Pro12: Round 20

[Amiga500]

I suspect we'll see the following semi final lineup:

Ulster v Scarlets
Leinster v Glasgow

And if we manage to beat Connacht in the sportsground (which is not a forgone conclusion by any means!) the final will be in Ravenhill rather than the RDS. [I can't see the blues beating us in Belfast.]

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

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.

I thought this tweet by Paul Turner (and his follow on tweets on the subject), former Dragons head coach, was interesting:

https://twitter.com/paulturnerrugby/status/322801026870697985
<s>@</s>paulturnerrugby Take Pienaar, Muller, Williams, Payne and Afoa out of Ulster they are very ordinary!! <s>#</s>topofrabo <s>#</s>xtramillion <s>#</s>thatswhy


A few years ago Ulster were in the doldrums, supplying next to nobody to the Ireland squad. They successfully lobbied the IRFU for extra funding, have now made the last 8 in Europe three times on the trot and have a lot of talented young players coming through. Four or five years ago, they regularly lost to the Dragons. Cutting the Dragons funding isn't the way to go, rather steps must be made to improve them. Wales will be stronger with four competitive regions than with just three.

And if we manage to beat Connacht in the sportsground (which is not a forgone conclusion by any means!) the final will be in Ravenhill rather than the RDS. [I can't see the blues beating us in Belfast.]

I think Leinster would turn Ulster over with a full strength team. Hopefully time will tell. I'd love to see an Ulster v Leinster final.

 

[psychic duck]

I thought this tweet by Paul Turner (and his follow on tweets on the subject), former Dragons head coach, was interesting:

https://twitter.com/paulturnerrugby/status/322801026870697985
<s>@</s>paulturnerrugby Take Pienaar, Muller, Williams, Payne and Afoa out of Ulster they are very ordinary!! <s>#</s>topofrabo <s>#</s>xtramillion <s>#</s>thatswhy


A few years ago Ulster were in the doldrums, supplying next to nobody to the Ireland squad. They successfully lobbied the IRFU for extra funding, have now made the last 8 in Europe three times on the trot and have a lot of talented young players coming through. Four or five years ago, they regularly lost to the Dragons. Cutting the Dragons funding isn't the way to go, rather steps must be made to improve them. Wales will be stronger with four competitive regions than with just three.

Why should the Dragons with just 2 players in the Wales squad get the same funding as the Scarlets or the Ospreys who have far more?

Also unlike Ireland, Wales are losing a considerable amount of players outside of the country and no longer acquiring notable overseas talents (see the fact that the Ospreys have replaced Fotuali'i with ***o Tebaldi next season). There is not enough Welsh talent to sustain four regions being competitive, the best bet would be to sacrifice the Dragons as a development region and boost the other regions with extra funding. Next season the Welsh regions are going to be a joke in Europe and I doubt any of them will finish any higher than third in their Heineken Cup pool.

 

[munstermuffin]

People slate Irish provinces for the names and foreigners paid by IRFU but like while IRFU but the talent they also get extras like. Rocky Elsom sparked all Leinster back rows and was good buy. Same can be said of Contepomi on Sexton, Piennar in Marshall and Jackson, Howlett on Zebo, John Langford on all Munster forwards in general

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Why should the Dragons with just 2 players in the Wales squad get the same funding as the Scarlets or the Ospreys who have far more?

Also unlike Ireland, Wales are losing a considerable amount of players outside of the country and no longer acquiring notable overseas talents (see the fact that the Ospreys have replaced Fotuali'i with ***o Tebaldi next season). There is not enough Welsh talent to sustain four regions being competitive, the best bet would be to sacrifice the Dragons as a development region and boost the other regions with extra funding. Next season the Welsh regions are going to be a joke in Europe and I doubt any of them will finish any higher than third in their Heineken Cup pool.

I don't really give a **** if they do, ask Paul Turner. All I can say is how are they expected to supply more players in future if they're getting paid peanuts by the WRU?

