Pool 1 (Glasgow, Leicester, Munster, Racing Metro)

[Groundhog]

I saw Tigs driving around Limerick throwing fivers out his window at poor people and yelling "affluence" while he was in Limerick. Pretty sure Ayerza was driving the limo as well.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeh we're a rich club sure.

Not as bad but creeping the mentality in. Ye are a traditional club just hope ye don't kill that. Like compared to glory years ye aren't producing as many and taking more foreign options

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

H'cap is -32 for a bit of easy cash lads.

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I saw Tigs driving around Limerick throwing fivers out his window at poor people and yelling "affluence" while he was in Limerick. Pretty sure Ayerza was driving the limo as well.

To be fair, if you were actually rich you just wouldn't go to Limerick... Look at us sure!

 

[Groundhog]

Wow look at what these jealous haters were saying about Munster rugby only a few weeks ago

Who knows  but iftheyloose to Munster there it'll show how far they've fallen. They'll be like us a team of past.

Looks weak in battle for 3rd and 4th place 

Earls did some work today but still gets slight light headed spells. Jaco is flying it at 13 and I'd say Earls will replace Ronan on wing if fit.

Great to prove the doubters wrong
Why are you posting odds Alpha. Do you really think Tigs needs the cash?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I saw Tigs driving around Limerick throwing fivers out his window at poor people and yelling "affluence" while he was in Limerick. Pretty sure Ayerza was driving the limo as well.

Please I could be driving a reliant robin and be considered rich in limerick. Every still uses kart horses over there.

 

[Groundhog]

Please I could be driving a reliant robin and be considered rich in limerick. Every still uses kart horses over there.

Mate if your horse can pull carts, you can pull women.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Mate if your horse can pull carts, you can pull women.

Please I'm a throughbred kind of guy.

 

[Groundhog]

Munster playing with the spirit of 200h8. Scrum en flééké

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Munster playing with the spirit of 200h8. Scrum en flééké

Helps when they are playing against a racing side with the spirt of 1996 team.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Its mad that Conway was Leinster's next big thing before Ian Madigan... McGrath, Ringrose, JVDF, Carbery, Byrne, Leavy and O'Loughlin have all had a go since then!

I went to Limerick once in a nice coat and a scarf, watched Leinster stroll home and was worshipped as I left with the locals thinking it'd bring them good luck.

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Bleyendaal hasn't been amazing really.

 

[Groundhog]

Its mad that Conway was Leinster's next big thing before Ian Madigan... McGrath, Ringrose, JVDF, Carbery, Byrne, Leavy and O'Loughlin have all had a go since then!

I went to Limerick once in a nice coat and a scarf, watched Leinster stroll home and was worshipped as I left with the locals thinking it'd bring them good luck.

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Bleyendaal hasn't been amazing really.

Wouldn't have just been Leinster strolling home if you'd parked your Yaris in the wrong neighbourhood.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If this shower lose me 20 quid... At least it goes to a Leinster man.

 

[munstermuffin]

Its mad that Conway was Leinster's next big thing before Ian Madigan... McGrath, Ringrose, JVDF, Carbery, Byrne, Leavy and O'Loughlin have all had a go since then!

I went to Limerick once in a nice coat and a scarf, watched Leinster stroll home and was worshipped as I left with the locals thinking it'd bring them good luck.

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Bleyendaal hasn't been amazing really.

Tyler has been ok today Alpha but hard to be standout on poor pitch.

On leaving Thomond it mustn't have been that good a jacket because if it was it wouldn't have left Limerick with you.

It's rare I write on this during game but it's cold here and pure atmosphere of ending the game quickly on everyones mind.
Just pointed out to me by our stats lads that the score difference means if we get a LBP even next week that will leave us in pole position

 

[FrenchFan]

Racing got what they deserved. What did they expect with the team they put out.

IMO the Fizz is going out of parisian rugby.

