Who wont make the Pro12 play offs? Includes table and remaining fixtures

by mrzimmerman Fri 04 Jan 2013, 2:04 pm

First topic message reminder :

Current standings after round 20

1 Ulster 20 15 1 4 71
2 Leinster 20 15 0 5 68
3 Glasgow 20 14 0 6 67
4 Ospreys 20 14 1 5 62
5 Scarlets 20 14 0 6 62
6 Munster 20 10 1 9 48

Remaining fixtures;
Ulster; Connacht (A), Blues (H)
Leinster; Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)
Ospreys; Glasgow (A), Leinster (A)
Scarlets; Blues (H), Treviso (H)
Glasgow; Ospreys (H), Connacht (A)
Munster; Dragons (A), Zebre (A)

Choose the 2 teams you believe won't make the last 4 and your reason please.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 12:01 pm

Comfort wrote:I think and 2 of Scarlets/Munster/Leinster(call me crazy)

OK. You are crazy.

I'll have to spring to the defence of my province, who have not gone from triple Euro champs to not making playoffs in 6 months.

Bit of a glitch with having most of the backline and their replacements out for the first half of the season is all.

They have been in every Magners/Rabo final (and lost them all)

Have a look at Leinster's record going backwards.

2012 1st
2011 2nd
2010 1st
2009 3rd
2008 1st
2007 3rd
2006 2nd
2005 3rd

You have to go back to the 1st year of Welsh regional rugby for the last time they were not top 3 in the league.

I will eat my hat on live TV if they are not top 4 this year. Regardless of whether they make the HC, Amlin or neither.

[/rant]

by Comfort Mon 07 Jan 2013, 12:16 pm

Hey, I did say call me crazy Wink

I think Leinster are 1 of the best sides in Europe, and Im hoping they prove me right in that regard by reching the HEC QF's and focusing all their efforts there. Thats actually why I think they'll lose ground in the Rabo playoff spots, that'll be their second target if they get out of their HEC group whereas the other teams will have nothing left to play for but Rabo success.

Of course, being Leinster, they'll prove me wrong now I've said it.

by mrzimmerman Fri 08 Feb 2013, 9:41 pm

Wins for 3 of the 5 chasing pack tonight. The other 2 to play over the weekend. How do people see it going?

by VinceWLB Fri 08 Feb 2013, 9:58 pm

Really hard to go against Ospreys or Leinster, so only one of Scarlets, Glasgow and Munster will make it, i think Glasgow will but next 2 games are primordial for them.

by RubyGuby Sat 09 Feb 2013, 9:58 am

IMO Ulster, Leinster and Ospreys are bankers - I then believe its 1 out of Scarlets and Munster with the game at Parc Y Scarlets in the next week or so having a great significance on who will progress thumbsup

by mrzimmerman Sat 09 Feb 2013, 10:23 am

I agree Ruby. I also think Scarlets HAVE to learn how to beat the big teams. If they come out of the next 2 games without a win they'll be in trouble.

by **Notch** Sat 09 Feb 2013, 12:21 pm

Ulster; Zebre (H), Glasgow (A), Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H)

These are the fixtures that decide whether we finish top or not.

Win one of those and the rest of our games and we'll finish top.

by **Notch** Sat 09 Feb 2013, 12:22 pm

We could also use racking up a few TBPs against Treviso, Zebre, Dragons, Blues etc.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 09 Feb 2013, 2:23 pm

georgestowersbiceps wrote:I agree Ruby. I also think Scarlets HAVE to learn how to beat the big teams. If they come out of the next 2 games without a win they'll be in trouble.

We should come away with 5 or 6 points from the next two games if we are to keep the chase on. We beat Munster in Ireland and put 40+ on a similar strength Leinster (at home with better backs available granted) so it should be possible. Really the loss to you lot at pys and away really cost us.

The home games against Munster and Glasgow will be the playoff deciders.

by **George Carlin** Sat 09 Feb 2013, 7:24 pm

If Glasgow can get their bonus point win tomorrow against Zebre, then they'll go second on 45 points. They've got an incredibly strong team listed to do it - i.e. mostly comprising the Scotland A team that gave the Saxons their annual wedgie, plus Strauss, Matawalu, DTH. Oh yes.

The next game against Ulster at home will determine their season.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sat 09 Feb 2013, 9:50 pm

George Carlin wrote:If Glasgow can get their bonus point win tomorrow against Zebre, then they'll go second on 45 points. They've got an incredibly strong team listed to do it - i.e. mostly comprising the Scotland A team that gave the Saxons their annual wedgie, plus Strauss, Matawalu, DTH. Oh yes.

