Guinness Pro12 2016-2017

Adbrowne

Fixtures for the new season will be released next wednesday .....

Adbrowne

Pro12 twitter says fixtures announced at midday today.

thomond2006

May as well merge the two threads?

Sunday fixtures are set to be ditched in the Guinness Pro12 for the coming season, with S4C switching their broadcast slot to Saturday evenings.

For the past couple of years, Welsh regions have found themselves playing games on Sunday afternoons. That was a by product of Sky Sports coming on board as broadcasters in 2014.

With Sky showing games on Saturday, S4C had to move their matches to Sunday, with the Friday evening slot taken up by BBC Wales.

The Welsh language broadcasters initially went for a 4pm kick-off and then switched to 2.30pm last season.

But Sunday fixtures have proved generally unpopular with fans.

Now it’s understood Sky have agreed to S4C taking up a Saturday evening slot, with kick-offs at around 7.30pm.

So Pro12 matches will now take place on Friday evenings and various slots on Saturdays, with Sky showing games at 3pm or 5.30pm.

The new season will kick-off on the weekend of Sept 1-2, with full fixtures for the first 13 rounds of matches to be released at 12pm today.

It’s understood the Ospreys, Blues and Scarlets are at home on the opening weekend, with the Dragons on the road, while champions Connacht entertain Glasgow.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/guinness-pro12-ditch-sunday-fixtures-11607522

former total

Just to record it for posterity; the odds on Grand Final winner 2017 (Paddy Power):

Leinster 15/8
Glasgow 9/4
Ulster 6/1
Scarlets 15/2
Munster 9/1
Connacht 10/1
Ospreys 18/1

wp_rathead

That's brilliant, means Welsh away games most likely on Saturdays so won't have to take Friday's off

thomond2006

M vs L in TP on Stephen's Day again.

former total

http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/fixtures_list.php

former total

thomond2006 wrote: »

M vs L in TP on Stephen's Day again.

And Leinster v Munster in the Aviva is the week before the first European game.

thomond2006

Leinster have possibly the toughest run-in I've seen.

- Ospreys (A)
- Connacht (A)
- Glasgow (H)
- Ulster (A)

sydthebeat

thomond2006 wrote: »

M vs L in TP on Stephen's Day again.

im there! always loving going to limerick for that fixture

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Leinster have possibly the toughest run-in I've seen.

- Ospreys (A)
- Connacht (A)
- Glasgow (H)
- Ulster (A)

Just saw the fixture list there. It's as important to look at the international windows as anything really. Our internationals will be missing for:

Connacht (H)
Zebre (A)
Scarlets (A)
Treviso (A)
Edinburgh (H)
Dragons (A)
Scarlets (H)
Cardiff (H)

It's actually a pretty crap fixture list in general for Leinster from that perspective. A bad run in at the end of the season and some really tough games during the international windows. Connacht and the 2 Scarlets games in particular would be a real worry. Even Dragons away is a tricky one. If we make the knock-outs in Europe then the run in will be a very difficult one to manage.

ClanofLams

Is Leinster Munster switching to RDS yeah? Down as on Pro12 site

former total

ClanofLams wrote: »

Is Leinster Munster switching to RDS yeah? Down as on Pro12 site

Nah it's always listed as RDS initially, it will be moved to the Aviva

The Lost Sheep

ClanofLams wrote: »

Is Leinster Munster switching to RDS yeah? Down as on Pro12 site

Its nearly always listed as RDS on day fixtures are announced and then it changes soon after this iirc.

irishbucsfan

https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/753203660318990337

former total

Just noticing that all the Italian home fixtures are 'TBC' for broadcast, indicates that no TV deal in place (again)

b.gud

Full set of fixture and times for the "Big Weekend" games. I'm pretty sure all times are local

Date ||Big Weekend 1 ||Date |Big Weekend 2 ||Date |Big Weekend 3 ||Date |Big Weekend 4 ||Date |Big Weekend 5 ||Date |Big Weekend 6
Oct 7 19:35 ||

