| Casey Continues to Impress By
Larry Cooney
London Irish V Agen Pool 2 Sunday, Madejski Stadium, 3pm.
Hailed by many Premiership managers as one of the best in his position
London Irish lock Bob Casey continues to be overlooked by the Ireland team
management.
This Sunday the burly second-row forward gets another opportunity to
pit his ability against European opposition and there is every likelihood
he will again emerge with further credit and even further justification
for a place in Eddie O’Sullivan’s international squad for the Six Nations
next February.
Since his arrival at Sunbury four seasons ago Casey has successfully
re-invented a playing career that had been hampered by injury and two minor
knee operations. Having been capped by Warren Gatland for Ireland when he
made his debut against Australia in the 1999 World Cup and also a Six Nations
game against England at Twickenham early in 2000 it looked as if Casey for
set for a long international career.
But a heavy 50-18 defeat that day not only spelt the end of Gatland’s
Ireland reign but also ended Casey’s international career after only five
caps. The Maynooth man therefore had little chance to impress and his career
at provincial level for Leinster also suffered with the result that he chose
to make a clean break and move to London Irish in 2002.
He said: “Overall the move has been great for my game. I was selected
on the Zurich Premiership team of the year last season and this season I
have picked up where I left off. The new coaching team with Brian Smith
and Toby Booth has also made an immediate impact so far this season.”
Casey’s omission from the recent Autumn international squad particularly
in the absence of both Paul O’Connell and Malcolm O’Kelly after the opening
game against the All Blacks, raised the old out of sight out of mind accusation
towards the Irish selectors from Brian Smith.
Smith’s view is based on the fact that for all Casey’s recent outstanding
form he still remains only eighth in the pecking order including former
Dublin University and Munster lock Trevor Hogan who has far less experience
than Casey.
This Sunday London Irish entertain Agen hoping to complete a second victory
over a French side.
Casey was one of the heroes of the Exiles impressive 20-13 victory on
October 22 in Pau and also the 64-0 rout of Parma in the second round at
the Madejski Stadium a week later.
Agen also had an easy 50-23 victory in Italy and while Sunday’s encounter
may well be close for much of the game the Exiles should prevail.
Verdict: Home win.
Heineken Cup Round 3
Ulster V Saracens, Pool 4 Friday Ravenhill. 7.30pm
Table-topping Ulster will be boosted by the return of their internationals
unscathed from the autumn internationals.
Confidence will be high following the performances of Rory Best and Andrew
Trimble at test level.
They host Saracens at a sell-out Ravenhill. Saracens have been in good
form this season and with the likes of former England international Kyran
Bracken in their team along with Ireland hooker Shane Byrne they must always
be taken seriously. Another victory for Ulster looks on the cards.
Verdict: Home win.
Dragons V Munster, Pool 1 Saturday Rodney Parade. 1pm
Munster are without long-term injury absentees Paul O’Connell, Frankie
Sheehan, Christian Cullen and Alan Quinlan but otherwise have a fully-fit
squad.
The Dragons Welsh international players have returned unscathed and are
all available. It has been an up-and-down season for Munster and Declan
Kidney must be hoping his side become more consistent. Assuming Ronan O’Gara
and Peter Stringer are back in top form they should have enough to secure
a victory.
Verdict: Away win.
Leinster V Bourgoin, Pool 5 Saturday. RDS. 5.15pm
Bourgoin have been something of a surprise package this year. They defeated
Bath in their first game and currently lie third in the French championship.
Bourgoin are a typical French side built on a strong pack. Unfortunately
they are untypically French in their determination particularly away from
home.
Leinster coach Mike Cheika has only Malcolm O’Kelly as a fresh injury
concern as they seek to cement a recent upturn in form against a solid if
unspectacular outfit.
Verdict: Home win
Llanelli V Wasps, Pool 6 Sunday. Stradey Park. 1pm
Wasps are playing for their Heineken Cup survival against Llanelli. Despite
their impressive Premiership form Ian McGeehan’s team will have to win possibly
all their remaining games to make it to the quarter-finals.
A last-gasp home draw against holders Toulouse and shock opening round
defeat in Edinburgh has left Wasps struggling. Wasps can get back in contention
but Llanelli are a formidable side at Stradey Park. Could be the tie of
the round. Wasps should just do it.
Verdict: Away win.
European Challenge Cup Round 3
Worc’ter Warriors V Connacht, Pool 5 Saturday. Sixfields. 3pm
Tied on nine points each with a game to follow at the Sportsgound on
the following weekend this has the potential to be one of the matches of
the round.
Worcester got off to a great start against Montpelier but only had five
spare in Catania.
Connacht have also accounted for Montpelier in France and annihilated
the Italians 62-17 in October. Based on these two results, Connacht would
appear to have the edge but the Warriors have improved in form since then.
Verdict: Home win.
Rugby Fixtures...
Heineken Cup:
Pool 1
December 9: Castres Olympique v Sale Sharks 8.30pm.
December 10: Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster 1pm.
Pool 2
December 10: Rugby Calvisano v Cardiff Blues 2pm.
December 11: Leeds Tykes v Perpignan 2.30pm.
Pool 3
December 10: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Stade Francais Paris 4pm.
December 11: Leicester Tigers v Ospreys 3pm.
Pool 4
December 9: Ulster v Saracens 7.30pm.
December 11: Biarritz Olympique v Benetton Treviso 4pm.
Pool 5
December 10: Leinster v Bourgoin 5.15pm; Bath v Glasgow Warriors 2.15pm.
Pool 6
December 10: Edinburgh Rugby v Toulouse 4pm.
December 11: Llanelli Scarlets v London Wasps 1pm.
|
