And just like that the 2022 URC Christmas derby weekend comes to a close and what a weekend it was.

If there had been any doubt about derby clashes bringing out the best in teams, it was firmly laid to rest as the best of Ireland, South Africa, Wales, Scotland and Italy went toe-to-toe to establish their national pecking orders ahead of 2023.

First up in the Irish battles it was Connacht who hosted Ulster in one of the most bizarre games of the year that saw a frantic ending leaving everyone in the sports ground wondered just what had taken place.

Closing out the weekend was club rugby’s biggest rivalry played out an all-time classic this boxing day as Munster and Leinster did battle Infront of an electric crowd at Thomond Park.

In both instances the games were settled by less than a penalty goal further highlighting just how competitive all four provinces are once again this year.

This should come as no shock to anyone given Ireland’s standing as the number one ranked nation in the world. Based on this weekend’s action this position atop the pile of rugby nations looks unlikely to change any time soon.

Connacht vs Ulster

Galway’s famed sports ground is renowned for its unforgiving conditions that have seen many a world class kicker crumble as the might of the Atlantic Ocean unleashes its wrath on Ireland’s west coast.

This weekend’s clash whilst not the most treacherous of evenings remained a tricky one for the kickers as the wind swirled around the sports ground’s racetrack like a finely tuned greyhound.

How unfortunate it was for the home side that it would be a missed kick from captain Jack Carty that would ultimately see Connacht succumb to a 22 – 20 loss to a rather out of sorts Ulster side.

Whilst it was a gut punch to say the least for Connacht to not come away with the two points for the draw, there can be little arguments that they were by and large outplayed by their visitors.

Outside of a wild five-minute spell as time drew to a close where Connacht scored two tries, they simply weren’t at the races.

Ulster were dominant in defence as they time and again shut down a disjointed looking Connacht attack with relative ease before striking with a number of well taken scores of their own.

Rob Lyttle just made a B I G contribution in this match! 💪

Ulster lead by two going into the half. #BKTURC #URC | #CONvULS pic.twitter.com/dPCn9F4GuC

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 23, 2022

Such was Ulster’s superiority that with two minutes to play they led by 13 points only to see Connacht come rampaging back into the contest.

For sure Connacht deserve credit for their ambition to play till the final whistle and in the case of their second try beyond that but in truth the comeback was more of Ulster’s own doing.

In perhaps the most bizarre transformations of this season, the confident and brash Ulster side of the early season has given way to an unsure and at times timid team who are seemingly unsure on how to actually close out a game.

Ulster like so many other teams can stem their issues back to their latest clash with league leaders Leinster.

Leading by a commanding seventeen points and with Leinster a man down, Ulster stumbled and fumbled their way to a 38 – 29 loss.

Since then, it has been a calamity of errors as they failed to fire a shot in a 39 – 0 loss away to Sale Sharks before being beaten out of the gates by La Rochelle 36 – 29 in a score line that heavily flatters them.

Psychologically there is something amiss with this Ulster side at the moment, Director of Rugby Dan McFarland is a classy operator, and the Ulster squad does not lack for talent. Yet there appears to be somewhat of a soft underbelly that is exposed when put under pressure.

Certainly, this issue appears fixable, but time is ticking for Ulster to rectify their issues as they welcome an in-form Munster side to Ravenhill next week. Lose to Munster and they then face Benetton before returning to European action away to reigning champions La Rochelle.

For Connacht, this fixture once again highlighted their ineptitude in the attacking department as they looked absent of ideas on how to break down the Ulster defence.

Perhaps the issues can be linked back to the imminent departure of head coach Andy Friend at season’s end, following what has been a promising few season under the Australian.

Rather uncharacteristically for Connacht it seems as though there is a lack of buy-in which for a side lacking the depth in quality of their three provincial rivals is a major concern. 

Combine this with the basic errors of senior players such as Jack Carty who’s kicking failed him in this clash and the margin for error becomes non-exsistant.

Munster vs Leinster 

Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury II is perhaps the most apt comparison for this fixture. 

Munster being Wilder landed several quick blows and came agonisingly close to landing that killer blow on a number of occasions. 

Leinster the street-smart operator with the credit in the bank of several victories over their arch-rivals boxed smart, took their chances when they were on offer before ultimately finding that one shot that brought proceedings to a close. 

Any suggestion that this rivalry had lost its lustre due to the Leinster domination of the past fifteen years was truly dispelled in this weekend’s battle. 

Munster came locked and loaded whilst Leinster who despite making a number of changes was bursting at the seams with international talent. 

The quality of the two sides and their performances once again highlighted why this rivalry is up there with the best in the world. 

No inch was asked for and certainly none was given a fact that became evident from the first minute when the first scuffle broke out as Munster captain Peter O’Mahony was flipped over by Leinster’s Max Deegan. 

Whilst the incident itself was rather comical it set the tone for two sides desperate to claim bragging rights as the year draws to a close. 

For Munster whilst the 20 – 19 loss will be a tough pill to swallow, the emergence of their young stars as bonified studs is a significant development. 

Gavin Coombes gets the first try of the night! This is the flanker’s 27th try for @MunsterRugby and his 4th this season! 🤩#BKTURC | #MUNvLEI pic.twitter.com/6AVkj2ukXa

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 26, 2022

To a man the likes of Gavin Coombes, Jack Crowley and Antoine Frisch were sublime. The playmaking axis of Joey Carbery and Crowley began to show glimpses of what it can become as the Munster attacking shape gave the well-oiled Leinster defence a few headaches.

Frisch and Crowley in particular have plugged what was a real area of concern in the Munster midfield. Complementing each other beautifully, both players bring a physical edge with them whilst also possessing the subtle skills to bring the players around them into the game.

That statement of well-oiled is arguably the only way to describe this Leinster team who whilst under severe pressure from both the Munster players and supporters alike stayed true to their processes and ultimately got the job done. 

Leading the charge was captain Garry Ringrose who once again reminded Irish Rugby fans that he is indeed world class and arguably the best outside centre in the game today. His take from a rather innocuous Ross Byrne up and under was a snapshot example of his range of skills that most centres just do not possess.   

Fixtures like this further highlight that along with the clinical precision, Leinster too have a dogged edge to them that appears fuelled by the burning desire to win both their fifth Heineken Champions Cup and reclaim the United Rugby Championship which was ceded rather uncharacteristically last season to their new south African challengers. 

Again, this loss will sting Munster who as of yet have not proven they can turn the tide in this rivalry, but today’s performance brings hope that they are closer than they were at any point in the past decade.

Both sides will now gear up for two more URC fixtures before returning to Champions Cup action. On today’s evidence both sides look like genuine contenders for deep runs in both competitions with Leinster unlikely to be challenged by any sides outside of perhaps a handful of teams.

Written by Philip Bendon