‘Tis a cruel, cruel championship that makes you play the same very, very good side two weeks in a row.
Ulster somehow managed to pull off an away win against Toulouse, but nearly threw it away at the end.
What was so scary about the champions?
- Their seven-foot (or nearly) line-out stealer
- Their incredible counter-rucking
- Their loosey-goosey attack
- Their more than solid defence
- The World Player of the Year™
We face them this weekend at Ravenhill, but they are going to be revved up, I reckon. The score was 20-26, and that’s not a comfy cushion (‘No! Not the comfy cushion!’)
Read on for the other fixtures.
Onna telly this week
Friday 15th April
| Leinster v Connacht | 17:e0 | BT Sport 1 |
| Bristol v Sale | 20:00 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 16th April
| Chiefs v Moana Pasifika | 05:35 | Sky Sports Main Event |
| Highlanders v Hurricanes | 08:05 | Sky Sports Arena |
| Western Force v Waratahs | 12:30 | Channel 4 / BT Sport 2 |
| La Rochelle v Bordeaux | 15:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Munster v Exeter | 15:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Leicester v Clermont | 17:30 | BT Sport 2 |
| Scarlets v Dragons | 19:35 | S4C / Premier Sports 1 |
| Ulster v Toulouse | 20:00 | BT Sport 2 |
Sunday 17th April
| Saracens v Cardiff | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 | ||
| Racing 92 v Stade Français | 15:30 | BT Sport 2 |
Ovally Balls 
ticht,
The clearance of the line and the Courtois save from Grealish were exceptional.
And to think Madrid do that without playing their best player.
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Cheetahs would pretty much be ready to go
They are apparently in talks with the URC, but my understanding is that they would be playing in a ‘B’ tournament with clubs from outside of the current countries. Not sure how much is conjecture and whether anybody would watch it (down here) to be honest.
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There was an amount of chit-chat about a URC div 2 – scooping up other SA teams plus others – that was then played down and then we saw mention of a women’s URC – presumably similar format .. (Munster, Leinster etc from here rather than WAIL clubs )
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In people with the same names as (former) Ulster players I discovered that the second ever commander of Johnannesburg Police’s detective unit was called Andrew Trimble.
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Am I alone in thinking this URC experiment is a failed one? Too much travel (air miles alone, FFS!), too many logistics problems, massive advantages for home side either way.
On a completely different subject, spotted this on the G’s live blog:
I mis-read Fumio as Fumido, or ‘smoked’ in Spanish.
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Seen some of those Southern BBQ programmes where they may just about be able to fit Bojo into their smokers! Dave C would deny putting his, er, apple in the porkers mouth though.
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Leicester getting smoked here too. Roma one up and looking good for plenty more. Leicester looking a bit like the Tory candidate who’s lost out to Screaming Lord Such.
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From what I can gather – you and a lot of people in Wales.
Here in Ireland, I think it’s been well received – SA is difficult to go to but the South African teams are now pushing at the top of the table – 3 in top 8.
Leinster are top by 6pts on 62, but places 2 to 6 – are covered by 3 points. Munster need a BP win away to Leinster to guarantee home QF, otherwise we’re looking – potentially – at trip to SA (same for Ulster who’s last game is home vs Sharks). Edinburgh and Glasgow have a winner take all game in final match for a QF place.
What’s not to like – last round coming up and lots to play for.
It’s worked out badly for the Welsh teams – but there’s more to that than just the league structure.
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Well, unless you’re Connacht, or one of the Welsh or Italian teams…..
and even then Scarlets and Opsreys are competing for H Cup place – Welsh clubs are guaranteed 1 place, so lowest Scottish region will drop (I think)
Leinster have Irish pool won, SA pool is 3 way between Sharks, Stormers, and Bulls, Scottish/Italian will go to the last game between Weeg and Edinburgh, Ospreys can catch Scarlets in Welsh shield.
Your 4 ‘next highest-ranked clubs’ are Munster, Ulster, and 2 of the SA teams.
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Reds and Highlanders have a good old fashioned ding-dong here. Currently 12-7 to the Reds, with both sides having scored tries in the last couple of minutes. Highlanders had two in the bin at one stage, one for head contact and the oterh for a tip tackle (didn’t see either, just reading back on some commentary). A little more competitive that the 71-28 thrashing the Blues gave the Rebels earlier.
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Commentary for the Reds second reads: TRY, REDS, FLUKE, which you’d normally just assume is correct, but it turns out the bloke’s name in Fluke.
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Garlic football – well, yes…can be an acquired taste…..
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Highlanders have snuck ahead, 13-12 and a lot of the Reds forwards are walking to the rucks. Not sure they’ll last the last 30!
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And of course no sooner are the pixels dry than the Reds take it through 18 phases to score under the sticks. Very good control. 19-13 Reds lead after 55 minutes.
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Reds get back to turn the ball over on their line and clear! But only for so long. Left winger Scott Gregory over and it’s 20-19 to the Highlanders. 18 to go.
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Missed another Highlanders try. And they’re suddenly 27-19 ahead and winning the small moments, like the Reds 10 taking the box kick with his foot on the sideline.
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Got ambushed into working for a bit, but missed nothing. Finished 27-19 to the Highlanders and buggered up my impeccable ‘Bru predictions.
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New post shortly.
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New post
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