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?

[wales606]

Is Thorn staying next season? Or is he off to Japan?

[Knowsit17]

Are we really going to start the Ospreys-Leinster bantering/bickering here and now rather than later on a separate thread? Some people can't wait to satisfy their urge for chips

Congrats again Leinster, scored two more after I left the room to enjoy a delayed and tepid dinner.

[yappysnap]

They were a few refs calls/decisions away from a loss to Clermont this season. And they leaked a fair few tries to a shocking Bath side.

They aren't invincible. They are very very good though.

[Golden]

Right, fairly drunk so gonna make this short.

Fair play to Ulster you did everyone proud and hardluck to all the supporters. If anyone was to beat Leinster I'd want it to be Ulster. Your time will definitly come.

Couldnt be happier with the 3 in 4 years. The hunger and desire from O'Brien and O'Driscoll in their interviews summed Leinster up for me, and i Love it

[chewed_mintie]

Leinster played brilliantly, utter juggernaut.

Fantastic team to watch. It's fair to say, in my opinion they could be potentially the best club side in the world. I feel only the Crusaders or Stormers could beat them in a final-like match...

On the flipside, I thought John Afoa was immense for Ulster. I'd like to see his stats on attack, he carried all day, set plays up like a flyhalf, offloaded, even had two good runs down the wing. I feel he was probably the best player on the park.....

[MrsP]

Well done Leinster!

Thoroughly deserved victory.

I we had to lose, I wouldn't have wanted to lose to anyone else.



Golden,

You are a gent!

[timhen]

Congratulations to Leinster, undoubtedly the best European team around.

The only record left for them to surmount is Toulouse's 4 HC wins and 6 final appearances. I certainly wouldn't bet against them equalling the first part of that next year.

[Mickado]

I love you Leinster.

Thanks Ulster.

I'm drunk.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Glas a du, do u still think SOB is overated?

[The Boss]

Thought it was a very good match. Ulster could have done no more but on the day Leinster were absolutely ruthless and showed their class. Had to feel for Paddy Jackson, I couldn't even imagine the pressure he must have been under.

Thought BOD, SOB and Kearney were the stand outs. Agree with chewed mintie about Afoa, who I thought had a great game. Ferris doesn't look fit and I don't think he should tour this Summer. We all know what he's capable of so he has nothing to prove and he needs a long rest to recover. Darren Cave started well and tapered of. Thought Terblanche was unbelievably stupid at the end but that was the frustration seeping in but he let himself down.

Ulster never stopped trying but by and large it seemed to be a case of 100% effort from Ulster and pure brute force versus 100% effort and unbelievably high levels of skill from Leinster.

That's my uneducated view anyway. Feel free to rip it apart

[The Great Aukster]

Leinster hammered Ulster. Well done to them, no complaints and no-one should complain about Owens either. Leinster won that through their fantastic defence forcing turnovers and clinically executing their chances. Schmidt has been canny not to throw out the defensive legacy from Cheika.

Ulster have refused to acknowledge their need for a flyhalf for eight years and until they do the trophy cabinet is likely to remain bare.

[Biltong]

Well done Leinster, you are deserved champions.

Ulster unfortunately kicked too much, Kearney must have ice in his veins and is certainly in my opinion the best aerial exececutioner in the game. Ulster made to many mistakes, and could get enough phases together.

Leinster was incisive with their line runners, supported each other well, and had brilliant defence, they also ruled the breakdown area.

[FitzStephen]

Wow Leinster. Best of the best. Strauss, Thorn, McLaughlin, O'Brien, D'arcy and Kearney brilliant. O'Driscoll sheer class. If my namesake hadn't beaten you in 1169 I'd be really fecked off right now. Ulster, keep throwing Jackson into these sort of games - he will come good. With Payne, Bowe and Wilson around him it will be different. Otherwise, be proud of this year's success and start fresh in August. Couldn't be prouder of being an Irish rugby fan right now. Hell of a final.

[The Great Aukster]

Hell of a final.

Eh... the most one-sided final in history?

[maestegmafia]

Congratulations Leinster...!

Great result.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Well done to Leinster! Top class side, and you deserved the win. Obviously I am pretty down that we didn't win it, but I am also happy that it was an irish team who took the competition! Hope that Paddy Jackson will not let this game affect him, he is young and can learn so much from that game. I am proud of every single Ulster player who played!

Now where is Glas, after his remarks about O'Brien earlier..

[Guest]

Meh! I thought it was okay but calling leinster the best team in the world, calm down girls they have just beat Ulster

[humphstheman]

Gutted.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Meh! I thought it was okay but calling leinster the best team in the world, calm down girls they have just beat Ulster

There is always someone who feels the need to ruin things for everyone else. WUM somewhere else please.

[Guest]

Ruin? Come on be fair this is a forum and I have give my opinion, hardly ruining it.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Who said leinster are the best team in the world?

[Rory_Gallagher]

Ruin? Come on be fair this is a forum and I have give my opinion, hardly ruining it.

It was a pretty condescending and disrespectful post (eg, they just beat Ulster) plus nobody called Leinster the best team in the world anyway. No reason to post it other than to wind people up. If you are going to be bitter about the teams, best say nothing.

