Well gents, most if not all of you are not interested in this one, but Leinster and Munster face off tonight in the RaBo Pro 12. It's easily the biggest rivalry on this Island and indeed in terms of European Rugby its right up there.
Here is an article to wet your appetite should you be interested
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/the-edgiest-rivalry-in-irish-rugby-1.1358921?page=1
Munster had a memorable win last weekend against Quins and some of the Munster fans are running away with the idea of a magical Munster revival. I'm not at all convinced. I think the win against Quins was down to some unlikely stars coming into alignment. First, Quins didn't play very well. Second, Muster played beyond their capabilities. Third POC came back and inspired them as he does. Forth, they were massive underdogs in that game and they went into it with something to prove.
In reality they are a mid table team in the Rabo, and have lost a shed load of games this year and several by embarrassing margins! Glasgow put 52 points on them 2 weeks ago! So they found something last weekend and they did fantastic. But i seriously doubt they can carry that form from game to game.
In leinster,Brian O'Driscoll comes in tonight to face Munster, and indeed while Munster needed POC to come in and inspire, so too will BOD for Leinster. Leinster took Wasps apart in london last weekend, but were worryingly very slack in defence. BOD's return should plug that defensive hole.
Anyway this will be a cracking game. Munster are out of the running for a playoff spot in the Rabo, but they will most definitely be out to win this game for several reasons. The main reason is that this is the best possible "preparation" game in a lead up facing Clermont in the Heineken cup. So Munster will use that also the game is in the fabled Thomond Park, they don't lose there very often. And of course the visitors are Leinster. No motivation required when the boys in blue turn up.
My prediction is a bit left field. The game won't even be close, Leinster by 12 plus points. Quins were caught by surprise. Leinster know Munster inside and out. They will be no surprises and the better team will win.
Massive game tonight
posted on 14/4/13
Kearney was very poor all game. He showed great pace for his ''try'' but I actually dont think he grounded the ball. Got his hand caught underneath it and didnt ground it in my opinion.
posted on 14/4/13
Alright folks, how are we all?
posted on 14/4/13
leeds mate i watched in HD and i studied physics in university. if that ball didn't touch the grass then the world is upside down, black is now white, cats and dogs are raining in ireland and and the Germans now control Europe.... wait wait disregard the last one
Mate that was one of the clearest TMO coocck-ups i have ever seen. it was beyond stupid.Anyway. It didn't effect the rightful result, a leinster win, but if it had gone the other way then i swear i would have searched for the TMO and battered the bejaysus out of him.This is why the REFS jerseys are sponsored by "Specsavers" the irony is just classic! Cudos to the marketing man in Specsavers!
posted on 14/4/13
I did too and do engineering mate. I thought his chest was on top and wrist underneath and just couldnt get it out from there.
Agree that a leinster win was just and am a huge fan of Madigan. A very assured performance coupled with the fact he seems to have sorted his kicking. Seems very confident in the strike now.
What did you make of the O'Connell kick? Does it warrant a citing?
posted on 15/4/13
I don't think so mate. POC has done it before but to BOD and in an Ireland jersey, his own bloody teammate hahaha. Seems he just doesn't know where his feet are half the time. Don't think it deserves any punishment. But it was idiotic there is no doubt about that and so he should probably apologise and let that be that. These things happen.
posted on 15/4/13
You know leeds, the problem here having watched again a few times, is that it looks vicious. I'm Leinster through and through and i still don't believe that POC did this with any intent other than getting the ball but I reckon he might well be cited for sheer stupidity! Because regardless of intent. That was just brainless beyond belief and perhaps stupid stuff like that should be cited.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-GhyiAR8SI
posted on 15/4/13
I think he should get cited to be honest, it may just have been foolish enthusiasm, but that was dangerous.
posted on 16/4/13
It was very dangerous aristo, reckless , stupid, hell any number of adjectives. But the results are in and he'sin not getting cited. One wonders about the upcoming game against clermont and what effect that had on the decision not to cite him. but such is life. Kearney is ok. POC is a good bloke we know that. It was indeed stupid but these things happen. So moving on. Of course if Leinster had lost you would be sure to see the knives out for him.
posted on 16/4/13
Thanks be to jesus that he isnt being cited. I really can't see Munster beating Clermont, but without Paul it would have been over before it started.
I didnt think we'd beat Quins either though so who knows.
posted on 16/4/13
I'm certain PoC didn't mean to hurt him. The fact the Leinster boys don't react tells you a lot as well. He's trying to kick the ball and totally stuffs it up.