Pro12: Round 20

[Peat]

@ Peat: Next season Connacht will do alot more, a close mate showed me Pat Lams plans in terms of schedule and this guy really believes he can make Connacht in to a decent HEC team in 2/3 seasons and let's face it he has the record to do it. Let's not forget he played a big part in Samoa's amazing 2012.

...

And Snoop mentions Henderson having great game again tonight. Any chance he could be a bloter or are Dragons just terrible. Like how many times I seen them going in at positions that would nearly make offside seem acceptable was funny

So I say he could do it with the platform and you're all "Blah blah blah he won't", and now you're suggesting him! Fickle indeed is a man named after a teatime snack.

And mebbe Connacht will, mebbe they won't, what won't change is their funding from the IRFU - unless you've heard different? They're a greatly better team that when I first started taking an interest in Irish rugby with a genuine contribution to the overall now, but I haven't heard of them getting more money to reflect this.

edit: p.s. Thanks Scarlets!

 

[Tribesmen-ce-123]

Great away win for Connacht against a near full strength Edinburgh side. An away win for the side is not a freak result as it would be a few years ago, but this one was very satisfying. Down by 9 points at one stage and having two men sent to the bin, and we still managed to come back, win and deny Edinburgh the LB point. Hopefully we can win another game or two and get 7th place in the rabo to set us up nicely for next season. First ever tries for Robbie Henshaw and Mick Kearney to, the first of many in a Connacht jersey im sure! Looking forward to Ulster coming to the sports-ground next week.

As to how Pat Lam will go next season, im optimistic. He's run at the Auckland blues might have been flaky, but he's an experienced coach, much more than Eric was when he came in and im sure he'll have a good plan for Connacht over the coming years. And with all the fine work that Elwood of the team at the province has done at the province over the last while, I can only see us improving further next year. We've a stronger academy producing more young talent, almost all of our homegrown young talents have signed on for another few years, and there have been some very good new signings or the province (maybe a few more over the coming months to). Hopefully we'll shed the image of us as an AIL level team, as ive heard a one or two people call us

Exciting times ahead anyways.

 

[munstermuffin]

Feic I agree Blues underachieved but I was speaking of his time at Auckland and Samoa. And having seen how serious he is going in to it even been here already free of charge is great to see.

And Peat if you on about Henderson I was only asking could he be given the possible credit as Dragons were terrible I'm not calling on him to be a Lion and wouldn't have him in my squad. Just posed the question. It was Olding who I liked but as I say it hard to judge Ulster when the Dragons were embarrassing.

 

[Peat]

You can only play what's in front of you, but realistically games against Dragons aren't going to propel you into Lions squads.

I'm not sure I'm that impressed tbh, started slow and gave up caring after they got the bonus point. Alright, we cut them to ribbons when we did play and didn't take long to do the damage, but they weren't all that. Yeah, the kids had good games, but we knew they would. Let's see how we do at Connacht.

 

[dullonien]

This is true. About time the WRU cut their funding from being equal to the others when they produce just 2 players in the Wales squad.

It is a bit crazy really. They receive an equal proportion of funding from the WRU as the other regions. Where does their money go? As I said in another thread, each region receives a yearly total of £3.75 million from the WRU, where is that going at the Dragons? The Ospreys' European squad costs a maximum of £3.5 million on wages (as agreed by the four regions as a salary cap), and the Dragons' squad isn't close to being in the same league, so how much could their squad really cost them? Half the Ospreys'? Less? Where's the money going? How can the Dragons justifiably earn the right to an equal share of the money given as part of the participation agreement to release international players. They receive over £1.5 million for the release of Faletau, Lydiate and Coombs (soon to be Faletau and Coombs if they stay that is), wow that's a lot!

I know there's stadium bills, backroom staff, travel expenses, and an academy to fund (or is more money given for that separately?), but they should also be making money on ticket sales, merchandise and TV money (or is that given to the WRU and incorporated in the money already given?). I'm struggling to understand why the Dragons haven't got the money to firstly keep their good players, and secondly lure some decent foreign players.

 

[munstermuffin]

You can only play what's in front of you, but realistically games against Dragons aren't going to propel you into Lions squads.

