penalty and converting a Tom O’Toole try to put the game beyond a comeback.
Ulster look the real deal this season, and they’ll have an opportunity to make a statement of intent this weekend as they welcome top-of-the-table rivals, Leinster, to the Kingspan Stadium. A victory on the weekend would put them in a great position before welcoming Ospreys the following week.
If they continue with this form, I’d wager Ulster could be contenders in this year’s URC, and Heineken Champions Cup.
DHL Stormers 38-15 Connacht
This was an interesting one. The game was most definitely still in the balance up until Bundee Aki’s red card for a dangerous clear out. In fact, Connacht could have been just four points behind with 20 minutes to go.
However, a fateful TMO check resulted in the British and Irish Lion being sent off on the hour mark, and the Stormers wasted no time in retaliating on the scoreboard with what was an outrageous try that went through six pair of hands in under seven seconds.
From there on in Stormer took the game by the scruff of its neck, scoring two more and winning convincingly in the end despite a late charge by the men in green.
Stormers and Sharks could both be topping the table too at this point, both on five points each, but will have to wait until February to be level on fixtures with the rest of the league.
Dragons RFC 23-17 Munster
Momentum shifted back and forth in this game, with the hosts getting out into an early lead but in typical Munster fashion, they ground the opposition down and by half time had nabbed two tries of their own and were once again in the lead.
However, just as it looked like Munster had regained control of the game, the Dragons wrestled it back from them and with just ten minutes left to play, Dragons struck through their speedy winger, Rio Dyer.
Munster were still only a try away from winning the game when they uncharacteristically fumbled possession in Dragons territory and allowed the hosts to break away and eventually seal the win with a penalty.
So what’s going on at Munster? One would argue that Munster of old would have kept possession in that scenario for umpteen phases, squeezing the life out the defence before powering over in the red, and coming away with the win.
Admittedly, they were without some of their international stars, such as Tadhg Beirne, Conor Murray, Gavin Coombes, and Andrew Conway; but they aren’t lacking depth at Munster, and have plenty of talent to call upon while the internationals are away.
I’ve no doubt that Munster at Musgrave will be an entirely different prospect, and once they get a few wins under their belt, they’ll find their rhythm and return to the Munster we know and love. They’ve got a potential banana skin against Zebre first, however, who have run both Leinster and Sharks close, followed by another tricky prospect in Connacht, who are also struggling so far this season.
