Heineken Cup: Toulouse edge Bath 18-16 in thriller
Welcome back!
Toulouse produced a come from behind last gasp victory to defeat Bath 18-16 after a David Skrela penalty at the Stade Municipal. Toulouse were far from their usual expansive self being out-enthused by Bath and also taking a back seat to the expansive play of Bath.
Bath had their chances to secure victory, even scoring two tries to nil but were unable to secure victory mostly due to the wayward kicking of Buth James.
In other matches Leinster scored a 27-16 win over Edinburgh at their hoodoo ground Murrayfield to secure full points in the first round of the Heineken Cup. Leinster scored four tries to one with tries going to Rocky Elsom, Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan and Felipe Contemponi.
Results from the first round of the Heineken Cup;
Sale 32 Clermont 15
Munster 19 Montauban 17
Wasps 25 Castres 11
Perpignan 29 Treviso 16
Leicester 12 Ospreys 6
Stade Francais 26 Ulster 10
Harlequins 29 Scarlets 22
Newport-Gwent 32 Glasgow 22
Cardiff Blues 56 Calvisano 20
Gloucester 22 Biarritz 10
Tri-Nations Stars set to play in Europe
Several Tri-Nations stars will make their debuts in the coming weeks as Dan Carter arrived to meet his new team Perpignan from where he will commence his six month contract on 1 December 2008.
Dan Carter is perhaps the worlds biggest rugby star and will draw worldwide attention and no doubt will be the focus of every opposition player when he lines up in the French Top 14 from December.
Meanwhile, Australian star Rocky Elsom will also make his debut for Leinster this weekend in what will be only the start of major some major stars joining from Australia in the coming years to European rugby.
Cardiff Blues and Leinster in 16 all draw
The two top sides Cardiff Blues and Leinster had a 16-16 draw in action last night. Both sides were evenly matched scoring one try a piece in an tough match that neither side was able to get a clear edge over other at Cardiff Arms Park.
Magners League Round One Preview
The Magners League kicks off tomorrow Australian time with Connacht playing Ospreys. Once again we are likely to see a highly competitive season and no doubt some teams will develop into surprise packets.
The big match of Round One is the Cardiff Blues vs Leinster, the top two sides from last year. The winner is likely to be regarded the most likely champion of the Magners League. Cardiff Blues are likely to scrap over the line but Leinster will build as the season progresses.
Leinster recruited well with Australia’s blindside flanker Rocky Elsom to join them in the coming weeks after his commitment with rhe Wallabies cease after the New Zealand clash. Elsom will add considerable venom to an already imposing side.
In other matches Ospreys are likely to have too much firepower for Connacht. A potential early clash that could determine the quality of both sides is Edinburgh and Munster. Munster have been a traditional heavyweight and Edinburgh could be a big performer this year.
We will soon get a clearer idea in the coming weeks of who are the pretenders and who will challenge for end of season glory. The Ruck and Maul will cover the results after the matches on the weekend. I have bolded the teams I believe will win.
Who do you rhink will win the Magners League?
Friday 5th September
Connacht vs Ospreys
Edinburgh vs Munster
Newport-Gwent Dragons vs Glasgow
Ulster vs Llanelli Scarlets
Saturday 6th September
Cardiff Blues vs Leinster
Magners League
The Magners League kicks off on Friday 5th September with Connacht vs Ospreys, Edinburgh vs Munster, Newport-Gwent Dragons vs Glasgow, Ulster v Llanelli Scarlets and on Saturday 6th September the Cardiff Blues vs Leinster.
The clash between the Cardiff Blues and Leinster will be an interesting clash with the two form sides from last year looking to get the edge over each other.
Here at The Ruck and Maul we will provide a summary each week of results and any key news from the clubs. If you would like to contribute any news ot information or interested in providing a summary of your favourite team leave a comment on this page or email me at wes@theruckandmaul.com.
Elsom to be released after Tri-Nations
Rocky Elsom the Wallabies flanker will be released by the ARU after the Tri-Nations series to play for Leinster on a three month contract under compassionate grounds.
Elsom, 25, has had a stellar last two years for the Waratahs and the Wallabies, consistently being one of the teams best performers. Elsom has departed under compassionate grounds, the exact nature of his departure has not been disclosed for privacy reasons. The concern by the ARU was that if they did not release him then he may have been lost from the Australian Rugby for good. It is hoped Elsom will be back for the 2009 international rugby season.
While this is a loss for Australian Rugby is could also be a positive as it will unearth some additional stars who have been coming through the ranks during 2008.