RuckedOver's End of Year Awards - 2013

2014 is upon us, and I’m sure that you’re preparing yourself for an evening of well-mannered frivolity, no matter where you are in the world.  Either that or you’re sensibly necking cartons of milk in anticipation of seeing in the New Year with the customary combination of a beer-based centurion challenge, a tie around the head and an inevitable 2 am chunder.  Yes, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2014 in rugby terms as well – immediately, what is going to happen in the transfer circus with Leicester’s Toby Flood allegedly off to Toulouse – but, for now, let’s take the chance to reflect on an unbelievable year of rugby in 2013.

 

Player of the Year:  Kieran Read.  The Kiwi number 8 finished 2012 on a low, throwing an interception pass to Manu Tuilagi during New Zealand’s only defeat since the World Cup.  It appears that the All Black spent the entire off-season building himself into a relentless rage because Read has played like a man possessed throughout 2014.  His display in the match away against South Africa was one of the best displays by a forward I’ve ever seen and summed up his year – omnipresent, powerful in defence and on the carry, and with delightfully deft touches and vision to unlock the most stingy of defences. 

Runners up:  Leigh Halfpenny, for his outstanding performances for Wales and the Lions, and Francois Louw, for spearheading a resurgent South African side and carrying his clubside Bath on more than one occasion.

 

Team of the Year:  New Zealand.  Yawn.  It must be so boring, winning all the time.  They should try playing like clueless muppets half of the time, like England do – it makes it far more exciting.  However, with a 100% winning record in 2013, and doing it playing some bum-slappingly good rugby against the world’s best teams, it’s hard to argue with them receiving our Team of the Year award.

Runners Up:  The British and Irish Lions, for a first series victory since 1997, and the Chiefs, for completing the remarkable feat of retaining their Super Rugby title.

 

Dream Team of the Year:  1. Alex Corbisiero 2. Tom Youngs 3. Adam Jones 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Alun Wynn Jones 6. Willem Alberts 7. Fracois Louw 8.  Kieran Read 9. Aaron Smith 10. Quade Cooper 11. George North 12. Ma’a Nonu 13. Jonathan Davies 14. Ben Smith 15.  Leigh Halfpenny

 

Try of the Year:  Beauden Barrett v France.  An absolutely bonkers try that saw Beauden Barrett start an attack on his own line and coast in after mesmeric offloads from Rene Ranger and Aaron Cruden.  All Blacks rugby at its best.

Runners up:  Israel Folau v Lions, 1^st Test.  Owing much to the genius of Will Genia, Folau introduced himself to Test rugby on the biggest stage.  George North v Australia, 2^nd Test.  Big George matched Folau with a try of his own, showcasing his freakish speed and power.

 

Match of the Year:  South Africa v New Zealand.   The two best sides in the world slugged it out for the Rugby Championship in what must go down as one of the greatest games played.  That even the referee, Nigel Owens, was being congratulated by both sides after the game, shows that this was something special.

Runners up:  Australia v Lions, 1^st Test.  A game that went down to the wire and ensured that shares in new underwear boomed on both sides of the planet.  Ireland v New Zealand:  The game that secured the perfect season was snatched at the death in a sensational comeback by the world’s number 1 side. 

 

Comeback of the Year:  Quade Cooper.  Poor old Quade.  Discarded by Robbie Deans and forced to watch as hapless Belieber James O’Connor failed to ignite an Australian backline against the Lions, Cooper came back into the reckoning halfway through the rugby championship and started to finally help the Wallabies find their feet once again.  A sensational display against Wales was a just reward for a player who has really knuckled down this year. 

Runners up:  Danny Cipriani.  The Sale fly-half has finally removed his head from his dark regions and is back playing rugby at Sale that has pundits clamouring for him to be reinstated in the England set up.  Mathew Tait.  Once the prodigy of English rugby, the utility back has returned from effectively 2 seasons out of the game to establish himself as the first choice full back at Leicester and once again throw his name into the international reckoning.

 

The Danny Care Sh*t Lid Award:  Goes to Danny Care.  Of course.  Luke Cowan Dickie was pushing him close but saw the light and cut off the monstrosity that was being cultivated in his noggin.  The same goes for Joe Marler.

Villain of the Year:  Warren Gatland.  The Kiwi coach of the Lions ensured he will never be welcome in Ireland again and brought Keith Woods to tears – apparently not hard to do – by dropping the Irish legend for the 3^rd and final test against the Wallabies, and selecting 10 players from Wales for the same game. 

Runners up:  Jerome Filliol.  The Stade Francais scrum half was banned for 14 weeks for spitting at Peter Stringer in a match against Bath.  In my opinion, this was one of rugby’s low points and, if I was being serious on this blog, he would take the top award.  Richard Cockerill, for being his usual ‘colourful’ self by arguing with officials and then, more recently, accusing Sale of cheating in the scrum.  Dylan Hartley.  For effectively costing his side the chance of their first Premiership title by calling Wayne Barnes ‘a f*cking cheat’.  And then lying about it afterwards.  Great captain material.

 

Hero of the Year:  Warren Gatland.  For making the correct rugby decision and dropping Brian O’Driscoll after the centre endured a mare of a 2^nd Test.  His other selections may have been questionable – Hibbard for Youngs was a head-scratcher – but you cannot question the end result of leading the Lions to a first series win in 16 years.

Runners up:  Aaron Cruden.  For nads of solid steel when slotting a tricky conversion in the last play of the game – at the second attempt – to seal the All Blacks’ perfect season.  Leigh Halfpenny.  For a near-flawless display with the ball in hand and off the tee that helped see the Lions across the line against the Wallabies.

Quotes of the Year: 
 

• “Boomfah” – Justin Marshall.  The ex-All Black scrum half runs out of human words to describe a hit.

• “Everyone hates Edinburgh! I don’t even watch them on telly.” – Stuart Hogg.  The Glasgow fullback rules himself out of contention of a vacant post at Edinburgh’s tourism board in the build up to the Scottish derby.

• “Do I resent him?  Yeah, there’s resentment there of course.  Is he on the Christmas card list?  Unlikely.” – Brian O’Driscoll.  The Irish centre reflects on the money he will save on stamps this festive season in the aftermath of being dropped for the final Lions test by Warren Gatland. 

 

Legend of the Year:  Joost van der Westhuizen.  No question.  Any sadness at seeing arguably the greatest scrum half of all time slowly succumbing to the terrible effects of motor-neurone disease is quickly replaced by the admiration of the courage he is showing throughout.  Using his time to not only promote awareness of the disease, but also to preach the values he has learned the hardest way – that of the importance of family and loved ones – he embodies all that is great amongst the rugby community.  Thoughts and prayers are with him and loved ones going into the new year.
 

Premiership Review - Saracens 49 - 10 Leicester Tigers

 

Ah the festive season.  Industrial amount of booze, bad food and parties.  Unless you’re a professional rugby player that is.  Nevertheless, Alllianz Park on Saturday was the setting for a clash between two of the league’s heavyweights in what was all set to be a Christmas cracker.  Perhaps nobody expected it to turn into a Christmas roast though. 

