ERC Heineken Cup Final thread - Ulster v Leinster

[Glas a du]

First topic message reminder :

All roads lead to Twickenham for the clash of the Titans of Irish Rugby on 19/5/12.

Ulster Flag

Ulster for a long time dominated inter provincial rugby in Ireland. Some see this as the start of something big.

Leinster Flag

Leinster are blessed with an amazing cohort of talent, based around BOD. Is the third final in four years one too far for him? If Leinster do it they will create history with the first back to back wins (since Leicester apparently. Couldn't remember that, must have been devalued for some reason )

"@HarpinOnRugby: Sexton needs 15pts in the Heineken Cup final to become the first player to win back-to-back scoring titles in the competition. #2amrugbyfact"

Ulster have failed to make the Rabo playoffs. Will an extra game against Glasgow this weekend help or hinder Leinster? Will a lack of a competitive game hinder Ulster?

Meanwhile, we conducted a vox pops:

"Leinster all day, all night and all the next week. It's in the bag. BELIEVE"
Mr Gibson

"We are gonna Party like its 1999! SUFTUM!"
Mr Ravavivian

"Ulster are in CRISIS!"
Mr Ravavivian

"If Ulster get to the final then it's a devalued tournament"
Mr Livinguptostereotype

"well at least Nigel is reffing, I'll have my pink cowboy hat on cheering for him!"
Mrs Livinguptostereotype

"where my f***ing whisky, I don't support the Burgh, but they were robbed. It will be Exeter challenging Clermont in next years final mark my words!"
Mr Ofussurvive


NEWSFLASH

ULSTER FANS - IMPORTANT NEWS FROM STANDULSTERMAN

Sorry to get off topic lads. Just heard that Paddy Wallace will be down in the bar on Monday helping give away the heineken cup final prize from 8pm if anyone is interested.



"@WhiffofCordite: Not great news about Kearney and BOD is it? Hopefully just minor niggles. Why must pre-final weeks always be so fraught?"

"Mine's a double..." Mickado

"Can we change the title of this thread please to Three time European Champions v The poor man's munster" Hoog.

Come on Ulster, where's your banter?


"Kiwi, this one will do: -

" Rava

From Twitter:
"@rpetty80: If Ulster win the Hcup then Ireland would have 3 teams that have won it multiple times. England has 2 and France its just 1 #rugby"

There have been 35 tries scored in 16 Heineken Cup Finals. Will this game be above or below average in terms of tries?

[geoff998rugby]

Afoa is champing at the bit, and some - Leinster be afraid be very afraid.

[rodders]

Geoff what's the mood in the camp like?...are we going to win or what??

[Mickado]

Afoa is a top top player.

Advantage Ulster.

So is Healy though.

Deuce.

[clivemcl]

Apparently all the squad have successfully been evangelized and they've opted out of any kind of training instead going for a 24/7 prayer rotation system between now and the weekend.

so yea Rodders, I'd say we are gona win!

[geoff998rugby]

Geoff what's the mood in the camp like?...are we going to win or what??

Quiet confidence I would say.
The week off has done them a power of good.
Buoyed by the near certaintly that Henry will play.
Love being underdogs very comfortable with that.
Also I detect an absolute burning desire to do it for Brian.

Coming top the boil nicely I would say

[rodders]

..... I have to say I'm starting to feel good about this one.....

[eirebilly]

Even though i feel that Leinster will win, i would seriously love to see Ulster get the win. I have enjoyed every minute i have watched the play this year (yes even the 1/4 final).

When Rava told me that they would get a TBP against Leicester i was dubious but they did and really havent looked back since. It would be great for them to win and win well. I will be cheering for Ulster

[geoff998rugby]

As an FYI they get back from Portugal today

[rodders]

Good man Billy!

[clivemcl]

As an FYI they get back from Portugal today

So the awards dinner was actually out in Portugal? Hadnt realised that. Thought they were home already.

[rodders]

Holigrams Clive

On a serious note anyone else concerned about BOD and O'Connell? they seem to be picking up injury after injury now. Unfortunately the end may be closer for these two than they or us wish to accept .

