Rabbo Pro 12 Final thread(Teams included)

Right, now, we know the teams, we know the venue, how do we think this one will pan out ? Although there is less at stake, I think that this game will be a lot better than HC final, and with Leinster having home advantage, it is hard to look past a Leinster win, but the Ospreys have been to the RDS this season and won so they will not fear going to Dublin, also Tandy has come in and breathed fresh air into the squad, but I still think Leinster will win but it will be very close, probably just a score in it. So I am going for Leinster by 3pts.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney 14: Fergus McFadden 13: Brian O'Driscoll 12: Gordon D'Arcy 11: Isa Nacewa 10: Jonathan Sexton 9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe 2: Sean Cronin 3: Mike Ross 4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN 5: Devin Toner 6: Kevin McLaughlin 7: Shane Jennings 8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss 17: Cian Healy/Jack McGrath 18: Nathan White 19: Brad Thorn 20: Dominic Ryan 21: John Cooney 22: Ian Madigan 23: David Kearney

OSPREYS:

15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Shane Williams
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Paul James
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman
Replacements:
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 James King
20 Tom Smith
21 Kahn Fotuali'i
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Tom Isaacs[/quote]

Very difficult to call. A lot depends on next weekend and how tough the HEC final is. Leinster have played a fair few tough games and maybe it is starting to take its toll even with their squad depth.

Given the form the Ospreys are in and the fact that they beat Leinster twice already you'd have to fancy them to be in with a real shot.

One thing is for sure Leinster need to be on top form to win this and a week after the HEC final I'm not sure they will be.

Ospreys by a 8-10 points.

I think lessons will be learned from last year. We went on the urine for 3 days after the final and were in rag order the following week, that said we were never far from Munster until the last few minutes. No matter what result we come away from Twix with I think the attitude will be a lot better going into this game.

Ospreys are looking very good though, we're going to need a massive game at the breakdown to stop Tipuric, who was awesome on Friday night.

Not voting until next Monday.

Ospreys looking VERY good. They know how to come to Dublin and steal OUR cup.

Will think about it after the fall out of winning/losing the HC.

I think the Ospreys can do it. But because it's in Leinster again, i don't think Leinster will allow the O's to beat them twice in their own backyard in a final.

OUR cup?

Tough one for the O's. Hopefully the HC final will be a brutal game and leinster will be knackered. Still, we've won at the RDS before so.....

There wont be any excuses to miss it. apparently its being shown in the following countries on the corresponding channel!

Malta- Go Malta
Middle East- Orbit Showtime Network - (23 countries) Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates
North America - Fox Soccer Plus
Canada- Rogers Sportsnet World
Sub Sahara Africa Setanta - (50 countries) Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivorie, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania/Zanzibar, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Asia Setanta - (8 countries) Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
New Zealand- Sky New Zealand

georgestowersbiceps wrote:There wont be any excuses to miss it. apparently its being shown in the following countries on the corresponding channel!

Malta- Go Malta
Middle East- Orbit Showtime Network - (23 countries) Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates
North America - Fox Soccer Plus
Canada- Rogers Sportsnet World
Sub Sahara Africa Setanta - (50 countries) Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivorie, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania/Zanzibar, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Asia Setanta - (8 countries) Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
New Zealand- Sky New Zealand

WOW !!!! Does the HC get that much coverage ? They realy are trying to sell the Rabbo are'nt they.

Depends on the Leinster teams response.

If they go on the lash, after the HC final, like they did last year - Ospreys game otherwise Leinster.

As an Ospreys supporter I actually want Leinster to win the HC. If they don't then they will be seriously fired up to win some silverware!

I want the Ospreys to win, however you have to feel for Leinster. The first play-off final in RDS, beaten by the Ospreys even thought Leinster finished 1st in the league. The second play-off final, away in Munster, they had just been crowned HEC champions, and then lost. This season they have trounced the league, and are in the HEC final. If they do not win the play-off final then it wuold be heart breaking for them.

COME ON THE DOUBLE!!!!!!

Ospreys.

There's a reason why it's hard to do the double.

The Hairpreys will have a nice week off to relax while Leinster will be in a HEC the week before.

There's no way Leinster should win this but if they do I would suspect the Ospreys would be raging.

Would be an UNREAL achievement to do the double. But I really dont think its possible.

Of course it's possible!!!

BELIEVE

Breadvan wrote:OUR cup?

