Friday may have been almost as ridiculous as last weekend, but it left me with the sentiment that these close games just couldn't keep happening. Surely at some point there will be a series of games with little tension, a fair bit of one-way traffic and no last minute drama. Surely?
Biarritz and Saracens started the ball rolling in South West France, where the clubs' figureheads (Wray and Blanco) sat in adjoining seats. They weren't supposed to be doing, but Serge is a big boy.... Hard to believe whenever I see him that this was the guy who consistently illuminated European rugby during the amateur era. He is one player I would loved to have seen in the Heineken Cup, deprived as we were of him in the UK outside of International matches. After a 95 point thriller the night before, this took us to the other extreme, with no points in an attritional first half. Balanced on a knife edge at 5-3 to Biarritz after Harinordoquy's try (offside?), Farrell hit the post with a penalty, and Biarritz didn't look back. Peyrelongue injected direction and kicking ability (how Yachvili was missed for both those reasons) and they stretched to a 15-3 lead, before Saracens had the last say, scoring a converted try in the last minute (when else) to claim a vital bonus point in a tight group.
Why is it a tight group? Because the Ospreys spoiled the Welsh clubs' 100% record in Italy. Treviso, fresh from a heavy defeat against Saracens the week before, proved that at home they will not be pushovers. Indeed, only a strong late showing by the Ospreys allowed them to come back and take a point in a 26-26 draw. 2 weeks of the tournament and the second draw....
Next up the all English battle between Gloucester, so strong at home, and Harlequins, so strong everywhere. Having been beaten at home in the Premier League by Saracens, Gloucester had a point to prove to the Kingsholm faithful, but were sadly lacking a killer instinct despite periods of prolonged ppossession. They looked a shadow of the side that pushed Toulouse close last week in France. Harlequins kicked on from their sketchy performance against Connacht in the tournament opener and strolled to a 28-9 win, silencing the vociferous Shed along the way.
At the same time, in Toulouse, Castres were hosting former Champions Munster at their local rivals' ground due to a higher capacity. I must confess to not having seen the first hour of this, only turning over when the result had been decided in the Gloucester vs Quins game, but Castres started extremely well and took a deserved lead into the last quarter by all accounts. Munster, as unbiased Mr Wallace had told us at least twenty times in a sycophantic Sky build-up, never know when they're beaten, and they turned the heat on in the last 15, closing the gap to 24-24 as the clock ticked round. Deja-vu? I said to anyone who was listening that this was set up for an O'Gara last minute drop goal.... Guess what. 40m out, straight in front, O'Gara's trusty right boot sent the ball flying over. Consecutive get out of jail free cards used by Munster as the ridiculous nature of the tournament continued.
Last up, Connacht hosted Toulouse in their first home game. They could have asked for an easier baptism than to welcome the most successful side in European history, and they were soon 3-0 down as Beauxis's boot weighed heavy. They were never at the races really from that point on, and 3 Toulouse tries to 1 from the Irish, along with the boot of Beauxis, saw Toulouse to a straightforward 36-10 win.
At the same time, Leicester were hosting Ulster in a nervy affair, which saw the boots of Ian Humphries and Toby Flood cancel each other out from long distance in a first half which ended 9-9. Leicester, without a home win this season in the League and in Europe, were grateful to Ben Youngs for the impetus required to set them on their way. He returned from injury from the bench, to provide the spark that freed Flood, whose grubber kick was pounced on by Smith for the only try of the game. Flood added 2 penalties either side of that try and the final score of 20-9 slightly flattered Leicester.
So another great day of rugby. The champions just don't seem to know when they are beaten, and the bonus point system really does make otherwise dead games keep their intensity till the final whistle. With 2 more games to come this weekend (Leinster and Glasgow battle it out in Dublin and Bath receive Montpellier) I am sure there are more thrills to come, but for the moment, this European Cup is poised superbly.
Welsh and Scottish sides are rampant thus far, with big name sides (mainly English) struggling to live up to their reputations. Northampton are the biggest losers thus far, but Gloucester would have expected something from today's game, Munster are struggling but stumbling over the line and Leicester have a 100% record without really convincing. It all bodes well for the double headers which approach before Christmas, which include a mouth-watering Leicester vs Clermont, Toulouse vs Harlequins, Munster vs Scarlets, Saracens vs Ospreys, Leinster vs Bath and Cardiff vs Edinburgh. I will be in Paris for both of those weekends.... not much sightseeing will be done, of that I am certain.
Back tomorrow with a quick report on Sunday's double and a look at the stats.
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