Pro14 2017-18 season thread

Burkie1203

So the new league season is almost upon us.

Just saw a cheetahs twitter post. Their first home game v Zebre has free entry courtesy of ToyotaSA. Great gesture from them. Hopefully it gets a good crowd in. Hope one of the SA sides makes the playoffs

thomond2006

List of transfers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2017%E2%80%9318_Pro14_transfers

The Kings squad is more or less thrown together. Most of their Super Rugby team is gone and they have signed players (some on loan) from the other provincial teams. I don't see them being competitive on that basis, though they should finish above Dragons and Treviso. I can't remember if it was Martin Anayi or Conor O'Shea (or both) who said it, but there is an acknowledgment that the Kings will need time to become competitive.

The Cheetahs should be stronger but they are in the tougher conference. The home advantage at altitude will make it tough for visitors and their squad is less thrown together! I'd actually back them to reach the playoffs, altitude will surely be worth a few wins alone.

The Italians really need to up their game but I don't see it happening. Zebre/Zebre Rugby Club's situation was messy and Treviso have never really recovered from the raid on their squad after their excellent 2012-13 season where they finished 7th, only 4 points behind Munster.

Scarlets will hopefully remain competitive. Leigh Halfpenny replaces Liam Williams and while he may not make many league appearances he can win a few tight games with his goalkicking. Cardiff haven't signed or lost anyone of note so I don't expect anything from them. Ospreys have lost Sam Underhill who could be a future England star but still have a very talented squad. The Dragons are in big trouble and when your big name signings are Zane Kirchner (33) and Gavin Henson (35) there's not much to cheer about.

Prediction:

Conference A
Munster
Glasgow
Cheetahs
Ospreys
Connacht
Cardiff Blues
Zebre

Conference B
Leinster
Scarlets
Ulster
Edinburgh
Southern Kings
Dragons
Treviso

errlloyd

It is looking very likely I will be at the Leinster game in Port Elizabeth (sadly will have to be home by the Boomfontein game). Extremely pumped for this season.

My predictions are that the top 6 will be the same top 6 as we have had in 35 out of the last 36 cases. (Connacht 2016 being the only time in the last 6 years that all of Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Scarlets, Ospreys and Glasgow weren't top 6). But I believe Conference A is much more competitive and harder to call.

Conf A: Munster, Ospreys, Glasgow
Conf B: Leinster, Scarlets, Ulster

jacothelad

thomond2006 wrote: »

List of transfers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2017%E2%80%9318_Pro14_transfers

The Kings squad is more or less thrown together. Most of their Super Rugby team is gone and they have signed players (some on loan) from the other provincial teams. I don't see them being competitive on that basis, though they should finish above Dragons and Treviso. I can't remember if it was Martin Anayi or Conor O'Shea (or both) who said it, but there is an acknowledgment that the Kings will need time to become competitive.

The Cheetahs should be stronger but they are in the tougher conference. The home advantage at altitude will make it tough for visitors and their squad is less thrown together! I'd actually back them to reach the playoffs, altitude will surely be worth a few wins alone.

The Italians really need to up their game but I don't see it happening. Zebre/Zebre Rugby Club's situation was messy and Treviso have never really recovered from the raid on their squad after their excellent 2012-13 season where they finished 7th, only 4 points behind Munster.

Scarlets will hopefully remain competitive. Leigh Halfpenny replaces Liam Williams and while he may not make many league appearances he can win a few tight games with his goalkicking. Cardiff haven't signed or lost anyone of note so I don't expect anything from them. Ospreys have lost Sam Underhill who could be a future England star but still have a very talented squad. The Dragons are in big trouble and when your big name signings are Zane Kirchner (33) and Gavin Henson (35) there's not much to cheer about.

Prediction:

Conference A
Munster
Glasgow
Cheetahs
Ospreys
Connacht
Cardiff Blues
Zebre

Conference B
Leinster
Scarlets
Ulster
Edinburgh
Southern Kings
Dragons
Treviso

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

errlloyd

jacothelad wrote: »

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

Edinburgh, Dragons and Treviso managed to win 15 out of 66 games last year and the South Kings haven't even got a squad. Ulster may not challenge the top 2, but they should definitely come 3rd.

Neil3030

jacothelad wrote: »

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

Stop the Internet. Jaco wins.

jacothelad

jacothelad wrote: »

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

If Gibbes can't sort things out then the province needs to be overhauled from the ground up.

Some kind of dedicated IRFU performance director just for Ulster.