With the wind streaming horizontally into the faces of the visitors, you got the feeling that this might be Saracens’ half – and so it proved to be, but perhaps nobody expected them to play with such gusto and speed.  A Ben Youngs box kick was only casually chased by Matt Smith – a problem with Leicester’s territory game all day – allowing Alex Goode and Richard Wigglesworth to surge through the first line of Tigers’ defence and set up camp by the Tigers’ 22.  The speed of ball was superb and, with the Leicester defence caught alarmingly narrow, quick hands allowed young winger Jack Wilson to squeeze over in the corner for the game’s opening try.  A wonderful kick by Owen Farrell in gale-force wind made the score 7 – 0.

There was no escape for the visitors, either through their own doing – in the form of poor chasing on Youngs’ box kicks – or through nature’s, with Ryan Lamb only ever to make minimal distance with his attempted clearances into the wind.  They were kept pinned back in their own half through superb kicking from Farrell and Wigglesworth, and with the likes of Billy Vunipola and Kelly Brown carrying strongly around the fringes, the hosts had a total grip on the game.  Farrell added another penalty, but Leicester were lucky to avoid conceding more as their defence struggled to realign in the wake of Saracens’ lightening clean-outs in the rucks.  Lamb eventually got the Tigers on the board with a well struck penalty on 25 minutes, before Farrell responded shortly afterwards with a 3 pointer of his own.

With Tigers having no possession or territory of note in the game, it was hard to see where they could create opportunities from.  Luckily for them, Owen Farrell had a burst of Christmas spirit and generously presented it to the visitors, taking an age to clear his lines and allowing the impressive lock Graham Kitchener to athletically charge down the kick, regather and touch down beneath the posts.  Out of nowhere, Leicester were back in the game.  But not for long.  Kitchener, who had been a rock for Leicester in the set piece and defence before his try, hit Farrell late, causing Barnes to check the incident on the TMO.  It was one of those cases where, by the letter of the law, it was a yellow card, but in my opinion the laws are wrong.  It was a penalty for the late hit – although it was not malicious, as Kitchener was already committed – but it was in no way a yellow card, which was dished out for the most marginal lift by the Leicester man.  The fact was it wasn’t dangerous – just a very hard hit – and Farrell landed on his back.  Nevertheless, Barnes correctly obeyed the laws and yellow carded the second row – and what a crucial moment that turned out to be.  Down to 14 men, Leicester came under pressure from a rolling maul which crabbed ominously infield.  From that position, Farrell switched play from left to right, allowing Chris Wyles to feed Chris Ashton for a simple run in.  Where the man meant to be marking him, Miles Benjamin, was, I have no idea – possibly already trotting down the tunnel for halftime – however, the main issue with the score was the alleged forward pass that the TMO took about half an hour to rule on.  It was one of those cases where the viewpoint on whether it was forward or not depended on what angle you viewed the pass from – there were good arguments either way, but Barnes sided with the attacking team.  Farrell missed the conversion, but Sarries took a commanding 18 – 10 lead into half time.

Leicester, despite the last try, wouldn’t have been disappointed though with that scoreline – especially in the light of the fact Richard Cockerill had claimed that the wind was worth ‘15 – 17 points’.  Perhaps it was, but it certainly wasn’t for Leicester.  The pack started to rumble early on to try and wind down the clock for Kitchener’s sinbinning and build some pressure, but when Wayne Barnes bizarrely penalised Youngs for throwing the offside Steve Borthwick out of the way, the chance was lost and instead, Sarries charged up the pitch and claimed a great try of their own.  Following another strong maul from the pack, Wyles made good ground in the midfield, before quick recycling allowed Vunipola to crash through a gaping hole to go over from 5 metres out.  It was superb work by the Londoners’ pack, and abysmal by the Leicester side, with Austin Healey pointing out on TV coverage that the gap in the defence was due to Jordan Crane and other Leicester forwards walking back to the defensive line whilst the Saracens men charged past them at full tilt.

Leicester’s problems went from bad to worse as Terence Hepetema, on for Matt Smith at half time, made the unwise/moronic decision to attempt to tackle Vunipola with his face.  Unsurprisingly, he came off second best, and Leicester were forced to bring on winger Adam Thompstone in the centres as cover.  The Leicester pack, though, reinvigorated by the introductions of Tom Youngs and Marcos Ayerza, began to claim territory and started to batter the Saracens line with a succession of powerful rolling mauls, but Saracens were feeling particularly scrooge-like, presenting an impenetrable wall of defence which just would not be breached, with the likes of Ernst Joubert and Jamie George outstanding.  Time and time again, the Tigers were foiled by Borthwick and co.

The hope of gaining something from the game seemed to drain out of the visitors and, after Owen Farrell had been stretchered off following a bang to the head, Saracens delivered the knock out punch.  Neil De Kock easily outpaced Gibson round the back of the scrum and delivered a sumptuous scoring pass to substitute Jackson Wray to pick up Saracens’ bonus point try.  Further humiliation was on the cards for the Tigers though, as Sarries spent the last 10 minutes administering a thorough Christmas stuffing (sorry).  Following a yellow card to Thomas Waldrom, the hosts claimed a penalty try from a scrum before Ashton claimed his second, picking a smart line off an inside ball to dive over from close range, taking the final score to 49 – 10, and Leicester’s heaviest premiership defeat.

Saracens rightly enjoyed finishing their early Christmas roasting in the knowledge that they had sent out one hell of a statement.  They didn’t just beat the Tigers, they broke them – I have never ever seen a Leicester side give up, but with 15 minutes to go, that’s what they did.  Sarries were clinical, fast, aggressive and powerful, whilst Leicester were resilient in the first half before becoming abject Christmas Puddings in the second.  The lack of backbone in the final quarter of the game will ensure that Christmas spirit will be scarce at Welford Road this year.  As the memo from Richard Cockerill reads – Christmas is cancelled.
 

Premiership Preview - Saracens v Leicester Tigers

There are certain fixtures that leap out at you at the start of any season and grab your attention like a slap in the face from Scarlett Johansson (now there's a pleasant thought) – Tigers v Saints, Bath v Gloucester, and more recently, it's Saracens v Leicester as well.  But why is that?  In recent years the East Midland and West Country derbies have produced try-fests, tension or glorious punch-ups, and more often than not a combination of all three.  The Leicester v Saracens games haven't always lived up to those standards though – in fact the 'spectacle' of the 9-9 draw at Wembley between these 2 last season was so eye-bleedingly bad that I preferred the thought of studying a close-up of Graham Rowntree's ears at half time than subjecting myself to another 40 minutes of that bile.  So why does it remain one of the Premiership's most eye-catching fixtures?  The reason is that these two sides are now the pure heavyweights of the division.  The powerhouses with the capacity to strike at lightning speed; and even when they play out a game as bad as that draw at Wembley, you get the feeling that they are still just circling each other in the ring, sizing each other up.

