Heineken Cup 2007/2008

[Red Faction]

erm, you are aware that Clermont fielded a second 15 aren't you? 14 changes from the last HC game. Besides, from what I gather (didn't see the game) Clermont held their own in the first half.

'Held their own' is a bit generous
possession stats at half time were 66%-33%
conceding two tries to go in at the break 17-6 down
thats with the wind behind them too

I think it's safe to say that ASM are focussing on the Brennus this season. They've never one it before despite being losing finalists 8 times (more than any other French team).

You reckon they'll get out of the group then?
Only 4 points between themselves and Wasps with 4 games left to play

 

[JTG]

Not that I'm bothered enough to actually go and watch them but it has to be said...

Played Bris

 

[The Boy]

You reckon they'll get out of the group then?
Only 4 points between themselves and Wasps with 4 games left to play

I reckon they're good enough to get out of the group. In fact, I think they're good enough to win the whole thing. I doubt that they will though. That group is going to come to BPs imo, and it seems clear that ASM will be playing second string teams in away matches and focusing on the domestic championship. It's all a bit daft tho - there are far better ways of rotating a squad than just making 14 changes between games.

 

[The Boy]

Not that I'm bothered enough to actually go and watch them but it has to be said...

Played Bris

That was an excellent result for Bristol.

 

[Mr Retro]

erm, you are aware that Clermont fielded a second 15 aren't you? 14 changes from the last HC game. Besides, from what I gather (didn't see the game) Clermont held their own in the first half.

I wasn't aware they made 14 changes to be fair. We still danced on ye though.

Don't understand why it's more important to the French to win their own league rather than the European Cup, but thats up to them I suppose.

Even more reason to think the group wil be between Munster and Wasps.

The French should get suspended under the non-triers rule. A bit like jockeys.

 

[The Boy]

I wasn't aware they made 14 changes to be fair. We still danced on ye though.

Don't understand why it's more important to the French to win their own league rather than the European Cup, but thats up to them I suppose.

Even more reason to think the group wil be between Munster and Wasps.

The French should get suspended under the non-triers rule. A bit like jockeys.

In ASM's case it's likely to do with the fact they have never been French champions and only narrowy lost last season.

I doubt they will have the cheek to field weakened teams at home though, so I fancy they will will those.

 

[Red Faction]

Got my ticket to Stradey today

this is on the back of a piss poor showing against leinster where ROG couldnt kick for peanuts....

 

[Mr Retro]

Got my ticket to Stradey today

this is on the back of a piss poor showing against leinster where ROG couldnt kick for peanuts....

I watched that game too. Is was the most boring piece of shit ever.

 

[Red Faction]

lucky you werent at it then eh?

in the pouring rain- never lost to leinster at musgrave in over 22 years

fucked it up

then took 8 hours to get back to limerick as the car broke down stranding you in the middle of fucking nowhere...

 

[The Boy]

ASM beat wasps 37-27.

Last minute try from Rougerie to deny Wasps the losing BP.

Dragons needed a late drop goal to avoid defeat away to Treviso - they've been doing alright for themselves as far as Italian teams go haven't they?

 

[Mr Retro]

Good win for Munster this evening. Didn't play very well but still managed to win it.

Stringer was fucking terrible, he was single handedly trying to lose it for us.

 

[Red Faction]

poor old danny cipriani eh?

 

[Red Faction]

Vickery looks to be suspended for that stamp on ASM's Privat
when will the ban come in though? Will he miss the games against Munster?

have to say- the surprise package of the tournament are London Irish- hats off to them

i would LOVE it if the leicester tigers dont qualify from their group this year it all hangs on their trip away to toulouse next weekend

sarries are doing well under alan gaffney, credit to him
but like gloucester they're in a (relatively) weak group and should expect to be punished in the knock out stages

my original prediction was a stade - biarritz final in an empty millennium stadium

this looks to be out of the question as its doubtful biarritz will even qualify

im surprised by the lack of reaction on the danny cipriani story though...

 

[The Boy]

Biarritz struggled to a home win against Glasgow despite the ref being a homer. I think the Stade-BO final that was predicted won't, now, be likely.

Just seen the team ASM will be fielding against Wasps:-

15 Seremaïa Bai, 14 Aurélien Rougerie (c), 13 Grant Esterhuizen, 12 Pierre-Manuel Garcia, 11 Julien Malzieu, 10 Alex King, 9 Pierre Mignoni, 8 Elvis Vermeulen, 7 Fabien Alexandre, 6 Jamie Cudmore, 5 Christophe Samson, 4 Loïc Jacquet, 3 Martin Scelzo, 2 John Smit, 1 Laurent Emmanuelli.

Thought they might have been up for this after the win last week, but it looks like a bonus pointer for wasps.

 

[The Boy]

im surprised by the lack of reaction on the danny cipriani story though...

He'll no doubt be getting a lot of stick for that. Takes balls* to go on telly not long after that story broke.

*every pun intended

 

[Karac]

Good win for Cardiff against Stade Francais

 

[The Boy]

surprised at the edinburgh result - beat leinster 29-10. And Treviso beat beat the Dragons. ASM lost by 1-point which I would say is a shame but if you're going to play second string teams then what the fuck.

