Heineken Cup - General Discussion Thread

errlloyd wrote: »

A moreso than that. Remember that time Connacht tried to steal Ulster's bull and got torn to pieces by a young lad right of Leinster Academy.

The provincial system works perfectly in Ireland it must be said, I absolutely love it. I think the clubs as branches also works pretty well.

I love the way our players are loyal to their provinces, as long as there is a chance of a Leinster man making a career at Leinster he'll stay. I love the way we have fierce rivalries, but even if Munster put Leinster out in the Semi's or the Quarters, I'll still be wearing red and singing the fields of Athenry in the finals. Its just class.

GREAT POST MATE. touche.....

Sport101 wrote: »

Cheers Ger, good post, had forgotten about the Celtic Warriors. These teams are nearly 10 years old though and should be getting better support, do you think there's an element of deliberate boycotting by the hardcore rugby fans, which will take a generation to pass? Do they really hate the idea of a joined team that much? I mean Neath and Swansea aren't miles from each other. They have no problem packing the Millennium for a pointless game against the Australians. It sometimes seems that Welsh Rugby can be very insular and self destructive at times.

I would certainly agree about the self destructive element. They implode time and time again. I questioned recently if the WC was just another false dawn of Welsh rugby and I think I might be proven right. They have such talent but such issues outside of that off the pitch.

Financially, a side like the Scarlets for example have serious limitations. They've had to let a lot of their players go and are relying entirely on their youth structures. Ospreys still have some cash (despite appearances) but are making an effort to move towards home grown talent and that is partly in an effort to cultivate a relationship with the supporters and grow the fan base.

With respect to them getting better support after 10 years, success breeds success. You only have to look at the rocketing of Leinster's attendances since Cheika's tenure began to see how much that can prove true. The Welsh sides have simply struggled to get their affairs in order off the pitch whether it's through marketing, politics, infighting, finances or whatever to allow them to perform on the pitch and draw the crowds in. The Ospreys crowds had improved very slowly but this season they seem to have gone backwards significantly with the marquee names no longer there. It will take them a few years to get back there but if they can do so with a team built around Biggar, Beck and Tipuric instead of Collins, Holah and Phillips it will serve them better in the long run.

any reports from ulster game or links? i take it from posts touhy and trimble playing well. love to see trimble start in 6Ns

GerM wrote: »

I assume you're talking about a loan spell at Connacht because I reckon that might be the only way we'll see him in a green jersey in the next 6 months.

has touhy been good then? radio sayng line out has been woeful but best at fault they been sayng. like the look of touhy recently

is bod that bad? i thought he be a natural for the tv in couple of yrs