Heineken Cup ¼ Finals

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Jan 25 2010, 12:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Hopefully pretty good! :P[/b]

depends on what Sky think is the marquee match, Munster v Northampton or Leinster v Clermont, if the latter than Munster will be on early Sunday afternoon if not then a Saturday evening at Thomond with Murray included is the likely option.

 

[MunsterMan]

Munster are playing the only English team left in the competition, so that will be Sky's glamour tie I imagine.

 

[An Tarbh]

ERC have today confirmed the kickoffs for the ¼ Finals with Leinster getting things underway against Clermont on Friday 9 April, Biarritz and Munster's matches will take place on the Saturday with Toulouse taking on Paris on the Sunday.

FRIDAY, 9 APRIL 2010
20.00 Leinster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne - Sky Sports / Canal+Sport

SATURDAY, 10 APRIL 2010
16.00 Biarritz Olympique v Ospreys- France 2 / Sky Sports
17.30 Munster v Northampton Saints - Sky Sports / Sport +

SUNDAY, 11 APRIL 2010
17.30 Toulouse v Paris - France 2 / Sky Sports.

*All Kickoff Times Local

 

[Bullitt]

Looking forward to my trip to San Sebastien already.

 

[An Tarbh]

and another one jumps on the Munster bandwagon!

 

[munstermuffin]

Lovely times as I really think the Leinster vs Clermont game will be great to start QF weekend.

Glad we got a slot we like :bravo:

And Bullit We were in San Sebastian before :P Nice spot but skip the Chinese restaurant by the stadium :lol:

But MunsterMan we won't have Leamy as he is gone for season but maybe Nick Williams might tog out for us :lol:
Will be interesting will Best start to be shifted slowly out of Saints squad now that he's leaving but it will truely be an epic game but there is 4 mouth-watering ties.

 

[munster]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Jan 26 2010, 09:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

maybe Nick Williams might tog out for us :lol:[/b]

If we play him Northhampton wont know what to expect... a prop playing 8 who leaves giant gaps in the defense or an ox in the form of the monster that is Nick...

 

[MunsterMan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Jan 26 2010, 06:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

and another one jumps on the Munster bandwagon![/b]

:lol:

 

[Zeilnicht]

Yes! The All French Derby!
Vive Toulousain!

 

[Simknab]

I don't see Munster losing to Northampton, and Toulouse have been much more seducing than Paris over the past few weeks. I don't think we're gonna be surprised by one of these two matches.

Biarritz is probably able to lose to Ospreys. But considering the match between them and Clermont, if Biarritz make a serious match it should be ok. I've not been impressed at all by the welsh side at that time. Though on the paper Ospreys look nice.

And the last one is hard to predict. Clermont can win, but it's gonna be a tough match. However I think Leinster is gonna make it for the semi-finals. Well as a Toulouse supporter I prefer Leinster in semi-final since we've proved very weak against Clermont, even at home.

 

[stormmaster1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Simknab @ Jan 31 2010, 06:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I don't see Munster losing to Northampton, and Toulouse have been much more seducing than Paris over the past few weeks. I don't think we're gonna be surprised by one of these two matches.

Biarritz is probably able to lose to Ospreys. But considering the match between them and Clermont, if Biarritz make a serious match it should be ok. I've not been impressed at all by the welsh side at that time. Though on the paper Ospreys look nice.

And the last one is hard to predict. Clermont can win, but it's gonna be a tough match. However I think Leinster is gonna make it for the semi-finals. Well as a Toulouse supporter I prefer Leinster in semi-final since we've proved very weak against Clermont, even at home.[/b]

On current form you're right, but things will change before the QFs. Form may dip or rise and key players may be injured. i believe there is another big european rugby tournament happening which will inevitibly see some internationals get injured.
i can't see Munster losing, i think they will perform better than last Friday and won't let Saints get as close.
Osprey's have the capacity to beat Biarritz who have been fragile in the HC the past few years, but the Ospreys have fallen apart away from home having put themselves in good positions. Biarritz are still a top team, and like all the french teams this year will be extra keen to make the final.
Clermont are better than Leinster at the moment, but Leinster are also capable of beating anyone. Home advantage over french sides can be a deciding factor. Clermont are playing fantastic so i still fancy them for this one.
Toulouse and Stade, could go either way. How many times have these two played each other in big matches. Toulouse may be looking better at the moment but stade are at home and are capable of beating anyone on their day. I think the Parisians will edge it.

 

[An Tarbh]

Paris are away but even this season when in poor form they managed to get a draw in the league match away, 9-9 I think. Hopefully it's a better game come April. You'd still have to fancy Toulouse even though Paris should have some more players back given their injury list.

If the internationals come through unscathed for both Leinster and Munster then I can see them getting through. As has been said Saints missed their chance in the pool game, whether they'll get another in Thomond, I'm not so sure.

The Biarritz Ospreys one is the hardest to call, if the Ospreys bring their A game they'll be too strong for Biarritz, but they've never done that in France, they've only ever beaten Bourgoin but that's nothing to write home about, no wins against a top French or English side away from home is still a worry going into a game like this.