First off Connacht's 16-10 win again The Scarlets.
They were in control from the off, especially in the first half, with the likes of Cronin, Muldoon and the evergreen Johnny O’Connor having cracking games.
Connacht's no 10, Ian Keatley kicked 11 points, which saw Connacht gain a much needed win on Friday night against The Scarlets.
Scarlets did get a late one but, as I’ve said, Connacht’s fate is in their own hands and if they can pull off a couple more like this in succession, it could be a much different season for them.
Is the red machine back?
Looking at the stats of the Munster and Ulster game, you’d be thinking that the red machine must be rumbling again!
After a slow enough start, they finally started to show some of the metal that everyone has come to expect but has been missing recently.
This was spear headed by a few men, Wallace, POC, Mafi and Quinny (even though he is a penalty machine!)
A special word has to go to Paul Warwick, again he had a cracker! He is one player, that no matter how the team have been doing, he has been doing his job more and more, day in day out.
Rediscovered passion.
Their lineout worked better (although the throwing by all the provinces is pretty dire at the moment) but it was in things like their kick chase that the passions of old was rekindled.
Although a bonus point win would lead you to believe that all is well, then you look at the score and see ROG’s still not knocking them over with his usual panache.
Yes, his kicking out of hand was great, but you just get the feeling he's still not back yet.
When early in the first half, he wouldn’t take the crack at the points, he was really looking uncomfortable with making the decision. Not his usual march up and go for it.
Ulster were stupid
Now it has to be said, Ulster were stupid, in loads of instances they were their own worst enemies.
Their lineout was dire, they gave away stupid penalties and turned over at lot of ball.
This would be typified by the performance of Nagusa, two of his many instances spring to mind, first when counterattacking, he was trotting back with the ball looking for a gap to run at the defence, he chooses to run straight at Wally and Quinlan, the two worst people to run into on the Munster team....turn over!
And then for Keith Earls try, he never even took one step forward off the line to stop him. Keith must have thought his birthday had come!
Everybody know you must come up off your line hard in defence when threatened, especially against Earls!
They did in fairness to them show a huge amount of aggression while defending the side of rucks and on that note I can’t wait to see Ferris in action in the internationals, his physicality is leagues ahead of most and he looks hungry!
Roland's reffing was terrible
One other thing on this game, I thought Alain Roland was terrible!
He is a ref I have a lot of respect for (I played for years with him at Blackrock and Leinster) but I thought he missed so much in this game.
One good example was the scrum, Ulster had a clear advantage here but couldn’t do anything about it, as Alain never reffed it!
When under pressure you cannot stand up in the scrum. Munster did nearly every time and got away with it...bad day for him!
Not quite as much to say about the Leinster game unfortunately!
Leinster see off understrength Cardiff
They put away an understrength Cardiff Blues side in some style, with some good performances.
Sean O’Brien had a powerhouse game, he started to show more of the link man needed to make an openside.
I still think he is a 6 not 7, the only thing he is now missing, is the effectiveness on the ground that Jennings has.
Cian Healy was again tireless and must be close to that No.1 slot.
Others who did their international cause no harm at all, were Shane Horgan and Sexton.
Fitzgerald for the wing!
I'm still stuck on the back 3 for Ireland, as I love seeing Fitzgerald play on the wing and not centre.
He is a live wire and every time he gets the ball there you feel something exciting is going to happen but that would keep shaggy off! More thought needed!
McLaughlin again put his hand up and asked “Why was I left out?!”
Ruck needs work
One thing that Leinster have to go back to work on, is the ruck.
They turned over too many balls here and also weren’t giving Reddan anything like the protection he should be getting.
This is just an attitude thing with guys expecting others to do the job, easily fixed but can be costly.
Important win though, and sees them top of the League before the break, job oxo as far as their concerned, I suppose!!