Heineken Champions Cup Final 2019

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Weirdly as a quins supporter I normally feel huge apathy for sarries

But **** me that commentary melted a frozen heart

also you both break the cap.....

 

[Rich Taff]

Before the game I had no idea which way it was going to go, but that Sarries pack is brutal.
Thought it was a very 'Gatland' performance.
Built on incredible defence and a strong pack, with centres blasting up the middle.
Enjoyed it.

 

[Reiser99]

Fantastic game. Sarries just suffocated Leinster with their defence.

 

[Dai Perk]

Holy crap, that was a GREAT game, though it didn't exactly have fireworks... But holy effing mother of gee, Billy V. is RIDICULOUS...

 

[Dai Perk]

I've been hearing analysts talking about Maro and how "irritating" his is in the ruck... Now I know what they mean, that dude is a freaking BEAST... Did you see him basically rip somebody's shirt off? Is that a thing?

 

[Umaga's Witness]

So was this seen as bigger than pro14 and premiership?

 

[Umaga's Witness]

That saracens pack is monster with Skelton and Vunipola, itoje playing 6. Did Leinster try and run them off their feet, or did they play a typical Irish patience game? Do you think they should have adapted better, played a different game plan.

I wasn't able to watch but am intrigued nonetheless.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So was this seen as bigger than pro14 and premiership?

Champions League v Premier league. A few English and French sides value the league more but there ain't nothing bigger than the Heino in NH club rugby.

I'm absolutely gutted, could be a while before we get the cup back with the current exodus and long term injuries/injury prone guys. Full faith in the coaching staff eeking every last drop out of their potential though. This year was fraught with difficulties and faux amis (flattering pro14 conference) another learning curve for the duo up top.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Champions League v Premier league. A few English and French sides value the league more but there ain't nothing bigger than the Heino in NH club rugby.

I'm absolutely gutted, could be a while before we get the cup back with the current exodus and long term injuries/injury prone guys. Full faith in the coaching staff eeking every last drop out of their potential though. This year was fraught with difficulties and faux amis (flattering pro14 conference) another learning curve for the duo up top.

Thanks for the insight. They were two insane lineups for club rugby, especially the Starting 15s. I can imagine how gutted you feel as that was practically an Ireland starting 15.

I suppose a crusaders starting 15 could look pretty imposing too, e.g.
Moody
Taylor
Franks
Whitelock
Barret
Taufua
Todd
Read
Hall
Mo'unga
Bridge
Crotty
Goodhue
Reece
Havili

Would be great to have a world league, with a northern conference and a southern conference.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Only just watched this. Fantastic match and a very well deserved win.

Proper rugby. Give me that over 45-40 any day.

 

[Rinkadink]

So was this seen as bigger than pro14 and premiership?

Celtic Pro14 sides probably, not for the Premiership and Top14 (French sides) who value their leagues more.

51,000 there for this final yesterday, a similar amount to Bath vs Bristol in April whilst Harlequins vs Wasps league has attracted 82,000 in December. The Premiership final had 70-something thousand there last year, and the French leagues see similar figures of 70-80,000 for certain games.

Don't forget both the Premiership and Top14 both have relegation too which adds pressure and the leagues are much more intensely contested than the Pro14 which does not. Of course the English and French sides would like to win the European cup too but priorities lie elsewhere.

 

[General Melchett]

What is next for Mark McCall career wise? Can't help but be impressed with the man in the way he sets up Sarries for games like yesterday and the way he comes across in the media. Is he at Sarries for the long haul or will he fancy a pop at international rugby? Surprised Ireland didn't go for him but guess he wasn't in the system whereas Andy Farrell was. England could do a lot worse if they don't go for Gatland.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Celtic Pro14 sides probably, not for the Premiership and Top14 (French sides) who value their leagues more.

51,000 there for this final yesterday, a similar amount to Bath vs Bristol in April whilst Harlequins vs Wasps league has attracted 82,000 in December. The Premiership final had 70-something thousand there last year, and the French leagues see similar figures of 70-80,000 for certain games.

Don't forget both the Premiership and Top14 both have relegation too which adds pressure and the leagues are much more intensely contested than the Pro14 which does not. Of course the English and French sides would like to win the European cup too but priorities lie elsewhere.

Thanks. Interesting. I imagine if I was a player I'd want to win this one the most.

 

[FrenchFan]

Celtic Pro14 sides probably, not for the Premiership and Top14 (French sides) who value their leagues more.

Don't forget both the Premiership and Top14 both have relegation too which adds pressure and the leagues are much more intensely contested than the Pro14 which does not. Of course the English and French sides would like to win the European cup too but priorities lie elsewhere.

Makes sense. The fallout from winning the Bouclier is far greater in terms of sponsorship and fan attendance. Most fans here can't get to games outside of this country.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Have to hand it to Sarries who were far better on the day. Deserved champions who battered everyone this year. For the last half hour, they were the only team in it. Vincent Koch stood out for me yesterday when he came on.

The aim for Leinster now is how to get to and surpass that level. The big lesson I took from it is to back players who are in form and not pick on reputation. I'm sure the coaching staff noticed the same. Sean O'Brien unfortunately is nowhere near the player he once was. Having said that, Saracens would have won regardless of who was wearing the 7 shirt for Leinster.

Despite Saracens thoroughly deserving their victory, Leinster had chances. I haven't read through this thread but assume Leinster's decision not to kick it out at the end of the first half was a momentum shifter. Kick it out and it's 10-3 at the break. Garry Ringrose gives a pass early in the second half and it's 17-3. Small margins. Saracens took control from then on. Their defense was awesome.

Next season promises a lot. Will Toulouse continue their revival and challenge for the trophy? Can Saracens join Leinster and Toulouse on 4 ***les and become the first team to win 4 in 5 years? Do Leinster have the depth to come back and get a 5th star on the jersey?

Newcastle was a brilliant venue. The city embraced the tournament. Far superior to Bilbao last year.

 

[duncanb]

Got the impression Newcastle was a good venue from TV.
Obviously some may had travel issues.

 

[FrenchFan]

Next season promises a lot. Will Toulouse continue their revival and challenge for the trophy? Can Saracens join Leinster and Toulouse on 4 ***les and become the first team to win 4 in 5 years? Do Leinster have the depth to come back and get a 5th star on the jersey?

Let's not forget Clermont. They walked the Challenge. They'll be a match to Leinster and Saracens next season.

I would have trusted the current Clermont to have made the last 4 of the CCup this season. But no regret for them, they won the Challenge. They're bit more advanced and mature than we are. They've also signed Frank Azéma and his staff into 2020.

 

[Greeno]

From a English point of view. I can see Exeter with Hogg and some tough lessons learnt this season doing a lot better next year with potentially Gloucester who would of had another year of Ackerman behind them. Definitely not saying they we win it but quarter finals and potential semis for Exeter are not out of reach. Top 4 are Saracens, Leinster, Clermont and Toulouse. In that order for me.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We'll fall off next year if the Rob Kearney rumours are true. He was great Saturday, Sarries would have had a field day with Larmour.

 

[big ginger 8]

We'll fall off next year if the Rob Kearney rumours are true. He was great Saturday, Sarries would have had a field day with Larmour.

Yeah a lot remains to be seen about how we can perform next year, World Cups tend to have a few big injuries. Hopefully like 2015 it'll be great depth development, loads of lads who could be in a position to really push on.