[HERSH]

Well done Leinster,

But that was a poor advert for the HC showpiece.

Ulster were out of their depth

[FitzStephen]

Hell of a final.

Eh... the most one-sided final in history?

Wouldn't go that far. We came out on the wrong side of it. Disappointing, but we were well beaten in the end. It's on a par with when Munster kicked Leinster's behinds in Croker in 2008. We at least made it to the final. We will kick on from here.

[Guest]

Leinster played brilliantly, utter juggernaut.

Fantastic team to watch. It's fair to say, in my opinion they could be potentially the best club side in the world. I feel only the Crusaders or Stormers could beat them in a final-like match...

On the flipside, I thought John Afoa was immense for Ulster. I'd like to see his stats on attack, he carried all day, set plays up like a flyhalf, offloaded, even had two good runs down the wing. I feel he was probably the best player on the park.....

here's one saying best club in the world

[whocares]

Leinster played brilliantly, utter juggernaut.

Fantastic team to watch. It's fair to say, in my opinion they could be potentially the best club side in the world. I feel only the Crusaders or Stormers could beat them in a final-like match...

On the flipside, I thought John Afoa was immense for Ulster. I'd like to see his stats on attack, he carried all day, set plays up like a flyhalf, offloaded, even had two good runs down the wing. I feel he was probably the best player on the park.....

here's one saying best club in the world

Have read stronger statements than this one!

[chewed_mintie]

Leinster played brilliantly, utter juggernaut.

Fantastic team to watch. It's fair to say, in my opinion they could be potentially the best club side in the world. I feel only the Crusaders or Stormers could beat them in a final-like match...

On the flipside, I thought John Afoa was immense for Ulster. I'd like to see his stats on attack, he carried all day, set plays up like a flyhalf, offloaded, even had two good runs down the wing. I feel he was probably the best player on the park.....

here's one saying best club in the world

POTENTIALLY

And I'm not even a Leinster fan, but you have to be impressed with what they've done. 3 H Cups in 4 years is some effort.

[Guest]

That was off this Page alone,plenty more saying it if you can be bothered going through all the pages and a few other threads,
And I'm not being disrespectful I just don't think beating Cardiff Clermont and Ulster makes leinster an amazing team.
agree or not it is just my opinion

[LeinsterFan4life]

That was off this Page alone,plenty more saying it if you can be bothered going through all the pages and a few other threads,
And I'm not being disrespectful I just don't think beating Cardiff Clermont and Ulster makes leinster an amazing team.
agree or not it is just my opinion

Who do you support?

[Rory_Gallagher]

That was off this Page alone,plenty more saying it if you can be bothered going through all the pages and a few other threads,
And I'm not being disrespectful I just don't think beating Cardiff Clermont and Ulster makes leinster an amazing team.
agree or not it is just my opinion

What about everyone else they have beaten? Not to mention the teams you have listed, especially Clermont. Or what about the fact that they have won 3 heineken cups in 4 seasons? They might even do the double this year. My opinion is that you are pretty bitter about their success, and are trying to belittle their achievements to make yourself feel a bit better. The facts quite clearly speak against you.

[kingjohn7]

That was off this Page alone,plenty more saying it if you can be bothered going through all the pages and a few other threads,
And I'm not being disrespectful I just don't think beating Cardiff Clermont and Ulster makes leinster an amazing team.
agree or not it is just my opinion

Destroying the Blues, beating Clermont(who are superb) away, and putting on a masterful performance in the final. Winning HC 3/4 years. Whilst also being one of the most attractive and enjoyable teams to watch.
What do they need to do to hit 'amazing'?

[Rory_Gallagher]

They need to become a welsh region..

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Hard luck Ulster it was clear to see the passion and determination in the ulster players I guess Leinster are just too well oiled at this stage.

I have to say from not being a huge advocate of BOD I thought he had an unreal game making semi breaks and clever passes as well as tackles. the amount of times he had a two on two and stepped past his marker to make a one on one was outstanding. Hugely impressed.

Absoutely delighted for the boys, they really deserved it IMO. They are the ultimate in creative tacticians. So proud

[wales606]

Hell of a final.

Eh... the most one-sided final in history?

Wouldn't go that far. We came out on the wrong side of it. Disappointing, but we were well beaten in the end. It's on a par with when Munster kicked Leinster's behinds in Croker in 2008. We at least made it to the final. We will kick on from here.

For reference - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7996656.stm

[Rory_Gallagher]

Hard luck Ulster it was clear to see the passion and determination in the ulster players I guess Leinster are just too well oiled at this stage.

I have to say from not being a huge advocate of BOD I thought he had an unreal game making semi breaks and clever passes as well as tackles. the amount of times he had a two on two and stepped past his marker to make a one on one was outstanding. Hugely impressed.

Absoutely delighted for the boys, they really deserved it IMO. They are the ultimate in creative tacticians. So proud

O'Driscoll simply MUST start at 12 for Ireland - he creates space SO well, and will help his replacement come through wonderfully.

[Glas a du]

Well done Leinster and Mr S O'Brien.

