2018-2019 Champions Cup

Dave_The_Sheep

They're not unbeatable. No one is.

They do have a mentality however - on top of their obvious quality - that makes them very hard to beat. They do whatever they need to do. They may not always win by 30 points, but they usually do what's required to win. Munster do it as well, to a degree, but Munster (for the moment at least) are far more limited than Sarries overall. Sarries can shut down Munster's physical game well enough, and there's little outside that that makes me think Munster can break down the Saracens defence. On the topic of Exeter, Exeter in the Prem and Exeter in Europe are two very different kettles of fish. Joke from the Subreddit, credit /u/saviouroftheweak:


Munster are undoubtedly on an upward trajectory, and can absolutely overturn Saracens on their day if Saracens aren't 100% and Munster are, but 8 games out of 10, Sarries win.

Eod100

munsterlegend wrote: »

Saracens are not unbeatable and have a scrum that can be got at. They have been poor enough in the premiership this year and Exeter gave them a big trimming recently. I think Munster have a good chance of making the final.

Have to beat Edinburgh away first, but after that who knows?

salmocab

Breakdown of teams is surprising, 5 pro 14,2 Top14 and 1 English.

Both Scots getting through is great for them but the Welsh seem to be just stagnant for whatever reason.

Saracens likely to have a big say but the English have done very poorly overall.

bilston

Stout Warrior wrote: »

What's your thoughts on Ulster chances against Leinster?

I'm not confident!

But the one thing I would say is that it has been a while since we have had two full strength sides go head to head. You never know, but I'm not even sure I'd give us a 10% chance of winning. But it is a step forward for us just to be there.

It should be a good day out though.

molloyjh

bilston wrote: »

I'm not confident!

But the one thing I would say is that it has been a while since we have had two full strength sides go head to head. You never know, but I'm not even sure I'd give us a 10% chance of winning. But it is a step forward for us just to be there.

It should be a good day out though.

I’ve already given herself warning that I’ll be going out for pints after that one. Looking forward to it! Should we have a meet up of some sort?

jacothelad

P_1 wrote: »

Wonder if they'll have that on the Friday to mitigate any potential travel issues that may arise out of the you know what hitting the fan?

There won't be any problems ....at least initially.

bilston

molloyjh wrote: »

I’ve already given herself warning that I’ll be going out for pints after that one. Looking forward to it! Should we have a meet up of some sort?

That could be a plan. It would be good to see if the picture in my head of you guys matches the reality!!

Need to secure tickets first!

mystic86

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

tanko

mystic86 wrote: »

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

Ricoh arena in Coventry??

irishbucsfan

mystic86 wrote: »

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

Twickenham probably, if they think they can sell it out

Kevski

mystic86 wrote: »

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

Saracens played their home Semi Final in the Madejski Stadium in Reading in 2016. Reading don’t have a home game on the weekend of the SF this year so it could be there again.

Squidgy Black

mystic86 wrote: »

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

They played the 2016 semi in the Madejski in Reading.

PTH2009

Christ can picture a zebo masterclass beating Munster in the final and it will be kind of bittersweet for him to an extent

Tbf lots of Rugby too be played and Edinburgh could easily beat Munster in the QF and Saracens could have a huge say in things still, think they will have too much for Glasgow again . On the other side of the draw reigning champs Leinster, Racing, Ulster and Toulouse are well capable of beating each other on there day

Going too be great and hopefully it's after another Irish 6Ns win

Eod100

mystic86 wrote: »

If Munster and Saracens qualify for the semi final Saracens will have home country advantage, but where would that game be held?

Good q. Usually find out officially just before qfs I think. Could they opt for a venue in London used by other teams say?

Larbre34

Its the weekend of Brexit lads, 2 out of 4 matches might not even happen.

troyzer

There is very little chance Brexit happens that weekend. It'll probably delayed until May at least, after the tournament.

I think we can start to seriously talk about an all Ireland final. Red vs Blue.

Saracens are good but ultimately can anyone say they've really been tested this year? They've lost against the only good teams they've played against in the Premiership. I think Munster can beat them.

Aidric

Quint2010 wrote: »

BT have nine channels. There's bound to be one dead rubber? Think it's unfair on some teams.

Do Channel 4 have rights beyond the group stages? Their coverage has been excellent so far.

Synode

A lot of people seriously under estimating Edinburgh. I'd say the chances of a Leinster Munster final are very very small

stephen_n

Larbre34 wrote: »

Its the weekend of Brexit lads, 2 out of 4 matches might not even happen.

Edinburgh v Munster is the only one that could be affected by flights.

Former Former

Larbre34 wrote: »

Its the weekend of Brexit lads, 2 out of 4 matches might not even happen.

??

Why not?

Eod100

troyzer wrote: »

There is very little chance Brexit happens that weekend. It'll probably delayed until May at least, after the tournament.

I think we can start to seriously talk about an all Ireland final. Red vs Blue.

Saracens are good but ultimately can anyone say they've really been tested this year? They've lost against the only good teams they've played against in the Premiership. I think Munster can beat them.

Saracens have only lost twice in Prem. Same as Exeter. They're 6 from 6 from pool. Granted they weren't in hardest group but they can easily go through the gears. Doubt they will win outright but they will be there or thereabouts.

Burkie1203

Eod100 wrote: »

Saracens have only lost twice in Prem. Same as Exeter. They're 6 from 6 from pool. Granted they weren't in hardest group but they can easily go through the gears. Doubt they will win outright but they will be there or thereabouts.

If Billy V is available and in any sort of form they are a different proposition.

Buer

Synode wrote: »

A lot of people seriously under estimating Edinburgh. I'd say the chances of a Leinster Munster final are very very small

The historical view of Edinburgh is hard for people to shake. Many opinions are based on the last decade rather than the last 12 months.

Right now, Edinburgh are one of the form teams in Europe. The last game they lost is when they sent their second string side to Cork in November. They've beaten Glasgow x 2, Montpellier and Toulon since then among others.

If they can retain their confidence until the end of March and get some of their injured players back, they're going to be a serious proposition. People should recall they've turned in these showings minus Mark Bennett and John Barclay. The potential loss of Hamish Watson is a big problem for them but 2 months should be enough to recover from a broken bone in his hand.

Right now, I'd consider the Edinburgh vs Munster match to be a coin toss. I don't think either have the ability to beat Saracens in London though. The depth simply isn't there. There's too large of a drop off for both sides in multiple key positions if they suffer any injuries to guys like Nel, Pyrgos, Carbery, Beirne etc.

Larbre34

Former Former wrote: »

??

Why not?

Its a joke.

But border stuff.

finbarrk

If it’s a Munster v Glasgow SF, where will it be on?

Neil3030

finbarrk wrote: »

If it’s a Munster v Glasgow SF, where will it be on?

Ireland, bit not Thomond.

Eod100

Neil3030 wrote: »

Ireland, bit not Thomond.

Aviva I'd say judging by Munster v Saracens match season before last.

crisco10

Neil3030 wrote: »

Ireland, bit not Thomond.

So not getting ahead of ourselves, because granted it's a small chance...but if the semis are:

Leinster v Toulouse
Munster v Glasgow

Then most likely we would see 2 games in lansdowne over Easter weekend? That would be some weekend!

Quint2010

Buer wrote: »

The historical view of Edinburgh is hard for people to shake. Many opinions are based on the last decade rather than the last 12 months.

Right now, Edinburgh are one of the form teams in Europe. The last game they lost is when they sent their second string side to Cork in November. They've beaten Glasgow x 2, Montpellier and Toulon since then among others.

If they can retain their confidence until the end of March and get some of their injured players back, they're going to be a serious proposition. People should recall they've turned in these showings minus Mark Bennett and John Barclay. The potential loss of Hamish Watson is a big problem for them but 2 months should be enough to recover from a broken bone in his hand.

Right now, I'd consider the Edinburgh vs Munster match to be a coin toss. I don't think either have the ability to beat Saracens in London though. The depth simply isn't there. There's too large of a drop off for both sides in multiple key positions if they suffer any injuries to guys like Nel, Pyrgos, Carbery, Beirne etc.

I agree with all of what you are saying. I still think Munster will do them.

razorblunt

Buer wrote: »

The historical view of Edinburgh is hard for people to shake. Many opinions are based on the last decade rather than the last 12 months.

Right now, Edinburgh are one of the form teams in Europe. The last game they lost is when they sent their second string side to Cork in November. They've beaten Glasgow x 2, Montpellier and Toulon since then among others.

If they can retain their confidence until the end of March and get some of their injured players back, they're going to be a serious proposition. People should recall they've turned in these showings minus Mark Bennett and John Barclay. The potential loss of Hamish Watson is a big problem for them but 2 months should be enough to recover from a broken bone in his hand.

Right now, I'd consider the Edinburgh vs Munster match to be a coin toss. I don't think either have the ability to beat Saracens in London though. The depth simply isn't there. There's too large of a drop off for both sides in multiple key positions if they suffer any injuries to guys like Nel, Pyrgos, Carbery, Beirne etc.

They've improved for sure and there's a real grit to them now under Cockerill but I think they're flattering to deceive somewhat.

They can be got at, especially at 9 and 10, I still don't know why teams don't blitz Van Der Walt, he takes an age to pass, Goosen spotted in on Saturday and should really have had a breakaway interception.

Similar with van der Merwe on the wing, an absolute unit, but in some games he was smashed early and often, then lost interest, teams are giving him a bit too much respect and repeatedly going high on him too.

If Crosbie gets a run of games though he'll be flying. A serious talent, a tad under appreciated as he's not a proper "Edinburgh/Scottish schools" players, the same attitude that gets Gilchrist and Bradbury away with murder.

It's going to be a cracking game though.