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Champions Cup - Pool 1, Round 4 (Clermont, Munster, Sale, Saracens)

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do you think Morgan Parra is rusty ? :lol:

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Lopez's goal kicking since the November tests has been a slight concern...he was unbeatable at it...must be PSA, somehow.
 
Every Time Ref said:
Really dumb and unnecessary card



Agree, why give them the ball back? Especially a dangerous counter-attacking team like Clermont. Madness
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I think it's a lack of self belief in having the ability to have a go. The easiest option is to bang it down field and make the tackles up field. It's stupid and poor.

You see that? Clermont had a go from the turnover because they had men on the overlap.
 
he does know how to rebound, Lopez.

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aaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
:cryy: :cryy: :cryy: :cryy: I just can't stand those

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hahaha, Kayser on the replay to Chaume "on s'en fouuuuuuut"
 
Munster should practice hot potato...

They just haven't lived up to their first 20 minutes. Sure Clermont are too good but Munster are really making it harder for themselves.
 
Clermont are just magnificent, simply, defensively. One of the most consistent, and best teams there I've seen in a while. They did take 50 in Bordeaux earlier this year :p but in big games like this otherwise I mean.

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After Domingo on the LH, Chaume showing his scrummaging quality. Very promising LH prop, one on my personal radar for a while.
 
If Munster can get a LBP they can still get out of the group stages I think..
 
ruggabee said:
I think it's a lack of self belief in having the ability to have a go. The easiest option is to bang it down field and make the tackles up field. It's stupid and poor.

You see that? Clermont had a go from the turnover because they had men on the overlap.
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I think sometimes there's such a determination to "keep it tight" that players can't quite bring themselves to spread it even when it's very obviously on
 
Sonny Bi- I mean Hurley is on. Yay.

Considering how dominant Clermont were (well done), Munster can feel relieved and lucky? that they have a LBP. Their play off hopes are still alive.
 
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Well lads here and absolutely down but in reality we tried our best and put we aren't at that level. We met the top level in Europe and we just aren't there. Clermont are a good team and well we will always battle. No complaints and while our scrum struggled for the last 60mins John Ryan manned up and stuck at it and did his best for a man thrown in at deep end. And well effort from all them lads was remarkable.
 
I think it was Shaun Edwards before the game asking whether last week was a one off or if Munster just didn't have the physicality to live with the top teams and saying "we'll know after this match" - it seems like he's been answered. Great spirit by Munster, and typical (almost cliched) that they managed to somehow take a bonus point out of, apparently, sheer bloody-mindedness, but doesn't look like they're good enough.

Thought Hanrahan looked pretty good - don't follow Pro12 so limited data to work with, but where does he stand in the unresolved Irish midfield debate? Saying that, there was a definite gulf in class between the centre pairings, between the backs in general really. Pleased to see my old friend Abendanon having a good game, I hear he's been having a good time over there. Fair play to him, he's a cracking player who suits their style. Always thought he might have had more England caps, but maybe that's just my bias.
 
Every Time Ref said:
I think it was Shaun Edwards before the game asking whether last week was a one off or if Munster just didn't have the physicality to live with the top teams and saying "we'll know after this match" - it seems like he's been answered. Great spirit by Munster, and typical (almost cliched) that they managed to somehow take a bonus point out of, apparently, sheer bloody-mindedness, but doesn't look like they're good enough.

Thought Hanrahan looked pretty good - don't follow Pro12 so limited data to work with, but where does he stand in the unresolved Irish midfield debate? Saying that, there was a definite gulf in class between the centre pairings, between the backs in general really. Pleased to see my old friend Abendanon having a good game, I hear he's been having a good time over there. Fair play to him, he's a cracking player who suits their style. Always thought he might have had more England caps, but maybe that's just my bias.
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Post World Cup man I'd imagine, hasn't been given the game time this season behind a vastly inferior player in Hurley. He's not as good a 12 as Madigan, Olding or Marshall yet but has more potential than all but Olding in my opinion so they'll keep each other modest in years to come I'd imagine.
 
cmac95 said:
Post World Cup man I'd imagine, hasn't been given the game time this season behind a vastly inferior player in Hurley. He's not as good a 12 as Madigan, Olding or Marshall yet but has more potential than all but Olding in my opinion so they'll keep each other modest in years to come I'd imagine.
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JJ will be 10 soon enough won't be left 12. Also he just needs to better his attitude which he has and improve decision making. Again today 1 or 2 chips/dinks blocked but he's set for a hell of a lot more gametime.
 
well there's no need to dissect this game. Which is fine by me anyways, I'm bad with blood and guts and stuff...
Let's be fair, a gulf between these two teams, and not an Arabian one. Thomond Park was not an accident, and not to be redundant but this one should've been a blowout: not even in the great potential and the what-ifs based on Clermont's form, but based on what actually happened. This should've been winning bonus for Clermont all night long, end of.

