Heineken Cup 1/4F - Clermont v Leiceister

[Big Ewis]

Heineken Cup Quarter Final






Date: Saturday 5th April 2014
Location: Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRE)
​

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Remember Thomond, all records must end sometime.

Easy win for Tigers here. Ed slater has 100% win record as captain that so much better then whatever Clermont record is.

I feel better after the last month or so than I did before, It would be the biggest upset in Heinken cup history IMO. Should be a good game.

Tigers likely team I reckon will be. (looking from a one eyed point of view)
1) Ayerza (one of the best iLH in the world)
2) Youngs (Lion and a very dynamic hooker lineouts are better when playing for tigers)
3) Mulipola (On the form of his life a huge Samoa prop who makes bulldozing runs) (C)
4) Salter (A natural leader and excellent ball carrier)
5) Deacon (Provides extra grunt to compete against Clermont a typical work horse second row)
6) Gibson (Been a great player has filled in a huge gap where Croft and Mafi where)
7) Salvi (One of the best 7's in Europe imo, an expert at the turnover)
8) Crane (Not the most exciting of 8 far from it, But works very well with Youngs and adds stability at the back, looking back to his best playing around the rucks not in the middle of the backs)
9) Youngs (Has found his form since being dropped by England, is looking like his commanding best)
10) Williams (Solid dependable Kicker played well in his toughest match of his career last week against Northampton got 5/5 kicks and provided the key kick to get the LBP at ravenhill)
11) Benjamin/Scully/Thompstone (Scully and Thompstone are defensively strong, and can finish but lack the out and out attacking nous that wins these games, Benjamin however provides that).
12) Allen (the defensive general consistent and always there will have his hands full)
13) Tualigi (Enough said)
14) Goneva (can make something out of nothing but is prone to brain farts in his handling and defence on his day not many better wingers out there)
15) Tait (Has been playing his best rugby at 15, has had 2 weeks off could be good could be bad)

Bench
16) Hawkins ( a great 2nd choice hooker does whats needed)
17) Stankovich ( Great scrummanger not many know more about it than him but doesn't offer as much round the park as Ayerza)
18) Balmain (A great young prospect but hasn't had much game time is quick and strong enough at the scrum but experience may show if he comes on)
19) Kitchener (A great lineout operator who is deadly quick and aggressive in attack for a 2nd row for a second row)
20) Matera/Waldrom (Matera may be on the bench due to being on it last week and provides excellent work at the breakdown, Waldrom offers more attacking ball carrier than crane)
21) Mele (typical French SH gobby, annoying but pops up every where adds more zip of the breakdown than youngs but doesn't draw in players like Youngs)
22) Flood (Off form but puts everything in when he plays handy player to have on the bench his experience will be needed)
23) Hamilton/Scully/Thompstone/Benjamin/Smith (don't know who cockers will pick here)

Anyone care to post a probable Clermont team.
Players who are off/injuryed: Croft, Parling, Camacho, Mafi, Cole, Morris. Now some of these may be fit (all expect cole apprantley) but game time will cost against them but who knows.

Tait and Mele where pulled out of last week for Hamilton and Harrison don't know if cockers just didn't want to risk before Clermont.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Far too early to post a Clermont team, but if you continue to post and post you may convince yourself, but as i have said previously the no 75 is the only number that you will remember from this weekends rugby in Clermont ( for anyone who does not know, it is the record home wins for Clermont standing at 74) this weekend will make it 75!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TheSaffycen]

I apologise if there is a Clermont fan who wants to do this but I don't know if there is one, I will try to be one-eyed to the Clermont team I don't know who is injured but I have seen the recent line-ups they've had so this is my go at it.

1. Domingo (Possibly the best Loose Head in the world)
2. Kayser ( Amazing Scrummager and good everywhere else, like Tom Youngs just less dynamic)
3. Zirakashvili ( One of the best scrummagers in the world, the Georgian is one of the best the country has ever produced)
4. Hines (like wine at the age of 37 is one off the best locks in the world, combines great power with unbelievable skill)
5. Cudmore/ Pierre (both solid players Cudmore brings a lot more grunt and power)
6. Vosloo (tackling machine and outstanding flanker, moving to Toulon next year but is still a key man for Clermont)
7. Bonnaire (French legend, who may be going back to Les Blues, is still a lineout weapon and tackling machine)
8. Lee (joined mid season but has turned out to be one of Clermont's most effective and dangerous operators, some how never capped for NZ)
9. Parra (In the top 2 or 3 scrum halves in the world, the petit general is world class and will make sure his pack is going forward)
10. James (his goal kicking will not be tested with Parra alongside, one of the best playmaking fly halves in the world)
11. Sivivatu (is still one of the best wingers in the world, half a yard of space and you're seven points down)
12. Fofana (the best centre in the world, he plays in the most elegant fashion but has pace and power, the best player France have produced in years)
13. Rougerie (An animal in attack and defence and has the best midfield combo in Europe with Fofana, the captain will want to win the Hcup)
14. Nalaga (Typical pacific islander can be caught out defensively but going forward is deadly, his power is impossible to stop close to the line)
15. Byrne (the welsh and lions fullback is still a classy individual and dangerous from the back, any loose kicks will be punished)

