Guinness Pro12 2015/2016 Season thread

jacothelad

molloyjh wrote: »

I'd also like to think that having guys like Sexton in camp all but permanently now will help the likes of Marsh etc develop that bit more. We also have to remember that it is still early days in the new coaches tenure.

I really, really hope that Ringrose doesn't get left out when the Ireland players come back. I hate the way goodish Irish players need to be about 35 before they get the pension while young guys rarely get a string of high level games upon which to get up to speed.

wp_rathead

Connacht win and Edinburgh lose- hup ya boy ya

thomond2006

Ospreys are 1-4 and 10 points off the playoffs, their only win being a three point victory at Treviso. They have quality Welsh internationals to come back into the side like AWJ and Biggar but it's a considerable gap to make up already and the loss of Rhys Webb for the season is a huge blow. Next week they have to go to Glasgow which could further extend the gap.

razorblunt

Bad loss for Edinburgh, they've been getting cocky though, brings them back down to earth with a bang.

wp_rathead

razorblunt wrote: »

Bad loss for Edinburgh, they've been getting cocky though, brings them back down to earth with a bang.

Connacht v Edinburgh now is the biggest game on next Saturday :pac:

razorblunt

wp_rathead wrote: »

Connacht v Edinburgh now is the biggest game on next Saturday :pac:

Munster in town then the week after, let's hope it's a bad fortnight.
Bought ,my ticket during the week for a group of 6, accidently bought the child special for a quid, that will be going to the youngest looking of the group.

shuffol

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This is already shaping up to be the most competitive season in the league's history imo. Glasgow have only won 2 of 5 and Edinburgh are looking much improved.

None of the Irish provinces should be taking European qualification for granted any more. Certainly Leinster or Ulster could easily have problems. Munster haven't played well but have managed 4/5. Not easy to predict how things will turn out.

A lot could depend on the ECC, given Leinster's group they could well find themselves out in the new year.

Evil_g

razorblunt wrote: »

Munster in town then the week after, let's hope it's a bad fortnight.

Huh?

[edit] Oh. Munster in Edinburgh, the week after Conn v Edin.

phog

While Munster hadn't many away with the WC, we've been missing the likes of Billy Holland and Denis Hurley through injury who would normally give us leadership and a bit of a lift when the lads are away with the Irish squad. In saying that it gave Foley the opportunity to try a few younger players and different combinations in the warm up games and the 5 Pro12 games.

Winning next week will be huge for us.

Zzippy

phog wrote: »

While Munster hadn't many away with the WC, we've been missing the likes of Billy Holland and Denis Hurley through injury who would normally give us leadership and a bit of a lift when the lads are away with the Irish squad. In saying that it gave Foley the opportunity to try a few younger players and different combinations in the warm up games and the 5 Pro12 games.

Winning next week will be huge for us.

With POM and TOD out will we see a lot more of O'Donoghue? Looks a great prospect, think he could really take his opportunity with the injuries...

sydneybound

Some win for Zebre, best result of the weekend if you ask me!

phog

Zzippy wrote: »

With POM and TOD out will we see a lot more of O'Donoghue? Looks a great prospect, think he could really take his opportunity with the injuries...

He is but struggling a but at 7 but he reminds of Donncha, a sponge for learning and improving

molloyjh

sydneybound wrote: »

Some win for Zebre, best result of the weekend if you ask me!

Even denied Edinburgh the LBP. Fantastic stuff.

vienne86

molloyjh wrote: »

Even denied Edinburgh the LBP. Fantastic stuff.

That was a bad slip up from Edinburgh. Fair play to Zebre. I really enjoy watching them play and would love to see them get some reward for their efforts this season.

Zzippy

Regan King (35) starts for the Scarlets vs Dragons tomorrow. Jacob Cowley (18) is on the bench. King is Cowley's father!

vienne86

Zzippy wrote: »

Regan King (35) starts for the Scarlets vs Dragons tomorrow. Jacob Cowley (18) is on the bench. King is Cowley's father!

Is this some sort of record? Sure is extraordinary!

irishbucsfan

vienne86 wrote: »

Is this some sort of record? Sure is extraordinary!

I think Andy Farrell and Owen Farrell were in the same matchday squad once but never played together, I think Owen replaced Andy maybe? But if they play together it might well be a record.

sydneybound

Here's hoping Zebre can do a job over Cardiff this weekend.

Even as a former season ticket holder I wouldnt mind seeing Leinster lose to Treviso I want the Italians to improve that much.

errlloyd

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Andy Farrell and Owen Farrell were in the same matchday squad once but never played together, I think Owen replaced Andy maybe? But if they play together it might well be a record.