The next game against Ulster at home will determine their season.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sun 10 Feb 2013, 3:53 pm

Weegies back into second place - very good win out in Italy, TBP

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sun 10 Feb 2013, 4:01 pm

Yessssssss The Warriors

by mrzimmerman Sun 10 Feb 2013, 4:23 pm

Updated. Wins for all the chasing pack this weekend.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sun 10 Feb 2013, 5:34 pm

Great stuff, george clap

Interesting to look at the remaining matches versus the pack competing for play-off spots:

Ulster; Zebre (H), Glasgow (A), Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H)

Leinster; Treviso (H), Scarlets (H), Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Ulster (H), Munster (A), Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

Ospreys; Connacht (A), Edinburgh (H), Munster (A), Dragons (H), Blues (A), Treviso (H), Glasgow (A), Leinster (A)

Scarlets; Munster (H), Leinster (A), Edinburgh (H), Zebre (A), Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Blues (A), Treviso (H)

Glasgow; Dragons (A), Ulster (H), Blues (H), Leinster (A), Munster (H), Scarlets (A), Ospreys (H), Connacht (A)

Munster; Scarlets (A), Treviso (A), Ospreys (H), Connacht (H), Glasgow (A), Leinster (H), Dragons (A), Zebre (A)

Theoretically Ulster, Scarlets & Ospreys have the easiest run ins, with key back-to-back-to-backs for Glasgow and Leinster in the closing stages

by mrzimmerman Sun 10 Feb 2013, 5:55 pm

Thanks. If you're going to run a thread It's good to do it properly.

by **George Carlin** Sun 10 Feb 2013, 6:08 pm

Glasgow now 2 ahead of Leinster and 3 ahead of Spreys.

Really hope those 2 TBPs we squandered against Edinburgh won't cost us. Literally 2 dropped passes is the difference between looking over our shoulder and sitting fairly pretty. Glasgow's season will be defined by what they can get out of their 2 home games with Munster and Ospreys.

Don't fear either at home, not in the way we used to. Our talent is starting to fire at the same time. Don't know the nature of DTH's head injury but we really need him back.

by ScarletSpiderman Sun 10 Feb 2013, 7:53 pm

It's good to see the playoff race is really tight, but kind of sad the table is pretty much cut in two, 13pts between 6th & 7th.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:10 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Theoretically Ulster, Scarlets & Ospreys have the easiest run ins, with key back-to-back-to-backs for Glasgow and Leinster in the closing stages

Ospreys have the run in from hell. Away to 3 top 6 clubs and home to none.

Then again. they always have the run in from hell and they do ok.

by RubyGuby Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:24 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Theoretically Ulster, Scarlets & Ospreys have the easiest run ins, with key back-to-back-to-backs for Glasgow and Leinster in the closing stages
Ospreys have the run in from hell. Away to 3 top 6 clubs and home to none.

Then again. they always have the run in from hell and they do ok.

+ 1 - You guys know us Ospreys - we just like to arrive late to the party and then...... well you know what happens then..... thumbsup

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:27 pm

George Carlin wrote:Glasgow now 2 ahead of Leinster and 3 ahead of Spreys.

Really hope those 2 TBPs we squandered against Edinburgh won't cost us. Literally 2 dropped passes is the difference between looking over our shoulder and sitting fairly pretty. Glasgow's season will be defined by what they can get out of their 2 home games with Munster and Ospreys.

Don't fear either at home, not in the way we used to. Our talent is starting to fire at the same time. Don't know the nature of DTH's head injury but we really need him back.

Aye GC as I said elsewhere DTH and Tommy Seymour would have run riot today although McGuigan did ok

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:30 pm

We lost only 4 games in all comps last season. 3 of them to Ospreys.

The last 2 were games we had in the bag but lost to last minute conversions.

Poxy fecken Ospreys. Crying or Very sad

Hope we get a chance of retribution this year.

by VinceWLB Sun 10 Feb 2013, 9:37 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:It's good to see the playoff race is really tight, but kind of sad the table is pretty much cut in two, 13pts between 6th & 7th.

Yes it is, though i think Treviso, Cardiff and Edinburgh (when they change their coaching staff) could step up. Also teams 1-6 plays for a place in the playoff while 6-12 plays for... pride which makes the difference even greater.

by RubyGuby Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:02 pm

That would be 7-12 playing for pride Vince thumbsup

by VinceWLB Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:34 pm

Oh! thanks thumbsup

Someone mentionned teams ranked 5-8 to play in a shields with semis and final like in the 7's, i think that would be a good idea.

by RubyGuby Sun 10 Feb 2013, 10:36 pm

It might add something Vince - Treviso have showed up well this year; it would be nice to see them rewarded thumbsup

by **George Carlin** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 7:40 am

Big shout to whomever Spreys defence coach is.

