Big rugby weekend too, with a lot on the line for the top 10 or so teams in the URC. Your results foretold:
Edinburgh v Munster: Edinburgh are in a must-win home game against Munster and come into the match on a three-game winning streak, although (with respect, nah, just joking) it’s only been against Zebre, Cardiff and Scarlets. Munster, on the other hand, are unbeaten since losing New Year’s Day and have thrashed Connacht at home and the Lions away after dispatching the Bulls at Loftus as well. One of the form (unsmiling Irish) teams and they’ll be good to sneak past Edinburgh.
Result: Munster by 4
Zebre Parma v Scarlets: Two pretty crappy sides who’ll gain no solace in consistency, when it’s going home empty-handed week in and out. Bald men fighting over a comb and all that. Zebre started the season with some agonisingly narrow losses, which could possibly have given them a boost to aim for higher up the table. But it wasn’t to be, and they’ve been hammered in recent weeks, with an average deficit of 32 points a match in their last three. Scarlets have been princely by comparison, losing only by about 11 a match over that period. Still, Zebre are overdue a win, it’s lazy ‘home-win punditry’ and this one would pull them off the bottom and above Scarlets (and the Drags).
Result: Zebre Parma by 2
Bulls v Benetton: The Bulls are a side that can really turn it on when they smell blood (and let’s face it, if your average Saffer can’t smell blood, they’ll batter something – not a Mars Bar – until blood spills, so they can smell it), and with a home semi still theoretically up for grabs, they’ll be at their beastly best. Benetton actually have the better recent record – three from their last four – and are also still well in the hunt for a last eight berth. A win on Saturday would probably be enough to secure a QF spot, but the Bulls will chuck everything at them and as they showed against the Warriors last weekend, when the mood takes them, they can be lethal. Saw my first opera at Loftus; this won’t be a day of song for the Italians.
Bulls by 27
Ospreys v Dragons RFC: The Ospreys can still theoretically make the top eight, if everyone above them loses their last two matches, which will be motivation enough for the men from Swansea. Might be stupid, but, you know, I’m sure their coach has been filling the airwaves with the usual guff about playing to the end, results going our way, blah blah. Battered by Leinster and the Bulls in the last couple of weeks (albeit after a fine win in Cape Town), they’re on a less-losing streak than the Doused Dragons. Only two wins this year (squeakers against the Scarlets and Zebre), suggests they’re more puff, than the magic.
Ospreys by 12
Lions v Glasgow Warriors: The Lions could really put the cat (cough) among the pigeons if they turn over Glasgow in their quest for an unlikely quarterfinal spot. Unlikely though, as the Lions have not been consistent enough this season (or any other for the last 7 years!), either dishing out hideous hidings, or being on the receiving end of brutal beatings. The Warriors showed against the Bulls last weekend that the altitude beast is a pussycat, roaring back in the last twenty to almost beat the hosts. They’re top of the table, have a wining culture this season and are damned difficult to beat. Should be a Glasgow win, quite easily actually, but….
Lions by 2
Connacht v Stormers: The Wesht is a wicked place to try to get a result, especially for Saffer sides, but as the Lions showed a few weeks ago, and down to 14 men to boot for most of the match, if you’re handling is good and you get quick ball to your strike runners, Connacht can be clobbered. The Stormers will be buoyed by their thrashing of the Drags last weekend and will look to add another Irish scalp this season after wins over Ulster and Leinster. Connacht got battered by Munster last weekend and have to go back to early January for a win against a top side – a Munster that were still finding their rhythm this season. Still a very difficult side to beat, but with places 5 to 8 so close, the Stormers will need to match the wind from the Wesht.
Stormers by 7
Sharks v Cardiff: Tricky one this, with many of the Sharks side to play Glos in the mini-Heini next weekend jetting out early. Should give the Diff a sniff, but they haven’t won since Santa Puff (see above) gave them a Boxing Day pressie. I’ve no idea what kind of Sharks combo will take to the field, but you feel that home ground advantage in what’s still a steamy Durban will see them home against a locked Diff. Nothing more to add, really.
Sharks by 8
Ulster v Leinster: A terrific Irish derby to finish the weekend with. Leinster will be hoping Glasgow get jolted in Jozi, giving them a shot at the top of the log again, whilst Ulster can still sneak a home semi, if others get stiffed (or not, as it were). Ulster have been patchy this season and have been involved in some very tight affairs (stop it, now) both for and against them. Leinster sent their U14 academy side to the land of sunshine and they got clobbered, but bounced back to batter the hapless Ospreys last weekend. It’ll be a hard, uncompromising match, with the visitors nosing ahead at the end. Sorry gracious host.
Leinster Rugby by 3
Bum steers by Deebee7
Onna telly this weekend
Showing matches that are televised in the UK and Ireland or on popular subscription services. Bold indicates that it’s on a free to view channel. Times are in the UK zone, so adjust as necessary.
Friday 17th May
| Zebre v Scarlets | 19:35 | BBC2 Wales / iPlayer / Premier Sports 2 |
| Edinburgh v Munster | 19:35 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
Saturday 18th May
| Bulls v Treviso | 13:00 | PremierPlayer |
| Ospreys v Dragons | 15:00 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Lions v Glasgow | 15:05 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Bath v Northampton | 15:05 | TNT Sports Extra |
| Gloucester v Newcastle | 15:05 | TNT Sports Extra |
| Harlequins v Bristol | 15:05 | TNT Sports 2 |
| Leicester v Exeter | 15:05 | TNT Sports Extra |
| Saracens v Sale | 15:05 | TNT Sports 1 |
| Connacht v Stormers | 17:05 | RTÉ2 / Premier Sports 1 |
| Sharks v Cardiff | 17:15 | S4C / iPlayer / Premier Sports 2 |
| Ulster v Leinster | 19:35 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
Ovally Balls 
BB, any idea where Kebble is heading? He’d be a useful addition to most of our sides as a bench prop with excellent experience and tutoring for the youngsters coming through.
LikeLike
Crusaders are 21-10 up against Pasifika nearing halftime! Will they shake the foundations of Super Rugby Anonima and win two on the bounce? The opening verse of the AC/DC version more apposite of their season thus far:
Ya gotta see me leanin’ on the bar
I got my head in a whiskey jar
Feelin’ good ’cause the city’s alive
I’m gettin’ ready to rock and jive
LikeLike
Lowe is a smug prick
In his ‘defence’, when he signed for Leinster he got his club assigned as Clondalkin RFC – rather than one of the big names like Clontarf, Lansdowne, Terenure
(all the provincial players are notionally attached to a club – usually AIL)
LikeLike
Tahs trying to wreck the Reds season in Sydney. Having collected their own trophy before kick-off, an elaborate ceremony to raise the wooden spoon (a 12-pack from Clever Patch for A$21.99), they’re now trying to knock the spots off the Reds before their (Reds) playoff match against the Chiefs. 26-27 with a few to go and the Reds just about home. Or not? Tahs line up a penalty from just inside the Reds half, fairly central, and hook it out of bounds down the left. One final fling, 20 phases of pass the parcel down the line, lose it and out by the Reds. Sums up the Tahs season in a nutshell. They finish bottom, with 2 wins from 14.
LikeLike
New post on its way….
LikeLike
For your reading pleasure.
LikeLike