16. Paulo (very powerful and dangerous hooker who will bring more ballast to this Clermont pack when he comes on)
17. Debaty (in the loose very hard to stop, his scrummaging can be suspect but when people tire a 128kg prop is always fun to tackle)
18. Kotze (The south African born prop is a competent individual and has played for France against New Zealand in 2013)
19. Pierre/Cudmore ( The experience either bring off the bench will hurt Leicester)
20. Chouly (had a very good 6 nations and can play anywhere on the back row, brilliant player for Clermont to have on the bench)
21. Lacrampe (honestly haven't seen much from him but when Parra was out he step in and didn't do badly)
22. Delany (another NZ who never got a real Int'l chance, brilliant playmaker who gets the backline going)
23. Malzieu/Buttin/Stanley however they go Clermont can pick form an amzing array of backline talent

Hopefully that didn't suck and was accurate

 

[goodNumber10]

yeah, can't see Clermont going down, but if any English teams is going to win ont he road in France it's likely to be Tigers.

heart says Leicester (never thought i'd say that), head says Clermont - they juts have too much to play for, home record and Cotters last Hurrah!

 

[goodNumber10]

I apologise if there is a Clermont fan who wants to do this but I don't know if there is one, I will try to be one-eyed to the Clermont team I don't know who is injured but I have seen the recent line-ups they've had so this is my go at it.

1. Domingo (Possibly the best Loose Head in the world)
2. Kayser ( Amazing Scrummager and good everywhere else, like Tom Youngs just less dynamic)
3. Zirakashvili ( One of the best scrummagers in the world, the Georgian is one of the best the country has ever produced)
4. Hines (like wine at the age of 37 is one off the best locks in the world, combines great power with unbelievable skill)
5. Cudmore/ Pierre (both solid players Cudmore brings a lot more grunt and power)
6. Vosloo (tackling machine and outstanding flanker, moving to Toulon next year but is still a key man for Clermont)
7. Bonnaire (French legend, who may be going back to Les Blues, is still a lineout weapon and tackling machine)
8. Lee (joined mid season but has turned out to be one of Clermont's most effective and dangerous operators, some how never capped for NZ)
9. Parra (In the top 2 or 3 scrum halves in the world, the petit general is world class and will make sure his pack is going forward)
10. James (his goal kicking will not be tested with Parra alongside, one of the best playmaking fly halves in the world)
11. Sivivatu (is still one of the best wingers in the world, half a yard of space and you're seven points down)
12. Fofana (the best centre in the world, he plays in the most elegant fashion but has pace and power, the best player France have produced in years)
13. Rougerie (An animal in attack and defence and has the best midfield combo in Europe with Fofana, the captain will want to win the Hcup)
14. Nalaga (Typical pacific islander can be caught out defensively but going forward is deadly, his power is impossible to stop close to the line)
15. Byrne (the welsh and lions fullback is still a classy individual and dangerous from the back, any loose kicks will be punished)

16. Paulo (very powerful and dangerous hooker who will bring more ballast to this Clermont pack when he comes on)
17. Debaty (in the loose very hard to stop, his scrummaging can be suspect but when people tire a 128kg prop is always fun to tackle)
18. Kotze (The south African born prop is a competent individual and has played for France against New Zealand in 2013)
19. Pierre/Cudmore ( The experience either bring off the bench will hurt Leicester)
20. Chouly (had a very good 6 nations and can play anywhere on the back row, brilliant player for Clermont to have on the bench)
21. Lacrampe (honestly haven't seen much from him but when Parra was out he step in and didn't do badly)
22. Delany (another NZ who never got a real Int'l chance, brilliant playmaker who gets the backline going)
23. Malzieu/Buttin/Stanley however they go Clermont can pick form an amzing array of backline talent

Hopefully that didn't suck and was accurate

Is sivivatu not out injured? Rougerie has played ont he wing the last couple of games, with King at 13 (awesome player).

Also Benson Stanley on the bench, also another great player.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Is sivivatu not out injured? Rougerie has played ont he wing the last couple of games, with King at 13 (awesome player).

Also Benson Stanley on the bench, also another great player.