ClanofLams

Glasgow will improve this season I think. They have strengthened their squad and Rennie should rejuvenate things a bit. I don't see Munster being as strong as last season. The coaching uncertainty won't help and they got off very lightly with injuries last year as far as I recall which doesn't seem sustainable. The Cheetahs will definitely be better of the two SA sides but it's hard not to see them hitting a wall at some stage given they are effectively rolling from one full season into another. Ospreys don't look to have strengthened much. I expect Connacht to be a lot better than last season, new voice, some good additions and not having European cup rugby should help. Glasgow to top the conference and the two Irish provinces to take the other playoff berths.

The other conference looks fairly boring to be honest. It should be a cakewalk for Leinster. Scarlets have lost a couple of key players and haven't really strengthened their squad. Ulster should surely have enough talent to get in the top three. Maybe Cockerill can light a fire under Edinburgh and make things somewhat interesting in terms of top three but it's hard to see.

jacothelad

jacothelad wrote: »

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

The conference is extremely weak otherwise, not making the top 3 would be inexcusable.

Munster wont win their group, and will struggle to make top 3

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Munster wont win their group, and will struggle to make top 3

Ah they'll almost certainly make the top 3. It's a competitive conference though, winning it will be tough.

Jeremy Melodic Carp

Jeremy Melodic Carp wrote: »

Ah they'll almost certainly make the top 3. It's a competitive conference though, winning it will be tough.

I'd give them about a 40% chance of making the top three.
I'm biased in thinking Connacht will finish ahead of them, so you can discount that, but I really dont think they'll win the group.
I think they'll perform more like they did in 2015/2016 than they did last year.
I like Munster though, and hope they do perform well.

Mainly excited for the start of the season. Feels like ages since Connacht have had a league match.

Rigor Mortis

Conference A
Glasgow
Munster
Cheetahs
Connacht
Ospreys
Cardiff Blues
Zebre

Conference B
Leinster
Scarlets
Ulster
Edinburgh
Southern Kings
Treviso
Dragons

In Conference B i would see 3 - 5 as being interchangeable. If Cockerill gets Edinburgh firing it wouldnt be impossible to see them getting ahead of Ulster.

thomond2006

Cheetahs' squad for Ulster and Munster:

Charles Marais, Ox Nche, Joseph Dweba, Jacques du Toit, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Erich de Jager, Aranos Coetzee, Tom Botha, Justin Basson, Armandt Koster, Reniel Hugo, Rynier Bernardo, Paul Schoeman, Henco Venter, Gerhard Olivier , Niell Jordaan,

Shaun Venter, Tian Meyer, Zee Mkhabela, Cecil Afrika, Robbie Petzer, Makazole Mapimpi, Ali Mgijima, William Small-Smith, Rayno Benjamin, Rosko Specman, Sergeal Petersen, Clayton Blommetjies

awec

I think we'll come third, but with a gap between us and the Scarlets, and then we'll be beaten in the playoff quarter finals.

Larbre34

I call shenanigans on at least 5 of that Cheetahs roster, made up just so they look like they have a squad. Cecil Afrika and Mr Mipimpi??? I was half expecting to see I.P. Freely and Justin Tyme on the bench.

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

I think we'll come third, but with a gap between us and the Scarlets, and then we'll be beaten in the playoff quarter finals.

Anything less than third would be unacceptable. Treviso and Dragons should be 9/10 pointers each. Edinburgh are meh. It's hard to know with Kings but given their squad is thrown together...

thomond2006

DURBAN - South African rugby will enter uncharted waters this weekend when a full-strength Cheetahs team plays Ulster in a Pro 16 debut in Belfast on Friday, while their “C” team watches from a Durban hotel room before playing the Sharks in a Currie Cup premier Division match at Kings Park the next day.

What a mess. Well done, Sanzaar. Well done, Saru. Is this type of Premier Division Currie Cup fixture a mortal blow for the 127-year-old Cup, so long the coveted trophy in South African rugby?

The reality is that the Cheetahs have taken their best 28 players on tour to the North for two matches - against Ulster and then Dublin giants Munster - in what was the Pro 12, before the Kings and Cheetahs were added after being cut from Super Rugby.