Meanest defence in the league for a couple of years now.

by 2ndtimeround Mon 11 Feb 2013, 8:19 am

Scarlets clearly have their detiny in their own hands with the run in and Munster and Glasgow having to come to PYS, win thoe 2 games and a LBP in Leinster and 2nd place is a realistic goal, all the othet teams are going to take points of each other and with Holley on board now I can see the Scarlets turning things back around.

by RubyGuby Mon 11 Feb 2013, 10:05 am

With Holley on board I can see the Scarlets going backwards thumbsup

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 11 Feb 2013, 10:52 am

Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 11 Feb 2013, 2:16 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.

Current agreement has another 18 months to run.

So it will make a difference to the run in next season at the earliest.

The 14/15 season would be the first one under any possible new agreement.

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 11 Feb 2013, 2:44 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.
Current agreement has another 18 months to run.

So it will make a difference to the run in next season at the earliest.

The 14/15 season would be the first one under any possible new agreement.

Good good, I was thinking it would suck to miss out on the play-offs and then miss out on the HEC too (well for Munster anyhow Whistle

).

by Morgannwg Mon 11 Feb 2013, 3:15 pm

George Carlin wrote:Big shout to whomever Spreys defence coach is.

Meanest defence in the league for a couple of years now.

That's only because they 'live offside' according to the Irish.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 11 Feb 2013, 3:55 pm

Morgannwg wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Big shout to whomever Spreys defence coach is.

Meanest defence in the league for a couple of years now.

That's only because they 'live offside' according to the Irish.

They have their own postcode in county offside

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 11 Feb 2013, 3:58 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.
Current agreement has another 18 months to run.

So it will make a difference to the run in next season at the earliest.

The 14/15 season would be the first one under any possible new agreement.

Good good, I was thinking it would suck to miss out on the play-offs and then miss out on the HEC too (well for Munster anyhow ).

yep. the 6th team could be vunerable as a scottish or in this case Italian team could have to come up if we end up having 6 teams from all 4 countries.

by 2ndtimeround Mon 11 Feb 2013, 7:24 pm

RubyGuby wrote:With Holley on board I can see the Scarlets going backwards

Not a bad start so far though, 2 wins from 2 since he officialy started and a very obvious difference in the gameplan. looks like PYS is turning into 2nd chance saloon for Osprey cast off's but with guys like R Kelly, G Owen and now S Holley I guess we can overlook the odd K Phillips. Wink

by wayne Mon 11 Feb 2013, 9:04 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.

SS on what board did you see this?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Mon 11 Feb 2013, 9:13 pm

Except the Heino stays as is for another season?

by **Notch** Mon 11 Feb 2013, 10:03 pm

Morgannwg wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Big shout to whomever Spreys defence coach is.

Meanest defence in the league for a couple of years now.

That's only because they 'live offside' according to the Irish.

Well they do given half a chance. So do we, if we get some galoot of a ref who wouldn't know an offside line if it bit his arse. In fact I would go so far as to say that in a game where the referee does not adequately referee the offside line, 99% of teams employing a blitz defence will go early to apply additional pressure and close down the attack. One of the reasons why the offside rule is one of the most important for referees to get right.

Why take it personally? Rugby team in taking advantage of referee blind spot shocker. Maybe people are just pointing it out because it was true Smile

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 11 Feb 2013, 10:46 pm

wayne wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.
SS on what board did you see this?

been covered on nearly every future of the hec thread on here. But as people have said its IF the hec carries on after the agreement in place runs out end of next season, my bad.

by wayne Tue 12 Feb 2013, 4:31 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
wayne wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Seen on another board, the HEC qualification changes could make this a really interesting run in to the season.

IF it does go to 6 from each league (min of 1 per nation) that would mean at the moment the HEC qualifiers would be Ulster, Glasgow, Leinster, Ospreys, Scarlets, and Treviso. So it could quite well not just be the play-off race but the last HEC slot race too.
SS on what board did you see this?

been covered on nearly every future of the hec thread on here. But as people have said its IF the hec carries on after the agreement in place runs out end of next season, my bad.

SS I thought you had found a new bit of speculation, thanks anyway

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 15 Feb 2013, 9:02 pm

Bet the 29 people who voted for Glasgow to miss out feel like big eejits now? Smile

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 15 Feb 2013, 10:12 pm

Yes my friend but there is till work to do for Glasgow - most of our injuries are over with the exception of Cusiter but with Mata going mental all over the field who needs him ?

by Artful_Dodger Fri 15 Feb 2013, 10:19 pm

Scarlets vs Munster tomorrow and Glasgow vs Ulster next week are huge games now. Bit of a blow for the Ospreys not picking anything up in Galway as well.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 16 Feb 2013, 11:22 am

Dodge to be fair Connacht are always a tough team to beat out there, especially this time of year. But regardless of tonights result that will see the Os dropping outside of the top four. Which will really spice up the race.

by glamorganalun Sat 16 Feb 2013, 9:12 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Dodge to be fair Connacht are always a tough team to beat out there, especially this time of year. But regardless of tonights result that will see the Os dropping outside of the top four. Which will really spice up the race.

