Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Magners League Fixtures 2009/10

  • 12-07-2009 6:32pm
    #1
    Posts: 0


    The new fixtures for the upcoming Magners League season are to be announced on Monday afternoon.

    Connacht's fixtures for the season will go live on the Connacht website from 2pm with a complete list of all teams fixtures for the season available at www.magnersleague.com .


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,889 ✭✭✭Third_Echelon


    Leinster are playing Edinburgh away on the weekend of September 25th -> 27th anyway in case anyone wants to book flights before they go up in price...

    After the great weekend I had there for the Heineken cup final, I think a return to Edinburgh has to be done!

    You didn't hear it from me... right! ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    I want Munster vs Ulster at TP to be the first fixture.

    PAY BACK TIME!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    I want Munster vs Ulster at TP to be the first fixture.

    PAY BACK TIME!

    Sorry mate, but we've got you pegged for RDS for first game!!! :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    [Jackass] wrote: »
    Sorry mate, but we've got you pegged for RDS for first game!!! :mad:

    You've got enough "revenge" against us already to last you forever. :o:(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    Ah, sing when you're winning and all that!! :D Munster have a lot more ups than they do downs...so try and enjoyment the moment when you've got an up on em, that's what I say!! :p

    Should be a very interesting season though, as if it was needed, there'll be extra spice to the derby this year.

    I remember Leinster v Munster in Lansdowne road after the 06 semi and Leinster were on fire, really played like they had a point to prove. So I wouldn't want the first meeting in Thomond as I'm sure Munster equally feel there's retrebution to be had!! :eek:


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    [Jackass] wrote: »
    Ah, sing when you're winning and all that!! :D Munster have a lot more ups than they do downs...so try and enjoyment the moment when you've got an up on em, that's what I say!! :p

    Should be a very interesting season though, as if it was needed, there'll be extra spice to the derby this year.

    I remember Leinster v Munster in Lansdowne road after the 06 semi and Leinster were on fire, really played like they had a point to prove. So I wouldn't want the first meeting in Thomond as I'm sure Munster equally feel there's retrebution to be had!! :eek:

    I can't wait for the TP derby, we owe Leinster a bit of a beatin'.

    /wags tail


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    last season it was Munster v Leinster in TP in April while the RDS game was at end of september

    if they switch around every season? then TP should be first


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    I can't wait for the TP derby, we owe Leinster a bit of a beatin'.

    /wags tail

    hey munster won 2 of the 3 games last year so if anything we owe you, not our fault we won that particualt match;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    Munster fixtures from munsterugby.ie

    Weekend dates only. i.e. 4/09/2009 means 4-6 september

    04/09/2009 Glasgow (away)
    11/09/2009 Cardiff (home)
    18/09/2009 Scarlets (away)
    25/09/2009 Dragons (home)
    02/10/2009 Leinster (away)
    23/10/2009 Edinburgh (away)
    30/10/2009 Ulster (home)
    04/12/2009 Ospreys (away)
    26/12/2009 Connacht (home)
    01/01/2010 Ulster (away)
    08/01/2010 Scarlets (home)
    19/02/2010 Edinburgh (home)
    05/03/2010 Dragons (away)
    26/03/2010 Glasgow (home)
    02/04/2010 Leinster (home)
    16/04/2010 Connacht (away)
    23/04/2010 Ospreys (home)
    07/05/2010 Cardiff (away)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Riskymove wrote: »
    Munster fixtures from munsterugby.ie

    Weekend dates only. i.e. 4/09/2009 means 4-6 september

    04/09/2009 Glasgow (away)
    11/09/2009 Cardiff (home)
    18/09/2009 Scarlets (away)
    25/09/2009 Dragons (home)
    02/10/2009 Leinster (away)
    23/10/2009 Edinburgh (away)
    30/10/2009 Ulster (home)
    04/12/2009 Ospreys (away)
    26/12/2009 Connacht (home)
    01/01/2010 Ulster (away)
    08/01/2010 Scarlets (home)
    19/02/2010 Edinburgh (home)
    05/03/2010 Dragons (away)
    26/03/2010 Glasgow (home)
    02/04/2010 Leinster (home)
    16/04/2010 Connacht (away)
    23/04/2010 Ospreys (home)
    07/05/2010 Cardiff (away)

    Is it just me or are these fixtures very very similar to last season's?

    i.e the final two games, last season it was just the other way around! There are more examples of this imo, Ulster fixtures reversed etc

    You'd think they would start with big games to get interest in the tournament from the start.