Was a pre season friendly though. iirc. This is a pretty big deal. Must have been a hard enough time for the family.with Regan playing in Europe and his boy growing up in NZ. I'd say this is a pretty cool chance for them.

vienne86

Zzippy wrote: »

Regan King (35) starts for the Scarlets vs Dragons tomorrow. Jacob Cowley (18) is on the bench. King is Cowley's father!

Pity this match clashes with the Munster Ulster match. And it's on BBCW....which means I can't record it and watch it later.

vienne86

Well it happened - father and son played together on the Scarlets winning side! They look like brothers!!!

Zzippy

Scarlets on 25 points after 6 games, they're looking strong this year.

vienne86

Zzippy wrote: »

Scarlets on 25 points after 6 games, they're looking strong this year.

Yes, they've won 6 out of 6. Leinster will hopefully put a halt to their gallop next week.

errlloyd

vienne86 wrote: »

Yes, they've won 6 out of 6. Leinster will hopefully put a halt to their gallop next week.

It's sligjtly annoying we have to play them twice while they're in red hot form. Kinda strange how that's their first bonus point too.

irishbucsfan

Zebre are beating Cardiff at half time. Would be their 2nd win of the season.

aimee1

errlloyd wrote: »

It's sligjtly annoying we have to play them twice while they're in red hot form. Kinda strange how that's their first bonus point too.

i tihnk its a good game to have prior to europe. focus the minds a bit more

b.gud

Zebre won 26 - 15

errlloyd

is that Zebre's first ever BP win?

EDIT: That is Zebre's first ever TBP.

Borders no.2

2 good wins in a row for Zebre. After the trouncing Cardiff gave them in Round 1 that's a big win. Cardiff fairly shipping the points, 4 try bonus point defeats in a row now despite playing some good rugby in the games I've seen them. Welsh teams bar Scarlets are starting on the back foot in the race for Top 6.

vienne86

Well done Zebre! Delighted for them.

CatFromHue

lol Cardiff

Ceadog

Zzippy wrote: »

Scarlets on 25 points after 6 games, they're looking strong this year.

Strangest part of that is that they've had as many yellow cards (8) as the next 5 teams in the league put together. 6 of those came in their first two games!

1. Scarlets (8)
2. Munster (0)
3. Connacht (3)
4. Ulster (1)
5. Edinburgh (2)
6. Leinster (2)

It's a lot easier to get away with that kind of indiscipline when the internationals are away, top class players will punish that sort of thing much more harshly. If they don't clean up their act they'll plummet down the table.

Swan Curry

Ceadog wrote: »

Strangest part of that is that they've had as many yellow cards (8) as the next 5 teams in the league put together. 6 of those came in their first two games!

1. Scarlets (8)
2. Munster (0)
3. Connacht (3)
4. Ulster (1)
5. Edinburgh (2)
6. Leinster (2)

It's a lot easier to get away with that kind of indiscipline when the internationals are away, top class players will punish that sort of thing much more harshly. If they don't clean up their act they'll plummet down the table.

Sure that will all clean up once Liam Williams returns :pac:

Zzippy

Zebre above Cardiff and Ospreys in the league table!

sydneybound

delighted for Zebre, two wins in a row gives them some momentum.

Here's hoping they can have 6 or 7 wins this season, that would be a serious improvement.

thomond2006

Zzippy wrote: »

Zebre above Cardiff and Ospreys in the league table!

If Ospreys get nothing at Glasgow they will be 12 points off the playoffs. Would it be time to write them off?

jacothelad

thomond2006 wrote: »

If Ospreys get nothing at Glasgow they will be 12 points off the playoffs. Would it be time to write them off?

If you lose more than 6 games it's really difficult to get to the play off positions.

The O's are 19 points behind Scarlets, 18 behind Munster and 17 adrift of Connacht. If they lose today that will be 5 losses. They would need to win every game just about to get there whereas wins today for Leinster and Glasgow will see them back up the table with many of their best players still to come in.

Last year the top 3 lost 5 games and the 4th side lost 6.
Previous year it was lost 4, 4, 6 and 7 games lost.
In 2012 / 13 it was 4,5,6,7 lost.
In 11/12 it was 3,5,7,5.
The lowest points total to get in to the play off place was 63 by the O's in 10 / 11. The highest was 70 points, then 69 - both Ulster and then there was 65 by Scarlets.

By my reckoning it's not just the O's that are teetering on the brink of having a 'short' season but given the next few weeks, Ulster are almost in the same boat. Given that you need a home semi in reality to get to the final, any team that loses more than 5 isn't going to do it. Even 5 losses is cutting it fine.

