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?

[Don Alfonso]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/ulsters-chris-henry-will-use-memory-of-his-father-in-pursuit-of-heineken-cup-dream-3109997.html

Welled up a bit when I read this. I remember feeling so much for Henry when it happened. He must have been 25.

Met Willie in Malone once, absolute gentleman. He'd have been so proud.

[hugo124]

Hugo Ulster have better front row and a better 9.

The Ulster plan will be on gaining dominance from 1 to 9 - they could do that. They have to do that to have a chance.

Sexton, Kearney and Nacewa are the players Ulster can't match

Realistically, Pienaar isn't the new David Hasselhoff.People go on about his high kicking percentage when Sexton has a higher one anyway.He reads the game well, but doesn't have the best execution and not the greatest passer of a ball.I think when you take into account Leinster have two very good scrum halfs then you'll see where I'm coming from.I also predict Leinster will get the upperhand in the scrum as they have 3 top quality players IN THE FRONT ROW and ULSTER ONLY HAVE 1.5.BAck row, Wannenburg isn't as good as he was last year and Henry will always be good but has a great work rate.

[Standulstermen]

Are you seriously wumming Hugo.

Pienaar isn't a great passer of the ball?


You are taking the p1ss aren't you?

Strauss is better than best now too.

[Don Alfonso]

Hugo is comedy gold.

[Mickado]

Actually, it’s not his high kicking percentage that impresses, it’s his kicking range, and composure under pressure. 2 things that can come in pretty handy in a cup final.

In a final both teams are likely to approach the game cautiously, Ulster will do what they do best which is batter away in midfield and move the ball quickly wide if/when the opportunity arises. 9 and 12 are excellent distributors so they can go wide very quickly. Pienaar doesn’t have to be able to throw 20m skip passes, because Paddy Wallace is playing outside him.

I’d love to know who the 1.5 top quality players in the Ulster front row are, Ireland captain Rory Best and World cup winner John Afoa are both are fantastic players.

[Notch]

All the wumming is being done on behalf of Leinster (and Heineken, apparently). Have we got 'em worried? I think we do!

[geoff998rugby]

Hugo great Wind up mate best joke I've read in ages.



Been through some of your previously posts - clearly a speciality of yours.

[rodders]

Lovely piece Don

Dum dum dum:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/clash-of-the-titans-irresistible-force-obrien-collides-with-immovable-object-ferris-3110011.html

[BoyneRFC]

Advantage Ulster.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Lovely piece Don

Dum dum dum:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/clash-of-the-titans-irresistible-force-obrien-collides-with-immovable-object-ferris-3110011.html

Thanks for the link rodders! Great read! It is true Ferris has been the better of the two on form, but O'Brien hasn't had many chances to play at 6. He has now played 6 a few times lately and we have seen glimpses of his huge running game. Can't wait!

[rapidsnowman]

Maybe Ulster should wear Red!

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/will-ulster-party-like-its-1999-16155737.html?action=Popup&ino=10

[Standulstermen]

Please restore my faith in humanity Hugo

[hugo124]

Hugo great Wind up mate best joke I've read in ages.



Been through some of your previously posts - clearly a speciality of yours.

If you call telling the truth a specialty then yea I guess so!

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Morning Jen. You getting nervous

Not in the slightest.

I believe it is our game to lose.

Can Ulster win? Sure. But it will take us not playing at 100% Or some very bad/good luck on the bounce of the ball.

I believe we have a more varied game and can mix it up so as to frustrate Ulster. Ulster are that little bit more predictable.

If we both play 100% we should take it.

Just my opinion now. Most people would have said the same about Munster 3 years ago in Croke park.

It is a 2 horse race and a derby so anything can happen. We have a lot more to lose if things go wrong. Dunno if that is a good or a bad thing. But I think my team are good enough to take it.

[Suspicious lurker]

I'm seriously stressed out this week lads, barely sleeping. Head wrecked



Wouldn't have it any other way though

[BoyneRFC]

I'm seriously stressed out this week lads, barely sleeping. Head wrecked



Wouldn't have it any other way though

Advantage Ulster.

[rodders]

Anyone seen the weather forecast?

I think it's to be very windy and wet? Who will that favour?

