Amlin Challenge Cup Preview: Bucuresti Oaks v Leeds Carnegie

Mike MacDonald takes on Bucuresti Oaks

I know this article will have limited appeal as it's a preview for a game between a cobbled together Romanian side and Leeds Carnegie.  Hardly a glamour tie.  However, I wrote this preview for Rugbynetwork and thought I might as well post it on here...

Bucuresti Oaks will be no strangers to Leeds Carnegie when the two teams clash in their opening Amlin Challenge Cup game on Saturday.

The Yorkshiremen sealed back-to-back wins against the Romanian outfit in last season’s Cup campaign, paving the way for five wins from six in all competitions from December to early January. In the same fixture last season, Leeds recorded a hard-fought 10-6 victory at a snowy Arcul de Triumf, a late Rhys Oakley try saving Carnegie’s blushes. Neil Back’s men followed up this win with a convincing 47-0 hammering of Bucuresti at Headingley Carnegie a week later.

Leeds approach this game looking for a much needed boost after recording five straight defeats in the Aviva Premiership. This matches Bucuresti’s current form of five losses from five, with an injury crisis threatening to derail their chances of securing their first win of the season. Oaks have 10 players ruled out with injury for Saturday’s clash from their squad of 28. This has forced them to draft in two replacements in line with competition regulations.

Carnegie will be without Danny Paul after he was ruled out with a rib injury. The number eight picked up the knock in his first start in nearly a year against London Irish last Saturday. Prop Phil Swainston is also out with a wrist injury and number eight Alfie To’oala is sidelined whilst he recovers from an operation to correct an adductor muscle.

Despite shipping 40 points in both of their last two league games, there is hope for Leeds. A ridiculously high penalty count was instrumental in their demise at the Majedski Stadium last Saturday, where the Exiles punished the visitors for their mistakes. However, Leeds did score two tries and the game was more hard-fought than the result suggests. It is clear that Carnegie need to tighten their defence and banish errors, especially around the ever controversial breakdown, if they are to improve their points difference. With two points scored against them for every point they notch up, it doesn’t take a mathematician to work out Leeds are giving teams at least a 15 point head start.

Carnegie have been trying to play a more attacking brand of rugby this season but they are still missing that vital cutting edge. Maybe a game against a limping Bucuresti will allow them to fine tune this game plan and return home to face Stade Français with renewed vigour and an all important win? And yet, rumours of splits in the Leeds camp does not make happy reading for Carnegie fans, and a defeat against a patched together Bucuresti side could threaten to derail Leeds’ season altogether.

However, I am positive. Leeds are renowned for being slow starters and I think a win in Romania will help to kick-start their season.

My prediction: Leeds by 6.

Heineken Cup Flashback

European Cup rugby is back with a bang this weekend with both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup kicking off for a new season.

I would be lying if said I wasn't a bit excited about it.  OK, if I'm honest, I cannot wait.  But will the French clubs dominate for the second year in a row?  Big-spending Biarritz and Toulouse battled out the Heineken Cup final last May whilst Toulon faced Cardiff Blues in Marseille in the second tier competition, the Blues eventually spoiling the all-French love in.

France also sealed an impressive Six Nations Grand Slam last season.  Not a bad year for our Gallic neighbours, eh?  Well, if you put the slightly embarrassing defeats by Argentina and South Africa aside...

Here are a couple of my Heineken Cup highlights from last season which sum up why I love this tournament so much.

First up, Takudzwa Ngwenya's amazing try for Biarritz in their quarter-final win over the Ospreys:

For my second choice, I almost went for a clip of Yannick Jauzion weaving his magic, but then I remembered just how much I loved this game.  The quarter-final between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne at a pulsating RDS was one of the most exciting games of rugby I have ever seen.  Enjoy.  (PS: Brock James, look away now...)

Roll on Friday night and Northampton v Castres...

Aviva Premiership Round 5: Previews and Predictions

Yes, seriously.

I think I must be getting ill.  Why?  Because I'm getting quite excited about the Ryder Cup - and I don't even like golf.  Or so I thought.  Watching a curly-haired Northern Irish boy battle it out with a tainted Tiger at soggy Celtic Manor, Wales, surprisingly looks like it's going to take over my weekend viewing. 

