Connacht again overcome adversity

The Interprovincial title has been safely tucked away by Munster yet again with one series of matches still to be played. For Leinster and Ulster there is still a great deal at stake - automatic qualification for Europe next season, a status the Munster side has, of course, claimed by finishing top of the table for a third successive year.

It has, too, been a good interprovincial series, with increased attendances in Galway, great crowds at Ravenhill and in Munster, if less so at Donnybrook. Leinster's performances, making due allowance for injuries, have at times appeared to lack the essential spirit and will we have seen from the other provinces. Some Leinster selections have also been difficult to fathom, to say the least.

Forecasts of the imminent decline of the game in the west into the backwaters after the controversy last season about contracts and funding, have happily not come to pass. Connacht had their own special difficulties in relation to contracts and other issues, some of their own making. Now there seems much more stability about the scene and greater confidence within the province. .

Connacht gave Leinster a very stern examination at Donnybrook, and gave Munster another in Galway the weekend before last. Then last Saturday came the victory over Leinster. The new coach Steph Nell has had a very encouraging start to his tenure of office and the indications are that, in him, the Connacht branch and the IRFU have found a good rugby man and a realist with the right credentials and perspective. They are extremely pleased with him in the west and have every reason to be so.

But the senior interprovincials apart, there was another result of immense significance for the game in the west last weekend. That was the victory by the Connacht under-21 team over Leinster. It was a result to concentrate minds in Leinster. The win was especially praiseworthy as the Connacht team was deprived of two players who were eligible but were required for the senior side while a third, Ger Brady, was injured. There was another element, too - over half the Leinster team were members of the IRFU Academy. In contrast not even one Connacht player has that status.

This weekend sees the start of the European adventure for all four provinces. It is an exciting and enticing prospect.

European rugby has been very good for Ireland, and I have no doubt has helped raise the standard at representative level here. That was reflected in the manner in which the Ireland team came back last season after the huge disappointments of the World Cup and the Twickenham debacle. Ulster's great win two years ago lifted the country and who will ever forget Munster's odyssey last season - a winner and runner-up in the space of two seasons. Munster's European experience was a key factor in the reconstruction of the Ireland team, It should be another big day at Thomond Park tomorrow when Munster will be at home to Newport, an historic pairing. The first match between an Irish province and a Welsh club took place between Newport and Munster over 120 year ago when Munster became the first province to travel "abroad" and undertook a three-trip tour to Wales. Newport won that match back in the 19th century.

Castres, to whom Munster lost in very controversial circumstances in the inaugural European Cup in France, and Bath make up the group.

A win tonight in Edinburgh would be a huge lift for Leinster who also have the defending champions Northampton and Biarritz to contend with. The talent is in the Leinster side to make a real impact - it must be harnessed to a strong spiritual element.

Ulster, like Munster, have the advantage of starting the campaign at home against Cardiff and are in a very tough group with Saracens and Toulouse, both of whom were defeated last season by Munster. Let us remember Ulster beat Toulouse twice in the cup two years ago at the group and quarterfinal stages.

Connacht's win last weekend should lift confidence for the visit of Beziers to Galway tomorrow in the Shield. Home wins are of vital importance in Europe. An away win by Leinster would be an excellent start. The Irish provinces have no reason to fear their fate in Europe.