Of course, Saturday's fixture has had some of the sting taken out of it by the loss of a host of big names – through injury and rotation – on both sides.  Leicester's injury problems have been well documented but when you consider that Saracens are missing the likes of Rhys Gill, Jacques Burger, Will Fraser, Brad Barritt, Joel Tomkins and Dave Strettle, you realise that there is some genuine class on the sidelines.  That said, the nucleus of this season's title favourites are still there.  The Vunipola brothers (with one starting and one on the bench) are still there to cause mayhem around the fringes, and likewise Joubert in the wider channels.  Chris Ashton is still a class poacher when he is in the mood, Steve Borthwick remains a tour-de-force in the lineout and Owen Farrell is deadly from 50 metres with the boot.  This is still very much a side that can hurt you.  Looking down the team sheet, though, there does seem to be a real focus on power as opposed to mobility and speed.  Playing two number 8s and a blindside in the backrow tells you something, as does the real lack of out-and-out pace out wide – although Chris Ashton and Jack Wilson are no slouches.  Yes, this a brutal, snorting rhinoceros of a side, with the likes of Vunipola and the impressive Jamie George charging around the corners and Owen Farrell pinning the opposition back in their own territory.  They will look to bully the Tigers on Saturday.

"Bully the Tigers" is not something you expect to hear in rugby terms, but that has to be the gameplan.  With Leicester resting their first choice front row and several other key individuals in the pack, there is a potential weakness in experience and physicality for the hosts to exploit.  Throw in the untimely injury of Toby Flood – with a strained bumcheek (or 'glute', to be technical) – and you may suspect that Leicester are in damage limitation mode.  But not so.  Although it is very disappointing not to see Flood attempt to show Farrell – and Stuart Lancaster – who is the number one fly half in England (especially with all the speculation on his future taking place), Tigers do welcome back Mathew Tait for his first game since the Premiership final in May.  That he only has 40 minutes of loan rugby at Nottingham under his belt from last week shows the high regard he is held in, and now Leicester have real pace out wide, with Goneva a magician in the middle, and Miles Benjamin and Niall Morris two very handy wingers indeed.  Goneva, in particular, must be looking forward to playing on the artificial pitch at Allianz Park.  In the pack too, exciting prospects Fraser Balmain and Pablo Matera both have chances to advance claims whilst the second row pairing of Graham Kitchener and Ed Slater is considered by many to be one of the most promising in England.  This is a fast and explosive Tigers side.  They won't like the rough stuff around the fringes, but if they get quick ball and go wide, there could be some real fireworks.

Two mixed sides, two different styles, same ferocious rivalry.  The gloves are off once again for this season.  Seconds out, round one.

Saracens Team News

Saracens are without wing David Strettle, but his England international colleague Alex Goode returns to the side at full-back.  Duncan Taylor is injured so Chris Wyles comes in at inside centre.

Starting Line-up:  Goode; Ashton, Bosch, Wyles, Wilson; Farrell, Widdlesworth; Barrington, George, Stevens; Borthwick (capt), Hargreaves; B. Vunipola, Brown, Joubert.

Subs: Brits, M. Vunipola, Johnston, Kruis, Wray, De Kock, Hodgson, Ransom.

Key Player

Billy Vunipola.  The gargantuan number 8-cum-flanker may lack the dexterity or subtlety of his senior, Ernst Joubert, but who gives two twigs about subtlety when you're the size of a small moon?  The powerhouse England international is still learning his trade but boy is he coming on in leaps and bounds.  With an improved work rate, Vunipola junior is getting his hands on the ball more and more often and consistently makes big metres in the tight.  I'd still like to see him occasionally get a head of steam up in the wider channels, but on Saturday his focus will be on doing what he does best – carrying hard and carrying again.  Leicester's pack – without the likes of Ayerza, Youngs, Cole, Deacon and Mafi – lacks the aura of a 'brick wall' defence, and Vunipola will be told to get out and exploit any lack of physicality.  Once this Sarries machine gets going, Leicester may find themselves in real trouble.

Leicester Tigers Team News

Full-back Matthew Tait makes his first Leicester appearance since May's Premiership final win over Northampton.   Matt Smith and Ryan Lamb also come into the backs, while Argentina flanker Pablo Matera makes his first start for the Tigers.  Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Marcos Ayerza and Julian Salvi are all rested whilst Toby Flood recovers from a strained glute.

Starting Line-up: Tait; Morris, Goneva, Smith, Benjamin; Lamb, B. Youngs; Stankovich, Briggs, Balmain; Slater, Kitchener; Gibson, Matera, Crane (capt).

Subs: T. Youngs, Ayerza, Schuster, De Chaves, Waldrom, Mele, Hepetema, Thompstone.

Key Player

Pablo Matera.  The Argentine finally makes his full debut for Leicester after what seems like an age, following international call ups, injury and lack of registration papers for European Cup games.  One thing is for sure then – Matera should be champing at the bit to get stuck in.  And what a contest he's got first up – against Kelly Brown, the Scotland captain complete with the pair of pet slugs he keeps above his eyes.  But Matera looks to have all the raw attributes, to such an extent that Cockerill praised him as the best flanker in last year's under 20 World Cup…and he wasn't alone in that assertion.  The youngster is big, athletic, fast, powerful and very aggressive – the only question remains how much fine-tuning the Leicester coaching staff have been able to do in limited time.  Saracens have a powerful backrow, but not the quickest – if Matera can run his opposite number off the park, the Tigers do have a chance.  Keep an eye out as well for the welcome return of Mathew Tait – here's hoping to an incident free game for the full-back!

Key Battle

Richard Barrington v Fraser Balmain.  This is one heck of a heavyweight clash, although perhaps not in terms of reputations.  Both young props making their names as real prospects for the future – Barrington has come into the Saracens side during the international window and performed with a real energy and superb technique, whilst Balmain (of the 'Balmain train' as he's known by Leicester fans) has had the role of supersub over the last 2 years, making big impressions with some blockbusting carries.  With Stevens hoping to get the better of Stankovic on the other side, the victor in this contest at scrumtime may hold the key to set piece dominance and thus the game.  Keep an eye as well on the battle between the second rows – Graham Kitchener has been tipped for England honours in the Six Nations but he will have to prove his lineout calling ability against one of the best in the business, Steve Borthwick,.

Prediction

This fixture goes down in recent years as one that is guaranteed to cause more than a few bruises, even if it occasionally also cures insomnia amongst spectators, and I expect this game to be no different.  Saracens have picked a virtually first-choice team (from players available) for this one, and I think the added experience and power up front – mainly in the front row – will prove to be crucial.  Elsewhere, there is not too much to call between the sides, but it looks to be a classic showdown between a side built for bludgeoning, bulldozing power and another hoping for a more open, fast game.  The pitch at Allianz Park may suit the visitors slightly, with their quicker backline and mobile backrow, but I can’t see Sarries losing at home, given their exceptional domestic form.  That advantage in the scrum will be key, I feel.  Sarries by 7.

 

What else is happening in the Premiership this week?

Sale Sharks v London Irish:  Danny Cipriani is suddenly the flavour of the month again and he should be expected to lead his side to a win over a struggling London Irish side on Friday night.  Sale by 10.

Bath v Harlequins:  In what promises to be an entertaining and explosive spectacle, there is pace and power – and tries – throughout both teams.  This one will be tight between two form sides, but I'll lean with the visitors who really have their tails up at the moment.  Quins by 3.

London Wasps v Northampton Saints:  Wasps at Adams Park are always a tough prospect but Saints won't be worried, having just stuffed Leinster in their own back yard.  The Saints have too much class here.  Saints by 9.

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons:  The Chiefs will have a lot of frustration to unleash after two gutsy displays against Toulon, and Dean Richards' men will bare the brunt of it.  Chiefs by 14.

