Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Finals

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Snoop/BG8 what ye make of that team?
McLauglin lucky to hold spot
Madigan interesting call
Toner ahead of Roux but thought the might chance it and blood Dom Ryan or start Ruddock

Happy enough with the team. I suspect Sexton and Madigan will interchange freely at flyhalf.

There was talk yesterday that Madigan was being selected at 12 to impress Lions selectors with his versatility. Now that it has been confirmed that he's playing there, perhaps there was some truth to that rumour.

 

[psychic duck]

Happy enough with the team. I suspect Sexton and Madigan will interchange freely at flyhalf.

There was talk yesterday that Madigan was being selected at 12 to impress Lions selectors with his versatility. Now that it has been confirmed that he's playing there, perhaps there was some truth to that rumour.

He wasn't all that great at full back to be honest.

 

[munstermuffin]

Happy enough with the team. I suspect Sexton and Madigan will interchange freely at flyhalf.

There was talk yesterday that Madigan was being selected at 12 to impress Lions selectors with his versatility. Now that it has been confirmed that he's playing there, perhaps there was some truth to that rumour.

Add in Geechs predicting 2 surprise players in back 3 positions of Lions.
Still think the back 5 of scrum for Leinster is something which could go either way but between 10,12,13 there's a lot of creativity

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He wasn't all that great at full back to be honest.

He wasn't great. His skillset is far more suited to 10, 12 or 13 where he can break a line through footwork rather than 15 where he doesn't have the aerial skills and wasn't as adept at picking a supporting line.

Seemingly Warren Gatland is only taking two flyhalves to Australia and wants a 3rd utility player who can cover the position. James Hook, Ian Madigan and Greig Laidlaw seem best equipped to fill that role.

 

[munstermuffin]

Laidlaw I predict is out of running as 3 9s will go

 

[lynam1104]

He wasn't all that great at full back to be honest.

I actually I think he was one of Leinster more impressive players during the early season when playing at 15, that could been more due to the rest of the team not being great at the time either and him just looking better due to it.

On the team, not exactly what i'd go for at lot of ability to move the ball and create but I feel we're lacking out and out finishers in the back 3 other then maybe Necewa. I think its a big call for Madigan to start at 12 having if i'm not mistaking almost no professional games at 12, it think he'll do fine there though he has all the skills for it, defesive position may be a concern.

In the pack SOB being out is as always a big loss seems we're going to lack that carrying presence thee unless Heaslip steps up to it. I agree with BG8 on Ryan would like to see him get a start and begin to over take Jennings, similarly Cooney and Boss/Reddan hes added really pace to our game over the last few weeks and Boss for me has looked a off pace.

 

[munstermuffin]

In fairness Lynam regards Cooney he can make good impact off bench but agree that Ryan should've been give a go if for nothing else then just to give him the exposure to a game of this magnitude.

 

[big ginger 8]

Fantstic pass for that try.

EDIT: And now a try for Hook I'm sure the Welshies will be happy.

10-3 to Perpignan.

 

[Tony Manx]

Hook took that brilliantly.........and the handling is really very good considering the slippery conditions....Stade are not in this at the moment and would not be if Hook had managed to make the two difficult conversions 13:6

 

[big ginger 8]

Lovely try Stade Francais.

16-16

Perpingan win a penalty just after 19-16 didn't think it went over myself...

 

[Tony Manx]

Perpignan's crowd won that penalty......even Hook knew it was not over!! Stade's try was good but atrocious defence.......game on now though!!

Pretty clear penalty to level it....the tackler ripped the ball as he was on the gorund completing the tackle instead of releasing!

 

[big ginger 8]

Perpignan's crowd won that penalty......

And it's happened again. Perpignan are very lucky.

 

[dragos03]

Haha, the referee and the TMO are both blind The crowd is winning this one for Perpignan.

 

[Tony Manx]

Haha, the referee and the TMO are both blind The crowd is winning this one for Perpignan.

All makes it very exciting!!

If they do win.....they should be without Leo for yet another hit that was patently illegal.....

This will be some kick if Porical gets it.......must be 9 yards inside his half and, with the size of the posts, he cant see them BUT THERE IT B...... GOES!!!!

 

[dragos03]

What a shot again! Stade now in the lead.

 

[big ginger 8]

Oh my God that's a ridiculous kick off a post, the crossbar then over!

22-25 Stade.

 

[Black_Magic]

Unbelieveable kicks from Porical, first he clearly went against his captain and decided to kick from almost 60 metres or so and now this one goes off the post and a crossbar and goes in... Amazing.

 

[Tony Manx]

Porical HAS to be the man of the match for his kicking alone...........if Stade win this, they will have deserved it. I think they have monstered the scrums and Perpignan have had hardly a look in since half time........and they play us next week!!

Heston Blumenthal is not happy as the Perpignan coach!!

Three more games like this weekend and Tony will be a happy boy!!

 

[big ginger 8]

And Stade are into the final.

 

[Black_Magic]

There it is, the Parisians win it. Porical could have become a villain disobeying the captain, but he emerged a hero with those two late kicks. A really exciting second half, great to watch!