Pro 12, after round 8, season shaping up?

First topic message reminder :

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/pools/index.php
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/table.php

Lets look at Pro 12 teams season so far.

Ulster
7 Games 7 wins, Highest points scored, most tries scored and least conceded (all with a game less than everyone, makes points and tries even better, but takes a little gloss of points conceded). Looking good in the league so far for Ulster. Europe 2 from 2 and a BP as well. Games against Northampton could be the bigest games this season. Overall, Very happy to be an Ulster fan, winning, but still don't look to be in top gear yet. Winning but not looking as good as Leinster of last year, which is the target but it does look like an achieveable target now.

Scarlets
8 games 6 wins, Won last 3 games in a row in league, looking in good shape, joint second in Tries scored and LPB's in the two games lost show that they will be a very good team this year. In Europe different storey had a very tough group and with 2 loses, it looks like they will be playing for pride in Europe and for silverware in the League. Looking fairly good for Scarlets so far, and think fans will be happy how things are going.

Glasgow Warriors.
8 games 6 wins, Lost first two games (against the 2 teams above them), have won every game since in Leauge, have possibly the toughest defence, conceding 104 point, (only Ulster 100 is better but with a game less), and 3rd fewest tries conceded. Like Scarlets 2 losses in Europe mean that only Pride to play for there. Have the potential to reach playoffs again, really underestimated team by most as get good results and into playoffs but seams to go unnoticed.

Munster
Won 5, 3 loses came away to Ospreys, Leinster and Ulster, so not bad, going along nicely i a transition year, but will still be there or there abouts in League at end of year, Europe one win one loss, game away will feel should have won. Like Ulster games against English team will have a big say in thier European campaigne. Going nicly winning games they should win, losing games they are not expected to win.

Ospreys
Won 5, lost first 3 won 5 league games since, after a slow start Ospreys are picking up and moving up the table. Conceded joint fewest tries (7 with Ulster who have played a game less), meaning defence is strong point of this team. One win one loss in Europe leaves it still all to play for. Didn't know what to expect of Ospreys as like Munster is was supposed to be a transition year, however after first 3 games they have found thier stride, and look to be like the leauge champions they are, should be in the play off places soon.

Leinster
Won 5 What can you say, they don't look like the team of last year, as good as they are in attack they are equally bad in defense, one of the top teams highest in points scored but also one of the highest in points conceded, likewise for tries scored and conceded (have joint worst tries conceded in Leauge, worse than Zebre!). Currently have the attack of a top of the table team, and defense of a bottom of the table team. Europe 2 wins from 2. However back to back games with Clermont Auvergne will prob decide the group. Everyones been waiting for Leinster to click and play like last year, but its not happening yet and Leinster fans may be getting nevous that it won't happen this year, or in time for Clermont Auvergne anyway.

Cardiff Blues
Won 3, Supposed to be a transition year and its showing lost lat 4 league games, Some big losses, and losing 4 out of 5 home games does not look good for fans. Have joint worst tries conceded in Leauge. 2 losses in Europe mean its all over, with pride the only thing to play for. Have some good players but are looking to build for future, however it looks like its going to be a long tough season for Blues fans, Seventh place a realistic target, fans won't be happy that they are now battling the likes of Connacht and Terviso.

Connacht
Won 3, hadn't high expections matching last years 8th place finish would be a good. Only 4 home games won 2. Home form will be key for them this year, going along roughly as expected, win over Leinster aside. Europe one win one loss will still have hopes of making best runner up? big games coming up, could improve to 7th place finsih in League.

Terviso
Won 3 had a very tough start to the season, won 2 out of 4 at home, but have had, Leinster, Scarlets, Glasgow and Ospreys, so will be looking to win more of these as lower teams visit, and back to back with Zebre at Christmas may push them up table. In europe 2 loses, but will look to salvage pride by winning a home game, were in group of death so not unexpexted.

Edinburgh,
last year H-cup semi finalists, have only won 2 games, of 6 losses have 4 LBP so have been keeping it close, however in Europe not scoring a single point and losing by 5 tries or more must hurt. After the highs of europe last year, Edinburgh have come back down with a bump. Going to be a very very tough year for Edinburgh fans, esp as Glasgow look like they are going to go very well (which I'm sure most are happy for Glasgow to do, its just the gulf between the sides that will be annoying). Lasst year finished down the league, but had European run, this year will be tough to get to 7th or 8th in league.

Dragons
2 wins, both at home, out of 4 home games, Dragons were looking to turn RP into a tough place to visit again, this remains to be seen if can be done this season. However most tries conceded and most points conceded (worse than Zebre) will have fans worried. However with Blues also struggling, a good win and Dragons could be challanging Blues for Europe which would cheer fans up. Almin 2 losses means it prob over as well. Home to Connacht and away to Terviso may give them a chance to pick up points on Blues, still something to fight for this season.

Zebre
Zero wins 1 LBP against Glasgow, However as bad as people say they are, they have a few pluses, there defence it not the worst in the league,Dragons, Blues and Leinster have conceded more tries, and Dragons have conceded more points.
However 6 tries for (next lowest being 11) shows were the problem lies. Will be a tough year for them Wooden spoon nearly already wrapped up. However they have had less home games than anyone else, so may pick up points here later in the year.


Overall I think that the League has split, into two mini leagues, top 6 are playing for a play off place and bottom 6 are playing for 7th place. I don't see a team form top 6 dropping below 6th and like wise a team from bottom 6 getting higher than 7th.

Intresting as we expected Leinster, Munster and Ospreys to all be in playoff, with Scarlets, Glasgow and Ulster fighting for the 4th place, that it appears to be the other way round at present.

Still a long way to go, but think its safe to say top 6 the are contenders, bottom 6 are also rans this year but will be looking to biuld for next year, or improve on last years position.

So, that would be the Muhammed Ali Munster then.

Or Mu-nster for short.