Who will win the Magners League?

thomond2006

Current Standings: SEE REMAINING FIXTURES BELOW

1 Munster 11 36
2 Ospreys 11 33
3 Leinster 11 33
4 Scarlets 11 26
5 Edinburgh 11 26
6 Glasgow Warriors 11 26
7 Ulster Rugby 10 22
8 Cardiff Blues 11 22
9 Newport Gwent Dragons 10 21
10 Connacht Rugby 11 13


Current Odds from PP:
Munster 6 - 5

Leinster 5 - 2

Ospreys 11 - 4

Edinburgh 12 - 1

Scarlets 14 - 1

Glasgow 40 - 1

Cardiff 40 - 1

Ulster 200 - 1

Dragons 200 - 1

REMAINING FIXTURES

MUNSTER: LEINSTER: OSPREYS:
Dragons (A) Ospreys (A) Leinster (H)
Glasgow (A) Ulster (H) Dragons (H)
Leinster (H) Munster (A) Ulster (A)
Connacht (H) Edinburgh (A) Scarlets (A)
Scarlets (H) Glasgow (H) Edinburgh (H)
Cardiff (A) Scarlets (H) Glasgow (H)
Ospreys (H) Dragons (A) Munster (H)

chupacabra

Leinster

Munster. Ospreys have one too many competitions (HC, ML, EDF) which should spread them a little thinner than Munster or Leinster, plus depending on who wins the Six nations, momentum will certainly be brought into the domestic league as well as alot of tired players, therefor; its munster all the way :pac:

barnesd

Leinster

Munster are clear favourites, with Ospreys or Leinster set to drop points during the next round of games and both yet to visit Thomond. Munster's to lose, they should be very disappointed if they don't take it.

anonymous_joe

Ospreys

I thought it'd be Ospreys this year.

In my mind, I can't seperate it from the HC. Whichever of those three teams is knocked out of the HC first will win in my mind.

twinytwo

Leinster

It shall be munster if the continue to play with their usual munsterness

[Jackass]

Ospreys

I voted for Leinster, but in all honesty, with a 3 point advantage and still to play Leinster & Ospreys at home, Munster can only throw it away at this stage.

Even IF Leinster were to get a win down in Limerick, Munster would probably get a losing bonus and would be level on points with Leinster. Same scenario with Ospreys. Plus those 2 play in the next round, so it'll more than likely be a 2 horse race after that game, but Munster have it this year I reckon.

The league is won or lost in the head to heads with the big teams. in the head to heads between Leinster, Munster & Ospreys, so far Munster are 2 for 2 and Leinster are 1 for 2 and Ospreys are 0 for 2.

I don't think HEC will come into it. That old excuse of Europe takes over from league is tiresome. There's only 3 European games left this season max. See what team Leinster and Munster put out (and Ospreys for that matter) the week before the Quarter Finals. Every round the strongest teams are being put out, with the exception of the occasional 1 player being rested or another player getting his shot in the first team, as in any sport in any league campaign, the same starting team can not possibly start every game even if remaining injury free. Was the same case last year. But Europe will have no affect on team line ups. I wouldn't be surprised if Munster did the double this year.

phog

Leinster

Voted Munster but there is certainly a three horse race, Munster's BP win last night certainly helped them on the road to the league but losing to Connacht and Ulster over the Christmas could yet prove costly, if it's not Munster then I like to see Leinster retain it.

barnesd

Leinster

Looking at Leinster's remaining fixtures, they really should win 6 of that 7. No excuse for losing to the Ospreys without internationals, beaten Edinburgh 3 times this season and a full strength side is quite a big stronger than the Dragons. All the home games should be victories. Can expect a loss to Munster.

thomond2006

Leinster

barnesd wrote: »

Looking at Leinster's remaining fixtures, they really should win 6 of that 7. No excuse for losing to the Ospreys without internationals, beaten Edinburgh 3 times this season and a full strength side is quite a big stronger than the Dragons. All the home games should be victories. Can expect a loss to Munster.

Edinburgh away is a potential banana skin for Leinster, as is Cardiff away to Munster.

I fancy Munster to win the title. They know that in the HC you can have one bad day and be knocked out (QF vs Scarlets 2007). If that happens although unlikely, Munster will always have the ML to fall back on.

The loser of Leinster vs Ospreys will probably be out of the race.

The Double for Munster is an achievable goal and would an incredible achievement for Tony McGahan and Munster who have taken the ML very seriously (think of the Munster performances before the game vs Montauban).

Off topic but, once again poor hapless Connacht are once again destined for the bottom *sigh*.
Dragons' victory against Ulster has sealed their fate.

RichTea

I can't help but feel that Leinster could and will pip Munster to the post. I'd be mortally devastated were that to happen now mind.

sock puppet

Leinster

RichTea wrote: »

I can't help but feel that Leinster could and will pip Munster to the post. I'd be mortally devastated were that to happen now mind.