The same was asked in Ireland a few years ago. In 2003 efforts were made by the IRFU to disband Connacht. Now Connacht have over 5000 season ticket holders, a blossoming academy, have seen their sponsorship skyrocket and are clearly on the up. Four provinces is better for Ireland's cause than three.

If the Welsh regions and the WRU are losing players overseas, maybe they should try do something about it. Cutting the Dragons isn't a sensible option IMO.

 

[psychic duck]

I don't really give a **** if they do, ask Paul Turner. All I can say is how are they expected to supply more players in future if they're getting paid peanuts by the WRU?

The same was asked in Ireland a few years ago. In 2003 efforts were made by the IRFU to disband Connacht. Now Connacht have over 5000 season ticket holders, a blossoming academy, have seen their sponsorship skyrocket and are clearly on the up. Four provinces is better for Ireland's cause than three.

If the Welsh regions and the WRU are losing players overseas, maybe they should try do something about it. Cutting the Dragons isn't a sensible option IMO.

I meant making Dragons lesser funded like Connacht are, not cutting them altogether.

Also I think players in the Welsh squad is relevant. The Ospreys have developed far more and pay for it by the fact that they have much more players missing in international periods.

Also Paul Turner is an anti-WRU anarchist who very pro Gwent. I've seen his opinions and he seems to always point the finger at the WRU for all of the Dragons' problems and doesn't ever criticise the Dragons themselves, bear that in mind. The other regions have developed players for a Championship winning side under the same system, so the Dragons need to look at themselves as to why they could only produce 2 players in the 6 Nations squad.

Interesting that Contepomi is seen by MunsterMuffin as helping Sexton in his development. Certainly a good buy for Leinster if that is the case.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Good performance by Leinster, the defence really held up, bar about 5 minutes, and was our best defensive performance of 2013. I hope O'Connell isn't banned just to save them from embarrassment in Clermont.

I think Leinster can kick on from here and win the Pro12, I'm not too afraid of Ravenhill to be honest, I've gone to Stephen's day matches lost all my life there and I've seen Leinster win on bad performances so I don't think it will be a huge factor in the game.

 

[big ginger 8]

Any word on injuries. If D'arcy's out possible Sexton-Madigan combination coming up?

 

[Amiga500]

There is not enough Welsh talent to sustain four regions being competitive, the best bet would be to sacrifice the Dragons as a development region and boost the other regions with extra funding. Next season the Welsh regionare going to be a joke in Europe and I doubt any of them will finish any higher than third in their Heineken Cup pool.

You mean there aren't enough supporters that actually go to the games in Wales to support 4 regions.

Bottom line is - as a youngster coming through, you learn best off watching and playing with good players.

The Ospreys had a galactico squad a few years back and did nothing with it - if the funding is enough to have a few good guys, the younger players can fill in around that spine and learn from them.



[BTW - in Ireland right now, there is a growing opinion to get Connacht funding up to a level more comparable to the other provinces. Of course, the HEC qualification format is something of a hindrance to it.]

 

[Peat]

A few years ago Ulster were in the doldrums, supplying next to nobody to the Ireland squad. They successfully lobbied the IRFU for extra funding, have now made the last 8 in Europe three times on the trot and have a lot of talented young players coming through. Four or five years ago, they regularly lost to the Dragons. Cutting the Dragons funding isn't the way to go, rather steps must be made to improve them. Wales will be stronger with four competitive regions than with just three.

Right now Wales have two competitive regions in terms of the Pro 12, and maybe one in terms of Europe. None of their regions are really showing the success and the drive to grab the support and sponsorship to really thrive.

Cutting the Dragons' funding partially so they're no longer as well funded as the others would be no favour to the Dragons, obvious as anything. But if the money was given to Scarlets or Ospreys - and invested wisely - it might be very much to the advantage of Welsh rugby, in the same way the investment in Ulster was to the advantage of Irish rugby. Which would have knock-on effects. How much of Connacht's recent success basically comes from being part of Irish rugby?

Paul Turner is right to point at that extra million. He's wrong if he says Newport would be the best place to put it - and Newport seems a fairly obvious place to find it.

I think Leinster would turn Ulster over with a full strength team. Hopefully time will tell. I'd love to see an Ulster v Leinster final.

Would be a righteous occasion and no doubt.

 

[dullonien]

How much funding do the Irish provinces get from the IRFU? I know it's probably more difficult to work out with central contracts, but does anyone know how it compares to the Welsh regions' receiving £3.75 million a year?

Also, anyone have any knowledge on how much a cub/region/province costs to run outside of players wages?

 

[big ginger 8]

Here's PO'C's "incident" from yesterday. Think he was trying to kick the ball but it was very stupid and reckless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-GhyiAR8SI

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k-GhyiAR8SI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Tony Manx]

Think he was trying to kick the ball but it was very stupid and reckless.

I agree but afraid it was so reckless and avoidable that he should be cited.................unless the ref took action?

 

[dullonien]

I agree but afraid it was so reckless and avoidable that he should be cited.................unless the ref took action?

Yup, his head was always in the way. Very silly, and could potentially pick up a week or two suspension.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I saw someone on twitter saying that the damage had been done when Kearney hit the ground and POC had no fault. Some people.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bloody hell - definite citing that. Hits to the back of the head can cause serious damage, let alone getting booted in the head on the floor.
Idiotic from POC, did he not get carded?!

 

[psychic duck]

A boost for Ian Evans, Parling, Hamilton and Hines Lions claims if he is banned for more than a week. He needed all the time possible to prove himself given his injury and missing between 2 to 4 weeks would hurt that. Feel sorry for Kearney who will be out for several weeks reportedly because of that.

I hope O'Connell isn't banned just to save them from embarrassment in Clermont.

They're not going to Clermont fortunately for them.

You mean there aren't enough supporters that actually go to the games in Wales to support 4 regions.

Bottom line is - as a youngster coming through, you learn best off watching and playing with good players.

The Ospreys had a galactico squad a few years back and did nothing with it - if the funding is enough to have a few good guys, the younger players can fill in around that spine and learn from them.

Enough of the "galactico" tag. Jonathan Thomas, Andrew Bishop, Paul James, Dan Biggar, Huw Bennett, Richie Hibbard were certainly not good enough to fit into that term.

Also they've won 4 RaboPro12 ***les. That's hardly "doing nothing".

 

[Draggs]

A boost for Ian Evans, Parling, Hamilton and Hines Lions claims if he is banned for more than a week. He needed all the time possible to prove himself given his injury and missing between 2 to 4 weeks would hurt that. Feel sorry for Kearney who will be out for several weeks reportedly because of that.



They're not going to Clermont fortunately for them.



Enough of the "galactico" tag. Jonathan Thomas, Andrew Bishop, Paul James, Dan Biggar, Huw Bennett, Richie Hibbard were certainly not good enough to fit into that term.

Also they've won 4 RaboPro12 ***les. That's hardly "doing nothing".

Mmm, I'd say two of those listed are were the best in their respective positions in the Six Nations.

 

[Peat]

Mmm, I'd say two of those listed are were the best in their respective positions in the Six Nations.

Were they back in the days of Collins, Bowe, Ickle et al?

As for POC - that has to be a ban. If that was accidental, he's a gigantic moron, was always going to happen that way.

 

[Draggs]

Were they back in the days of Collins, Bowe, Ickle et al?

As for POC - that has to be a ban. If that was accidental, he's a gigantic moron, was always going to happen that way.

Phillips, Biggar, Williams, Hook, Bishop, Bowe, Byrne... Most certainly galacticos.
Add in Holah, Collins as well. That being said, I never felt Jerry really did much for the Os.