Ospreys and Glasgow are in their positions because of the RWC players loss (as is Leinster but they have done better). Given that the teams that realistically have the players to get to the top 4 are usually. Munster, Ulster, Leinster. Weegies, the O's and 'Claneckli' as Daire O'Brien used to laughingly call them, with Connacht coming up fast on the rails, the 'usual Suspects' will make for a great dog fight this season with Embra also aiming for a top spot.

Scarlets have had 4 home games out of 6 so have made hay by beating Glasgow away and Zebre. They have only picked up 1 TBP so far, something they might have cause to rue later in the season. I'm looking forward to the shake out. So many permutations this season.

phog

Jamie Roberts taking a break from Pro rugby, he's studying in Cambridge and hopes to line out for their rugby team.

Ian Nagle has played with them recently.

aimee1

glasgow beat the ospreys 31-19

CatFromHue

tbp for Glasgow and nothing for Ospreys

Borders no.2

Ospreys putting themselves in a difficult situation. However, they have had some tough away fixtures early. Their upcoming fixtures look much more favourable but once you fall that far behind it can be hard to make up the ground.

vienne86

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Ospreys putting themselves in a difficult situation. However, they have had some tough away fixtures early. Their upcoming fixtures look much more favourable but once you fall that far behind it can be hard to make up the ground.

I haven't seen too much of them this season, but it is hard to see how they are going to make up that ground - it's a shocking start for them.

CatFromHue

If the Euro spots for next season were decided today it's be Lanelli, all the Irish teams, Edinburgh, and Zebre.

b.gud

jacothelad wrote: »

If you lose more than 6 games it's really difficult to get to the play off positions.

The O's are 19 points behind Scarlets, 18 behind Munster and 17 adrift of Connacht . If they lose today that will be 5 losses. They would need to win every game just about to get there whereas wins today for Leinster and Glasgow will see them back up the table with many of their best players still to come in.

Last year the top 3 lost 5 games and the 4th side lost 6.
Previous year it was lost 4, 4, 6 and 7 games lost.
In 2012 / 13 it was 4,5,6,7 lost.
In 11/12 it was 3,5,7,5.
The lowest points total to get in to the play off place was 63 by the O's in 10 / 11. The highest was 70 points, then 69 - both Ulster and then there was 65 by Scarlets.

By my reckoning it's not just the O's that are teetering on the brink of having a 'short' season but given the next few weeks, Ulster are almost in the same boat. Given that you need a home semi in reality to get to the final, any team that loses more than 5 isn't going to do it. Even 5 losses is cutting it fine.

Ospreys and Glasgow are in their positions because of the RWC players loss (as is Leinster but they have done better). Given that the teams that realistically have the players to get to the top 4 are usually. Munster, Ulster, Leinster. Weegies, the O's and 'Claneckli' as Daire O'Brien used to laughingly call them, with Connacht coming up fast on the rails, the 'usual Suspects' will make for a great dog fight this season with Embra also aiming for a top spot.

Scarlets have had 4 home games out of 6 so have made hay by beating Glasgow away and Zebre. They have only picked up 1 TBP so far, something they might have cause to rue later in the season. I'm looking forward to the shake out. So many permutations this season.

Great post, one small correction Connacht are ahead of Munster

jacothelad

b.gud wrote: »

Great post, one small correction Connacht are ahead of Munster

Yes. Sorry, got them reversed.

wp_rathead

Fraser McKenzie for Edinburgh suspended for 2 Week - fairly sure it's for a hit on TOH for high ball that went unpunished by Leighton Hodges

BrokenMan

wp_rathead wrote: »

Fraser McKenzie for Edinburgh suspended for 2 Week - fairly sure it's for a hit on TOH for high ball that went unpunished by Leighton Hodges

Was that the one where the AR and Hodges were both within 5 yards of it and both ignored it. Even though everyone else in the ground saw it clearly?

irishbucsfan

Rhys Patchell will leave Cardiff for the Scarlets at the end of the season.

Obviously not happy to try and work his way past Ancsombe.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rhys-patchell-leave-cardiff-blues-10396392

It'd be very disappointing for him if he ends up stuck behind Shingler in Llanelli I suppose. At least there he can learn from Stephen Jones.

EDIT: On a slightly connected note, looks like Welsh regions will be increasing the salary cap by £1m to £4.5m from next season. Hopefully should be good for the league.

errlloyd

I saw a rumour recently that Halfpenny might be home from toulon next season, would that be Cardiff or would he go for one of the stronger teams.

aimee1

errlloyd wrote: »

I saw a rumour recently that Halfpenny might be home from toulon next season, would that be Cardiff or would he go for one of the stronger teams.

Dual contract might be on offer if he is looking to go back to wales.