Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

Eod100 · 14-04-2019 7:42pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I see Sean Kennedy is leaving Edinburgh. A possible signing for one of the provinces?

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/374871/limerick-scrum-half-leaving-edinburgh-rugby-after-eight-seasons.html

66 appearances over 8 years doesn't seem like a whole lot. Would be surprised if he was tbh

errlloyd · 14-04-2019 8:08pm

PMC83 wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

If we are going to bring weaker teams in I'd rather they were Spanish and Georgian.

I was reading that 25,000 turned up to the Spanish final last year. If a Spanish team even got 5,000 to their home games week on week they'd already be ahead of 3 or 4 current teams in the Pro 14.

Totally agree, spanish team and Gregoria would be the business, nothing to gain from two Currie Cup teams

Spanish teams don't compete in the European Super Cup (or whatever it is called) because they don't think the investment is worth it. So I doubt they'd pay into the pro14.

thomond2006 · 14-04-2019 9:10pm

MarinersBlues wrote: »

He would be an NIQ so probably not

Ah I see he played for Scottish 7s. Nevermind then...

razorblunt · 14-04-2019 10:13pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I see Sean Kennedy is leaving Edinburgh. A possible signing for one of the provinces?

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/374871/limerick-scrum-half-leaving-edinburgh-rugby-after-eight-seasons.html

I’m very surprised he’s being let go, i think the SRU have mandated Pyrgos plays. Fowles is gone too which is fair enough but the back up is Shiels who’s AIL standard at best but he’s 21 so maybe they think he’s the understudy for now.

Lots of fans becoming increasingly exasperated by Pyrgos though.

Burkie1203 · 15-04-2019 2:23pm

Welsh rugby twitter will help pass this monday afternoon

https://twitter.com/simonrug/status/1117780175935168512?s=19

Thrashssacre · 15-04-2019 2:30pm

Any pro 14 clubs short at fullback or center that might take a punt on Folau now that his contract is terminated. It’d be fantastic to see a player of that quality playing regularly in the pro 14.

thegreycity · 15-04-2019 2:36pm

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Any pro 14 clubs short at fullback or center that might take a punt on Folau now that his contract is terminated. It’d be fantastic to see a player of that quality playing regularly in the pro 14.

Is this a troll? The guy's name is dirt in this sport, I'd be surprised if he gets a contract with any top tier league.

How do you think it would go when Nigel Owens has to ref a game he plays? No doubt Owens would be professional, but he shouldn't be put in that situation.

Buer · 15-04-2019 2:37pm

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Any pro 14 clubs short at fullback or center that might take a punt on Folau now that his contract is terminated. It’d be fantastic to see a player of that quality playing regularly in the pro 14.

Not a hope any of them touch him with a bargepole. It would be PR suicide.

Thrashssacre · 15-04-2019 2:50pm

Jackson was pr suicide and a much less valuable player yet a French club bit the bullet and considered it worth it so why wouldn’t anyone now?

Rigor Mortis · 15-04-2019 3:06pm

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Jackson was pr suicide and a much less valuable player yet a French club bit the bullet and considered it worth it so why wouldn’t anyone now?

Jackson was found innocent of a crime and apologised for the impact of his actions and words. Even with that, he had to go France. Its possible Folau might get picked up in France but hard to see it in Ireland or the UK.

Buer · 15-04-2019 3:13pm

Thrashssacre wrote: »

Jackson was pr suicide and a much less valuable player yet a French club bit the bullet and considered it worth it so why wouldn’t anyone now?

You said Pro14 sides. No hope of any of them going near him ever. The French teams were somewhat detached from Jackson's situation compared to the media coverage he garnered in Ireland and England. Without getting into old debates, his situation was different too in terms of showing contrition and apologising. Folau is quite the opposite and he appears ready to double down on his views.

He is a huge name and his sacking has made news throughout the rugby world so his antics will be well covered in France too. Perhaps a French team will approach him in time but he's absolutely toxic for them to make an approach currently.

thomond2006 · 15-04-2019 4:20pm

Mourad retweeted criticism of Folau so it's safe to say Toulon aren't interested. I don't think any club will go near him tbh.

b.gud · 15-04-2019 4:30pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Mourad retweeted criticism of Folau so it's safe to say Toulon aren't interested. I don't think any club will go near him tbh.

I wonder would Japan be his best bet?

Blut2 · 15-04-2019 5:01pm

I'd bet on Japan for a year, boredom to set in, then possibly some fake contrition / an apology. Then a return to high level rugby, probably in France where there'd be less media focus on it.

That or he doubles down on the religious nuttery and gives up on the game entirely to become a preacher or something.

Cosmo Kramer · 15-04-2019 5:11pm

A USA league team maybe. If he keeps his head down for a while I'd be amazed if a big club didn't take a punt on him at some point in the next couple of years. Saracens aren't exactly rushing to get rid of Billy Vunipola for example.

For all that many are offended, you can bet there are other pro rugby players from devout christian backgrounds that would share his views but are clever enough not to publish those views on social media. I'd imagine that would include players contracted within the Irish provinces as well, potentially even Irish senior squad members.

Cosmo Kramer · 15-04-2019 5:14pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Welsh rugby twitter will help pass this monday afternoon

https://twitter.com/simonrug/status/1117780175935168512?s=19

He could knock himself out of the Champions Cup this weekend.

thomond2006 · 15-04-2019 5:16pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

He could knock himself out of the Champions Cup this weekend.

Would Cardiff sit him for the game against his future employer?

Squidgy Black · 15-04-2019 5:48pm

I'm not so sure the Japanese would be too keen on signing Folau, given Christianity in Japan is very much a minority religion, and missionaries and people like Folau who are outspoken and rather abrupt in sharing their views go against Japanese culture.

PMC83 · 15-04-2019 7:10pm

Phew

https://www.the42.ie/pro14-expansion-pumas-griquas-4592472-Apr2019/

thomond2006 · 15-04-2019 7:16pm

How would European qualification work in a four group scenario? The merit basis must be retained.

sydthebeat · 15-04-2019 7:39pm

I'm just waiting for the pleasure of calling it the scotty-eyetee conference....

Neil3030 · 15-04-2019 8:07pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

How would European qualification work in a four group scenario? The merit basis must be retained.

Some NFL style broader ranking gizmo would likely fix that.

Bazzo · 16-04-2019 6:21am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Mourad retweeted criticism of Folau so it's safe to say Toulon aren't interested. I don't think any club will go near him tbh.

He called him a moron and said his views would fit in in the KKK

stephen_n · 16-04-2019 11:01am

Bazzo wrote: »

He called him a moron and said his views would fit in in the KKK

So he’s on the fence then.

Exclamation Marc · 18-04-2019 6:16pm

The two Quarter-Final games that kick-off the Guinness PRO14 Final Series will be played on Saturday, May 4 – one week after the completion of the regular season.

The Quarter-Finals will be played in back-to-back afternoon slots. The second-placed team from Conference A – either Munster Rugby or Glasgow Warriors will host the third-placed team from Conference B at 3pm.

The second Quarter-Final between Ulster Rugby (B2) and Connacht Rugby (A3) will be played at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast and will kick off at 5.35pm.

Both games will be live in the Republic of Ireland on eir sport 1 and across the UK on Premier Sports 1. Coverage of both fixtures will be available via DAZN in Italy.

Quarter-Final 1 – Winners play Leinster Rugby (B1) in Semi-Final

Munster Rugby v Benetton Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby/Scarlets
3pm at Thomond Park, Limerick
Live on eir sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN

OR

Glasgow Warriors v Benetton Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby/Scarlets
3pm at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Live on eir sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN

Quarter-Final 2 – Winners play Glasgow Warriors or Munster in Semi-Final

Ulster Rugby v Connacht Rugby
5.35pm at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Live on eir sport 1, Premier Sports 1, DAZN

Read more at https://www.pro14rugby.org/2019/04/18/guinness-pro14-final-series-quarter-final-fixtures/#V3WHrKZhbkRM6QKM.99

Eod100 · 23-04-2019 7:59pm

BBC have a decent preview here:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/48012803?fbclid=IwAR1cUzgShGpshK7tyIV2yw-R7jo7JZ3fPXO4E-K_tbOKMiQmydVvLASpvqc

thomond2006 · 24-04-2019 11:09am

Cruden to Glasgow is no longer a runner according to Le Figaro.

errlloyd · 24-04-2019 11:20am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Cruden to Glasgow is no longer a runner according to Le Figaro.

I read yesterday that the injury to Damien McKenzie has Cruden considering doing half a season with the Chiefs so he can play in the world cup.

thomond2006 · 24-04-2019 1:15pm

Jerry Sexton has signed for the Kings on a three year deal, moving from Jersey Reds. It's interesting to see the Kings offer a foreign player such a long contract.

