[2018-19 Guinness Pro 14] Round 17 (01-03/03/2019)

[Amiga500]

Felix has got flak for over a year now. But it's hard when you have so many returning and well weather dictated.

Munster's ranged passing has been atrocious for far too long to blame a few injuries and one off weather though.

Its not a new problem, and arguably one that has existed for most of the past 20 years - bar the Penny era.



edit: Anyhoo - listening to Jim and Tony on the wireless describe Ulster grinding down the Dragons. No Mícheál but sure they'll do.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

No Welsh team in the top 3 in either conference which given they're chasing a 6 Nations Grand Slam is hugely surprising.

 

[munstermuffin]

Munster's ranged passing has been atrocious for far too long to blame a few injuries and one off weather though.

Its not a new problem, and arguably one that has existed for most of the past 20 years - bar the Penny era.



edit: Anyhoo - listening to Jim and Tony on the wireless describe Ulster grinding down the Dragons. No Mícheál but sure they'll do.

I never denied that. Was basing it on yesterday where skiols were what let is down. We had the try scoring chances but dropped balls at vital times. As you point out we never had the type of centres to play expansive game. Casey Laulala is probably the only real passer I remember as a 13 for example. But on yesterday passing or game style was certainly not an excuse just alot were lacking time and our depth was exposed.

 

[munstermuffin]

No Welsh team in the top 3 in either conference which given they're chasing a 6 Nations Grand Slam is hugely surprising.

To be fair though Snoop. They recognize their structures are in bad way. And well they have little depth so they are trying to adopt an Irish type model but struggle with the depth.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's still hugely surprising that neither the Blues nor Scarlets are in the top 3 of their conferences. They're both more talented squads than Connacht, Treviso and Ulster.

 

[Leinster Fan]

No Welsh team in the top 3 in either conference which given they're chasing a 6 Nations Grand Slam is hugely surprising.

Warren Garland deserves a lot of credit for that, brilliant coach on the balance of the last 20+ years in the NH. The regions are in a bad way though.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

It's still hugely surprising that neither the Blues nor Scarlets are in the top 3 of their conferences. They're both more talented squads than Connacht, Treviso and Ulster.

Connacht and Treviso yes. Not sure about Ulster though. Anyway, I think the Blues and Scarlets will make the play-offs by the end of the season, at least judging by their forthcoming fixtures. The problem was that the former started the season badly (again), this time due mostly to the unfamiliar coaching line-up, while the latter has had a massive injury crisis that only now seems to be receding. As for the other two Welsh teams, the Dragons are unspeakably poor and the Ospreys struggle more than anyone else sans international players.

 

[munstermuffin]

Have to agree. I can see Blues get in.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The upcoming Connacht versus Blues match is huge.

Ulster have a very tough run in and I can see Scarlets getting ahead of them.

 

[dullonien]

Yeah, the Welsh regions' struggles this season have been a major worry.

Scarlets - unprecedented injury problems are difficult to overcome when the squad isn't the biggest. There have still been games they've lost where they should have won though.

Blues - at times they've looked like one of the best sides in the league with their backline ripping sides apart. But in the same game they often leak soft tries and have ended up of thr loosing side far too often. Hopefully this is teething issues with the new coaching set-up and they can now push for the playoffs and be better next season.

Ospreys - over reliant on AWJ and Tipuric. Imo Clarke is a rubbish coach who by sending 3rd string sides to take a beating has really undermined their season. Recent rumours over their future can't help.

Dragons - poor coaching appointments don't help, whilst they're still missing quality in key positions. Should still be doing better with the players they have.

If Scarlets and/or Blues make the play offs they could be very dangerour though.

Also not convinced that it's Gatland that's massively over acheiving with Wales, more that the regions are chronically underachieving.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I know they got pumped in Trevisio last week but I think the Dragons are getting better after Jackman has left. Ospreys however are dire, the squad just isn't good enough these days, they struggle even with the Wales players back.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Kings definitely 'dud of the week' for a losing BP in the rain in Cardiff. Decent performances from them away from home in the past two weeks and they surge into 12th place overall. It is frustrating though as I am convinced that if their coach Deon Davids got anything like the resources of the other 5 main SA pro sides he would make a real name for himself.

Loved Rizzi's passion after scoring the winning try for Benetton and then managing to calm himself to make the conversion that denied Edinburgh a losing BP. I need to catch a Benetton game to see him in action.