Clermont vs Munster buildup thread **read post one

Podge_irl

Clermont by 1-10

Rightwing wrote: »

I wouldn't. Quins are English champs and were top seeds. They are not the pushover many on here want us to believe.

Except they lost 3 games in a row leading up to the Munster match and were no.1 seeds because they came out of a pathetically easy pool.

I think Munster have a chance against Clermont (a very small one, but definitely a chance), but Clermont are a much, much better side than Quins. From what I gather Quins supporters were by no means overly confident of a win against Munster given their form coming into the match.

totallegend

Clermont by 1-10

I would back Clermont to beat any English or Irish team in France 9 times out of 10, Leinster got them on the 1 time last season.

And Clermont have improved since then.

Rightwing

Munster by more than 10

Podge_irl wrote: »

Except they lost 3 games in a row leading up to the Munster match and were no.1 seeds because they came out of a pathetically easy pool.

I think Munster have a chance against Clermont (a very small one, but definitely a chance), but Clermont are a much, much better side than Quins. From what I gather Quins supporters were by no means overly confident of a win against Munster given their form coming into the match.

I agree with most of that, but I was hugely impressed with Quins when they won in Biarritz, that's never easy.

I think everyone agrees that Clermont are superior to Quins, and are the best team in Europe.

LuckyLloyd

In many respects, there's no point analysing this game. A Munster win would be beyond logic - them playing to a level form and personnel would suggest is beyond them. Within the first 20 minutes you'll know whether it's on or not.

One last sup of the well.

danthefan

Munster by 1-10

thomond2006 wrote: »

I should have added "in France" there, sorry.

You can make it 10/10 in that case!

thomond2006

danthefan wrote: »

You can make it 10/10 in that case!

Nah Cudmore would get sent off in 1 in 10.

who_me

Munster by more than 10

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

In many respects, there's no point analysing this game. A Munster win would be beyond logic - them playing to a level form and personnel would suggest is beyond them. Within the first 20 minutes you'll know whether it's on or not.

One last sup of the well.

What is wrong with me that I'm reading this and thinking:

"YESSSS. We're massive underdogs, away from home in a HEC semi final. Bring it on."

LuckyLloyd

who_me wrote: »

What is wrong with me that I'm reading this and thinking:

"YESSSS. We're massive underdogs, away from home in a HEC semi final. Bring it on."

You just got to hope the players think that too. I'm hoping Paulie and Ronan are firing the lads up the next couple of weeks. Keeping on the younger lads how they've been given no chance numerous times before. To do it for their families, their friends, etc.

In Howlett, O'Connell and O'Gara you have three of the better players of the last 15 years. This is last chance saloon time. You got to hope their desperation rubs off on everyone and you get 10+ 'game of their lives' performances.

But as I say, trying to break down tactics and lineups and strategy really misses the point on this one. If it's less than a one score game with 70 minutes on the clock it will be because Munster have spent that 70 minutes doing things they haven't done in years.

PhatPiggins

totallegend wrote: »

I would back Clermont to beat any English or Irish team in France 9 times out of 10, Leinster got them on the 1 time last season.

And Clermont have improved since then.

They haven't, their league posotion is no better than last year. Leinster despite being half the team they were last year should still have won in Clermont.

Clermont are good but they're not the be all and end all. Munster have a reasonable chance.

molloyjh

Munster by 1-10

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They haven't, their league posotion is no better than last year. Leinster despite being half the team they were last year should still have won in Clermont.

Clermont are good but they're not the be all and end all. Munster have a reasonable chance.

I think Clermont had a thing about Leinster being their bogey team after the last few years. They were rattled at home against us when, even with our injuries, we didn't just roll over. But once they shook that monkey off their backs they looked brim full of confidence the following week, and since. They genuinely believe this is their year and I don't see them suffering from the same level of nerves against Munster as they did in SMM in December.

yimrsg

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They haven't, their league posotion is no better than last year. Leinster despite being half the team they were last year should still have won in Clermont.

Clermont are good but they're not the be all and end all. Munster have a reasonable chance.

Clermont have definitely improved from last year, look at how well their reserve side did away playing with an outhalf only a week with the team against a Toulon side nearly at full strength. It's scary just how cohesive and organised they were, it's not hyperbole to say they've been the best side in Europe this season. Were it not for an intercept try to Pallison, Clermont would have won in all likelihood.

iroced

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They haven't, their league posotion is no better than last year. Leinster despite being half the team they were last year should still have won in Clermont.

It depends what's your definition of "improve". If it's only winning titles, well the upcoming weeks will tell. If it includes the way they play rugby you mustn't have seen them very often last year and this year...

.ak

Yep, Clermont are a different animal to last year. They're performances in Europe have shown that.

Bridge93

Clermont by 1-10

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think 9 times out of 10 Clermont would beat Quins comfortably (in France).

