RaboDirectPRO12 Race to Playoffs 2012/13

decisions

Ospreys

Ospreys scored 3 tries according to the UR app.

lologram

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ospreys 62

---

Scarlets 62

REMAINING FIXTURES
OSPREYS: Glasgow (A), Leinster (A)

SCARLETS: Cardiff (H), Treviso (H)

You'd have to think that the Scarlets will be the ones in 4th spot rather than the Ospreys come the end of the season based on those runs-in.

bilston

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ulster 71
Leinster 68
Glasgow 67
Ospreys 62

---

Scarlets 62
Munster 48
Treviso 39*
Cardiff 38
Connacht 36*
Edinburgh 32
Dragons 23
Zebre 9

*game in hand: Treviso vs Connacht

REMAINING FIXTURES

ULSTER: Connacht (A), Cardiff (H)

LEINSTER: Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

GLASGOW: Ospreys (H), Connacht (A)

OSPREYS: Glasgow (A), Leinster (A)

SCARLETS: Cardiff (H), Treviso (H)

So three big games coming up IMO

Connacht v Ulster
Glasgow v Ospreys
Leinster v Ospreys

Those matches will ultimately decide the make up of the top 4.

The other games should go to form.

I think the semi final line up will be:

ULSTER V SCARLETS
LEINSTER V GLASGOW

Hopefully that will lead to an all Irish final at Ravenhill in what could be a stonker of an end to the domestic season. Still I'm getting ahead of myself there is still a bit to go.

.ak

If it is a all Irish final it won't be in Ravenhill... Unless those stands build themselves quicker...

jacothelad

.ak wrote: »

If it is a all Irish final it won't be in Ravenhill... Unless those stands build themselves quicker...

Apparently they will be ready......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

decisions

Ospreys

Was the original plan to have them done for the HC 1/4s?

andrewdcs

Munster

.ak wrote: »

If it is a all Irish final it won't be in Ravenhill... Unless those stands build themselves quicker...

Could they not go temp. seat etc. to get to 18000 ?


Oh for old school stands / a rugby kop.

.ak

jacothelad wrote: »

Apparently they will be ready......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

I have a hi-vis vest and a hard hat if you wanna borrow them....

jacothelad

.ak wrote: »

I have a hi-vis vest and a hard hat if you wanna borrow them....

I should add that of course the completion is weather dependent to a certain degree. Also, Shane Logan said that the IRFU would have a say on where an all-Irish final would be held. So - even if it is ready and Ulster earn home advantage it may still mean they have to play away from home.... which would be rather unwelcome I'd say.

bilston

jacothelad wrote: »

I should add that of course the completion is weather dependent to a certain degree. Also, Shane Logan said that the IRFU would have a say on where an all-Irish final would be held. So - even if it is ready and Ulster earn home advantage it may still mean they have to play away from home.... which would be rather unwelcome I'd say.

So Ulster could finish first, Leinster could finish second. We could meet in the final and be forced to play it in Dublin? Sorry but that would be another grievance to add your list that you posted on Uafc the other day. Anyway no point worrying about it until it comes to pass.

errlloyd

Munster

Can someone clarify what happens if the top seed loses their home SF. Does the team they play (fourth place) then get a home final?

thomond2006

Ospreys

errlloyd wrote: »

Can someone clarify what happens if the top seed loses their home SF. Does the team they play (fourth place) then get a home final?

no

If 4th beats 1st, then the winner between 2nd and 3rd hosts the final.

errlloyd

Munster

So there is a decent chance at a Rabo final in the Aviva either way.

I don't think there is much for Ulster fans to fear from a Rabo final in Dublin. If ye get your larger allocation judging by Edinburgh last year you'll have no trouble sending down 30,000 fans and making a lot of noise.

jamiedav2011

errlloyd wrote: »

So there is a decent chance at a Rabo final in the Aviva either way.

I don't think there is much for Ulster fans to fear from a Rabo final in Dublin. If ye get your larger allocation judging by Edinburgh last year you'll have no trouble sending down 30,000 fans and making a lot of noise.

Don't think Leinster will play the final at the Aviva if we get there. Haven't done it for past two home finals anyway.

CatFromHue

Ospreys

We won't know who has the home final for the Rabo until after the SF's have been played, which is 2 weeks before the final itself.

Having an Irish 1, 2 in the league doesn't mean we'll get an Irish home final as both could lose.

There is nothing on in the Aviva the weekend of the Final but logistically it could be difficult to arrange ticketing and do the set up for the Rabo if the Aviva is chosen.