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/currie-cup/cheetahs-and-sharks-set-for-currie-cup-farce-at-kings-park-10983403

:pac:

irishbucsfan

Can the Currie Cup be further emasculated? Interestingly, the kick-off time for the Sharks match against the Cheetahs at Kings Park has been brought forward to 4.15pm so that nationwide viewers can watch the Kings play the Scarlets (from Cardiff) later in the evening.

thomond2006

The Southern Kings Guinness PRO14 touring squad for Wales and Ireland is:

FORWARDS
Tango Balekile
Stephan Coetzee
Rossouw de Klerk
Bobby de Wee
Martin Dreyer
Schalk Ferreira
Khaya Majola
Siyabulela Mdaka
Andisa Ntsila
Luvuyo Pupuma
Victor Sekekete
Entienne Swanepoel
Dries van Schalkwyk
Jurie van Vuuren
Michael Willemse (capt)

BACKS
Masixole Banda
Kurt Coleman
Ntabeni Dukisa
Rowan Gouws
Berton Klaasen
Godlen Masimla
Jacques Nel
Yaw Penxe
Sibusiso Sithole
Rudi van Rooyen
Luzuko Vulindlu
Oliver Zono

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/pro14/news/170828/Willemse_to_captain_Kings_on_Pro14_tour

molloyjh

So, anyone know anything about, well, any of them?

sydthebeat

Dries van Schalkwyk has been playing pro 12 for the last 5 years...

for Zebre

Schalk Ferreira was with toulouse for a few seasons..... Sibusiso Sithole is about the only back worth talking about.

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

Dries van Schalkwyk has been playing pro 12 for the last 5 years...

for Zebre

Schalk Ferreira was with toulouse for a few seasons..... Sibusiso Sithole is about the only back worth talking about.

I heard that lad Sibusiso is meant to be fairly rough, apparently he grew up in a right Sithole.

Mapimpi is the perfect name for someone who owns a Brothel.

Ok I'm done.

icdg

thomond2006 wrote: »

:pac:

Believe it or not...that website was once Irish owned...

Clegg

Paul Rees of The Guardian discusses the possibility of the Pro 14 expanding to Germany, Spain and Canada.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/aug/30/the-breakdown-pro-14-expansion-germany-spain-canada

Quote from the Pro 14 CEO:

“The first question of any newcomers is will they come with a competitive team? That is vitally important. Then you look at player welfare and then how do you make it work commercially. If a team is not going to be competitive and works against player welfare, it does not matter how much money it brings in. As far as the United States is concerned, the union there needs to be a willing and active participant in any move, along with World Rugby who are looking to increase the number of elite teams and increase the value of the international game.

irishbucsfan

Rumours of Matawalu back to Glasgow

Winters

Where is Steven Sykes these days...

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rumours of Matawalu back to Glasgow

The league is worse off without Psycho Niko.

errlloyd

Sounds like a broadcast deal is close. I have to say this is great news. SuperSport will broadcast a premium quality feed in English.

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/supersport-eyes-pro14-coverage

irishbucsfan

errlloyd wrote: »

Sounds like a broadcast deal is close. I have to say this is great news. SuperSport will broadcast a premium quality feed in English.

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/details/supersport-eyes-pro14-coverage

A big season is crucial for the Pro 14 with our TV rights up for grabs.

Could be a lot of money flittering about this time next season.

Could really do with a revenue-sharing deal done sooner rather than later, especially if SA teams get added to the Champions Cup.

bilston

jacothelad wrote: »

I would normally think this is about right but having watched with increasing alarm at the descent into utter shambles that is unfolding at Ravenhill, I doubt that Ulster will be within a warthog's pork sword of the top 3.

We have a stronger pack, much weaker half backs, although once Leafilano gets up to speed he may even be an upgrade on Jackson, and the outside backs are pretty much the same. We also have a better coaching ticket.

In theory we should have a better season.

But what we've seen in pre season doesn't match up with that.

As I said last week I'm fairly unenthused, I just hope we make the top 3, play some entertaining stuff and see a few youngsters break through to give us hope for the future.

Individually it would be nice to see Stockdale and Treadwell progress with Ireland.

As for the league as a whole I think Glasgow will be back to being a force this season, and I'm expecting big things from Leinster.

Jump_In_Jack

Which province has the best first team?
Would the table below be a fair pick from each province, or are there better players that should have been in there instead?

