Who will win ML?

Diamondmaker

There is still an ML up for grabs and with 4 teams in the running. With all the talk of next years H Cup this years ML is unfortunatley being overshadowed.
Its still a good competiton and worthy of any rugby fans attention.

Leinster are in pole but have 2 tricky away games against fellow contendors.

The welsh have games in hand.

Ulster have 2 winnable home games V Scots to go.

1 Leinster 17 9 55
2 Ulster 18 9 51
3 Ospreys 16 6 50
4 Cardiff Blues 16 6 48
P BP Pts
Fixtures:
Ospreys vLeinster
Border Reivers v Cardiff Blues
Ulster v Glasgow Warriors
Cardiff Blues v Dragons
Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys
Llanelli Scarlets v Cardiff Blues
Leinster v Border Reivers
Dragons v Ospreys
Border Reivers v Ospreys
Cardiff Blues*v Leinster
Llanelli Scarlets v Connacht Rugby
Ulster v Edinburgh Rugby

It seems to be set for Leinster to win if they get 1 away win and the home bonus against Borders. I would say that would do it as the chasers have so much more potential to drop points with welsh derbies and both playing Leinster. You would imagine leinster should manage a win on one of those games.

Ulster need 2 wins with BPs to really have a chance and rely on other results, they unlike the others do not play any contenders.

hey I know its "only" the ML but c 'mon its gotta be better than nothing to watch!;)

daveirl

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Diamondmaker

daveirl wrote:

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Cant argue with that, but if leinster cant scrape one away Welsh win or draw :eek: from 2, then they may as well just pack it in!:mad:

re Ospreys:
Also Netherdale can be a tough place to go !! just ask leinster

Season would be in the bag if they could have got the expected result there!

buck65

My money is on the Ospreys. They beat Llanelli in Stradey park last Tuesday (1st game that Scarlets have los there in 18 months) so they could do the same to Leinster.

PS how far is Twickenham from Heathrow ? Time wise after the game I have 2 hours til flight can I make it for HCup?? Cheers

RuggieBear

Who ever wins the Ospreys leinster game at the weekend will win the league.

Inquitus

The honest answer to this is "Who cares?"

I don't season ended at the Q/F of the HC imo.

damnyanks

Inquitus wrote:

The honest answer to this is "Who cares?"

I don't season ended at the Q/F of the HC imo.

NO no, they're still playing rugby

daveirl

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RuggieBear

Inquitus wrote:

The honest answer to this is "Who cares?"

I don't season ended at the Q/F of the HC imo.

Sums up what's wronmg with support in this country tbh

daveirl

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Inquitus

Watching a clearly disinterested Leinster play like crap and lose to Glasgow 3 weeks ago clearly demonstrated to me that while I will watch the games as I love rugby, if the players don't care, then why should I?

Glasgow 26 - 20
(13 - 10) Leinster
Tries:
O'Hare, Lamont, Evans Tries:
D'Arcy 2
Pens:
Parks 3 Pens:
Contepomi 2

Cons:
Parks Cons:
Contepomi 2

As a Munster fan, what point is there in the Magner's league when we lose our entire 1-10 for the first Month or so of the season in the IRFU conditioning camp, and as a result, not surprisingly, find ourselves with no hope of winning the Magner's league thereafter. It makes the Magner's league utterly devoid of any meaning from a Munster PoV.

I find this highly disappointing, but all the Magner's is about is finishing above Connacht and qualifying for the HC the following year. This is a combination of the fixtures on off weekends of the 6 nations and the conditioning camp at the start of the year and the nature of the HC Fixtures whereby players are rested ahead of big games.

Not sure what is to be done about it, but as it stands half the teams in the Magners league don't even attempt to win it, and as a fan if the teams don't care about it, why should I?

Sangre

Leinster have a brutal away record. I can see them bottling both against two good sides....

besty

Ah, but I think that the incentive of any silverware might give them the slight edge. Hopefully they can finish strongly and clinch it.

Diamondmaker

Inquitus wrote:

The honest answer to this is "Who cares?"

I don't season ended at the Q/F of the HC imo.

