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Never before has an Irish or British competition of note used the six team playoff system practiced in France. This week four of the almost best teams in the competition will play for the honour of losing to the best and beating Glasgow, two extra meaningful games with first teams is an added benefit we get to enjoy having welcomed our Saffa bros. Luckily for you, the thread is up early this week due to this legend's finals!
Munster v Edinburgh (Winner Plays Leinster) - One would presume that Munster will find their mojo after their semi final loss where, for the second time this season, three tries conceded to a now European finalist in the first 25 minutes of the game proved too difficult to overcome.
BUT in Edinburgh they face the side with the best away record in the competition in formidable form, the template to beat Munster is to apply enough pressure so that Murray can't win the game by himself, force Keatley into the game where his shortcomings will be exposed and hurt the rest of his side, can Embra do this? I don't think so, this playoff series has probably come a year too soon for them but Munster should and will be wary against a team who has come into form late in the season after a slow start as that is exactly what won the 12 team predecessor to this tournament last year.
Scarlets v Cheetahs (Winner Plays Glasgow) - Again the home side and strong favourites come into this off the back of an noncompetitive loss in a European semi final. The champions are more feared but perhaps less dangerous than 12 months ago which makes everything tougher for them.
Probably not in this round however considering that their opponents whose commendable stubbornness in the second half of the season helped them cling on to their playoff spot, the only problem for the Bloemfontein outfit is that their most impressive of three road wins came in Parma against Zebre and they aren't the side they were 6 months ago. This will be less competitive than the other quarter final and will see Scarlets into a mouth watering tie against Glasgow where they will probably be slight favourites.
Munster v Edinburgh (Winner Plays Leinster) - One would presume that Munster will find their mojo after their semi final loss where, for the second time this season, three tries conceded to a now European finalist in the first 25 minutes of the game proved too difficult to overcome.
BUT in Edinburgh they face the side with the best away record in the competition in formidable form, the template to beat Munster is to apply enough pressure so that Murray can't win the game by himself, force Keatley into the game where his shortcomings will be exposed and hurt the rest of his side, can Embra do this? I don't think so, this playoff series has probably come a year too soon for them but Munster should and will be wary against a team who has come into form late in the season after a slow start as that is exactly what won the 12 team predecessor to this tournament last year.
Scarlets v Cheetahs (Winner Plays Glasgow) - Again the home side and strong favourites come into this off the back of an noncompetitive loss in a European semi final. The champions are more feared but perhaps less dangerous than 12 months ago which makes everything tougher for them.
Probably not in this round however considering that their opponents whose commendable stubbornness in the second half of the season helped them cling on to their playoff spot, the only problem for the Bloemfontein outfit is that their most impressive of three road wins came in Parma against Zebre and they aren't the side they were 6 months ago. This will be less competitive than the other quarter final and will see Scarlets into a mouth watering tie against Glasgow where they will probably be slight favourites.
