HEC Semi Final Northampton Saints v USAP, stadium:mk, 15:00

P_1

Right so here's the one that will decide Leinster's opposition for the big gig in Cardiff.

Teams:
Northampton:
15 Ben Foden,
14 Chris Ashton,
13 Jon Clarke,
12 James Downey,
11 Paul Diggin,
10 Stephen Myler,
9 Lee Dickson,
8 Roger Wilson,
7 Phil Dowson,
6 Calum Clark,
5 Christian Day,
4 Courtney Lawes,
3 Brian Mujati,
2 Dylan Hartley (capt),
1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Stuart Commins, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Joe Ansbro.

USAP:
15 Jérôme Porical,
14 Adrien Plante,
13 David Marty,
12 Gavin Hume,
11 Julien Candelon,
10 Nicolas Laharrague,
9 David Mele,
8 Damien Chouly,
7 Bertrand Guiry,
6 Grégory Le Corvec,
5 Robins Tchale Watchou,
4 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis,
3 Nicolas Mas,
2 Guilhem Guirado,
1 Perry Freshwater.

Replacements: 16 Charles Geli, 17 Kisi Pulu, 18 Jérôme Schuster, 19 Henry Tuilagi, 20 Kevin Boulogne, 21 Manny Edmonds, 22 Joffrey Michel, 23 Guillaume Vilaceca.


So who do we want to win this one?

Northampton are in good form but are also chasing honours in the Aviva Premiership, perhaps they may be burned out by the time they get to Cardiff?

For USAP, the HEC is the only game left in town, they are out of contention for the playoffs in the Top 14 so they can solely focus on the HEC. Also don't forget the Catalan factor, Barcelona are pretty much going to be playing in a big match of their own up the M4 the Saturday after the HEC final. I'd imagine the allure of the two big Catalan teams winning their respective European trophies could make USAP quite dangerous.

tolosenc

USAP

Would prefer to play Northampton as I feel they have a dramatic implosion in them, but this one is too close to call.

Few would deny that the real final was yesterday, though.

funky penguin

USAP

I think Northhampton will shade this.

As for who I would like to see winning.....either or tbh.

Stev_o

USAP

tolosenc wrote: »

Would prefer to play Northampton as I feel they have a dramatic implosion in them, but this one is too close to call.

Few would deny that the real final was yesterday, though.

1st vs 2nd seed would be a more "real" final then 2nd vs 5th imo.

danthefan

USAP

tolosenc wrote: »

Would prefer to play Northampton as I feel they have a dramatic implosion in them, but this one is too close to call.

Few would deny that the real final was yesterday, though.

What? I certainly would.

tolosenc

USAP

Yeah, but with Munster eliminated, the two highest ranked teams in Europe are Leinster and Toulouse. Common consensus was that the winner of the tournament would more than likely be the team who won yesterday. Etc.

yimrsg

Match hasn't come alive yet. Perpignon trying to nail a dropgoal from inside their own half. 12 minutes gone no score.

Stev_o

USAP

The amount of times USAP have been offside has been mad. Clancy going easy on them. Ruck time is a mess both sides diving in with hands all over the place. Clancy needs to lay down the law of whats acceptable and whats not.

Kaka10

USAP

I'd prefer Dr.Pepper to Northampton. Northampton scare me much more. They have been class.

funky penguin

USAP

15 mins.

Northampton try, nice one too.
EDIT: Converted.

7-0

Stev_o

USAP

Nice try. Well played by Downey.

Stev_o

USAP

Saints cutting up USAP at the moment. Good break by Foshton.

funky penguin

USAP

Electric run by Foden, he seems well up for this.

durkadurka

I never buy this 'real final ' business. Same was said about the Leicester game last year. The final is the final. Whoever plays in it against Leinster will front up something rotten.

funky penguin

USAP

Stev_o wrote: »

Saints cutting up USAP at the moment. Good break by Foshton.

My computer screen thanks you for the water I just spat at it!

Stev_o

USAP

funky penguin wrote: »

Electric run by Foden, he seems well up for this.

When he's on his game he's pure class. Nice break and grubber Ashton should done better with that got caught in two minds.

