Turn off the phones, lock the kids in the soundproof basement, prepare your food and drink and turn on the telly, ‘cos it’s time for the European cups again.
Prognostication is not my forté, but I’ll give it a bash for the Big Cup matches.
Northampton v Racing 92
I was surprised to discover that Racing 92 are only in 8th position in the Top 14, whereas the Saints are sitting pretty in third place in the English Premiership. However, Racing know how to bring their best game to an important match, so I’m going for les Parisiens by 7.
Cardiff v Toulouse
Can’t see anything other than a Toulousain trouncing of the hosts by about 15 points.
Leinster v Bath
With Bath languishing at the bottom of the Premiership, this can only go one way. Blue Meanies by 40.
Bordeaux v Leicester
The two top teams in their respective leagues, again to my surprise. I’ll raise a glass of Haut-Médoc to the home side by 3.
Clermont Auvergne v Ulster
Having attended this fixture in a previous competition, ordinarily I’d say a safe win for the home side. However, TomPirracas’ sleuthing informs us that Clermont is a Covid-ravaged camp, so that and downright foolish optimism leads me to predict Ulster by a point.
Exeter v Montpellier
Another tough one to predict, so home advantage to provide a narrow win.
Ospreys v Sale
Ospreys must be exhausted after last week, but Sale are not doing very well this year. Ospreys by 7.
Connacht v Stade Français
Connacht are on good form, and have been unlucky to narrowly lose a couple of their matches so far. I have no similar insights on SF, but they are towards the bottom of the table. Connacht by 4.
La Rochelle v Glasgow
Two fifth-place sides competing. Hmm. Chez nous by 3.
Wasps v Munster
Given Munster’s very depleted squad, Wasps by 15. At least.
Onna telly this week
Friday 10th December
| Northampton v Racing 92 | 20:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Lyon v Gloucester | 20:00 | BT Sport 3 |
Saturday 11th December
| Cardiff v Toulouse | 13:00 | Channel 4 / BT Sport 2 |
| Leinster v Bath | 15:15 | BT Sport 2 |
| Bordeaux v Leicester | 15:15 | BT Sport 3 |
| Clermont v Ulster | 17:30 | BT Sport 2 |
| USAP v Dragons | 17:30 | S4C |
| Exeter v Montpellier | 20:00 | BT Sport 2 |
Sunday 12th December
| Ospreys v Sale | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 | ||
| Connacht v Stade Français | 13:00 | BT Sport 3 | ||
| La Rochelle v Glasgow | 15:15 | BT Sport 3 | ||
| Wasps v Munster | 15:15 | BT Sport 2 |
Ovally Balls 
YAIS!!!
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That was just too easy.
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Furbaby back with 3 points.
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I like Lowrie, the comparisons with Darcy Graham are obvious
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Lowry, ‘scuse me
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Lowry’s tiny, but very very brave. Gets underestimated.
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just on cue..
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… And then he does a beautiful 50/22.
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he’s actually quite a bit more wee than Darcy Graham now that I look at him
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Hume & McCloskey really work well together in the centre too. When you’ve got BOD praising the lines your 13 runs, that is praise indeed.
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ooof, that’s a bit harsh, I can both sides there
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Just looked it up – apparently he’s a shade under 5’6″ and 79kg. That is shorter than me, although a fair bit heavier.
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I think that knock on went backwards
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SHIT, McCloskey’s done a hamstring.
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ouch, McCloskey’s hammy is fucked
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3rd try? Think so!
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Thaum, Darcy is a behemoth at 5’9″ (listed, but doubtful) and 84kg (likewise)
oh, nice try for Ulster, this is going to be a tanking
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I am 99.9999% sure that McCloskey’s replacement doesn’t go to the same hairdresser. What kind of a barnet is that?
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Shane Williams approx same height/weight as Lowry.
Otherwise I can only think of Peter Stringer as Players I Might Tower Over (whatever Iks says).
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I was thinking about MrIks the other day.
Hope the Ilkses are okay
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The Ikses are fabulous. Maybe if we mention them, he’ll turn up.
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*I should have said ‘marvellous’. ;-)
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fabulous works too :-)
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That was one of those times you ask yourself, “How the fuck are Saints still in this?”
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Bit concerned about Deebee. Where is he?
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Deebs will still be at lunch won’t he?
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I’ve just seen a photo that made me chuckle, I can’t be arsed saving it and posting it, it’s quicker to say that it was a double-ended adjustable spanner, “one side metric, one side ‘standard'”.
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He hasn’t posted since the 11th. That’s a helluva long lunch.
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More like Ulster will be kicking themselves they’re not further ahead.
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I could post some Prog classics. That should bring Iks out (probably in a cold sweat).
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Well, I hope all former shipmates are okay
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Not sure the three points is the best option here, build the position even if you don’t score from the line out
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Ulster lacking the same kind of attack w/o McCloskey.
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BP at last!
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BP, but a howler from Saints
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Great tackle from Hume there.
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O’Vermeulen looks promising……………
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Why the actual fuck would you not kick that penalty? Fucking Burns.
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That’s McVermeulen to you, Slade. ;-)
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Was Burns the captain at that point? I did think it was a weird decision though.
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Was it the penalty right at the end that he tapped and popped into touch?
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Yes, it would have put Saints out of losing bonus point range (if he’d scored the penalty).
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Wise man, Burns. Kick for goal, miss penalty, bounce off post, Saints regather the ball and score up the other end.
Saved the game for Ulster there.
Cricket going well, again.
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BB, I agree with SBT. Better to make sure you’ve got your 5 rather than have a chance of taking away their 1.
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I’m not the one who was complaining about the decision to kick the ball out.
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Greetings from a windswept but warm Wild Coast! Quite a trip so far, with a couple of days in Clarens then a drive through some of the worst potholed roads I’ve ever been on, combined with torrential rain through the Eastern Cape to arrive in Morgan Bay to no power for three days. It was bliss whilst it lasted! Longer than England’s three innings combined in this Ashes. Now relaxing with a beer waiting for an appropriate time to have a rum.
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And thanks for the concern Thauma, the rest of you get an almighty PFFFTing. The Art of the Week-Long Lunch is a serious business.
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Right, it’s COME ON CARDIFF (who are still missing 43 players) time!
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TRY Cardiff by a débutant who was playing under-18s six months ago!
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Kids (including Marcus Smith) scoring all over the place. 17 all at HT.
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