It was (supposed to be) our little going away present to Mick Cheika, and a consolation for getting dumped out in a HC semi in Toulouse.

Also it was our cup because we had topped the league and were playing at home. Ospreys however, had other ideas. And deservedly beat us.

Now at least let us get this little game with the Sammys out of the way before we get into whose cup it is.....

I have a cheeky feeling Ulster will win their second HEC. And Leinster will take out their revenge on the Ospreys.

We will need a huge effort. We can do it. We have had an awesome pack this year.

That said, if Leinster are HeC winners, and they play well and beat us I would be very happy for them.

A great team and this is a fantastic challenge. Can't wait.

I just hope they play well. I was bitterly disappointed after we lost the final to Ospreys two years ago, because I thought we didn't do ourselves justice at all. I was less disappointed last year because I thought we made a good effort. We threw the kitchen sink at them, but we tired in the end.

I'd say our pack will be in an almighty battle with Ulster in the HC, so we should bring in fresher players for this, VDM/Healy, Cullen/Toner, Strauss/Cronin can all be switched without losing much and we have plenty of options in the backrow.

I think we can afford to make a few changes from this weeks team.

Whichever of these pairs don’t start this week, should start next week (me speak the good Englandish yes?)

VDM/Healy
Strauss/Cronin
Cullen/Toner
Jennings/McLaughlin
Reddan/Boss

Humphreys says the ospreys can improve again ready for Leinster.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18107315

I fancy Ospreys to win. Leinster have all eyes in this weekend, while Ospreys can build up for this with no distractions.

It depends how the HC final goes. It could be a battle that wears us out, whatever the result. Ulster mightn't turn up and we could swat them like puny insects, and go into the PRO12 final full of confidence and a clean bill of health.

All I know is that Ospreys will be brimming with confidence after their last result and because they've done this before and won, two years ago. And a Welsh team with confidence is very dangerous indeed.

I expect those votes for Leinster to start increasing now after their performance yesterday. I don't think Leinster will treat it as a lesser game, they'll be hugely motivated to achieve a much deserved double. I hope the Ospreys can stop them but will be the first to congratulate Leinster if they win. Leinster are fast becoming the New Zealand of European club rugby. Let's see if they can handle it!

No formal HC celebrations planned in Dublin this weekend. We want the double!

Will any welsh fans claim that they are the true European champions if they win next weekend against Leinster?

Just thought I'd throw that ball in early if anyone wants to have a lash at it.

Tough one. Ospreys on the up confidence-wise after a period of very poor morale. Leinster flushed from their winning records in Europe - quite a few of them amassed during that one game!

But also, the hidden agenda now for players on both sides is the carrot of playing International against Australia and New Zealand this summer. So that can suggest two things - determination to put yourself in the picture for those tours (not only showing up but playing) and/or the self preservation mode certain players might enter into in light of the lure of beating 1st and 2nd ranked sides in the world in a three game series.

So yes, of course Pro12 championship will be a target for both sets of players (Ospreys because it's the one that's on their radar this year - Leinster because they are obviously chasing that dynastic reputation O'Driscoll alluded to) - but those International tours will also be floating in the air and might influence both the tempo and the final result.

Certainly a game that Ospreys can win. Leinster aren't invincible, but they just have so many strings to their bow that they seldom crumble psychologically under the strains of the pressure the opposition put them under.

Pot Hale wrote:Will any welsh fans claim that they are the true European champions if they win next weekend against Leinster?

Just thought I'd throw that ball in early if anyone wants to have a lash at it.

Ah don't put words in people's mouths. They won't beat us anyway

The dynastic reputation they are striving for gives me a lot of hope for this game as a Leinster fan.

The fact they flew home from London also rather than staying out late into the night.
The fact there are no formal celebrations this year compared to last year

NO INJURIES is a big one, looks like we made it through the HCup final without any injuries.

If players are jaded at all I would go for:

Van Der Merwe -Healy to spring from the bench
Cronin -A great player and will keep the pace of the game quick
Ross -Not an impact sub so want his strong scrummaging
Toner -Giving Cullen a rest, great in air and mobile around the park
Thorn -Add steel and lots of grunt
O'Brien -Massive influence at breakdowns
Jennings -Keep our ball quick against tough Osprey's pack
Heaslip (c) - Captain in Cullen's absense. 3rd lineout option.
Reddan -Again aiming to keep the tempo up
Sexton -One of the best players in the NH
Kearney Jr -Never disappoints, and is a tough cookie
McFadden -Give Darcy a break and McFadden is a strong bloke
O'Driscoll -Had one of his best games of the last few years last night
Nacewa -Consimate professional
Kearney -Possibly the HCup player of the tournament

Strauss-Healy-White-Cullen-McLaughlin-Boss-Madigan-Carr

Love it Pete. Wouldnt make any changes to that team.

