Champions Cup 25/26 - Semi Finals

[Demfad]

Bordeaux and Leinster. Two close matches.

 

[mackerzz]

When are the games?

 

[Demfad]

When are the games?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not much to talk about although I think Toulon have a bigger injury list than us from bits I've read but waiting to see if it will be a bad year (we lose) or a very bad year (we win but lose in the final for extra heartbreak) is killing me right now.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think it’s silly not to have any of the games (including the challenge cup) on a Friday night. No rugby for the fans mon a Friday night…boooooo

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think it’s silly not to have any of the games (including the challenge cup) on a Friday night. No rugby for the fans mon a Friday night…boooooo

Baby steps with these guys, I'm very impressed that they've managed to have 4 games and no clashes. Like a proud father when his child starts saying two syllable words.

 

[Demfad]

Teams announced. Do or Die for Leinster. Porters inclusion a massive boost at loose head. Clarkson is a stronger scrummager than Furlong at tight head at the min and carrying well.
Toulon starting White, which Leinster may not mind. McCarthy and Ryan back in the second row is huge.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

The Leinster team looks very strong on paper but how many of them are fit and on form.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Challenge cup is made for Thursday and Friday nights.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Looks like Spencer is about 50:50 with a late fitness test to confirm, with 18 year old Isaac Mears added, and travelling with the squad.

A bit of a change seeing TdT on from the start, against UBB's young LHP, will probably stay on as long as possible to protect Sela a little.

Those centres... I'm not too surprised that's the combination fielded, but I suspect most would have expected Butt at IC.
Bath play a lot with the IC as first receiver and Finn floating around behind - which I'm not sure works with Ollie in that shirt, so it'll be interesting to see who plays that role - I suspect Santi to do that (and cover IC in the event of an injury) with Louis tasked with running the FB lines on attack - or even Henry with Louis taking his position on the wing.
It's going to be complicated, but hopefully it surprises UBB more than our own players.

I'd put our chances at around 20-25% of pulling off a snatch-and-grab.
Hopefully I'll be done with the gardening in time to actually watch.


ETA: sorry.
Bordeaux-Begles: Rayasi; Uberti, Penaud, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu (c); Perchaud, Lamothe, Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Bochaton, Woki, Gazzotti

Replacements: Barlot, Boniface, Tameifuna, Cazeaux, Vergnes-Taillefer, Matiu, Retiere, Hugo Reus

Bath: Carreras; Arundell, Hennessey, Lawrence, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Bayliss, Pepper, Barbeary

Replacements: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Sela, Hill, Underhill, Carr-Smith, De Glanville, Reid

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Penaud playing at centre must be a weakness for Bordeaux. He got enough criticism for his defence playing on the wing.

 

[big ginger 8]

Straight out, that didnt look good.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jeeze, that was a big collision

 

[Gavin]

Brutal collision

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Porter on X-Games mode today

 

[big ginger 8]

AR is right there, it's multiple phases ago. Looking at it is annoying whatever tue decision.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Was a nice move but definitely looked like the Leinster tighthead was blocking there

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Hope this doesn’t become a boring one sided game.

There are three brilliant Irish teams and we have to watch these, yuck.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ooft this could be bad
Zero dip, drives upwards, direct head on head


Edit: I think yellow is generous, should be off field review at a minimum - he's never making a legal tackle there, his arms couldn't have wrapped even if there was no headclash

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

**** me Pearse is on one today. ******* clown show everytime.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

**** me Pearse is on one today. ******* clown show everytime.

Me when my team's player gets carded for hitting someone in the face

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Me when my team's player gets carded for hitting someone in the face

Hard sell that you're right currently. That non card was a joke.

 

[big ginger 8]

Me when my team's player gets carded for hitting someone in the face

What about them doing it to us though?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sent Harry Byrne off for the vibe too

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Leinster are so moany. Like a bunch of spoiled girls.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster are so moany. Like a bunch of spoiled girls.

The veil needs to be a bit thicker.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What about them doing it to us though?

Surely not on about the hit on Ioane which didn't make contact with the head on any angle?

Sent Harry Byrne off for the vibe too

*For infringing after an explicit warning that the next infringement in the 22 is a card

I know the standard off officiating in the URC is in the toilet but the sport does have laws!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Anyway I'm off to sit in the sun in the garden with my Luke Pearce body pillow until the half time yappathon is over

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Surely not on about the hit on Ioane which didn't make contact with the head on any angle?


*For infringing after an explicit warning that the next infringement in the 22 is a card

I know the standard off officiating in the URC is in the toilet but the sport does have laws!

Gives a warning, goes back and gives a yellow, gives another yellow. Just not good refereeing regardless of the reason for the first is it.

Also a completely immaterial infringement and a try. No awareness.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Surely not on about the hit on Ioane which didn't make contact with the head on any angle?


*For infringing after an explicit warning that the next infringement in the 22 is a card

I know the standard off officiating in the URC is in the toilet but the sport does have laws!

View attachment 25879

Gives a warning, goes back and gives a yellow, gives another yellow. Just not good refereeing regardless of the reason for the first is it.

I’d agree if it was a Munster player but cost enough to those in blue