Spot on Scarlet, the Ospreys blowing it after a good win against Ulster last week and the Scarlets finally winning against Munster has really spiced it up as you stated. It is difficult for teams losing so many players to call ups playing against teams that are at full or close to full strength.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sat 16 Feb 2013, 9:16 pm

glamorganalun wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Dodge to be fair Connacht are always a tough team to beat out there, especially this time of year. But regardless of tonights result that will see the Os dropping outside of the top four. Which will really spice up the race.

Spot on Scarlet, the Ospreys blowing it after a good win against Ulster last week and the Scarlets finally winning against Munster has really spiced it up as you stated. It is difficult for teams losing so many players to call ups playing against teams that are at full or close to full strength.

Munster not looking too hot. 4th spot is between Scarlets and Ospreys. Ospreys always seem to have a tough run in and make it anyway, but the Scarlets have it so handy if they can just keep it together.

Tight enough though so Munster not dead yet.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 16 Feb 2013, 11:26 pm

Not sure how it looked on tv but imo ROGs first two misses with the boot really put Munster under pressure. Not too sure if the Scarlets won the match or if it was Munster lossing the game, if that makes sence.

by **Notch** Sun 17 Feb 2013, 9:20 am

So right now, the three best attacking sides (Ulster and Glasgow have 43 tries each, Leinster have 44) are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Whereas the two best defensive sides (Ospreys on just 11 tries conceded, Munster on 17) have slipped out of the top four.

Plenty of time all of that to change. Wouldn't go making any grand theories out of it or anything!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Sun 17 Feb 2013, 10:14 am

Thanks to Rossco on The Warriors site for this which is interesting :-

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/table.php

Ulster 58
Glasgow 51
Leinster 49
Scarlets 46
Ospreys 43
Munster 41

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/statzone/competition_rules.php

3.5. If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order:

• number of matches won;
• the difference between points for and points against;
• the number of tries scored;
• the most points scored;
• the difference between tries for and tries against;
• the fewest number of red cards received;
• the fewest number of yellow cards received.

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/fixtures_list.php

ULSTER

22/02/13 Glasgow v Ulster
01/03/13 Ulster v Treviso
09/03/13
16/03/13
22/03/13 Edinburgh v Ulster
30/03/13 Leinster v Ulster
06/04/13 Saracens v Ulster HC
13/04/13 Ulster v Dragons
20/04/13 Connacht v Ulster
27/04/13
04/05/13 Ulster v Blues

GLASGOW WARRIORS

22/02/13 Glasgow v Ulster
01/03/13 Glasgow v Blues
09/03/13
16/03/13
23/03/13 Leinster v Glasgow
29/03/13 Glasgow v Munster
06/04/13
13/04/13 Scarlets v Glasgow
19/04/13 Glasgow v Ospreys
27/04/13
03/05/13 Connacht V Glasgow

LEINSTER

23/02/13 Leinster v Scarlets
01/03/13 Dragons v Leinster
09/03/13
16/03/13
23/03/13 Leinster v Glasgow
30/03/13 Leinster v Ulster
05/04/13 Wasps v Leinster AC
13/04/13 Munster v Leinster
20/04/13 Zebre v Leinster
27/04/13
04/05/13 Leinster v Ospreys

SCARLETS

23/02/13 Leinster v Scarlets
01/03/13 Scarlets v Edinburgh
09/03/13
16/03/13
22/03/13 Zebre v Scarlets
30/03/13 Dragons v Scarlets
06/04/13
13/04/13 Scarlets v Glasgow
20/04/13 Scarlets v Blues
27/04/13
04/05/13 Scarlets v Treviso

OSPREYS

22/02/13 Ospreys v Edinburgh
02/03/13 Munster v Ospreys
09/03/13
16/03/13
22/03/13 Ospreys v Dragons
30/03/13 Blues v Ospreys
06/04/13
13/04/13 Ospreys v Treviso
20/04/13 Glasgow v Ospreys
27/04/13
04/05/13 Leinster v Ospreys

MUNSTER

24/02/13 Treviso v Munster
02/03/13 Munster v Ospreys
09/03/13
16/03/13
23/03/13 Munster v Connacht
29/03/13 Glasgow v Munster
07/04/13 Harlequins v Munster HC
13/04/13 Munster v Leinster
20/04/13 Dragons v Munster
27/04/13
04/05/13 Zebre v Munster

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