Con v Uls

||Oct 28 19:35 |

Car v Sca

||Dec 23 19:35 |

Tre v Zeb

||Dec 31 00:00 |

Zeb v Edi

||Apr 14 19:35 |

Con v Lei

||May 6 17:15 |

Gla v Edi

|
Oct 7 19:35 ||

Edi v Tre

||Oct 28 19:35 |

Edi v Zeb

||Dec 23 19:35 |

Uls v Con

||Dec 31 14:00 |

Tre v Gla

||Apr 14 19:35 |

Gla v Zeb

||May 6 17:15 |

Mun v Con

|
Oct 7 19:35 ||

Osp v Car

||Oct 28 19:35 |

Gla v Tre

||Dec 26 14:05 |

Car v NG D

||Dec 31 15:00 |

Lei v Uls

||Apr 15 14:45 |

Car v Osp

||May 6 17:15 |

NG D v Car

|
Oct 8 14:05 ||

Lei v Mun

||Oct 28 19:35 |

Uls v Mun

||Dec 26 16:05 |

Edi v Gla

||Dec 31 17:30 |

Con v Mun

||Apr 15 15:00 |

Mun v Uls

||May 6 17:15 |

Sca v Osp

|
Oct 8 17:05 ||

Zeb v Gla

||Oct 29 17:15 |

Osp v NG D

||Dec 26 17:30 |

Mun v Lei

||Jan 01 15:00 |

Sca v Car

||Apr 15 17:15 |

NG D v Sca

||May 6 17:15 |

Uls v Lei

|
Oct 8 19:35 ||

Sca v NG D

||Oct 29 19:15 |

Lei v Con

||Dec 27 15:00 |

Osp v Sca

||Jan 01 17:05 |

NG D v Osp

||Apr 15 20:05 |

Tre v Edi

||May 6 18:15 |

Zeb v Tre

Digifriendly

Interesting that very few Sunday matches in Pro 12 list with S4C moving their regular Sunday afternoon slot to Saturday evening. I wonder were Sunday afternoon attendances hit by live PL football coverage?

phog

Digifriendly wrote: »

Interesting that very few Sunday matches in Pro 12 list with S4C moving their regular Sunday afternoon slot to Saturday evening. I wonder were Sunday afternoon attendances hit by live PL football coverage?

It's possible that the Pro12 listened to the fans who made the effort to complete their recent survey too. I know a lot of Welsh fans were less than happy with Sunday games.

Adbrowne

phog wrote: »

It's possible that the Pro12 listened to the fans who made the effort to complete their recent survey too. I know a lot of Welsh fans were less than happy with Sunday games.

Its easier for away fans too. Travel over Friday nite or sat morning and back sunday afternoon or evening.

Adbrowne

http://www.pro12rugby.com/news/19950.php#9i5LJp587iMdDPmg.97

Owen Watkin out for the season basically

bilston

Adbrowne wrote: »

http://www.pro12rugby.com/news/19950.php#9i5LJp587iMdDPmg.97

Owen Watkin out for the season basically

That's pretty horrendous for the kid.

Adbrowne

bilston wrote: »

That's pretty horrendous for the kid.

Ospreys flanker Sam Underhill will miss the first four months of the new Guinness PRO12 season after suffering a shoulder injury.



http://www.pro12rugby.com/news/19964.php#GpTYcfk4vWWQLS2f.97

b.gud

https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/763638334883237888

I like this as an idea for the league, I think it's a bit like the Champions cup winners get to put a star on their jersey. But obviously this one won't be permanent.

Teferi

Everyone should be able to put a little pint of guinness underneath their crest for every Pro12 they've won.

b.gud

Teferi wrote: »

Everyone should be able to put a little pint of guinness underneath their crest for every Pro12 they've won.

