Magners League: Round Five
It is derby time in the Magners League as Round Five sees the provinces duelling in Galway and Cork, and Glasgow and Edinburgh are set for a Scottish showdown at Murrayfield.
…Pictured with Magners Marketing Director Maurice Breen are: Connacht’s Ted Robinson, who stood in for captain John Fogarty, Ulster captain Simon Best, Munster’s Heineken Cup-winning skipper Anthony Foley and Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll in the blue of Leinster…
With the four Welsh regions in Anglo Welsh Cup action this weekend there are only three Magners League games in Round Five – but they promise to be real crackers with local bragging rights at stake in all three.
In Scotland, Glasgow Warriors travel to Edinburgh Gunners (Murrayfield, kick-off 7.30pm) for what the home team has billed the ‘Battle of the Bravehearts’. The Gunners have won their last three league games, which has lifted them to fourth place and a fourth straight win could take them into second spot.
In contrast, the Warriors have had a shaky start to the season, with only one win under their belts and will be looking for their first victory in the capital since 2000 to kickstart their season.
There are another two ‘derbies’ this weekend with Leinster travelling to Connacht (The Sportsground, kick-off 6.30pm), also on Friday night. Leinster may have won their last four against the westerners but they have a won three lost three record in their last six league games, and are five points behind their hosts in the league table.
Saturday sees the mouth watering prospect of second-placed reigning champions, Ulster, travelling to face a near full-strength Munster at Musgrave Park (kick-off 7.30pm). Ulster claimed a victory over the Heineken Cup champions in the corresponding fixture last season – but since then Munster have recorded eight wins from nine home League games.
As ever, IrishRugby.ie will keep you updated over the course of the weekend with news, views, previews, match trackers and reports…