Well, with the big exception of tomorrow night, when I will be at Old Trafford to watch the Engage Super League Grand Final between St Helens and Wigan Warriors.  As a Leeds Rhinos fan it's difficult to support either team, so instead I'm going to support Pat Richards (Wigan) and Jon Wilkin (Saints), the game of rugby league.  And of course, beer.

Therefore, rugby union is taking somewhat of a back seat in my sporting agenda this weekend.  I'm even going to miss tonight's massive derby clash between Bath and Gloucester as I'm going to a gig.  I am recording it though, just in case it's a classic.

Anyway, here are my predictions for this week. 

I think Wasps will come away with a win under the Friday night lights of Edgeley Park, and looking at their current form I expect Bath to win at the Rec.  Quins looked efficient against Exeter in their 40-13 win last week and Newcastle were humbled by London Irish at home so I see that one going Harlequins' way.  The Exiles, currently top of the league, host bottom club Leeds at the Majedski on Saturday in a game that will probably see more one way traffic crashing over the Leeds' try line following last week's 48-6 hammering by  Leicester.  The Tigers will hope to put their injury woes to the back of their minds on their trip to Vicarage Road, where makeshift fly-half Billy Twelvetrees, or 36, needs to get the better of kicking maestro Derick Hougaard.  The Sarries number 10 kicked 55-metre drop goals for fun in last Sunday's 24-17 win over Northampton and controlled the game with ease.  Take note Northampton Saints, with a misfiring Geraghty/Myler you will probably still beat teams like Exeter with ease, but against the big boys and in the Heineken Cup you will have to solve the issues at fly-half if you are to win.  So no pressure for next week  when the HCup rolls into town then...

Sale Sharks v London Wasps: Wasps by 3
Bath v Gloucester Rugby: Bath by 9
Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons: Harlequins by 21
London Irish v Leeds Carnegie: London Irish by 26
Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs: Northampton Saints by 16
Saracens v Leicester Tigers: Saracens by 9

Aviva Premiership Round 4: Previews and Predictions

Laughing it up at the top of the table: Dylan Hartley

Dark clouds have been rumbling in the skies above Leeds this week heralding the start of autumn.  Today we wave goodbye to summer and welcome the onset of dark nights, muddy pitches and freezing your arse off in stadiums up and down the country.  But will the season of falling leaves and woolly hats signal a return to the tedious kick-fest we had to endure at the start of the last Premiership season?

Well, with the new laws surrounding the tackle area, hopefully not, although my favourite gap-toothed pundit, Stuart Barnes, did raise an excellent point on Rugby Club last night.  The benefit of the doubt at the breakdown is now with the attacking team which is a good thing as it promotes quicker ball and a more fluid game.  However, the rules which require the defence to stop and get back to their feet before challenging for the ball allows players on the attacking side to clear them out by flying over the top of the ruck. Will last year's fears of being caught in possession be replaced by ELVs to even it up for the defence?  For once in my life, I agree with Barnes: strong and clear refereeing is needed in this area, now more than ever.

That issue aside, last weekend we were treated to a masterclass of rugby by table-toppers Northampton.  The Saints brushed aside Bath in impressive style to remain the only unbeaten Premiership team.  Then there was the last gasp win for Wasps over rivals Leicester.  A Dave Walder inspired fightback in the second-half saw Wasps triumph in an electric game which finished 37-30 in their favour.  Exeter continued to make the step up to the Premiership look easy by recording their second win of the season, beating Newcastle 22-17.  However, on a personal level, last weekend was a massive disappointment.  Leeds slipped to a 13-0 half-time deficit at home to Saracens which put them out of contention for the rest of the match.  26-14 the final score.  I was not happy.

