Advertisement

What Munster and Leinster need to qualify

The final pool games of this season’s Heineken Cup have arrived and two of the Irish provin...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.45 19 Jan 2013


Share this article


What Munster and Leinster need...

What Munster and Leinster need to qualify

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.45 19 Jan 2013


Share this article


The final pool games of this season’s Heineken Cup have arrived and two of the Irish provinces have little to worry about. Ulster have already booked a quarter-final place while Connacht fell short after a good start to the pool. However the Ulstermen will still want to get a win away to Castres to try to give themselves a chance of wrapping up a home tie in the quarter-final.

But for defending champions Leinster and two time winners Munster, this weekend will be heart in mouth stuff. There is a real possibility that they will be fighting for one spot – if they get bonus points - as Montpellier are best placed to secure the other best runner-up spot. The French side face a home tie against a Toulon team that has already qualified from Pool 6.

Munster

Advertisement

Munster have a slightly more straight-forward task than Leinster. The southern province can still win their pool although that would require Saracens to lose to Edinburgh –which will not happen unless fate shines on Munster. Saracens have already beaten the Scottish side 45 – 0 at Murrayfield earlier in the pool.

With the English side almost certainly winning the Pool, Munster will have to concentrate on trying to secure the bonus point win over Racing Metro that will earn them one of the two best-runners up slots.

The French side defeated Munster 22 – 17 at the Stade de France in October. Munster did earn a losing bonus point in that game and will be confident of at least getting a win at Thomond Park.

But matters have become complicated after Ronan O’Gara was cited for kicking out at Edinburgh’ Sean Cox last weekend and he will be a big miss for a side that is still in transition.

A bonus point win for Munster will put them on 20 points which might be enough to carry them through even if Leinster also get to 20. But it would depend on tries scored and then the best points difference.

Leinster

Leinster have a tough task on their hands. The 2012 Heineken Cup champions face Exeter Chiefs away with a bonus point required. The Chiefs earned a losing bonus point in a tight contest at the RDS back in October.

But there are a couple of things that could play into Leinster’s hands. Exeter have little more than pride to fight for as they have already been eliminated. 

As things currently stand Leinster have 8 tries to Munster’s 9. But their Pro-12 rivals have a 20 points difference advantage which will mean that Leinster will have to go all out in case both sides finish level on tries scored.

And Leinster will be fighting blind in the sense that Munster play 24 hours later with the advantage of knowing Leinster’s result.

And if neither side can secure a bonus point, the situation gets even murkier with Northampton Saints possibly coming into the picture if they secure five points.

 

Image by ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan


Share this article


Read more about

Sport

Most Popular