Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Finals

[Tony Manx]

ARNAUD HEGUY!!!! The player of the season for BO deserved that try...................

 

[lynam1104]

Loved the "one more year" chant

 

[j'nuh]

Cronin really has unbelievable pace for a front rower, you wont find many players in his position faster. Good finish from BOD to.

Is he faster than Taumalo? (Just wondering!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1LZVkXj36k

 

[big ginger 8]

Is he faster than Taumalo? (Just wondering!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1LZVkXj36k

He's faster than Fionn Carr over a short sprint anyway and Carr's one of the fastest players in Ireland.



We are some team and Heaslip is some man.

 

[Tony Manx]

We are some team and Heaslip is some man.

+1

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

So Leinster v Stade Francais it is.

What pleases me most about this is that Leinster didn't pull a "Toulouse" and consider the Amlin Cup beneath them. While it would be wrong to suggest potentially winning the Amlin Cup would have been a target at the beginning of the season, the only way to show you're above the competition is by winning the damn thing.

 

[SelimNiai]

So Leinster v Stade Francais it is.

What pleases me most about this is that Leinster didn't pull a "Toulouse" and consider the Amlin Cup beneath them. While it would be wrong to suggest potentially winning the Amlin Cup would have been a target at the beginning of the season, the only way to show you're above the competition is by winning the damn thing.

If we gloss over the fact that its debatable that HCup dropouts are allowed to compete in the Amlin at all.

You are right though, it was good to see the players and fans get right into the game and play like they wanted to win. At the end of the day a trophy is a trophy.

 

[Tony Manx]

If we gloss over the fact that its debatable that HCup dropouts are allowed to compete in the Amlin at all.

Not only are they the rules but it has made it a much more enjoyable and attractive competition that, usually, gives a decent side another chance to qualify for the next year's H Cup...

 

[psychic duck]

Heineken Cup dropouts into this tournament is the best thing that ever happened to it.

It's meant that the matches are actually worth watching now. Previously the competition was as boring as ever.

I'd much rather watch Leinster vs Stade Francais in a final, than Stade Francais against some low table English side like Worcester or London Irish for example. The matches now are a lot more appealing to watch than the previous competitions, where for example in 2008 Bath vs Worcester was the final with Newcastle and Sale semi finalists. Or in 2006 with a Gloucester London Irish final. The tournament was boring in it's previous guise as mid table/low table English Premiership cup.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

It was a great day at the RDS today, the atmosphere was really good and the hugely outnumbered BO fans gave it their best to be heard. The rugby was superb from Leinster, it really reminded me of them at their best. It's disappointing that we're not in the HEC but we're giving this competition our all and it's very enjoyable. The one more year chant was brilliant and if Johnny hadn't already realised that the fans would consider him in the same light when he leaves he certainly did today when Madigan got a big cheer when he stood up to take his first kick, he gave the terraces a very dirty look.

If Leinster and Clermont win, it could be argued that Europe's two best sides won both it's premier and secondary competition.

 

[big ginger 8]

if Johnny hadn't already realised that the fans would consider him in the same light when he leaves he certainly did today when Madigan got a big cheer when he stood up to take his first kick, he gave the terraces a very dirty look.

Sorry I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sorry I don't quite understand what you're trying to say here.

Johnny isn't as loved as he once was.

When Isa scored his try and Johnny couldn't take the kick, Madigan got a huge cheer and Johnny shot a dirty look at the terraces.

 

[big ginger 8]

Johnny isn't as loved as he once was.

When Isa scored his try and Johnny couldn't take the kick, Madigan got a huge cheer and Johnny shot a dirty look at the terraces.

Ok don't think that at all and didn't get that impression.

I'd quite happily keep him ahead of Madigan and I thought you didn't begrudge him?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ok don't think that at all and didn't get that impression.

I'd quite happily keep him ahead of Madigan and I thought you didn't begrudge him?

I don't but I'm just saying what I saw, leaving obviously won't help his press in Leinster or Ireland for that matter.

 

[big ginger 8]

As I was sitting in the South stand today I know have sunburn on my left side. Very weird.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I hope you're all taking note. We haven't gone away just yet.

 

[munstermuffin]

In fairness Feic don't think anyone thought ye were gone but in fairness having seen highlights that was poor from Biarritz but Leinster did job and I expect they'll destroy a poor Stade too

 

[big ginger 8]

Benoit August banned for four weeks. Pretty classless from Harinordoquy.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/european/2013/0503/390224-august-banned-for-stamp-on-heaslip/

 

[munstermuffin]

Benoit August banned for four weeks. Pretty classless from Harinordoquy.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/european/2013/0503/390224-august-banned-for-stamp-on-heaslip/

Could be left open for a ban, remember Watkins with IRB recently or is it 1 rule for refs another for players.
Would bet easily if Biarritz had a meaningful game left then Serge Blanco would've sorted that ban out

 

[psychic duck]

Benoit August banned for four weeks. Pretty classless from Harinordoquy.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/european/2013/0503/390224-august-banned-for-stamp-on-heaslip/

In fairness that 4 week ban is ludicrous in light of the recent POC farce.

He hardly stamped on him either. If you see the video footage there is nothing in it. 2 weeks at most, 1 week would have been okay, 0 weeks would have been plausible given the POC situation.

http://youtu.be/AKs2cBaTFWI?t=1h29m53s

You need consistency, and there is no way this deserves more than this ...

Yet again the ERC citing commission prove that they love banning the French players far more than the rest. For some reason in European competition the French and Gavin Henson always come worse off.