Tony Ward is tipping Munster and Leinster to make it back-to-back wins over English opposition, but believes Ulster and Connacht may come a cropper in the Champions Cup this weekend.
Munster travel to Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers (KO 3.15pm, live coverage on RTÉ Radio One) in search of an eighth successive win in all competitions and boost their chances of progression to the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.
Richard Cockerill’s side will be looking to avenge their humbling 38-0 defeat at Thomond Park last weekend, but face a side sitting top of Pool One and also the Guinness Pro12.
Ward said last week’s comfortable win was a reminder of by-gone days for the two-time European champions.
“I though Leicester were very poor in Limerick,” he told RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme.
“Munster were outstanding, a flash-back to the old days in terms of intensity, in terms of pressurising the opposition.
“The rolling maul was back, they took their scoring opportunities, they kept the scoreboard ticking over, all those things we associate with Munster.
“That said, Leicester were shocking. I’ve no doubt they will come out with all guns blazing.”
The Tigers have just four points from their opening three ties, but Ward is expecting a difficult assignment for the visitors, though one he expects they will ultimately pass.
“I think qualification may be too much for Leicester, but pride is very much on the line and Munster have a really tough one, but I think they can do it.
“They way they are playing at the moment, if they approach it the same, this is still a winnable game.
"Munster for me.”
Leinster too will be hoping for back-to-back wins against English opposition when they host a Northampton side (KO 7.45pm, live coverage on RTÉ Radio One) looking to move off the bottom of Pool Four.
Leo Cullen’s side convincing win at Franklin’s Gardens last week was somewhat overshadowed by the dismissal of England captain Dylan Hartley and the RTÉ rugby analyst says that all is not well with the 2000 European champions.
“Northampton rugby is on the deck at the moment. I think morale is very poor at the club and that showed last week,” he said.
“It was a very good performance by Leinster and we all know the young talent they have coming through.
“I think Leinster rugby is in a very good place. There’s going to be a massive crowd there, a great atmosphere and I think Leinster are much too strong at this moment in time.”
Connacht, the only Irish side to fail to win in European action last weekend, will host a Wasps side (KO 5.30pm) three points clear in Pool Two and second in the Aviva Premiership.
Kurtley Beale was man-of-the-match in the 32-17 win at the Ricoh Arena in a game where Pat Lam’s side failed to capitalise on all their attacking opportunities.
Connacht made more metres, carries, clean breaks, passes and offloads than their opponents, but were undermined by a malfunctioning lineout on the day.
“I thought it was a really good performance,” Ward told listeners.
“I know they struggled in the lineout, but the scrum was really strong and they played their traditional game of holding onto the ball and making the opposition work...they really put it up to Wasps.
“They have got to take their points scoring opportunities. Jack Carty is a very promising fly-half, but he’s got to put those points scoring opportunities away.”
While Wasps were not at their best, he believes they will have ironed out their shortcomings and is backing them to leave Galway with the win.
“This is a class Wasps outfit, and along with Clermont, they are the two dark horses outside Saracens and Toulon
“I think Wasps are capable of a lot better than what we saw last week. I think they may produce it in the Sportsground.”
From an Irish perspective, Ulster will be the final team in action on Sunday (KO 3.05pm) when they face a daunting trip to the Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Clermont came off the wrong side of a nine-try thriller at the Kingspan Stadium, but crucially left Belfast with two losing bonus points.
Ward admitted he was “amazed” by the result, but paid tribute to the “fabulous rugby” played by both sides.
The former Ireland international says it could be along day for the visitors, but has urged them to again demonstrate their attacking intent if they are to take anything from the Pool Five encounter.
“I don’t think you can defend for 80 minutes against a team of this quality,” he said.
“I think Clermont will be a very different proposition over there and I think they will win the game.”
Listen to live coverage of Leicester v Munster (3.15pm) and Leinster v Northampton (7.45pm) in the Champions Cup on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport
