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?

[Cari]

Jebus, that Leinster defence is solid.

[GLove39]

Try for Ulster.

[nathan]

Knowsit...we've seen bigger comebacks in this comp, don't write Ulster off just yet!

24 - 9.

Acknowledged. Still worth mentioning that Ulster have less time than Leinster did last year to execute an almost identical comeback...

The Ulster attack like water dashing against rock, Leinster are just looking incomparably composed and decisive in attack and defence, at the breakdown and with ball in hand

what were you saying..... :p

[Cari]

Toooooooooooooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

24 - 14. Missed conversion.

[Thomond]

For all of Leinster's great defence, that was an awful try to give away. Kinda like being drawn to the ball in soccer. Poor stuff.

[GLove39]

24 - 14
pienaar misses the crucial conversion

[yappysnap]

ouch, 10 points in it now!

[wales606]

Ulster really fighting for their dream now.

10pts in it

Leinster may get nervous if Ulster get a quick penalty

Missing that conversion wasn't good though.

[nathan]

Jebus, that Leinster defence is solid.

theyv'e been warned now, so theyv'e got to be squeeky!

[Knowsit17]

Knowsit...we've seen bigger comebacks in this comp, don't write Ulster off just yet!

24 - 9.

Acknowledged. Still worth mentioning that Ulster have less time than Leinster did last year to execute an almost identical comeback...

The Ulster attack like water dashing against rock, Leinster are just looking incomparably composed and decisive in attack and defence, at the breakdown and with ball in hand

what were you saying..... :p

Possibly famous last words of the year award

Still ten points to make up in less than 20 mins. Can they do it...?

[yappysnap]

Redden knocked on twice there...

[Cari]

Redden knocked on twice there...

Nige said it came off an Ulster player...?

[yappysnap]

When players lay on the floor they can't play the ball can they?

[nathan]

Is it that Barnes doesn't like Ulster or that he has a fetish for Leinster?

[Cari]

When players lay on the floor they can't play the ball can they?

I think there was a couple of knock ons at that moment. Leinster on the attack again now...

[yappysnap]

Redden knocked on twice there...

Nige said it came off an Ulster player...?

Next ruck after the lineout he snatches for the ball while watching the Ulster defence and knocks it about. To be fair Owens is having to watch a million other things as well though.

[nathan]

eh, it wasnt a ruck though? i thought it had come out?

[Knowsit17]

Leinster linebreaking, angle-picking and offloading has been sublime all tournament.

[nathan]

meh, Got to go out now. Congratulations Leinster!!! Hope all the leinster fans enjoy it!

[Thomond]

I don't think it will a huge impact on the result but Nigel has been poor today. Sexton playing the ball on the deck after it had spilled forward, it's a penalty. He is usually solid and Leinster deserve to be in front so no major qualms.

[Cari]

BOD injured, replaced by Baby Chilli. Leinster penalty.

27 - 14.

[Thomond]

If Ulster ever needed a big play from Marshall it's now.

[Cari]

Marshall in at 9, Pienaar to 10 as Hump is injured.

[Knowsit17]

Awful by Terblanche, game-ending mistake.

[RDW]

How stupid was that from Terblaunch? Really should know better at 40 years old!

[Knowsit17]

Congrats Leinster, unbelievable side

[Cari]

Terblanche binned. BOD back on...it's looking like it's all over for Ulster.

Penalty from Sexytoes. 30 - 14.

[wales606]

Leinster are unstoppable, only Clermont in their fortress have come close to beating them.

The best team in HC history, comfortably.

[Cari]

Madigan on for Sexytoes...not that he's a poor replacement by any means.

[Cari]

As an O's supporter, I'm hoping they'll all be knackered by next Sunday!

[Cari]

Leinster get a penalty and go for the try which is duly put down by VDM!!!

35 - 14 before the conversion.

[wales606]

As an O's supporter, I'm hoping they'll all be knackered by next Sunday!

Ospreys are real underdogs now. They might have a hope in Swansea, but I don't see them beating Leinster now.

[wales606]

Biggest winning margin in a HC final ... ouch

[Cari]

As an O's supporter, I'm hoping they'll all be knackered by next Sunday!

Ospreys are real underdogs now. They might have a hope in Swansea, but I don't see them beating Leinster now.

I'm praying that we can, but yes it will be a big task for them.

SOB MOTM. Leinster also make the biggest winning margin in a Heino Final ever. To be fair to Ulster though, they got through the so-called Pool of Death and made it to a final for the first time since 1999. They should be very proud of themselves.

[idris]

No surprise D'arcy messed it up.

I bet you they rest quite a few players for next week.

[idris]

Ospreys just humiliated Munster, let's not forget that.

Ospreys won the final in Leinster in 2010. No reason we can't do it again. A lot of their players will be battered after today.

[Cari]

Looks like D'arcy's injured again...?

Idris - thing is, Leinster's second team are very good too!

[Artful_Dodger]

Congratulations to Leinster - best team Europe has ever seen, we've been systematically outplayed in every area. Still, Ulster will learn a lot from this and we'll be back next season.

I'm off to get fukin chin bar wallop smack faced on wine.

[Cari]

Cronin over for another try. Fairdo's Leinster haven't rested on their laurels have they?

FT 42 - 14.

Congratulations Leinster. Enjoy the win...but don't do the double!

[RDW]

Incredible performance Leinster.

[wales606]

Can anyone beat them next year?

Only the Toulouse (if they improve) or Clermont will stand a chance by the look of it.

4 in 5 years next

[idris]

That ginger Shane Williams was playing for Ulster again!

[Thomond]

Os did humiliate Munster, but Munster put in their worst performance in about ten years. If Leinster give two shoites (doubt they will) then they should take it.


Comiserations to Ulster fans, it's a tough day but from little acorns and all that. Munster started with a tough loss to Northampton. Leinster started when losing to Munster in 06. You will be back. Well played Leinster, outstanding performance. Deserved winners, played the best rugby this season.

[wales606]

I would love to see this Leinster team play against international teams. I don't think many would beat them.

[yappysnap]

Well that's the warm up sorted, roll on next weekend for the main event

Well done Leinster, a complete victory.

[yappysnap]

Can anyone beat them next year?

Only the Toulouse (if they improve) or Clermont will stand a chance by the look of it.

4 in 5 years next

That's the beauty of the game, Montpellier drew at home to them this season.

Any of:
Leicester
Saracens
Quins
Saints

From the AP could beat them at their home grounds in a one off game, likewise i'm under no illusions that Leinster could hammer them all. But they are not invincible, as I hope Ospreys prove next week.

[GLove39]

With next years Heineken Cup final being played in Dublin, odds of Leinster winning 3 in a row?

[Thomond]

If Leinster put 100% into next week they should walk it, but I doubt they will care a lot about it.


Leinster already beat Saracens home and away and if Munster can beat Saints away.....

[wales606]

Can anyone beat them next year?

Only the Toulouse (if they improve) or Clermont will stand a chance by the look of it.

4 in 5 years next

That's the beauty of the game, Montpellier drew at home to them this season.

Any of:
Leicester
Saracens
Quins
Saints

From the AP could beat them at their home grounds in a one off game, likewise i'm under no illusions that Leinster could hammer them all. But they are not invincible, as I hope Ospreys prove next week.

That was Leinster's second team, away, in france, against the 5th in the top14, in the pool and they still got a draw.

Leinster won't get a top seed in the pool - there depth is phenomenal, and they will get a home 1/4. At home, nobody can beat them.

In knockout rugby, Leinster are pretty much unstoppable at the moment.

At the moment, I don't think any British team can beat them. At home perhaps a few could run them close - Ulster, Ospreys and Leicester - but I think Leinster would still beat them in a knockout game.

[wales606]

With next years Heineken Cup final being played in Dublin, odds of Leinster winning 3 in a row?

Good point.

Well done Leinster

4 in 5 years.

Only an away semi-final in France can realistically stop them.

[Sponsored content]