Semi Final

[Tony Manx]

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
<tbody style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; ">[TR="class: infoboxheadlite, bgcolor: #E9EAEA"]
[TH="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, colspan: 4"]Semi-final[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: altrow, bgcolor: #EEEEEE"]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]02/06[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]8:45 p.m.[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]Toulouse[/TD]
[TD]Castres[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]03/06[/TD]
[TD="class: textcenter, align: center"]4:30 p.m.[/TD]
[TD="class: textright, align: right"]ASM Clermont[/TD]
[TD]Toulon Rugby Club[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

These are the times of the matches but not sure yet whether covered by TV as not on ESPN schedules at the moment.......I expect that to change as times only just announced....................

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Both games will be played in Toulouse. I can't see Castres winning, but I think Toulon have a chance of beating ASM.

 

[Tony Manx]

Schedules changed and now live with highlights of the first in the hour before the second in addition.................still going for Toulouse and ASM Final.....thought Toulon were very lucky to get into the semi's!

 

[oldscumbagonian]

Both games will be played in Toulouse. I can't see Castres winning, but I think Toulon have a chance of beating ASM.

I'm puzzled as to why ASM have to play their semi-final in Toulouse. Anyone know why?

 

[lordmungus]

I'm puzzled as to why ASM have to play their semi-final in Toulouse. Anyone know why?

The LNR had pre-selected Toulouse as the host city for the top 14 semi-finals this year

 

[oldscumbagonian]

OK; thanks for that. I'd still go for an ST v ASM final though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Insane!
Evans beats half the Toulouse side and runs in from miles out but is held up over the line.

Edit: and the Toulouse lose another player to the bin because he came in from offside to steal the ball after he was held up.

 

[Tony Manx]

Not see McAllister kick as well as he has done tonight!!

Castres trying desperately to give this to Toulouse....although would say brilliant defence By Vincent Clerc rather than mistake by Evans over the line?

 

[Tony Manx]

Toulouse it is 25 16 and not a try in sight!!

Castres, could have and should have won that but their crucial mistakes and the power of the Toulouse squad proved too much in the end. After this, and bearing in mind that neither have played for three weeks, may have to consider who will win against ASM next week.....presuming they get past Toulon tomorrow.

 

[Tony Manx]

The strangulated tones and verbosity of Peter Richards, the self appointed arbiter of all things to do with the scrum and breakdown, added to the constant breaks for weather related transmissions of ESPN only adds to the multitudinous mistakes, (rain, self and opponent inflicted), that have made the tie between ASM and Toulon a terrible advertisement for Top 14 rugby.........

One feels that this game was lost, as it will now be, by ASM with their team selection. The absence of both Vermuelen and Lee Byrne only too apparent with Elvis making his "entree" at half time but, unfortunately, the infinitely promising 20 year old Butin was not replaced until very late on and he showed the callowness of youth too often. The ASM wingers were not great but the passes that were fired at them were disastrous. Add that to an incredible inability to NOT attempt to throw the ball around and terrible discipline and Toulon with JW at his kicking best and Stefan Armitage immense at the breakdown deserved their place in the final which i can only hope is twice as good as the sum total of the poor Semi Finals to the power of three!!! 12-15 to Toulon................

PS interestingly ESPN apologised for the transmission breaks stating they were caused by weather at the site and that they were working to correct the problem.......though that was His prerogative?!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a bad game between Toulon and Clermont, despite the lack of tries.
Clermont missed a last minute penalty by inches, to draw the game, so Toulon go through.

 

[TNT88]

How intense was that? (Toulon vs Clermont)

That kick was so close, looked good most of the way. Anyway, congrats Toulon, good luck Giteau and Luke Roony in the final.

 

[Draggs]

"Fairy tale"?
Give me enough money and the Dragons will win the Heineken Cup in a few years.

 

[ikvat]

Parce que toulon!!!

 

[oldscumbagonian]

Both semi-finals thrown away by the teams that should have won. Some of ASM's passing in the second half would have put your local under-13s to shame. I know it was wet but it's wet for both sides.

And 160 minutes of rugby without a single try. Not the greatest weekend for Top 14 rugby.

 

[Focus]

It's sad that we couldnt see tries there. But after all it was good match, wasn't? So, now we are waiting for final...

 

[McTallshort]

Good game, Bakkies is funny to watch sometimes real Pantomine villian! Armitage played very well in what was a very defensive game by Toulon.

 

[Nielsch]

"Home" semi finals away from home and Clermont don't go well together.