Can't let Foden get into the game. Perpignan will regret kicking easy ball to him

Kaka10

USAP

Foden is just incredible.

Best clearing kick I've ever seen

ongarite

Only one team In this so far.
Northampton are breaking the line so many times already I would be worried if I were a Perp fan.

Risteard

What an abysmal call by Clancy.

ongarite

Poor decision by Clancy.

funky penguin

USAP

Shocking offside call there by Clancy.

Stev_o

USAP

That would of been a certain try there. 3 v 1 had that call not been made. Clancy really is poor.

Clancy in Poor Call Shocker!

:pac:

Burgo

USAP

Risteard wrote: »

What an abysmal call by Clancy.

really was a terrible call by him.

Kaka10

USAP

durkadurka wrote: »

I never buy this 'real final ' business. Same was said about the Leicester game last year. The final is the final. Whoever plays in it against Leinster will front up something rotten.

Thats it tbh. I mean Northampton or USAP in a final who scare me more than Tolouse in a semi final. Teams up their game massively for finals.

But I really dont want Northampton in the final, I have a very bad feeling about them. They are playing fantastically, have a great set of fans who will travel in as big numbers as Leinster, they will be out for revenge after Ireland's win over England and have the most dangerous back 3 in the entire competition (alongside Leinster of course!)

Stev_o

USAP

This match could be done and over with at half time at this rate...

funky penguin

USAP

Award for silliest penalty. Couldn't be more in from the side.

Penalty missed, but Perp knock on.

10-0 still.

Stev_o

USAP

This weekend will be known as the Penalty Kick of Death weekend..

GSM

ongarite

Game over.. Terrible terrible defending from the centres.

Kaka10

USAP

Northampton look unstoppable.

totallegend

Game over.

Stev_o

USAP

Clarke goes over with acres of space in front of him. Must....not....jinx this...

yimrsg

Looks over now, terrible defence from Perp. 17-0.

funky penguin

USAP

try Nhampton.

Very easy stuff. Everyone sucked into mauling, quick pass out, lovely pass to the centres, easy run in.

Stev_o

USAP

Red card has to be. Game over and Saints vs Leinster finaly.

F*cking shocking. Hate USAP bunch of tugs.

funky penguin

USAP

silly stuff from Perp here. Red card?

errlloyd

Gonna be a cricket score, looks like a yellow card. Horrific foul.

ongarite

Jaysus..
Self destructing now too.

Stev_o

USAP

Should of been red that is the sort of tackle that could easily result in a player breaking their neck. Shocking.

funky penguin

USAP

Shocking stuff, looked horrific.

Clumsy and insane.

Not a red though. Yellow is correct call.

razorblunt

Could easily have been a red there, totally deliberate, well handled by the officials though including the warning for the medic team.

Stev_o

USAP

Deleted User wrote: »

Clumsy and insane.

Not a red though. Yellow is correct call.

I dunno. Second time USAP have gone early into a tackle under the high ball. Obviously they are doing this purposely to get in Saints faces. First one Porical at least tried to look like he was jumping for it but that was horribly obvious that just had the thought of tackling the man.

Kaka10

USAP

Stev_o wrote: »

Red card has to be. Game over and Saints vs Leinster finaly.

F*cking shocking. Hate USAP bunch of tugs.

USAP are now a bunch of thugs because of the actions of one player?

durkadurka

What happened?

sock puppet

Kaka10 wrote: »

USAP are now a bunch of thugs because of the actions of one player?

They have lots of previous.

Stev_o

Stev_o wrote: »

I dunno. Second time USAP have gone early into a tackle under the high ball. Obviously they are doing this purposely to get in Saints faces. First one Porical at least tried to look like he was jumping for it but that was horribly obvious that just had the thought of tackling the man.

You don't give a "team red" though. It was a cert of a yellow card.

He does attempt to pull out when he realises whats going on, and that's what saves him from the red.

The fall was horrific though.

Stev_o

USAP

Kaka10 wrote: »

USAP are now a bunch of thugs because of the actions of one player?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z0GMBaSoOOM/R2lorJWy9kI/AAAAAAAAArM/vP1mFWKvJu4/s400/kieran-roche-perry-freshwater.jpg

They are a dirty team.