Munster vs Glasgow

Munster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Saturday 12 April 2014, KO 18:30
Thomond Park, Limerick

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 108th competition game)  
Assistant Referees: Gary Conway, David Connolly (IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: John Carvill (IRFU)

Live on TG4/BBC ALBA

A. Teams:

I. Munster

Felix Jones, Gerhard van den Heever, Keith Earls, James Downey, Simon Zebo, JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray, John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave Foley, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan Capt.

Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Billy Holland, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Johne Murphy.

II. Glasgow

15. Murchie
14. Maitland
13. Dunbar
12. Russell
11. Seymour
10. Weir
9. Cusiter
8. Wilson
7. Fusaro
6. Strauss
5. Gray
4. Swinson
3. Welsh
2. Hall
1. Reid

16. MacArthur
17. Yanuyanutawa
18. Cross
19. Nakarawa
20. Harley
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Vernon

B. Form - head to head

22 Played 22
14 Wins 7
7 Losses 14
1 Draws 1
56 Tries 41
41 Conversions 29
51 Penalties 58
1 Drop Goals 1
518 Points 440
27 Avg. Age 25

C. Form - last season:

Sat 1 December 2012
Munster Rugby 31 - 3 Glasgow Warriors
Thomond Park

Fri 29 March 2013
Glasgow Warriors 51 - 24 Munster Rugby
Scotstoun Stadium

I'm hoping Toonie goes for broke and tries to take the game to a hopefully weakened/ tired Munster side, personally I'd pick the following team but I'll put what I think the team will be in brackets:

1. Grant
2. MacArthur
3. Welsh
4. Nakarawa (Kellock)
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss
9. Cusiter
10. Russell (Weir)
11. Matawalu
12. Dunbar (Russell)
13. Bennett (Dunbar)
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

Putting 50 points on the Munstermen at home was one of our finest performances last season (we scored 6 tries) but it has to be said that we aren't currently plateauing at the same level at the moment. That said, I think that the performances are getting much, much better and lots of individuals who had a quieter first half of the season than I would like are starting to find their feet.

What is worrying is that I think the Munster pack is playing better this season than it did last season - Stander, O'Mahony, O'Donnell and Coughlan in particular. I have no idea how many of them will feature at the weekend, after Heineken duties. I would think that all of them will because it's still possible (although sadly unlikely) for Munster to blow a home play-off spot if Glasgow beats them.

That said, we do have the meanest defence in the league and usually a bonkers strong bench. The close victories over the Ospreys and Scarlets have also galvanised us, so who knows. What I would really like to see (hoping that Hogg has now served his suspension - I think that he has) is:

01 Grant
02 Hall
03 Welsh
04 Nakarawa
05 Gray
06 Harley
07 Fusaro
08 Strauss

09 Cusiter
10 Jackson

11 Matawalu (assuming Seymour is not fit)
12 Bennett
13 Dunbar
14 Maitland
15 Hogg

16 Yanuyanutawa
17 Low
18 MacArthur
19 Swinson
20 Wilson
21 Murchie
22 Russell
23 Horne

We need our biggest front row out there and a seriously aggressive pack.

Apart from DTH missing, I am happy with our backline - they will be a match for anyone.

George Carlin wrote:Putting 50 points on the Munstermen at home was one of our finest performances last season (we scored 6 tries) but it has to be said that we aren't currently plateauing at the same level at the moment. That said, I think that the performances are getting much, much better and lots of individuals who had a quieter first half of the season than I would like are starting to find their feet.

What is worrying is that I think the Munster pack is playing better this season than it did last season - Stander, O'Mahony, O'Donnell and Coughlan in particular. I have no idea how many of them will feature at the weekend, after Heineken duties. I would think that all of them will because it's still possible (although sadly unlikely) for Munster to blow a home play-off spot if Glasgow beats them.