    In bold are Munster's big games, the Leinster games and the others where we lost last season.

    If we lose to Ulster at Ravenhill, that will be 3 losses in a row in Belfast.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    Is it just me or are these fixtures very very similar to last season's?

    that was noted alright

    not that different


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    anyone have a link to this on the munster site or are they coming off munsterfans


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    anyone have a link to this on the munster site or are they coming off munsterfans

    its on the munsterrugby.ie site

    on the match banner on the home page


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    From the Connacht site:

    The new fixtures for the upcoming Magners League season are to be announced on Tuesday morning.

    Connacht's fixtures for the season will go live on the Connacht website from 10am with a complete list of all teams fixtures for the season available at www.magnersleague.com at the same time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭twinytwo


    hey munster won 2 of the 3 games last year so if anything we owe you, not our fault we won that particualt match;)

    The HC should be good next season.. if leinster play as good without rocky as they did with him... Munster/Leinster final anyone?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,538 ✭✭✭✭phog


    anyone have a link to this on the munster site or are they coming off munsterfans

    Read post No10 above.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    Connacht now officialy have the fixtures up so presume others will follow suit shortly

    (the connacht dates for Munster tie in with dates posted above so i assume they are correct)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,342 ✭✭✭A-Train


    From the official Magners site:

    Magners League fixtures 2009/10
    14 July 2009, 9:03 am
    By Sean Bridger
    Celtic Rugby can today release details of fixtures for the 2009/10 Magners League campaign.
    The eighteen round regular season starts the first weekend in September and runs through until the weekend of 7 May 2010, however with the introduction this year of play-offs to decide the Magners League Champions, there is the exciting prospect of semi finals to be held over the weekend of 14 May with the season concluding in the first ever Magners League final the weekend of 28 May.

    Current champions Munster start the defence of their title with a trip to Scotland to face Glasgow Warriors at Firhill Arena, whilst European champions, Leinster, also start their campaign on the road with a visit to Llanelli to face the Scarlets.

    Elsewhere in Wales Anglo-Welsh cup holders Cardiff Blues welcome Edinburgh for the opening match in their new home at Cardiff City Stadium, whilst the visit of Ulster to Rodney Parade and Ospreys game against Connacht make up the rest of the fixtures for the opening round.

    These fixtures are weekend only dates; specific dates, kick-off times and in some cases venues, will be released later after consultations with broadcast partners and the individual teams.

    Bit of a shambles trying to plan for away matches!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 554 ✭✭✭buzz55


    Does anyone know if a Connacht season ticket will get me in to Thomond for the game on 26th December?
    Munster by birth, living in Connacht ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    buzz55 wrote: »
    Does anyone know if a Connacht season ticket will get me in to Thomond for the game on 26th December?
    Munster by birth, living in Connacht ;)

    probably not...but a munster season ticket will!!


    connacht membership may let you get your hands on an away ticket!!

    btw a lot of games have some tickets on general release


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    buzz55 wrote: »
    Does anyone know if a Connacht season ticket will get me in to Thomond for the game on 26th December?
    Munster by birth, living in Connacht ;)

    You will probably get 1st refusal on a TP ticket if you are a Connacht ticket holder/member.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    Leinster fixtures for ML season 2009/10:

