The short side: Big game, returnees and countrymen collide

Colin Newboult

The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action in the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

Champions Cup game to watch – Edinburgh v Munster

It has been an inconsistent season for the Scottish outfit in the PRO14 but their European form has been outstanding. They may well be facing one of the most successful sides ever in this competition but, after Edinburgh’s impressive performances against French giants Toulon and Montpellier in the group stages, it is a tough game to call. Logic would dictate that Munster’s experience and the supporters’ sheer fervour for the Champions Cup makes them favourites, but Richard Cockerill’s men will be tough to beat at Murrayfield and, as a result, the game should be a thriller.

Challenge Cup game to watch – Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints

There are also some intriguing encounters in Europe’s second-tier competition with the Anglo-French affair the standout. If it is a repeat of their group stage game then it will be a superb watch. Back in January, the Top 14 outfit defeated Northampton 48-40 at the Marcel Michelin in a free-flowing contest, which saw some high skill levels and flimsy defence. With it getting to the knockout stages it may be slightly more cagey, but both teams have a penchant for moving the ball wide and that should contribute to another high-scoring game. The rejuvenated Saints also go into it in good form and with little to lose so Clermont, having been stunned by Northampton’s abilities two months ago, will have to be wary.

Team to watch – Leinster

Before February, the Dublin side were clear favourites to retain their title, but has Ireland’s issues in the Six Nations knocked confidence going into the latter stages of the campaign? A year ago, Saracens’ form almost mirrored England’s disappointing displays in the early stages of 2018 and Leo Cullen will be alert to the prospect of the same happening to his team. Of course, Sarries recovered to take the Premiership title but their performance in the 2017/18 Champions Cup quarter-final defeat – ironically to Leinster – was surprisingly poor by their high standards. That loss did provide the inspiration for the English club to go on a remarkable run at the end of the season, but it will be interesting to see what Leinster’s internationals produce when they face an Ulster team that don’t provide as many players to the Ireland squad.

Player to watch – Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

After concerns that Scotland’s star full-back would miss the rest of the season, Hogg has returned from a shoulder injury he sustained in the Six Nations to take his place in the Glasgow XV. Gregor Townsend’s men certainly missed the brilliance of the flyer and the Warriors will benefit from Hogg’s presence, although it may take him a bit of time to get into the contest against Saracens after being out for over a month. However, should Sarries’ kicking game be slightly off, the full-back will be ready to pounce on Saturday.

One-v-one battle to watch – Sean Cronin (Leinster) v Rory Best (Ulster)

On form, Cronin has been the best hooker in Ireland over the past couple of years but Best is Joe Schmidt’s captain and has been a stalwart of the Emerald Isle’s first XV. The Ulsterman is also more of a ‘Test match animal’ than his counterpart, who has never quite transferred his brilliance for Leinster onto the international scene. The space isn’t quite there at the highest level for the 32-year-old to regularly show his athleticism and pace in the loose, while Best is slightly better at the basics and is stronger in the tight. Ireland’s game against Italy was Cronin’s first start in a Six Nations match but it was a poor day for the front-rower, who struggled in the lineout and was subsequently dropped from the squad. He will therefore want to prove a point against the Irish skipper on Saturday.

Best of the rest

The final Champions Cup game of the weekend sees an all-French clash as Racing 92 face Toulouse. On form, Les Rouge et Noir certainly have the edge, having impressed in the Top 14 throughout this season, but the hosts have the firepower to overcome the visitors. Racing’s recent European experience is also much greater, with Ugo Mola’s young side still in the midst of a rebuilding phase, while the raucous Parisian crowd will no doubt help the home team.

In the Challenge Cup, Worcester Warriors take on Harlequins at Sixways, which is the only game in Europe’s second-tier to feature two sides who haven’t already faced each other in the competition. The other three encounters – Sale v Connacht, Clermont v Northampton and La Rochelle v Bristol – were all matches that took place during the pool stages.

Challenge Cup