That was a nasty looking aye that Kieran Roche had

 

[Mr Retro]

I wonder if ASM will play a full team against Munster?

Llanelli put up more of a fight yesterday than I expected, I was never really that worried tbh, we always looked like we could move up a gear.

Whatever about the ASM game I think we will beat Wasps in the last game at home to go through to the quarter finals

 

[The Boy]

I wonder if ASM will play a full team against Munster?

Are they at home?

at home = full team
away = second string

That seems to be the way they've been treating the games so far.

 

[Mr Retro]

Are they at home?

at home = full team
away = second string

That seems to be the way they've been treating the games so far.

ASM are at home. There is scenario where the top 3 could end up on equal points in this group.

 

[The Boy]

SO why has nobody bumped this thread then? As predicted ASM won at home, though they gave away a losing bonus point which may cost them - not as much as playing second string teams for away matches mind

My predictions for quarter-finalists are :-

Irish, Perpignan, Glaws, Bluea, Sarries, Toulouse, Munster and either ASM or Ospreys.

 

[Mr Retro]

Brilliant second half by Munster to come back and claim a losing bonus point. We looked dead and buried at half time 20 - 3 down. Munster could and perhaps should have won it in the second half. They would have too if they kept their cool.

ASM were looking like potential champions in the fist half but blew themselves out in the second with bad discipline and running out of puff in general. I think they could have been champions too if they weren't so arrogant to think they would get a winning bonus against Munster today. Now they may not qualify. Even so, they still might qualify.

How fucking pathetic are the Scarlets? Beaten by a Wasps team that didn't even need to get out of second gear. ASM will surely get 5 points against them next week.

Flannerys stamp was a disgrace and he'll get a month for it I reckon.

 

[sleaterkinney]

How did Howlett do?. A bit early for him?

 

[Red Faction]

moments of brilliance, moments of ineptitude

hope he's not a cullen in disguise

 

[The Boy]

Flannerys stamp was a disgrace and he'll get a month for it I reckon.

Was it as bad as that? I've had a quick look on youtube and it looke like his leg is neing held by a Clermont player on the ground. I imagine that will be how the club spin it anyways.

 

[Mr Retro]

Was it as bad as that? I've had a quick look on youtube and it looke like his leg is neing held by a Clermont player on the ground. I imagine that will be how the club spin it anyways.

I can't see youtube from work, I'll have a lok at lunchtime. His leg was being held, he pulled it away and then it looked to me he stamped down deliberately. I don't think he actually meant to stand on the guys face, but he did. Maybe he'll get away with it. He shouldn't though in my view.

 

[bendeus]

Flannerys stamp was a disgrace and he'll get a month for it I reckon.

A month would be a travesty. Guidelines for a stamp to the head state 3-6 months, which would be fully deserved.

Was it as bad as that? I've had a quick look on youtube and it looke like his leg is neing held by a Clermont player on the ground.

He looked down at the prone player prior stamping him full in the face. Total premeditation. Surely you're not suggesting that it's acceptable to stop a player holding your leg by studding them in the face?

I imagine that will be how the club spin it anyways

I'd bet my bottom dollar that you're absolutely dead on there

 

[bendeus]

How fucking pathetic are the Scarlets? Beaten by a Wasps team that didn't even need to get out of second gear. ASM will surely get 5 points against them next week.

Aye. The Scarlets have turned into a joke team in precious few months. Their front five are truly, truly dreadful. Deacon Manu should never be allowed on a rugby pitch except for a possible cameo as a tackle bag during training.

Rather like Wales post 2005, teams have worked out how to nullify the attacking threat from their backs - basically neutralise Regan King and the Scarlets run out of options and crab the ball from one side of the pitch to the other without ever breaking the gain line. Hilarious to think that they're the only team in the competition not to have picked up a single bonus point. Worse than the fecking Italians!

 

[bendeus]

On a more positive note for Welsh rugby, I went and saw the Ospreys/Gloucester clash on Saturday. The Os were absolutely awesome - pragmatic, clinical and destructive. Surprisingly for a Welsh side they played exactly the right game that the conditions and occasion demanded.

Thank fuck that they also proved a point that the gap between GP rugby and the best that Magners can offer is maybe not quite as large as some would like to think.

Special mention has to go to the Os back row forwards. Does any team in Europe boast one that can match Ryan Jones, Tiatia and Marty Holah for mobility, aggression and destructiveness. Put simply they are an awesome unit that genuinely complement the other.

Special mention also has to go to Justin Marshall. The old fox put on a number 9 masterclass the likes of which I have never been privileged to have seen in a live game. He did everything right, and his decision making and game management were utterly superlative.

If the Os can beat Bourgoin away and qualify, I'd fancy their chances away to Sarries in the QFs.

 

[The Boy]

He looked down at the prone player prior stamping him full in the face. Total premeditation. Surely you're not suggesting that it's acceptable to stop a player holding your leg by studding them in the face?

Not at all. First time I say it was of the bottom half only. THere was an arm came in and held his leg and it looked a lot less deliberate than when you see it from further back. As someone pointed out, he islooking down at Bonnaire's head when he stamps on it - definitely premeditated - and after a proper viewing I should imagine he will be lucky to play in the 6N.

edit: youtube link

http://youtube.com/watch?v=n0soxm9uFYQ