CONNACHT

LEINSTER

MUNSTER

ULSTER

Loose-head Prop

Denis Buckley

Jack McGrath

David Kilcoyne

Callum Black

Loose-head Prop
Hooker

Tom McCartney

Sean Cronin

Niall Scannell

Rory Best

Hooker
Tight-head Prop

Finlay Bealham

Tadhg Furlong

John Ryan

Wiehahn Herbst

Tight-head Prop
Left Lock

Quinn Roux

Scott Fardy

Jean Kleyn

Iain Henderson

Left Lock
Right Lock

Ultan Dillane

Devin Toner

Gerbrandt Grobler

Kieran Treadwell

Right Lock
Blindside Flanker

Seán O'Brien

Rhys Ruddock

Peter O'Mahony

Marcell Coetzee

Blindside Flanker
Openside Flanker

Jake Heenan

Seán O'Brien

Tommy O'Donnell

Chris Henry

Openside Flanker
No. 8

John Muldoon

Jamie Heaslip

CJ Stander

Sean Reidy

No. 8
Scrum-half

Kieran Marmion

Luke McGrath

Conor Murray

John Cooney

Scrum-half
Out-half

Jack Carty

Jonathan Sexton

Tyler Bleyendaal

Christian Lealiifano

Out-half
Left Wing

Matt Healy

David Kearney

Keith Earls

Charles Piutau

Left Wing
Inside Centre

Peter Robb

Robbie Henshaw

Jaco Taute

Luke Marshall

Inside Centre
Outside Centre

Bundee Aki

Garry Ringrose

Chris Farrell

Jacob Stockdale

Outside Centre
Right Wing

Cian Kelleher

James Lowe

Andrew Conway

Andrew Trimble

Right Wing
Fullback

Tiernan O'Halloran

Rob Kearney

Simon Zebo

Jared Payne

Fullback


Forgot Leinster signed James Lowe at first, now swapped him for Isa Nacewa at right wing.

Clegg

One of Kearney or Nacewa won't start on the wing for Leinster next season.

I really think James Lowe will take the league by storm. He's a tremendous wing.

irishbucsfan

Yeah Lowe looks likely to be a superstar

Wexfordboy89

Winters wrote: »

Where is Steven Sykes these days...

According to his wiki page he was at onnyax in pro d2 in france last season

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rumours of Matawalu back to Glasgow

https://twitter.com/glasgowwarriors/status/903183507014504448

Done deal

thomond2006

http://fantasy.pro12rugby.com/pro14/en/2/clienthome.do

:pac:

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://fantasy.pro12rugby.com/pro14/en/2/clienthome.do

:pac:

Sure they've plenty of time.

b.gud

Deleted User wrote: »

Sure they've plenty of time.

Yeah 7:30 tomorrow is plenty of time to get a team in

thomond2006

The Southern Kings team is:
Starting XV: 1. Schalk Ferreira, 2. Michael Willemse (capt), 3. Rossouw de Klerk, 4. Jurie van Vuuren, 5. Dries van Schalkwyk, 6. Khaya Majola, 7. Victor Sekekete, 8. Andisa Ntsila; 9. Rudi van Rooyen, 10. Kurt Coleman, 11. Sibusiso Sithole, 12. Luzuko Vulindlu, 13. Berton Klaasen, 14. Yaw Penxe, 15. Masixole Banda.

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Luvuyo Pupuma, 18. Entienne Swanepoel, 19. Bobby de Wee; 20. Siyabulela Mdaka; 21. Godlen Masimla, 22. Ntabeni Dukisa, 23. Jacques Nel.

awec

Apparently the Ulster v Cheetahs game is not being televised in SA.

Off to a good start.

ClanofLams

awec wrote: »

Apparently the Ulster v Cheetahs game is not being televised in SA.

Off to a good start.

To be fair, the SA tv deal was only concluded today. There's always gonna be teething issues when a tournament is altered so significantly and in a limited time frame.

irishbucsfan

Its mad that they won't be showing the first South African derby

thomond2006

awec wrote: »

Apparently the Ulster v Cheetahs game is not being televised in SA.

Off to a good start.

This #FAKENEWS moderator wants to destroy the good name of SuperSport! Here's the link! SAD!

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/pro14/news/170831/PRO14_lands_on_SuperSport

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

This #FAKENEWS moderator wants to destroy the good name of SuperSport! Here's the link! SAD!

https://www.supersport.com/rugby/pro14/news/170831/PRO14_lands_on_SuperSport

It's gonna have the biggest audience, the biggest. Nobody will have an audience bigger than the Cheetas. Not even Obama Leinster will have as big an audience.

irishbucsfan

The Cheetahs’ opening match in the ground-breaking Guinness PRO14 tournament, against Ulster in Belfast, will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 this weekend (Friday, 8.35pm).

SAD

Awec:

awec

I stand corrected!

pickarooney

awec wrote: »

I stand corrected!

Fire your press officer

LeinsterDub

pickarooney wrote: »

Fire your press officer

*Checks if awec ever posted on the Russian forum.

I'm super excited about this season.

wp_rathead

Ciaran Gaffney on bench for Zebre away in Ospreys

b.gud

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://fantasy.pro12rugby.com/pro14/en/2/clienthome.do

:pac:

Up and running now, they aren't going to start scoring until next week though