Leinster and Connacht set up a fantastic final!

 

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I went to the Leinster/Ulster match on Friday night, and got full value for money. It was exactly what you’d want from a semi-final – full blooded, lots of tries, and a game played in good spirit. I was sitting next to a large pocket of Ulster supporters, and they really added to the atmosphere – they easily won the singing contest, and there was plenty of banter. I think the key to Leinster’s win was the way they muscled up – Ulster made plenty of ground with their backs, but very little taking it up. They have a fantastic style of attack, with Paddy Jackson running at pace with a runner either side of him. And they seemed to find plenty of space at the edge of Leinster’s defence. Leinster were more efficient too, when they got into the 22 they normally came away with points. Ringrose, Sexton, Nacewa, and all the forwards had stand out matches. Bring on the final!

Then in the other match, Connacht were just superb, in Glasgow’ faces the whole match, giving them no space or time. If there was atmosphere at the Leinster match, there was atmosphere squared at the Connacht match, the noise was deafening and the passion of the crowd was second to none. Glasgow had an early set back with the loss of Finn Russell, but in truth they just couldn’t get going, Nakarawa, Strauss, Hogg, Grey, their normal game sparkers, were just shut out of the game. Bundee Aki was man of the match, and excellent value for that, but their pack was epic, and McGinty and Marmion pull the strings brilliant. It’s been a fairly tale rise for the Galwegians,  and now they’re in the final!

It was plain to see the pain for Ulster and Glasgow. The results just show that if you want to win the league, you have to finish top two.

Friday, May 20
Leinster 30 – 18 Ulster Royal Dublin Society, Dublin   
Saturday, May 21
Connacht 16 – 11 Glasgow Warriors Sportsground, Galwa

Glasgow and Leinster...

 

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So this is it, no more messing around, there’s two teams going man down, Brown, this weekend, so who’s it going to be?

First up is Munster’s trip to Glasgow. The Scots are heavily tipped to go all the way this year, while Munster have been a bit erratic these last few weeks.  If they play like they did in the second half v Toulon, they’ll win no problem, but if they play like they did last weekend, that’s the end of the season for them. Both have formidable starting line ups – although Stuart Hogg is notable by his absence. But it’s quite unusual to see Glasgow with more capped internationals on the bench than Munster, and I think that could tell in the second half when Munster start to tire. Home advantage is massive for Glasgow, I think Munster would have won at home, but his weekend I think the Scots will prevail.

On Saturday, Leinster get to lock horns with Ulster. After winning the HCup two years  (against Ulster), and last year winning the RaboDirect (also against Ulster) and the lesser spotted (but still worth having Amlin Cup), really this year the SweetEffAll season is looming. There will be goodbyes for Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen the next time they lose. Despite topping the Rabo table, Leinster have looked pretty ordinary for the last half of the season, which probably peaked with their away win at Northampton. Ulster have Rory Best and Ruan Pienaar back, which is a massive boost. I kind of think that Leinster will scrape though this one, while ref Leighton Hodges sweats and brandishes cards.

RaboDirect PRO12
Friday , May 16
Glasgow vs Munster 
Saturday , May 17
Leinster vs Ulster

Someone was saying Hail Mary's for Leinster...

On Friday night, Ulster swept into the final at the RDS putting the Scarlets away all too easily. They had them hammered by half time, and took their foot off the pedal in the last 20 minutes, letting the Scarlets gain a little bit of respect with a few scores. Their physicality is impressive, and they have enough touches of magic from players like Bowe and Payne to keep them threatening. I’m worried for Leinster…

Meanwhile, at the RDS, someone was saying Hail Mary’s for Leinster. Lots and lots of them. They played their get out of jail card to win a match they scarcely deserved to. Glasgow played all the rugby, and looked a lot more threatening throughout the match. They beat Leinster up at the break down, and we seemed to be standing off their big physical backline who could get up a head of steam and then do serious damage. Niko Matawalu was as dangerous as expected, and if Glasgow had just converted more of their chances, they would have won it pretty easily. Our defense was massive though, and Heaslip, and even more so IMO McLaughlin were just outstanding. Our locks aren’t physical enough at the moment. We’ll take it, but I don’t know how we’ll beat Ulster…

Elsewhere I caught a bit of the Tigers smothering Quin. Harlequins are a shadow of the team they used to be, not taking anything away from Leicester obviously. Then the Sainst kicked some arse, upsetting Saracens by beating them at their game, ie beating them up!

