Guinness Pro12 2015/2016 Season thread

.ak

Hmm, so I think my predictions for the top 3 are;

Connacht finish on 76
Leinster 74
Glasgow 72
Ulster 66

Should be an interesting set of semis! Glasgow will be gunning for a home final so I really don't fancy taking them on, but in a full rds it should be a great game.

Bazzo

.ak wrote: »

Hmm, so I think my predictions for the top 3 are;

Connacht finish on 76
Leinster 74
Glasgow 72
Ulster 66

Should be an interesting set of semis! Glasgow will be gunning for a home final so I really don't fancy taking them on, but in a full rds it should be a great game.

I'd say 74,75 or 77 are all more likely than 76 for Connacht, treviso wil surely be a 5 pointer.

.ak

Bazzo wrote: »

I'd say 74,75 or 77 are all more likely than 76 for Connacht, treviso wil surely be a 5 pointer.

It's away from home and I can't help but think Treviso will put up a fight in their last game and Connacht may struggle to get a BP. So 8 points from the two game, but yeah potentially 77 but it won't make a deference. They just need two wins and I can't see Leinster beating Ulster.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

It's away from home and I can't help but think Treviso will put up a fight in their last game and Connacht may struggle to get a BP. So 8 points from the two game, but yeah potentially 77 but it won't make a deference. They just need two wins and I can't see Leinster beating Ulster.

Treviso better not put up a fight in their last game. That's against us!

Zebre could do everyone a favour and beat Glasgow. Puts Zebre out of contention for Eurelegation and Glasgow out of contention for that home semi!

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Treviso better not put up a fight in their last game. That's against us!

Zebre could do everyone a favour and beat Glasgow. Puts Zebre out of contention for Eurelegation and Glasgow out of contention for that home semi!

Sorry, is it they're home game then?

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

Sorry, is it they're home game then?

Connacht travel to Treviso next week and then Treviso make the trip up to Dublin the week after.

Glasgow play Zebre in the interim.

A tough finish for the Italians.

Bazzo

.ak wrote: »

It's away from home and I can't help but think Treviso will put up a fight in their last game and Connacht may struggle to get a BP. So 8 points from the two game, but yeah potentially 77 but it won't make a deference. They just need two wins and I can't see Leinster beating Ulster.

Even tight games against the Italians tend to be scorefests though. When they kick it up a notch their defence doesn't tighten that much, they just seem to score more.

irishbucsfan

Amos is such a difference make for the Dragons

irishbucsfan

Looks like Cardiff will miss out on a bonus point, so just 4 points for them. Good news for Munster, could be crucial in the Battle for Seventh

Rigor Mortis

.ak wrote: »

Hmm, so I think my predictions for the top 3 are;

Connacht finish on 76
Leinster 74
Glasgow 72
Ulster 66

Should be an interesting set of semis! Glasgow will be gunning for a home final so I really don't fancy taking them on, but in a full rds it should be a great game.

Definitely prefer to take on Glasgow in the RDS rather than Edinburgh. I think we will end up playing them either way.

thomond2006

Leinster 68
Connacht 68
Glasgow 66
Ulster 60
Scarlets 58
Edinburgh 53
Munster 53
Cardiff 52
Ospreys 49
Dragons 26
Zebre 19
Treviso 16

Leinster: Ulster (A), Treviso (H)

Connacht: Treviso (A), Glasgow (H)

Glasgow: Zebre (H), Connacht (A)

Ulster: Leinster (H), Ospreys (A)

Scarlets: Dragons (N), Munster (A)

Edinburgh: Munster (A), Cardiff (H)

Munster: Edinburgh (H), Scarlets (H)

Cardiff: Ospreys (N), Edinburgh (A)

Glasgow and Connacht will pick up full points in Round 21 to put the pressure on Leinster for the top 2 spots. Ospreys season is more or less over so you'd expect Cardiff to win at the Principality Stadium. Scarlets should beat Dragons. With a trip to Ospreys on the final day, I think Ulster will need to beat Leinster to make the Top 4. Munster vs Edinburgh is simply huge. Edinburgh's 38 point advantage in points differential could be crucial.

As good as Connacht's recent form has been, Glasgow have been on fire and they completely dismantled a decent Scarlets team. Right now I'd back Glasgow to win in Galway.

MarinersBlues

Pos Team Current R21 R22 Total
Zebre (h) Connacht (a)
1 Glasgow 66 5 4 75
Ulster (a) Treviso (h)
2 Leinster 68 1 5 74
Treviso (a) Glasgow (h)
3 Connacht 68 5 1 74
Leinster (h) Ospreys (a)
4 Ulster 60 4 1 65
Dragons (a) Munster (a)
5 Scarlets 58 4 1 63
Edin (h) Scarlets (h)
6 Munster 53 4 4 61
Munster (a) Blues (h)
7 Edinburgh 53 1 4 58
Blues (a) Ulster (h)
8 Ospreys 49 4 4 57
Ospreys(h) Edinbrugh (a)
9 Blues 52 1 1 54




