An enthralling weekend of URC quarter-finals saw underdogs Connacht eek out a huge win away at Ulster, Munster weather an early storm before getting revenge on Glasgow, and Leinster follow the script with an easy win over the Sharks.
Following on from Friday's article, where we wrote about the Irish players who are vying for World Cup squad places, we have recapped their performances and looked at who has enhanced their reputation and who has not.
Who's Hot
Harry Byrne
Byrne's mini redemption tour continues after playing a key role much of Leinster's good play during their comfortable 35-5 win over the Sharks yesterday.
He more than did enough to warrant a start against Munster next week, and will hopefully keep the jersey for the final if Leinster win.
This will be key to his World Cup hopes, as he looks to get back into Ireland squad contention.
Bonus points for shifting to centre when his brother came off the bench.
A quickfire double for Leinster as Michael Milne barges over before Jordan Larmour finishes off a great team move moments later. #LEIvSHA
📺 Live on RTÉ2
💻 https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📱 https://t.co/nOLwmRJjTv pic.twitter.com/2LGkOTuffw— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) May 6, 2023
Jack Crowley
Crowley and Byrne look like they will be in direct competition for that third out-half spot in Ireland's World Cup squad.
Given Byrne's recent resurgence of game time and form, a good showing from Crowley was needed after being outshone by replacement Ben Healy in recent matches.
And a good showing is what he delivered, guiding Munster to a 14 point lead before Healy came on to see the game out.
Showed his versatility once more by shifting to centre after the introduction of Healy.
6 May 2023; Jack Crowley of Munster scores a conversion during the URC Quarter-Final match between Glasgow Warriors and Munster at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo by Paul Devlin/Sportsfile
Cian Prendergast
Another all-action game from one of Connacht's best as he looks to cement his case for World Cup inclusion.
Connacht's pack dominated Ulster for large parts of the game, and were let down at times by their backs after giving them an excellent platform to work off of.
Prendergast also continues to look good in the relatively unfamiliar position of number eight.
Cian Prendergast has been working his ass off all half for Connacht.
Great decision to kick-chase from the 8 here and help win the turnover from an originally isolated position.#ULSvCON #URC pic.twitter.com/L2ySN8aOH4— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) May 5, 2023
Who's Not
Nick Timoney
Didn't have close to the impact of Man of the Match Shamus Hurley-Langton, whose performance played a massive role in Connacht's underdog win.
Now looks to be third in the race, behind Prendergast and Gavin Coombes, for one, maybe two, spare back-row slots in the WC squad.
With Ulster's season over, he will have to pray for a call-up from Andy Farrell to the warm up games, and show why he was valued so highly pre-Six Nations.
5 May 2023; Irish rugby : Nick Timoney of Ulster is tackled by Bundee Aki and Tom Farrell of Connacht during the URC Quarter-Final match between Ulster and Connacht at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Michael Milne
Milne has a shot at being a bolter for the World Cup squad, given his recent form and the fact that he was called up to Ireland during the Six Nations.
However, despite looking good in the loose and chipping in with a try, he was on the wrong end of a demolishing in the scrum from the Sharks, and was folded on a number of occasions by Thomas du Toit.
His rival, Jeremy Loughman, looked good once again for Munster and cemented his place in pole position for that third World Cup loose head slot.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Glasgow Player Sent Off For A Disgraceful Tackle On Munster's Conor Murray