Also well done Ulster for getting there. You came up against the best European team ever.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Well done Leinster and Mr S O'Brien.

Also well done Ulster for getting there. You came up against the best European team ever.

Thanks Glas.

[Pal Joey]

Well done Leinster... a true team of champions.

Commiserations to the Ulter fans... you'll be back soon I hope.

Bloody missed all of it. Can't believe it wasn't even shown here in Oz. Disgraceful. I'm definitely sending fox an email next year. ffs they had college lacrosse on again!

Just saw some highlights of Leinster running in a few tries. They look a very strong team.

[Hound_of_Harrow]

I was at the game, and the killer blow for Ulster was the penalty try. Not that the ref got that wrong, but the assistant ref incorrectly flagged the Ulster player as being outside the 22 when he kicked the ball to touch. He was inside his 22 imo and the line out should have been a good 15-20m up the pitch.

Well done to Leinster though, they bossed the breakdown and always looked threatening in possession. And quite why Ulster kicked so much of their own possession away to Leinster's backs...well, only they know.

[Pal Joey]

Hi Hound.
The momentum shifted on pub thread after that penalty try.
Hope you guys had a great day out at Twickers... Gibbo must be on fire!
Say hi to everyone for me.
A commiserating for Rava... but no beard rubbing.

[ChequeredJersey]

Well Leinster should play the winner of the S15- winner gets the title of best club team in the works. That they are the best team in Europe is at this point fairly hard to argue against with a straight face

[SecretFly]

One observation for tonight.

That "poor man's Ferris" O'Brien certainly is a bargain at the tuppence halfpenny basement price he commands. Wise penny pinching poorhouse signing by the Leinster heads there

Good call Glas.....

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

O Brien is overrated. As is Kearney. Sexton is yer man. ERC Player of the Year. Has to be.

This team is getting better year-on-year. There is much more to come from it. Concerning.

[aucklandlaurie]

aslongasbut100ofus

Too true, every time I watch Sexton I have the feeling that there's more to this guy than what we actually see. I reckon he'd love 6 months living in Auckland' playing ITM and Super xv, trouble we'd send him back to Ireland and history would be rewritten..

[Glas a du]

That's a compliment indeed Laurie!


Well, that was some display from the boys in Blue. They have cemented their claim to be the best team in Europe. There have been doubters, those that criticise the reliance on foreign stars, but there is a core of experience in that team who have been there for a few years before the recent high profile signings. The heart of the team is homegrown and vital for the national side, even players that have been in for serious criticism of late. The character they showed to soak up everything the men in white and red could throw at them and then calmly win it with late scores was immense.

Well done Chelsea!



Can I have custard with my humble pie?

[ChequeredJersey]

I don't think we'd beat them realistically, but i'd honestly love to play Leinster next year in the HEC

[clivemcl]

I have a story.

Four lenster fans in front of us were absolutely lovely people. Could banter with them, and they turned round and agreed when the linesmen made that poor call.

With ten minutes to go, with nerves and tension and anger at its height for me. I nearby Leinster supporter took it upon himself to come over to me and say this:

"In all fairness Ulster don't deserve to be here and you know it".

I sh1t you not.

Whatever amount of pain and hurt that result brought was magnified by that arrogant Tinkywinky. I'm sure those types are rare and can be found amonst any supporters.

But at that moment i didnt know whether to ignore him, reason with him or punch him.

Leinster are just unreal. Some of our backline stuff was decent but Leinster just seemed to know where to be. Everyone was covered. And when we did manage space out wide it seemed to be John Afoa.

Our defence had a heck of a lot to do. Not helped by coughing up the ball numerous times from poor kicking and turnovers.

As i said on another thread, BML did not manage the 10 shirt well. In hindsight jackson didnt have enough time to get mentally confident. Did iHumph throw a spanner in the works? Who cares. iHumph should maybe have seen the season out since Jackson ahad been given no experience throughout the season.

[Thomond]

Clive, that kind of thing is commmon enough. There are a fair few decent Leinster fans but a large portion are an arrogant shower.

[GunsGerms]

Thomond to be honest you look as bad as that twit in the story with that comment. I was punched in the face by a Munster fan because I said Rog would make a good jockey. Should I hate all Munster fans now? Obviously not. There are clowns everywhere. Making generalisations just reflects badly on yourself.

Also for what it's worth any idiot knows ulster were very good value for their final appearance.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

that sucks clive-

for what it is worth I think if Ulster had gone and won the cup I don't think there would have been a more difficult route to the final

Leicester x2
Clermont x2
Munster
Leinster

If they'd won that would have been outstanding and I fully believe they deserved to get to the final.

Having watched it back a 3rd time here are somethings I saw

1) Leinster lineout and scrum really stood up apart from a few scrum penalties
2) Ferris was quiet
3) Paddy Wallace is the best 12 in Ireland at the moment bar none, his lines and feet after recieving the ball are outstanding as is his distribution
4) BOD tore Cave a new one a few times and Cave is supposed to be Mr. Defence
5) The move scrumhalf to forwards screen to outhalf is a great play
6) SOB is a 7
7) Every try was scored by a forward

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