There is no doubt that the following two weekend will see the various groups in the European cup really start to take shape, with some team taking advantage of this pretty much unique set of games in the rugby world.
Normally the way you would want there to fall would be an away game first, get some sort of a result on the road and then get them home and kick their ass!! That’s the plan anyway…
But for some teams the other way suits just fine, take a look at ERC new comers Connacht, they have lost their last 8 games in all competitions and desperately need to get a win, not just their European hope but to get their whole season back on track. So they will be quite happy to be playing their first game against Gloucester at home in Galway.
Now the visiting side themselves are in no great shape either, having lost their last four games, so this is turning out to be a pivotal game for both sides.
In what could be described as one of the games of the weekend Munster travel away to the inform Scarlets on Saturday. Yes they are both undefeated but you would have to say that the home sides play has been the more impressive, with Munster needing two last minutes efforts from ROG to see them through. Especially with the season ending injury to Doug Howlett, Munster will be looking at this to get some points out of this fixture and get the full allocation next week therefore winning the back to backs.
As these games can be a nightmare for some it can also be a boon for others, look at Ulster. They stand having won one and lost one are now playing Aironi in a group that will probably see two teams qualify. So if they can get 2 wins and if possible max points it could be enough with a couple of added points from the others games, to virtually see them through!
Leinster travel to Bath for their game this weekend, a place they have played quite a bit in the ERC and have a good record there. I still feel that with the blues this game, as with the rest of their season in truth, is in their own hands. They have shown that they still have the team that can get the results and if they stay hungry the results should go their way. Bath are struggling, standing 3rd last in the premiership and will find this one tough.
Shane