Eod100 · 24-04-2019 1:37pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jerry Sexton has signed for the Kings on a three year deal, moving from Jersey Reds. It's interesting to see the Kings offer a foreign player such a long contract.

Some change of scenery from Jersey to SA. Interesting move!

cantwbr1 · 24-04-2019 2:23pm

Do you think that they signed J. Sexton, and thought they got a bargain

sydthebeat · 24-04-2019 2:53pm

cantwbr1 wrote: »

Do you think that they signed J. Sexton, and thought they got a bargain

either that or jerry is rolling the moolah !!!!

errlloyd · 24-04-2019 2:56pm

cantwbr1 wrote: »

Do you think that they signed J. Sexton, and thought they got a bargain

"Are you sure this is the right Sexton, he's registered in Jersey?"

"That's just a tax thing"

Rigor Mortis · 24-04-2019 4:16pm

errlloyd wrote: »

"Are you sure this is the right Sexton, he's registered in Jersey?"

"That's just a tax thing"

Jerry Sexton is just a tax vehicle, a shell corporation, through which Johnny's lucre is filtered. Ingenious.

Erik Shun · 25-04-2019 7:54am

Osprey's v Blues will be the first game that trials a new mouth guard with a microchip that transmits info to the sidelines about head collisions..
The idea is to show when concussive force is involved and to reduce concussions going forward....
Here's hoping it's a success.

the perfect ten · 25-04-2019 2:31pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jerry Sexton has signed for the Kings on a three year deal, moving from Jersey Reds. It's interesting to see the Kings offer a foreign player such a long contract.

He has had a great record in The Championship in the two seasons he has been with them. 41 starts out of a possible 44 and he has scored 7 tries which isn't bad for a lock. He also also captained the side this season. At 26 he is still on the young side for a lock.

Hope he gets a chance to play against his brother next season.

ScrubsfanChris · 27-04-2019 3:36pm

If there was any doubt before the last round of the season.
Yes..... the Dragons are still rubbish

Ray Donovan · 27-04-2019 3:41pm

Is there any legal way of watching Treviso vs Zebre??

Be a brilliant achievement by Benetton to make playoffs and reach Heineken Cup next year.

Eod100 · 27-04-2019 3:48pm

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Is there any legal way of watching Treviso vs Zebre??

Be a brilliant achievement by Benetton to make playoffs and reach Heineken Cup next year.

Dunno about coverage but surely will beat Zebre. Glasgow should beat Edinburgh too

Chippy1234 · 27-04-2019 4:09pm

Ray Donovan wrote: »

Is there any legal way of watching Treviso vs Zebre??

Be a brilliant achievement by Benetton to make playoffs and reach Heineken Cup next year.

I think Freesports has it! It’s a free to air channel

bilston · 27-04-2019 4:14pm

Great try by the Dragons.

Clegg · 27-04-2019 4:17pm

Another Dragons try!

A Scarlets utter meltdown.

bilston · 27-04-2019 4:17pm

3 tries in 10 minutes by the Dragons.

Looks like the Scarlets are out of the equation

ScrubsfanChris · 27-04-2019 4:20pm

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

If there was any doubt before the last round of the season.
Yes..... the Dragons are still rubbish

But the Scarlets are rubbish-er :pac:

25-17 to Dragons

bilston · 27-04-2019 4:28pm

What do I know. Scarlets back in front and on course for the full 5 points

bilston · 27-04-2019 4:45pm

What is the TMO doing here?

Clegg · 27-04-2019 4:49pm

Dragons score and convert a try in the 79th minute. Now leading by 2 points!

Bridge93 · 27-04-2019 4:51pm

The Scarlets have been a complete disaster this season. A pretty dramatic fall from grace for them

bilston · 27-04-2019 4:53pm

Tight finish.

Well done to the Dragons. They deserved that.

But now confirmed, no Welsh team in the Play Offs. That's a disgrace when you consider their national team won the Grand Slam this season.

ClanofLams · 27-04-2019 4:54pm

Bridge93 wrote: »

The Scarlets have been a complete disaster this season. A pretty dramatic fall from grace for them

Yep and it can’t be building much confidence around pivac taking over Wales next season.

Guinness Pro14 Season 2018-2019

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