[eirebilly]

Are you sure you want me supporting your lads rodders, given my track record

[rodders]

Actually given your track record Billy I'm delighted you've tipped Leinster for the win..... .....

[eirebilly]

If Ulster do win rodders, its pints in Amsterdam with the gibbo fella as well

[rodders]

You're on Billy!

[eirebilly]

Best warn Coco's ahead of that night then

[Rava]

Afoa is a top top player.

Advantage Ulster.

So is Healy though.

Deuce.

Is that Healey on one leg or two Mick?

Don't forget we have big Tom Court with a point to prove

[Big Mac Michael]

Afoa is a top top player.

Advantage Ulster.

So is Healy though.

Deuce.

Is that Healey on one leg or two Mick?

Don't forget we have big Tom Court with a point to prove

You could say Tom Court has a point to prove, but realistically he isn't good enough to prove the point.

I think everyone is just sick of Leinster winning everything, a bit sad really

[BoyneRFC]

A lot of confident Ulstermen on here this morning. Brimming with confidence.

Ulster just back from warm weather training in Portugal? Leinster after a bruising SF against Glasgow? Injury ravaged??

No, I'd say Ulster are the clear favorites for this game now.

Sure, isn't Aofa chomping at the bit? And Henry is back.

Ulster by 9.

[Mickado]

Afoa is a top top player.

Advantage Ulster.

So is Healy though.

Deuce.

Is that Healey on one leg or two Mick?

Don't forget we have big Tom Court with a point to prove

You could say Tom Court has a point to prove, but realistically he isn't good enough to prove the point.

I think everyone is just sick of Leinster winning everything, a bit sad really

Ah we've only won one trophey in since 2009 fairness.

[clivemcl]

9? Very conservative Boyne...

[clivemcl]

I would back the Ospreys too. Leinster will walk away with nothing this season...

[BoyneRFC]

I would back the Ospreys too. Leinster will walk away with nothing this season...

I agree. There will be a lot of soul searching, rebuilding if you will, in Donnybrook next year.

The writing's on the wall. No one can stop the Ulster men at this stage.

They will have tans and all from Portugal. How can we compete with that!?

[Rava]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

[clivemcl]

I would back the Ospreys too. Leinster will walk away with nothing this season...

I agree. There will be a lot of soul searching, rebuilding if you will, in Donnybrook next year.

The writing's on the wall. No one can stop the Ulster men at this stage.

They will have tans and all from Portugal. How can we compete with that!?

It must be to do with Ferris being Kryptonian...

http://smallville.wikia.com/wiki/Yellow_sun

[rodders]

Its no joke lads!... Leinster must be feeling serious pressure here... they've been the best team all season and here they are in danger of winning nothing and their coach heading to Auckland...no wonder Sextons place kicking is going up the left again..... ....

[Big Mac Michael]

My prediction for the first 40 minutes:
Ulster come out pumped, and set the standard with an early try from Trimble.
Pienaar converts and minutes later gets an 80 meter penalty.Ulster ad a further 2 tries and go in at half time 24-6.
Second half:
Leinster score 27 unanswered points and shut all the Ulster supporters up.
Sexton becomes top points scorer for the second year running.
.........................Just a normal match for Leinster really.

[rodders]

Bartseward!

[BoyneRFC]

My prediction for the first 40 minutes:
Ulster come out pumped, and set the standard with an early try from Trimble.
Pienaar converts and minutes later gets an 80 meter penalty.Ulster ad a further 2 tries and go in at half time 24-6.
Second half:
Leinster score 27 unanswered points and shut all the Ulster supporters up.
Sexton becomes top points scorer for the second year running.
.........................Just a normal match for Leinster really.

Dunno Big Mac.

I can see the parting of the blue sea and the Ulstermen romping home. Sure, didn't God himself send Pinaar and co to do it for the Ulstermen???

[Mickado]

The weird thing about Leinster in big matches this year is that they’re never beaten until the final whistle.

