Round 17

[TRF_stormer2010]

It's amazing how close and exciting the URC is this year.

I fear that next year may just be a 6 way battle between Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Stormers, Sharks and Bulls with the rest nowhere.

I would be very happy if the Stormers did en up being part of the mix as we are at the mo but TBH there is a lot of work to do and I fear our current position is largely based on us having an unbelievable run of luck of not having any serious injuries or injuries across the board. This is not normal for us. We tend to start strong and fade. Our board is still suspended and the franchise is under SARU administration and instead of announcing we are getting players in so far we've only heard of more leaving. But I have hope that this year can be built upon either way.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster Rugby team to face DHL Stormers (appearances in brackets):

15. Max O’Reilly (8)
14. Adam Byrne (64)
13. Jamie Osborne (17)
12. Rory O’Loughlin (95)
11. Rob Russell (3)
10. Ciarán Frawley (51)
9. Cormac Foley (3)

1. Ed Byrne (83)
2. John McKee (1)
3. Thomas Clarkson (16)
4. Brian Deeny (1)
5. Josh Murphy (59)
6. Alex Soroka (3)
7. Scott Penny (39)
8. Rhys Ruddock (205) CAPTAIN

Replacements:

16. Lee Barron (1)
17. Michael Milne (16)
18. Vakh Abdaladze (16)
19. Jack Dunne (19)
20. Seán O’Brien (2)
21. Nick McCarthy (46)
22. Harry Byrne (33)
23. Martin Moloney (6)

Referee – C Evans (WRU)

Getting within 7 again would be a huge result. Losing big players from an already depleted squad. Have to wonder is Harry Byrne even fit enough to bench? And is Ala’alatoa gone back to Dublin?

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah Leinster will get fairly slapped this week. Still a decent backrow though!

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah Leinster will get fairly slapped this week. Still a decent backrow though!

Well you know what they say about three certainties in life etc.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Typical Irish teams resting for europe smh

 

[Groundhog]

Typical Irish teams resting for europe smh

Would have made more sense to rest the big guns next week! Keep em fresh for the semi

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Edinburgh (against Ulster at the DAM Health Stadium, Saturday 7.35pm): J van der Walt; D Hoyland, M Bennett, J Lang, E Boffelli; B Kinghorn, B Vellacott; P Schoeman, S McInally, W Nel, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist (captain), L Crosbie, H Watson, M Bradbury.

Substitutes: D Cherry, H Courtney, L Atalifo, P Phillips, B Muncaster, H Pyrgos, C Dean, M Currie.

Ulster: M Lowry; R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, E McIlroy; W Burns, N Doak; A Warwick, R Herring, G Milasinovich, K Treadwell, I Henderson (captain), M Rea, N Timoney, D Vermeulen.

Substitutes: B Roberts, E O’Sullivan, R Kane, A O’Connor, M Rea, J Cooney, S Moore, R Lyttle.


I know nothing about Ulster but I dont like that Edinburgh lineup at all. Bofelli on the wing, no Moyano, Van der Walt at fullback and Kinghorn at 10 (rather than the other way around)? Lang and Hoyland playing in position but no great shakes.

The pack is great (despite missing Jamie Ritchie to long term injury) and that might be enough if Ulster don't fire on all cylinders. But I'll be surprised if Edinburgh score more than 23 points with that selection and in the modern game that might not be enough.

 

[big ginger 8]

There’s something quite satisfying about Zebo getting stopped from scoring twice within a minute.

Good game so far.

Edit: hope Ahern gets a load of opportunities now.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Glasgow did better than I expected, but not enough to win a point. If Scarlets win out and Glasgow lose the derby match they will be eliminated.

 

[Groundhog]

Didn't see the full game but first 20 or so minutes looked frantic in the Munster game, as it always is with Cardiff. Glad we pulled away though.

 

[Tooting Carmen]

Scoreline was unfair on Cardiff, who played well during much of the match.

