Magners League Fixtures 08/09 Released

Maccers55

Hey guys

I'm new to the forum but just came across the fixtures for the new Magners league season and thought you might be interested.

Seems like an interesting first weekend in store with Leinster away to Cardiff, Munster away to Edinburgh, Connacht at home to Ospreys and Ulster at home to Llanelli.

Personally i think Connacht have been recruiting well this summer and may take the Opspreys by surprise in the first game.

Leinster and Munster on the other hand face tricky away ties.

what do ye think?

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2008/0715/magnersleague.html

bamboozle

would be great to see connacht do well this season, in fairness they have always had a strong pack and now have made some very good additions to their backs, Frank Murphy and campbell at 9, Keatley at 10, Fionn Carr to cover the back 3 and today's announcement of the tongan centre.

would be great to see 4 provinces all competing in the top half of the league!

[Jackass]

bamboozle wrote: »

would be great to see connacht do well this season, in fairness they have always had a strong pack and now have made some very good additions to their backs, Frank Murphy and campbell at 9, Keatley at 10, Fionn Carr to cover the back 3 and today's announcement of the tongan centre.

would be great to see 4 provinces all competing in the top half of the league!

+1

Famous last words, but I think Connacht and/or Ulster could be the surprise package of the season. By surprise I mean Connacht getting a mid-table finish and HEC qualification and Ulster challanging at the top.

VERY early days, but I think they've recruited well and I just have a feeling Connacht are due to deliver.

Tough opening few games for Leinster, away to Cardiff, followed by 3 homes games of Edinburgh, Ospreys and then Munster in the RDS and then Connacht away.

If Leinster hit the ground running and can get 5 from 5 in those games, It'll be some nice early blows struck and some momentum going into the season.

Would love to see us retain it this year (as well as obviously going for HEC).

And have to say I'm delighted to have Munster home first this season...they say you never beat Munster twice in a row...hopefully we'll make it 3 (just some smack talk...not having a go!! calm down!! )

We've a very tough "third quarter" of fixtures as well with 5 in a row with Llanelli & Ospreys away, followed by Ulster at home, then Munster & Edinburgh away.

Hopefully we will have a great first half of the season, there's no killer fixtures in there (not taking anything for granted) but I'd say that part of the season will make or break us in the league.

bamboozle

i think Ulster have recruited very poorly, Ed O Donoghue has yet to set the world alight, willis from Leinster never impressed me and he was completely out-shone by Paul O Donoghue in the AIL, Ian Humphrey's is not half the player his brother was,