Guinness Pro 12 2014/15: Round 19

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Round 19 Fixtures

10 April 2015, 19:35
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU)
TV: BBC ALBA

10 April 2015, 20:35
Stadio Monigo, Treviso, Italy
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU)
TV: Nuvolri/BBCW

11 April 2015, 14:40
Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway, Republic of Ireland
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)
TV: Sky Sports

11 April 2015, 16:00
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma, Italy
Referee: Gary Conway (IRFU)
TV: Nuvolari

11 April 2015, 19:30
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland
Referee: Ian Davies (WRU)
TV: BBC ALBA/TG4

12 April 2015, 16:15
Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
TV: S4C





​

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

The Squads for tonights game.
Glasgow vs Cardiff Blues

Glasgow Warriors: Peter Murchie, Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, DTH van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Dougie Hall, Mike Cusack, Tim Swinson, Al Kellock (captain), Rob Harley, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Leone Nakarawa, Josh Strauss, Ali Price, Duncan Weir, Lee Jones.

Cardiff Blues: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, Tom Isaacs, Garyn Smith, Dan Fish; Gareth Davies, Tavis Knoyle; Sam Hobbs, Kristian Dacey, Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Lou Reed, Macauley Cook, Sam Warburton (c), Josh Navidi.
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Thomas Davies, Taufa'ao Filise, Josh Turnbull, Ellis Jenkins, Lewis Jones, Simon Humberstone, Richard Smith.

Treviso vs Ospreys

Ospreys: Dan Evans; Tom Grabham, Jonathan Spratt, Josh Matavesi, Eli Walker; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ryan Bevington, Scott Baldwin. Aaron Jarvis. Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Tyler Ardron, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Dan Baker.
Replacements: Scott Otten, Nicky Smith, Dmitri Arhip, Lloyd Peers, James King, Tom Habberfield, Sam Davies, Ben John.

Treviso: N/A

 

[Bluemoon]

Cardiff are missing 8 players with injury. Lucas Amarosino, Joaquin Tuculet, Rhys Patchell, Gethin Jenkins, Lloyd Williams and Cory Allen being the key absentees.

Blues mgmt are taking a justified gamble on the Wales u20s player Garyn Smith and Tom Isaacs in the middle. It can't be any worse than Gavin Evans at 12 all season and I'm glad they are giving Garyn a chance. Dan Fish has been playing very poorly of late and I would have much preferred to see Richard Smith on the wing against two very skilful Glasgow wingers. Gareth Daves and Knoyle are really going to have to up their game tonight.

No question that Glasgow will win this game, I'm just hoping for an improved performance.

 

[Peat]

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Danie Poolman, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Craig Ronaldson, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Eoghan Masterson, 6 John Muldoon (c), 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Ronan Loughney, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 John Cooney, 22 Miah Nikora, 23 Darragh Leader.

Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Darren Cave, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Wiahahn Herbst, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Callum Black.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Andrew Warwick, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Clive Ross, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Stuart McCloskey.


Not a bad Connacht team, but that's a pretty scary Ulster team if they've finally hit form - arguably the strongest put out all season.

 

[Bluemoon]

Not a bad Connacht team, but that's a pretty scary Ulster team if they've finally hit form - arguably the strongest put out all season.

Agreed. It'll be a great game as there is plenty on it for both teams. Connacht go into this strong being the home team.

 

[big ginger 8]

[h=3]Leinster[/h]15. Zane Kirchner
14. Dave Kearney
13. Ben Te'o
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Martin Moore
4. Ben Marshall
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Shane Jennings (captain)
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Aaron Dundon
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Ross Molony
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Luke McGrath
22. Noel Reid
23. Luke Fitzgerald
[h=3]Dragons[/h]15. Jason Tovey
14. Tom Prydie
13. Tyler Morgan
12. Jack Dixon
11. Hallam Amos
10. Dorian Jones
9. Jonathan Evans
1. Phil Price
2. T. Rhys Thomas (captain)
3. Brok Harris
4. James Thomas
5. Cory Hill
6. Nick Crosswell
7. Nic Cudd
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Rhys Buckley
17. Luke Garrett
18. Dan Way
19. Matthew Screech
20. James Benjamin
21. Luc Jones
22. Pat Leach
23. Geraint Rhys Jones

On balance probably the right decision to rest most of the starters. Although it would nice to get some continuity for once the do or die Ulster match is 6 days after the Toulon match.

With Toulon in mind, that three quarter line is very interesting.

 

[Peat]

17-0 at the break. Ulster struggled a wee bit to keep the ball and find position even with the wind, but once they have, it's been slightly sodomtastic. Jackson's alertness and passing for the last two tries was beautiful. Henderson's been very prominent. Henry looks like he's edging back to his horrible best.

And Jared Payne is looking like he isn't a shirt filler for once... has Schmidt committed his greatest act of Irish rugby sainthood, or do Connacht have a crap defence?

