Event of the Day: Leinster versus Wasps

Our event of the day is the European Champions Cup group stage fixture between Leinster and Wasps at the RDS Arena in Dublin. There is no better place to kick off the biggest club tournament in rugby union than at the home of the reigning champions and record equalling four-time winners. Leinster marched to the 2018 title, overcoming Racing 92 15-12 in a tightly fought final in Bilbao. Former England coach Stuart Lancaster is part of the Leinster coaching team, and has got the Irish side playing explosive, fast paced rugby which is fantastic on the eye. They are strong favourites to be crowned winners for a record fifth time this year. It will be interesting to see how they cope entering the tournament with big expectations on their shoulders this time around. 

Wasps face a daunting task travelling to the home of the defending champions. However with all the pressure on Leinster, they have nothing to lose. Unfortunately, Wasps are hampered by absentees, with captain Joe Launchbury still confined to the treatment table and Nathan Hughes suspended. They have a fairly good record against Leinster. The Coventry side have won four, lost four and drawn one of their last nine encounters with the reigning champions. It should be a fantastic occasion in Dublin as Europe’s finest begin their title defence.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Nations League fixture between Croatia and England in Rijeka. This is the first time the two sides have met since the hosts dumped the Three Lions out of the World Cup semi-finals over the summer. England will be hoping to avenge that crushing defeat today. Elsewhere in Europe, the first day of the European Darts Trophy gets underway in Göttingen in Germany. The British Masters golf continues on the European Tour, whilst the LPGA Tour can be found at the Sky 72 Golf Club in South Korea. Further sporting action in Asia comes from China, where the Rolex Shanghai Masters takes place on the ATP World Tour, and the Tianjin Open continues on the WTA World Tour. The second day of the 2018 Dubai Future Champions Festival gets underway at Newmarket Racecourse. It’s the first day of the Second Test between India and the West Indies at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with the hosts currently leading the series 1-0. The first game in the MLB playoff series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the LA Dodgers kicks off at Miller Park.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

Fixture

Photos by Wasps Rugby; Leinster Rugby

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