What happens in the future if Munster, for example, fail to make the KO rounds say 2 seasons in a row, will that be the end of Munster support for the season and a greater demise to come?

Hey IMO its better than watching NO rugby!
I dont think I could call my self a supporter of a team if I had that attitude.

I "support" Liverpool but only to the extent of watching the glamour games, I would never call myself a real fan or the greatest supporter in the world cos I made a killer trip to Turkey for a mighty session by plane train and automobile.

You would hope for the future of our game that when we hit a low point we have more than a few hudred fans on the terraces:mad:

buck65

Hangover year in Munster this year (plus a run of injuries and unavailable players in irreplacable positions) expect a more serious and competitive team in all competitions next season.

Tim Robbins

Inquitus wrote:

Watching a clearly disinterested Leinster play like crap and lose to Glasgow 3 weeks ago clearly demonstrated to me that while I will watch the games as I love rugby, if the players don't care, then why should I?

Glasgow 26 - 20
(13 - 10) Leinster
Tries:
O'Hare, Lamont, Evans Tries:
D'Arcy 2
Pens:
Parks 3 Pens:
Contepomi 2

Cons:
Parks Cons:
Contepomi 2

As a Munster fan, what point is there in the Magner's league when we lose our entire 1-10 for the first Month or so of the season in the IRFU conditioning camp, and as a result, not surprisingly, find ourselves with no hope of winning the Magner's league thereafter. It makes the Magner's league utterly devoid of any meaning from a Munster PoV.

I find this highly disappointing, but all the Magner's is about is finishing above Connacht and qualifying for the HC the following year. This is a combination of the fixtures on off weekends of the 6 nations and the conditioning camp at the start of the year and the nature of the HC Fixtures whereby players are rested ahead of big games.

Not sure what is to be done about it, but as it stands half the teams in the Magners league don't even attempt to win it, and as a fan if the teams don't care about it, why should I?

Major issue for Irish Rugby.
If the league isn't properly supported by teams, fans well then we hardly expect the Welsh or Scots to take it seriously either. It's worrying that the Welsh are probably taking the Angloe Welsh cup more seriously, 60,000 go to the final with Leicester for exampe.

That said, I think some Irish Rugby fans are a bit hard on the Celtic league, the English teams don't always field their first team in the ZP either.
I'd like us go down the same route as French and English on this one, where the top 6 Celtic League teams qualify for HC, then it has meaning.

zAbbo

not a great feed but you can listen and watch here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/broadband/mediawrapper/consoles/sport/nb_rm_console.shtml?pack1-scrumlive_16x9

Audio is good, video is low rez

Diamondmaker

2nd half gonna be interesting.

Diamondmaker

:mad:

Horgan really is not suited to centre did not a thing! Hes on holidays already.

Heasip sin bin was harsh and the end result off it.

is_that_so

When was the last time that Leinster actually played well? Very frustrating watching them of late.

RuggieBear

****ing dick of a ref.

phog

RuggieBear wrote:

Who ever wins the Ospreys leinster game at the weekend will win the league.

My thoughts too and unfortunately Ospreys won tonight, let's hope theu slip[ up somewhere along the way.

phog

RuggieBear wrote:

****ing dick of a ref.

Maybe but that takes away from a poor performance by Leinster, where were all the leaders, noone taking on the ball , one or two breaks in the entire match. An intercept try kept Leinster in it, tho' Contepomi's try was the score of the match, great catch by Kearney. Horgan is not a centre.

Why did Leinster try running the last poenalty from their own half - they failed all evening to do it why did they think it would be different this time? They should have kicked for touch and try for a DG at least to put them ahead by 1 point.

All in all a disappointing night for Leinster.

daveirl

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Marshy

RuggieBear wrote:

****ing dick of a ref.

Well I mean if you repeatedly slow the ball down like leinster did then youre bound to get your comeuppance in the end. They got exactly what they deserved from that match. Ospreys were fairly poor as well now it has to be said. Leinster look absolutely hopeless without O'Driscoll, I mean that was their full side bar him.

