Bachelor.ie: Heineken Cup Week 1 : The Four Provinces
Leinster V Ospreys : Blue Storm Rising
Leinster 19-9 Ospreys
Wales’s greatest hope for having a home team in this year’s Heineken Cup final took a hit as Leinster picked themselves up after a worrying defeat to Munster. Each side boasted four from the victorious Lions squad, but it was Leinster that stepped up. There was something different in their play. They were cunning, pumped, organized; clearly the more knowledgeable. And with two hands and heart, they ripped the win and pride from a team that has proved a daunting opponent in competitions past.
They are two for whom this Heineken Cup means more than before. Here they will be asked do they still have what it takes to fight against Europe’s elite. The Blues who had been crowned tournament champions three times in the previous four seasons, were without Brian O'Driscoll and have as of yet to choose a permanent number 10 with newly signed veteran Jimmy Gopperth taking to the field after a curious performance by young gun Ian Madigan. Where as the Ospreys though still hold strong with their trio of their Jones’s, Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric. Now they hold a selection of backs which after a shuffle are without the household names of the last few years.
Ospreys opened the scoring with Biggar, the first of three kicks, which would be the only scoring for the Welsh giants. Leinster’s defense was a hulking force, and despite loosing Mike Ross to a leg injury eighteen minutes in, a fluid combination from Jamie Heaslip, Jimmy Gopperth, Sean Cronin led to Sean O’Brien crossing the line for the first time in the game and to put his side ahead. Another penalty from Gopperth leaving the score at 13-6 to the visitors at the break.
Gopperth controlled the game, his experience and game smarts evident while O’Brien was ferocious throughout. Himself and Heaslip tanking through the centre of the park employing force and discipline. Ospreys were unable to establish themselves in Leinster territory, forced to attack long, beaten consistently by a blue scrum.
After a final kick from Gopperth to widen the win to 19-9, Leinster stopped their push and held ground. Nothing was getting past them and the game was theirs. A number 10 showing his caliber and giving options to his manager. While man of the match Sean O’Brien again put the question, how good can he get?
Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Ben John, Andrew Bishop, Ashley Beck, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Tito Tebaldi; Duncan Jones, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Ryan Jones, Joe Bearman, Justin Tipuric.
Leinster: R Kearney; F McFadden, B Macken, G D'Arcy, D Kearney; J Gopperth, I Boss; C Healy, S Cronin, M Ross; D Toner, M McCarthy; K McLaughlin, J Heaslip (capt), S O'Brien.
Munster V Edinburgh: Surprise Comes in All Shapes and Colours
Munster 23-29 Edinburgh
Tim Visser earned a late try to earn Edinburgh a surprise 29-23 victory over the Munster, their first Heineken Cup success since slipping past Toulouse in the 2011- 12 quarter-finals. Munster, a running force of strength, are hotly tipped to top this group with none of the opposition at their measure. But what the red machine encountered at Murrayfield was a bloody battle to take the first test, and they were found wanting.
The Scots captain Greig Laidlaw kicked nineteen points to complete an inspired display in what was a riveting first test.
After the opening five minutes it was Matt Scott who gave Edinburgh the lead, only for Munster to comeback with tries from Casey Laulala and Mike Sherry. At this point it was thought business would continue as usual for Munster. But it was Laidlaw who raised the stop sign. Kicking four penalties before the break, rousing the roars of the home crowd and letting Munster know this would not be a straightforward game.
When the teams returned Ian Keatley who spearheaded the red’s response. Fresh from his man of the match winning performance against Leinster he sailed the ball twice pushing his team ahead. As the game closed it appeared the Irishmen were finding their confidence despite Simon Zebo being carried off. But with ten left on the clock
Visser tore down the left wing for the try that led to the victorious kick. Poetically lifted by Laidlaw a final time. The captain who fought from beginning to end, as his team beat their pool’s Goliath.
