PREXIT - Who needs Europe anyway: Pro 12 - R21

[Leonormous Boozer]

Friday

Cardiff v Zebre - 19:05
Leinster v Glasgow - 19:35
Edinburgh v Dragons - 19:35

Saturday

Ospreys v Ulster - 15:00
Treviso v Munster - 19:05
Connacht v Scarlets - 19:35


The penultimate and, very possibly the worst round of the Pro 12 is upon us, 6 games, 12 European failures bring us...
Absolute **** in Cardiff v Zebre where we'll see an Italian side, wait for it, lose in this weeks 1st of 4 dead rubber games.
Leinster v Glasgow is used condom number 2, what could have been an important game if Glasgow had balls is one where the champions elect, and Eurobottlers, will throw the babies to the wolves to see who survives. They might give up top spot though, I hear you shout! It doesn't matter, the Final is in the home of rugby anyway!
Edinburgh v Dragons is a game you'd really want to have some drug be it viagra or Colombia's finest to enjoy.
THIS ONE MATTERS, IT MATTERS A LOT Ospreys v Ulster is a straight shoot out for the final playoff spot, while one would expect Ulster to beat Leinster minus their Lions and Japan bound contingent and Isa Nacewa (Basically every first choice player and a handful of second choice) next week in Belfast, it will matter nowt if they can't pile misery on to the Swansea based region, in the ultimate showdown of sides who should be good but aren't I expect the Ulstermen to bottle it more than their rivals who actually got good stuff out of Tommy Bowe.
Treviso v Munster, Embarrassments v the embarrassed, Munster have lost their second last game of the season already, they will win three in a row before their third Dublin loss of the season leaves them nice and trophyless. Did I mention that this game means Jack ****?
Connacht v Scarlets could see Scarlets win and receive the most honourable semi-final defeat to those boys in luminous yellow a loss ties them up in the whole Ospreys-Ulster debacle, the provinces have done enough favours for Ulster this year, Scarlets to get it done.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

It's not a classic fixture list is it? The Blues, Connacht and Glasgow are primarily to blame for the underwhelming race for the playoffs. None of them are that inferior to the teams above them as the table suggests. They have all underperfomed horribly to different degrees.

Don't think Zebre can pull out the losing bonus they need to give them a real shot of leapfrogging Treviso.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Given the not very exciting schedule, here is a brief interlude for try of the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLDN1Z8voRs

I go for the Connact one, just pipping the Pienaar one because that was against 14 men.

 

[Amiga500]

Hmmm, Kirchner off to the dragons mentioned in the commentary.

[Big step up for him - not sure how he'll cope with the intense atmosphere at Rodney Parade.]

 

[munstermuffin]

Leinster started well here but my god Glasgow skillset has declined in last few weeks

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Good old Zebre, pulling out a losing BP with 14 men. Looked like they could have sneaked it at the death. Thought they'd perform to give themselves a great chance of pipping Treviso but thought they'd fall just short of the losing BP. Credit again to de Marigny who must be a candidate for coach next year.

Edinburgh score bordering on humiliating. Cockerill apparently had a hand in team selection for the first time. He must be wondering what the hell he has signed up for with his new star signing Mark Bennet being out for a year too.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Utterly bonkers finish in Edinburgh. Losing 3-20 with 10 mins to go, they win 24-20. Instant gold dust from Cockerill

 

[Bluemoon]

Good old Zebre, pulling out a losing BP with 14 men. Looked like they could have sneaked it at the death. Thought they'd perform to give themselves a great chance of pipping Treviso but thought they'd fall just short of the losing BP. Credit again to de Marigny who must be a candidate for coach next year.

Zebre were shambolic at times, but following the cards, they realised the one major strength that they had over Cardiff, which is the scrum. Cardiff brought the youngsters on and Zebre put the pressure on the set piece. They had a (possibly accidental) tactical way in to the game and boy did they use it when they realised it.

Cardiff had no intensity after half time, I think they thought they would breeze in. Navidi and Cook both were staying out of the rucks and usually thats where they put all the pressure. The defensive line was nowhere near as intense as the last 4 games. Think there was an air of complacency from Cardiff and fair play to Zebre, they kept going.

 

[Amiga500]

You could put our lot into pastry and we'd make great mince pies....