What I take away from this, going forward rather than spreading jaunard semen over my face about this win:
- Clermont's defense is otherwordly. It's near perfect. It reacts accordingly to every single different situation, it's collectively intelligent, when individuals take risks they succeed at it, they move up fast, can rush you into any of losing the ball or committing mistakes or put you on the back foot, they're top class at the breakdown and their whole pack can really turn over (Kayser, Domingo, 'Cuddles', Vahaa, Fritz Lee, Chouly, Lapandry).

- They're by far the best attacking team I've seen in Europe right now. Fofana will exploit any hole he sees to the point where I'd be terrified in person of even bending over at a 10° angle with him even at the other end of the room. Nakaitaci is becoming a legit Napo Nalaga, huuuuuge game what a try, bonifies every situation almost. The forwards insure superb continuity and quickness without giving away grunt and pure forward ability. Guys like even monsters Cudmore or Zirak are adept passers.

- The scrum: Domingo again this weekend took the entire Munster pack forward on his own on one scrum. His technique is off the charts, even with these new laws that penalize smaller units, he's found ways to be Thomas Domingo. I don't know how consistent he can be now, compared to before, but he and an aging Zirak can still hold the house together. Add to that academy products TH Clément Ric is slowly starting to come into his own now; and LH Raphaël Chaume seriously looks like the next Domingo - won't be as dominant but in his scrummaging form and quality.

- Add excellent discipline overall. - could hear the coaches sidelined yelling "discipline !!!" in heated moments.

They were always going to be top 5 favorites in this Cup anyways, but their superb Top 14 season, the heights of their potential right now, the double confirmation against Munster...they do look better with Azéma than the Cotter-led Clermont, I'll say it.

With Parra showing some excellent passages but also comically rusty plays also, returning to actual form - and young new-addition Lopez who'll only get better and better as it goes; the sky's the limit for them. I'm not sure what they lack...goal kicking maybe, which I can't imagine Lopez will remain in that slump for long knowing the kicker he is.

This is the scary part for Clermont: they're looking all too good right now.......reminiscent of past experiences, history tends to repeat itself.
 
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From what I've seen in Europe. Clermont look easily the couilles du chien ;) of French rugby they look far superior to Toulon. I see that Toulon are top of the league and Clermont second - how are they both playing? Clermont traditionally struggle away from home do they not, is that the story this year?

I think if I had to choose a favourite French team I'd go for Clermont, they play some really lovely stuff and they have Fofana and Abendanon who are two of my favourites, not to mention Julien Bonnaire who has the Frenchest-sounding name in the world.
 
cmac95 said:
Munster are really lacking at 10 and in the centres, Keatley isn't cut out for this level.
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HaHa...............the new O'Gara...............he saved you (no doubt) lovely backside!!!!!!

Munster are just fabulouso at keeping hanging in there and hanging in there and hanging in there!!

They have such tenacity and never, never give up but Clermont, dear Clermont you are, and I am soooo sorry Mods, e***** s****!

You had that match won about five times, Lee was brilliant and totally and utterly useless.

How does a team with a scrum that is completely dominant and the best back line in Europe...............lose that match?

Well done, fantastically well done Munster and enjoy your evening but am not sure that you will get much further in this competition (so I suppose your season would then be over really)!!!

Every Time Ref said:
From what I've seen in Europe. Clermont look easily the couilles du chien ;) of French rugby they look far superior to Toulon. I see that Toulon are top of the league and Clermont second - how are they both playing? Clermont traditionally struggle away from home do they not, is that the story this year?

I think if I had to choose a favourite French team I'd go for Clermont, they play some really lovely stuff and they have Fofana and Abendanon who are two of my favourites, not to mention Julien Bonnaire who has the Frenchest-sounding name in the world.
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Do not base your thoughts on Toulon solely on this season so far!

Giteau coming back will be huge for them and they will be challenging Clermont at the end of the season and I think that they, with Saints, are the teams to challenge for this competition and, without Saints, for the Top 14! Which one is best......one each of those two competitions would be great!!!

I just hope that that North London load of oiks are nowhere to interrupt my projections.....but they just might!!!
 
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Tony Manx said:
HaHa...............the new O'Gara...............he saved you (no doubt) lovely backside!!!!!!
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I'm struggling to understand this! :p Was he ever dubbed the new O'Gara or are you saying he's not cut out for European rugby like O'Gara? Because 27 year old Keatley isn't a patch on 27 year old O'Gara... or 32 year old O'Gara!

I back Munster to beat Sarries to be honest, they have a set of testicles far superior in size than the Londoners!
 

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