Mixed bag for Irish sides adds to European intrigue

Round two of the Investec Champions Cup rugby was a mixed bag for Irish provinces.

Connacht and Munster lost their respective matches to English opposition, Saracens and Exeter, leaving them in very vulnerable and winless positions with only two rounds left in the group stages.

Their destiny is out of their hands after failing to win their opening two ties.

Ulster and Leinster are in more favourable positions in their pools, with Leinster in full control after two wins.

All four teams will now buckle up for the festive period of back-to-back provincial matches.

Ulster will host Connacht first on Friday night, while Leinster will travel to Thomond Park on St Stephen's day.

With the IRFU player-management system, as well as some players returning from injury, there’ll be an element of rotation for these derbies, especially considering that there are two more European weekends in January.

Selection will depend on where each squad is at and how much they can afford to change things up in the next two rounds.

Although Connacht were away from home against English heavyweights Saracens, they were well beaten and there were some elements of their game that they will need to tighten up going into the showdown in Belfast on Friday night.

The three-time champions scored multiple maul tries, which is also a strength of the Ulster pack.

If Pete Wilkins and his coaches don’t focus on that area of their game before Friday, as well as reducing some of the entries that they are giving the opposition, they could be in for a long night on Friday.

Ulster confidence should have taken a step forward after their dominant display against Racing 92. Their penalty count was far superior to Racing, only conceding one penalty in the first half, which allowed