But what of this weekend?  As ever, here are my previews and predictions:

Saracens v Northampton
The clash of the weekend. Likely to be a bruising grudge match after Saracens won both of the crucial games against the Saints at the back end of last season to take themselves all the way to the Premiership final at Twickenham. Will Brendan Venter start Derrick Hougaard at fly-half as he did last weekend against Leeds? Saints wing Chris Ashton should be back after hobbling off against Bath, a game which saw him bag two tries. Ashton v Sarries new boy David Strettle will be the battle to watch. My prediction: Northampton by 7.

Bath Rugby v Sale. 
Bath need to tighten up on the basic mistakes they made last week and I expect them to do this against Sale, the side who engineered a thrilling late comeback against Harlequins last weekend.  Sale's away form is woeful.  The Sharks have notched up eight losses in a row and just one win, against Leeds last November, in their last 17 trips on the road. My prediction: Bath by 12.

Gloucester Rugby v London Wasps.
Gloucester are yet to splutter into life this season whilst Wasps displayed their mental toughness in their fightback against Leicester on Saturday.  Wasps have won their last five games against the cherry and whites in all competitions, but a trip to Kingsholm is never easy.  My prediction: It will be a tough game, but Wasps to win by 7.

Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs.
Quins committed rugby hari-kari last weekend at Edgeley Park, throwing away a win over Sale due to second-half indiscipline.  Conor O'Shea's men are the only side other than Leeds still searching for their first win and it will be tough against the Chiefs.  The clash between Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson, top Premiership points scorer, and opposite number Nick Evans will test the calibre of the Chiefs' young stand-off and will be a fascinating contest to watch.  My prediction: Harlequins by 6.

Leicester Tigers v Leeds Carnegie
Is now the best chance Leeds will get to take the scalp of the Champions?  The Tigers look to be lacking a bit of cohesion this term but they are still dangerous in attack and Leeds will do well to contain them.  Carnegie are making yet another slow start to the season and are rock bottom of the table with only one consolitary bonus point from the 22-21 loss at Gloucester.  My prediction: Leicester by 18.

Newcastle Falcons v London Irish
Kingston Park is a tough place to go as the nights start drawing in, but the Exiles will make the trip in buoyant mood after beating Gloucester with relative ease last week.  Again, I see this game being a battle of the fly-halves: Jimmy Gopperth, named at 10 in last year's Opta team of the year, versus nearly-man Ryan Lamb.  My prediction: London Irish by 9.

Aviva Premiership Round 3: Previews and Predictions

Skivington: tall

I'm not very good at this results predictions malarkey.  I've only got a poor 41.67% success rate after round two, but, undeterred I'm giving it another shot this week.  As D:Ream once said, things can only get better, right?

Round three's standout game is Wasps v Leicester, a battle of the arch-rivals who have won 15 Premiership titles between them.  The extra spice this year comes in the form of George Skivington, the towering second-row who made the switch from Adams Park to Welford Road this summer.  The 27-year-old England Saxons skipper is only the third player to make the move from Wasps to rivals Leicester.  Quelle controversy.

Leicester were almost handed their arses on a plate by new boys Exeter last Saturday after trailing 20-10 at half-time.  Luckily for the champions their class shone through in the final quarter to seal a 37-27 win.  A real shame for the Chiefs and a shock to the system for Richard Cockerill's men.  Likewise, Wasps came off second best against Newcastle, the Falcons holding their visitors to a scoreless second half to run out 29-17 winners.  Even though this weekend's fixture is a home tie for Wasps, Shaun Edwards' men need to drastically improve their shoddy defensive effort from last week if they are to take any league points from the Tigers.  I'm not sure they can do it.

The other big game of the round is tonight at Franklins Gardens.  Northampton Saints host Bath in a top-of-the table clash between the two remaining unbeaten sides in the league.  It's a tough one to call, but I'm going for a home win.  Why?  Because I like Dylan Hartley.

Elsewhere, I'm mentally preparing myself for the Leeds v Saracens game on Sunday.  Last Saturday's 22-21 loss at Gloucester was a bitter pill to swallow as a Leeds fan, but unless coach Neil Back has been employing some kind of black magic in the bowels of Headingley Carnegie, I can't see us beating Saffacens this weekend.  However, Christian Lewis-Pratt and James Tincknell both had a very good game against the cherry and whites, so there are still reasons for me to be cheerful.