Gloucester Rugby v Worcester Warriors:  Two woefully out of form sides meet in what is arguably the most important clash of the weekend.  Despite their troubles at home, though, I cannot see the Cherry and Whites letting the Warriors pick up their first win of the season at Kingsholm.  Gloucester by 6.

Heineken Cup Review - Harlequins 17 - 3 Racing Metro

If ever you needed evidence that a week was a long time in rugby, you only needed to look at the Heineken Cup results this weekend.  Northampton Saints, embarrassed at home by Leinster last week in a display that was ferocious as a baby seal, claimed a stunning and sensational win in Dublin, whilst Toulouse – the European powerhouses who suffered a humiliating defeat in France to minnows Connacht – re-established their dominance in Ireland with a commanding display.  So when Racing Metro came to West London to face Harlequins, they may have had reason to get their hopes up – although that would be fairly slim reasoning, given their capitulation the previous week.

They didn't just lose at home to a Quins side who were winless in the competition, they were obliterated.  A team stuffed full of French internationals in the shapes of Benjamin Fall, Dimitri Szarzewski and Maxime Machenaud were taken to the cleaners by a rapier clinical attack, thanks to a defence which was as watertight as a sieve.  It was a disinterested, bored, bizarre and – dare I say it – typically French display that resulted in an performance that was far below the sum of their parts.  So embarrassed were the owners, that they promptly announced that Racing would no longer play games in front of large stadiums whilst performances remained at these unacceptable levels.  Pride was wounded – but beware the wounded beast.

Gone were the French stars, and in went some of the fringe players and talented youngsters – men with a point to prove.  Oh, and the backbone of the British & Irish Lions side as well.  That's right, the fat wallet of the French club led to the signings of Dan Lydiate, Johnny Sexton, Jamie Roberts and Mike Phillips, all of whom started on Sunday in this supposed '2nd XV'.  This may have sounded like a spanner to the works of Quins' hopes, but they remained quietly confident – the walking calamity of last week, Juan Martin Hernandez, remained at full back, and the Racing Lions were all some way short of 100%, with Sexton and Roberts returning from injuries (the Welshman after 3 months out), Dan Lydiate struggling to look anything like the player he was before his hip injury, and Mike Phillips – in my mind – living off his 2009 reputation.  Couple these factors in with the knowledge that Quins' best players were in a rich vein of form, with Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Nick Easter all giving stand-out displays in France the week before, and the emergence of exciting new talent such as hooker Dave Ward and the electric Charlie Walker, and you could see why the hosts remained confident.

And it became apparent, from the kick off, that the 14 changes Racing had made would not do anything to improve on their disjointed display the weekend previously.  With the rain beginning to hammer down in Twickenham, and with the wind behind their backs, Quins began to play a smart territory game – led by the cultured intelligence of Nick Evans' right boot and the siege gun power of Mike Brown's left.  With wingers Walker and Sam Smith chasing hard, Racing quickly showed that they weren't any better equipped to cope with the pressure.  Despite having an early penalty attempt – missed by Sexton – Quins proceeded to dominate the opening exchanges.  Evans slotted two penalties – the first against Hernandez for impeding Brown has he chased a smart kick from Danny Care, and the second against the French scrum after a powerful effort by Joe Marler. 

The visitors' lack of ability to build any form of attack was almost alarming, although number 8 Camille Gerondeau was an enthusiastic and powerful presence, but this was largely due to the efforts of the Quins backrow, with Chris Robshaw – as usual – getting through a colossal amount of tackles and the excellent Luke Wallace pinching the ball twice at the breakdown.  Wallace, incidentally, is vying with Danny Care for the "Danny Care Sh*t Lid" award for bad haircuts, but there is something wondrous about those flowing locks when hunched over the ball in a ruck.  The frustration clearly was all too much for Racing prop Davit Khinchagishvili, who threw a wild and utterly ineffectual punch at Joe Marler to earn himself 10 minutes on the naughty boy step.

Evans was starting to completely boss the game in the middle of the park, raking difficult kicks though to put the French side under pressure and breaking the line with bursts of acceleration in himself, and almost claimed a try for his efforts.  Young Charlie Walker, seriously impressing in the absence of established named, stood up and absolutely skinned Virimi Vakatawa on the outside, making the big winger look like a lumbering prop in comparison.  Although he couldn't regather his chip over the top of the last man, Evans was on hand and, with the help of Walker, wriggled over the line to claim what looked to be a stunning try.  However, the TMO had other ideas, correctly spotting that Mike Brown had – for once – spilled a high ball in the build-up to the move.

Walker was growing more and more into the game, hitting some gorgeous line and consistently beating the first defender.  On more than one occasion he was an offload away from scoring, in particular after yet another scything run by Evans had brought the hosts to with 2 metres of the Racing line.  Instead, the hosts had to settle for another penalty, but Walker was not to be denied.  With halftime looming, and apparently nothing on, the lightening winger stepped inside Vakatawa and handed off test Lion Lydiate, before showing searing speed to slide over in the corner.  It was just what Quins – and Walker – deserved, and although Evans couldn't hit the conversion, the game was looking sewn up by half time.

In the second half, perhaps inevitably, Racing came out a little less, well, bad, in the second half, probably down to the side finally having got half a game of rugby played together under their belts, and also because Nick Evans was forced to withdraw with a niggle at the break.  However, the hosts were still in charge, despite having to work harder for the breaks, and substitute Ben Botica was on target with a penalty in the 50th minute to take Quins 17 – 0 up following a powerful rolling maul.  Eventually, Racing did manage to get some territory themselves and set up a foothold in the hosts' half, but with Roberts being hammered backwards by Molenaar and the likes of Ward, Robshaw and Wallace dominant in the tackle area (particularly effective in the choke tackle), the best Racing could settle for was a solitary 3 pointer to take the 0 off the board.  Despite the time in the Quins half, it was still the hosts who looked far more threatening, with man-of-the-match Walker consistently causing havoc with his, but the score was to remain 17 – 3 until the end.

After a double win over a Racing, it turns out a week really is a long time in rugby.  10 days ago, they were dead in the water – now there's a real chance of progress in the Heineken Cup.  It involves beating Clermont at home and Scarlets away – picking up a bonus point in the process – but given where this side was after round 2, they should realise that nothing is impossible. 

 

What else happened in the Heineken Cup this weekend?

Glasgow Warriors 7 – 9 Cardiff Blues:  A monster penalty by Rhys Patchell was the highlight of a dour game won by the visitors.

Ospreys 21 – 12 Castres:  Ospreys had the trusty boot off Dan Biggar to thank as they picked up their first win of the tournament in a kick-fest.

Treviso 3 – 35 Ulster:  Ulster picked up a crucial bonus point win in Italy, apparently.  I say apparently because it was so foggy you couldn't see one side of the pitch from the other.

Toulon 32 – 20 Exeter Chiefs:  Another gutsy display from the Chiefs wasn't enough to stop a classy display led by Matt Giteau and Johnny Wilkinson, with the hosts claiming a bonus point.

Saracens 64 – 3 Zebre:  If Italian sides are supposed to improve by playing in the Pro 12, nobody told Zebre, as they were hopelessly outclassed by Saracens.