    4-6 Sept: Scarlets v Leinster (Parc y Scarlets)
    11-13 Sept: Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons (RDS)
    18-20 Sept: Ospreys v Leinster (Liberty Stadium)
    25-27 Sept: Edinburgh v Leinster (Murrayfield)
    2-4 Oct: Leinster v Munster (RDS)
    23-25 Oct: Ulster v Leinster (Ravenhill)
    30 Oct-1 Nov: Leinster v Cardiff (RDS)
    4-6 Dec: Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster (Rodney Parade)
    26-28 Dec: Leinster v Ulster (RDS)
    1-3 Jan 2010: Connacht v Leinster (Sportsground)
    8-10 Jan: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (RDS)
    19-21 Feb: Leinster v Scarlets (RDS)
    5-7 March: Cardiff Blues v Leinster (City Stadium)
    26-28 March: Leinster v Connacht (RDS)
    2-4 April: Munster v Leinster (tbc)
    16-18 April: Leinster v Ospreys (RDS)
    23-25 April: Glasgow Warriors v Leinster (Firhill)
    7-9 May: Leinster v Edinburgh (RDS)
    14-16 May: Magners League Semi Finals
    28-30 May: Magners League Final

    Also, for those of you like me who are slightly obbsessed with playing infrastrucure and venues etc., can't wait to see Cardiff playing in their brand spanking new 27,000 all seated stadium!! Hopefully it'll pull in more crowds and have more atmosphere than the Liberty Stadium (to date my favourite ML ground on quality alone...shame the team don't get full use of it though and sell it out each week).

    stadium%20view.jpg

    CardiffCitynewstadium_249235034.jpg

    CDF_Cardiff_Stadium06.JPG?1239034897


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 697 ✭✭✭uRbaN


    Rather than make new thread I'm piggy backing here. Does anybody know the situation regarding Setanta and the ML; do they still have the rights or is it up for grabs?

    My Google ability is waning it would appear :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,889 ✭✭✭Third_Echelon


    uRbaN wrote: »
    Rather than make new thread I'm piggy backing here. Does anybody know the situation regarding Setanta and the ML; do they still have the rights or is it up for grabs?

    My Google ability is waning it would appear :mad:

    Setanta Ireland isn't out of business. It was their UK operation only, so I would presume that the Magner's League rights are ok and they will still be showing on Setanta Ireland.

    Haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    Setanta Ireland isn't out of business. It was their UK operation only, so I would presume that the Magner's League rights are ok and they will still be showing on Setanta Ireland.

    Haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise...

    AFAIK they will be showing them between setanta ireland and setanta 1 as the other channels are now gone however after this season the rights are back on the market


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,969 ✭✭✭buck65


    Where is this new Cardiff pitch? Surely not beside the Arms park and the Millenium?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    Full Fixtures List:

    ROUND 1- September 4
    Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh, City Stadium
    Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground
    Glasgow Warriors v Munster ,Firhill Arena
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster, Rodney Parade
    Scarlets v Leinster Parc y Scarlets

    ROUND 2 - September 11
    Edinburgh v Connacht Murrayfield
    Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets, Firhill Arena
    Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Cardiff Blues, TBC
    Ospreys v Ulster, Liberty Stadium

    ROUND 3 - September 18

    Connacht v Cardiff Blues, Sportsground
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow, Warriors Rodney Parade
    Ospreys v Leinster, Liberty Stadium
    Scarlets v Munster, Parc y Scarlets
    Ulster v Edinburgh, Ravenhill

    ROUND 4 - September 25

    Cardiff Blues v Scarlets, City Stadium
    Connacht v Ulster, Sportsground
    Edinburgh v Leinster, Murrayfield
    Munster v Newport Gwent Dragons, TBC
    Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys ,Firhill Arena

    ROUND 5 - October 2

    Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors, City Stadium
    Leinster v Munster, Royal Dublin Society
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Connacht, Rodney Parade
    Ospreys v Edinburgh ,Liberty Stadium
    Ulster v Scarlets ,Ravenhill

    ROUND 6 - October 23
    Cardiff Blues v Ospreys City, Stadium
    Edinburgh v Munster, Murrayfield
    Glasgow Warriors v Connacht, Firhill Arena
    Scarlets v Newport Gwent Dragons, Parc y Scarlets
    Ulster v Leinste,r Ravenhill