Here are my predictions:

Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby:  Northampton by 5.
Sale Sharks v Harlequins:  Harlequins by 6.
Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons:  Exeter Chiefs by 6.
London Wasps v Leicester Tigers: Leicester Tigers by 10.
Leeds Carnegie v Saracens:  Saracens by 12.
London Irish v Gloucester Rugby:  London Irish by 9.

Lunch Box

Ever since Joe Worsley claimed he ate 20 chicken breasts a day, part of me has always wondered what your average professional rugby player chows down on.

According to Twitter, the overwhelming answer seems to Nandos: up and down the country, players just can’t get enough of the Portuguese peri-peri spice-fest with a side order of disappointment. I mean, is it just me or does a trip to Nandos invariably end in spending about £20 only to come home still feeling slightly peckish?

Not that hunger pangs would ever be a problem for a well-paid sportsman. They probably eat a whole chicken in one mouthful then rack up the Lemon and Herb chicken-wings and get balls deep in an epic grease-fest. Oops, there goes my overly active imagination again.

But what does a peckish prop-forward do when there is a severe lack of overpriced Portuguese poultry in the vicinity?

Well, today I found out.

I was minding my own business on my daily pilgrimage to the northern mecca of supermarkets, Kirkstall Morrisons, when I chanced upon not one, but two Leeds Carnegie prop-forwards.


Gomez: Ravenous

Juan Gomez and Miguel Alonso were happily chatting away in Spanish as they picked up their lunchtime goodies.

Naturally, being a Leeds Carnegie fan, I decided to go and wish Juan all the best for Sunday’s Premiership clash with Saracens. The fact this gifted me the opportunity to eyeball his shopping was an added bonus.

But what was in Juan’s basket?






Quiz time:

a) Three cheese and pickle pork pies, a pint of milk, two jars of gherkins and a coconut macaroon.
b) A chubby ham and cheese baguette, a bunch of grapes and a BabyBel cheese multi-pack.
c) A large salad box containing two boiled eggs, savoury rice and some grated carrot.
d) A whole chicken and a bottle of Nandos peri-peri sauce. Extra hot.




The answer is c.  I was pleasantly surprised/a bit disappointed there were no pies involved.

Aviva Premiership Round 2: Previews and Predictions

Gloucester will host Leeds

So what did we learn from the opening round of the Aviva Premiership last weekend?  A few things...

Firstly, Exeter aren't quite the pushovers everyone outside of Sandy Park expected following their shock 22-10 win over Premiership stalwarts Gloucester.

And then there was an opening day defeat for the champions, Leicester Tigers, who fell to a 27-19 loss at the hands of Midlands rivals Northampton, losing key man Toby Flood to injury in the process.

I also learnt that Leeds are still in danger of being a 40 minute team as I watched them fall to a 32-16 home defeat by Bath after being only 10-9 down at half-time.

But it's a marathon not a sprint and no-one is running away with anything just yet.

Here are my previews and predictions for round two:

Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs

Even with Tigers fly-half Toby Flood ruled out with knee ligament damage, Leicester at Welford Road is a much tougher challenge for the newly promoted Chiefs than Gloucester at home.
Exeter became only the second team to win their debut Premiership game after Leeds achieved the feat in 2001 but it is unlikely they will claim the scalp of the reigning champions.  The Chiefs have not beaten Leicester since a 6-0 victory way back in 1966 6-0 and the Tigers have only lost one of their last 34 games in all competitions at Welford Road.
However, the Tigers stumbled to a 27-19 loss at Franklins Gardens on Sunday and will be looking to bounce back against the Premiership new boys to avoid slipping to two successive defeats at the start of the season for the first time in 24 seasons.
Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson, who kicked 17 points in last Saturday's win over Gloucester, will be key if the Chiefs are to take any league points from fortress Welford Road.

My prediction: It would be less of a fairytale and more of a miracle for Exeter to take anything from this game.  Leicester by 18.

