The back to back rounds in European rugby have long been seen as the turning points of seasons and, as such, they have given us some of the most memorable moments in recent years. Facing into the all important rounds three and four, all the Irish provinces have difficult tasks in the next two weeks with Munster facing a gargantuan hurdle of Clermont, Leinster facing Conor O'Shea's Harlequins, Ulster needing maximum points against a feisty Scarlet's outfit while Connacht have the prospect of Bayonne and their All Black Joe Rokocoko.
Great Irish Victories
It's rare to have the chance for revenge over a team sosoon, which means these rounds are always highly anticipated and full of drama. Here at balls, we've looked at the 6 best previous back to back fixtures involving the Irish provinces. There are stunning upsets, last minute tries, vital losing bonus points and revenge missions galore.
Dramatic Last Gasp Tries - Ulster v Toulouse 2000/01
Two years after Ulster had to beat Toulouse twice before going on to be the first Irish winners of the Heineken Cup. The first clash was outstanding, with Ulster scoring two late tries to come back and record an outstanding 35-35 draw away. It wasn't to be for Ulster, as they'd ended up last in their pool following three subsequent defeats. Ulster were in a perfect position to win the return fixture in Ravenhill leading 25-15 with 5 minutes to go. The ultimate revenge for the previous week was served though, as two converted tries earned Toulouse the win in another closely fought contest 25-29.
Revenge In a Fiesty Affair - Munster v Castres 2004/05
This back to back game highlighted the dangers of underestimating French opposition. In the round previous, Munster had recorded a vital away win, while Castres's interest piqued after an away draw at Harlequins. Unfortunately for the red army, the first of the back to back games was away from Limerick. Castres played extremely well, and if it wasn't for O'Gara's four penalties and a losing bonus point, Munster may have been in trouble.
Castres scored an early try in the return leg at Thomond Park, and were leading until Anthony Foley barged over in the 23rd minute for Munster's first try. Castres regained the lead on the half hour mark with a penalty to make it 8-7, but ill discipline saw them lose a man to the bin. Munster took advantage, and tries for Leamy, O'Connell and Frankie Sheahan saw Munster prevail in a fiesty affair that featured a yellow and a red card for Castres, while O'Gara and O'Callaghan saw time in the bin for their indiscretions.
Munster Foil Clermont's Rise With More Last Minute Heroics - Munster v Clermont 2008/09
The last time Munster faced Clermont in the back to back rounds was in 2008. I most remember this back to back for the fight above. This was also the signal of Clermont's rise, while Munster were about to enter into a "transition" period. That happened in the return game at Thomond Park.
First, there was the impressive Clermont win in Stade Marcel Michelin. Marcus Horan had put Munster in front early on, but Brock James scored 25 points to give Clermont a comfortable lead. If it wasn't for a late Ronan O'Gara penalty, Munster would have come away with nothing.
Clermont signalled their intention by naming a strong side. Their passion and aggressiveness spilled over early with the incident in the video above. Despite this, they maneuvered themselves into a 13-11 lead, which they held until the 78th minute. Marcus Horan was Munster's hero as he was able to burrow over after good work from Lifeimi "Larry Murphy" Mafi. Niall Ronan scored in the last minute to take the losing bonus point away from the Frenchmen. Munster went on to win the group, but came up against a strong Biarritz side away in the quarter finals.
How Leinster became the Heineken Champions - Leinster v Clermont 2010/11
Leinster went into the first of these games without Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Fitzgerald or Rob Kearney just months after Brock James's meltdown in the tense one point quarterfinal win for Leinster. Eoin O'Malley was fantastic against Clermont, and Leinster went ahead thanks to Shaggy's try after four minutes. Julien Malzieu and Anthony Floch scored tries to give Clermont the advantage, and a courageous losing bonus point was nearly taken away from them, but Morgan Parra missed a penalty in the final minutes. In the return leg in Dublin, highlights above, Leinster bulldozed over Clermont, on their way to their second ever Heineken Cup victory.
O'Driscoll Magic Delights Leinster Before Northampton Comeback - Leinster v Northampton 2013/14
The video above explains it all. The first game was heaven for a Leinster fan, a hat trick for Luke Fitzgerald, scintillating rugby, and some magic from BOD himself. Northampton couldn't cope with the pace of Leinster's play as they streamrolled the future English champions.
The return fixture wasn't as easy. Northampton brought the intensity that was lacking from their game to the Aviva Stadium, and Leinster were left with nothing after Jamie Elliott's last minute coast to coast try.
A Great Connacht Victory Stuns Toulouse Into Thrashing - Toulouse v Connacht 2013/14
I was sitting in The Dail bar in Galway - the Connacht supporter's bar it turns out - for one of Connacht's great victories. Connacht were outstanding with fierce defense, and Dan Parks taking as many points from the game as possible. Kieran Marmion scored the winning try, that nearly got better as Robbie Henshaw had a coast to coast try ruled out for a forward pass, as Connacht hold on for 16-14 victory.
As is the case with big back to back games, Toulouse exacted revenge in the return fixture, putting 4 tries past Connacht, with Maxime Medard scoring twice as Toulouse put five past Connacht, who had dug as deep as they could the previous week. The final score ended up 38-9.
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