In a busy weekend of sport we will be following all the Irish provinces in Europe and keeping track of events across the water at 3pm on Saturday in the Premier League.
First up is Connacht who face a potential backlash against French outfit Biarritz at 8pm today. Let's hope the boys from the west can do us proud and come away from France with something. Shaun Cronin will be following events from the Parc des Sports Aguilera.
At 3pm on Saturday, we will be covering Sunderland's visit to Old Trafford as Martin O'Neill's men try to kick-start their season at the home of the table-toppers. Ciaran Cronin will be glued to the game there and we will also have goalflashes and news from the other 3pm kick-offs.
Leinster have the pleasure of hosting Clermont Auvergne at the Aviva at 3.40pm and our own Ian cusack will keep you posted on that game as well as Ulster's Pool 4 clash with Northampton Saints in Ravenhill at 6pm.
Sunday sees Munster travel to Vicarage Road for their second game against Saracens. Rob Penney will be hoping for at least a losing bonus point, but why stop there? Go for the win lads!
Hello and welcome to our live blog as Biarritz welcome Connacht to the Parc des Sports Aguiléra in Pool 3 of the Heineken Cup.
The big news coming out of Connacht this week of course is the impending transfer of Mike McCarthy from Connacht to Leinster and the allegations from Connacht that Leinster are persistently targeting their players. Which seems unfortunately to have completely overshadowed their magnificent win over tonight’s opponents in the Sportsground last week.
The rain is lashing in France and there is some standing water on the pitch so we could see a war of attrition here tonight.
What do you make of McCarthy’s move to Leinster? As always we welcoming your comments and questions so feel free to join in!
Here is the Connacht team for tonight: Connacht (v. Biarritz): R Henshaw; T O’Halloran, D Poolman, D McSharry, F Vainikolo; D Parks (capt), K Marmion; B Wilkinson, J Harris-Wright, R Loughney, M Kearney, M McCarthy; A Browne, J O’Connor, E McKeon.
Replacements: E Reynecke, D Buckley, N White, D Qualter, G Naoupu, P O’Donohoe, M Nikora, M Jarvis.
Johnny O'Connor replaces Willie Faloon in the back row in the only change to the side that won last week.
Eric Elwood says in his Sky interview that Mike McCarthy himself was very open and honest about his move with the squad and Elwood himself.
Connacht on the way out, there is a serious amount of rain falling. We might night see a whole lot of back play tonight. Kicking game might decide this.
0' We are underway and Connacht clear the kick to touch.
1' Penalty early to Biarritz in midfield, Wilkinson not rolling away. The French kick it up the line. From the line Biarritz have won another penalty closer to goals. O'Connor knocking the ball out of the fly half's hands.
Score update: Biarritz 3 Connacht 0. Yachvili pen 3'.
3' After a bit of handbags, it was an easy task for Yachvili to knock the penalty over.
6' Connacht feeling it a bit in the scrums due to the bigger Biarritz pack, conditions really are dire.
7' Connacht fans in fine voice here as there doesn't seem to much of a home crowd. Singing there is only one Mike McCarthy interestingly enough.
8' Connacht slack giving away a penalty for being in front of the kick. Traille pins the men for the west deep inside their own half.
11' Penalty to Biarritz as Kearney was not releasing but Biarritz keep the ball moving and get Ngwenya over in the corner. It looked for all the world to be a try but the ref went to the TMO and incredibly he kept the ball off the ground as he slid over. Connacht get away with. No try.
13' Brilliant defence by Connacht to hold the Biarritz out again. Lund went over but 5 Connacht men held him up. They are under unreal pressure at the scrum though.
15' Brilliant work but Connacht to wheel the scrum and win one of their own. Good chance to clear the lines.
16' Big mistake by Balshaw as he is judged to have gone into touch collecting the clearance. Harsh call on the English man.
19' Parks cleaned out of it after kicking the ball but the ref takes no action, looked for all the world to be a penalty.
21' Nice move by Connacht to move it wide but noting comes of it.
23' Great take by Henshaw to take the ball out of the air with 3 Biarritz coming at him.
27' Connacht have been brilliant it has to be said. Soaking up everything thrown at them the moment.
I have to argee with the last tweet. Pitch is dangerous for me and they are lucky its a dogfight because if it was more open someone could get seriously hurt.
Score update: Biarritz 10 Connacht 0. TRY! Balshaw 30, Yachvili con 31'.
30' Great work at the scrum by Biarritz, Parks sold himself and Barraque danced round two Connacht men to slip in Balshaw who surfed the last 7 or 8 yards to score in the corner.
37' Penalty missed by Yachvili after he was taking out off the ball by McKeon.
Heineken Cup Score Update Half Time: Biarritz 10 Connacht 0.
As you can see above the players a fighting a losing battle here.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Hello and welcome to our live blog as Biarritz welcome Connacht to the Parc des Sports Aguiléra in Pool 3 of the Heineken Cup.
@MrAndrewCotter I liked that question to Mr Elwood - How do Connacht deal with people coming and going..ok just going? #Connachtby Ropey_Ro via twitter 12/14/2012 7:56:19 PM
Alan Quinlan suggesting that the #Connacht match might not see out the 80 minutes. There is a serious amount of water on the pitch. #HCupby ciantracey1 via twitter 12/14/2012 7:56:33 PM
Connacht +14 - even money. Get on it, the pitch is a great leveller #rugby #connachtby sarahlennon08 via twitter 12/14/2012 7:56:46 PM
johnny o conor is going to love this weather #Connachtby coacheygalway via twitter 12/14/2012 8:00:16 PM
Don’t think I’ve seen J2 games played on pitches as bad as this! Someone going to get hurt if they build up speed! #HeinekenCup #Connachtby mazhug via twitter 12/14/2012 8:28:39 PM
If you reach the 22 line at speed then you could slide in for 5 points! #biarritz #connachtby Nile100 via twitter 12/14/2012 8:28:43 PM
Seriously that pitch looks like a swimming pool #Connachtby Ruaidhri_M via twitter 12/14/2012 8:29:46 PM
In fairness to both teams, that's very good play given the horrendous conditions #Connachtby Demented Mole via twitter 12/14/2012 8:32:57 PM
Anyone watching the farcical rain drenched #Biarritz v #Connacht game? Both shirts look the same, anyone's game #lottery. Refs nightmareby davidplatt001 via twitter 12/14/2012 8:33:01 PM
Good old game of wet and muddy #RugbyUnion watching now #SkySports #Biarrits vs #Connachtby ArdGT23 via twitter 12/14/2012 8:33:13 PM
That pitch is not playable. Its dangerous. Hope the lad at the bottom of the ruck has a snorkle. #connachtby paddyh25 via twitter 12/14/2012 8:33:16 PM