That said, we do have the meanest defence in the league and usually a bonkers strong bench. The close victories over the Ospreys and Scarlets have also galvanised us, so who knows. What I would really like to see (hoping that Hogg has now served his suspension - I think that he has) is:

01 Grant
02 Hall
03 Welsh
04 Nakarawa
05 Gray
06 Harley
07 Fusaro
08 Strauss

09 Cusiter
10 Jackson

11 Matawalu (assuming Seymour is not fit)
12 Bennett
13 Dunbar
14 Maitland
15 Hogg

16 Yanuyanutawa
17 Low
18 MacArthur
19 Swinson
20 Wilson
21 Pyrgos
22 Russell
23 Horne

We need our biggest front row out there and a seriously aggressive pack.

Apart from DTH missing, I am happy with our backline - they will be a match for anyone.

No kicker in that 15, Weir or Russell got to start. Can't risk losing game because we don't convert kicks! Pyrgos won't be on the bench either with two scrum halves starting, he will bring a back three player in, Seymour if fit or Murchie if not.

Doh. I actually meant to write 'Murchie' rather than Henners.

I would be slightly nervous about starting a lightweight Russell against Laulala and Downey. Are we completely writing Jackson off as kicker? I have kind of assumed that Hogg could take the short ones and Bennett anything over 50m.

Is Niko considered a winger now? or is just through injury hes playing there? I cant remember seeing him at 9 this season.

I think it's injuries, if all were fit I imagine he'd be behind Lamont, Seymour, and DTH but probably just ahead of McGuigan. Although Glasgow have to choose next year between Pyrgos' reliability but also suffocating predictability and Matawalu's pure insanity

So if everyones fit hes behind Cusiter? I'd love to see him back at 9, he really lit up the league last year.

Personally I think Cusiter has been massively underestimated since about 2006, for about two to three years Mike Blair was incredible and understandably outshone Cusiter but Cusiter is by far the best Scottish scrum-half now and arguably the best British scrum-half.

Cusiter will start, he is the number one at the moment. Niko will either come on from the bench or more likely start on the wing then move in later in the game.

It really is difficult to leave Niko out, he just has the knack of making things happen, look at the tries he has scored the past few weeks. I think he and Maitland will start on the wings with Seymour on the bench if fit.

We are assuming of course that Hoggy starts, maybe he will have lost a bit of match fitness during his hiatus and will start on the bench. It hardly seems fair to drop Murchie anyway, who has played very well.

Bit early for this thread? Discuss amongst yourselves...it'l be Weds before any of the Munster posters get their heads right.

Going back to the other question, we do need a reliable goal kicker and that narrows it down to two, Russell or Weir!

Pretty sure Weir will start and Russell will bench at best, but will probably sit this one out.

1. Grant
2. Hall
3. Welsh
4. Nakarawa
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss

9. Cusiter
10. Weir
11. Matawalu
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. MacArthur, 17. Yanuyanutawa, 18. Low, 19 Swinson, 20. Wilson, 21. Russell, 22. Vernon, 23. Seymour

If we don't get parity up front against Munster, we'll get nowhere - Grant, Hall and Welsh will front up well. Our lineout was poor against Zebre and we'll need a calm, experienced head like Hall's to throw his darts. I also thought he carried magnificently against Ospreys, linking up well and playing a good 'clean up' role whenever a flowing attacking move broke down.

Nakarawa simply gets better and better with each game, and there's no one else in our squad that matches Jonny Gray's sheer physicality (Everyone, say "fizzeecallitee" like Scott Quinnell. Do it.). I feel dirty saying this, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to justify including Al Kellock in a match-day squad as important as this.

The Harley-Fusaro-Strauss back row is a superbly well-balanced unit that basically picks itself - we're simply not the same team without those three on the pitch. They carry well, defend excellently, and they've all got something of the b****rd about them.

Cusiter is our most natural scrum half. If we have a game plan, it should be to play calm, composed rugby for the first 50 minutes, avoiding the niggly crap that Munster always pull. Weir is our most consistent kicker and, on form, will kick the corners and pin Munster back. Niko can come inside in the final quarter when we bring Russell on to carve up a bit.

Dunbar was Scotland's best performing player at the moment and, despite what Old Ma Johnson may think, he is definitely a 12. He and Bennett have formed a solid yet creative partnership that mixes directness with distribution.

