Event of the Day: Munster v Racing 92

inpho_01211369.jpg

Our event of the day 


is the clash between Munster and French side Racing 92 at Thomond Park in the European Rugby Champions Cup. Munster – twice winners of the competition in 2006 and 2008 – have had a slight dip in form recently after losing to Leinster 23-17 in the Pro14 Irish derby, followed by a disappointing 17-17 draw in their opening Champions Cup game with Castres. Racing 92 have never won the competition but did make the final in 2016 where they were denied a domestic and European double by Saracens. With Munster looking to end an indifferent run of form and Racing aiming to build on their 22-18 victory over Leicester last time out, tonight should be an entertaining game of rugby. 

Dan_Carter_Racing_kicking_rdax_630x365_80.jpg

As is often the case with European rugby competition, tonight’s game has plenty of sub-plots. Many eyes will be on the Racing 92 dugout where Munster legend Ronan O’Gara will be on duty despite serving a 10-week touchline ban in the Top 14 after comments made about officials. O’Gara made over 200 appearances for Munster in his playing career and will relish the challenge of returning to his old club as part of the Paris-based outfit. Added to this is the emotional postponed encounter between the two sides last season, when Munster blew their opponents away only a matter of months after the death of their head coach Anthony Foley. The history between these two sides and the importance of the competition make for an enthralling evening.

Murray_1617_newARTICLE.jpg

Honourable mentions

around the globe go to the Cruiserweight quarter-final of the World Boxing Super Series as Murat Gassiev of Russia takes on Poland’s Krzysztof Wlodarczyk at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, USA. Gassiev is the current IBF champion and the pair have 54 knockouts between them. In the Premier League, Huddersfield Town host an English football superpower as Manchester United make the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium. The PGA Tour CJ Cup enters its third day at Nine Bridges while it’s qualifying in both the F1 US Grand Prix and Australian MotoGP. In the Brazilian Serie A, Vasco de Gama take on Coritiba at the Maracanã. It’s the penultimate day of the UEC European Track Championships in Berlin and there are twelve NHL fixtures including the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Amalie Arena. It is the third and final Bledisloe Cup game of the year as Australia host New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the All Blacks lead the series 2-0. In MLB it is Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, with the Houston Astros hosting the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park in Houston - the winner moves on to play the LA Dodgers in the World Series.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by European Rugby Championship

See what else is happening in the world of sport

Fixture calendar