Well I wasn't sure, I looked who was playing in the last games and saw sivivatu get subbed in one game but I didn't know if it was an injury. If he is injured I expect to see Rougerie at 13, as MALZIEU IS BACK !!!!!!!!!! I'm sorry I just love the guy and he scored against Grenoble, Nakaitaci could also play but I doubt that very much. I think they look so much better when Rougerie plays 13 compared to Regan King, still the amount of talent they have is incredible.

 

[Big Ewis]

aaahh Tigs Man I appreciate the attitude and positiveness, but the truth is the mighty ASM Clermont aren't very interested in leaving the tournament at just 1/4F level you see...and there's that record they've got there at home, I have a feeling they're not quite ready to give up.

Saffycen Domingo isn't nearly the best LH prop in the world, at least he's farther from that status this year in particular. Since coming back from injury last November he hasn't been the same in the scrums, and those new rules haven't helped his cause at all. And that's just scrumtime. He's just too "small", short specifically, to really make an impact in the loose, and him winning turnover ball and that kinda stuff is a rare sight (albeit rare for most LH's).

But I'd like to tell you I appreciate your very positive attitude on this forum, and on the side your knowledge of French Rugby is worthy of praise as well. You know about the little details too like Parra's "little general" nickname.

As for the 23 jersey nominees you picked, let's not forget Noa Nakaitaci, French Fiji-poached player - excellent, perhaps better than the 3 you mention.

I'll wait for Clermont to officially post their lineup. Lost count of who's injured yet and who's back and what not...

 

[TheSaffycen]

Saffycen Domingo isn't nearly the best LH prop in the world, at least he's farther from that status this year in particular. Since coming back from injury last November he hasn't been the same in the scrums, and those new rules haven't helped his cause at all. And that's just scrumtime. He's just too "small", short specifically, to really make an impact in the loose, and him winning turnover ball and that kinda stuff is a rare sight (albeit rare for most LH's).

I'm living in the past I know, I just remember when Cole said he was the hardest opponent he'd ever faced and now it's like HOW THE **** IS DEBATY BETTER IN THE SCRUM !!!!!!!

But I'd like to tell you I appreciate your very positive attitude on this forum, and on the side your knowledge of French Rugby is worthy of praise as well. You know about the little details too like Parra's "little general" nickname

I tried to do it in Clermont biased way, but I do genuinely love watching them play. I would like to think I have a good knowledge on French rugby but not as much as the guys who watch it week in week out.

 

[McTallshort]

Dont know what the fuss is about Tigers by 10....

 

[gaston le gaff]

Dont know what the fuss is about Tigers by 10....

in your dreams!!!!!!!!!

 

[McTallshort]

in your dreams!!!!!!!!!

No its true! Im not arrogant but we are superior.....

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No its true! Im not arrogant but we are superior.....

Finally an impartial view we can all agree on.


Bravo sir, Bravo

 

[gaston le gaff]

No its true! Im not arrogant but we are superior.....

only time will tell but you will still be No. 75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Finally an impartial view we can all agree on.


Bravo sir, Bravo

only time will tell but you will still be No. 75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw some sources give 73, others 74...it's hilarious how by now this home record thing has absolutely entered mythical realms where we're not even sure of the exact number anymore !

 

[gaston le gaff]

Firstly i can assure you all it is 74 consectutive victories at home without defeat or draws!!!! No 75 will happen on Sat.
[h=2]L'infirmerie se vide du côté de Clermont: Bonnaire, Lapandry, Bardy, Cudmore, Debaty et Sivivatu ont fait leur retour à l'entraînement et sont aptes pour le quart de finale de H Cup face à Leicester samedi.
The above players are all back at training and are fit for selection against No75 on Sat. Malzieu (winger) and Cabello (hooker) are injured and not fit for selection[/h]

 

[TheSaffycen]

After(looking at my ****ing amazing Clermont assessment) they should win this by about 10. But Clermont are chokers, and they always will be I think, I can't tell you why when they have players at their disposal. One thing is for sure Leicester will turn up, they won't go into their shell and they won't be intimidated. My prediction Clermont by 5.

 

[Big Ewis]

yes Saffycen I too was in absolute awe seeing Debaty more efficient in the scrum (than T.Domingo). It seems the new rules may favor larger individuals now somehow, but that's still not a rigid reality at all. But it's the first time I watch Domingo and all of a sudden his little size is an issue and he's struggling in the scrum. He used to penetrate right into the scrum often and apply so much pressure the opposing TH would have no choice but to commit a foul, collapsing or wtvr...in 2011-12-early 2013 he was absolutely untakable in the scrum.

Anyways, yep fantastic news, those returning. Clermont seem to always get by with ease even when they're decimated by injuries, but this time they'll need all the help they can get out of their roster.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Well last post for me, leaving for Clermont soon.

Prediction Tigers by 3.

 

[Big Ewis]

Well last post for me, leaving for Clermont soon.

Prediction Tigers by 3.

lol, and safe trip.