Zebre stun Ulster as returning Lions lift Munster
Zebre handed Ulster a shock first defeat of the Pro14 season to extend their winning run, while Munster were lifted by their returning Lions as they saw off Cardiff Blues.
Ulster's defeat means Glasgow Warriors are the only remaining unbeaten team this season, the Irish side going down to a spirited Zebre, who are making strides under former Edinburgh and Connacht boss Michael Bradley.
Zebre beat Southern Kings last week, running in six tries in a bonus-point hammering, but they showed a steelier side here, fighting back from 13-6 down at the break to win 27-23.
Giovanni Licata and Mattia Bellini touched down to turn around the half-time deficit, with Renato Giammarioli intercepting a Christian Lealiifano pass to go the length of the field as the Ulstermen were threatening a comeback of their own.
Though they picked up a losing bonus point, Ulster are third in Group B, behind Scarlets and Leinster.
Also in their pool, Dragons secured a second win of the campaign against the Kings, who remain without a point to their name in a miserable introduction to the league.
Munster had gone down to Glasgow last week, but they responded in style to ease by Cardiff 39-16.
British and Irish Lions Conor Murray, Peter O'Mahony and CJ Stander all made their first appearances of the campaign, with Murray scoring the game's first try in the 13th minute to put Munster on the board.
Josh Turnbull's try and a trio of Jarrod Evans penalty goals had the Blues 16-13 up at the break, but Munster ran in 26 unanswered points in the second half, taking advantage of Blues prop Taufa'ao Filise's yellow card to seize control.
John Ryan and JJ Hanrahan crossed as Munster had the man advantage, with Robin Copeland and a second for Hanrahan on his return to Thomond Park sealing the bonus point.
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My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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