Preview: Magners League, Round Two
After an opening round full of surprises, the rugby365 team does their best to put the pieces together and preview the fast approaching second weekend of exciting Magners League action.
The whole of Scotland will be hoping for another weekend like last week - both Scottish sides, Glasgow and Edinburgh, recorded fantastic wins against top-class opposition and, on reflection, were more than good value for their respective victories.
It's an Irish and Welsh affair which kicks us off however, with the two Scottish victims from last weekend, Munster and Cardiff going head to head at Thomond Park.
Friday's other clash sees Connacht travel to Murrayfield while on Saturday there is another pair of exciting encounters for us all to enjoy.
The Ospreys, having just about done enough to overcome Connacht last weekend, welcome Ulster for the 18:30 kickoff while at 19:00, the RDS Stadium will see the Heineken Cup champs Leinster taking on the Newport-Gwent Draons.
Sunday's clash between two inform teams, the Scarlets and the Warriors, rounds out the weekend.
Magners League Round Two:
Friday, 11 September
Munster v Cardiff (19:05) (18.05 GMT) - Thomond Park - Alan Quinlan returns for the home side after spending his 12 weeks on the sidelines; while no one would condone eye-gouging, it is good to see the experienced flank back and, along with 'the Bull', John Hayes, he'll be hoping to make a big impression during his first runout of the new season.
Cardiff, like Munster, suffered a disappointing first round defeat. New recruit Sam Norton-Knight particularly seemed to struggle and, because of his sub-standard performance, has been relegated to the bench for this weekend's big clash.
rugby365 Prediction: Both teams will be desperate to record their first wins of the new season. There is no doubt that the Blues backline looks dangerous but the Thomond Park factor should never be underestimated. Munster to win by six.
Edinburgh v Connacht (19.30) (18.30 GMT) - Murrayfield - Rob Moffat's men secured an impressive away win last weekend but Connacht, despite going down 19-12 at home, showed exactly what they are all about in their clash with the Ospreys. Pushing the Welsh region to the wire, the Irish province will be hoping to upset last year's Magners League runners up at Murrayfield this weekend.
The Gunners have some impressive reinforcements to call on this weekend with Lions Ross Ford and Mike Blair both having been named on the bench.
rugby365 Prediction: The Gunners proved to everyone last weekend that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with once again in the new campaign. Andy Robinson may well have moved on but the systems he put in place remain. A win at home for Edinburgh by eight or more.
Saturday, 12 September
Ospreys v Ulster (18.30) (17.30 GMT) - Liberty Stadium - Ulster, despite being tipped for the win by rugby365, produced a distinctly average performance last weekend against the Dragons; going down 23-6 at the Rodney Parade.
The Ospreys on the other hand survived a stern examination and were powered to victory by their All Black import Jerry Collins.
Speaking during the week, Lion Mike Phillips said he had been very impressed with Scott Johnson's new setup at the Ospreys. After a disappointing 2008/09 campaign the Ospreys are quietly confident of big things this season - a slip up at home against Ulster therefore is something which will certainly not be tolerated.
rugby365 Prediction: After their poor performance last weekend it is tough to back Ulster to cause an upset - the Ospreys, with the likes of Phillips and James Hook involved, will simply have too much for their Irish opponents. The Ospreys to take it by ten.
Leinster v Newport-Gwent Dragons (19.00) (18.00 GMT) - RDS Stadium - Contrasting fortunes for these two teams in week one of the competition - Leinster went down 18-16 to the Scarlets while the Dragons recorded a comfortable victory over Ulster.
Michael Cheika would have been very disappointed with his sides performance last weekend. The Scarlets certainly deserved their win but, having got themselves into a position to win the game, Cheika would have liked to have seen his side step up and complete the job.
Leisnter Forwards coach Jonno Gibbs for one is expecting a far more 'clinical' performance from his troops this weekend.
Paul Turner, on the other hand, will be looking for his team to once again play to the level which they delivered last weekend. Competitive up front and taking their chances when they came, the Dragons will certainly need to be at the top of their came this weekend if they hope to take anything from the match.
rugby365 Prediction: Playing their first match at home of the new campaign, Leinster will not be contemplating anything other than a comfortable victory on Saturday night. rugby365 is happy to admit that we underestimated the Dragons last weekend but sad to say we may well be doing it once again - Leinster to win by seven.
Sunday, 6 September
Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets (17.05) (16.05 GMT) - Firhill Arena - Two of the most impressive teams last weekend, both the Warriors and the Scarlets will be full of confidence heading into Sunday's big clash.
The battle between Thom Evans and Rory Lamont is particularly exciting. Both Scottish wings are fantastic talents and, if fit and in-form, are two of the best finishers in the League.
Scarlets were boosted this week as well by the news that front row forward Rhys Thomas would not be suspended for his reckless charge last weekend. The Welsh tighthead was yellow carded for his ill-disciplined action and could easily have faced an even greater sanction had the disciplinary committee decided that his act had had bad intent behind it.
His presence will be a big boost for the visitors as they look to get some sort of dominance over the Warriors up front - laying the platform for their exciting backline to fire.
rugby365 Prediction: Possibly the toughest match to call this weekend, it is also perhaps the most exciting one on paper. Sean Lineen and Nigel Davies are both great rugby minds and their squads will both be more than ready for this weekend's encounter. Close games, more often than not, go in the favour of the home side. Glasgow Warriors to edge it by five or less.
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