Thaum, I thought Munster would win this, with their amazing jackaling. They certzinly would’ve been worthy semi-finalists.
Toulouse are still a work in progress, particularly at centres. I’m surprised they could play in extra-time , the bulk of them play too many games, as they haven’t secured their place in the playoffs.
Doubt they’ll have enough gas left in the tank next week. As they’ll most probably play vs Leisnter, they might as well stay in Dublin.
Flair – Toulouse (esp forwards) looked out on their feet in the second half, but then Munster also got very tired, and TLS managed to find a second wind. I am disappointed, but I didn’t expect it to be that tight.
Thaum/Flair – this is tainted with sour grapes and I’m sorry about that.
I have always thought that sarries were scapegoats and the punishment was short sighted in the context of English Rugby Doing Well. Exeter were rightly aggrieved because they always were within the rules but I don’t think that looking after your players long term interests is a bad thing either. Competing against clubs with a higher budget in Europe whilst working within a salary cap is always going to be difficult.
But also, the Irish sides are good, in part, because their governing body makes the best use out of their resources. Whereas in the prem it’s a bit of a shit show imo.
Munster / Toulouse was an almighty contest and a brilliant atmosphere – I think Zombie will have to join Stand up and Fight and Fields as a crowd participation song – 40k singing in unison at the start of extra time was fantastic.
It was a game Munster could have won – I won’t say should – Carbery missing 2 pens that would have made life more difficult for Toulouse. That said, we were in trouble at scrum time without it leading to disaster as it might have.
Ran out of players in the end – Murray came back on for Zebo (supposedly for HIA) – not sure Zebo’s problem wasn’t elsewhere – he was limping/walking for a good bit before that.
As I said, the atmosphere was huge – but I think people would have lost their minds if Healy had nailed either the long penalty or the drop. Pity …. hopefully, this will be Healy’s equivalent of 2000 Heino final for O’Gara.
Penalties – a hard way to lose. Neither penalty from Healey “sounded” good – odd hollow thud on contact.
I was sat in the posh seats (because…. reasons) and Andy Farrell (and Mike Catt) were directly in front. Farrell left after 70mins – but I guess he’d come to see Munster starters in a serious test. You’d like to think (some of) Kendellen , O Donoghue, the Wycherleys will be in his thoughts when he picks the squad for NZ.
Commiseration, Trisk. It really could’ve gone either way.
A YC that couldve been a red, a couple of missed kicks… A bright future for several young Munstermen, Kenderllen, Wicherleys, etc… Not sure about Carbery under pressure though ( think next WC).
Toulouse tries were good though.
Footnotes: Ntamack raised his arms after his first kick, not to goad the public but thinking it was over.
Zebo had cramps. But he was also bleeding, which is why Murray could come back on field , otherwise he wouldn’t’ve been allowed to during extra time.
HT: Toulon 6 L.I 10
Very good first twenty minutes by LI, excellent running and passing. Even P.Jackson, of ill fame, is having a good game.
Toulon a shambles. Two YC, for Serin and Creevy after an old fashion handbags session. Crowd not pleased by inexperienced (and rather good IMO) ref, what’s new? A female touchline ref, that’s what’s rather new. All in all, a mediocre game, except the excellent start by LI.
Bugger. Only just tuned into the Toulon-LI match. Looks like it’s been a feisty old affair.
Supposed to be on a flight to Nigeria, but delayed by six hours, so I’ll get to the hotel at around 4am. First meeting four hours later. Do I abuse the booze in the airport lounge, or be responsible and do some work? I think I know which way I’m headed!
Deebee, watch Racing vs Sale. And invent a drinking game, if it’s as poor as most of the previous game
Toulon lucky to go through. Fantastic try from his 22 by Arundell.
Sarries should smash Toulon without breaking sweat. They certainly have a few quality players ( Ollivon, Serin, Villière, Luc, Etzebeth when on song) but the rest are average and they don’t really have a settled way of playing.
Flair, best drinking game is having a shot every time the wifi goes belly up. Reckon I’ve seen about four minutes of the match ‘live’ so far! Wine is good though
Ovally Balls 
So cruel. Wish Munster were in the other half of the draw.
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Piperboy – yep, agreed on the red.
Such a cruel way to go out.
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Blue Meanies seem to be doing the job on the Tiggers. At least we should have an Irish side in it.
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Fantastic LaR second try.
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Flair – we both chose the same word at the same time. Must be true, then.
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Harry Potter even looks like Harry Potter.
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HT: Tiggers 0 – 20 Leinster.
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Thaum, I thought Munster would win this, with their amazing jackaling. They certzinly would’ve been worthy semi-finalists.
Toulouse are still a work in progress, particularly at centres. I’m surprised they could play in extra-time , the bulk of them play too many games, as they haven’t secured their place in the playoffs.
Doubt they’ll have enough gas left in the tank next week. As they’ll most probably play vs Leisnter, they might as well stay in Dublin.
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This is why it was a mistake to punish sarries.
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Flair – Toulouse (esp forwards) looked out on their feet in the second half, but then Munster also got very tired, and TLS managed to find a second wind. I am disappointed, but I didn’t expect it to be that tight.
Craigs – ??? Does not compute.
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Tiggers break their egg.
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Thaum – sarries at least gave the Irish sides a stern challenge.
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Craigs – yes, by cheating.