A pint of Magners if they won it when it was the Magners league and a Bank balance if they won it when it was the Rabo

thomond2006

Dave Rennie replacing Glasgow Townsend in 2017/18.

errlloyd

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dave Rennie replacing Glasgow Townsend in 2017/18.

Well then, he's not going to Ireland so

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dave Rennie replacing Glasgow Townsend in 2017/18.

Balls.

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dave Rennie replacing Glasgow Townsend in 2017/18.

I'm utterly baffled. That's a huge appointment by Glasgow.

Completely missed opportunity for Ireland/provinces.

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

I'm utterly baffled. That's a huge appointment by Glasgow.

Completely missed opportunity for Ireland/provinces.

On the bright side it clearly means that Joe is staying where he is though. Doesn't it....

former total

Buer wrote: »

I'm utterly baffled. That's a huge appointment by Glasgow.

Completely missed opportunity for Ireland/provinces.

Do we have a vacancy?

Teferi

former total wrote: »

Do we have a vacancy?

Space can be made. Leinster aren't overly happy with Leo, they could have pulled a Munster and installed someone above him.

Teferi

Teferi wrote: »

Space can be made. Leinster aren't overly happy with Leo, they could have pulled a Munster and installed someone above him.

I'd be pretty disappointed if Leinster did that to be honest. Munster should have just just sacked Foley and paid off his contract rather than publicly humiliate him like they did.

Buer

former total wrote: »

Do we have a vacancy?

There's a likely one for Ireland coming up. Munster have just had one filled. Leinster are in uncertain territory at the moment and there's a case for a similar appointment to Erasmus.

If someone of Rennie's calibre is available and willing, a major effort should be made to get him on the payroll.

FACECUTTR

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'd be pretty disappointed if Leinster did that to be honest. Munster should have just just sacked Foley and paid off his contract rather than publicly humiliate him like they did.

I think they tried to force him out by putting Erasmus in place as DOR (who coaches the team) and does exactly what Axel did. I think Leo had a decent enough season at the end with a pro 12 final. Yes champions cup was a poor return but that's sport. He has had Henry with him a few weeks now so it should be a big help going forward. There was no vacancies for him so I don't see the point saying oh we should have signed him.

former total

Teferi wrote: »

Space can be made. Leinster aren't overly happy with Leo, they could have pulled a Munster and installed someone above him.

Buer wrote: »

There's a likely one for Ireland coming up. Munster have just had one filled. Leinster are in uncertain territory at the moment and there's a case for a similar appointment to Erasmus.

If someone of Rennie's calibre is available and willing, a major effort should be made to get him on the payroll.

If Joe is leaving, and he's made that decision and the IRFU know about it, then fair enough. I don't think that's the case though.

I'd have been absolutely disgusted if someone was brought in over Cullen's head after only one season. No way they could justify that.

So I don't think IRFU have dropped the ball here.

FACECUTTR

FACECUTTR wrote: »

I think they tried to force him out by putting Erasmus in place as DOR (who coaches the team) and does exactly what Axel did. I think Leo had a decent enough season at the end with a pro 12 final. Yes champions cup was a poor return but that's sport. He has had Henry with him a few weeks now so it should be a big help going forward. There was no vacancies for him so I don't see the point saying oh we should have signed him.

Yeah I don't get this "hire first find available job second" mentality. Doesn't work in business, don't see why it would work here and it's not like Scottish rugby don't have a lot to offer, Glasgow are a top team.

As for Foley, Munster are far too sentimental about former players and it's yet another poor business decision (along with having two stadiums they can't fill). And this myth that Foley is a good forwards coach doesn't float with me either, the Munster pack is a shadow of it's former self and if it wasn't for CJ who was bought in they'd be in real trouble. Doesn't really say much for the guy and it's an extra salary that Munster could be paying to someone else.

Buer

former total wrote: »

I'd have been absolutely disgusted if someone was brought in over Cullen's head after only one season. No way they could justify that.

Whilst people might not like it, they could make a pretty solid case for it particularly after an opening season that was extremely patchy.