Maitland had his best game for Glasgow last week, so we'd be mad not to start him. Niko has to be on the pitch - to bench him would be simply criminal. My only question mark is over Hogg - there's no denying his ability, and I hope he would have kept his nose to the stone in training over the last three weeks, but he has no form. What can you do?

Glasgow effectively have their playoff spot in the bag but, from almost nowhere, we have the chance over the next two weeks to challenge for a home semi. Not much to lose by giving it a go. I know we've been disappointed by some of our performances over the last six months (even if the results themselves have been adequate), but I can't help thinking we peaked too soon last year. I want us as sharp as an Easterhouse shank by mid-May - everything has to be a progression towards our perfect game.

Can't see a place for Jackson in this game, he's not good enough to start and we don't need his impression of Fijian on speed in the last twenty minutes; it comes down to Weir or Russell for me, Weir has big game experience and can handle pressure, Russell looks the better player and has massive potential, I'm glad I'm not in Townsend's shoes right now.

IanBru wrote:1. Grant
2. Hall
3. Welsh
4. Nakarawa
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss

9. Cusiter
10. Weir
11. Matawalu
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. MacArthur, 17. Yanuyanutawa, 18. Low, 19 Swinson, 20. Wilson, 21. Russell, 22. Vernon, 23. Seymour

If we don't get parity up front against Munster, we'll get nowhere - Grant, Hall and Welsh will front up well. Our lineout was poor against Zebre and we'll need a calm, experienced head like Hall's to throw his darts. I also thought he carried magnificently against Ospreys, linking up well and playing a good 'clean up' role whenever a flowing attacking move broke down.

Nakarawa simply gets better and better with each game, and there's no one else in our squad that matches Jonny Gray's sheer physicality (Everyone, say "fizzeecallitee" like Scott Quinnell. Do it.). I feel dirty saying this, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to justify including Al Kellock in a match-day squad as important as this.

The Harley-Fusaro-Strauss back row is a superbly well-balanced unit that basically picks itself - we're simply not the same team without those three on the pitch. They carry well, defend excellently, and they've all got something of the b****rd about them.

Cusiter is our most natural scrum half. If we have a game plan, it should be to play calm, composed rugby for the first 50 minutes, avoiding the niggly crap that Munster always pull. Weir is our most consistent kicker and, on form, will kick the corners and pin Munster back. Niko can come inside in the final quarter when we bring Russell on to carve up a bit.

Dunbar was Scotland's best performing player at the moment and, despite what Old Ma Johnson may think, he is definitely a 12. He and Bennett have formed a solid yet creative partnership that mixes directness with distribution.

Maitland had his best game for Glasgow last week, so we'd be mad not to start him. Niko has to be on the pitch - to bench him would be simply criminal. My only question mark is over Hogg - there's no denying his ability, and I hope he would have kept his nose to the stone in training over the last three weeks, but he has no form. What can you do?

Glasgow effectively have their playoff spot in the bag but, from almost nowhere, we have the chance over the next two weeks to challenge for a home semi. Not much to lose by giving it a go. I know we've been disappointed by some of our performances over the last six months (even if the results themselves have been adequate), but I can't help thinking we peaked too soon last year. I want us as sharp as an Easterhouse shank by mid-May - everything has to be a progression towards our perfect game.

I think that would be my team as well, maybe with Cross on the bench instead of Low.

Russell was immense vs Treviso and in previous games so he has the right to feature. But I'd be nervous having Matawalu - Russell - Bennett and changing Russell's position. Maybe bench for this one?

But is it not positive 2x U20s players in Russell and Bennett are forming a really decent centre pair in a good club for Scottish Rugby.

Ola chicos.
So, we have four centres; Dunbar, Russell, Richie Vee and   all staking a good claim for a start against Munster. Excellent. I think Toonie could pick any two at random and still get a decent performance, and I don't see any profit in trying to second guess his selection process.
We could also see a back three of Maitland, Hogg and Mad Mata the Mad. Which is seriously fast and potentially has loads of tries in it.
Do we then have Hornee and Murchie on the bench? or whichever of the centres Toonie doesn't start with?
If Munster decide to rest key players after Saturday's exertions, and if we select a pack to stand up to them (IanBru's selection doesn't look too far from it) then we could get a result here.
Part of me is hoping that Ulster lose at Hairsprays, because if we did squeeze into second place and a home play- off semi then a (highly unlikely) final against the Hairsprays would probably be more winnable than against the red hand gang.

p.s. I will be visiting the out-laws this weekend is it worth making the trek to Waxy O'Eardrums to watch the match?

