URC 2022/2023 QFs

[TRF_stormer2010]

Quarter-finals

Fri 5 May QF2 Ulster (2) v Connacht (7) (7.35pm, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast)

Sat 6 May QF3 Stormers (3) v Bulls (6) (2.30pm, DHL Stadium, Cape Town)

Sat 6 May QF1 Leinster (1) v Sharks (8) (5pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin)

Sat 6 May QF4 Glasgow Warriors (4) v Munster (5) (7.35pm, Scotstoun, Glasgow)

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Is it as easy as all home wins this weekend?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Is it as easy as all home wins this weekend?

Considering Munster's performances in [important game this season] I reckon so but that's my only doubt.

I'll be interested to see our line up, could see Prendergast getting a spot on the bench, and I'd love it.

 

[Groundhog]

I think we could win this one. Bookies have us fairly even. We've had an annoying knack of playing out of our socks and then backsliding horribly the week after.

Good news is RG is fit and Beirne is back training too. Adds massively to our pack

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Considering Munster's performances in [important game this season] I reckon so but that's my only doubt.

I'll be interested to see our line up, could see Prendergast getting a spot on the bench, and I'd love it.

Ja, that is the most likely upset and I suppose its to be expected given the log positions being the closest. Sharks have it in them to win a random one-off and have in the past won big games despite not being in form but I can't see them go all the way they've been so inconsistent. They almost make a habit of winning games they shouldn't and then losing the next week to a bottom of the log team.

 

[The Seeker]

Glasgow over Munster

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Sharks team:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Jeandre Labuschagne, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Nevaldo Fleurs, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
---
Bulls team:
15 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 David Kriel, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Substitutes: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Lionel Mapoe

Stormers team:
TBC

 

[Groundhog]

Munster (vs Glasgow)
Munster: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman; Tadhg Beirne, Peter O'Mahony (C), Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Roman Salanoa, Fineen Wycherley, John Hodnett, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Alex Kendellen.

About as strong as we could possibly be. Beirne being back is huge. Front row my only real concern. Need Loughman to get back to his pre injury best. Archer to be fair did really well in SA, but it will be another big test.

I don't love the 6-2 split to be honest. Guess we can't really expect Beirne and probably Snyman to do 80

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain)

Substitutes: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Willie Engelbrecht, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Our strongest lineup of the season TBH even if I still have reservations about Willemse at 15 instead of 12. Now just to find form.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (54)
14. Jordan Larmour (88)
13. Ciarán Frawley (65)
12. Charlie Ngatai (13)
11. Dave Kearney (184)
10. Harry Byrne (49)
9. Luke McGrath (193) CAPTAIN
1. Michael Milne (30)
2. Dan Sheehan (44)
3. Tadhg Furlong (132)
4. Ryan Baird (51)
5. Jason Jenkins (15)
6. Max Deegan (96)
7. Scott Penny (55)
8. Caelan Doris (65)

16. John McKee (18)
17. Andrew Porter (106)
18. Cian Healy (262)
19. Joe McCarthy (17)
20. Jack Conan (130)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (124)
22. Ross Byrne (146)
23. Liam Turner (18)

Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)


Good bit of rotation. Had expected some such as Milne but more overall than expected. Some guys getting big opportunities but maybe not in ideal situations. Great to see McCarthy back.

 

[big ginger 8]

Shocking decision from Farrell not to give that to Blade.

 

[Gavin]

Shocking decision from Farrell not to give that to Blade.

Absolute walk-in for Blade if the pass was given.

 

[Groundhog]

If you've ever wondered what that annoying rugby cliche "you have to earn the right to go wide" means, it's Ulster rn. Just flinging it across the backline to Baloucoune, which to be fair hasn't been the worst tactic. Actually been a pretty good game for the scoreline

 

[Groundhog]

Ulster getting done in the contact zone rn. Further proof that Vermuelen benches using a Smith Machine

 

[Groundhog]

Baloucoune is a diamond in a field of rocks

 

[big ginger 8]

Baloucoune back doing some nutty stuff.

 

[Groundhog]

What do my sexy 2011 Hyundai i10 and this Connacht team have in common?

No clutch

 

[big ginger 8]

What do my sexy 2011 Hyundai i10 and this Connacht team have in common?

No clutch

Kiss Marmion on his bloody mouth for your hubris.

 

[saulan]

Well that's shaken things up for the quarters. Makes the Stormers Bulls game a massive one, with Stormers going to be driving for the home semi, whereas Bulls want to get the Stormers monkey off their backs.

 

[saulan]

actually, both teams playing for a home semi final. That's massive.