First a nod to the retirees. *Nods*
Tonight we have the Little Cup Final, Glasgow v Toulon. The French side are half-way down their league table while Glaes are fourth in the URC, and have home advantage … but I think it will be a close-fought affair all the same. The Home of the Big Yin by 4.
Then tomorrow there’s the Big Cup Gladitorialism of Leinster v La Rochelle. Ronan O’Gara will be rubbing his hands at the prospect, especially after his club side beat the Blue Meanies last weekend in the URC semi-final. But Leinster have made 12 changes to the B-team they put out last week – mostly to concentrate on this Cup, one assumes. BUT Sexton is still injured, which could be a big factor; one of they Byrne brothers is in instead.
It’s a tough one to call too, but I think home advantage will tell again. The Home of Leopold Bloom by 5.
Onna telly this weekend
Friday 19th May
| Glasgow v Toulon | 20:00 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 20th May
| Leinster v La Rochelle | 16:45 | ITV1 / STV / BT Sport 2 |
Ovally Balls 
Nice post Thaum. I know there are a lot of links between Glasgow and Dublin, but I don’t think you can say we have home advantage tonight.
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Well, you’re technically the home side! Reckon you’ll get more supporters than the oppo.
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(No, I didn’t bother to check the location. Forgot that EC match finals are held at a pre-determined location, despite having travelled to Bilbao a few years ago.)
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Thanks Thauma! Both finals too one to call. I’ve chickened out and gone for home advantage in both, but it could easily go the other way.
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Possibly we’ll get the ‘neutral’ vote. I think there are about 2,000 Glasgow fans going so may not have the numbers, but they’ll be loud. Sadly, I think that feckin’ trumpeter will be there too.
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Bilbao is a magical place. I’ve got many happy memories from the tapas bars and restaurants there.
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We actually stayed a long drive away, in the middle of nowhere, which was charming. Didn’t see too much of Bilbao, but we did go to the museum. Which we weren’t terribly impressed with.
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I do wonder what’s going on there. Retiring just before a World Cup? Fed up with the WRU?
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Thaum, my guess is that they were told they weren’t going to make the RWC squad, so were given the dignified option of retiring first.
Two terrific players, absolutely top notch.
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Ticht – d’you think? I don’t see so much talent bursting out of the Welsh regions at the moment that either would be left out.
Maybe they’re just fed up with injuries.
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Mind you, it is Gatland.
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Thauma, the Guggenheim is magnificent! Just on its own. The exhibitions aren’t always great, but one of my favourite places.
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Guggenheim > Gatland
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Yes, the building was impressive, but the exhibitions were shite.
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Glasgow’s kryptonite has always been a big pack, but if they can run them around…
Mon the Weedge
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‘MON RA WEEEDGE!!!!!
If we can cope with Toulon’s power, then we can do it.
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‘Mon the Weedge!
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‘Monraweedge!
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On the one hand, I don’t see a grounding, but on the other there was a high tackle.
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Parisse! Bloody hell. Not looking good for our Weedgies.
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Feckin’ Fraser Brown! Always does a bloody overthrow on a defensive lineout! Why the hell is he playing instead of Matthews or Turner?
Long way back now. Haven’t laid a glove on them yet.
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That was better….
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Yet another Toulon try direct from an overthrow by Brown. Franco Smith’s been brilliant for us, but that is a bad call n=by him.
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I went to feed the dug, came back and the scoreline looked a lot worse.
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Not sure going for another scrum was the best idea. We’ll see.
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Wisnae bad.
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The third one wasn’t the charm.
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On the up side, Glasgow seem to have nobbled half the Toulon players.
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Where’ve our Scots gone? Are ye hiding behind the sofa?
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Replacement hooker on for Glaes. Can only be an improvement.
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That shoulda been a try. Very poor.
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Am coming to the conclusion that Glasgow don’t deserve to win this.
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This has to be one of our worst performances in a long time.
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But Toulon have more than deserved their lead.
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Woohoo! Glasgow with points, from a try no less.
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Well we won’t be nilled!
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BB – it’s dire. What has fucking happened to them?
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Try converted! Comeback on!
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Oh, Darge is on – that’s what’s happened.
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Oh. The restart. Double knock-on.
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Nerves. Excellent opposition. Poor tactics. Good players having poor games.
Let’s not forget how many good players Toulon have. We don’t have anyone close in talent to Kolbe for example.
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Well, that’s that. Although I think he dropped it.
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This is painful to watch.
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Well, a second try for Glasgow, and I’m not really sure how after a display of ineptitude!
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If I wasn’t a Glasgow fan, I would be loving this performance from Toulon. They have been excellent.
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Comeback’s on!!!!
Not really.
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BB – well, they’ve taken their foot off the petrol and let Glasgow in again.
They have played some beautiful rugby, but I’m not a fan of these teams with huge chequebooks. Although Leinster annoy me, at least most of their players have come up through the academy, not just been bought in.
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Just looking at the 40 player Toulon squad on Wiki and 33 are French. I think most of the 13 non-French players were in the squad tonight which makes me think that a lot of those with French flags next to their name are academy players.
Wasn’t there some agreement that French teams were supposed to prefer or bring through mostly young French players? Flair might know.
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I admit I’m slightly pissed, but I’m still pretty sure that 40 – 33 = 7.
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