Champions Cup 25/26 - Round 3

[Leonormous Boozer]

https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/matches

Some interesting fixtures this week and a few cripple fights to decide who'll be fodder in the round of 16.

UBB v Saints is the pick of them. Leinster v La Rochelle is getting like the Fast and Furious franchise at this point but I'm looking forward to going and being belligerent towards them. Sarries v Toulouse could be a good watch, don't expect an upset but Sarries might fancy a bit of a pop at them after Glasgow's win.

Munster might die.

 

[big ginger 8]

Henshaw available. Ringrose and Snyman back training to be assessed later in the week. Slimani and HB also due to be further assessed.

 

[big ginger 8]

Furlong now a doubt. Going in with Clarkson amd maybe Porter covering tighthead would not be ideal.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm interested to see if ROG goes full bore. Against any other team, I'm confident that he wouldn't while struggling in the Top 14, going full strength on Sunday and being reliant on Quins for a chance at a home route to the semis.

We kind of need a win but relying on Quins to top the group takes a lot of excitement out it.

 

[big ginger 8]

Be great to have Carley back in Dublin this weekend.

 

[munstermuffin]

https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/matches

Some interesting fixtures this week and a few cripple fights to decide who'll be fodder in the round of 16.

UBB v Saints is the pick of them. Leinster v La Rochelle is getting like the Fast and Furious franchise at this point but I'm looking forward to going and being belligerent towards them. Sarries v Toulouse could be a good watch, don't expect an upset but Sarries might fancy a bit of a pop at them after Glasgow's win.

Munster might die.

Our shining light is a win vs Castres will nearly guarantee us a R16 spot. This is for home field. But would take a LBP.
But in saying that in 2024 we were expected to be hammered out the gate and did ok.
I'd argue our squad better that 2024 also.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would imagine we'll be putting out a binjuice side,
We've already got a ton of injuries, they won't want to risk whatever first teamers we have left

 

[Saintjay]

Saints tend to lose in set piece and territory dominated games. Especially if pinned back in there own half.

Expect the game to have some spice but definitely not confident of a win, far from it.

 

[Rinkadink]

Pat Lam been saying a full strength team (barring injuries and suspension) is being sent to Pretoria to face The Bulls. Only one point behind Saints and Bordeaux, with the latter being the opponent Bristol face at home for round four. Weather, altitude and a jolly to Bernhard Janse van Rensburg's farm/safari are additional hurdles to Bulls' impressive team.

Could be tasty or a step too far after some very gritty PREM games. Time will tell.

 

[Groundhog]

We're highly unlikely to get anything from this. They're the stereoytpical French team this season, happy to get hockeyed away from home and nearly perfect at home. They rotated heavily last week and got beat 66-0 by LAR, but will go full guns against us. They had Bath's number, so I doubt we will get any joy.

 

[Demfad]

Saints tend to lose in set piece and territory dominated games. Especially if pinned back in there own half.

Expect the game to have some spice but definitely not confident of a win, far from it.

Lucu is out which may help Northampton.

 

[Gavin]

Remember when ever round mattered for qualification in the Heineken Cup?

Those were the days.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Josh Kenny added to the European squad. Put him in Leo, I yearn for a pacey winger.

 

[big ginger 8]

Josh Kenny added to the European squad. Put him in Leo, I yearn for a pacey winger.

Sparrow registered as well which does not bode well for the fitness of Slimani or Furlong.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sparrow registered as well which does not bode well for the fitness of Slimani or Furlong.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale Sharks
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Tom Curry.

Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Hyron Andrews, 21. Dom Hanson, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Gurswin Wehr.


Surprised we've gone all out - think LCD is the only player not picked who isn't injured

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That's a weak set of props. Wonder if Lowe is dropped or injured, can't find anything?

This will be tough.

 

[saulan]

Definitely a weaker team from us, particularly on the bench. Front row is fine, loose forwards ok and then most of the backline first choice atm (from 12 onwards). Feel like this one will either be close or quite close or Harlequins comfortable (probably what they need given current form). Could be our first loss of the season.

 

[saulan]

Sale Sharks
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Nathan Jibulu, 3. James Harper, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Ernst van Rhyn ©, 6. Jacques Vermeulen, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Tom Curry.

Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Hyron Andrews, 21. Dom Hanson, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Gurswin Wehr.


Surprised we've gone all out - think LCD is the only player not picked who isn't injured

You should take this one. Apart from the Durban Sharks generally being quite poor atm, they've sent a team without their Springboks

 

[Reiser99]

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Definitely a weaker team from us, particularly on the bench. Front row is fine, loose forwards ok and then most of the backline first choice atm (from 12 onwards). Feel like this one will either be close or quite close or Harlequins comfortable (probably what they need given current form). Could be our first loss of the season.

Why are you playing a child at 9?