Pro12 final buildup

thomond2006

So let's dive into this one, Matawalu style...

Murray has an MCL injury, it's not thought to be serious but it's very unlikely he will be available. Zebo is following RTA protocols and POM, who was pretty quiet against Ospreys, is managing a hip flexor problem.

Given the Ulster reaction to the semi-final defeat, our Northern brothers will be firmly behind Munster so the atmosphere should be very pro-Munster! Not that it wouldn't be anyway I'm sure.

Peregrine

Glasgow

Made me chuckle a bit

Buer

Glasgow

That's a pretty poor promo!

total former

Glasgow

Glasgow are going to have their own injury issues I'd say; Kellock left very early, Fusaro too and Stuart Hogg really didn't look comfortable. Would be a shame if the final was denied some of the best players.

buck65

Glasgow

Would we shout for Ulster in Thomond Park? I'm not sure think most neutrals would like to see the Cup go to a Scottish team, in fairness they need it a bit more than we do with the game in the doldrums there.
Glasgow have been fantastic for this league the past few seasons and the atmosphere at the semi was brilliant to see. I would be shouting for them if it wasn't against Munster.

total former

Glasgow

I think Munster will win this, btw. Glasgow just haven't impressed the last two weeks; the Ulster B-team had them on the ropes and the first team should have closed it out on Friday. If Munster can be more clinical than they were on Saturday, cut out all the missed tackles and presumably Keatley won't have the same nightmare he had, then I think they'll win.

Murray is a big loss but in fairness Williams did very well. Zebo didn't play well IMO so they'll cope without him but they really need POM to be firing fit.

I think the home crowd will be 100% behind Munster. Or more correctly, 100% against Glasgow...

Korat

I hope Munster win but I'd be fearful for them. Too many flakey backs and Glasgow are a good team. Matawalu might have been the bogey man against Ulster but his antics didn't decide the game. Glasgow hung on in there even when being dominated and outplayed. Hopefully there'll be a thrilling finale after two great semis, with an Irish team winning again.

awec

buck65 wrote: »

Would we shout for Ulster in Thomond Park? I'm not sure think most neutrals would like to see the Cup go to a Scottish team, in fairness they need it a bit more than we do with the game in the doldrums there.
Glasgow have been fantastic for this league the past few seasons and the atmosphere at the semi was brilliant to see. I would be shouting for them if it wasn't against Munster.

Any Ulster fans there (of which there will be many) will want Glasgow soundly beaten.

thomond2006

total former wrote: »

but they really need POM to be firing fit.

I don't think POM has been 100% for a while. He was quiet against Ospreys and is probably playing through it until he can rest up in the summer.

vienne86

Glasgow

Well I'll be shouting for Munster. It might be good for the league if Glasgow were to win, but I think Munster are the better team - I just hope they play well enough to win.

phog

Tickets sorted so were making a day trip out it, will be wrecked from the drive but couldn't miss out on the final.

My first trip back to Ravenhill since 2007 hope we have a similar result.

ThisRegard

I'd be cheering for Munster anyway but wouldn't have minded seeing Glasgow win, but now I think Matawalu will have most neutrals cheering against them.

vienne86

Glasgow

ThisRegard wrote: »

I'd be cheering for Munster anyway but wouldn't have minded seeing Glasgow win, but now I think Matawalu will have most neutrals cheering against them.

He has really got under everyone's skin, including mine, but there are 22 other players in the matchday squad.

ThisRegard

vienne86 wrote: »

He has really got under everyone's skin, including mine, but there are 22 other players in the matchday squad.

Yeah, I made the same point in the match day thread myself.

awec

phog wrote: »

Tickets sorted so were making a day trip out it, will be wrecked from the drive but couldn't miss out on the final.

My first trip back to Ravenhill since 2007 hope we have a similar result.

Limerick to Belfast in a day trip is serious dedication.

Should have stayed overnight phog! Get out on the town after the game for some chats with the lovely women of Belfast.

Buer

Glasgow

awec wrote: »

Limerick to Belfast in a day trip is serious dedication.

Tis quicker than you think now with Newland's Cross sorted. Don't hang around and you'd do it in 3 hours 30mins.

vienne86

Glasgow

Buer wrote: »

Tis quicker than you think now with Newland's Cross sorted. Don't hang around and you'd do it in 3 hours 30mins.

It's still a lot of driving - fair play to you. Hope you have a brilliant day in Belfast!

phog

awec wrote: »

Limerick to Belfast in a day trip is serious dedication.

Should have stayed overnight phog! Get out on the town after the game for some chats with the lovely women of Belfast.

Simply put, couldn't afford it as I'd be paying for at least three and possibly 4 adults.