RaboDirect PRO12
Saturday , May 11
Leinster 17 - 15 Glasgow 
Friday , May 10
Ulster 28 - 17 Scarlets 

Heart care tips for Leinster fans

Here are few tips on looking after your heart – don’t smoke, exercise regularly,  watch what you eat, try some of yogurt health drink things, and here’s a little known fact – apples are really good for cholesterol.  But whatever you, don’t support Leinster because they will kill you stone dead. I thought they were going to beat Glasgow, they did beat Glasgow, but for about half an hour, they only had a 6 point lead, and they weren’t going anywhere. Then eventually, when they felt like it, they quit buggering around, scored a try, and put the game to bed – still letting Glasgow score two late trys though. I know it was a bit of a mixed up team, and I know we had our injuries (see section on heart care above) but still I expected more. I’m of course not giving  Glasgow the credit they deserve for taking the game to Leinster, and making it awkward for them as only Glasgow can. Anyway, job done at the end of the day, and into the final.

I hope they Leinster lads caught the Ospreys/Munster match, because they would have seen the form side this weekend smash Munster. I was impressed with the confidence and physicality of the Ospreys, and frankly amazed at the way Munster imploded- they missed Paul O’Connell unbelielably, not just for his play, but for his leadership too. The one player I thought stood out for Munster was Simon Zebo, whose head never dropped, and who worked his backside off all over the park. Rob Penney has big task on his hand, cutting out the deadwood, and re-instilling that winning way. Leinster v Ospreys it is.

Elsewhere, I saw Quins pip the Saints in the first semi – Conor O’Shea must have aged 10 years at the end there, and Tigers, with George Ford in impressive form, saw off the Saracens.

RaboDirect PRO12
Ospreys 45 - 10 Munster
Leinster 19 - 15 Glasgow
Aviva Premiership
Saturday , May 12
Harlequins 25 - 23 Northampton 
Leicester 24 - 15 Saracens

Is it going to be a semi exciting weekend, or an excitling semi weekend?

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It’s semi final time in the Pro 12 and the Premiership, with some season defining moments on the way.

Munster and the Ospreys get things going on Friday night at the Liberty Stadium. The Ospreys are a pretty formidable team – they have a great pack of forwards, and some talented backs to back them up , so to speak. They also have the Welsh grand slam momentum. Justin Tupuric is in doubt which is good news for Munster. Munster arrive without Paul O’Connell – It’s like the army arriving without their heavy artillery. What I’m hoping is that Munster take a few selection chances – leave DOC on the bench, go with younger players like Tommy O’Donnell, play a midfield that can create something ( and not put Earls there) , and that they stand up and fight! I’m going with the Ospreys with home advantage though.

On Saturday, Leinster will welcome Glasgow to the RDS. It’s been a great season for Glasgow, their form players of Grey, Hogg and Weir have given them a cutting egde. It’s been an awesome season for Leinster thus far. But, having said that, we’ve won nothing yet, and shouldn’t be taking anything for granted. The weather looks like it may suit a running game, which is where we want to keep it, and not get dragged down into an arm wrestle. This is Leinster’s to lose, they have all the assets, with Sexton, Kearney, Nacewa, Heaslip and Healy in the form of their lives, and will surely win unless they completely underestimate the Scots.

Across the water, Quins and Northampton are up first, with Quins’ flair coming up against the power game of the Saints. I think Harlequins day is coming and that home advantage will see them through.
Leicester Saracens is a real heavyweight bout. It’s likely to be a cross between rugby and combat. Sarries seem to have fallen off the pace a little, while the Tigers have timed their run to perfection, as usual. To me, the Tigers have more structure to their game, and will use their home advantage to set up a final against Quins.