Munster will have to up their game if they are going to win those two games.
Glasgow and Connacht's season will be decided in Galway in the last round.
Leinster v Ulster and Munster v Edinburgh are the ones to watch next week.

oneofakind32

MarinersBlues wrote: »

Pos Team Current R21 R22 Total
Zebre (h) Connacht (a)
1 Glasgow 66 5 4 75
Ulster (a) Treviso (h)
2 Leinster 68 1 5 74
Treviso (a) Glasgow (h)
3 Connacht 68 5 1 74
Leinster (h) Ospreys (a)
4 Ulster 60 4 1 65
Dragons (a) Munster (a)
5 Scarlets 58 4 1 63
Edin (h) Scarlets (h)
6 Munster 53 4 4 61
Munster (a) Blues (h)
7 Edinburgh 53 1 4 58
Blues (a) Ulster (h)
8 Ospreys 49 4 4 57
Ospreys(h) Edinbrugh (a)
9 Blues 52 1 1 54




Munster will have to up their game if they are going to win those two games.
Glasgow and Connacht's season will be decided in Galway in the last round.
Leinster v Ulster and Munster v Edinburgh are the ones to watch next week.

As a Connacht fan I will be hoping that Leinster miss out on the LBP up in Raven Hill, which I could see happening. I also think that on a dry day in Galway, Glasgow and Connacht could be a try fest, Connacht could come out with 2 bonus points which would also be enough to squeeze out Leinster.

BrokenMan

oneofakind32 wrote: »

As a Connacht fan I will be hoping that Leinster miss out on the LBP up in Raven Hill, which I could see happening. I also think that on a dry day in Galway, Glasgow and Connacht could be a try fest, Connacht could come out with 2 bonus points which would also be enough to squeeze out Leinster.

Leinster get nothing in Ulster.
Connacht and Glasgow get a TBP each in a drawn game.
Internet explodes with conspiracy theories.

oneofakind32

BrokenMan wrote: »

Leinster get nothing in Ulster.
Connacht and Glasgow get a TBP each in a drawn game.
Internet explodes with conspiracy theories.

Try fest, 3 points a piece, home semis all round. Everyone goes home happy!

awec

Think it's unlikely that Leinster leave Ravenhill empty handed.

Zzippy

awec wrote: »

Think it's unlikely that Leinster leave Ravenhill empty handed.

If ye nail down the furniture and hide the valuables they might!

irishbucsfan

Ashley Beck has re-signed with Ospreys. A good player with a horrific injury record. I had thought he was moving on

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ashley Beck has re-signed with Ospreys. A good player with a horrific injury record. I had thought he was moving on

There's a player I'd love at Munster.

Adbrowne

thomond2006 wrote: »

There's a player I'd love at Munster.

He could keep Bleyendaal company

Buer

awec wrote: »

Think it's unlikely that Leinster leave Ravenhill empty handed.

Reckon Ulster will sneak it. They've got a couple of big players back from injury at the right time, allowing them a little match fitness. They've got a confidence boosting result last week also.

Leinster are doing well enough but look sloppy in defence when the ball is moved quickly and their shape is forced to adjust. Ulster have guys who can change the point of attack quickly and are going to ask questions.

I'll take a LBP at this moment which (along with a BP win against Treviso) will ensure the home semi.

Spot the cute hoors

errlloyd

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ashley Beck has re-signed with Ospreys. A good player with a horrific injury record. I had thought he was moving on

Criminally underrated

.ak

Yeah I'm a massive fan. A proper centre. Ospreys have actually been blessed with good centres.

It's a pity injuries have held him back, and he's not big enough to play Warrenball.

Zzippy

.ak wrote: »

Yeah I'm a massive. A proper centre. Ospreys have actually been blessed with good centres.

It's a pity injuries have held him back, and he's not big enough to play Warrenball.

I thought you were a little skinny winger?

Buer

errlloyd wrote: »

Criminally underrated

Is he? Has a handful of caps, has been injured for most of the last 2 years and Wales have had 2 or 3 of the best centres in Europe available ahead of him in the shape of Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies.

I would say that the majority of people that follow the Pro12 rate the guy very highly.

.ak

Zzippy wrote: »

I thought you were a little skinny winger?

Why, thanks for noticing!

Buer

.ak wrote: »

he's not big enough to play Warrenball.

He's deceptively big. Reminds me of Will Greenwood or Jauzion. People see the slippery, elusive lines but he's certainly big enough to suit Gatland.

Ospreys website has him down as 6'3" and 103kg which is bigger than Scott Williams and fractionally lighter than Davies.

He's too deft for Warrenball. Not too small.

irishbucsfan

Beck is suited for Gatland/Howley. But he needs to be fit if he's going to crack that side which is extremely unlikely.

He's not as good as Roberts and he can only play 12 but if he gets past his injury issues and gets regular gametime he'll improve and would be a very strong candidate.

jacothelad

Buer wrote: »

Reckon Ulster will sneak it. They've got a couple of big players back from injury at the right time, allowing them a little match fitness. They've got a confidence boosting result last week also.

