Saturday Round Up

Saturday Round Up

We come to the end of another super European Saturday of rugby, with plenty to pore over. With some teams advancing to the quarter finals and some crashing out, the make-up of a number of pools in the competition are much changed after today’s play.

Bordeaux 34-27 Exeter

Bordeaux and Exeter played out a classic in France, Bordeaux eventually running out winners by 34 points to 27. Bordeaux flew out of the blocks and raced into the lead, with Adam Ashley Cooper and Blair Connor both crossing to give the home side a 10 point early lead. Exeter however showed an uncanny knack of scoring breakaway tries at crucial moments, and stole 2 quick tries to leave the score 20-20 at the break. The fast and loose play continued in the second half, with the likes of Jefferson Poirot and Benoit Auzqui showing real skill to put on a cracking game of rugby. With the scores locked at 27-27 with time running out, a late Marco Tauleigne would prove to be the difference, but both sides can take credit for what was an incredibly entertaining game of rugby.

Munster 26-13 Stade Francais

Munster welcomed Stade to Thomond Park with nothing but pride to play for, but as we all know Munster have plenty of that. A Keith Earls solo effort in as the first half came to a close gave the Irish side a 12-6 heading in to half time, with Stade knowing a win was vital to keep their distinct chances of quarter final qualification alive. Munster, however, were quick out of the blocks in the second half, Simon Zebo latching on to a deft Ian Keatley chip to extend the lead. It was to be a lead they would never relinquish, with CJ Stander getting in on the try scoring to put the result beyond doubt late on.

Leinster 25-11 Bath

Just like Munster, Leinster came into this one with no hopes of qualifying for the quarter finals, and in light of this Leo Cullen named a youthful side to take on Bath. The youngsters came out all guns blazing, and were unlucky not to cross the line on a number of occasions in the first half, James Tracy and Ross Moloney impressing. The ever reliable Ian Madigan kept the score board moving however, allowing Leinster to enjoy a 12-3 lead at the break. The second half proceeded in similar fashion, with the youthful exuberance of Leinster unsettling a disjointed Bath attack. Reinforcements came for Leinster on the 50 minute mark, and it was one of these, Sean Cronin, who would cross the line for the home sides only score of the day. It was enough to secure a 14 point win, a win which will have given Irish rugby fans plenty of hope for the future.