After the first half in Bordeaux many people couldn’t see a way back for us, we were being beaten up in the scrum, our lineout was very poor and we were second best at the breakdown. Then in a 10 minute spell we put 10 points on the board, then coasted for 25 mins. Only in the last 5 minutes did Clemont threaten us.

For Ulster to win I’d say they’ll need to be slightly behind at half time, because if we’re not winning after 40 mins, we’ll find out how to during the break.

[Big Mac Michael]

My prediction for the first 40 minutes:
Ulster come out pumped, and set the standard with an early try from Trimble.
Pienaar converts and minutes later gets an 80 meter penalty.Ulster ad a further 2 tries and go in at half time 24-6.
Second half:
Leinster score 27 unanswered points and shut all the Ulster supporters up.
Sexton becomes top points scorer for the second year running.
.........................Just a normal match for Leinster really.

Dunno Big Mac.

I can see the parting of the blue sea and the Ulstermen romping home. Sure, didn't God himself send Pinaar and co to do it for the Ulstermen???


Either that or Rory Mcilroy!!!!

[rodders]

I can see the parting of the blue sea and the Ulstermen romping home. Sure, didn't God himself send Pinaar and co to do it for the Ulstermen???

Thats a very good point Boyne.

This final reminds me a bit of that Arnie movie Stigmata.... remember what happened to Gabriel Byrne when he messed with the almighty?? ..... actually come to think of it didn't Arnie die in that one too...

[BoyneRFC]

[Glas a du]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand calculus and those that don't.

[Mickado]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand binary and those that don't.

Fixed that for you...

[Big Mac Michael]

Just saying

[Rory_Gallagher]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand calculus and those that don't.

Who are the other 8 types of people then?

[MrsP]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand calculus and those that don't.

Oh Glas!!!!!

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Hey all,

Sorry late to the party, been here there and everywhere!

Loved the music discussion on the last page wish I'd been here for that (studied music at college and have played guitar for the last 19 years) one thing on the capo debate, capo's are great accompanying people but their real innovation is when you use a capo on the first 3 or 4 strings. You can get some beautiful chords out of that on certain frets. Anyone curious check out Andy McKee one of the best accoustic guitarists alive IMO.

Hope BOD is fit and I imagine he will be.

I think being shown up by Glasgow to an extent over the weekend will really have put the bit between Leinster teeth.

I am worried about our scrum (to an extent) but feel that we will have too much for Ulster in terms of game variation and ability to shift tempo also experience is a big one here too.

Delighted it's an all Irish affair. Hope everyone at/watching the game has a great day.

[Biltong]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand calculus and those that don't.

Who are the other 8 types of people then?

The other 8 didn't understand the statement.

[Big Mac Michael]

Statistics still point to a win by an Irish Province

There are 10 types of people in the World, those that understand calculus and those that don't.

Who are the other 8 types of people then?

That's for him and for us to find out.

[clivemcl]

Just heard on radio BOD been passed fit.

[BoyneRFC]

You've been playing guitar since you were 4??

[rodders]

On a serious note, disgraceful article in the IT:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0514/1224316063790.html

[BoyneRFC]

Just heard on radio BOD been passed fit.

Advantage Ulster...

[Glas a du]

Mickado, Rory, look up 'gotcha' in the Dictionary, it's the next one to 'gullable'.

[Standulstermen]

I can see the parting of the blue sea and the Ulstermen romping home. Sure, didn't God himself send Pinaar and co to do it for the Ulstermen???

Thats a very good point Boyne.

This final reminds me a bit of that Arnie movie Stigmata.... remember what happened to Gabriel Byrne when he messed with the almighty?? ..... actually come to think of it didn't Arnie die in that one too...

You're mixing up your movies rodders. End of days is the one you want.

[Rory_Gallagher]

On a serious note, disgraceful article in the IT:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0514/1224316063790.html

That was a shocking read. He is exactly the type of person who is a poison to irish rugby. Leave all that political bullcrap out.

[rodders]

Thats the one stand!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Mickado, Rory, look up 'gotcha' in the Dictionary, it's the next one to 'gullable'.

Don't worry, I "gotcha"

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