Perpignan 17 – 18 Munster:  Munster claimed a dramatic last gasp win thanks to a late try by JJ Hanrahan, that sees them remain top of their group.

Scarlets 13 – 31 Clermont Auvergne:  Clermont continued to build momentum nicely this year with a dominant display at Parc Y Scarlets, claiming a bonus point win.

Connact 9 – 37 Toulouse:  Connacht couldn't match their heroics of the previous week as they were comprehensively outgunned by Toulouse in Galway.

Leinster 9 – 18 Nothampton Saints:  Saints produced the shock of the round by producing a superb display to claim a win in Dublin, a week after letting in 40 points against the same opponents.

Gloucester 10 – 16 Edinburgh:  The Cherry and White's disappointing season continued as they were unable to build on an away win in Scotland, suffering a loss at home to Edinburgh.

Montpellier 14 – 15 Leicester Tigers:  A stunning last-gasp try from Niki Goneva helped a Tom Youngs-inspired Tigers claim a crucial win away in France to keep their hopes of topping the group alive.

Heineken Cup Preview - Harlequins v Racing Metro

Everybody loves a good David and Goliath story.  The small kid beating up the bully, the poor kid trumping the rich boy or literally anyone else taking the Christmas number one spot ahead of whatever has spewed out of the rear end of that grotesquely cringe-inducing 'talent show' that attacks our eyes and ears once a year.  Of course, in the world of rugby, those sorts of fairy tales are few and far between – if you're weaker than your opposition, you'll probably take a pasting and a pat on the back for a 'brave effort', at best.  It's the accepted way of things.  And that's why Connacht's win away against European powerhouses, Toulouse, is utterly remarkable.  Nobody, gave them a fart in the wind's chance of a win in France, but they came away with a thoroughly deserved victory.  But that's not my game of the week – I've reserved that for another, admittedly less obvious, David and Goliath tale that occurred last week.  I am of course talking about Harlequins' stunning win away in Nantes, against one of the aristocrats of French rugby, Racing Metro.

Sure, Quins were premiership champions a couple of seasons ago, and they are led by the England captain, but their squad is, by and large, full of home-grown (or at least nurtured) kids.  Racing Metro meanwhile, cheque books out, have acquired the services of, amongst others, the spine of British and Irish Lions side that conquered Australia, including 2 of the try scorers from the final test.  It was a game which, given current Heineken Cup form, Quins should not have been close to winning.  Instead, they not only beat the French outfit, they hammered them with a glorious display of the fast, offload-based rugby that makes Quins such a joy to watch in their pomp.  It was such a convincing win, with a bonus point, that the Racing owners were sufficiently humbled to remove their side's upcoming home games from the Stade de France, and downgrade to their traditional/smaller stadium, where they will have to 'earn the right' to play in front of 80,000 fans.

Of course, the victory was made all the more spectacular given the fact that this has been something of a comeback tale for the Londoners.  Woeful at home against the Scarlets, brave but inevitable losers away in Clermont, Quins' Heineken Cup chances were over.  Or were they?  Something stirred in the second half against Clermont – almost a release of the pressure they had placed on themselves – and that freedom to play high-risk rugby returned.  It's led to impressive domestic form, with Conor O'Shea's men climbing the Aviva Premiership and defeating Leicester at their Welford Road fortress in the process.  They have, of course, been plagued by their fair share of injuries, but in typical fashion seemed to have unearthed a couple of gems.  Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan out?  No problem, up steps Dave Ward, experienced sevens player with 'Lee Mears mark 2' written all over him – a real mongrel over the ball, he was magnificent in France last week.  Then there's the shrewd signing of ex-Gloucester man Tim Molenaar in the centres – the big Irishman may well be nicknamed Gandalf with his 'you shall not pass' mentality in defence.  And finally the emergence of young Charlie Walker has been a revelation in the shadow of injuries to Ugo Monye and Tom Williams – and an 'I told you so' moment for this blog, when his talents were proclaimed back in August.  His pace is staggering (watch the gap he opened up for his try last weekend) and is a lethal open field runner – the only thing he needs to ensure is that he catches the ball before thinking about how he's going to skin everyone.

Of course, it's easy to proclaim Quins, and rightly so after their display, but O'Shea will know that a very different beast crashes across the channel this weekend – and one hell-bent  on revenge for their humiliation 7 days ago.  The response to that defeat has been drastic, with Juan Martin Hernandez – who had a shocker in Nantes – the only man not to be axed, meaning experienced French internationals Benjamin Fall, Dimitri Szarzewski, Frabrice Estebanez and Maxime Machenaud are all either benched or chopped completely.  But that doesn't exactly mean there's a shortage of class in the Racing side coming to visit.  And with Lions heroes Dan Lydiate, Mike Phillips, Johnny Sexton and Jamie Roberts forming the backbone of the side, the Londoners will not be able to rely on the traditional French flakiness to win this one.  That 9, 10, 12 Lions axis is crucial, and Nick Evans and Danny Care will realise they won't be afforded the armchair ride they enjoyed last week.  Throw in experienced top-class performers Juan Martin Hernandez (his nightmare last week notwithstanding) and Sione Tonga'uiha, a smattering of French talent and a dollop of badly wounded pride, and you have a monster on the warpath coming to your home ground.  The Racing pack is big and powerful, and you can bet that, with Phillips and Roberts in the side, this will be no-frills rugby, with big runners clattering over the gainline and Johnny Sexton probing the corners.  It's a delightfully contrasting approach to Quins, who's order book should surely be "more of the same".

More of the same for Quins would throw this group wide open, and European qualification would again be on the cards.  But Goliath is on the warpath – and this time, he's angry.

 

Harlequins Team News

Harlequins have made one change to the starting XV with Tim Molenaar replacing the injured Tom Casson at inside centre for the visit of Racing Metro.   On the bench, Joe Gray makes his return from injury, with Ollie Lindsay-Hague also named among the replacements.

Starting Line-up:  15 Mike Brown, 14 Charlie Walker, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Tim Molenaar, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Luke Wallace, 5 George Robson, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 Will Collier, 2 Dave Ward, 1 Joe Marler.

Subs: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Paul Doran Jones, 19 Nick Kennedy, 20 Joe Trayfoot, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Ollie Lindsay-Hague.

Key Player

Charlie Walker.  I'm loathe to pick a winger as a key player but, with the territory game that Racing are likely to employ, the entire back 3 must make sure that any loose kicks are punished severely.  Phillips especially has been, to be honest, ball-bruisingly bad with his box kicks, and his loose clearances against Australia 2 weeks ago were a chief reason behind his side's knack for inviting one of the world's most deadly back 3 to run it back at them.  And out of the Quins back 3, Walker holds the most aces.  After tearing it up in the JP Morgan 7s and the A League, the young flyer has been finding his feet for the 1st XV, but is now reaping the rewards.  Never shy of confidence to 'have a go', his acceleration and balance make him a lethal counter-attacker.  He must be ruthless on Sunday.  As a side point, if you're stuck for a drinking game at the weekend, why not try have a swig or two every time the commentator or cameraman mixes up Walker and Matt Hopper.  You won't remember the second half, but it'll be fun.