Mickado wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Will any welsh fans claim that they are the true European champions if they win next weekend against Leinster?

Just thought I'd throw that ball in early if anyone wants to have a lash at it.

Ah don't put words in people's mouths. They won't beat us anyway

I hope they don't. I really do.

Keep the ball quick and let our backs do the damage as the Ospreys backs are not their strength. Let BOD run some of those sick little lines.

Anyone see the wrap around variant yesterday?

Sexton to Darcy. Sexton starts looping around BOD instead of coming on the outside shoulder of Darcy to draw men, recognises that the defence are shifting really quickly to cover Sexton's wrap so BOD takes a switch off Darcy and makes yards through the drifting defence.

Mickado wrote:No formal HC celebrations planned in Dublin this weekend. We want the double!

Well you're not having it!! Neurgh neurgh neurgh neurgh neurgh!




Come this time next Sunday, I'll still be a bag of nerves.

By the way, if Leinster do the double, they'll be the first team to do so since 2004 when Wasps did it.

Cari wrote:

Mickado wrote:No formal HC celebrations planned in Dublin this weekend. We want the double!

Well you're not having it!! Neurgh neurgh neurgh neurgh neurgh!




Come this time next Sunday, I'll still be a bag of nerves.

By the way, if Leinster do the double, they'll be the first team to do so since 2004 when Wasps did it.

Did Wasps used to be in the Celtic League? No wonder they were so good.

So, who's going to this match?

Many Ospreylians expected to make the trip?

Oh I'll be there. I may be "working from home" on Monday.

Shame the game's on a Sunday as it will affect traveling numbers...

I'm off on Monday. Should have taken today off too, feel rough. Another blow out this weekend is definitely called for.

Just spent 25 minutes in the toilet "hiding" and reading the indo.

I don't fear much, but Monday mornings after a weekend like that, I fear.

I wonder who'll be the winner of the Disney Cup?

Yo mamma, perhaps?

Always lovely to hear from you Hersh

I'm going with the Ospreys, because Leinster gave everything in Europe on the weekend, and probably burnt themselves out.

I think the Ospreys have far more energy for this game.

Leinster didn't look very burnt out to me. They scored 2 try's in the last 10 minutes.

I think those two try scorers, VDM and Cronin should start this, as they didn't start last week and they're just as good as Healy and Strauss.

Mickado wrote:So, who's going to this match?

Many Ospreylians expected to make the trip?

Had it been the Saturday I most defo would have. At least then I could've come over, stayed a night or two, gone home and to work on Monday. Sunday 4pm kick off makes it impossible though, and sadly I can't take leave at short notice anymore. The Ospreys Supporters Club have organised a trip to Dublin, but that's leaving Wales Thursday and coming back Monday/Tuesday I think.

Why on earth is it on a Sunday? Loads of people won't be coming over for it. Bad planning.

Intotouch wrote:Why on earth is it on a Sunday? Loads of people won't be coming over for it. Bad planning.

Something to do with a big football game on the Saturday. Big blow for us travelling Ospreys fans who can't get the Monday off.

Another big football game? Do big football games ever end in that infernal never-ending football season?!

Good for Leinster, that they get an extra day recovery time though.

Anyone heading to this game from the forum? I've got tickets for anglesa stand.

I think if we start guys like Van Der Merwe, Cronin, Toner, jennings, Boss (maybe), Dave Kearney then we should be able to win this game

Oh I’ll be there. Plus MickyT and 2 other STH’s.

Just read on twitter that it’s officially sold out. And since season tickets don’t apply to this game that means that everyone of the 18.5k tickets has been sold. Impressive given it’s only Tuesday. Must have been a lot of people didn’t make it to Twickenham looking to show the team their support.

I don't think Leinster will be anywhere close to burnt out. The players will be raring to go for this one.
I'll be watching in whatever pub I can find in Roundstone, Co. Galway.
Any info on the best pub there would be welcomed