Saracens v Sale Sharks
 
The opening round saw a reversal of fortunes for last year's (almost) all conquering Saracens and relegation battlers Sale.  Sarries find themselves in the unusual position of propping up the Premiership table following their second-half whipping by London Irish on the way to a 33-16 defeat.  Sale, on the other hand, recorded a comprehensive 35-18 win over Newcastle to end their four game losing run in the Premiership.
However, the Sharks need to remember not to try to run before they can walk.  Last season they only managed one win on the road, 24-17 at Leeds last November, and have only won once in 14 previous visits to Vicarage Road.
In contrast, Sarries have won their last three games against Sale and notched up a 58-15 win over Newcastle in their most recent home game.

My prediction: A pretty close game as Sale look to build on last week's win and Saracens aim to get their season started.  Saracens by 6.

Gloucester v Leeds Carnegie

Gloucester and Leeds are both searching for their first win of the campaign after losing out to Exeter and Bath respectively in the opening round.
The cherry and whites have won their last six games against Leeds, whilst the Yorkshiremen's only previous victory at Kingsholm was 33-15 on 9 April 2005.  If Carnegie win on their travels it will consign Gloucester to back-to-back losses at the start of a season for the first time since 2000/01.  However, it will be a big ask, as Gloucester are unbeaten at Kingsholm in any competition since Cardiff Blues won there in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 8 November.
A sorry stat for Leeds is that they have not won any games in rounds one or two of the Premiership since 2002/03, something coaching duo Neil Back and Andy Key will be keen to fix as they celebrate signing one year extension deals at the club.

My prediction:  Gloucester were ripped apart by Exeter last weekend and will need to shore up their defence if they are to win.  Leeds will take the battle to them up front, but I expect the class of wing James Simpson-Daniel will give the home side the edge in the try-scoring stakes.  Gloucester by 10.

Bath Rugby v London Irish

Bath are chasing their 100th victory at the Rec in their first home game of the season when they host early Premiership leaders Londoon Irish on Saturday.
The men in blue, black and white have won 12 of their last 13 regular season Premiership matches, beating Leeds 32-16 at Headingley last weekend.
Irish defeated Premiership runners-up Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday after a sensational second-half performance.
Despite only losing once in their last five visits to the Rec, the Exiles' away form was poor last season and is an area they need to build on to mount a realistic title bid this term.

My prediction: Last weekend Bath matched Leeds in the forwards battle before their backs outclassed them after the break.  Similarly, Irish's back three turned on the afterburners to scorch Sarries into submission in the second-half.  The belief at Bath is such at the moment that I can't see them losing at home.  Bath by 7.

Harlquins v Northampton Saints

The Saints are looking to end a six season hoodoo against Quins after failing to beat them at the Stoop since September 2004.
Northampton look to have picked up where they left of last season, beating reigning Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers, 27-19 at Franklins Gardens on Sunday.  However Jim Mallinder's men have not won back to back games at the start of a season since the 2004/05 season and they need to decide on the man to fill the number 10 shirt.  Myler, Geraghty or even Joe Ford?  Whoever gets the nod needs to start nailing all their kicks and start turning in consistent performances.
Quins boss Conor O'Shea is adamant this season heralds a new start for the west London club.  With the tiresome Bloodgate saga now behind them, the Quins will be looking to record their sixth consecutive win at home and go one better than the 29-29 draw with Wasps in last Saturday's London Double Header.

My prediction:  A tricky one.  The last four games between the clubs has been won by the home side on the day.  Saints still have some work to do and Quins need to tighten up their defence.  Harlequins to win by 6.

Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps

Newcastle's record against Wasps is hardly glittering.  The northern club's only victory in their last nine meetings was a 12-6 pack-led win at a bitterly cold day at Adams Park last January. 
Saturday's game might be up at Kingston Park, but the pitch will still be firm and Wasps will be able to play their more expansive brand of rugby.
Wasps drew with Quins in a 58-point thriller at Twickenham whilst the Falcons were busy licking their wounds after Sale sent them packing in a comprehensive defeat in the opening Premiership game last Friday.
The Londoners have a strong record at Kingston Park, winning on their last five visits and I think Saturday will see them adding their sixth.

My prediction: Wasps to win by 16.

But what do you think?