Guest Blogger: Talking points of Round 1
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So the champions cup kicked off with a bang this weekend. Right from the start there was plenty to talk about, with big collisions, lots of tries and of course, the handbags that come with the European Rugby competition.
Here are my picks of the weekend.
Glasgow Warriors make a serious statement
Head coach Gregor Townsend has never been shy to admit that his Glasgow side have the desire and abillity to succeedd in Europe.
Beating the two-times European champions, scoring the most points ever against a Leicester side in Europe was a pretty good start on that journey.
Should Matt Toomua have received a red card?
Had Finn Russell not have put his arm out to break his fall, Toomua could have been on for a serious ban as he lifted the Scottish International fly-half over the vertical and into the floor.
On the night he only received a yellow- but many feel that he deserved a red and should now be cited.
Italian side Zebre ripped apart by rampant Wasps
Zebre ship twelve tries as they lose 82-14 to Wasps. It should be remembered that Premiership side Bristol lost to Wasps 70-22 just a few weeks ago.
However, with the Italians qualifying automatically as opposed to on merit, it throws the integrity of the whole competition into question.
In my opinion, it would be best for the competition and also Italian rugby, if they were to compete in the Challenge Cup until they earn their Champions Cup place.
Carberry's Carvery
Leinster's Joey Carberry, a new fly-half on the scene this season, has shown once again why so many are so excited by the young out-half's potential as he sliced open a the strongest defensive team in the Top14 this year (Castres) on multiple occasions, as his side prevailed 33-15.
It's not hard to see why the likes of Brian O'Driscoll think that Leinster hold the Irish backline of the future right now.
Saracens inflict first top tier European home defeat on three times Champions, Toulon
On his return from injury, Owen Farrell helped the Englishmen to get the job done in Toulon. Despite a second half comeback from the balding superstars of the French side, the power and resolve of the defending champions proved too much.
With Mourad said to be cutting his funding in the near future, could this signal the end of Toulon's glory days?
Everyone's favourite under dog do it again
11-21 down at half-time and Connacht had a job to do. Having lost the likes of AJ MacGinty, Aly Muldowney and Robbie Henshaw last season, Connacht have already suffered some heavy defeats this season.
Not this time around however. The Galwegians turned things around with an inspired second half, with tries from Tiernan O'Halloran and Aki O'Bundee and a conversion from Jack Carty, the men in green ran out 23-21 winners over the French giants.
Clermont thump Exeter Chiefs away from home
Currently top of the Top14, this was always going to be a tough challenge for Exeter. In their two fixtures last season, Exeter prevailed 31-14, before then slumping to a 42-10 loss to the French powerhouse.
This week was another slump- last year's Premiership finalists conceded five tries, scoring only one themselves, making the final results 8-35 in favour of the visitors.
The world loses a Rugby legend
Former Munster/Ireland player and coach Anthony Foley, Axel to his teammates, was found dead in his Paris hotel room on Sunday morning, aged 42.
Following such a huge loss to Munster, Ireland and of course his family, fans gathered outside the Stade Olympique-Yves du Manoir, singing The Fields of Anthenry in a moving tribute. You can see that tribute, here.
Thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of Anthony Foley and all those close who were close to him, at this difficult time.
To see my thoughts on the weekend from a Pro12 perspective, click here.
The Scribbler, 17th October, 2016
Twitter: @RugbyScribbler