    ROUND 7 - October 30
    Connacht v Scarlets, Sportsground
    Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons, Murrayfield
    Leinster v Cardiff Blues, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Ulster, TBC
    Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors, Liberty Stadium

    ROUND 8 - December 4
    Cardiff Blues v Connacht, City Stadium
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster, Rodney Parade
    Ospreys v Munster, Liberty Stadium
    Scarlets v Edinburgh, Parc y Scarlets
    Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, Ravenhill

    ROUND 9 - December 26
    Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons, City Stadium
    Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh, Firhill Arena
    Leinster v Ulster, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Connacht, TBC
    Scarlets v Ospreys, Parc y Scarlets

    ROUND 10 - Jan 1

    Connacht v Leinster, Sportsground
    Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors, Murrayfield
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets, Rodney Parade
    Ospreys v Cardiff Blues, Liberty Stadium
    Ulster v Munster, Ravenhill

    ROUND 11 - January 8

    Connacht v Newport Gwent Dragons, Sportsground
    Edinburgh v Cardiff Blues, Murrayfield
    Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Scarlets, TBC
    Ulster v Ospreys, Ravenhill

    ROUND 12 - February 19

    Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues ,Firhill Arena
    Leinster v Scarlets, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Edinburgh, TBC
    Ospreys v Connacht, Liberty Stadium
    Ulster v Newport, Gwent Dragons Ravenhill

    ROUND 13 - March 5
    Cardiff Blues v Leinster, City Stadium
    Connacht v Glasgow Warriors, Sportsground
    Edinburgh v Ospreys, Murrayfield
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Munster, Rodney Parade
    Scarlets v Ulster, Parc y Scarlets

    ROUND 14 - March 26
    Cardiff Blues v Ulster ,City Stadium
    Edinburgh v Scarlets, Murrayfield
    Leinster v Connacht, Royal Dublin Society
    Munster v Glasgow Warriors, TBC
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys, Rodney Parade

    ROUND 15 - April 2
    Connacht v Edinburgh, Sportsground
    Glasgow Warriors v Newport Gwent Dragons, Firhill Arena
    Munster v Leinster, TBC
    Ospreys v Scarlets, Liberty Stadium
    Ulster v Cardiff Blues, Ravenhill

    ROUND 16 - April 16
    Connacht v Munster,, Sportsground
    Glasgow Warriors v Ulster, Firhill Arena
    Leinster v Ospreys, Royal Dublin Society
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Edinburgh, Rodney Parade
    Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Parc y Scarlets

    ROUND 17 - April 23
    Edinburgh v Ulster, Murrayfield
    Glasgow Warriors v Leinster, Firhill Arena
    Munster v Ospreys, TBC
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Cardiff Blues, Rodney Parade
    Scarlets v Connacht, Parc y Scarlets

    ROUND 18 - May 7
    Cardiff Blues v Munster, City Stadium
    Leinster v Edinburgh, Royal Dublin Society
    Ospreys v Newport Gwent Dragons, Liberty Stadium
    Scarlets v Glasgow Warriors, Parc y Scarlets
    Ulster v Connacht, Ravenhill

    MAGNERS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS: Friday, May 14

    MAGNERS LEAGUE FINAL: Friday, May 28


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    buck65 wrote: »
    Where is this new Cardiff pitch? Surely not beside the Arms park and the Millenium?
    About 30 - 25 minutes walk west from the Millenium Stadium.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 654 ✭✭✭Amabokke


    I can't wait for the Italians to inject some life into this league and stamp their authority early on. Expect one of their teams to end up under top 3 this year in ML.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Amabokke, the Italians are entering the following season: 2010/2011.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 654 ✭✭✭Amabokke


    Amabokke, the Italians are entering the following season: 2010/2011.

    My bad.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭danthefan


    Amabokke wrote: »
    I can't wait for the Italians to inject some life into this league and stamp their authority early on. Expect one of their teams to end up under top 3 this year in ML.

    I think you're overestimating them by quite a bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    danthefan wrote: »
    I think you're overestimating them by quite a bit.

