Rugby
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Leic v Ulst looks an absolute cracker, but the rest is just about who can get the BP to secure a home tie.
At least competition for Amlin slots will liven a couple of game up e.g Scarlets v Quins, but it really doesn't look anywhere near as exciting a last weekend as we have previously had.
At least competition for Amlin slots will liven a couple of game up e.g Scarlets v Quins, but it really doesn't look anywhere near as exciting a last weekend as we have previously had.
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dont think any team will want to host Leinster so they may not all go for the bonus pt,can see some jockeying for position come weekend,Clermont and Munster have adv of playing on the Sun,Munster will prob prefer to play at Welford Rd or Ravenhill if possible...
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Ulster look a bit short, although i recall thinking the same last year when they were away to Northampton, got stung that day
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i would not be surprised if there are a couple of teams who have the league priorities on & don't particularly want amlin cup spots
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The complications of the qualification procedures tend to make it interesting enough on the last weekend, but it's not exactly packed with excitement in general. There could be some good, open attacking play in games like Leinster v Ospreys, Cardiff v Exeter, and maybe the pick of the bunch could be Scarlets v Quins, but it's all eyes on Leicester v Ulster for the only real winner takes all sort of game.
I'm fascinated by Ulster so far. They could be the first team to ever win 5 from 5 and at the same time somehow have made a hash of things. Definitely good enough to go to Leicester and get a result, but with a little more care in previous matches they could have made it much, much easier. On the other hand going to Montpellier and getting a win was superb. 1 real thriller from 6 pools isn't a great return on a last weekend though. |
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I think you both are a bit harsh about this weekend games. What about Glasgow Warriors v Toulon. You can't rule out Glasgow Warriors in that especially if the weather is bad. Toulon never look great on the road. If that happen it would make a mess of the seedings.
Then there is Clermont v Racing Paris. Clermont will probably need the 4 tries if they want a home tie. Will Racing allow one of its biggest rivals to stream roll them even if they have nothing themselves to play for. If Clermont don't get the 4 tries can Munster get the 4 tries against Edinburgh and take home advantage with Clermont instead traveling to Limerick for the 1/4 finals. Instead of it probably been the other way around. Add in Leicester v Ulster and thats 4 matches for me that makes fascinating viewing and will all have big bearing on who lifts the trophy in May. Throw in the other games where qualifying for Amlin Cup depends and it looks like a interesting enough weekend for me. Thats not bad in Round 6 from only 6 pools Put in this way its a lot more interesting than you would face if we were left with just standard Zurich and Rabo league games to watch. Which could be the case this time next year if the English Union gets it way and does away with the Heineken Cup. The way I see the 1/4 finals at the moment. Toulouse (1st on tries scored) v Saracens again Toulon v Ulster Leicester v Leinster Munster.. (to get the 4 tries against Edinburgh) v Clermont... (I don't think Clermont will get the 4 tries therefore losing a home seeding) |
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As I said, it is mostly about who gets the BP for a home tie. I do agree Glas v Toulon could be an intresting game, especially if the away side are in familiar mood.
Just wish there was more than one game where both sides has HC qualification on the line. No doubt it is better than a raft of mediocre domestic fayre, but Sky keep telling us this comp keeps getting better and better. I think it has become much less competitive over the last 3 or 4 seasons with fewer teams in the hunt come rounds 5 and 6 than I previously remember. |
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PS will Racing really give a damn v Clermont? They rarely give a damn when they still have qualification available in the early rounds
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Laying that 11/4 Clermont is a good play for you. It looks a keen enough price to me anyway, but given you have them away from home that should be a nice trade.
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I think the future of how far a lot of teams go in the competition depends hugely on this weekend. If Toulon gets beaten by the warriors (I think warriors lost 2 in 10 in the Rabo) they could end up away to Munster or Clermont will they be up for that away?
Certainly if Grenoble can beat Toulon which they did away 2 weeks ago you imagine Glasgow Warriors winning at home is by no mean a lost cause While with the money that Racing Metro has spend this year will a no show against Clermont this weekend put a few more jobs on the line. Its not like they are doing well in the Top 14 and can ignore big games in other tournaments. But its hard to say. While we know now who has qualify for the 1/4 final I think its not certain who will get the Home tie 1/4 final and this year you imagine if the French big 3 do secure the home ties they will go on to the semi-final. But if Clermont or Toulon don't secure home ties you wonder will that be that for them this year in the Heineken Cup, Certainly Munster in Limerick would be capable of knocking out Toulon or Clermont. So for me I can't wait. |
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Yeah Vis......You never have to go best price Clermont they are always well backed.
Normally the money will come for them at any price. With them its usually only a matter of timing when you want to lay them. But I agree 5/2 by all the bookmakers is very mean price. I think with them its a case of somebody has to be favourite. So they say why not make lets just make it Clermont. 7/2 would be closer the price for me. |
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Ahem .... not a mention of Connacht in their quest for a HC qtr final place ???
Ok its unlikely and on paper we could get a hiding, but we travel in hope and with a dream in our hearts. If we did beat Saracens we get an amlin place and would need a host of results to go our way, but you never know. If anyone had said we would be in with a shout in round six they would have been carted away. Can you imagine what poor Stephen Jones would say if we got a place in the HC qtr finals after putting Saracens to the sword. Anyway I will travel to Allianz park in glorious Barnet and cheer them on. |
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Munster away to Ulster is an impossibility. If Ulster win they will be top seeds ranked 1 and will host the team ranked 8.
If Ulster lose they will be a best loser ranked 7 or 8 and will be away to 1 or 2 |
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Good luck Ballaman, it makes you wonder what would have happened if Connacht had managed to pinch a late try against Sarries in Galway? Was a pretty close finish if I remember rightly. I imagine Connacht fans are going to be pretty happy with their campaign regardless of what happens this weekend though - beating Zebre twice isn't really all that great but an away win against Toulouse is more than enough of a plus for one season.
I think they may struggle with the pace of the Sarries pitch, but Connacht are nothing if not dogged. And you are right, qualification was never given a hope in this pool, so having any sort of a chance is good going. |
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Cheers RM, yeah we were camped on their line for the last 5mins but couldn't pull it off, travel in hope,but im sure that the team will put up a good fight, will enjoy the weekend anyway :-)
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Good luck to Connacht. A few of us on here will make a fine few quid if they do happen to somehow qualify.
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Things must be drab. One comment from the whole forum on Friday match day which I have now doubled
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Ian Evans was it?
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You could see that coming
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need to see that again.
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He looked down but you wonder how much he could see with the bodies in the way.
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0-0,dire stuff
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probably the right decision BUT given the recent post match appeals you can be pretty sure he will be available for Wales in the 6N well definitely for the England game anyway
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Leinster have been awful.
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surely not as bad as this Northampton performance
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Saints v Castres was a dire game
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In terms of excitement Leics v Ulster could be the one today
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Well I said that I better stick my head in this thread again. We were very poor, haven't seen us play like that in a long time. Saracens very clinical, very quick ruck ball and big men running at us all the time, totally out classed.
We have embraced and enjoyed the HC, it has brought Connacht rugby up and into the minds of many. It will prob be a while before we see it again but it was fun while it lasted. |