IanBru wrote:1. Grant
2. Hall
3. Welsh
4. Nakarawa
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Fusaro
8. Strauss

9. Cusiter
10. Weir
11. Matawalu
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. MacArthur, 17. Yanuyanutawa, 18. Low, 19 Swinson, 20. Wilson, 21. Russell, 22. Vernon, 23. Seymour

I'd be tempted to switch Matawalu and Seymour, but otherwise I completely agree with this 23. Hopefully Munster will rotate for this fixture.

I also agree with the comment you made on Al Kellock. He still has a lot to give to the Warriors, and he must surely be a shoe-in for a future role there in a coaching capacity. No man has done more to instill the Warriors ethos in this group of players, and in much the same way as teams like Leicester and Munster, Glasgow should retain the services of such a key part of the fabric of the club. As a player though, he isn't good enough for the 23. That's just obvious these days, and it is as much a compliment to the other locks in the squad as anything negative about the Ruck Inspector.

Jimbo - I'd definitely recommend Waxys for the match on Saturday - I'm sure you know it's a great place. I was there with a lot of the supporters club for the Ulster game this year, and the atmosphere was immense. We damn near shouted the place down with "Glaaaasgow! GLAAAAAASGOW!" when Jedi scored - we had wendyball supporters joining us because of the noise.

Unfortunately, despite living three minutes from there, this is the one weekend that I won't be in Glasgow, so I'm sorry to miss you buddy!

FES - Very much agreed on Kellock. I wouldn't say he has gotten much worse, it's just that the standard of locks has improved so much since the days of Rob Verbackel and Aly Muldowney. He can still be an excellent player, and I remember the impact he had against Northampton last year - I've never seen opposition players more unsettled by someone's sheer beligerence. Still, when the lineout is malfunctioning like it did on Friday, it's difficult to justify using him.

A coaching role would be right up his street, I would think.

Not often fES and I agree but this time and having watched Big Al K struggle on Friday think it's maybe time for him to move on - to a coaching role but at The Warriors.  He has been a wonderful servant, player, captain and ambassador for The Warriors for 10 years.   he has also given his all to the losing Scotland cause despite being  treated like sh*t by that to88er Robinson  during RWC 11.  

Go out at the top Big Man !

I have been slightly troubled by the way Big Al keeps appearing on Sky; he seems to be their Scott(ish) Quinnel at the moment. I would much rather he stayed at Scotstoun in a coaching capacity than become another talking head braying along with Stuart Barnes.
One thing Kellock has said is that as a player you only borrow the jersey and the responsibility is on you to make sure you pass it on in a better condition than you received it. Reading IanBru's comments above there is no doubt that whenever he calls it a day Cap'n Kellock will leave Glasgow a better side than the one he joined.

jimbopip wrote:there is no doubt that whenever he calls it a day Cap'n Kellock will leave Glasgow a better side than the one he joined.

That isn't saying much....   

Really, Fes, really. Pots-kettles, glass houses, MFL's . Where should I start?  

Really didn't like these two factoids from the official preview:

Munster's last three matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the Munstermen have won all 13 home games they have played in all tournaments this season.
...
Glasgow have been victorious just once in their last eight fixtures with Munster: 51-24 at Scotstoun in March 2013, whilst their only previous victory at Thomond Park came on 18th February 2006.

 

jimbopip wrote:Really, Fes, really. Pots-kettles, glass houses, MFL's . Where should I start?  

Well what I will say is this. When Edinburgh gave Kellock to Glasgow as an act of charity Edinburgh were quite good, and Glasgow were dire. So, when you look at things that way and see where the teams are now, perhaps Kellock is a complete genius, and his brand of ruck inspection devillishly effective. Who knows.....