    It all depends on the players they attract back to Italy.

    I don't think there is enough "good" Italian internationals to make 2 teams really competitive e.g Bergamascos, McLean, Parisse etc


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 654 ✭✭✭Amabokke


    danthefan wrote: »
    I think you're overestimating them by quite a bit.

    Not really. They are worthy and strong opponents. This isn't Romania's u/18 B team. These boys are hungry for some competitive rugby and the ML is a start.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,352 ✭✭✭funky penguin


    [Jackass] wrote: »
    Leinster fixtures for ML season 2009/10:

    4-6 Sept: Scarlets v Leinster (Parc y Scarlets)
    11-13 Sept: Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons (RDS)
    18-20 Sept: Ospreys v Leinster (Liberty Stadium)
    25-27 Sept: Edinburgh v Leinster (Murrayfield)
    2-4 Oct: Leinster v Munster (RDS)
    23-25 Oct: Ulster v Leinster (Ravenhill)
    30 Oct-1 Nov: Leinster v Cardiff (RDS)
    4-6 Dec: Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster (Rodney Parade)
    26-28 Dec: Leinster v Ulster (RDS)
    1-3 Jan 2010: Connacht v Leinster (Sportsground)
    8-10 Jan: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (RDS)
    19-21 Feb: Leinster v Scarlets (RDS)
    5-7 March: Cardiff Blues v Leinster (City Stadium)
    26-28 March: Leinster v Connacht (RDS)
    2-4 April: Munster v Leinster (tbc)
    16-18 April: Leinster v Ospreys (RDS)
    23-25 April: Glasgow Warriors v Leinster (Firhill)
    7-9 May: Leinster v Edinburgh (RDS)
    14-16 May: Magners League Semi Finals
    28-30 May: Magners League Final

    Love how you have the final down as a Leinster fixture. ;)


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,198 ✭✭✭✭Crash


    Just looking at the bit that Chris posted, the final is down as the 28th. HCup final is the 22nd - can see it being nigh impossible for any team to pull the double this year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    Crash wrote: »
    Just looking at the bit that Chris posted, the final is down as the 28th. HCup final is the 22nd - can see it being nigh impossible for any team to pull the double this year.

    I actually think t's a genius move by celtic rugby!!!

    Think about it....say for example, Leinster and Munster make the final of the Magners League. Now if the final is played the week before the Heineken Cup final, going on recent years, there's a decent chance the a Magners team will be in it (could and maybe should have been 2 Magners teams last season)...if Munster or Leinster or BOTH are in the final, then in all likelyhood, at very best, a not full strength team will be played, worst case scenario, a second string will be played, in the final of the league!! That will bring back the age old argument of the league isn't taken seriously etc. etc. etc. and the play-offs will have done more damage than the good that they are supposed to do!

    BUT with the final AFTER the Heineken Cup final, it's a masterstroke...cause say this same final of Leinster v Munster is played, one of them might have won the Heineken Cup, and this will be the last game of the season, so you can be sure they will throw everything at it to win the double, while the other team will be playing the last game of the season with their last chance of silverware and will throw everything they have at it.....the fixture means that no matter what, the Magners League final will always be a massive game.

    As for winning the double, I think it actually makes it a bit easier...you coast through the year, make sure you make the semis, then you're one game away from the final, win that, you concentrate fully on Heineken Cup, then win that and you can concentrate fully on Magners. I think it's better to have the league final after the Heineken Cup final.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭danthefan


    Amabokke wrote: »
    Not really. They are worthy and strong opponents. This isn't Romania's u/18 B team. These boys are hungry for some competitive rugby and the ML is a start.

    They can be as hungry as they like but they just don't have the players at the moment, and I can't see them getting the likes of Parisse and Castro to head home any time soon. Just look at their HEC performances in recent years, barely a win between them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,599 ✭✭✭ScrubsfanChris


    danthefan wrote: »
    They can be as hungry as they like but they just don't have the players at the moment, and I can't see them getting the likes of Parisse and Castro to head home any time soon. Just look at their HEC performances in recent years, barely a win between them.