Leinster are doing well enough but look sloppy in defence when the ball is moved quickly and their shape is forced to adjust. Ulster have guys who can change the point of attack quickly and are going to ask questions.

I'll take a LBP at this moment which (along with a BP win against Treviso) will ensure the home semi.

Ulster's forwards will be eaten alive by Leinster's. The injuries to Herbst, Tuohy, O'Connor, Williams just makes an already weakish pack cannon fodder. Henderson, Henry and Black have been shadows of themselves so far this season. I can't see how Ulster will win enough fast ball to do anything of note. I doubt they will even get a losing bonus point. A full side with no injuries and playing to form would be o.k. What we see week in and out is a parody of what they should be. Munster fans are up in arms about Foley. Ulster fans have been endlessly decrying the nepotism and jobs for the boys that has sunk Ulster year on year since 2006.

CatFromHue

So we're all agreed, both sides will lose.

Zzippy

CatFromHue wrote: »

So we're all agreed, both sides will lose.

Yep, and if you could both do it without LBPs, that would be great.

Regards

Connacht, Scarlets, Munster, Edinburgh

4 tries each in a lovely draw.

6 match points shared.

Grand

jacothelad

What's the odds on Lacey being the ref? I suppose I should have used a spoiler on that in case Awec reads it. I'm just preparing myself in advance. Of course it could be one of the other Irish ref's. They are all pretty woeful.

Adbrowne

jacothelad wrote: »

What's the odds on Lacey being the ref? I suppose I should have used a spoiler on that in case Awec reads it. I'm just preparing myself in advance. Of course it could be one of the other Irish ref's. They are all pretty woeful.

Lacey is cloning himself so he can be both TJs and the TMO too.

awec

For the Ulster match?

Lacey always gets landed with Leinster Ulster.

phog

From Twitter

chris jones ‏@chrisjones51 10m ago

Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Mike Blair,35, has retired from playing with immediate effect and will take up a new coaching role at the club

Update on his retirement

RugbyInsideLine ‏@RugbyInsideLine 10m10 minutes ago
Mike Blair announced his immediate retirement this morning. Another casualty from concussion...

errlloyd

I'll always remeber how good he was when Scotland beat France in 06

phog

Pat Howard has signed for NGD

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Pat Howard has signed for NGD

He's not even on Northampton's squad page anymore. Strange. I don't think he ever made an appearance for them?

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

He's not even on Northampton's squad page anymore. Strange. I don't think he ever made an appearance for them?

No idea about what happened him at Saints but he's a damn fine player. I'd take him back at Munster.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

No idea about what happened him at Saints but he's a damn fine player. I'd take him back at Munster.

On a Saints forum they are asking the same question, looks like he only ever played for their A team. I'd take him back at Munster over Saili right now. He's a good signing for NGD's level.

irishbucsfan

65,000 tickets sold now for Judgement Day in the milennium stadium. A real chance at a sellout.

Hopefully a great sign that Welsh rugby is turning a corner.

bilston

irishbucsfan wrote: »

65,000 tickets sold now for Judgement Day in the milennium stadium. A real chance at a sellout.

Hopefully a great sign that Welsh rugby is turning a corner.

Good news.

Obviously Jonathan Davies is coming back next season which is great news. Any other decent signings for the regions?

Any high profile losses?

One of the best things that could happen to the regions (well the Ospreys anyway) is that Swansea City get relegated from the EPL!

errlloyd

irishbucsfan wrote: »

65,000 tickets sold now for Judgement Day in the milennium stadium. A real chance at a sellout.

Hopefully a great sign that Welsh rugby is turning a corner.

Surely their worst domestic season ever?

irishbucsfan

errlloyd wrote: »

Surely their worst domestic season ever?

They could end up with two teams in the Champions Cup, that would be a pretty decent outcome, and Scarlets could even be in contention for the Pro 12.

A poor season but it does seem there's a lot of positivity growing.

errlloyd

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They could end up with two teams in the Champions Cup, that would be a pretty decent outcome, and Scarlets could even be in contention for the Pro 12.

A poor season but it does seem there's a lot of positivity growing.

Do you think the Welsh would benefit most from a Cardiff revival. Capital based club with strong potential marketing and a good stadium location. They have great players. They just need to get it together again.

Bazzo

bilston wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

65,000 tickets sold now for Judgement Day in the milennium stadium. A real chance at a sellout.

Hopefully a great sign that Welsh rugby is turning a corner.

Good news.

Obviously Jonathan Davies is coming back next season which is great news. Any other decent signings for the regions?

Any high profile losses?

One of the best things that could happen to the regions (well the Ospreys anyway) is that Swansea City get relegated from the EPL!

Faletau going to Bath off the top of my head.

irishbucsfan

errlloyd wrote: »

Do you think the Welsh would benefit most from a Cardiff revival. Capital based club with strong potential marketing and a good stadium location. They have great players. They just need to get it together again.

I don't think it really matters which of Llanelli/Cardiff/Ospreys do it.

What they could really do with is two of them and a bit of a rivalry growing locally.