Investec Champions Cup Round Three
- Munster v Saracens
(SATURDAY, 5:30pm, Thomond Park)
- Stade Rochelais v Leinster
(SUNDAY, 3:15 pm, Stade Marcel Déflandre)
Challenge Cup Round Three
- Connacht v Lyon
(SATURDAY, 8pm, Dexcom Sportsground)
Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman again start on the bench in a European match for Leinster as rumours of an IRFU block on the duo starting on the continent go on.
After all, this isn’t just any match. Ronan O’Gara’s Stade Rochelais meet the eastern province for the sixth season in succession, including twice in 2023/24.
After three head-to-head encounters with a converted try or less between the sides, Leinster ran riot in the Aviva Stadium as they cantered home 40-13 in last year’s quarter-final.
The French outfit looked leggy, understandably so after a round trip to South Africa and straight to Cork without touching down in the idyllic city on France’s west coast.
Although the structure of the competition has been altered yet again - controversially so - this encounter promises to be more like the 16-9 Leinster win in last season’s group phase.
O’Gara’s men are fresh off the back of a win over European Champions Toulouse, although a much-changed Toulouse side than the Antoine Dupont-inspired outfit that conquered Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup final.
That said, there could be an minor upset on the cards as they seek to avoid three defeats in a row to Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber’s men.
For Munster, it’s a similar case of a familiar foe as Ulsterman Mark McCall takes his Saracens’ side to Limerick.
Having inflicted much pain on Munster in the knockout stages of this competition in the past decade or so, Saracens have had an indifferent league campaign this season, crushed by Bath 68-10 during the Christmas period.
A bonus point Munster win, or a win by more than seven, would see them overtake the three-time champions in Pool 3.
Elsewhere, in the Challenge Cup, Connacht face thie toughest test to date as they aim to extend a 100 per cent record to three games.
Top 14 side Lyon are in Galway, as Ireland winger Mack Hansen serves the first game of a three-match ban.