From the Rabo website:
3.7. The RaboDirect PRO12 Final is provisionally scheduled to take place on the weekend of 26/7th MAY. RaboDirect PRO12 will determine the venue for the RaboDirect PRO12 Final however the Team that finished highest in the league stage competing in the Final will be able to propose a venue within its own Union's jurisdiction (which may include the team's own ground) to host the RaboDirect PRO12 Final, provided that the venue meets certain commercial criteria and has capacity for a minimum of 18,000 spectators.
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/statzone/competition_rules.php

.ak

jacothelad wrote: »

I should add that of course the completion is weather dependent to a certain degree. Also, Shane Logan said that the IRFU would have a say on where an all-Irish final would be held. So - even if it is ready and Ulster earn home advantage it may still mean they have to play away from home.... which would be rather unwelcome I'd say.

Sure it could be in Thomond yet!

bilston

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Don't think Leinster will play the final at the Aviva if we get there. Haven't done it for past two home finals anyway.

If Leinster are top seeds then I'm sure they will play it at the RDS but the point is if Ulster finish ahead of Leinster in the league and the two meet in the final the IRFU might force it to be held at the Aviva if Ravenhill isn't ready. It certainly wouldnt be at the RDS in that scenario.

errlloyd

Munster

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Don't think Leinster will play the final at the Aviva if we get there. Haven't done it for past two home finals anyway.

I think we might if it was all Irish and not in a H/Cup year for us.

Like last year we had a home quarter in the Aviva and an awful lot of people who travelled to Twickers, this year it is our prime fixture. And if we can count on half the stadium being Ulster fans it'd be excellent.

Anyway if the IRFU have the call its up to whether or not they think they can market it. Lets hope some genius decides to go for 15 euro tickets, 25 on premium level and pints at 3:00 to get the place rocking.

totallegend

Ospreys

bilston wrote: »

If Leinster are top seeds then I'm sure they will play it at the RDS but the point is if Ulster finish ahead of Leinster in the league and the two meet in the final the IRFU might force it to be held at the Aviva if Ravenhill isn't ready. It certainly wouldnt be at the RDS in that scenario.

Would they get the crowd to justify the Aviva though?

How many can ravenhill accommodate right now?

errlloyd

Munster

Also I think the IRFU should make a call now that if it is all Irish it's in the Aviva. I think if Ulster are going to be forced to give up home we should be too even if by some miracle we top the league.

jacothelad

bilston wrote: »

So Ulster could finish first, Leinster could finish second. We could meet in the final and be forced to play it in Dublin? Sorry but that would be another grievance to add your list that you posted on Uafc the other day. Anyway no point worrying about it until it comes to pass.

Not grievances at all, just factual observations. Unless someone knows differently. As i said 88 representatiove games and none here. Go figure.

CatFromHue

Ospreys

errlloyd wrote: »

Also I think the IRFU should make a call now that if it is all Irish it's in the Aviva. I think if Ulster are going to be forced to give up home we should be too even if by some miracle we top the league.

Far too early for the IRFU to make a public statement about it, there's still 3 games left in the league!

jacothelad

totallegend wrote: »

Would they get the crowd to justify the Aviva though?

How many can ravenhill accommodate right now?

Two men and a wee boy at the minute. (Actually about 11,000. ish)

bilston

jacothelad wrote: »

Two men and a wee boy at the minute. (Actually about 11,000. ish)

If the two stands are completed though it will be 15,000 I think.

bilston

totallegend wrote: »

Would they get the crowd to justify the Aviva though?

How many can ravenhill accommodate right now?

I don't know but in such a scenario would you expect Ulster to have to play at the RDS! Surely it would go to Thomond but then thats probably just as bad for Ulster as its the other end of the country.

errlloyd

Munster

CatFromHue wrote: »

Far too early for the IRFU to make a public statement about it, there's still 3 games left in the league!

2 games left right? But I just mean make a call, have it in the minutes somewhere or draft a policy on it for this season. So its fairer.

CatFromHue

Ospreys

errlloyd wrote: »

2 games left right? But I just mean make a call, have it in the minutes somewhere or draft a policy on it for this season. So its fairer.

Yeah you're right it's only two games.

It would be bad PR for the IRFU to say anything until after the regular season games are up though, it could really come back and bite them.

tronic

Does anyone know which SF (1v4 or 2v3) is on Friday and which is on Saturday?

Podge_irl

tronic wrote: »

Does anyone know which SF (1v4 or 2v3) is on Friday and which is on Saturday?

