Match Thread: Leinster Rugby vs Biarritz Olympique, Saturday 27th April 14:30, SS1

tolosenc

Biarritz

Conters will be in the Final, so we need to get there. For him.

.ak

On the dort on the way in from Howth , weather is glorious!

griffinlee

Anyone know where I can see the match on in Liverpool? Its all football on in the bars....
Looking for a place and walking the streets!

Clearlier

griffinlee wrote: »

Anyone know where I can see the match on in Liverpool? Its all football on in the bars....
Looking for a place and walking the streets!

A quick google brought up this site. Good luck.

JRant

griffinlee wrote: »

Anyone know where I can see the match on in Liverpool? Its all football on in the bars....
Looking for a place and walking the streets!

There's an irish bar in the Liverpool One shopping district that'll definitely be showing it.

Clearlier

A quick and dirty translation from L'Equipe's preview of the game:

Last season Biarritz failing to qualify for the knock out stages of the European cup wound up in the Amlin which they ended up winning thus getting into this season's European cup via the back door. Twelve months later they find themselves in the same position. But, this time they have Leinster in their way. And the triple European Champions, also eliminated without reaching the quarter finals of the European cup have serious ambitions for this trophy not least because they play the semi-final and the final in their home ground. "We're the underdogs which suits us" said Imanol Harinordoquy on Thursday as Biarritz were preparing to leave for the Irish capital. Because at Biarritz we don't kid ourselves. Leinster are huge favourites. Beside him, Laurent Rodriguez, forwards trainer says that "Everybody says that we're going to get hammered and in those cases Biarritz has always stood up to be counted"

The holders of the European cup against the holders of the Amlin is a nice game, "Them, they're the Irish team, but us we're not the French team" comments Harinordouy about the Irish province, who even if they will miss D'Arcy and O'Brien do see the return of their kicker and outhalf Sexton. "We've told the players that this will be played at the level of an international match" adds Rodriguez referring to the Leinster team which contains 8 of the Irish team that faced France on the 9th of March last at the Aviva. They will be a difficult opponent.

"FOr us, it's a mountain, a much stronger team than us" insists Harinordoquy, "we will have to raise our game to their level to compete". Because, outside of the men, it's the Leinster style which Biarritz fear. To his side Arnaud Heguy notes "It'll be a battle up front, if we can front up we can hope to beat them but they can cut loose at any stage".

For Harinordoquy who sees Leinster as a "steamroller", Biarritz have to rise above themselves "We must win the individual battles or we will be demolished". Since their debut in the European Cup, Biarritz and Leinster have met 3 times in Leinster. At the pool stages in 2000 and 2003 and in the spring of 2003 in the quarter final. 3 times Leinster have won. 10 years later there is a different context. We're well aware that this is the final goal for the season, the most important match of the season" concludes Heguy. Because if Biarritz loses on Saturday they will not take part in the European cup next season. For the first time since the 2000/2001 season and their arrival among the greats.

trouttrout

Anyone else think Biarritz are being slightly underrated here? They've got a lot to play for and if the likes of Hairydonkey and Yachvilli get going there could be a shock on the cards

trouttrout

trouttrout wrote: »

Anyone else think Biarritz are being slightly underrated here? They've got a lot to play for and if the likes of Hairydonkey and Yachvilli get going there could be a shock on the cards

I'm on Biarrtz to be the handicap. Think 7 points is the fair line.

Dean Ryan's analysis of Sexton / Madigan / D'Arcy was absolutely top class there in the build up.

Lets get him involved if/when Joe goes!

opinionatedfan

not that confident about this considering we are at home, also skys little montage about johnny makes me realize how much i'm going to miss that guy in blue.

errlloyd

Biarritz

I genuinely believe biarritz buy into the idea of Europe and will fight to be part of the hcup every day of the week.

thomond2006

Deleted User wrote: »

Dean Ryan's analysis of Sexton / Madigan / D'Arcy was absolutely top class there in the build up.

Lets get him involved if/when Joe goes!

He'll be the DOR at Worcester next season.

Irlandczyk

Biarritz

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere on the forums, but as far as I was aware, the biggest problem with Madigan's game was that he doesn't link up as well with players around him as well as Sexton, and it was something he had to work on before he could really step up as a starting 10. I don't know as much about Rugby as most on this forum, but I was under the impression that one of the 12's main functions was to provide a link between the 10 and 13 and wingers, so I'm a little confused by Madigan being chosen at 12. Or am I completely wrong? Thoughts? I'd be happily wrong on this one.

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

He'll be the DOR at Worcester next season.

aye, but if contracts were worth their weight Joe will still be at Leinster next season... :pac:

errlloyd

Biarritz

Oh Refcam good news. Mark Robson, less good news.

irishbucsfan

Ref cam?

errlloyd

Biarritz

The referee will be wearing a video camera on his chest. I've seen it in England and super rugby. Interesting angles, only good for replays once or twice a game.

Burgo

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ref cam?

camera on the refs chest. used in the s15. only really seen it at scrum time.

Yamanoto

Ah ****...

Mark Robson on Sky :mad:

Pudsy33

What a glorious day for a European semifinal.

ugh, should have flown home.

Artful_Badger

Biarritz

Looking forward to this, couldnt ask for a better day.

irishbucsfan

Kearney does that too often for my liking

opinionatedfan

ref cam aaaaaaaaah

opinionatedfan

GET IN

Irlandczyk

Biarritz

What a try!! Heaslip!

irishbucsfan

Fantastic!

errlloyd

Biarritz

Lovely.

A-Train

What a well worked line out move! Great start!

Burgo

Brilliant Stuff! oh man what a run from Isa, gonna miss him so much

thomond2006

Good try

Artful_Badger

Biarritz

Who got the shunt in the back ? Was it Madigan ?

ThisRegard

Biarritz

opinionatedfan wrote: »

ref cam aaaaaaaaah

I like it.

KERSPLAT!

Biarritz

Get in!!!

kevohmsford

Biarritz

Great try finished by Heaslip

kevohmsford

Biarritz

Sexton with the 2 points. Nice start.

CoDy1

what a move, what a try!

Big Nelly

Biarritz

Who kicked out at Madigan on the ground???

opinionatedfan

damn mad dog

irishbucsfan

Nice bit of niggle now

wha?!?!

Burgo

Who went flying in with the fist there?

Hersheys

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Nice bit of niggle now

That beardy feck should be taking 10 mins to calm down.

Bad miss by Johnny

opinionatedfan

horrible connection

Big Nelly

Biarritz

Sexton has had 1 bad kick which sneaked over and 1 terrible kick.....

thomond2006

yikes

iroced

Biarritz

Game over.

I said it long before and this early try just kills all Biarritz hope. Leinster machine is on. Biarritz off...

no tryy

opinionatedfan

great covering

Big Nelly

Biarritz

Held up!!