This last game had a lot of niggle so expect a bit of bite in this one. Munster team is hard to call at this stage but Ill make a stag at it  

Think a lot of fringe players will get a run out - nothing to do with Glasgow but Penney has mixed it up and kept all players interested all season.

Killer,
Duncan Casey,
John Ryan
Donners
Foley
CJ,
TOD,
Paddy Butler
Williams,
JJ
GvDH,
Downey,
Ivan Dineen,
Johnny Murphy,
Hurley

Werent Glasgow throwing round lots of accusations at the end of the game...will definitely be a bit of bite in this one...

ME-109 wrote:Werent Glasgow throwing round lots of accusations at the end of the game...will definitely be a bit of bite in this one...

Weegies always get ratty at the end of rugby matches. Players are traditionally supposed to shower at that point, and the prospect of cleanliness takes them outside of their comfort zone.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Werent Glasgow throwing round lots of accusations at the end of the game...will definitely be a bit of bite in this one...

Weegies always get ratty at the end of rugby matches. Players are traditionally supposed to shower at that point, and the prospect of cleanliness takes them outside of their comfort zone.

Boom, boom.

I suspect that there may have been a lack of home crowd appreciation of Munster's up-the-jumper style of play, DOD, not to mention perceived time-wasting antics/cynicism from a few of yer stalwarts

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Werent Glasgow throwing round lots of accusations at the end of the game...will definitely be a bit of bite in this one...

Weegies always get ratty at the end of rugby matches. Players are traditionally supposed to shower at that point, and the prospect of cleanliness takes them outside of their comfort zone.

Boom, boom.

It's basically one of those jokes that never gets old.

A bit like tweed jackets and Hunter wellies, right FES?

Exactly like that!

Sorry lads, Munster team hasn't been named yet...expectations are it will be about 7 changes from the HC game.

Glasgow team's up:

15. Murchie
14. Maitland
13. Dunbar
12. Russell
11. Seymour
10. Weir
9. Cusiter
8. Wilson
7. Fusaro
6. Strauss
5. Gray
4. Swinson
3. Welsh
2. Hall
1. Reid

16. MacArthur
17. Yanuyanutawa
18. Cross
19. Nakarawa
20. Harley
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Vernon

Not the team I'd have picked, it looks like they're taking the Melrose 7s pretty seriously though. I imagine the sevens team will have Jackson, Matawalu, Jones and Bennett included

This is the sevens team which looks seriously good, I'm starting to wonder if Jackson has burnt his bridges completely, to be behind Horne, who hasn't played fly half at all this season, for a game away to Munster either shows that he is completely distrusted or there's been a bit of a disagreement


1. James Eddie
2. Finlay Gillies
3. Fraser Brown
4. Lee Jones
5. Scott Wight
6. Mark Bennett
7. Carlin Isles
8. Folau Niua
9. Niko Matawalu
10. Rory Hughes

Tasty looking 7s squad
Be interesting to see Isles play, hopefully he's learned from ball gate.
Shame though that Matawalu won't be playing against Munster

To bre honest there is not really a lot wrong with that team. With Hoggy and Grant out injured that is pretty much our strongest available team with the probable exception of Niko who really aught to be in their somewhere.

Can't really argue with keeping Russell in as he was MoM last week. same with Gordon reid, who has really come on having had a run of games. That team will give Munster a game! I just hope we don't miss the X-factor that Niko can bring at some point during the game.

123456789 wrote:This is the sevens team which looks seriously good, I'm starting to wonder if Jackson has burnt his bridges completely, to be behind Horne, who hasn't played fly half at all this season, for a game away to Munster either shows that he is completely distrusted or there's been a bit of a disagreement


1. James Eddie
2. Finlay Gillies
3. Fraser Brown
4. Lee Jones
5. Scott Wight
6. Mark Bennett
7. Carlin Isles
8. Folau Niua
9. Niko Matawalu
10. Rory Hughes

There is no need to have Jackson in as we have two Fh's already on the pitch with Russell and Weir, I don't think Horne will be covering that position but more likely to come on in the centres!

That is a good seven's team that would not look out of place in a world 7's tournament, they had better win this!