 

Racing Metro Team News

Racing have made wholesale changes to their team with Jonny Sexton and Mike Phillips teaming up in the halfbacks while fellow British and Irish Lion Dan Lydiate starts on the flank.  Full-back Juan Martín Hernández is the only survivor from the starting line-up that was thrashed last weekend.  Jamie Roberts makes his comeback after 3 months out with an ankle injury.

Starting Line-up:  15 Juan Martín Hernández, 14 Adrien Planté, 13 Henry Chavancy, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Virimi Vakatawa; 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Camille Gerondeau, 7 Antoine Battut (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Karim Ghezal, 4 Fabrice Metz, 3 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Virgile Lacombe, 1 Davit Khinchagishvili.

Subs: 16 Jeremie Maurouard, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Luc Ducalcon, 19 Juandre Kruger, 20 Bernard Le Roux, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Jonathan Wisniewski 23 Benjamin Fall,

Key Player

Johnny Sexton.  Despite having all his features seemingly squashed into one square centimetre on his face, the Irish fly half is a general and a leader by his very nature, and will be essential to the Racing effort after they looked directionless at times last weekend.  He has a bruising back in front of him and two physical players in Roberts and Phillips on either side, so expect to see him playing very flat and looking to send the big boys into and over the home defence.  He'll also be aiming for the corners a lot to get his side into the right areas, but the key point will be if he can sense the flow of the game and no when to put boot to ball and when the pull the trigger – something he was king at for Leinster, but has not always shown for Ireland.

Key Battle

Danny Care v Mike Phillips.  I have to admit I sort of have a love/hate relationship with Care.  Cracking player, but offensively abysmal hair.  Phillips, on the other hand, I'm not a fan of.  Since 2009, where he was magnificent, he has done relatively little in club or international colours – he was poor for the Lions, average for Wales, and average for Burgoin, but it is attitude that gets me the most.  He spends most of his time now getting involved in spats, rather than concentrating on his game.  Anyway, personal opinions aside, Care will feel like he has a point to prove after missing out on Lions selection.  He'll have to temper his lightening break with patience to let the forwards offload to each other at pace to move forward, but he’ll need to stay on his toes so he is there to take advantage when the ball is flicked up to him with space out wide.  Phillips, on form, can be a formidable opponent though, with ultra-aggressive defence and a powerful running game that keeps defenders fixed and allows him to dispatch with the attentions of any interested backrower.  With momentum key for Harlequins, and territory key for Racing, both 9s must ensure that their accuracy is top drawer on Sunday.  Also, keep an eye out for any 'conversations' between Mike Brown and Philips.  It could get very tasty….

Prediction

There is no doubt in my mind that the Racing side that plays this week will offer a vastly more severe examination than they did last week, despite make wholesale changes to their team and bringing in many supposed 'second string' players.  With the experience and power they have in their side, it will be a physical test for the hosts – but it is one I am expecting them to pass.  With Roberts only just returning from injury, and Sexton, Phillips and Lydiate not in top form, there is an opportunity for the hosts to move their French counterparts round the park at a speed they cannot cope with.  Couple that with a lethal counter attacking threat, and I think we'll see the Londoners pull off another hugely significant win on Sunday…just don't expect as comfy a buffer this time though.  Quins by 8.

What else is happening is the 4th round of the Heineken Cup?

Ospreys v Castres:  French Champions Castres have been very flaky away from home this year and Ospreys should pick up their first win of the competition.

Glasgow v Cardiff:  Cardiff were superb last week but home advantage should be enough to see this talented Glasgow side pick up a win.

Leinster v Northampton Saints:  Despite the fact that it's impossible for Saints to be any more dominated than they were last week, I think that they may be in for a long afternoon in Cardiff.

Toulon v Exeter Chiefs:  The reigning champions struggled at Sandy park last week, but they should have no such problems in their own back yard.

Saracens v Zebre:  Bread and butter for the English side, who should pick up a bonus point against the Italian minnows.

Connacht v Toulouse:  Arguably the most intriguing fixture of the weekend.  Will Toulouse prove their class?  Connacht is a difficult place to win so I'm backing the Irish side for a famous double.

Scarlets v Clermont Auvergne:  Clermont are real class but have proven to be vulnerable on their travels.  A close one, but the visitors should just nick it.

Treviso v Ulster:  Treviso are a completely different prospect at home but, even so, I would expect Ulster to claim win, if not a bonus point win, in Italy.

Perpignan v Munster:  Perpignan were so comprehensively outplayed last week it's impossible to see how home advantage can turn that around for the French side.

Montpellier v Leicester Tigers:  Montpellier have 'done a Racing' and put a 2nd XV out for this, but Tigers' record in France is so poor it should be close.  I'm backing the visitors to pick up a crucial win.

Gloucester v Edinburgh:  After the morale boosting win in Scotland last week, I'm backing the West-Country side to take the spoils here.

Heineken Cup Review - Northampton Saints 7 - 40 Leinster

The prediction game is a dangerous one to play.  I occasionally land on the money, and loudly crow on about it for weeks after it, but most of the time – especially in the Heineken Cup – I couldn’t predict tomorrow morning.  But I did feel a little confident about Saturday’s match between Northampton Saints and Leinster.  After all, both sides were looking in decent nick domestically, were both stuffed full of international stars and their last game – the 2011 final – was an absolute belter in which both sides showed real competition pedigree.  What other sensible projection could there be, aside from another bum-clenchingly close encounter?

Perhaps I, and everyone at Franklins Gardens, should have seen the ominous sign as experienced full back, James Wilson (who is also a very competent wing and centre), was forced to withdraw in the warm up, forcing Ken Pisi into the 15 shirt.  Now, don’t get me wrong, Pisi junior is a great little winger, but if anyone can remember the unfortunate experience his older brother George when forced to play in that position a couple of years ago, they would have known that the lack of experience at the back could be costly.  Perhaps nobody though realised how costly it would be, and how quickly it would prove to be so.

It took precisely one minute for Pisi to make his first balls up.  After taking a relatively simple catch from a testing high ball by Ian Madigan, the Samoan called the mark and promptly dropped the ball from the tap, gifting the men in blue a scrum.  It then got worse, far worse, for the Saints, as the ball was shipped to Brian O’Driscoll, who dabbed a delightful grubber behind the hosts’ defence.  Pisi failed to gather under pressure from Rob Kearney; Luke Fitzgerald did not, diving over in the corner.  A wonderful touchline conversion from Ian Madigan gave the Irishmen a 7 point lead.

It was a terrible start for the hosts, but it was a moment of trademark inspiration from the legendary O’Driscoll.  And after I’d loudly claimed before the game that it’s been a good couple of years since the great centre dominated a game and that he was probably ‘past it’, I was starting to feel a little silly.  But I felt like a complete buffoon just 5 minutes later when Leinster again laid siege to the Northampton line, hammering on the right through Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip, before flinging it left where O’Driscoll outrageously flung the ball between his legs to Fitzgerald via Rob Kearney, who stepped passed Jamie Elliot to touch down for his second. 

Northampton were in disarray, and even their attacking game was failing against the wall of blue.  Luther Burrell was the sole yard-maker of note for the hosts, and with Pisi and George North guilty of knock-ons in promising situations, they simply get the momentum that is so key to their game.  Leinster, on the other hand, were utterly rampant.  After O’Brien and the magnificent Sean Cronin had once again smashed through tackles around the fringes, Rob Kearney drew in three defenders to give Heaslip a relaxing stroll to the line.

