TJ - whilst I agree that Glasgow have played some great stuff, Racing have been pretty flakey and Leicester truly hopeless. They kinda remind of Wasps last season and Bath the season before - both of whom got undone by the Sarries juggernaut, unfortunately.
I think we can forgive Itoje for being a bit slow back on his feet at times. That Toulon pack really came to play and they've got some absolute beasts so the depleted Sarries pack actually did pretty well.
It would be great to see Glasgow's style prevail but clinical, efficient teams like Sarries usually carry the day.
You have to remember that Glasgow and Leicester are in the same position in the league! Mid table. I think Sarries / Glasgow could be a great game to watch tho with the clash in styles - Russell runs the show for Glasgow with almost everything going thru him. Farrell gets half as much ball to play with as the forwards truck it up. Glasgow take high risk high return options which often means they give the ball away at times sometimes even in their own 22. Sarries will kick the ball to Glasgow a lot more than the other way round. Glasgow will offload a lot.
Sarries might well be able to starve Glasgow of the ball. Will a conventional game played very well - Sarries beat a high risk offloading game? Will ~Seymour take interceptions by reading the conventional game? Will Sarries be able to pick of Russell as he does his runarounds? Will they buy his dummies? Will Glasgow have the answer to the power of Sarries pack?
When the pools were announced Racing, Leicester, Munster, Glasgow was generally seen as the toughest group and most folk predicted Racing and Leicester to go thru - me included. I love the way Glasgow demolition of Racing and Leicester is seen as proof those teams are poor. Not that Glasgow played some great rugby to beat them.
You got it TJ, sadly Leicester were poor. Tigers aren't playing well with a fully fit side, with all the injuries they currently have they're hopeless.
That result was down to the state of the Tigers, if I were Glasgow I wouldn't be getting carried away as next match they will have to play someone who might actually give them a game 😉
TJ - I'm sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. Last week an efficient Munster team made it tough for them.
You have to remember that Glasgow and Leicester are in the same position in the league! Mid table
Which team has to do what to qualify for Europe next season?
Pretty much exactly the same thing A-A. That's why there is only one Welsh side in it....Well; not in it any more, but was in it to start.
Glasgow just have to finish above Edinburgh to qualify. Treviso only have yo finish above Zebre. Ospreys,Blues, Scarlets all have to finish in the top 7 ( assuming the Dregs dont) AND hope that both Glasgow and Treviso dont finish out of the top 7, which Treviso will.
So the three top welsh teams have to finish in the top 6 along with Ulster,Munster, Leinster and Connaught in order to qualify whilst Glasgow have to beat Edinburgh and Teeviso have to beat Zebre. So Glasgow dont have to take the Pro12 too seriously whilst the Welsh and Irish do.
Actually thats not strictly true. If by some shock all the welsh and irish finished outside the top 6 it gets even more ****ed up
No ap or top 14 teamsplay with the pace adnintensity of the top pro 12 teams.
Is that why precisely zero made it to the knock out stages last year?
Is that why precisely zero made it to the knock out stages last year?
Dont knock his confidence with your facts! This is a post Trump, post Brexit, post facts thread. Experts are not welcome!
But then the Ospreys are top (last time I bothered to look) of the Pro12 and they are shit!
Wrecker - main reason was WC hangover. But then knocking the pro 12 is a common pastime amongst those who don't follow it. Same As Glasgow did not turn over teams because Glasgow are good but only because those teams are crap? How about a little credit where its due?
How many pro 12 teams have won compared to others? How many pro 12 teams in the knockout stages this year?
AA your nonsense about qualification is just that - nonsense. You really think Glasgow don't try in the league? won it two years ago. The total humbuggery about qualification is an excuse used by ap teams to try to cripple the pro 12. Can Glasgow and Edinburgh please have the budget of the AP teams? Currently its around half.
All the welsh and Irish cannot finish outside the top 6 - there are 8 of them combined
Can we keep the rugby thread polite please? It has been a joy up to now.
and they are shit!
Go and self multiply 😆
Wrecker - main reason was WC hangover.