[rodders]

Can we get the flags above in spoiler tags?

[Mickado]

Looks alright here Rods...

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_weather.html

[geoff998rugby]

Hugo great Wind up mate best joke I've read in ages.



Been through some of your previously posts - clearly a speciality of yours.

If you call telling the truth a specialty then yea I guess so!

Quick someone give him a slap he's still dreaming

Here are some of you prediction

Last day of the 6N's
Scotland win 25-17 against Italy.
France win 29-15 against Wales
Ireland win 25-10 against England

Leinster 36-3 Clermont - I suppose at least you got the winners right


You dont know some called Mac by any chance

[rodders]

Looks alright here Rods...

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_weather.html

Feic!

[Feckless Rogue]

Are Ulster fans worried by how easily Edinburgh found gaps in their defence? If Edinburgh did, then Leinster certainly will. Stuart Barnes has recently taken to calling us the "Pass Masters", you know.

[clivemcl]

Paddy Jackson drop-goal to win, takes sextons place come the 6N.

you heard it here first...

[clivemcl]

Are Ulster fans worried by how easily Edinburgh found gaps in their defence? If Edinburgh did, then Leinster certainly will. Stuart Barnes has recently taken to calling us the "Pass Masters", you know.

Faloon probably was responsible for at least half the missed tackled. Henry is back. Also, our scramble defense is some of the best shown by any team this season. I'm sure we could keep you contained enough and let Ruan knock the points over from your ill-disciplined penalties born out of growing frustration

[GunsGerms]

Are Ulster fans worried by how easily Edinburgh found gaps in their defence? If Edinburgh did, then Leinster certainly will. Stuart Barnes has recently taken to calling us the "Pass Masters", you know.

Edinburgh only managed one try in the last few minutes though.

[hugo124]

[quote="geoff998rugby"]

Hugo great Wind up mate best joke I've read in ages.



Been through some of your previously posts - clearly a speciality of yours.

If you call telling the truth a specialty then yea I guess so!

Quick someone give him a slap he's still dreaming

Here are some of you prediction

Last day of the 6N's
Scotland win 25-17 against Italy.
France win 29-15 against Wales
Ireland win 25-10 against England

Leinster 36-3 Clermont - I suppose at least you got the winners right


You dont know some called Mac by any chance

If you look closely in that prediction I said that the opposite of those results would happen and they did so, there you go.
And do you mean Mic,don't know anyone called Mac and pretty sure that's not a real name.

[GunsGerms]

Paddy Jackson drop-goal to win, takes sextons place come the 6N.

you heard it here first...

Maybe OGaras place on the bench. Fingers crossed.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I think Madigan would be ahead of Jackson as Sexton's backup. Even if Jackson starts for Ulster next year while Sexton starts for Leinster.

[Standulstermen]

Two really good prospects anyway. Remember the days when we wondered who would ever take over from ROG in the first XV.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Stand - add Hanrahan to that list as a potential 10 for Munster (though I think he will be 12 for Ireland in the future). Three very talented young options, at Munster, Leinster and Ulster. All of whom are still behind Sexton. The future is bright at 10!

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Understand why Madigan isn't being called up for the BaaBaa's but it would have been such a good opportunity for him.

I think what could be the main difference between the two teams could be:

1) The breakdown where Leinster should be superior IMO
2) Attack where Leinster will be much more varied
3) Territorial kicking where Ulster have more kicking options

[Glas a du]

Can we get the flags above in spoiler tags?

Done

[rodders]

Good job there Glas ....I was in danger of being sacked for breaching the NI flags and emblems act there a few times this morning.....

[Rory_Gallagher]

One thing I see Ulster having over Leinster, and possibly being the most decisive factor, is passion and intensity. Expect to see a team full of possessed monsters, with bodies being thrown all over the place. I think we are going to see an epic battle.

[Mickado]

Passion never won anything, despite what Munster folklore would have you believe.

[Standulstermen]

It helps but I agree with Mick. It helped at thomond but moreso the systems that are put in place over the season. I don't really buy this argument that if both teams are at 100% blah blah. The reality is that if one of the teams is at 100% then the other team won't be allowed to be.

That's why I don't buy the 'leinster have to be off their game'. Ulster have to go about putting Leinster off their game and vice versa. Nowhere is this better exemplified than last years final. I think the brilliance of Leinster is that even when they aren't allowed to play well, they still manage to minimise the damage the opposition can do. Then when they begin to dictate things they are ruthless.

[rodders]

I don't think Leinster will lack intensity or passion. Watch the last 5 minutes against Clermont if you think they wont have the same intensity and passion we will. That hit by Sexton on Cudmore was unreal.

They want this as much as we do. No doubt about it.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Ulster = slightly better scrum and line out, better blindside and better scrum half.

Leinster = Better backrow unit, better fly half, better backline.

Conclusion: Ulster by 12.

Depends if McLaughlin starts at 6 or O'Brien. We haven't see O'Brien up against Ferris yet, but that is going to be some battle.

I think SOB should go easy on 1F - the poor lad's already been duffed up once by Denton, no need for further trauma

[Rory_Gallagher]

Have to admit, I did think Denton was the better player in that game.

[Mickado]

Neil Francis (I know I know) wrote a really good article about the last 5 mins of the Clermont game. He went through each tackle in detail, made the effort seem all the more impressive. In one phase Thorn pushed 50+ stone of Clermont players backwards.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I don't think Leinster will lack intensity or passion. Watch the last 5 minutes against Clermont if you think they wont have the same intensity and passion we will. That hit by Sexton on Cudmore was unreal.

They want this as much as we do. No doubt about it.

I doubt they will lack any intensity or passion too, but I just think we are going to see Ulster play like never before here. They will be so fired up, and from the second the whistle goes they will try to be down Leinster's throats from the start.

Passion and intensity is exactly what Ireland are lacking, and one big example of when we shown it was last year in the 2011 grand slam decider.

[Mickado]

Nah, we were clever and clinical last year. We had intensity at the breakdown and were very physical but passion in it's raw form is no use.

[rodders]

I suspect we'll see plenty of intensity and passion in this!

You heading over Rory?

Only 50st by Brad Thorn Mick?..... the guy is slacking.... mind you he is getting on a bit....

[Mickado]

Here's the article lads:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/neil-francis-clever-brave-and-lucky-too-3101495.html

It was 57 stone!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Unfortunately not.

No idea where I should go to watch it actually. The odyssey is sold out.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Nah, we were clever and clinical last year. We had intensity at the breakdown and were very physical but passion in it's raw form is no use.

Well, I think this year we have seen plenty of games where a lack of passion has proved to be devastating. France in the world cup is a great example, and the 6 nations. They have no passion for the shirt, and look like a shadow of the old France. Munster in their game against the Ospreys is another good example. Watching O'Mahony throw his body on the line for his team though, was a great example of how a passionate player can make a difference. He played tremendously.

I remember reading an article (I would like to find it as proof ) which stated that the difference between the NH sides and the SH sides, was the intensity which they play with. The SH teams are rarely lacking in passion and play with full intensity.

[Standulstermen]

Odyssey would be full of idiots IMO anyway. I wouldn't have gone near it. Best going to a pub or else watching at home.

Literally every pub will be showing it so the choice is yours.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Odyssey would be full of idiots IMO anyway. I wouldn't have gone near it. Best going to a pub or else watching at home.

Literally every pub will be showing it so the choice is yours.

Yeah that is true. I will probably end up heading to the pub to see this one then. Thanks a bunch stand.

[Rava]

I believe it is our game to lose.

Can Ulster win? Sure. But it will take us not playing at 100% Or some very bad/good luck on the bounce of the ball.

I believe we have a more varied game and can mix it up so as to frustrate Ulster. Ulster are that little bit more predictable.

If we both play 100% we should take it.

Just my opinion now. Most people would have said the same about Munster 3 years ago in Croke park.

It is a 2 horse race and a derby so anything can happen. We have a lot more to lose if things go wrong. Dunno if that is a good or a bad thing. But I think my team are good enough to take it.

That would be my take on it as well Jen.

[Rava]

Unfortunately not.

No idea where I should go to watch it actually. The odyssey is sold out.

The Errigle is advertising showing in on various screens.

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