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Tigers manage another try, but it’s too little, too late.
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Thaum – in the context of Europe, not really.
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That must be a tongue in cheek comment from Craigs .
Toulouse don’t give the Irish sides a stern challenge? When they could make it three in a row?
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SF now officially over the line! *blows party squeaker thing*
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Flair – I think Craigs is thinking of English sides.
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‘Mon ra Weedge!
More in hope than expectation.
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Try! Not nilled!
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Thaum/Flair – this is tainted with sour grapes and I’m sorry about that.
I have always thought that sarries were scapegoats and the punishment was short sighted in the context of English Rugby Doing Well. Exeter were rightly aggrieved because they always were within the rules but I don’t think that looking after your players long term interests is a bad thing either. Competing against clubs with a higher budget in Europe whilst working within a salary cap is always going to be difficult.
But also, the Irish sides are good, in part, because their governing body makes the best use out of their resources. Whereas in the prem it’s a bit of a shit show imo.
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But also, the Irish sides are good, in part, because their governing body makes the best use out of their resources.
You must be joking. With their blatant anti-Ulsterness?
I do think there should be some sort of salary cap on clubs competing in the European Cups.
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Thaum – that’s just Faz.
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Another try for Glasgow! Right at the end of the first half.
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Craigs – no, it was also a factor before his time.
Maybe now SF are in charge – at least nominally – it will change. (Fat chance.)
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BB – gwan Glasgow! What’s the score?
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13-20 at HT.
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Penalty try Glasgow and yellow for Lyon! 13-27!
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Bhatti now off for a yellow! 14 apiece!
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Lyon get another try. It’s brutal at the breakdown. 20-27.
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Demba Bamba is an absolute monster! Huge run from him into the Glasgow half.
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Shit, Lyon in the corner, but conversion missed. 25-27. 15 minutes to go.
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Buggerybollocks, Lyon in again. That’s torn it.
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Yet again, we lose a lead. 35-27. Well done Lyon. Think they’ll beat Wasps too.
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Oh hell, BB, it was looking so good.
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Munster / Toulouse was an almighty contest and a brilliant atmosphere – I think Zombie will have to join Stand up and Fight and Fields as a crowd participation song – 40k singing in unison at the start of extra time was fantastic.
It was a game Munster could have won – I won’t say should – Carbery missing 2 pens that would have made life more difficult for Toulouse. That said, we were in trouble at scrum time without it leading to disaster as it might have.
Ran out of players in the end – Murray came back on for Zebo (supposedly for HIA) – not sure Zebo’s problem wasn’t elsewhere – he was limping/walking for a good bit before that.
As I said, the atmosphere was huge – but I think people would have lost their minds if Healy had nailed either the long penalty or the drop. Pity …. hopefully, this will be Healy’s equivalent of 2000 Heino final for O’Gara.
Penalties – a hard way to lose. Neither penalty from Healey “sounded” good – odd hollow thud on contact.
I was sat in the posh seats (because…. reasons) and Andy Farrell (and Mike Catt) were directly in front. Farrell left after 70mins – but I guess he’d come to see Munster starters in a serious test. You’d like to think (some of) Kendellen , O Donoghue, the Wycherleys will be in his thoughts when he picks the squad for NZ.
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Commiseration, Trisk. It really could’ve gone either way.
A YC that couldve been a red, a couple of missed kicks… A bright future for several young Munstermen, Kenderllen, Wicherleys, etc… Not sure about Carbery under pressure though ( think next WC).
Toulouse tries were good though.
Footnotes: Ntamack raised his arms after his first kick, not to goad the public but thinking it was over.
Zebo had cramps. But he was also bleeding, which is why Murray could come back on field , otherwise he wouldn’t’ve been allowed to during extra time.
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And now Toulon, followed by Racing. I pity my couch.
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HT: Toulon 6 L.I 10
Very good first twenty minutes by LI, excellent running and passing. Even P.Jackson, of ill fame, is having a good game.
Toulon a shambles. Two YC, for Serin and Creevy after an old fashion handbags session. Crowd not pleased by inexperienced (and rather good IMO) ref, what’s new? A female touchline ref, that’s what’s rather new. All in all, a mediocre game, except the excellent start by LI.
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Good lord, that was a hell of a try by Arundle.
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Bugger. Only just tuned into the Toulon-LI match. Looks like it’s been a feisty old affair.
Supposed to be on a flight to Nigeria, but delayed by six hours, so I’ll get to the hotel at around 4am. First meeting four hours later. Do I abuse the booze in the airport lounge, or be responsible and do some work? I think I know which way I’m headed!
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Deebee, watch Racing vs Sale. And invent a drinking game, if it’s as poor as most of the previous game
Toulon lucky to go through. Fantastic try from his 22 by Arundell.
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Sarries should smash Toulon without breaking sweat. They certainly have a few quality players ( Ollivon, Serin, Villière, Luc, Etzebeth when on song) but the rest are average and they don’t really have a settled way of playing.
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Flair, best drinking game is having a shot every time the wifi goes belly up. Reckon I’ve seen about four minutes of the match ‘live’ so far! Wine is good though
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What a try by T. Thomas!
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What a try bt T. Thomas!
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What a try by Finn Russell!
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Finn Russell! Oh my word! Straight out of school dreams!
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Brace really is a terrible ref.
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Racing have really upped the intensity in the 20 minutes or so.
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