RaboDirect PRO12
Friday , May 11
Ospreys vs Munster 19:35
Saturday , May 12
Aviva Premiership
Saturday , May 12
Harlequins vs Northampton 14:45
Leicester vs Saracens 17:30

This week - I'm going to get mathematical on your ass as I predict the final PRO 12 standings!

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It’s always great to see the PRO 12 starting, then the middle bit, especially in the 6N, is nothing to write home about, but it gets exciting again at the end. Leinster have top position wrapped up, but there is going to be an almighty bunfight to fill the other spots, with the Ospreys, Munster, Glasgow, Ulster and the Scarlets all in contention.

Ospreys, with the Dragons and Treviso to come, should bag 8-10 points, and nail down second spot with 69.

Munster have Scarlets and Ulster, the hardest set by far.  Based on recent form I think they’re going to lose at Parc y Scarlets to a very competitive Scarlets side , but beat Ulster, so that should give them, say 65.

Glasgow have Treviso and Connacht, which is their 10 points to lose, so they’ll finish on 67 I’d say.

Ulster have Leinster and Munster –equally as hard as Munster’s run in. Now, if I was the IRFU, I would call Leinster and Ulster in, get into a huddle, there would be losts of nods and winks afterwards, and Ulster would win. They will probably win anyway, as what’s the point of Leinster risking any injuries? I’ll give them 5 points so finish on 61.

BUT now I've seen the teams I'm going with a Leinster win. So no more wins for Ulster. Leinster have 5 internationals on the bench! Ulster to finish on 56.

Ulster: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Chris Henry, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Andi Kyriacou, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Robbie Diack, 21 Ian Porter, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Adam D'Arcy.

Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 David Kearney, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Fergus McFadden, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Sean O'Brien, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Brad Thorn, 4 Leo Cullen (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Nathan White, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Shane Jennings, 21 Isaac Boss, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fionn Carr.

Scarlets have Munster and the Blues to come. I’m backing them to pick up 9 points, and then finish on 64.
So my reckoning for the final standings is:

Leinster 78
Ospreys 69
Glasgow 67
Munster 65
Scarlets 64
Ulster 56
Good luck to all!

Current Pro 12 Standings   Leinster Rugby       73
   Ospreys                  62
   Munster Rugby       60
   Glasgow Warriors   57
   Ulster Rugby           56
   Scarlets                  55

RaboDirect PRO12 Friday , April 20
Ulster vs Leinster 19:05
Ospreys vs Newport-Gwent D'gons 19:05
Saturday , April 21
Connacht vs Aironi Rugby 17:00
Scarlets vs Munster 18:30
Sunday , April 22
Benetton Treviso vs Glasgow 14:05
Cardiff Blues vs Edinburgh 14:05
Sat 5 May 19:30  Edinburgh   v   Treviso Murrayfield
Sat 5 May 19:30  Warriors   v   Connacht Firhill Stadium
Sat 5 May 19:30  Munster   v   Ulster Thomond Park Stadium
Sat 5 May 19:30  Dragons   v   Leinster Rodney Parade
Sat 5 May 19:30  Scarlets   v   Blues Parc y Scarlets
Sat 5 May 20:30  Aironi   v   Ospreys Stadio Zaffanella

Munster, Ulster, Connacht riding high, Leinster riding low – full CSI investigation of the Murrayfield crime scene

Edinburgh 32 - 24 Leinster

Glasgow 29 - 43 Munster

Connacht 15 - 15 Ulster

Leinster don’t look like a team who won the Heineken cup just over two years ago at the moment. Leinster look like a team who won an out of date box of chocolates in a village fete two years ago. There are reasons (not excuses, mind) for why they are looking so bad so this isn’t going to be a full out flaying of the team. Just yet that is.

Reason no 1 - don’t bring a knife to a gun fight. Edinburgh were winless until this weekend, and picked their first team. What was the point of leaving Healy and Heaslip on the bench? They’ve been molly coddled enough by the IRFU, time to have a decent run of games and build up some form.