It'd be nice to see Leinster win it in the last round for a change.

fifth

Ospreys

Probably Munster but I'd love to see Leinster nab it.

buck65

Leinster

on 2nd thoughts i think Leinster might nab it actually!

Trojan

Ospreys

I'd love to see Munster do it.

And Leinster the HEC.

dvemail

Leinster

Hope munster win it, then the HEC.....
Id say that it will be very close between the three teams though.

Stupido

I think Ospreys might do it....5 home games out of last 7.

Munster have a good group of home games too.

I think Leinster's hopes hinge on winning in Swansea. If they do, could be a thomond park playoff for the title.


Between those 3 anyway

ScholesyIsGod

Leinster

Its Munsters to lose, hopefully ourselves and the Ospreys keep winning because id love a showdown for the title in the last game of the season against Ospreys at TP.

Crash

Leinster

Two hurdles for that one to jump though - first there's the Leinster Ospreys game - loser of that is then out of the running unless somebody throws a game or two away.

Then the next big one is Leinster Munster - if Leinster can force a win down in TP then it changes everything about the standings.

Should be an interesting last few weeks though

twinytwo

Leinster

Going Waterforward wrote: »

Two hurdles for that one to jump though - first there's the Leinster Ospreys game - loser of that is then out of the running unless somebody throws a game or two away.

Then the next big one is Leinster Munster - if Leinster can force a win down in TP then it changes everything about the standings.

Should be an interesting last few weeks though

Dont really see this happening...... The big man himself will "Put the fear of god into them"

ScholesyIsGod

Leinster

I didnt take that Leinster v Ospreys into consideration actually. I dont think Leinster will win in Thomond Park but then again I didnt see Ulster giving us an absolute battering there either Whatever way it goes it will definitly be interesting and will come down to the wire.

Crash

Leinster

twinytwo wrote: »

Dont really see this happening...... The big man himself will "Put the fear of god into them"

So rather than debating religion, or posting "." as you have in other threads, any chance of an actualy debate?

I don't honestly see Leinster going into that game outright winning, but I wouldn't put it as cut and dried as that anyway - Match is 8 days before the quarters, so will both be somewhat second string teams. Should be interesting to see the squads picked actually. Will be a very forwards based match.

In fact, seeing as Ospreys Leinster will be another seconds game, i'd almost be more cautious about that one. the ospreys second team are a tough bunch, and doesn'r have the same interpro vibe that'll always get the squad fired up.

bleg

Leinster

i'd say the munster leinster match will be full strength teams, get all the combinations together in a tough match to prepare for two tough quarter finals...

Crash

Leinster

You're probably right actually - though i'm sure you'll see a few that won't, e.g. Cullen will start against Quins if fit, but most likely not against Munster unless he's 100% and they have a spare shoulder somewhere.

twinytwo

Leinster

Going Waterforward wrote: »

So rather than debating religion, or posting "." as you have in other threads, any chance of an actualy debate?

I don't honestly see Leinster going into that game outright winning, but I wouldn't put it as cut and dried as that anyway - Match is 8 days before the quarters, so will both be somewhat second string teams. Should be interesting to see the squads picked actually. Will be a very forwards based match.

In fact, seeing as Ospreys Leinster will be another seconds game, i'd almost be more cautious about that one. the ospreys second team are a tough bunch, and doesn'r have the same interpro vibe that'll always get the squad fired up.

Debating religion??...How many teams leave TP with their tail between their legs? Leinster will be just another notch on the post.

buck65

Leinster

There is alot of international rugby to be played before the Leinster v Munster showdown, one or two injuries to the likes of O Driscoll or O Connell could be huge for either team.
I feel Munster may have a better backup of forwards and their backs should all be fresh and ready to go still Leinster could well win the rest of their games and I could see Munster losing a bit of focus around H Cup time.
Still both teams winning their quarters would overshadow the ML in a big way.

Stupido

twinytwo wrote: »

Debating religion??...How many teams leave TP with their tail between their legs? Leinster will be just another notch on the post.

wasn't the case last year! Leinster did the double. TP holds no fear for them! :D:D

anonymous_joe

Ospreys

twinytwo wrote: »

Debating religion??...How many teams leave TP with their tail between their legs? Leinster will be just another notch on the post.

Ulster? ^^

Podge_irl

Leinster

Stupido wrote: »

wasn't the case last year! Leinster did the double. TP holds no fear for them! :D:D

Leinster beat Munster in Musgrave Park last year.

However, Munster do not have an especially good record in Thomond Park in the Magners League (I believe Leinster's record in the RDS is better). Mind you, I'm not sure how many of their home ML defeats were in Musgrave.

stevire

Ospreys

I'd say Leinster, i know they havent performed well recently... But a win is a win! And once form comes back, and Munster tend to keep their key players for bigger games, I can see Leinster topping it.