 

[munstermuffin]

Bit of both Peat. Connacht were poor but Ulster looked classy. Makes our task here in Scotland a bit tougher. The wind isn't helping either

 

[Peat]

I demur more with the former than the latter - Connacht had the odd bum moment, but looked very good in spells. Healy in particular looked some player. Just Ulster were very clinical in bursts. Stuff to work on, but in the right place. It's quite nice to have a squad that looks mostly fit and in the right place at this time of the season for once.

 

[big ginger 8]

Some nice play at times from Leinster, yet still 8-3 down. Somes up a lot of our season.

As I type however Te'o goes over. Him and D'arcy have been our best players.

EDIT: And now Gopperth runs 30m to score just before half time. If we can keep this up after the break we should definitely get the TBP.

HT: 8-15.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Strange first half. Leinster played a lot of rugby but didn't take their chances until late on and it looked like it would cost them.

Jimmy Gopperth was very poor until his try. Ben Te'o and Gordon D'arcy have been really strong in the centre.

 

[big ginger 8]

Another try for Te'o. Nicely worked. He is going to be very handy.

EDIT: Looks like a concussion for Strauss. Not good with next week in mind.

EDIT EDIT: Te'o sinbinned for 'hitting first with the shoulder and than trying to wrap'. Bit of a dubious decision imo. I know it s common throughout the Pro12 but hearing the TMO speaking with a Welsh accent is grating. We need to grab hold of the game again. 15-22 at this stage.

 

[big ginger 8]

Reddan is just a terrible kicker. Gets charged down and now presuming the TMO gives it as a try the Dragons can go level.

EDIT: Tovey misses the simple conversion. 20-22.

 

[Peat]

Reddan is just a terrible kicker. Gets charged down and now presuming the TMO gives it as a try the Dragons can go level.

EDIT: Tovey misses the simple conversion. 20-22.

Can't they do anything right?

 

[big ginger 8]

Ah don't worry after some decent play and no small hand from some Leinster errors, the Dragons are ahead by 3 with 6 to go.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Ah don't worry after some decent play and no small hand from some Leinster errors, the Dragons are ahead by 3 with 6 to go.

what has been up with Leinster this season ? Champions off the pro 12 last season and they might not even make it to the play-offs

 

[big ginger 8]

what has been up with Leinster this season ? Champions off the pro 12 last season and could not be included in the playoff this year.

Massive injury list, more international call ups than ever along with a number of important players leaving and just some general stupid stuff on and off the pitch have made success was very nearly impossible. Or I suppose I should just say MO'C as that's what a lot of people would say.

- - - Updated - - -

Aaaannnd we've now lost twice in the one season to....the Dragonsee. ****ing hell. How we managed to lose from being 8-22 up I'll never know. It's easy to blame the yellow card so I might just do that.

Boss has to start next week. Reddan was the source of two tries for the Dragons.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Massive injury list, more international call ups than ever along with a number of important players leaving and just some general stupid stuff on and off the pitch have made success was very nearly impossible. Or I suppose I should just say MO'C as that's what a lot of people would say.

Well it could be worst you could end up having Scott Johnston managing your team which is everything you want.

- - - Updated - - -

Massive injury list, more international call ups than ever along with a number of important players leaving and just some general stupid stuff on and off the pitch have made success was very nearly impossible. Or I suppose I should just say MO'C as that's what a lot of people would say.

- - - Updated - - -

Aaaannnd we've now lost twice in the one season to....the Dragonsee. ****ing hell. How we managed to lose from being 8-22 up I'll never know. It's easy to blame the yellow card so I might just do that.

Boss has to start next week. Reddan was the source of two tries for the Dragons.

Its sound like its nearly time for Reddan to hang his boots up. Why wasn't Boss even selected, he was brilliant against Glasgow

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Massive injury list, more international call ups than ever along with a number of important players leaving and just some general stupid stuff on and off the pitch have made success was very nearly impossible. Or I suppose I should just say MO'C as that's what a lot of people would say.

I'm no fan of the current coach and think there are some mitigating factors but 10 internationals started today with a further three coming off the bench. All you can ask for is that a coach gets the best out of his players. Matt O'Connor isn't doing that.

 

[jcahill1]

Massive injury list, more international call ups than ever along with a number of important players leaving and just some general stupid stuff on and off the pitch have made success was very nearly impossible. Or I suppose I should just say MO'C as that's what a lot of people would say.

- - - Updated - - -

Aaaannnd we've now lost twice in the one season to....the Dragonsee. ****ing hell. How we managed to lose from being 8-22 up I'll never know. It's easy to blame the yellow card so I might just do that.

Boss has to start next week. Reddan was the source of two tries for the Dragons.

Do you honestly believe MO'C is not at fault for our atrocious play this season? We look completely bereft of ideas on the pitch and our defensive systems are not functioning at all