The short side: Semi-finals, centre duel, Mata mayhem

David Skippers
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s action in the Premiership and PRO14.

PRO14 semi-finals

Leinster v Munster

The two giants of Irish rugby will face off at the Aviva Stadium on Friday evening in what should be a humdinger of a contest. Leinster, of course, enter as favourites to prevail, due largely to an incredible 15 wins from 15 games record in the regular season, with all their squad chipping in throughout.

Looking through some of their numbers, it’s been a staggering campaign as they’ve averaged 35 points and five tries per match, coupled with the stingiest defence.

While Leinster booked their place in the knockouts a long time ago, Munster left it until the final day to secure their semi-final spot. But that should not rule them out of causing a shock in Dublin.

They boast plenty of talent and in Damian de Allende and Chris Farrell they have one of the toughest midfield partnerships. They will relish this underdog tag and head coach Johann van Graan is delighted to have consistency in selection heading into this meeting, which could prove invaluable. One minor concern for Leinster is will all their chopping and changing finally catch up with them?

That will be the hope for Munster supporters but, from what we’ve witnessed this year, doubting this Leinster machine is a foolish mindset as time and again they turn it on. Friday should be no different.

Edinburgh v Ulster

Saturday’s second semi-final promises to be equally entertaining as Edinburgh look to make it a Scottish v Irish final on September 12. They have all the tools to make it to the big show and the Conference B winners were hugely impressive over the campaign, with Richard Cockerill turning them from mid-table battlers to a genuine title force. They finished the PRO14 season with 11 wins out of 15 games and excited viewers as real box office talent caught the eye.

Ulster, meanwhile, knew long ago that second place in Conference A was their target, due to Leinster’s dominance, but they have quietly gone about their business in 2019/20 and will be thrilled to be in the knockout stages of both the PRO14 and Champions Cup.

August defeats to Connacht and Leinster cannot be looked at too greatly as they have had their eye on these upcoming two weekends for a long time and should move up a gear on Saturday.

It promises to be an epic game as these two rank second and first in clean breaks per match, with star quality like Duhan van der Merwe, John Cooney, Bill Mata and Marcell Coetzee set to shine.

Premiership game to watch – Harlequins v Bath

Northampton Saints’ encounter with Exeter Chiefs should be competitive, especially now that Rob Baxter has named a makeshift side, but Bath’s trip to the Twickenham Stoop is the match to look out for.

Although neither currently reside in the play-off places, they will both think that they have an opportunity of qualifying for the semi-finals. For the hosts, their task is much harder as they lie 10 points behind Wasps in fourth but a run of victories could easily put them in contention.

Paul Gustard’s men have the talent but lack the consistency and they will hope their impressive bonus-point victory over the Saints is not followed by a laboured performance. That has always been the concern for Quins and, against a Bath side determined to respond to Monday’s disappointment, they have to be wary.

The West Countrymen have generally impressed since the restart, securing three consecutive wins, but they may well rue the defeat to Wasps come the end of the campaign.

At home, against a side that lost both of their hookers to injury in the first half, it should have been a comfortable triumph for Stuart Hooper’s charges, but they rather lost their way and ended up succumbing to the Midlanders. Still, there is a chance for redemption and a positive result could see them back in the Premiership top-four.

Player to watch – Viliame Mata (Edinburgh)

The heartbeat of the Edinburgh pack, Mata is crucial if the Scottish outfit are to make their first PRO14 final. He enjoyed another stunning season prior to the enforced break and the Fijian has continued where he left off.

He was impressive in the opener as they comfortably overcame Glasgow Warriors 30-15 before being one of their better performers in a disappointing 15-3 defeat to the same side. That result was a wake-up call for Richard Cockerill’s men, who struggled to find any rhythm in that contest, but the number eight could not have been blamed for it.

If anything, an excellent display in defeat can show the true quality of a player and that’s exactly what Mata produced. The 28-year-old’s work rate was exceptional, as evidenced by his superb tackle on Ali Price, while he was their biggest threat with ball in hand.

Edinburgh’s efforts in Round 15 showed that the star back-rower can’t do it on his own but, if the front five can lay a better platform and the half-backs can control the game better, the Pacific Islander will thrive against Ulster.

One-v-one battle to watch – Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) v Damian de Allende (Munster)

The South African star is still settling into life since moving from the Panasonic Wild Knights, but the 28-year-old has shown enough in his two appearances to suggest that he can cause Leinster plenty of problems this weekend.

Johann van Graan’s men were unfortunate to succumb to the men from the capital in Round 14, eventually going down 27-25 following a titanic battle at the Aviva Stadium, and they will hope that they can reverse that scoreline on Friday.

An extra week with his team-mates, combined with another game, will have significantly aided De Allende. Their victory over Connacht was arguably the perfect preparation as two first-half red cards for the Galway-based outfit rather determined the result.

It allowed Munster to go through the gears without overexerting themselves physically and they will duly go into the upcoming clash with confidence.

Leinster are still the team to beat, however, and Henshaw is a top-class performer, who has proven himself at the highest level. He is a crucial part of Leo Cullen’s team, particularly defensively, and will no doubt test whether the Munster midfield partnership has gelled in their short time together.

Subplot to watch – The return of crowds in Europe

It may well be a while before we see packed grounds in the northern hemisphere, but Harlequins have been given the go-ahead to host 3,500 supporters for their game with Bath.

That is no doubt an exciting proposition but there is also an element of trepidation as everyone hopes that it goes off without a hitch. Should there be an increase in coronavirus cases, that will set the sport back but, if not, then all clubs’ financial fears can perhaps start to ease slightly.

France are also allowing fans into stadiums, as the 2020/21 Top 14 season begins this weekend. On Sunday, Clermont Auvergne take on Toulouse and a remarkable 10,000 supporters are set to be in attendance.

It seems a rather risky move, considering the issues they are having with Covid-19 currently, but Auvergne and La Rochelle, who could have 8,000 at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, will be key indicators as to how rugby will be able to progress.

Bath