[Jackass]

Ospreys

Podge_irl wrote: »

Leinster beat Munster in Musgrave Park last year.

However, Munster do not have an especially good record in Thomond Park in the Magners League (I believe Leinster's record in the RDS is better). Mind you, I'm not sure how many of their home ML defeats were in Musgrave.

Leinster have only ever lost 3 games in the RDS since playing there for 3 years. Lost to Bath in the HEC, lost to Llanelli last year and lost to Munster this year. So on average one defeat a season. Not brilliant enough to call it a fortress, but pretty formidable none the less. Teams such as Leicester, Wasps, Tolouse, Munster (twice), Ospreys (twice) have all come full strength and been sent packing.

Thomond Park isn't what it used to be and Munster are beatable there. It would be a very shiny jewl in the crown to take, but may only be a warm up for the Croke Park Collosal Collision tm a few weeks later, so I wouldn't get too carried away even if we did. To win the league Leinster need to win every remaining league game. (which isn't impossible - we would be expected to win all of them with the exception of Ospreys and Munster away over the next 2 legs - which is why the Munster game will more or less decide the league as we may have effectively knocked Ospreys out of the race the week before).

And to win the HEC we of course need to win every remaining game - a taller order - a massive performance is required away to the in form premiership side - and even achieving that - a grand stand game in Croke Park over Munster is a massive task - followed by a European final - it is 3 massive games. Do Leinster have 3 season definingly massive performances in them? I hope so!! But pretty much to win either competition we can not afford to lose a game in that competition.

remus808

Ospreys

It's amazing that we're talking about a Munster/Leinster ML finish and a possible HEC semi-final, while topping the 6 nations.

*tear*

thomond2006

Leinster

I've updated the standings, everyone.

1 Munster 40 points
2 Leinster 37 points
3 Ospreys 34 points

REMAINING FIXTURES

MUNSTER: LEINSTER: OSPREYS:
Glasgow (A) Ulster (H) Dragons (H)
Leinster (H) Munster (A) Ulster (A)
Connacht (H) Edinburgh (A) Scarlets (A)
Scarlets (H) Glasgow (H) Edinburgh (H)
Cardiff (A) Scarlets (H) Glasgow (H)
Ospreys (H) Dragons (A) Munster (H)

Looks like Munster vs Leinster will decide the title but Munster still have to travel to Firhill and Arms Park. Ospreys with trips to Ravehill and Scarlets are probably out of the race.

[Jackass]

Ospreys

Yup, winner in Thomond Park will win the league in my opinion.

Munster could slip up in Cardiff, Leinster could slip up in Edinburgh in the final rounds of games, but looks like it's a winner takes all afair in Limerick. And despite the HEC quarters the following week, you will see the two strongest possible teams being named and it will be contested like a HEC final, so it will be a great advert for the league!!

Got my tickets! Can't wait!

louthandproud

Leinster

[Jackass] wrote: »

Yup, winner in Thomond Park will win the league in my opinion.

you will see the two strongest possible teams being named and it will be contested like a HEC final

Got my tickets! Can't wait!

I seriously doubt that! The 2nd part that is.

thomond2006

Leinster

[Jackass] wrote: »

Got my tickets! Can't wait!

Four of us in Section A of East Stand, 4th time at New Thomond, can't f**kin wait x 10000000000000000000000. :D:D

Was thrilled that Leinster won on Friday night, makes Munster vs Leinster a real ML final. Shame that play-offs from next season will make standard games like this meaningless, or at least, not as exciting.

Hopefully, the hype will compare to HEC SF 2006.

[Jackass]

Ospreys

louthandproud wrote: »

I seriously doubt that! The 2nd part that is.

I know you do. It's fashionable to doubt the league and teams interest in it. Watch Munster in RDS a week before a HEC semi final last year, only player not starting was Paul O'Connell who had just come back from shoulder injury (iirc), other than that the same team that started the following week. The intent Munster played with after the defeat down in Cork, the intent Leinster played with, looking to secure the league (which would have been blown wide open had Munster won) - or even look at the game in RDS this season, the double done over Munster they came up here on a mission and did a job on us - or the game in Lansdowne road after the 2006 Semi-final, one of the best games I've seen, or even better, the game in RDS just before the semi final of 06. These games are huge and always fiercley contested like a Heineken Cup final. Yeah yeah, we've heard it all before, if we don't win then we didn't care in the first place - I wonder what time the London Irish game kicks off this weekend. Get behind your league, well done.

It will be an intense game, full strength, kitchen sink stuff, mark my words this will be the best possible 22 from both sides and will be played with every ounce of passion. Yet people will still say the league is a joke etc. etc. etc. - talking down and or abondoning your own domestic game (which we are superb at in Ireland) is one thing, but when the product is actually of a superb standard and neither team gives an inch, well that's just silly.

Build it up, cause it's going to be a massive game!

Potentialy the build up to another massive replay in Croke Park will also add some spice.