We can share the driving. Still a long day but doable, just hope it's worth it.

As an aside - I bought West Terrace tickets @ £29.50 per ticket which amounted to €42.50 per ticket

sydthebeat

Glasgow

ouch

irishbucsfan

The exchange rate is mad at the moment. You can only imagine the nightmare the Irish/French/SH clubs are having to deal with in competing with the British clubs this summer.

Hopefully we'll see Munster score a bit of justice for that on the weekend!

awec

phog wrote: »

Simply put, couldn't afford it as I'd be paying for at least three and possibly 4 adults.

We can share the driving. Still a long day but doable, just hope it's worth it.

As an aside - I bought West Terrace tickets @ £29.50 per ticket which amounted to €42.50 per ticket

Yea every time I go home now it costs me an absolute fortune.

You will not do it in 3.5 hours like Buer said. It's about 2 hours 20 from Clare to Dublin, and then about another 2 from Dublin to Belfast. You are probably closer to 4.5 than 3.5.

If you get up early before the game then the Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road is a popular rugby bar.

Ravenhill sells Murphys too rather than Guinness which will probably please all you Munster ones.

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The exchange rate is mad at the moment. You can only imagine the nightmare the Irish/French/SH clubs are having to deal with in competing with the British clubs this summer.

Hopefully we'll see Munster score a bit of justice for that on the weekend!

It really hit home to me when I was in London for Toulon/Clermont.

Cookiemunster

Glasgow

awec wrote: »

Yea every time I go home now it costs me an absolute fortune.

You will not do it in 3.5 hours like Buer said. It's about 2 hours 20 from Clare to Dublin, and then about another 2 from Dublin to Belfast. You are probably closer to 4.5 than 3.5.

If you get up early before the game then the Errigle Inn on the Ormeau Road is a popular rugby bar.

Ravenhill sells Murphys too rather than Guinness which will probably please all you Munster ones.

AFAIK Phog is Limerick based. I usually do Limerick to Dublin airport in 1hr 50 pretty much sticking to the speed limit.

And only the Cork crowd drink Murphys

Buer

Glasgow

awec wrote: »

Yea every time I go home now it costs me an absolute fortune.

You will not do it in 3.5 hours like Buer said. It's about 2 hours 20 from Clare to Dublin, and then about another 2 from Dublin to Belfast. You are probably closer to 4.5 than 3.5.

You're using the accelerator, right?! :pac:

Phog is in Limerick, I believe. To Dublin is easily doable in under 2 hours and same for Dublin to Belfast.

Google Maps has Limerick to Ravenhill as 3 hours 49mins....no bother knocking a bit off that on the motorway.

phog

I'm actually living in Co Clare but only about 5 mins from Thomond Park, heading via O'Briensbridge I can be at the M50 in just about 2hrs.

I reckon I did the Belfast ferry from home in less than 4hrs a few years back but that was early in the morning.

Either way it's a long day but it is also doable.

Utah_Saint

Buer wrote: »

You're using the accelerator, right?! :pac:

Phog is in Limerick, I believe. To Dublin is easily doable in under 2 hours and same for Dublin to Belfast.

Google Maps has Limerick to Ravenhill as 3 hours 49mins....no bother knocking a bit off that on the motorway.

Dublin to Belfast 1h 40mins no problem...

merryberry

A bit off topic but if anyone knows a good spot to watch the match in Manhattan can ye let me know

phog

Will the Irish Open or the BH weekend here add extra traffic volumes on the road north on Saturday?

vienne86

Glasgow

phog wrote: »

Will the Irish Open or the BH weekend here add extra traffic volumes on the road north on Saturday?

The golfers would be heading up early, I would think. Also they will leave the motorway just after Newry. I wouldn't say they would affect you.

vienne86

Glasgow

Is the match only on Sky?

Cookiemunster

Glasgow

vienne86 wrote: »

Is the match only on Sky?

Also on TG4 and BBC2 Scotland.

.ak

merryberry wrote: »

A bit off topic but if anyone knows a good spot to watch the match in Manhattan can ye let me know

Couple of places... Dorian Gray in the east village, proper rugby spot and there's the Brass Monkey in the a West Village. Both owned by Irish fellas who are into their rugby.

There's also the mad hatter which Leinster usually recommend.

sydneybound

Glasgow with Matawalu scoring a last minute try with a swan dive

It seems like the some Glasgow folk are finding tickets difficult to come by. Are they already sold out?

awec

Loads of tickets were sold ages ago. I think each club gets tickets to sell to their supporters clubs or whatever, but I wouldn't fancy trying to buy one on general sale at this stage. If Munster weren't involved there'd probably be loads of tickets for sale, but I reckon a lot of Ulster fans will hold on to their tickets now.

aimee1

phog wrote: »

Will the Irish Open or the BH weekend here add extra traffic volumes on the road north on Saturday?

