Rugby - New Year, New Coaches, New Laws

[finbar]

Yes, I noticed that Leicester won when it didn't matter.

Pity, for their own sake, that Cardiff's second half didn't match their first. A home QF against Toulouse would have been preferable to a trip across the ditch.

[finbar]

I forgot to note two things:

1. The Treviso alternate strip is plain, unadulterated shocking pink. They're sponsored by Benneton. At least they have the courage to go all pink. Unlike S. Français' explosion-in-a-bubble-gum-factory effort.

2. J****'s younger brother Will appeared after half time as a Treviso replacement. I don't think he touched the ball once the whole time he was on the field.

[LDiCesare]

I don't think he touched the ball once the whole time he was on the field.

Just proves he's either in the tight five or a winger.

The only French clubs to make it to ht eHCup 1/4's are Toulouse and Perpignan. A bit of a pity for Clermont, but the French sides aren't doing very well. Looks like an English club should reap the cup?

[finbar]

You touch the ball. You scored a try!

Clermont will regret not chasing the bonus point against Munster. It was well within their powers on the day.

Not sure that an English team will take the tinware:

Saracens v Ospreys
London Irish v Perpignan
Gloucester v Munster
Toulouse v Cardiff Blues

Maybe Sarries will get through. Irish won't. I think Munster will see off Gloucester and Toulouse will do the same to Cardiff. With the high-risk rugby they play, I can't see Sarries going all the way.

[MOBIUS]

Saw the Brizzle game in a packed pub and was very impressed as they are a hard team on their own home ground and we managed to shut them out! But did the Blues know they needed another try for home field?

As it is we’re away to Toulouse which is likely going to be a plucky defeat on a similar line to our French Stade game if I’m not wrong. Who knows, we may even shade it, not that I’m holding out much hope…

Strange how a team with a better results record in the pool games ends up playing away…

[LDiCesare]

You touch the ball. You scored a try!

Once in a millenium.

Well, let's see:

Saracens v Ospreys

Sarries play well enough to win this, except maybe if it's muddy or something.

London Irish v Perpignan

Perpignan has an awful record of quarter finals, semis and matches that can get them relegated. So the USAP is more likely to lose that game than the exiles to win it, but I'd still count the London Irish as favorites here.

Gloucester v Munster

Tough one. Should be an interesting match to watch, so I'm pretty sure it won't be aired on French tv.

Toulouse v Cardiff Blues

I hope Toulouse will make it, them being the only French side which stands a chance, and playing the most beautiful rugby in our championship right now.

So I'd say Saracens and London Irish would make the cut, along with Toulouse and I don't know who.

[MOBIUS]

Well I’m actually pondering taking a trip down to see the Blues in Toulouse as we have friends who have an apartment there…

[finbar]

But did the Blues know they needed another try for home field?

You can be sure they did. The coach said their priority was the win. It was depressing, really. Bristol were never playing well enough to come back at Cardiff regardless of the conditions. Cardiff obviously dropped into safe mode in the second half. They had a sniff at a try late in the game but it was too late.

Originally posted by LDiCesare

Saracens v Ospreys

Sarries play well enough to win this, except maybe if it's muddy or something.

Agreed.

London Irish v Perpignan

Perpignan has an awful record of quarter finals, semis and matches that can get them relegated. So the USAP is more likely to lose that game than the exiles to win it, but I'd still count the London Irish as favorites here.

Perpignan will have to be poor indeed to lose. Irish are very average. If Perpignan target the Irish full back - who's Australian - they're on a winner. He never grasped the notion of angles when he played in Australia and he still hasn't. Even Treviso made him look clumsy.

Gloucester v Munster

Tough one. Should be an interesting match to watch, so I'm pretty sure it won't be aired on French tv.

Ditto here. We often get the rubbish matches. Explains why I know Leicester so intimately.

Toulouse v Cardiff Blues

I hope Toulouse will make it, them being the only French side which stands a chance, and playing the most beautiful rugby in our championship right now.

Cardiff handled terrible conditions very well and played with nouse against Bristol. Toulouse should out-skill them. Silly Cardiff for not pressing for the home QF.

I don't know the draw works after the QFs, but Toulouse and Munster are the two goers in my mind. Shame if they meet in the semi.

[Havak]

I had absolutely no idea Will Johnson had gone to Italy. Last I heard he was in the second year of a player coach contract at Coventry.

I assume Finbar that you tempted him over in some way?

It's too easy to pick out Toulouse and Munster as favourites. I have a strong feeling home advantage will do it for Glaws.

I can't call Sarries v Ospreys as both play high risk unpredictable rugby - I hope the English side win it of course.

Perpignan have never impressed me away from home so however poor exiles are I think they will take it. I just can't see Blues troubling Toulouse though - and their failure to push for the bonus point against Brizzle was indeed criminal - not to mention rather stupid.

[finbar]

Apparently he's been at Treviso for over 12 months. I found this:

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s425/st108915.htm

I know more about Irish - having seen them quite a few times recently - than I do Perpignan, but if everyone is tipping Irish, Perpignan must be crap indeed.

[Havak]

The main thing is they simply don't seem to travel well.

Thanks for the link Finbar - I simply had no idea Will had done a 'Latham' to Coventry.

[finbar]

The team that doesn't travel well is an interesting phenomenon. There often seems to be a case to be argued for its existence, but I wonder whether it's just perception. What is it that would cause a team not to travel well?

[Havak]

Being French is the normal cause.

[finbar]

On that basis, I can see why some English clubs do travel well. I imagine I'd be in a hurry to escape places like Bath and Bristol ... and ... Leicester ...

[LDiCesare]

Nope; It's even worse for Perpignan. It's probably due to the fact they play home with a wind "à décorner les boeufs" so they have trouble adapting to other places.
Additionally, Perpignan tends to lose direct elimination matches for the sake of it.

The French players for the match against Scotland have been announced. Interestingly enough, there is noone from Perpignan, 7 players from Toulouse and 5 from Clermont. Only 2 from Paris, but 2 from Montpellier. This gives hints as to which sides are in shape right now.
It's an interesting side. Only half of the 22 played the World Cup. There are some young players, like Bourgoin's scrummy who's 19 (though I suppose he'll stay on the bench most of the match). We shall see how they play.