Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Troy Nathan, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Aidan Wynne, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Johnny O'Connor, 6 John Muldoon (capt), 5 Michael McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson. Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Bernie Upton, 19 Mike McComish, 20 Conor O'Loughlin, 21 Miah Nikora, 22 Brian Tuohy, 23 Robbie Morris.
Toulon: 15 Luke Rooney, 14 Gabriel Lovobalavu, 13 Mafi Kefu, 12 Tom May, 11 Clement Marienval, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Thomas Sourice, 6 Joe van Niekerk (c), 5 Esteban Lozada, 4 Jocelyn Suta, 3 Tonga Leaaetoa, 2 Phillip Fitzgerald, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau. Replacements: 16 Sebastian Bruno, 17 Bwnjamin Basteres, 18 Tim Ryan, 19 Kris Chesney, 20 Olivier Missoup, 21 Jeremy Sinzelle, 22 Pierre Mignoni, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Date: Friday, April 30 Kick-off: 19:45 BST Venue: The Sportsground Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) Assistant referees: Peter Allan (Scotland), Robin Goodliffe (England) Television match official: Brain Campsall (England)
30 April 2010 19:45 TV Connacht (5/2) v (25) Toulon (2/5) Handicap at 6/7
Connacht get the show on the road tonight- have won 5/7 and drawn 1 of their home games in 2010 but have it al to do tonight imo against the joint leaders of the Top 14 Toulon only lost 1 game in the Pool stages and that was to Castres away- they put up some very good performances wen easily disposing of Saracens away and Scarlets last time- even with a few first teamers rested id expect Toulon to prove 10pts+ too strong here- Toulon -6 my bet
Leinster: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Isa Nacewa, 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Shane Jennings, 6 Kevin McLaughlin, 5 Nathan Hines, 4 Leo Cullen (c), 3 Stan Wright, 2 John Fogarty, 1 Cian Healy. Replacements: 16 Bernard Jackman, 17 CJ Van Der Linde, 18 Mike Ross, 19 Malcolm O'Kelly, 20 Stephen Keogh, 21 Paul O'Donohoe, 22 Eoin O'Malley, 23 Girvan Dempsey.
Date: Saturday, May 1 Venue: Stade de Toulouse Kick-off: 16.45 (15.45 BST) Referee: Nigel Owens
15:45 Toulouse (4/9) v (22) Leinster (3) h'cap at 6/7
Would be great to see an all Irish final with Munster and Leinster both winnin their semi's but Sexton out a massive blow for Leinster, can see this being tight for the 1st 40 and Toulouse pullin away in the 2nd half - was seriously impressed with Toulouse in the 2nd half v Stade- Toulouse -6 now looks the bet of the weekend imo
The teams:Toulouse: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Cédric Heymans, 10 David Skrela, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Shaun Sowerby, 7 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 6 Jean Bouilhou, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Romain Millo-
Im not wishing to** leinster but with their status as heineken champions and easy accessibility to toulouse and a huge population in dublin and neighbouring counties it was surprising they only asked for 5000tickets and if they managed to get rid of them they would ask for more. Whereas munster were offered 10000 and said we will take all of their quota. I do not know if munster sold all 10000 but with the cost of their trip supporters wont get any change out of a 1000 euro i would guess Hopefully munster will win this weekend , for the fans anyway they are the best around
Im not wishing to** leinster but with their status as heineken champions and easy accessibility to toulouse and a huge population in dublin and neighbouring counties it was surprising they only asked for 5000tickets and if they managed to get rid of
If I had the money I'd be in Toulouse today out on the** afterwards then drive to San Seb in the morning it's only 200k. And I wouldn't wear my Leinster top at it, I've got a lovely reversible twin province ;)
Well said Ricky. If I had the money I'd be in Toulouse today out on the** afterwards then drive to San Seb in the morning it's only 200k. And I wouldn't wear my Leinster top at it, I've got a lovely reversible twin province ;)
Munster (revised): 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Lifeimi Mafi, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 James Coughlan, 7 David Wallace, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan. Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Nick Williams, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Tom Gleeson , 23 Scott Deasy.
Date: Sunday, May 2 Kick-off: 16:15 (14:15 GMT) Venue: Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian Referee: Dave Pearson (England) Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Stuart Terheege (England) Television match official: Daniel Irazoqui (France), Graham Hughes (England)
2 May 2010 15:15 Biarritz (11/8) v (25) Munster (4/5) h'cap between 0/3
A few players out but i think Munster can just edge this- POC is obviously a massive player for Munster but i dont think MOD in is a big negative, has had some very good games this year! Howlett is the major loss imo, solid defensively and good goin forward! Wil he swap Mafi and Earls iyo's?
The O'Connell/O'Driscoll loss-gain is overstated. O'Connell as good as he is doesn't reach the heights he used to. O'Driscoll hasn't been to the well as often in his career, he's very capable.
The O'Connell/O'Driscoll loss-gain is overstated. O'Connell as good as he is doesn't reach the heights he used to. O'Driscoll hasn't been to the well as often in his career, he's very capable.
Murphys stroke thanks for the info , tbh it doesnt surprise me with jobs and the economy, people are struggling to find enough cash for a holiday and to fork out a grand for 1 match is beyond a lot of people. I fancy biarritz tbh , POC is a huge loss, mick o driscoll is a fine player but he isnt too effective, he needs to lose his temper a bit imo.Munster need ROG and EARLS to have big games. Im going to the pub to watch it so fingers crossed for munster.
Murphys stroke thanks for the info , tbh it doesnt surprise me with jobs and the economy, people are struggling to find enough cash for a holiday and to fork out a grand for 1 match is beyond a lot of people.I fancy biarritz tbh , POC is a huge loss,
To me paul warwick made a grave error in running, getting caught in possession and giviing away the penalty and the lead, it was like ROG in the lions tour end game. However the ultimate defeat lies with tony mcgahan , he was fortunate to have his team ahead 7-0 but he persisted with his obvious team orders to kick away possession and gain ground and rely on tackling, Munster got no kickable penaltied , biarritz got 5 , depite munnster having the most reliable kicker in heineken history. Munster lost lineouts, lost scrums and the coach toldf his team to kick away possion as well Cardinal error
SACK
To me paul warwick made a grave error in running, getting caught in possession and giviing away the penalty and the lead, it was like ROG in the lions tour end game.However the ultimate defeat lies with tony mcgahan , he was fortunate to have his tea
No question about the dedication of their fans, however their investment is not going to be rewarded in the next few years.
This coaching ticket are a worry and really aren't bringing in the type of new blood that will get them back to top of Europe again.
No question about the dedication of their fans, however their investment is not going to be rewarded in the next few years. This coaching ticket are a worry and really aren't bringing in the type of new blood that will get them back to top of Europe