Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship brought more drama and talking points than ever. From Munster’s historic win in Dublin or Sharks’ continued underperformance, there’s plenty to get our teeth into!
Kelleher (6'), Penny (81')
Tries
Gleeson (16'), Farrell (23'), Coughlan (35'), Penalty Try (76')
Prendergast (7', 81')
Conversions
Crowley (17', 24', 36')
Penalties
Crowley (48')
Round 4 of the United Rugby Championship brought more drama and talking points than ever. From Munster’s historic win in Dublin or Sharks’ continued underperformance, there’s plenty to get our teeth into!
It's easy to forget Sam Prendergast made his Ireland debut less than a year ago, such is ubiquity of the Prendergast/Crowley debate. At this point, the argument has enveloped not just Irish media but pretty much the entire rugby world. Stop a random person on the street and you'll likely find they have a very strong opinion on the matter.
So, when the discarded player outperforms the incumbent so comprehensively, as was the case in Munster's famous win of Leinster on Saturday, things only get more heated. Crowley put on a masterclass in front of over 50,000 fans in Dublin with his kicking game in particular standing out.
Prendergast was perhaps no worse than most of his teammates as Leinster slumped to a third loss in 4 to start the season, but he was outshone in every facet by his great rival. Andy Farrell has already shown his hand by selecting 21 Leinster players in the Ireland November squad and just 4 Munster men. If he does not relent in his selection of Prendergast and things go wrong, the public will have very little sympathy indeed.
The Scarlets were, at times, excellent last season as they found an identity and gameplan that allowed them to compete with the league's best. It seemed Dwayne Peel had finally found a winning formula and the young Scarlets team full of home grown talent would kick on an solidify their place in the top half of the league this season.
3 games later they are rock bottom of the league with not even a bonus point to their name. Their performance as a team against the Lions (some individuals did play well) was as bad as it has ever been under this management team
Rather than kick on, this side has gone backwards alarmingly quickly. At times it was if the backline (the Scarlets' strongest area) had never met whilst the back 3 were dominated in the air to an almost embarrassing degree. The forward pack might be beset by an injury crisis, but the backs are not - there are no excuses.
Despite the bellyaching about a Friday night kick-off, a healthy crowd showed up to Rodney Parade to watch the East Wales derby. Each season brings hope the Dragons might be able to break their now 9 year hoodoo against their biggest rivals, and each season brings disappointment. That is, unless you are Cardiff, in which case 3 wins from 4 will do very nicely.
Cardiff managed the game somewhat comfortably with their tries all coming quite simply and easily. The Dragons had moments but ultimately this is a game that will be forgotten quickly - neither side showed much spark and the referee was ludicrously whistle happy, especially in the first half.
Ulster are good now! At least, we think so anyway. They comfortably outplayed the Sharks down in Durban for a well earned victory, playing some genuinely fantastic rugby along the way. They are actually the only team in the URC with maximum points - it's just they had a game called off meaning they are only fifth.
The Sharks? Well, just read any editorial about them from the last 2 years - nothing has changed. The team-sheet is good enough to be making the knockout rounds of the world cup, let alone winning URC games at home. Yet, the performances continue to elude them as effectively as Mike Lowry eludes tackles. Something has to change, surely?
Stormers are now top of the URC log with 4 wins from 4 having conceded just 4 tries in those 4 games (South Africans like the number 4, just ask them how many world cups they've won). Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu now has 6 tries in his last 4 games, which is remarkable for a fly-half.
It's still not vintage rugby but one thing they are absolutely getting right is their set peice. We are used to seeing SA teams dominate at scrum time, like the Stormers now do, but it's their maul that really impresses - it almost sprints to the line! Dobbson should also be credited for getting selection right and bringing in some younger players who are now repaying his faith. Top 4 looks very doable.
