MUNSTER AND LEINSTER won their fixtures against Welsh opposition, but Ulster and Connacht lost in their RaboDirect Pro12 clashes this weekend.
Here are five of the talking points that have arisen from the weekend’s action. Feel free to leave a comment with your views on each subject.
1. Connacht are struggling for consistency in performance
It’s clearly too early to make a judgment on Pat Lam’s impact as coach for the Western province, but they are bottom of the Pro12 after suffering their second narrow loss in a row. Connacht have ambitions to be the leading province in the country and while that is a long-term project, they need to improve results immediately.
The November break provides them with a chance to refocus and burst into life at the end of the month when they resume against the Scarlets in Galway on the 23rd. Whatever about getting wins, if they can perform well consistently, the results will follow.
2. Is the standard of refereeing in the Pro12 sufficient?
The performances of the officials in Leinster and Munster’s wins came under great scrutiny post match. This is not the first weekend that has happened in the league. While discontent at referees is a consistent and largely unwelcome aspect of professional sport, there may be something more to it in the Pro12.
Zane Kirchner did well for Leinster against the Dragons although there were concerns over the refereeing performance at Rodney Parade. ©INPHO/Gareth Everett.
Match officials, just like players, make mistakes but when their performances affect the flow of the game they're in charge of, it becomes a problem. There have been several games this season where the players involved clearly haven't understood what the referee wants from them. Better communication is needed.
3. International rugby took the focus away
Connacht played out their loss to Glasgow in front of just 4,185 loyal supports, while Thomond Park looked sparsely populated as Munster beat the Ospreys. The poor weather across Ireland certainly didn't help, and credit must go to those who braved the elements.
However, it was disappointing that the provinces failed to pull in their normal level of support. On a weekend when the majority of the big name players were focused on their international hopes, it seems that the Pro12 also took a back seat in the thoughts of many rugby fans. If the league is to continue its growth of recent years, full houses are a must.
4. Ruan Pienaar is human after all
Ulster drop out of the top four after defeat away to the Scarlets, but they will be disappointed not to have at least come away with a losing bonus point. Pienaar, starting at out-half in the absence of Paddy Jackson, missed a penalty from in front of the posts, wasting the chance to earn that point for Mark Anscombe's side.
Pienaar's majestic performances in the recent Heineken Cup wins over Leicester and Montpellier made the miss all the more glaring, but if anyone has earned an off day for Ulster, it's the former World Cup winner. He will bounce back from an uncharacteristic error.
5. Leinster's supporting cast also know how to win
Matt O'Connor's men recorded their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 23-19 win over the Dragons in Wales and once again showed that they can 'win ugly'. The Heineken Cup victories over the Ospreys and Castres, with their star names in situ were far from thrilling, and it seems the back-up players can do a similar job; winning games without fireworks in attack.
It has been encouraging the see the Dragons improve so much this season, and they played well again on Friday night. However, men like Rhys Ruddock, Noel Reid and Aaron Dundon played important roles as the champions hung on to move into fourth position in the Pro12.
What stood out for you in this weekend's Pro12 action?