    Agree,
    They seem to struggle is the last 15 minutes of games, well, in Heineken Cup anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    danthefan wrote: »
    They can be as hungry as they like but they just don't have the players at the moment, and I can't see them getting the likes of Parisse and Castro to head home any time soon. Just look at their HEC performances in recent years, barely a win between them.

    I think you might be under estimating them a bit...first of all, these will be "provincial" sides, and will more than likely swoop up the best players from 3 or 4 different clubs, and you can be sure that the Treviso squad (best side in Italy) will be split up between the 2 sides also, as the best domestic players will want to play for the biggest domestic teams in the highest domestic and European competition...

    Looking at Trevisos results, fair enough, they got blown away by top level teams like Leicester and Ospresys and they'll be completely mauled by Munster, but they've done well against some good teams...they finished with 10 points or so of Perpingan in France last season, they were "only" beaten by about 20 points at home to Ospreys, the season before that, in their home games they finished within about 10 points of Perpingan and London Irish and lost by 2 points to the Dragons, but then went to Dragons and beat them!

    So with the likes of Dragons and Connacht etc., these teams will definitley be able to compete...I don't think they'll get near the top level teams, but I don't think they'll be handed 60 - 70 point hammerings each week either.

    With all due respect, they will be no worse, and in my opinion, might actually be better than Connacht.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭danthefan


    I'm not saying they'll be beaten by 60 points every week, just that they won't be worrying the top of the league for a while yet. No way one of them will make the top 3 in the league any time soon.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    Ah well that goes without saying...sure with the play-offs, it's unlikely anyone will break the "Big 4" of Leinster, Munster, Ospreys & Cardiff. The only reason Edinburgh managed to get to 2nd this season was that when Leinster lost in Thomond Park, we pretty much gave up the ghost and lost about 2 subsequent matches with much weakend teams out there.

    The play-offs will mean that all is not lost even if you're in 5th with 1 game to go, so the giving up behind a pull away leader days are gone I rekon.

    But you wouldn't even expect established teams like Ulster, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dragons, Scarlets, Connacht or any of them to be pushing for the title either, but I reckon the Italians could mix well with them, get a few results, hopefully progress. It also might be a wake up call to the IRFU if Connacht finish below these teams, it'll be the kick in the arse the union need to start giving Connacht rugby a bit of credibilaty.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    Magners league dates and times for first ten rounds now confirmed, check your clubs site for details


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    Here's definite dates up to New Year -

    Magners League Fixtures & Results

    Fri 4th Sep 09 19:00
    Connacht Rugby v Ospreys Sportsground

    Fri 4th Sep 09 19:05
    Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh Cardiff City Stadium BBCw
    Fri 4th Sep 09 20:00
    Glasgow Warriors v Munster Firhill Arena Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 5th Sep 09 18:30
    Scarlets v Leinster Parc y Scarlets S4C
    Sun 6th Sep 09 14:05
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Ulster Rugby Rodney Parade BBCw
    Fri 11th Sep 09 19:05
    Munster v Cardiff Blues Thomond Park Stadium BBCw
    Fri 11th Sep 09 19:30
    Edinburgh v Connacht Rugby Murrayfield

    Sat 12th Sep 09 18:30
    Ospreys v Ulster Rugby Liberty Stadium S4C
    Sat 12th Sep 09 19:00
    Leinster v Newport Gwent Dragons Royal Dublin Society Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 13th Sep 09 17:05
    Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets Firhill Arena S4C
    Fri 18th Sep 09 19:00
    Connacht Rugby v Cardiff Blues Sportsground

    Fri 18th Sep 09 19:05
    Ospreys v Leinster Liberty Stadium BBCw
    Fri 18th Sep 09 19:30
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Glasgow Warriors Rodney Parade