Reason no 2 – injuries. Leinster need a good back up fly half/ kicker in a hurry until Sexton sorts himself out. They are sadly lacking in the second row too. If Ali Williams is going spare they should sign him up ASAP.

Reason no3 – defense. Last minute fly half changes don’t help the defense. Also IRFU enforced abcences/chopping and changing/general buggering around don’t help. But we’re creeping from reason to excuse here, come on chaps, brush up on the tackling, what!

Reason No 4 Attack see reason 2 not enough fly half back up Isa is a legend but for whatever reason he’s not a fly half’s bottom. The rest of the guys need to settle – there is an embarrassment of riches in the backline, let’s stop kicking so much and see some razzmatazz.

Reason no 5 Edinburgh at home are always a bugger, and not to be ungracious they played really well.

All they have to do is beat the top team next week now and everything will be ok. Simple really.

To add salt to the wound, while Leinster were being royally skewered by Edinburgh, Munster had the temerity to notch up a good away win over the other Scots representatives, Glasgow. Show offs!

Ulster and Connacht rounded off the weekend at the showground with a hard fought draw. As far as Connacht have come a draw is still a result for them against the 'Man City' of the Magners League. Decent place kicking from out halves, lots of resolute defence and a good tight match.

Overall, it's looking pretty healthy for Ireland at the moment, just waiting for the boys in blue to come to the party.

The fable of the Magners League, and ultra quick review of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht

The Fable of the Magners League

There was once a rugby King who had three daughters. There was Princess Internationals, fabled for her outstanding beauty and Princess Heineken Cup also known as a looker. He had another daughter, Princess Magners League. Rich princes came from far and wide to try and win the hand of one of his daughters. Princess Internationals was spoken for, but there was intense competition for the hand of Princess Heineken Cup, whose beauty was said by many to rival that of the great southern princess, Princess Super 14 (although many in the south thought this was a load of cobblers). The King selected a suitor for Princess HK, making sure the prince was rich enough to support his daughter in the style she had become accustomed to , and as a sweetener promised the prince that Princess International would be lending her sparkly stars to Princess HK often as they improved her already outstanding appearance.

Interest in the family dropped off after Princess HK was married, but eventually a poor prince arrived, saying ‘I believe you have another daughter?’. The King brought out Princess Magners League, who was a comely country girl (there could only ever be one answer if she asked ‘Does my bum look big in this?’) with only the faintest hint of a mustache. The King, sensing hesitation from the suitor, put in a good word for her ‘Her squint is but a trick of the light, she applies cream to her warts every night, and those braces should eventually sort out her buck teeth. She scrubs up really well, especially when Princess Internationals lends her those sparkly stars which she does all the time (when Princess HK isn’t using them). And anyway, you’re no oil painting yourself’. The poor prince knew he was going to get slagged by his mates but she was the daughter of the rugby king after all and she did have a certain rural charm. They lived happily ever after (but the poor prince did wonder sometimes when Princess Internationals was going to lend her those sparkly stars).
Magners League on telly

Fri Sep 24

EDINBURGH v LEINSTER, ML, RTE2, 19:05

SAT SEP 25

Connacht v Ulster, ML, BBC2/TG4, 19:30

On Friday Leinster drag their sorry asses over to Edinburgh who are in pretty diabolical form themselves. Edinburgh must be pleased Italy have been added to the Magners League if only for the fact that it means Aironi are propping up the bottom of the table and not them. There’s nothing like a bit of desperation to liven things up and hopefully Leinster will need no more excuses and will put in a performance worthy of a recent Heinken Cup winning team.

Munster welcome back Wallace and Mafi, and should be able to put Glasgow away – it hasn’t been a vintage year for Scotland so far.

Saturday sees a top of the table clash between Connacht and Ulster at the Galway Sportsground. Not often you get to see all those words in the same sentence. The Ulster men are packing a lot of South African beef, the pick of which is Johan Muller – Botha and Wannenberg are past their best IMO. Would love to see Connacht win but I think their party is getting to get pooped by Ulster.