WE ARE A few days away from a mouthwatering final weekend of Champions Cup action with a number of pools still to be decided. Pool four is probably the most open with Toulouse, Bath and Glasgow all with a chance of winning it.
After a torrid start to the league season, many fans were delighted when Toulouse won their first four pool games since the brand of rugby played by Guy Noves’ men is often a feast for the neutrals.
But speaking to L’Equipe this week, the King of European rugby’s aristocrats looks like he might be content to end his side’s Champions Cup interests after this weekend’s game away to Montpellier. A win would likely see Toulouse top the pool.
However, they are currently in seventh in the Top 14, one place outside of the Champions Cup qualifications places and they travel to Castres next weekend. Noves speculated that he might consider resting his players – much like Castres and Montpellier have in Europe – to concentrate on the league.
Noves didn’t say he would definitely do it but for someone so well-versed in the tradition of the European Cup – hell, he helped create half of it – to contemplate tournament suicide just shows how much the priorities of the French teams have shifted.
Hopefully Noves sees sense and we enjoy some of this classic rugby on Sunday.
If Matt O’Connor announces that he is resting his starters to focus on the Pro12 then we should start picketing the BT Sport offices.
H/T to Russ Petty.
Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..