Edinburgh: J Cuthbert, D Fife, N De Luca, M Scott, T Visser; H Leonard, G Laidlaw (capt) A Dickinson, R Ford, W Nel , G Gilchrist, S Cox, D Basilaia, C Du Preez, D Denton.
Munster: F Jones; K Earls, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, P O'Connell (capt); P Butler, N Ronan, J Coughlan.
Ulster V Leicester: Ulstermen Grab Tiger by the Tail
Ulster 22-16 Leicester
Leicester fell to Ulster (again) possibly setting the tone of this pool. Granted home advantage must be taken into account, particularly as Ulster have now won fifteen of their sixteen games at home in this tournament, but there was a particular feeling in the air of this oddly windless evening. Ulster know what they’ve got.
With a stadium redevelopments hindering full capacity, Leicester were unable to capitalize while missing key players as they treaded the blades of this arena mid-construct. Each player will look down on Irelands coastline from the plane thankful for claiming a bonus point amidst the loss. Clearly bullied after a strong start. Almost as if in the Ulstermen waved a finger at Leicester saying, “oh no you don’t,” before responding with power.
The Tigers missed Manu Tuilagi's ever-passionate presence and Miles Benjamin never quite looked comfortable unlike Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar who graced the field after the break to have an immediate effect. But it must be said that the stand out performance was Paddy Jackson who of Ulster’s twenty-two points kicked seventeen of them between the posts. An aerial attack that rained down. Obliterating Leicester’s hopes of a valuable away win before they’re followed back home. The only bad weather for Leicester on the night as their scrum continued to break on the away soil.
The Tigers clawed the final points of the game. Fly-half Owen Williams intelligently sealing a drop goal to steal what may be a valuable bonus. But the damage was done. Leicester’s and times winded demeanor unable to undo Ulster’s tempo. The Irishmen’s relentless good play kicking the cat out the door.
Leicester: Morris, Benjamin, Goneva, Bowden, Thompstone, Flood, B Youngs, Mulipola, T. Youngs, Cole, Deacon, Parling, Slater, Salvi, Crane.
Ulster: Payne, Trimble, Cave, L. Marshall, Bowe, Jackson, P Marshall, Court, Best, Fitzpatrick, Muller, Tuohy, Wilson, Henry, Williams.
Connacht V Saracens: Strong Signs, But No Result
Connacht 17-23 Saracens
I’m not fond of watching an Irish team loose a contest. But heart particularly dips when are unable to accomplish even somewhat similar statistics to her neighboring provinces (no this does not mean I am perpetually depressed).
The fight put on by Connacht was admirable to say the least. This was a tough and physical game against a side that reached the semi-finals last year. And was it not for a few . . . questionable . . . decisions by Italian referee Pascal Gaüzère, Connacht might well have taken victory from this hard fought match up, and brought some valuable momentum into game two.
The home side came at Saracens, consistently finding space and applying pressure. You could taste how much they wanted this win and will no doubt be disheartened while the men in black will be grateful to come away with four points from a team that when at home can hit as hard as anyone else.
Robbie Henshaw was partnered with new signing James So'oialo in the center to good effect. Though the absence of several injured parties including Eoin Griffin was clearly felt. Where as Saracens welcome the return of fly-half Owen Farrell to the fold who kicked two-second half penalties and whose presence allowed for a favorable shuffle of positions.
A penalty awarded to the out rage of Connacht coach Pat Lam finished the game while Connacht were going for the win. A bitter defeat to a great effort. To many this no result will come at no surprise. But the team from the west can take solace in knowing that they truly deserved the win.
Connacht: 15. Gavin Duffy, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 James So'oialo, 11 Danie Poolman, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Brett Wilkinson, 2 Sean Henry, 3 Rodney Ah You, 4 Michael Swift (c), 5 Craig Clarke, 6 John Muldoon, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 George Naoupu.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Chris Wyles, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick (c), 5 George Kruis, 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Will Fraser, 8 Billy Vunipola.