I'm not sure I'm that impressed tbh, started slow and gave up caring after they got the bonus point. Alright, we cut them to ribbons when we did play and didn't take long to do the damage, but they weren't all that. Yeah, the kids had good games, but we knew they would. Let's see how we do at Connacht.

Exactly my point like it hard to judge players properly in that but I agree Ulster can only beat what's in front of them and it was impressive from few younger players but they need a fair test. Some of the offenses the Dragons were committing were a joke

 

[dullonien]

Watching the Scarlets v Glasgow game from last night. Not sure about Glasgow, they've had some big wins recently, but the Scarlets forwards took them apart. Can't see Glasgow winning the league when they come to the crunch play-off games against the likes of Leinster, Ulster or Ospreys. All three have better packs than the Scarlets, and that would probably be too much for Glasgow.

Ken Owens had another strong game to push his lions credentials.

It really is a shame to see Owen Williams leave at the end of the season, he's a good all round player.

Edit. Why didn't the Scarlets go for try's once they were easily ahead? Taking three points when you're already 17 and 20 points up seems pointless.

 

[munstermuffin]

Watching the Scarlets v Glasgow game from last night. Not sure about Glasgow, they've had some big wins recently, but the Scarlets forwards took them apart. Can't see Glasgow winning the league when they come to the crunch play-off games against the likes of Leinster, Ulster or Ospreys. All three have better packs than the Scarlets, and that would probably be too much for Glasgow.

Ken Owens had another strong game to push his lions credentials.

It really is a shame to see Owen Williams leave at the end of the season, he's a good all round player.

Edit. Why didn't the Scarlets go for try's once they were easily ahead? Taking three points when you're already 17 and 20 points up seems pointless.

What's Owens darts like? Never really took notice of his lineout as he always impressed me in open play and is decent scrummager but admittedly I wouldn't have same knowledge as welsh lads on him

 

[dullonien]

What's Owens darts like? Never really took notice of his lineout as he always impressed me in open play and is decent scrummager but admittedly I wouldn't have same knowledge as welsh lads on him

Probably the best lineout throwing Welsh hooker, but that's not saying much tbh. As with most, he's liable to some wobbly moments, but overall he's a solid lineout thrower I'd say.

When he first burst onto the scenes his throwing was great (went something like 10+ games without missing a throw), but he hasn't kept that level going.

His scrummaging is probably the weakest part of his game (he's quite a lightweight hooker), but the Welsh scrum still goes well when he's on. The Scarlets scrum was good last night as well, even though there was the poor scrummaging Phil John on one side and the rookie Samson Lee on the other.

Edit. He can be liable to give away a few penalties at the ruck, as he did last night.

 

[Amiga500]

Now... the Munster Muck-Savages vs. the Leinster latte-suppers

 

[big ginger 8]

Cannot wait for this won my final earlier today now for this to top it off before heading out.

 

[SelimNiai]

CAP doing a passable impression of a swamp. Peeing it down in Swansea for the 'Sprays game.

 

[big ginger 8]

I have to ask this as I've been wondering for ages, who the **** is Mark McDermott?

Prepared to be really embarassed if he's a former player.

 

[dullonien]

CAP doing a passable impression of a swamp. Peeing it down in Swansea for the 'Sprays game.

The CAP pitch is simply appalling. I guarantee that despite only being 30min down the road, the Liberty turf will be in perfect condition.

 

[big ginger 8]

Great pace from Kearney.

Think it's a try.

EDIT: Ridiculous call from TMO ball definitely touched the ground.

 

[lynam1104]

Bull ****

 

[Amiga500]

hehehe

The latte-suppers are up in arms :lol:

 

[SelimNiai]

I have a nasty feeling that due to the weather + Treviso's knack of slowing the Ospreys down this game could be a bit of a snoozefest

The CAP pitch is simply appalling. I guarantee that despite only being 30min down the road, the Liberty turf will be in perfect condition.

Yep, it is. Try areas bit swampy but thats it.

 

[big ginger 8]

hehehe

The latte-suppers are up in arms :lol:

Eh ok.

EDIT: Fantastic steal by Healy.

Ah **** D'arcy off.

Two scrums two penalties. 6-0

EDIT: Weirdest try ever. 9-5 Leinster.

Another edit: Jones try looked like BO'D was taken out.

 

[lynam1104]

bullshit again