There has been a huge amount of upheaval around the coaching team over the past 12 months and there's a case for bringing in an experienced and proven coach to the set up to work as a guiding hand over Cullen, Dempsey and Fogarty who have a combined total of 4 years senior coaching experience between them.

Leinster are clearly aware they need to round out the coaching input given the short term hire of Henry. The only argument against it is timing. I'd imagine that if Rennie still hadn't agreed anything in 6 months, Leinster would gladly be approaching him (or certainly should be). Given the quality of Rennie, I wouldnt' be bothered at all if they had approached him at this point.

aloooof

I saw today that Mike Ford was liked with McQuiklin's soon to be vacated defense coach role, so that'd be some missing experience there.

Buer

Buer wrote: »

I'd imagine that if Rennie still hadn't agreed anything in 6 months, Leinster would gladly be approaching him (or certainly should be).

Even if Leinster are having a good season under Leo?

Teferi

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd be pretty disappointed if Leinster did that to be honest. Munster should have just just sacked Foley and paid off his contract rather than publicly humiliate him like they did.

I'm not saying they should have done it, I'm just saying that space can be made if needed.

bilston

Hang on (and bear in mind I'm not a Leinster fan). You finished top of the Pro 12 and lost to an inspired Connacht in the final, you had a really really tough CC pool which would have been a challenge to the great Leinster side of 2009-2012, and you had to deal with the WC which denied you close to 20 players, and then you had injuries to key players, all while trying to rebuild your backline following the retirements and departures of some key players.

All things considered you did ok last year. Cullen definitely deserves another crack at it. Unless they are a total disaster, almost all coaches need two years to get things to where they want them to be.

Although by the looks of things you aren't having any more luck with injuries this coming season.

Dave Rennie is a "name", but he carries his own risks coming to the NH.

Buer

bilston wrote:

All things considered you did ok last year. Cullen definitely deserves another crack at it. Unless they are a total disaster, almost all coaches need two years to get things to where they want them to be.

Cullen would get that year regardless. Rennie isn't coming north for a year.

matthew8

you had a really really tough CC pool which would have been a challenge to the great Leinster side of 2009-2012

We drew the French side that finished 2nd in their league and the English sides that finished 3rd and 9th. The pool wasn't tough enough to excuse the terrible results.

molloyjh

matthew8 wrote: »

We drew the French side that finished 2nd in their league and the English sides that finished 3rd and 9th. The pool wasn't tough enough to excuse the terrible results.

The pool alone wasn't, certainly. But for me the only unacceptable result was Wasps away, which was a dead rubber anyway. Wasps at home saw us fielding guys who were only a week in camp and hadn't been involved in pre-season. Sexton in particular was coming back into an unrecognisable side to the one he left. We were always going to be poor in those circumstances.

Bath away we lost due to a couple of poor decisions and 1 bad scrum. Toulon away was always going to be a step too far with all the injuries and we remained competitive at home until the benches had to be used. Remember they brought on Gorgodze while we brought on Denton. They brought on Tillous-Borde and we brought on Nick McCarthy. And it was still a 1 point game going into the last 10 mins. Then we beat Bath at home with the kids. Even in that Wasps game we were going well until Sexton went off.

Europe was a disaster results wise, but when looked at in context it wasn't as terrible as it seems IMO.

DGRulz

Picture from the launch

degsie

Tickets sale for leinster-munster includes a €10 promo. There is a BA thread on this.

b.gud

Like the new broadcast schedule part of the new Pro12 site it makes it very clear where you can watch each match

thomond2006

b.gud wrote: »

Like the new broadcast schedule part of the new Pro12 site it makes it very clear where you can watch each match

That was on the old one too! It just looks more slick now.

b.gud

thomond2006 wrote: »

That was on the old one too! It just looks more slick now.

Yeah I meant new as in updated rather than never been there before.
Haven't had too much time with the new site but in general I think it seems to be a bit slicker overall