 

[dullonien]

Sums Cardiff up atm. Can look excellent in places, but too easily hand possession and momentum back to the opposition after scoring.

Yesterday they scored some excellent try's, but couldn't secure the ball from the next restart and Munster score right back! Faffing around at the breakdown also gave Munster countless opportunities to counter ruck and turn the ball over. Unacceptable at this level.

So despite playing quite well, they still shipped almost 50! Not going to win anything like that.

 

[munstermuffin]

Must say @Groundhog you saw our worst patch. The game as a whole was success. We delivered hugely on expanding game.
Mike Haley and Tom Ahern were magnificent

 

[Bluemoon]

Sums Cardiff up atm. Can look excellent in places, but too easily hand possession and momentum back to the opposition after scoring.

Yesterday they scored some excellent try's, but couldn't secure the ball from the next restart and Munster score right back! Faffing around at the breakdown also gave Munster countless opportunities to counter ruck and turn the ball over. Unacceptable at this level.

So despite playing quite well, they still shipped almost 50! Not going to win anything like that.

Yeah, our defence coach must be concerned for his job given the average points against since the cancelled SA trip. I think everyone has known for a number of seasons that Cardiff are lacking power in the pack and have largely made up for it year on year with a back row that is fast, wins turnovers and then a fast wide game. With injuries in the backline this season and just a lack of consistency in the schedule, it's been a really disappointing year. I still trust in Dai Young, but equally I wonder if he's looking to make some mass changes in the squad and it's not a secret in the dressing room.

We are in desperate need of a high quality hooker, a powerful second row and a decent tight head to cover when Arhip isn't around as Dilon just seems to give away so many penalties at the scrum. There are some potential centres coming through in Llewleyn and Grady as well but with Halaholo and Lee-lo not around a lot this year it's been disruptive.

 

[big ginger 8]

Class from Thornbury.

Edit: dreadful box kicking though. Sharks had a few kicks charged down vs us as well.

 

[Groundhog]

Watched it back there. Think it's fair to say the scoreline doesn't reflect how good Cardiff were at times, but we were value for our scores. We played some really nice stuff at times. Defended quite poorly for the first quarter of the match though. They best the gainline with ease. Nash in particular had some good touches but his defence is so suspect. What a game from Haley. He's been class this year. Casey is a special player in his day too. Great showings from Kendellen and Ahern. Both tens strong as well.

 

[big ginger 8]

Couple of big minutes for Blade, hope he can keep going.

Connacht good value for their lead so far but always waiting for the switch to go off with them.

 

[JohnKA]

This Sharks team is worse then Man United.

 

[big ginger 8]

And there we go...

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

*watches people watching a Connacht match while the X Files theme plays in his head*

Come on Zebre. One win. That's all I'm asking. Level with 15 to go.

 

[mdaclarke]

Can't watch it the uk. Don't know what Premier Sports are playing at

 

[Groundhog]

Man, how did I miss the weird DHL branded cheerleaders in other games?

Edit: They gave Kitshoff a mini version of himself as a mascot!

 

[big ginger 8]

Pretty blatant crossing.

 

[Groundhog]

Why do they keep calling O'Loughlin Frawley??

 

[big ginger 8]

Has there been a lot of rain prematch? Seems to have been an especially high number of slips.

 

[Groundhog]

Who is singing the French national anthem???

 

[Groundhog]

They'll probably get on top as Leinster tire, but Stormers have really been very poor so far. Leinster being pretty tenacious and managing the game well, but Stormers' discipline is poor.

 

[saulan]

Incredibly poor first half from the Stormers. Some poor knock ons under limited pressure, continued issues at lineout time and just not converting entries into the 22 into points. Need to wake up in the second half. Hoping they follow the trend of all the other SA teams this weekend.

 

[big ginger 8]

Great tackle from Russell, looks in touch to me.

Murphy good for one of those drops a game at least.

 

[Groundhog]

Quarter mile in touch.