Its now in the ospreys hands.

davyjose

RuggieBear wrote:

****ing dick of a ref.

The ref was a disgrace. He gave everything he could find to Ospreys. Not straight in the put-in to the scrum!!!!! If he's going to call this, he should do it every time, not when it suits; but that and 50 other decisions were against us.

davyjose

Marshy wrote:

Leinster look absolutely hopeless without O'Driscoll, I mean that was their full side bar him.

Its now in the ospreys hands.

Since when is Hickie not part of our full team???

Diamondmaker

davyjose wrote:

The ref was a disgrace. He gave everything he could find to Ospreys. Not straight in the put-in to the scrum!!!!! If he's going to call this, he should do it every time, not when it suits; but that and 50 other decisions were against us.

Im pretty sre I heard a Wlesh accent on the LM who intervened at JH sin binning too! Looked more like the Osprey was holding the ball as Jack was trying to wrestle it free. C'mon he went back 10 feet in the tackle...and JH was penalised!

Thats not on !:mad:

Marshy

davyjose wrote:

Since when is Hickie not part of our full team???

Well 2 missing then. Just face it your front row (perhaps front 5, MOK over the hill) is a shambles and until you sort that out the trophies will be hard to come by.

Ref was funny more than anything. I recall in the first half, one of the ospreys was inside their in goal area, about to touch down for a 22 but was taking his time when ref says "come on, get a move on". Made me laugh. Dont think its up to the ref to be saying that.

Amazotheamazing

Leinster always trail off towards the end of the season, perhaps it's due to the fact that the senior cup (which shapes their careers) ends in March, along with the 6 nations, they just peak too early every year.

When was the last time they finished the season really, really strongly?

Tim Robbins

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Leinster always trail off towards the end of the season, perhaps it's due to the fact that the senior cup (which shapes their careers) ends in March, along with the 6 nations, they just peak too early every year.

When was the last time they finished the season really, really strongly?

Horgan looked nackered last night. And where was BOD his hammy must be ok by now?

Amazotheamazing

I'd be surprised if BOD played much before the real build up to the World Cup begins, he's just too valuable to the national team to risk playing for the province. Same with guys like Stringer and O'Connell, if either Munster or Leinster were still in the HEC those players would have found a way to be fit for the semi. EOS does have enough control to pull the players out of these games, and imo, he's right to do it. They need a break from playing and these few weeks are their best chance at it for some time.

Diamondmaker

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Leinster always trail off towards the end of the season, perhaps it's due to the fact that the senior cup (which shapes their careers) ends in March, along with the 6 nations, they just peak too early every year.

When was the last time they finished the season really, really strongly?

if they have any real serious intentions at progressing in a HCup they better sort this issue out!

Diamondmaker

Amazotheamazing wrote:

I'd be surprised if BOD played much before the real build up to the World Cup begins, he's just too valuable to the national team to risk playing for the province. Same with guys like Stringer and O'Connell, if either Munster or Leinster were still in the HEC those players would have found a way to be fit for the semi. EOS does have enough control to pull the players out of these games, and imo, he's right to do it. They need a break from playing and these few weeks are their best chance at it for some time.

Maybe hell play a bit of the Cardiff game or a handy cameo V Borders? Theres not much opportunity to get him match fit and practice apart from the 2 friendlies, sending him to Arg or CHillCup?
At least the 2 whipping boys are up 1st in Bordeaux.

Cheika illuded last week that we may see him but emphasised his value to the national team and the WC and said no chances would be taken!

daveirl

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is_that_so

Did Hook step back into the 22 to kick out for that last Leinster lineout? certainly looked like it. Either way it doesn't conceal the headlessness of Leinster. At least the Ospreys seemed to have a plan. The first 20 minutes was the worst quarter of rugby I've seen in a long time.

Amazotheamazing

Diamondmaker wrote:

Maybe hell play a bit of the Cardiff game or a handy cameo V Borders? Theres not much opportunity to get him match fit and practice apart from the 2 friendlies, sending him to Arg or CHillCup?
At least the 2 whipping boys are up 1st in Bordeaux.

Cheika illuded last week that we may see him but emphasised his value to the national team and the WC and said no chances would be taken!

Aren't there 2 or 3 pre world cup tests next August and September, think we're playing in Italy in Ravenhill, not sure who else.