I would imagine it will depend on who is in them.

jamiedav2011

tronic wrote: »

Does anyone know which SF (1v4 or 2v3) is on Friday and which is on Saturday?

Not decided yet afaik, but likely that Ulster's home semi will be on the Friday night I'd say, they tend to like Fri night under lights at Ravers.

awec

I'd say an Ulster v Leinster Rabo final would have a big enough crowd, would certainly justify the Aviva. I'm sure we would muster at least 15,000 alone, if not a lot more.

I'm probably one of the few who wouldn't mind seeing it there (cause I'll actually be able to go), in the hypothetical situation where we do get to the final.

bilston

awec wrote: »

I'd say an Ulster v Leinster Rabo final would have a big enough crowd, would certainly justify the Aviva. I'm sure we would muster at least 15,000 alone, if not a lot more.

I'm probably one of the few who wouldn't mind seeing it there (cause I'll actually be able to go), in the hypothetical situation where we do get to the final.

Yeah your views don't count on this matter awec!

awec

bilston wrote: »

Yeah your views don't count on this matter awec!

Sure when do they ever count?

damianmcr

If Ulster get to the final and they are allocated home im certain it will be at Ravenhill. I cant see them allowing it too be taken elsewhere no matter what.

Podge_irl

damianmcr wrote: »

If Ulster get to the final and they are allocated home im certain it will be at Ravenhill. I cant see them allowing it too be taken elsewhere no matter what.

As long as its finished! Its not, ultimately, their decision though. However if the upgrading is finished (and I'm amazed that is a possibility) then there is a very good chance of it being there I would think.

damianmcr

Humphreys was asked on Friday night and he said that the two end terraced areas should be finished before a potential final. Ulster are 100% determined to have any games at Ravenhill imo.

awec

Do the two end stands bring the capacity up to the 18000 mark?

jacothelad

awec wrote: »

Do the two end stands bring the capacity up to the 18000 mark?

I'm not sure. The finished ground will have 18,000 capacity but that will be after the old stand is replaced. It can't be filled to capacity at the moment because of the health and safety Nazi's saying that after 80+ years there aren't enough stairways in it. Mad stuff.

awec

jacothelad wrote: »

I'm not sure. The finished ground will have 18,000 capacity but that will be after the old stand is replaced. It can't be filled to capacity at the moment because of the health and safety Nazi's saying that after 80+ years there aren't enough stairways in it. Mad stuff.

This drives me crazy.

But yea, my point was even with the current bit of redevelopment complete would we even meet the requirements to host it?

jacothelad

awec wrote: »

This drives me crazy.

But yea, my point was even with the current bit of redevelopment complete would we even meet the requirements to host it?

Humphreys seems to think it will........ so hopefully he knows what he is talking about.

.ak

What other neutral venues could it be played at? Any GAA stadiums that could be used etc?

tolosenc

Munster

.ak wrote: »

What other neutral venues could it be played at?

The RDS? It's near Leinster's home ground at Donnybrook, but that shouldn't matter... :pac:

totallegend

Ospreys

.ak wrote: »

What other neutral venues could it be played at? Any GAA stadiums that could be used etc?

Nope, at the moment the GAA management only have the remit to use Croke Park for other sports. To use Casement Park or anywhere else would require a motion from GAA Congress next year...

bilston

Windsor Park it is then:)

Buer

bilston wrote: »

Windsor Park it is then:)

Only holds 13k currently due to H&S.

P_1

Buer wrote: »

Only holds 13k currently due to H&S.

Apparently the Oval in Belfast can hold 15k, a few temp seats could bump it up to the 18k. Ugly looking ground though.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/northern_ireland/belfast_oval.shtml

CIARAN_BOYLE

Munster

P_1 wrote: »

Apparently the Oval in Belfast can hold 15k, a few temp seats could bump it up to the 18k. Ugly looking ground though.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/northern_ireland/belfast_oval.shtml

Don't have a clue about the details but supposedly limited to 5K for H&S reasons.

wiki wrote:

Capacity 26,556 (5,056 safe capacity)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oval_(Belfast)

P_1

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Don't have a clue about the details but supposedly limited to 5K for H&S reasons.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oval_(Belfast)

H&S, two letters that I've learned to hate

CIARAN_BOYLE

Munster

P_1 wrote: »

H&S, two letters that I've learned to hate

I've been assured that they are even more terrifying when reversed in order ie. S&H

desertcircus

In fairness, of all the structures in the world to fall foul of health and safety standards, sports stadia are a pretty fair category. There's a long and unpleasant history of unsafe stadia being the site of tragedies..