That’s what I get for venturing a rugby opinion on a rugby Notablog: roped into writing about some rugby stuff rather than wittering nonsense. Well, it may still be nonsense, but there we go. Teams haven’t been announced as of this writing, but without further ado some ‘ predictions’:
Leinster vs Saracens
What I said previously: “I can see Sarries giving the Blue Evil a run for their money at the weekend, possibly even sneaking it”.
I’ll stand by this. It’s suitably vague for me to claim a win whichever way it goes. And whichever way it goes, evil wins. Salary cap busters and relegation fodder Sarries, with their strong squad – albeit minus a finally-sanctioned Faz – vs the giant-squad-sized Pro-14 champs-for-life Blue Meanies. Who would bet against Leinster at home? However home advantage may not count for much in a crowdless stadium, and impending relegation doesn’t seem to have dented the Londoners’ squad or resolve significantly so far.
Ones to watch
Leinster: Sexton was relegated to the bench for last week’s ProWoo final in favour of Byrne which seemed to do Leinster no harm whatsoever.
Saracens: Fez is serving his ban but watch him anyway. Very carefully.
ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Racing 92
What I said previously: “No idea about Racing vs Clermont”.
Still no clue really: not been following the Top 14 at all of late. Finn plays for Racing, though, and he keeps doing funky stuff which hits YouTube highlights when not taking a strop with Scotland management. They’re probably pretty good overall, as *taps in search quickly* they are top of the T14 at the moment! Okay, only two games into the season, but still top – and won both of them.
ASM are third, having won one less game, but are at home (got beaten by Bayonne last time out, however), and they don’t lose at home that often. And they play in yellow. Are crowds allowed in for this one? I don’t even know that.
Ones to watch
Racing 92: Finn! Watch him dance; see him spin!
ASM: err *hastily types in search* Oooh, Damian Penaud! He’s pretty handy.
Toulouse vs. Ulster
What I said previously: “Step too far for Ulster, vs Toulouse”.
Facing Toulouse at their home ground is a hell of a challenge, and while Ulster have made big strides in recent years under Dan McFarland, this may be one a bit too large. Still, should be able to make a fight of it, coming from behind to squeak past Wmbra in the ProWoo QF (boo!) before being pipped by Leinster in the final.
Toulouse are one of the big names in Europe with actual cup wins and stuff, and a squad stuffed with talent, both home-grown (current France half-backs) and foreign (including Cheslin Kolbe). There have been no cup wins since 2010 and I’m sure they’ll be wanting their name on the cup once again.
Ones to watch
Ulster: Marcell Coetzee. Not flashy but very solid.
Toulouse: Romain Ntamack. The silky hair and dreamy eyes.
Exeter Chiefs vs. Northampton Saints
What I said previously: “Exeter will biff Northampton”.
Probably true. The cultural appropriators have been winning a lot even when putting out B teams (yes, I know they got done by Sarries last weekend), whereas Northampton’s form has gone off a cliff a bit. Exeter are a well-known quantity now, but teams still don’t know how to stop them when they get into the oppo 22. They combine a beastly pack with some incisive backs and are a contender for the whole log this year, one suspects. Northampton were riding high in 2019 and early 2020 but their freewheeling style seems to have hit a bumpy patch, and they lost to basement-dwellers Tiggers last outing. Can only see one winner here.
Ones to watch
Exeter: There’s no I in team.
Northampton: The ref needs to heed Big Dan Biggar’s advice.