I'd say Clermont do fear Munster in the sense of their record/reputation but that doesn't really count for much in my book (Who cares about what happened in 2006 & 2008, the majority of that side are gone). IMO that's the only reason they would be concerned about Munster, as I said in a previous post only POC, POM and Zebo would get into their starting lineup IMO.

The battle in the second row is going to be something else. Hines, Cudmore, POC and Ryan. We need to dominate in the lineout and hold out in the scrums to give us any platform, because in general play Munster are considerably inferior. Clermont have serious ball carriers to come off the bench, like Paulo, Debaty (who knocked out BOD in the 6N) and
There has been a sense of inevitably this season since Clermont beat Leinster in the Aviva. This is their year.

Zebo wouldn't be ahead of Sivivatu Malzieu or Nalanga. POM wouldn't be ahead of Bonnaire

Hagz

Clermont by 1-10

Bridge93 wrote: »

Zebo wouldn't be ahead of Sivivatu Malzieu or Nalanga. POM wouldn't be ahead of Bonnaire

Ah Zebo would get ahead of Malzieu in fairness.

.ak

Dunno, I'm a massive fan of Malzieu... Think he can be class. I wouldn't put Zebo up to that level YET, probably has the potential tho.

.ak

Then again, if Zebo played rugby in France he'd be a Full Back....

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Then again, if Zebo played rugby in France he'd be a Full Back....

and ahead of Lee Byrne at Clermont.

yimrsg

Bridge93 wrote: »

Zebo wouldn't be ahead of Sivivatu Malzieu or Nalanga. POM wouldn't be ahead of Bonnaire

POM would probably get ahead of Bardy though. I don't think POM would suit Clermont as their forwards seem to be focused on the tight exchanges whilst the backs make the yards in the open. TOD might have a spot in a combined side if he continues his impressive form of late. Bonnaire and Vosloo I'd rate ahead of POM & TOD who would probably be ahead of Chouly, Coughlan, Bardy, Vermuelen and Lapandry.

Malzieu's been injured for the majority of the season so his form/ability is hard to judge, Zebo might be tied or just behind Nakatici who's been very good this season as the 3rd best wing amongst the sides, Zebo possibly could get ahead of Byrne at fullback.

Bridge93

Clermont by 1-10

thomond2006 wrote: »

and ahead of Lee Byrne at Clermont.

I can agree with that Zebo is a better player than Byrne

gigtown

Can't wait for another round of Cudmore v O'Connell!

limerickfc

Munster by more than 10

21 - 19 munster

Ardillaun

Clermont by 1-10

totallegend wrote: »

Absolutely hilarious.

Google Translate from French is up there with fighting mascots for me as a guaranteed laugh. Cannot get enough of it.

who_me

Munster by more than 10

Ardillaun wrote: »

Google Translate from French is up there with fighting mascots for me as a guaranteed laugh. Cannot get enough of it.

Me too. I used to think Google Translate was inept, now I just think it's inebriated:

Google wrote:

imho, it smells great frigged!

Munster stinks
Late April Montpellier 35 ° in the shade, Munster liquefies and flows.

Tired of poor performance in Celtic League, and the economic crisis, the Red Army will be less thick and mobile to go to Montpellier

this is not the degree of alcohol supporters, redheads love wine ...

Will have come fart safe zone 10, it will not hold 80 minutes.

In short, this team will sell VERY dearly skin and will have the fader is announced that these types moribund.

We grow, we become so arrogant that Toulouse and as pretentious as the Irish of Leinster.

Garseys

Clermont by 1-10

Rewatched last years semi... It ain't gonna be easy for either team.

Rightwing

Munster by more than 10

Garseys wrote: »

Rewatched last years semi... It ain't gonna be easy for either team.

Interesting viewpoint. But a welcome one. You are in the minority.

Why don't you think it will be easy for Clermont?

who_me

Munster by more than 10

Rightwing wrote: »

Interesting viewpoint. But a welcome one. You are in the minority.

Why don't you think it will be easy for Clermont?

"All that crouching over to touch the ball down is murder on your lower back?"

Bridge93

Clermont by 1-10

I'd liken this game to say Aston Villa going to Old Trafford. Nothing is impossible, strange results happen but ultimately they are second best in virtually every position and will lose a lot more often than not, with the chance of it being heavy.

shuffol

Bridge93 wrote: »

I'd liken this game to say Aston Villa going to Old Trafford. Nothing is impossible, strange results happen but ultimately they are second best in virtually every position and will lose a lot more often than not, with the chance of it being heavy.

Bet Villa get thrashed

Rightwing

Munster by more than 10

Bridge93 wrote: »

I'd liken this game to say Aston Villa going to Old Trafford. Nothing is impossible, strange results happen but ultimately they are second best in virtually every position and will lose a lot more often than not, with the chance of it being heavy.

I'd settle for that, M Utd are right off form. The way they are going they'll just limp over the line. Think Clermont are only peaking though :mad: