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URC 2023/24

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    #392
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,828 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122072450#Comment_122072450

    A semi final in SA vs one in Ireland is a rather gigantic deal though.



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    #393
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073282#Comment_122073282

    In the grand scheme of things an away match in the playoffs is no big deal. I would focus entirely on the Champions Cup for the next few weeks, and after that I’d give any player a rest that needs it.

    The URC playoffs are the time to have the full team playing.



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    #394
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,828 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122073536#Comment_122073536

    Having to play a semi-final in SA and come back a week later to the NH to play a final would be a massive negative factor.

    The players just had 2 weeks rest.



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    #395
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,254 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    I full expect Leinster to put out as strong a team as they can at home against connacht, should they require the win to reach top 2, regardless of how the CC goes.



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    #396
    bingobango12
    Registered Users Posts: 341 ✭✭bingobango12


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122072154#Comment_122072154

    Out of interest, where do you see those 8 points coming from from Leinster and Munster? Would have both winning all their remaining games personally.

    My own prediction:

    Leinster 68 Glasgow 67 Munster 67 Bulls 63



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    #397
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122074106#Comment_122074106

    Leinster should beat the Ospreys, don’t think they’ll beat Ulster with their seconds, and a week after the CC final I’d say they’ll put out their seconds against Connacht, so I’d expect two wins and no bonus points.

    I’d expect Munster to win against Connacht and Ulster, again with no bonus points.



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    #398
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 11,904 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122074165#Comment_122074165

    After watching Connacht last night (and over the last month) and seeing their injuries, Munster should be getting BP win.

    They'll also be favourites in Edinburgh on recent form.

    Leinster will BP Ospreys and Connacht. Ulster depends on the team they send up there.



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    #399
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122074200#Comment_122074200

    Wouldn’t say we’ll be favourites necessarily in Edinburgh, we’ll have a tough match against Connacht and then 6 day turnaround to play Edinburgh in their home ground, and they have Zebre at home the week before that. I could see Edinburgh being really well-prepared and firing by May 17th, as well as they will be desperate for a win towards gaining qualification.



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    #400
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 11,904 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    You're putting way too much emphasis on the 6 day turnaround. Munster have a week off, play Connacht and Edinburgh and then have another week off. A 6 day turnaround may be tougher in the middle of a long run of games, but this isn't that.

    Edinburgh may be fired up, but Munster are better than Edinburgh and battered them over there last season.



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    #401
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 24,038 ✭✭✭✭phog


    The Cardiff coach gets a ban for his "interaction" with Mike Adamson after the Ulster game. I understand the ref's decision is final and coaches/players need to thread carefully when challenging a ref but when will the URC do something about Adamson, he is literally capable of doing anything and players get frustrated with his decisions/indecisions



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    #402
    Lord Palmerston
    Registered Users Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭Lord Palmerston


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075947#Comment_122075947

    Cardiff & the WRU embarrassed themselves in their reaction to that game though - he got that big decision in the end game (the Carre deliberate knock on) 100% correct.



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    #403
    Interested Observer
    Registered Users Posts: 13,034 ✭✭✭✭Interested Observer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122075947#Comment_122075947

    What are they doing to do about a ref who got the decision completely correct? WTF are you talking about?



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    #404
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,254 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Dragons making two good signings for next season.

    Solomone Funaki from pasifika is a tough back rower, and Harry Wilson from the tahs (not the reds!) is a young centre / outside back who is the son of 1999 world cup winning Dave Wilson



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    #405
    phog
    Registered Users Posts: 24,038 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Sharks into Challenge Cup final, if they win it it's squeaky bum time for Connacht, Ulster & Benetton, as they take a Champions Cup spot next year. All 3 are in the bottom of the top 8 and all are currently on 44 points.



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    #406
    StormForce13
    Registered Users Posts: 223 ✭✭StormForce13


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122076012#Comment_122076012

    That's debatable. And - needless to mention - he got a couple of other equally big decisions wrong.

    Update: Owen Doyle, in his piece on refereeing in this morning's Irish Times, criticised Adamson (without naming him) and other URC referees for their consistent level of incompetence.

    Post edited by StormForce13 on


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    #407
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,315 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Bulls will win this but can see both sides getting TBPs



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    #408
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,828 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122123832#Comment_122123832

    I guess we want Bulls to win but it's a great game



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    #409
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,315 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Glasgow replace entire front row on 30 min



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    #410
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,315 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Glasgow might win this



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    #411
    AdamD
    Registered Users Posts: 12,479 ✭✭✭✭AdamD


    Glasgow get the TBP and it's kind of game on..



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    #412
    Burkie1203
    Registered Users Posts: 11,315 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Glasgow getting 2 BPs is bad news

    Needs the Lions to beat them next week



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    #413
    Ciaran
    Registered Users Posts: 910 ✭✭✭Ciaran


    Worst possible result for Leinster and Munster.



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    #414
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    The table is getting very interesting going into the penultimate round of the league stage.
    The bottom 6 teams are meeting fellow bottom 6 teams this weekend.
    Zebre v Scarlets: Zebre's best chance to get a win and get out of the bottom spot. They will be away to Glasgow the following weekend. Prediction: Zebre to win.
    Sharks v Cardiff: Normally should be a good contest as tied on 25 points, but Sharks will probably put out a second string side on Saturday what with their Challenge Cup final coming up the following Friday. Prediction: Cardiff to win.
    Ospreys v Dragons is a life-line for Ospreys, they need other results to go their way and they need at least 4 points to have any chance of qualifying. Prediction: Ospreys to win with a bonus point.
    Astonishingly, there are 5 matches featuring a top 5 team versus a team placed between 6th and 10th; Edinburgh v Munster, Bulls v Benetton, Lions v Glasgow, Connacht v Stormers, Ulster v Leinster.
    Every one of those matches will have a knock-on impact to the overall standings in the table. Leinster are the only team of those 10 teams that will be putting out a second string team with their Champions Cup final on the 25th.
    The top 5 are all fighting for a high finish in the table, while the lower ranked teams are all fighting for qualification.
    Expect every one of those 5 matches to be played like a Cup match. Even though Leinster will be resting their front-liners, they have a huge amount at stake also, so there will be plenty of motivation for all sides.
    The URC is shaping up very nicely to dish out entertainment over the coming weeks.



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    #415
    leakyboots
    Registered Users Posts: 5,957 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    It's a much better league since the SA sides joined



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    #416
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    Just looking at transfer news and noticed Scarlets are losing 17 players by the end of the season, and gaining only 2.

    https://www.planetrugby.com/news/urc-united-rugby-championship-ins-and-outs-the-complete-list-of-the-2024-25-player-transfers

    Are they actually going to be able to put together a professional squad next season I wonder.

    Scarlets

    Ins:
    Marnus van der Merwe from Cheetahs
    Alec Hepburn from Exeter Chiefs

    Outs:
    Steffan Thomas to Ospreys
    Kieran Hardy to Ospreys
    Ryan Conbeer released
    Jonathan Davies released
    Luca Giannini released
    Iestyn Gwilliam released
    Dan Jones released
    Wyn Jones released
    Lewis Morgan released
    Iwan Shenton released
    Eduan Swart released
    Callum Williams released
    Scott Williams released
    Joe Jones to Doncaster Knights
    Ken Owens retired
    Johnny McNicholl to Crusaders
    Samson Lee retired



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    #417
    Lord Palmerston
    Registered Users Posts: 1,096 ✭✭✭Lord Palmerston


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122150076#Comment_122150076

    TBF a good chunk of those are academy players who just aren't progressing to a senior deal, or guys who are well over the hill (Jonathan Davies - 36 years old, Ken Owens - 37 years old etc). Samson Lee's retirement was injury enforced, and Johnny McNicholl has been gone for some time (has played 7 games this season for the Crusaders).



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    #418
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users Posts: 3,677 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122150111#Comment_122150111

    I just wonder if Scarlets could be even worse next year, kind of depressing.



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    #419
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,254 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    4 of those on the way out are academy players, but in general, they will have to pull from their academy to replace the outgoing pros.

    they've will be announcing next seasons additions in the coming weeks, but i expect many will be moving from an academy contracts to pro (they've a large 20 person academy) and then these will be replaced by new incoming academy players.



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    #420
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,254 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122150145#Comment_122150145

    i expect all welsh teams to be worse next season. they are either standing still or regressing, while most other teams are progressing.



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    #421
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,252 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Cardiff should be slightly improved



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