This certainly wasn’t in the script.  After Madigan’s conversion, it almost seemed inevitable that the 3-time champions would pick up the bonus point before half-time, and they duly delivered with Eoin Reddan selling a dummy by the breakdown after strong carrying by Mike Ross, skating past Elliot to claim his side’s 4^th try.  The score was 26 – 0 at halftime.  The fortress of Franklins Gardens had been well and truly sacked.

Perhaps the only crumb of comfort that Northampton could take into the break was that they couldn’t play any worse – lethargic and blunt in attack, porous and indecisive in defence.  Perhaps there was also the knowledge that the last time the two sides played each other, it was very much a game of 2 halves, with Leinster overcoming a seemingly impossible deficit – perhaps Saints could pull a role-reversal?

Er, no.  Not by a long way.  Leinster may have taken 20 minutes to add to their tally but they were still rampant in attack, if a tiny bit clumsy when it came to finishing – but that is seriously nitpicking.  Hooker Cronin’s superb arcing (yes, arcing) break looked to have lead to another Fitzgerald try, but the pass was forward, before Reddan knocked on with the line ahead of him when O’Driscoll burst through and Fitzgerald passed back inside.  And when the try did eventually come, it was no surprise that it came from the veteran centre, picking off an entirely predictable pass from Dominick Waldouck to dot down for try number 5.  Leinster could, and perhaps should, have had 50 points on the board by now – instead they had to 'settle' for 33 – 0 on the 60 minute mark.

Saints, to their credit, did show some semblance of a backbone as they clawed their way up to the Leinster line, largely thanks to some gutsy carries from Burrell, Courtney Lawes and Tom Wood.  Eventually the pressure yielded a yellow card for substitute hooker Michael Bent, and a cheeky try for Lee Dickson, who scrambled under a pile of bodies for what was really just a consolation score.  It was ballsy from Northampton, but they remained comprehensively outclassed for the remainder of the match, and it was the visitors who fittingly had the final word with Gordon D’Arcy and Zane Kirchner combining beautifully to pop Luke Fitzgerald in for his hat-trick.  The final score was 40 – 7 to the visitors.

This was a mesmeric, phenomenal and terrifyingly good display from Leinster.  It’s impossible to comment on Northampton’s performance because they were so comprehensively outclassed, but it isn’t an overstatement to say that this was a performance to remind Europe that they will stop at nothing to get their trophy back.  Note to self:  Leinster are still the real deal.  Brian O’Driscoll is still the main man.  Stop making predictions.

 

What else was happening in the Heineken Cup over the weekend?

Cardiff Blues 29 – 20 Glasgow Warriors:  Cardiff picked up a handy home win against Glasgow with young fly half Rhys Patchell scoring.

Castres 15 – 9 Ospreys:  The reigning French champions made heavy work of their game against the Ospreys but eventually picked up a home win that consigned the Welsh region to their 3^rd consecutive loss in the competition.

Clermont Auvergne 32 – 11 Llanelli Scarlets:  After a difficult first half, last season’s finalists showed their class against the Scarlets, claiming a bonus point win.

Exeter Chiefs 9 – 14 Toulon:  The Chiefs were resilient at home but eventually succumbed to the reigning champions, despite Jonny Wilkinson having a rare off day with the boot.

Zebre 10 – 39 Saracens:  Sarries cruised to an easy win against Minnows Zebre, claiming a bonus point win with Alex Goode and Chris Ashton particularly impressing.

Racing Metro 8 – 32 Harlequins:  Quins picked up another famous away win in France, scoring four tries to claim a bonus point and put away the Parisian powerhouses in Nantes.  Special mention to Charlie Walker for his first European try.

Ulster 48 – 0 Benetton Treviso:  Ulster remain in charge of their group with a comprehensive rout of Italian side Treviso at Ravenhill, picking up a bonus point in the process.

Munster 36 – 8 Perpignan:  A powerful display by the Limerick lot allowed Munster to claim a bonus point win against a lethargic Perpignan outfit at Thommond Park.

Edinburgh 12 – 23 Gloucester:  Gloucester picked up a surprising but very handy win away in Edinburgh as the hosts failed to take advantage of their visitors’ lack of form.

Leicester Tigers 41 – 32 Montpellier:  A bizarre, topsy turvy and madly entertaining game ended in the hosts’ favour, but both sides picked up try-bonus points.

Toulouse 14 – 16 Connacht:  In arguably the biggest result in the Heineken Cup’s history, Irish minnows Connacht claimed a spectacular win away at European giants Toulouse, completing a clean sweep for the Irish sides this weekend.   

Heineken Cup Preview - Northampton Saints v Leinster

I recently bought tickets to the Heineken Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium next year.  Cost an arm and a leg and half my flat's furniture, of course, but I bet it'll be worth it no matter who is playing.  I'm ashamed to say I've only been to the Millennium Stadium once – and that was back in 2002 when Leicester played Munster in 'that' final.  Helped enormously by the infectiously passionate Munster fans and the typically vocal Tigers faithful, it remains one of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced at a live match.  That, from the TV looks to have been replicated several times in recent memory, when Wales played England last year and, in fact, last week's match against Australia are two recent examples.  But surely one of the most intense and electric atmospheres must have been at the 2011 Heineken Cup Final, when Leinster clawed their way back from a giant half time deficit to claim a spectacular triumph.  The only difference between that game, and the previous 2 I mentioned, is that I suspect that game will not have to be replayed at the Millennium Stadium to recreate the same incredible atmosphere.  For that reason, Franklins Gardens is the place to be this weekend.

Let's cut to the chase, the Saints are still stinging after that defeat.  The cup looked to be in their back pocket, only for it to slip away from their grasp under a torrent of pressure from a Johnny Sexton-inspired Leinster side.  The indignity of running out of juice on European club rugby's biggest stage has long haunted the East Midlanders – the spine of whom remain unchanged from that fateful day in May two and a half years ago.  And, just for good measure, the local press in Ireland has stirred things up nicely by publishing this lovely article ahead of the weekend.

Don't get me wrong, Saints are no…er…Saints.  In fact they seem to run on having one very-public and very-severe disciplinary issue a year, most recently involving the likes of Dylan Hartley and Callum Clark on a rota.  But to suggest that they're at the forefront of the demise of rugby's spirit is simply ludicrous.  I take Courtney Lawes as a perfect example of Northampton's play – quick, aggressive and powerful…and right on the edge of the law.  It's what makes them such a dangerous side to play against and frankly a great side for the neutral to watch.  And Lawes, 99% of the time, is on the right side of the rulebook, fully committing himself to some monstrous hits.  And sure, Hartley may enjoy a good mouthing off every now and again but I seem to note that a current Irish legend, heralded by his countrymen as the greatest player to ever pull on the green jersey, is a master at mouthing off at the opposition.  Yes, 'Saint' Brian O'Driscoll is indeed partial to right moan/flurry of verbal abuse when the going gets tough – if not a little more, as he showed when he pointlessly got himself sin-binned for stamping against Italy last 6 Nations.

