Predictions for Quarter-Final Places

[munstermuffin]

Lads i know it early and still hard to predict with many Lions just back but on early form do we see any surprise packages ready to shock us or any old reliables looking vulnerqable?

 

[An Tarbh]

well Paris and Bath have been patchy so they could come unstuck especially if Ulster win all their home matches and Edinburgh's early form will have them scratching their heads as well.

If Leicester don't start scoring tries soon Clermont could well knock them out, especially if the Ospreys can give them a hand by beating the Tigers at home.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Sep 20 2009, 01:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

well Paris and Bath have been patchy so they could come unstuck especially if Ulster win all their home matches and Edinburgh's early form will have them scratching their heads as well.

If Leicester don't start scoring tries soon Clermont could well knock them out, especially if the Ospreys can give them a hand by beating the Tigers at home.[/b]

Agreed have a sneaky feeling Ulster or Edinburgh are lined up to make break-through in that group although Ulster may miss Best too much.

I expect Clermont to impress this year too having seen them from been in our group for last 2 years.
But question again is will French teams treat it serious

 

[dullonien]

Waaaay to early to tell imo. On current form, the likes of Blues and Ospreys will be nowhere near, however I'm sure that will change. Munster were poor against Scarlets, does that mean they won't get through? So much can and will change. From a Welsh perspective though, things aren't looking great, Dragons with the best shout atm, considering their easier group?

 

[An Tarbh]

It's not going to be a cakewalk for Munster either, their pool will probably come down to the bonus points as I won't be surprised if they lose to both Northampton and Perpignan away from home, if they get 2 points from those matches I'd imagine they'll be fine but it could be squeaky bum time come January home to the Saints.

 

[feicarsinn]

I wouldn't read anything into ML teams' form at the mo' with so many Lions to come back. All Llanelli are missing is a decent 10 (Mr. S Jones), while the Ospreys and Blues are still lacking their grunt up front. Heh poetic.

 

[An Tarbh]

I don't think the Scarlets will be as poor as they were last season so that's going to be a huge away game for Leinster and it's a must win cause away to London Irish and Brive could cause us serious problems. I won't be surprised to see 4 wins being enough to top our pool.

 

[dullonien]

This HC is certainly looking to be epic. With the likes of Glasgow, Edinburough, Scarlets, Dragons, Northampton etc. etc. all looking to be stepping up, there should be serious competition in every group. Can't wait.

 

[feicarsinn]

Agree with Tarbh. The competition looks alot stronger than in recent years IMO. Hard to see a group where there wont be at least 3 challengers.

 

[munstermuffin]

We know it very early it only predictions etc....

But lads can we see a scottish team making semi's this year they seem to be improving and both having won in France in previous years must have some shot if they get good start.

Also agree competition very tight this year and Munster and Leinster have it much tougher than some realise.

Think Munster may need to beat either Perpignan or Northampton away and well think easier of 2 would be Northampton although that not exactly plain sailing.

Leinster must be nervous too about Scarlets away but think they learned so much in winning last year and Hines is big addition.
Think the starts are as vital as there very little between teams and momentum will be key (as will injuries)

 

[An Tarbh]

think a semi final spot may be asking too much but a quarter final spot is definitely up for grabs for Edinburgh if they can carry their form into Europe and that win against Ulster on Friday will certainly give them confidence when they're back in Belfast in January.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Sep 20 2009, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

think a semi final spot may be asking too much but a quarter final spot is definitely up for grabs for Edinburgh if they can carry their form into Europe and that win against Ulster on Friday will certainly give them confidence when they're back in Belfast in January.[/b]

May be a big but will happen soon i think.

 

[Bullitt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Sep 20 2009, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

We know it very early it only predictions etc....

But lads can we see a scottish team making semi's this year they seem to be improving and both having won in France in previous years must have some shot if they get good start.

Also agree competition very tight this year and Munster and Leinster have it much tougher than some realise.

Think Munster may need to beat either Perpignan or Northampton away and well think easier of 2 would be Northampton although that not exactly plain sailing.

Leinster must be nervous too about Scarlets away but think they learned so much in winning last year and Hines is big addition.
Think the starts are as vital as there very little between teams and momentum will be key (as will injuries)[/b]

The thing about Munster and Leinster is... Well, Leinster don't have Elsom to carry them kicking and screaming no matter how much they desperately want to throw a match away any longer, so really will struggle to be anywhere near top of the pile now. And all the turncoat, former Munster fans in the world won't change that. Meanwhile Munster, despite all the regular hype and bullshit that comes from all of the medias so-called "experts", have been below par so far this year. And at the end of the day, they have to have O'Gara in the team which in itself is a handicap. Against much stronger opposition then they may be used to, I have a suspicion they may count their blessing just to reach the KO stages.