Saracens were not unaffected. Sorry teej, I'm not buying that mate.
I'm certainly not knocking the Pro12, and I give the teams and players ample credit. It's plainly untrue to state than no other NH teams can compete with the pace of Pro12 teams. This is different to saying that the Pro12 teams are not good.
How many pro 12 teams in the knockout stages this year?
Same number as AP teams is it not? They get more spaces too.
How many pro 12 teams have won compared to others?
Thank heavens for the irish eh?
Wrecker - Glasgow lost 31 players to the WC. NO doubt it had a disproportionate effect on the pro 12
Wray has been using the 4th international England played as his excuse for ap teams doing poorly this year.
Pro 12 teams do not get more spaces.
So - bickering a side and I apologise for my part in that. Glasgow / Sarries it is. Probably the end of Glasgows cup run but then I never thought they would demolish racing and Leicester home and away!
Mouthwatering matchup and should be a very good game.
Sarries by 10 pts
Its good that it isn't as AP dominated as last year. Clermont seem favourites, but I could see any of the final 8 winning it.
Nobody else was bickering! I certainly wasn't!
Pro 12 teams do not get more spaces.
Are you sure?
England: 6 teams, based on position in the English Premiership
France: 6 teams, based on position in the Top 14
Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales: 7 teams, based on performance in the Pro12
Teej, please don't make an argument out of a conversation.
In terms of priority, the euro cup comes a distant second to the leagues for the english and french clubs.
wrecker - aimed at AA.
thought it was 6/6/6 plus the winners last yer plus some complicated payoff thingy for the last place - was that dropped?
AA your nonsense about qualification is just that - nonsense.
No its fact.
Simple fact is that The Ospreys and Scarlets and Blues have to push for a top 6 finish that Glasgow dont have to. That means they prioritise the league. Glasgow dont need to. The Ospreys would rather buy in good but not top class pro's like Fonotia and that Fat fijian 12 and Scarlets buy in Hadleigh Parkes. These players can play for them in the international window to ensure wins. Glasgow just have to beat Edinburgh.
Go and self multiply
😀
except Giles...he's amazeballs!
Are you sure?
http://m.epcrugby.com/europeanrugbychampionscup/qualification/index.php
The seven qualifiers must include at least one club from each of Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
wrecker - aimed at AA.
Fair enough, but the point stands. We aren't going to agree all the time, but we don't need a fistfight!
we are all just nobbers chatting shit on the internet and I don't want to see you banned again.
aimed at AA
Did I miss something??
Oh well.
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I love the way Glasgow demolition of Racing and Leicester is seen as proof those teams are poor
WEll, regardless of their league position, there's no doubt Leicester have been going through a bad patch due to their staffing issues. Sometimes the French sides just don't seem to want it, especially away from home, and that's been evident with Racing. You can only beat what's against you and Glasgow have done that very well.
Glasgow have been playing some great stuff and, along with Wasps, are probably the most entertaining side in Europe to watch.
I'll be cheering for them against Saracens - putting aside my general dislike of the Scots for one day, at least. 😉
Racing were still in with a chance of Qualifying when Glasgow went over to France and humped them. they did not give up until after Glasgow humped them.
Yeah I watched it. It was a great performance.
Sometimes though, with French teams, you just a get a whiff of them not quite being up for it.
Generally this phenomenon is only observed against Pro12 sides whereas any glorious victory by an English side over mighty Top14 opposition is always thoroughly deserved.
😉
As a Munster fan I was happier to get Toulouse than Glasgow in the 1/4 final at Thomond. They are a very good side. Sarries at home though is a huge ask although at least they won't be disadvantaged by the plastic pitch. Sarries have a way of suffocating teams even very talented ones. Ask Clermont.
Ireland Squad for 6 nations -slightly worried with Sexton failing to finish a match for waht seems like years we are in trouble at OH
Forwards: Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Rory Best (Ulster), Jack Conan (Connacht), Ultan Dillane (Connacht), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Billy Holland (Munster), Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), Dan Leavy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), John Ryan (Munster), Niall Scannell (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Devin Toner (Leinster), James Tracy (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster).
Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Andrew Conway (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Tiernan O'Halloran (Connacht), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Rory Scannell (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
I love the way Glasgow demolition of Racing and Leicester is seen as proof those teams are poor. Not that Glasgow played some great rugby to beat them.
Compared to their standards set over the last 20 years, Tigers ARE playing shit! However, clearly Glasgow are also playing well.
I believe we've had this exact Pro12 / AP debate before. In the end I remember it came down to Pro12 teams playing fast rugby which is amazeballs but the better AP teams nullify that by slowing things down and strangling the game. Which is shit. But then often it works (if the forwards actually have anything about them which niether Tiggers or Racings did!) so the AP teams appear to win more....
Looking forward to seeing the Scottish revival this year in the 6 Nations. They should wipe the floor with the English and French!
They should wipe the floor with the English and French!
And the welsh...I actually think they will though 🙁
Tiny - Glasgow V Saracens will be fascinating for that very reason. Munster have shown that Glasgow can be strangled. Can Saracens do it?
Wiping th floor with the French? A decent chance. England Nope. England will win the 6N fairly easily I think. Only Ireland might challenge them
At what point is it OK the change your view on Ellis Genge from " Rugby kept him out of prison." To "Jesus; what a Sherman tanker that boy is."
Depends on what he's done?
The Hask and Clifford missed the plane yesterday to Portugal to have injuries monitored
scrum.com lions team of the week from last weekends games
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Will Addison
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Chris Ashton
10. Finn Russell
9. Rhys Webb
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Gray
6. Ryan Wilson
7. Josh van der Flier
8. CJ Stander
seven Glasgow players?
Genge hasn't done anything yet has he? He's certainly an angry bugger, but I think he keeps it in check reasonably well - certainly better than Marler, Hartley and Brown!
Oh, and that Lions team contains Ashton - so we know it's utter crap!
Reality is what, 1, maybe 2 Scottish players will start the first lions test?
What's Ellis Genge done now then? I know things didn't end too well in Bristol for him (the area, rather than the club specifically!)
Tom - probably not even that as Gatland has two of his favourite players in the most likely positions. AJW instead of Gray and 1/2p instead of Hogg
Ooh good point actually! Reckon Gray will be on the bench personally....such a hard call that second row though....personally I think that Hogg will start at 15.....is 1/2p even guaranteed to tour? Not seen him play much recently, believe that he's not in great form though...
Wouldn't have Hogg on the plane, he is a liability
Compared to his rivals? Mike "Angry" Brown? Liam "start a fight in an empty room " Williams?
I have to say Williams has impressed me recently but Hogg remains the best attacking fullback IMO but I think Gatland will pick the most devensivly solid palyer he can find and to heck with attacking
15. Stuart Hogg14. Tommy Seymour
13. Will Addison
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Chris Ashton
10. Finn Russell
9. Rhys Webb
1. Gordon Reid
2. Fraser Brown
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Gray
6. Ryan Wilson
7. Josh van der Flier
8. CJ Stander
Too many welsh
Pigface - MemberWouldn't have Hogg on the plane, he is a liability
Posted 27 minutes ago #
You are starting to sound like jamby and Danny Cipriani.
tinybits - MemberGenge hasn't done anything yet has he? He's certainly an angry bugger, but I think he keeps it in check reasonably well - certainly better than Marler, Hartley and Brown!
He came on Sat to have a fight; seems to be a pattern to the way he plays.
Ashton? Really? He was on hand to finish a try that any good winger should. Aside from that I don't recall him being mentioned at all. He remains a defensive liability which is exactly what you want playing the AB's!
It'll be interesting to see if Gatland picks on form rather than knowing players. If he does, a few of his favourites won't make it (unless Wales have a very good 6N).
Compared to his rivals? Mike "Angry" Brown? Liam "start a fight in an empty room " Williams?
Hogg is much better than Brown. He's just as annoying but for different reasons!
