Tony Ward is predicting a contrasting weekend of action for the Irish provinces involved in the Champions Cup.
The former Ireland international says he is eagerly looking forward to the weekend's fixtures, and is backing Munster and Leinster to see off Premiership opposition, adding that Connacht and Ulster may well struggle in their respective outings.
Three-time European champions Leinster travel to Franklin’s Gardens tonight, the scene of their scintillating 40-7 win just three years ago, and Ward feels they have enough to see off a team still reeling from their 34-point battering at the hands of Castres last time out in the competition.
“This is a huge ask of them, but you look at the Leinster pack...You talk about winning on the road and it’s effectively the Irish pack with Seán Cronin for Rory Best and take out Hayden Triggs,” he told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme.
“I think they are capable of going to Franklin's Gardens against a hugely powerful Northampton side. They did have a game last week, the England players, that we didn’t have, so we’re rested.
“I think Leinster are in with a real shot here. I think they can do it.”
On Saturday afternoon, Ulster welcome French giants Clermont Auvergne to the Kingspan Stadium. Director of Rugby Less Kiss will need little reminding that Wesley Fofana tops the Champions Cup statistics in terms of defenders beaten (15) and is second on the list of clean breaks (seven).
The RTÉ rugby analyst is expecting a difficult day at the office for the home side.
“They [Ulster] had to win in the Pro12 last week against Cardiff and they succeeded, but this is a much bigger ask even though they are at home.
“It’s a huge ask for Ulster against a star-studded Clermont side. I think Clermont will have too much class and they are focused on it.
"They want to win this, they have lost two of the last four finals.”
The Tigers did the double over Munster last season
The meeting of Munster and Leicester at Thomond Park conjures up memories of one of the longest European rivalries.
"Munster have got to win this game if they harbour ambitions of going further"
Richard Cockerill’s side have already won twice at the Limerick venue and will be buoyed by their win over Racing 92 in October, not to mention their double success over the two-time European champions last season.
Ward believes the game “has the makings of a hum-dinger”.
“You look at Munster and the run they are on at the moment, they have won six on the bounce," he said. “I think they have got to win this game if they harbour ambitions of going further.
“It’s going to be a jam-packed Thomond Park, incredible atmosphere and I do think they can do it.”
Connacht take on Wasps on Sunday afternoon after a “traumatic” week according to Ward in which it was announced that head coach Pat Lam will leave his post at the end of the season.
“I think this is the most difficult fixture of the weekend,” Ward told listeners.
“Connacht on the road to Coventry was always going to be a massive ask. Certainly what has happened this week hasn’t helped. From a purely human point of view it has to impact on the coach himself and the players.”
Ward feels the players need to show their resilience to at least claim a bonus point against a side currently in second position in the Aviva Premiership.
“I look at Wasps and they really excite me at the moment. They are up there alongside Saracens.
“I think Wasps will win, but what Connacht have to go after is like Munster in the days of yore when they always managed to eke out that losing bonus point.
“I think they will be happy if they come away with that to the Sportsground in seven days time.”
Listen to live Champions Cup commentary this weekend: Northampton v Leinster, Friday 1945 on 2fm's Game On, and Wasps v Connacht, RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport, from 1300 on LW252 and DAB.