    Fri 18th Sep 09 20:00
    Ulster Rugby v Edinburgh Ravenhill Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 19th Sep 09 18:30
    Scarlets v Munster Parc y Scarlets S4C
    Fri 25th Sep 09 19:05
    Glasgow Warriors v Ospreys Firhill Arena BBCw
    Fri 25th Sep 09 20:00
    Connacht Rugby v Ulster Rugby Sportsground Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 26th Sep 09 18:30
    Cardiff Blues v Scarlets Cardiff City Stadium S4C
    Sat 26th Sep 09 18:30
    Edinburgh v Leinster Murrayfield Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 27th Sep 09 17:05
    Munster v Newport Gwent Dragons Musgrave Park S4C
    Fri 2nd Oct 09 19:05
    Ulster Rugby v Scarlets Ravenhill BBCw
    Sat 3rd Oct 09 16:30
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Connacht Rugby Rodney Parade S4C
    Sat 3rd Oct 09 18:30
    Cardiff Blues v Glasgow Warriors Cardiff City Stadium S4C
    Sat 3rd Oct 09 18:30
    Leinster v Munster Royal Dublin Society Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 4th Oct 09 16:00
    Ospreys v Edinburgh Liberty Stadium BBCw
    23/24/25 Oct

    Glasgow Warriors v Connacht Rugby Firhill Arena

    Fri 23rd Oct 09 19:05
    Scarlets v Newport Gwent Dragons Parc y Scarlets BBCw
    Fri 23rd Oct 09 20:00
    Edinburgh v Munster Murrayfield Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 24th Oct 09 18:00
    Ulster Rugby v Leinster Ravenhill Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 24th Oct 09 18:30
    Cardiff Blues v Ospreys Cardiff City Stadium S4C
    30/31 Oct, 1 Nov

    Connacht Rugby v Scarlets Sportsground

    Fri 30th Oct 09 19:05
    Ospreys v Glasgow Warriors Liberty Stadium BBCw
    Sat 31st Oct 09 17:00
    Munster v Ulster Rugby Thomond Park Stadium Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 31st Oct 09 18:30
    Leinster v Cardiff Blues Royal Dublin Society S4C
    Sun 1st Nov 09 17:05
    Edinburgh v Newport Gwent Dragons Murrayfield S4C
    4/5/6 Dec

    Cardiff Blues v Connacht Rugby Cardiff City Stadium

    Fri 4th Dec 09 19:05
    Scarlets v Edinburgh Parc y Scarlets BBCw
    Fri 4th Dec 09 20:00
    Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors Ravenhill Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 5th Dec 09 18:30
    Ospreys v Munster Liberty Stadium S4C
    Sun 6th Dec 09 17:05
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster Rodney Parade S4C
    Sat 26th Dec 09 14:05
    Scarlets v Ospreys Parc y Scarlets BBCw
    Sat 26th Dec 09 17:30
    Leinster v Ulster Rugby Royal Dublin Society Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 26th Dec 09 19:30
    Munster v Connacht Rugby Thomond Park Stadium Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 27th Dec 09 15:05
    Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh Firhill Arena Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 27th Dec 09 18:00
    Cardiff Blues v Newport Gwent Dragons Cardiff City Stadium S4C
    Thu 31st Dec 09 14:05
    Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets Rodney Parade BBCw
    Fri 1st Jan 10 17:15
    Ospreys v Cardiff Blues Liberty Stadium S4C
    Sat 2nd Jan 10 16:00
    Connacht Rugby v Leinster Sportsground Setanta(Ir)
    Sat 2nd Jan 10 18:00
    Ulster Rugby v Munster Ravenhill Setanta(Ir)
    Sun 3rd Jan 10 15:05
    Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors Murrayfield Setanta(Ir)

    Interesting that BBCw and S4C down as host broacaster for some matches in Ireland and Scotland rather than Setanta Ireland who must be cutting back their coverage somewhat.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,407 ✭✭✭✭justsomebloke


    Poxy I hate feckin Saturday evening games as it means most of your day is taken up going to a match, Really do wish they would go back to Friday nights.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 625 ✭✭✭theKramer


    They're only thinking about TV, Im afraid. The best time to get people to watch a match is on the evening while they are sitting down to dinner, or for us younger lads, while we are starting to get beered up for the night......


Advertisement