As predicted by Chimpie
On the telly
Friday 18th September
| Bristol v Dragons | 19:45 | BT Sport 2 |
Saturday 19th September
| Reds v Brumbies | 09:45 | Sky Sports Arena |
| Bordeaux v Edinburgh | 12:30 | BT Sport 3 |
| Leinster v Saracens | 15:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Clermont v Racing 92 | 17:45 | BT Sport 3 |
| Toulon v Scarlets | 20:15 | S4C / BT Sport 3 |
Sunday 20th September
| Toulouse v Ulster | 12:30 | Channel 4 / BT Sport 3 |
| Leicester v Castres | 15:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Exeter v Northampton | 17:30 | BT Sport 3 |
Monday 21st September
| Sale v Harlequins | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Ovally Balls 
Sarries looked very focused and a bit scary in that 1st half. Craigs, I wouldn’t mind if they won. Leinster have won enough this season already. Leinster with a good early penalty. Can they make it count?
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Nope.
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Sarries defence has been excellent so far.
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When did Leinster last get bullied at the set piece (including mauls)? Don’t really seem to have any answers.
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The old Block of Concrete still has game, too
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Just come in to see NZ thumping Italy again. Why these mismatches ? ( tiptoes out to watch the fireworks).
Watching the recording so not live)
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Fightback is on.
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Game on? Yes sir!
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Leinster upping the ante at the moment. Sarries hanging on a bit, but they do it well.
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McGrath’s too slow getting the ball away. It’s costing Leinster.
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Baird’s a strong lad already.
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That was some passage of play!
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Game on
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Looks worse than it is on the replay.
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I’d like to see the Itoje turnover again. Couldn’t work out how he did it.
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Luvverly try!
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Good move.
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Think my feed is a bit slow! Game. On!
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Ooh, that was some nice play!
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Leinster doing to Sarries what Sarries did to them.
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Silly by Leinster. Sexton would have had someone blasting that ball down the park.
Well done, Sarries,
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Good game
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The horror.
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Wow. I didn’t expect that tbh. I know I know they broke the rules but on the pitch they are great. Many of their best players are home grown too.
I’ve seen some ridiculous articles in the media recently and tbh I think that they’ll come back from this even better. I can’t bring myself to hate them.
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Let’s see if this works:
https://ovallyballs.sport.blog/2020/08/28/whoops-its-friday/comment-page-5/#comment-35245
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Yeah it does Tom. A sad reminder there of what too much success can do to a dug.
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‘Mon Finn!
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Mrs C pleasing taking their points strategy finally won the match. Well played Leinster in the second half. Sarries scrum was awesome.
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Racing have crossed the line already, although I thought there was a forward pass.
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There’s enough of a crowd at the Stade Michelin to make a big difference.
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And the brass band … I wouldn’t get too close.
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Some entertaining rugby being played here. Yellow for Racing.
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Someone – commentators think it’s Poîte – is coughing his head off.
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Trannie Duck in the corner! Racing pretty much in control, 8-24 at HT. Mind you, so were Sarries at half time against the Blue Meanies.
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8-24 HT.
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Sponny bounce for FT-D, but they all count
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Wonder if Poîte officiated at Castres’ last match?
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Can see players spitting all over the place. Thought that had been banned?
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Romain Poîte, quel tousseur.
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Thaum, I don’t understand why he wasn’t hooked when he started coughing, they always carry a spare for these game, one of the touch judges would have stepped in as ref, with the reserve running the line
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It’s entirely possible that neither of these teams will be playing for a couple of weeks.
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Zebo did well on the Penaud try to keep him wide and make the conversion difficult.
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From the gruam btl:
The Goode, the Brad and the Itoje’.
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Could have every semi-final in the two competitions being England against France. Up to Scarlets and Ulster to stop that.
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Itoje’s not ugly. He’s a fucking menace, but he’s not ugly.
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SHIT! Coetzee is injured!
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There was a brief glimpse of someone in the crowd at the Clermont game (not sure of he was attached to one of the clubs), but he had what looked like an SRU top on. It certainly looked like the SRU logo, but nothing was mentioned. Anyone have an idea as to who he was? Wisnae Toonie, ‘cos I think he had hair.
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It was an uncapped South African.
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I missed that, BB, maybe it was a member of the coaching team looking in on Finn?
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I’m getting mixed up with red strips here
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