As for the Group of Death, Munster, Perpignan and Northampton will all win their home games (IMO). Treviso, by manor of denying try bonus points or large score lines, will no doubt have a big say in who's going to qualify and who won't.

 

[feicarsinn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Against much stronger opposition then they may be used to, I have a suspicion they may count their blessing just to reach the KO stages.[/b]

Than this season I'm guessing you mean? Because well we all know the groups they've come trough recently.( ya know Sale, Clemont(twice), Mountauban, Wasps, Scarlets, Leicester, Cardiff and Bourgoin.) They do have to bring back DOC, POC, COCK(eh rog), Wallace, Earls, O'Leary, Flannery and DeVilliers. Thats 8 Lions and a bok which would turn any teams fortunes around.

 

[Bullitt]

Granted, they have 6 Lions, 1 Bok, 1 crock and a c**t to bring back (I refuse to acknowledge that American shite-hawks Lions caps), but how long will it take to get them match fit and up to speed - Especially with JDV.

I still believe they'll struggle.

 

[feicarsinn]

Mite, I would agree with you. I'd actually love to but I've been through this too many times with Munster. Just when you think they're gone they beat Gloucester or Sale with a bonus point. They'll find a way through some way or another, I'm sure.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Sep 20 2009, 10:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Granted, they have 6 Lions, 1 Bok, 1 crock and a c**t to bring back (I refuse to acknowledge that American shite-hawks Lions caps), but how long will it take to get them match fit and up to speed - Especially with JDV.

I still believe they'll struggle.[/b]

Well JDV is playing for last 2months or so and is match-fit and well the other boys will be up for it and ready.
Also you might not rate ROG but we all know when he puts munster jersey on he can dictate a game with class.

And you may want to think before saying about us never having tough group as was said already we always seem to get worst group of provinces but always come up good.

And personally i glad that Paulie was given stick during the Lions tour and ROG had that incident because it when these guys are put back to wall that they really do come out fighting.

Oh i cant wait for 1st game in Franklin Gardens

 

[shazbooger]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Sep 20 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well, Leinster don't have Elsom to carry them kicking and screaming no matter how much they desperately want to throw a match away any longer, so really will struggle to be anywhere near top of the pile now.[/b]

Elsom is a massive loss. So much so thats its weird trying to pick a MoM this year. Last year we all just went for Rocky everytime and everyone agreed. Now its like ..... jesus ....... eh ........ erm ...... so we have to pick a player yeah? and it cant be Rocky? you sure? hmmmmm ..... eh ..... erm ..... no, i give up.

However both McLaughlin and O'Brien have been putting in some really good performances in the backrow. Elsom will definately be missed, but maybe not as much as we thought. As for the rest of the team, Hines, Reddan, Ross and Van DeLinde are four excellent signings (Van DeLinde was AWOL last year) which can only improve the team. Sexton has been playing quite well, and McFadden (Morris and Kearney Jnr to a lesser degree) has also looked a real option in the centre. Personally I think we were lucky last year in that we peaked at just the right time, but this time round the squad is much stronger than it was this time last year.

The next three matches are critical for Leinsters season. If we lose all three (Edinburgh, Munster and LI) which is quite possible, I'll agree with you in that were fecked. i have a feeling though that we'll lose to Minster and Win the rest.

So says the guy who got two nil point rounds (out of three) in the predictions league so far

 

[munstermuffin]

Think Leinster will do well this year i strongly believe it'll be themselves and Munster that will set standards early on. Leinster will need Hines to have a positive impact like Elsom though (obviously not on same par as Rocky was possessed by something last year.

Think London Irish are not the same class act without D.Armitage too which is massive bonus to Leinster.

Also think we will beat the Saint away just have a sneaky feeling about it due to the boys having the feeling of something to prove.... :bana:

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Sep 21 2009, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Think Leinster will do well this year i strongly believe it'll be themselves and Munster that will set standards early on. Leinster will need Hines to have a positive impact like Elsom though (obviously not on same par as Rocky was possessed by something last year.

Think London Irish are not the same class act without D.Armitage too which is massive bonus to Leinster.

Also think we will beat the Saint away just have a sneaky feeling about it due to the boys having the feeling of something to prove.... :bana:[/b]

ideal scenario would be to lose at the RDS then nothing worse for Saints than facing a Munster team with a point to prove.