They never will be a rugby stronghold no matter what they say and how much money they throw at the game. Rugby in Paris goes under too many people's radar. The parisian clubs should be able to blink and fill their stadium given the population around. Toulouse Clermont Bordeaux have bigger attendances with much smaller numbers. Racing and SF have no real fan base.

Racing have taken wrong turn with their recruitment and it is showing. They're staff are also inexperienced in Europe. OGara is blaming a lack of a proper season break saying they only got 5 days when everyone gets same (don't know where he gets 5 days from). Not the real issue though.

They're stuck with overpaid and over the hill players. Goosen will likely be booted out and will have his head handed over if taken to court.
Racing have to open their eyes to how useless their recruitment has been. They have some good youngsters coming thru though who with the right management in place could be their saving grace next season. Lorenzetti who is not a man from rugby can't see the forest for the trees ATM.

SF are in worse shape. We just beat their best side in Paris with our B side and no kicker. The Savare family said they're pulling out and the club appears rudderless. Many of their senior players are leaving. Genia and Alberts have been anonymous. They lost Jeff Dubois to Noves staff. Quesada is leaving. It's a pity as many of their players who came thru their academy and won the league 2 years ago are still around.
Danty in form is worth a recall for France and would bring option at centre along Fofana and Lamerat. I am a big fan of their backrow Sekou Makalou who at 21 is a big prospect alongside Judicaël Cancoriet 20 (Clermont) and Yacouba Camara 22 (ex Toulouse).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Small glimmer of hope in this pool.

Hopefully Racing play like they did v Munster this weekend..

 

[Groundhog]

Hopefully Leicester play like they did in 2001.
For real though Racing won't give anyone in this pool a bother anymore. The're a cool full points at home at this stage. That team needs a serious look at. Glasgow away will be a serious challenge this week. I fancy our pack to have an edge, but they have great structure, guys who can play open, a pitch that really suits them and great form. That said even a lbp would be pretty useful in a mathematical sense.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Hopefully Leicester play like they did in 2001.
For real though Racing won't give anyone in this pool a bother anymore. The're a cool full points at home at this stage. That team needs a serious look at. Glasgow away will be a serious challenge this week. I fancy our pack to have an edge, but they have great structure, guys who can play open, a pitch that really suits them and great form. That said even a lbp would be pretty useful in a mathematical sense.

i can see Munster losing this, Glasgow will be roaring and a win would give them a huge advantage going into the final week.

 

[munstermuffin]

i can see Munster losing this, Glasgow will be roaring and a win would give them a huge advantage going into the final week.

We are expected to loose. It's a LBP we are after which means we will have advantage due to head to head. Equally we have less pressure as we'd surely be favourite for runner up spot

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We are expected to loose. It's a LBP we are after which means we will have advantage due to head to head. Equally we have less pressure as we'd surely be favourite for runner up spot

*would settle for.

A Glasgow win suits us fine... Where's my kilt??

 

[Groundhog]

i can see Munster losing this, Glasgow will be roaring and a win would give them a huge advantage going into the final week.

Oh yeah I'd have them as narrow favorites for this one. Like I said Scotstoun is a pretty tough place to go, but something that gives me confidence is that our pack is not over heavy, pretty mobile and will be able to get around that park like huge packs like Racing simply can't. We have an ability to bring huge intensity in the opening quarter this year, which will be interesting to see. If we want to beat this crowd though we need to shut down the offload and make good defensive reads. Their players 1-15 have great handling ability, Really impressed with the work Nienebar has done with this team. We concede some line breaks, but our backs have been scrambling really well. Zebo has become an excellent sweeper.
I'd predict Glasgow by 3, but wouldn't be shocked if we won. It's pretty hard to predict this pool.
EDIT: On injuries O'Donnell looked injured quite early against Racing but played on which is pretty brave, but maybe regretable given how we ended up hammering them and we need him for this week. Jean Kleyn is back, although Holland has been great of late and has been great on the floor and at the nigly stuff. Du Toit is back as well which gives us a decent 18 option. Sweetnam obviously still crocked which is irritating as the high ball was the only area Racing had any parity in over the weekend.