‘No rest for the wicked’ that is
how I expect that our England rugby squad are feeling right now, for after a pressured and tumultuous
month wearing the red rose of England they now have a set of back to
back European fixtures to contend with. Brutal, that is the only word you can used to describe the schedule however as all of our Aviva Premiership players know these back to back fixtures are often where a place in the knock out
stages is won or lost.
On Friday evening in the South of
France Bath have the honour of re-starting the European action as they visit
Montpellier. Mike Ford has selected a strong side for this fixture and it includes a back line that screams class with Watson, Joseph, Eastmond and Ford all starting. Montpellier's fireworks should come from their Kiwi export Rene Ranger. Casting an eye over the form book the two side's fortunes couldn’t be more different! Montpellier have lost their last
three Top 14 games on the bounce and last won on the 11th October whilst we all know that Bath as we all know have been on fire in the Aviva Premiership even without some of their key men.
Pride and a place in the competition is at stake for both, neither can afford
to lose back to back fixtures and it will make for a belting double bill.
In Manchester on Saturday
afternoon it is the first of two clashes between our very own Sale Sharks and
Saracens. It seems a long time ago when Saracens bullied Clermont off the park
in Round 1 of the Champions Cup competition and in recent weeks they've been slightly off colour. Europe is the perfect place for them to bounce back and bounce back they must. The Sharks had an extremely tough 80 against the Newcastle Falcons last weekend so they
are already battle worn and ready to go. Like any clash between these two it will be a
physical test and one that contains a fair amount of razzmatazz too give their
backline personnel... my spotlight is focused on the two likely 10s; Owen Farrell and Danny Cipriani! An interesting 80 awaits...
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| (C) Claire Jones |
At the same time about a thousand
miles away the Northampton Saints
will run out in the Italian sunshine against Bennetton Treviso in what should
be a comfortable match. Stating that from the outset isn't being dis-repectful to Treviso it is realistic. Saints are a power house, in spite of a few losses already this year their squad remains one of the best in
the Aviva Premiership and Treviso simply don’t have quite the same ammunition. Tries will be the aim of the game for Mallinder's men and whilst their Director of Rugby may not say it overtly we all know that nothing
less than two bonus point victories will be expected.
Wasps also will be taking a
little trip out to the South of France to take on Castres at the Stade Pierre
Antoine. Wasps’ form over the past two weeks hasn’t been strong and it is hoped
that a spot of action European soil and the return of their Captain James Haskell will
reignite Dai Young’s side. Castres’ Top 14 season has been tough and currently sit bottom of the Top 14 however in Round 2 they pushed Leinster
hard and that will be the side that Wasps should prepare for. A close fought tussle is
expected in the South of France and I promise to bring you a few updates and pictures from pitch-side as I'm heading out to watch the game live.
The Stoop will open its doors to
Leinster Rugby this weekend in what will be a superb game of rugby. Harlequins should have their full England contingent back and
Leinster will bring, not only an abundance of Irish riches on the field, but a
loud and impressive amount of support off it. Leinster are unbeaten in seven away games against English opposition in Europe so we know travelling doesn't phase them. A Heaslip vs. Robshaw clash,
should both be picked (!), will be just one of the outstanding match ups. I'm expecting fireworks out the back and colossal hits up front, the question is will Harlequins be
able to pull themselves out of their recent dip in form enough to take on the
might of the Irish?
The final English side in action
are the Leicester Tigers who welcome none other than the reigning champions
Toulon to Welford Road. One thing is for certain and that is the fact that
there will not be a free seat in the house and Welford Road will be absolutely
rocking to its very core this weekend. The Tigers are starting to regain some
of their key assets back from their respective injuries and they’ll need every ounce
of muscle, brawn and prowess in order to combat Boudjellal’s men. Everything
and the kitchen sink should be the mentality for Tigers and if the Great
British weather does them a favour, and pours it down, Toulon will need to play
ugly and grind it out...something we know they are capable of doing.
Northampton Saints Photos © Claire Jones RedHatPhoto.com all proceeds supporting Restart, the rugby players' charity.