Newlands cross bypassed so m50 access is easier and traffic from there to the m1 will be very light on saturday. Friday evening will be the hectic time.

phog

POM declaring himself ready in today's Examiner. Still a doubt over Murray and Zebo will surely miss out too. ROM will probably step in for Zebo with Conway to the bench.

Podge_irl

I think they kept way too few tickets back for finalists.

Tomtom364

I wonder with Murray out (most likely) will Foley bring Sheridan/Cronin in to the bench,neither of which have featured in ages. Or will we see JJ and Tylor Blyndalhal both feature on the bench with Conway? Or perhaps even a 6/2 split on the bench with an extra backrower thrown in

Cookiemunster

Glasgow

Tomtom364 wrote: »

I wonder with Murray out (most likely) will Foley bring Sheridan/Cronin in to the bench,neither of which have featured in ages. Or will we see JJ and Tylor Blyndalhal both feature on the bench with Conway? Or perhaps even a 6/2 split on the bench with an extra backrower thrown in

Foley said yesterday that Sheridan will come onto the bench if Murray isn't fit.

Wang King

Glasgow

Zebo should be ok, can't see him not playing on Saturday

aimee1

Wang King wrote: »

Zebo should be ok, can't see him not playing on Saturday

Nigel said at the time he was knocked out. he should be left out

vienne86

Glasgow

Podge_irl wrote: »

I think they kept way too few tickets back for finalists.

I think at the time it was suggested that 2K were being held for each of the finalists.

Bassfish

Glasgow

Tickets and coach booked. Gonna be a long ass day leaving Cork at 9:30 and returning in the wee hours. Can't wait though. It being Paulie's last game will give Munster a huge drive to do it for him. Munster by 8-10 I reckon (optimistically) :-)

total former

Glasgow

Still tickets available, I think the Pro12 did a great job on this tbh.

sydneybound

Glasgow with Matawalu scoring a last minute try with a swan dive

Podge_irl wrote: »

I think they kept way too few tickets back for finalists.

I bet their delighted they were sold in the first place. A sell out means money whoever is playing.

Fireball07

Glasgow

Williams did well when he came on the last day but Murray brings so much to the Munster team, including leadership and control of the backline; Keatley tends to play better outside him.

I think we'll win but if Murray is out, I may have to revise that.

Mahatma Geansai

Fireball07 wrote: »

Williams did well when he came on the last day but Murray brings so much to the Munster team, including leadership and control of the backline; Keatley tends to play better outside him.

I think we'll win but if Murray is out, I may have to revise that.

Regardless of how Williams plays, Murray will be a huge loss; he would be a huge loss to pretty much any side in the world. His kicking game and range of passing from the base alone are essential to how Munster (and Ireland) play.

CatFromHue

Glasgow

I'd be surprised if Murray is fit. Just watching that tackle again and it looked like it could have done some damage.

I am no doctor of course though but I am worried for him.

phog

Heading to Belfast, here's a pack that might be helpful.

neiliog93

Glasgow with Matawalu scoring a last minute try with a swan dive

If Munster can keep up the frenzied close in carries and intensity that destroyed Leinster this season and the Ospreys in patches, they'll win. My issue is that they've generally only done it inconsistently within games, and if the Ospreys could punish them in their 'off' patches then Glasgow definitely can - the most dangerous attacking team in the league. I also think Glasgow's defence is superior to the Ospreys. They've been knocking on the door so long that I can see them sneaking it, a la the semi-final last year.

Cookiemunster

Glasgow

neiliog93 wrote: »

If Munster can keep up the frenzied close in carries and intensity that destroyed Leinster this season and the Ospreys in patches, they'll win. My issue is that they've generally only done it inconsistently within games, and if the Ospreys could punish them in their 'off' patches then Glasgow definitely can - the most dangerous attacking team in the league. I also think Glasgow's defence is superior to the Ospreys. They've been knocking on the door so long that I can see them sneaking it, a la the semi-final last year.

Actually Munster are the most dangerous attacking team in the league. Most trys scored in the regular season with 68 (5 more than Glasgow), plus 3 more last weekend. When it comes to defence the stats say that Ospreys were the best with the least trys and points conceded, followed by Munster, followed by Glasgow.
Remember that Glasgow were battered by Ospreys 3 weeks ago and were lucky to beat Ulster.
Cut out the defensive brainfarts and improve the kicking and Munster will win.