Saturday, September 25, 2010

Munster, Ulster, Connacht riding high, Leinster riding low – full CSI investigation of the Murrayfield crime scene

Edinburgh 32 - 24 Leinster
Glasgow 29 - 43 Munster
Connacht 15 - 15 Ulster

Leinster don’t look like a team who won the Heineken cup just over two years ago at the moment. Leinster look like a team who won an out of date box of chocolates in a village fete two years ago. There are reasons (not excuses, mind) for why they are looking so bad so this isn’t going to be a full out flaying of the team. Just yet that is.

Reason no 1 - don’t bring a knife to a gun fight. Edinburgh were winless until this weekend, and picked their first team. What was the point of leaving Healy and Heaslip on the bench? They’ve been molly coddled enough by the IRFU, time to have a decent run of games and build up some form.

Reason no 2 – injuries. Leinster need a good back up fly half/ kicker in a hurry until Sexton sorts himself out. They are sadly lacking in the second row too. If Ali Williams is going spare they should sign him up ASAP.

Reason no3 – defense. Last minute fly half changes don’t help the defense. Also IRFU enforced abcences/chopping and changing/general buggering around don’t help. But we’re creeping from reason to excuse here, come on chaps, brush up on the tackling, what!

Reason No 4 Attack see reason 2 not enough fly half back up Isa is a legend but for whatever reason he’s not a fly half’s bottom. The rest of the guys need to settle – there is an embarrassment of riches in the backline, let’s stop kicking so much and see some razzmatazz.

Reason no 5 Edinburgh at home are always a bugger, and not to be ungracious they played really well.

All they have to do is beat the top team next week now and everything will be ok. Simple really.

To add salt to the wound, while Leinster were being royally skewered by Edinburgh, Munster had the temerity to notch up a good away win over the other Scots representatives, Glasgow. Show offs!

Ulster and Connacht rounded off the weekend at the showground with a hard fought draw. As far as Connacht have come a draw is still a result for them against the 'Man City' of the Magners League. Decent place kicking from out halves, lots of resolute defence and a good tight match.

Overall, it's looking pretty healthy for Ireland at the moment, just waiting for the boys in blue to come to the party.

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