So, having established that neither side is squeaky clean, we can probably assume this one may end up getting a bit tasty – a showdown between Cian Healy and Hartley is probably worth the admission money itself.  But it’s important that all the drama and off-the-ball antics don't detract from the quality of rugby these two sides are capable of playing.  The hosts, Northampton, appear to have found the missing ingredients to turn them into 'nearly' men into winners.  The emergence of Sam Dickinson and Luther Burrell and the resurgence of Courtney Lawes and Lee Dickson have been key factors behind their impressive domestic form, and it's interesting to note that their best performers haven't been their 3 high profile signings that they made over the summer – although their arrival undoubtedly lifted everyone at the club.  Of key importance will be Luther Burrell.  The Irish side's defence around the fringes is notoriously physical and even Saints might have problems making yards there, but Gordon D'Arcy and Ian Madigan are not the biggest defenders in the world and that is a channel Northampton will need to target.

For the visitors, life on the domestic front has been pretty decent, although performances in narrow wins against the Dragons and Treviso will have given cause for concern.  But everybody knows that the Heineken Cup is their real target, and the big boys are back in force for this one.  Brian O'Driscoll and Luke Fitzgerald return to the fold in an experienced and talented back division, but they will be of little lose unless the men in blue can secure good quality set-piece ball, as well as disrupt Northampton's.  The giant Devon Toner has a real job to do there and if he can get into Hartley's head early on, his backs good thrive.  Watch out for the fast and powerful carrying backrow trucking up round the corner of the breakdown as well.

The Millennium Stadium is again the target for these two sides, but that will have to wait for now – and Franklins Gardens is the perfect setting for the war of the weekend. 

 

Northampton Saints Team News

Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder has made four changes to his team for Saturday's Heineken Cup encounter with Leinster.  James Wilson returns to the side at full-back, with George North coming onto the wing after the completion of his commitments with Wales.  Up front Courtney Lawes partners Samu Manoa in the second row with Phil Dowson coming in on the flank.

Starting Line up:  15 Wilson, 14 Pisi, 13 Waldouck, 12 Burrell, 11 North, 10 Myler, 9 Dickson, 8 Dickinson, 7 Dowson, 6 Wood, 5 Lawes, 4 Manoa, 3 Ma'afu, 2 Hartley (c), 1 Waller.

Subs: 16 Haywood, 17 Waller, 18 Mercey, 19 Day, 20 Clark, 21 Glynn, 22 Dickson, 23 Elliott.

Key Player

Luther Burrell.  For the reasons I mention above, this guy is huge for Saints.  With Myler playing flatter and Dickson handing him the ball on a plate, it gives a wonderful opportunity for a strong, fast centre such as Burrell to smash into the opposition backline and get the team moving forward off first phase ball.  Along with Leicester, Saints are one of the few sides that has the ability to play 'total rugby', with power play mixed with swift hands and pace out wide, but it's the momentum that makes them so difficult to hold back.  Once they start moving forward, they're bloody hard to stop.  Burrell's job is to start the engine.

 

Leinster Team News

Meanwhile, Brian O'Driscoll will resume his midfield partnership with Gordon D'Arcy for Leinster.  Ian Madigan continues at fly-half alongside Eoin Reddan who is in line to make his 89th Leinster appearance and his 307th career appearance.  Luke Fitzgerald joins the Kearney brothers Dave and Rob in the back three.

Jamie Heaslip leads the team and the Naas man is named in the back-row alongside Sean O'Brien and Rhys Ruddock who will win his 69th Leinster cap in Northampton.  Devin Toner returns to the second row after his involvement with Ireland over the recent international series and will partner Mike McCarthy, with Cian Healy, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross - who now lies six appearances shy of the century mark for Leinster - completing the pack.

Starting Line up:  15 Kearney, 14 Kearney, 13 O'Driscoll, 12 D'Arcy, 11 Fitzgerald, 10 Madigan, 9 Reddan, 8 Heaslip (c), 7 O'Brien, 6 Ruddock, 5 McCarthy, 4 Toner, 3 Ross, 2 Cronin, 1 Healy.

Subs: 16 Dundon, 17 McGrath, 18 Moore, 19 Cullen, 20 Jennings, 21 Boss, 22 Gopperth, 23 Kirchner.

Key Player

Ian Madigan.  The talented fly half has been adopting to life as first choice playmaker pretty well, but his game management skills are still developing.  He may be a talented runner and a crisp distributor of the ball, as well as having a howitzer boot, but it's his ability to play the territory game with utter precision that will need to be in top gear to give his side a foothold.  An accurate kick to touch can stop the hosts' momentum and put the pressure back on the Saints set piece – and any mistakes there will be pounced on by this backline.

 

Key Battle

Sam Dickinson v Jamie Heaslip.  Dickinson has been a revelation for Saints this year since recovering for a bad elbow injury last season, and his powerful and dynamic carries off the base of the scrum and off the shoulder of Dickson are a big reason behind the success his side has enjoyed in the early stages of the Premiership.  But he's up against one of the most athletic number 8s in the northern hemisphere in Heaslip, a man who has made his name in doing exactly what Dickinson does but for longer and at the highest level.  Whoever comes out on top in this brutal battle for yardage between the two number 8s will go a long way towards setting his side on the path to victory.

 

Prediction

If Saints can control the emotion and aggression early on, as the desire for revenge seeps into every pore of their bodies, Franklins Gardens will be an awfully tough castle to conquer, even for the 3-time European Champions.  This has all the makings of being an absolute cracker and I can guarantee there will be some sore bodies on Sunday morning…but I think it will be the Dubliners who will be feeling it more.  Saints by 6.

 

What else is happening in the Heineken Cup this weekend?

Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors:  Glasgow are still looking like a talented side despite a recent slump in form, but home advantage should make the difference for the Blues.  Blues by 4.

Castres v Ospreys:  The French champions are not in great form domestically but are still a prospect at home.  Ospreys may struggle.  Castres by 10.

Clermont Auvergne v Scarlets:  Apparently Clermont haven't lost at home for 237 years or something, so that bodes well for them.  Clermont by 18.

Exeter Chiefs v Toulon:  Another massive fixture which could go either way, given how badly French clubs are travelling at the moment.  Toulon should just have too much class though.  Toulon by 3.

Zebre v Saracens:  Sarries should be aiming for a bonus point against the plucky but limited Italian minnows.  Sarries by 20.

Racing Metro v Harlequins:  A tough place to go for Quins but they can take encouragement from their last performance at Clermont.  Racing are too good at home though.  Racing by 7.

Ulster v Benetton Treviso:  Treviso are a very decent side but not many sides come away with anything at Ravenhill.  Ulster by 18.

Munster v Perpignan:  The two old forces of Europe go head to head in a contest that the Limerick side should win.  Munster by 5.

Edinburgh v Gloucester Rugby:  Gloucester can’t seem to win for love nor money at the moment and I suspect that the Scottish side are licking their lips at the prospect of playing them.  Edinburgh by 5.

Leicester Tigers v Montpellier:  In another showdown between two heavyweights, Leicester will be relying on home advantage to mask their terrible injury problems.  It should work.  Just.  Tigers by 8.

Toulouse v Connacht:  The French powerhouses may not be the force they once were but not many sides pick up a win in their back yard.  Toulouse by 16.