Diamondmaker

:eek:

Amazotheamazing wrote:

Aren't there 2 or 3 pre world cup tests next August and September, think we're playing in Italy in Ravenhill, not sure who else.

yeah they are the games I refer to:

Sat 19th May 07 20:00 CC-PB Canada v Ireland A TBA
Sat 26th May 07 TBC F Argentina v Ireland Club Atletico Colon
Tue 29th May 07 20:00 CC-PB Ireland A v New Zealand Maori TBA
Sat 2nd Jun 07 TBC F Argentina v Ireland Velez Sarsfield
Sat 11th Aug 07 14:30 F Scotland v Ireland Murrayfield
Fri 24th Aug 07 19:45 F Ireland v Italy Ravenhill

It a bit late- to be leaving him til Aug for a game! he'll either have to play a few ML game ove next fortnight or quite unlikely but perhaps a CH cup game? He has got to get game time before Aug!

AND DONT SEND HIM TO ARG!

He cant be left not to play since March when he got injured!

daveirl

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Diamondmaker

daveirl wrote:

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Im not worried Im aware its not a likely possibility but when you look at the limited opportunities you never know.;)

Any way back to the point, do you reckon he shld play( subject to fitness) :

A.nougt til Aug
B.CH CUp
C.ML in the next fort night
D.IRFU Tag series over summer to boost profile

I guess if there is one guy who can go into a WC only playing 2 games in the previous 7 months in Aug, it would be him.

daveirl

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Teg Veece

Play him for Leinster as soon as he's fit. I don't see what the big deal is.

Diamondmaker

In answer to the OP it looks like its Cardiffs now! This Leinster team dont have the balls to go there and win without BOD.
Unless Ospreys take Blues at home and Warriors, Ospreys in Glasgow.

Leinster throw it away prob finish 3rd! Utter waste of a season all round for Irish rugby.
The schoolboy in me believes there is hope in the RWC, but the chronic dissapoinment of Irish and Leinster rugby does not instill me with confidence.

At least Munster won something....the Interpo !:mad:

Diamondmaker

From ML.com

"Should Leinster fail to win the Ospreys would lift the title with a win against a Reivers side who will be playing their last ever game and have secured only two victories all season. The Ospreys would still be crowned champions if Leinster win without a bonus point and the Welsh side collect five points in Scotland."

1 Leinster 19 12 1 6 461 349 (+112)11 61
2 Ospreys 19 13 0 6 437 358 ( +79 )8 60

How is the Bold part correct above, a 4 pt Leinster win and 5 pt Orpeys win would leave them level on 65.

The head to head being a tie that Leinster won on aggregate score and leinster looking very favourable in Pts scored and Diff and 2 clear of a potential 9 BPs on the Ospreys.

Is this sattement an error?

http://www.magnersleague.com/2_8.php

daveirl

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Diamondmaker

daveirl wrote:

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Dont Munster Know it!

Agreed will watch withe interest as Ospryeys would get 3 BPs in Borders if at all possible and leinster not likley to win with 4 tries V cardiff.

The challenge ahead of leinster does offer a tantalising tie however.

buck65

This will be a test of Leinster's mettle. If they pull it off it will give them a massive boost for next season's H Cup. These are the type of games that Munster win when up against it.

Diamondmaker

buck65 wrote:

This will be a test of Leinster's mettle. If they pull it off it will give them a massive boost for next season's H Cup. These are the type of games that Munster win when up against it.

Not in the ML though

and more recently not in the H Cup either!

Marshy

Ospreys completely blew the initiative against glasgow at the weekend. It was in their hands. Now its much less in their favour, if any.

daveirl

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Diamondmaker

Its insane to think Leinster have the "initiative"

An away game with BP to a decent team wins it for us.

An away game with BP to Borders will win it for Ospreys if we miss any of the above criteria.

Good thing is Leinster can go out on Fri and make the Ospreys game irrelevant and win on the day. That has got to be a good thing for mentality and the Wlesh on the road record too will be motivation.

Cardiff really have nothing to play for as they will finish below Ospreys no matter what, this may ( clutching at straws ) help Leinster !:)