An analysis of European Cup so far – Rugby news
European Cup is the hottest affair in rugby these and round-5 matches are almost done. Five teams made it to the quarter finals and two more have yet to make it.
London Irish finally ends its losing streak after winning a well deserved match over Ospreys. The 24-12 victory has deteriorated the Welsh team’s Heineken Cup ambitions. Irish walked in the stadium with a heavy heart knowing that it might be their tenth
consecutive defeat and the worst season ever. But the tries from Topsy Ojo and Sailosi Tagicakibau turned the things the other way.
Ospreys were showered with bad news that day and it went worse for them when Adam Jones was taken off the field due to a shoulder injury, confirming his absence from rest of the season. It was a blow for Wales as well, because he will be missing Six Nations
too.
Munster, for the first time in last 13 years did not qualify for quarter finals, after being bruised by a 36-16 defeat in Toulon. Toulon was driven to 26-9 advantage by half backs Pierre Mignoni and Jonny Wilkinson. Munster’s lock Donncha O’Callaghan was
sin binned in first five minutes of second half. On the other hand Munster was bombarded with two more tries form wingers Paul Sackey and Christian Loamanu and all their hopes were washed away when Ronan O’Gara was yellow carded in 50th minute.
Wilkinson alone scored 22 points and the French side reached the quarter finals in their first ever season.
Wasps gave an uninspiring performance which led them to a deserved defeat of 20-10 by Glasgow Warriors and saw their chances of advancing knocked off. Glasgow Warriors gave a tremendous performance and blew away the Wasps defense. Wasps did get a first half
lead of 10-6, with the help pf an early try from Tom Varndell and a conversion from Dave Walder.
But in second half Glasgow went ahead, when Collin Gregor scored a cracking try in 50th minute of the game. Following the try Ruaridh Jackson scored three penalties and then Wasps had nothing to make comeback. Glasgow’s victory was confirmed by another penalty
and a drop kick goal from Jackson.
Leicester Tigers made it to the quarter finals with the help of their scrum half Ben Youngs. His solo try helped the Tigers to the victory against Scarlets, leading the score to 32-18 in an epic encounter on Saturday. Young made it a memorable game with
his 40 meter run for glory, which was followed by Alesana Tuilagi’s touchdown. It’s assumed that a bonus point victory over Treviso next weekend will be enough to see Leicester Tigers progress as one of the best runners up or group winners.
If Scarlets is beaten by Perpignan and a five points are awarded to them in France then the pool winners will be Perpignan. But then again, two times winners of European Champions League have the capability of carrying out a coldblooded Italian Job. Toby
Flood, the England’s fly half kept the Scarlets’ score running with five penalties and a conversion and scoring 17 points alone, but Scarlets couldn’t make a mark.
Leinster put Saracens to danger with a hardnosed second half play at RDS to claim a 43-20 win and booked their place in the quarter finals. Saracens were only at a gap of 22-12 at the half time, but the tries from Isa Nacewa, Eoin O’Malley and Fergus McFadden
eased Leinster away. In a first half Sean O’Brien and Dominic Ryan touched down twice for Leinster and James Short and Kelly Brown scored for Sarries. Sean O’Brien was awarded Man of the Match. Saracens were taught a lesson in the second half and the try from
Nils Mordt in the last stage was insignificant. Leister won a bonus point game and is at an untouchable top spot with five point gap from Clermont Auvergne.
Toulouse, the European champions have extended their unbeaten record to stay at peak and are leading the Pool 6. Their position remains intact despite an feeble victory of 17-3 over Newport Gwent Dragons. It was a frustrating afternoon for the defending
champions as Frederic Michalak was shown a yellow card; he just returned from a very long term injury.
In a Pool 4 clash, Matt Banahan, the English wing scored four tries as Bath earned a bonus point victory of 55-16 over Aironi. Bath achieved five bonus points in all their last five matches but three of them were losing bonus points, leaving Biarritz and Ulster to
battle for the top of the table.
Perpignan remains in the chase for a quarter final spot, after beating Treviso with a bonus point victory of 44-9 in Pool 5. On the other hand Northampton Saints were the first team to qualify for quarter finals after beating Edinburgh 37-0.
With few more matches and Quarter finals to come, the next two months will be frenzy for all the Rugby fans out there.
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