Matthieu Jalibert Finn Russell Dan Macfarland Damian Penaud Maxime Lucu Leinster Rugby Tom Ahern Ireland Champions Cup Ulster Rugby Connacht Rugby Munster Rugby Sport Rugby cup 1 Matthieu Jalibert Finn Russell Dan Macfarland Damian Penaud Maxime Lucu Leinster Rugby Tom Ahern Ireland

Fiona Coghlan's Champions Cup Round 1 preview

rte.ie

FRIDAY I think Connacht have gone so well at home this season, those first three games in the URC and then a brilliant performance against Leinster last weekend where they were unfortunate not to see out the win.

They'll fancy their chances but it's a good Bordeaux side that are coming over. You have the likes of Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu, and then in the backs Damian Penaud has signed for them.

Depoortere [Nicolas] is another young fella that's coming through.But Connacht will be looking to continue their good form at home; their attack has been very good and will now look to shore up their defence a little bit. SATURDAY Ulster's last couple of performances have been really poor and there is lots of talk about the intensity of their training, with coach Dan MacFarland saying during the week that they need to improve the level of their training.

The go over the Bath who are joint-Premiership favourites. You have the likes of Finn Russell there.Is this going to be the moment that turns Ulster's season?

Related News
The Christmas interprovincial derbies took centre stage in round eight of the BKT United Rugby Championship.
After two mixed weekends of Champions Cup action, the Irish provinces turn their attention back towards the BKT United Rigby Championship over the festive period, where two big rounds of Interprovincial games take centre stage.
It was another mixed weekend for the Irish sides in Investec Champions Cup action.
Seventeen points from Henry Slade proved the difference as Exeter defeated Munster 32-24 to register their second narrow Champions Cup victory in as many weeks.
Champions Cup holders La Rochelle suffered an agonising defeat against the Stormers in Cape Town – their second successive loss of the tournament – following a late Andre-Hugo Venter try that Manie Libbok converted to secure a 21-20 verdict.
Leinster overcame a tougher-than-expected challenge from a much-changed Sale Sharks, pulling clear in the second half to seal a 37-27 Investec Champions Cup win at the RDS.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.