Clermont vs Leinster thread and how to delay a plane...

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Mon 23 Apr 2012, 10:18 am

First topic message reminder :

So this is the big one, huge one, massive one!
Some are calling this the unofficial final.

Two powerhouses in European Rugby and arguably the best two teams in the competition coming together.

Recent tussles have favoured Leinster who beat Clermont in the Aviva convincingly enouugh and in the RDS by the skin of their teeth with James missing a good few kicks at goal. Clermont beat Leinster in France but the visitors managed to get a crucial LBP.

Huge match ups all over the field.

The entire front rows
Hines vs Thorn
Sexton vs James
Rougerie vs O'Driscoll
Kearney vs Byrne

Home advantage sees Clermont the slight favourites but they have moved the game to Bordeaux.

Thoughts on who can win it?
Team you want to see?
Where the game can be won for each side?
Ref?
Rant?

Let it all come out here.

I have a tiny bit of a huge problem here also:
I (like a fool) decided to go to Budapest this weekend. My return flight leaves at 17:25 Hungarian time (also French time).
My question is...how do I delay a plane......?

by Artful_Dodger Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:25 pm

Should of been a yellow card for Faure for that piece of synchronized diving.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:25 pm

okay, appalling play acting, but Cullen should have seen yellow for that.

Regan's on!! my lovely King heart

by Golden Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:25 pm

Punch from Cullen.

Lucky for him.

Byrne off injured as well

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:26 pm

Tis just a blood replacement I think Golden, Lee will be back on.

by Feckless Rogue Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:26 pm

Why isn't Sexton going for the long kicks?

by Golden Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:26 pm

Shocking kick from sexton

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:27 pm

another not straight lineout. Leinster need to sort that out.

by Gibson Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:27 pm

Lineout is a disaster. Must sort out the throw.

by eirebilly Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:28 pm

Massive turnover from Leinster.

by Knowsit17 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:29 pm

Break by Brock James but Leinster showing composure.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:29 pm

not sure that was a turnover though...interesting interpretation from Barnes anyhoo.

That was a great break down the middle by James, game really starting to open up.

by wales606 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:30 pm

Leinster lineout needs to be sorted

by **LondonTiger** Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:31 pm

Yet more lazy running by Leinster forwards.

Barnes interpretations are doing a good job of negating "home" support

by Gibson Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:31 pm

Brilliant!

by Feckless Rogue Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:31 pm

Leinster lineout in trouble. Could McLaughlin, Toner or Cronin help?

by Artful_Dodger Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:32 pm

Might be time to bring Cronin on, Strauss having an awful day with the darts.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:32 pm

taht was good work by Leinster, but they are really under pressure here now. Clermont need to get points from all of this though, and soon.

by Knowsit17 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:32 pm

Leinster back row well on top.

Is Byrne in the blood bin or off for the game? Blow for Clermont if the latter, not only losing starters but running out of fresh backs to use 2nd half.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:33 pm

Oh dear lord, Heaslip holding on like mad and Barnes sees a Clermont infringement.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:33 pm

I can not believe that call by Barnes. Heaslip was turned there. Don't understand it.

by Gibson Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:33 pm

Leinster playing Barnes well. He has shafted us so many times - this is payback.

by wales606 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:33 pm

Heaslip clearly holding on, penalty Leinster?

Barnes seems to be favouring Leinster a lot at the scrum and breakdown.

by majesticimperialman Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:34 pm

This has the potential to be the best game.of the week end.

Too close to call. Looking forward to a great game.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:34 pm

Strauss is not doing great at the line-out at all.. McLaughlin being missed there maybe? He is certainly missed defensively, Leinster are being split open a few times. O'Brien is saving Leinster here IMO. Putting in a huge defensive shift.

by eirebilly Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:34 pm

What was Jennings thinking there Shocked

Munster really need to weather this storm.

by Artful_Dodger Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:35 pm

Dont think McLaughlin being missed as it wouldnt matter if he was in the lineout while Strauss is throwing not straight and way over the top.

by Golden Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:36 pm

Scrum is been dominated and the lineouts a mess but Leinster gettin the calls at the breakdown.

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:36 pm

Barnes is giving Leinster the benefit of any doubt in his mind big time here.

by Golden Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:37 pm

The atmosphere seems absolutely brilliant. You wouldn't know its not their usual stadium

by Knowsit17 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:37 pm

eirebilly wrote:What was Jennings thinking there

Munster really need to weather this storm.

by eirebilly Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:38 pm

Knowsit17 wrote:
eirebilly wrote:What was Jennings thinking there

Munster really need to weather this storm.

I am in dreamland where Munster is still in the HC obviously Wink

by LordDowlais Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:38 pm

Leinster scrum is splintering, they need to sort out their forwards if they want anything from this game.

by eirebilly Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:40 pm

Bonnair copped a couple of unfortunate kicks to the head there.

by Artful_Dodger Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:43 pm

Been a half to forget for Leinster, they need the HT whistle.

by Knowsit17 Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:43 pm

eirebilly wrote:
Knowsit17 wrote:
eirebilly wrote:What was Jennings thinking there

Munster really need to weather this storm.

I am in dreamland where Munster is still in the HC obviously

If I was a Leinster fan I'd resent that Wink

Leinster starting to creak a bit now.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:43 pm

no 3 for Clermont, ridiculous dive after he received a punch aside, is having a great game.

by LordDowlais Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:44 pm

How poor are the Leinster forwards ? It's going to be a long day for them today. Sad

by Feckless Rogue Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:44 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:Been a half to forget for Leinster, they need the HT whistle.

Yep. Need to do a turnaround similar to the final last year. We're lucky it's only 9-6.

by Gibson Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:44 pm

Need Joe & Feek to sort them out at HT.

We are not a bad 2nd half team. Allegedly.

by **Notch** Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:44 pm

The story of the semi-finals so far? Scrums. Win. Games.

by Artful_Dodger Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:45 pm

rugbydreamer wrote:no 3 for Clermont, ridiculous dive after he received a punch aside, is having a great game.

It was Faure the 1 who dived.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:45 pm

I always think of Leinster as a second half team anyway! Cronin to start next half? Has to IMO.

by eirebilly Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:45 pm

I would take D'Arcy off at half time and move Sexton to 12 and bring Madigan on at 10.

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:46 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:no 3 for Clermont, ridiculous dive after he received a punch aside, is having a great game.

It was Faure the 1 who dived.

Really? I thought it was the one with more of a beard, so surely no 3?

But hey, if you're right, then no 3 is having an even better game with no blight on it! Been v impressed with him.

by Golden Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:47 pm

Sextons kicking as been awful as has strausses darts

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:47 pm

Notch wrote:The story of the semi-finals so far? Scrums. Win. Games.

This. And lineouts. And decent kicking. Leinster are not doing well at any of those at the moments. They need a serious regroup at HT.

by LordDowlais Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:48 pm

eirebilly wrote:I would take D'Arcy off at half time and move Sexton to 12 and bring Madigan on at 10.

You could have the entire All Black back line, but unless the forwards sort themselves out you are not going to win this game. thumbsup

by Guest Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:48 pm

It was definitely the loosehead.

by gowales Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:48 pm

Barnes isn't having a good game so far

by Gibson Sun 29 Apr 2012, 3:48 pm

That was attritional stuff. Need a moment of magic from BOD or Isa.

Agree that Cronin should come in if the lineouts continue like that. May see McLoughlin for Jenno as well.

If its close with 10 mins to go... unleash Madigan.

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