123456789 wrote:Glasgow team's up:

15. Murchie
14. Maitland
13. Dunbar
12. Russell
11. Seymour
10. Weir
9. Cusiter
8. Wilson
7. Fusaro
6. Strauss
5. Gray
4. Swinson
3. Welsh
2. Hall
1. Reid

16. MacArthur
17. Yanuyanutawa
18. Cross
19. Nakarawa
20. Harley
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Vernon

Not the team I'd have picked, it looks like they're taking the Melrose 7s pretty seriously though. I imagine the sevens team will have Jackson, Matawalu, Jones and Bennett included

Not too unhappy with that. I do wonder if Nico was conveniently 'dropped' to the 7's team in view of the fun and games at the end of the last game between these two? Otherwise I could have seen our friends from Munster really trying to wind him up.

Munster team posted. Seven changes from last weekend...Earls moved to OC..still strong looking.

Munster: Felix Jones, Gerhard van den Heever, Keith Earls, James Downey, Simon Zebo, JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray, John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave Foley, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan Capt. Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Billy Holland, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Johne Murphy.

By the looks of Matawalu the last game he doesn't need much winding up. Maybe if you feed him before the games it might help.

Thats a tasty looking backline.

That is a strong Munster team, n°7 Dougall is a very good player imo and Stander vs Strauss is going to be a mouthwatering duel.
Really looking forward to this one.

Mike Cusack still sidelined for "illness", unless it is something long term like monunucleosis this is quite a long layoff for an illness, anyone else concerned there might be something else?

VinceWLB wrote:That is a strong Munster team, n°7 Dougall is a very good player imo and Stander vs Strauss is going to be a mouthwatering duel.
Really looking forward to this one.

Mike Cusack still sidelined for "illness", unless it is something long term like monunucleosis this is quite a long layoff for an illness, anyone else concerned there might be something else?

Dougall is Scottish born, in Perth I think.

I don't think we'll see Cusack play again for Glasgow

Majestic83 wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:That is a strong Munster team, n°7 Dougall is a very good player imo and Stander vs Strauss is going to be a mouthwatering duel.
Really looking forward to this one.

Mike Cusack still sidelined for "illness", unless it is something long term like monunucleosis this is quite a long layoff for an illness, anyone else concerned there might be something else?

Dougall is Scottish born, in Perth I think.

Grew up in England though and played underage for Ireland. He was in the Ulster Academy for a few years, got an injury and let go. Went to Rotherham for a few seasons where Munster recruited him from. Ulster missed out big time on this guy. He is still fairly young for a back row. Great attitude and works very hard. Has had a few badly timed small injuries that have got in his way with Munster.

Boys, first things first; I hope there is nothing seriously amiss with the mighty Coo. All we can do is wish him well and wait and see.
Secondly, look at the wealth of talent we have sent off to the Melrose do. Seriously folks, whichever teams wins that tournament they will have to be something special to beat that squad. If you listen carefully you can hear the wind blowing from the east and the Brotheltown chorus of , "Sno fair, sno fair".
Thirdly, a 23 without Grant, Kellock, Ryder,Holmes, Hogg, Schlong, DTH and Jackson yet it still looks strong and competitive.
Listen to the wind from the east whispering, " Sno fair, sno fair, how can they do that? They don't have a castle, they don't have a reading room , they don't exfoliate, sno fair."

Eeek, the Ospreys have just beaten Leinster so they're breathing heavily down out necks again. 56 points each, wins for means we're still ahead.

Not necessarily a bad thing though, Glove. It now means that we can get to within two points of second place if we get a five pointer from our game in hand (at home to the MFL). As I said earlier if we get second place and a home semi then the Hairsprays sneaking into fourth is not the worst thing that can happen: they could make the final. And in the unlikely scenario of the fourth placed team meeting us in the final would you rather it was Ulster or Hairsprays?

Yes if Glasgow thought they were going to walk into the playoffs then they need to think again. This could all end up being very tight as the Irish all have to play each other. A home semi is not beyond us, but neither is fifth place. We just need to keep winning our games and not to rely on the others!