The Dew Drop Inn

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?

A top breakfast IMO should contain bacon, sausage, black and white pudding, eggs (scrambled or fried), mushrooms, tea and toast. Got a great one in Mickados place back in January on the day of Leinster v Clermont. Had another epic one after a night of drinking in Kerry last year. Dolans Warehouse turned up a superb breakfast a few years back - i was working in post office next door and wandered in for breakfast. Epic!

If you ever find yourself in Bangor or Llandudno and slightly hung over - it could happen! - head for Fat Cat's. They do cracking breakfasts.

CARI - the match on Saturday was wierd, just couldn't get in to it at all. Thought we got better after Phillips and Henson went off. 3rd choice front 5 was the big problem though

STAG - whereabouts in Sicily ? We went in September 2009. We had sun everyday 8) We also had torrential rain everyday too, so much that the autostrade was closed for 3 days

luckless_pedestrian wrote:If you ever find yourself in Bangor or Llandudno and slightly hung over - it could happen! - head for Fat Cat's. They do cracking breakfasts.

Pete, the individuals in the front five were ok. It was the collective that was a shambles. I prewarned of the idiocy of Charteris and Ryan pacing down in the same second row and unfortunately I was proven right.

PenfroPete wrote:STAG - whereabouts in Sicily ? We went in September 2009. We had sun everyday 8) We also had torrential rain everyday too, so much that the autostrade was closed for 3 days

We wanted to go to Agrigento but it would add to many transport costs. We are staying in Palermo. Just have to book flights now.

One of my favourite days of the year - the day the Heineken Cup draw is announced

Morning all, well that long weekend just wasn't long enough!

Didn't catch any of the Wales v Baa-Baa's match but saw Nacewa's winning try on YT, take a bow son, he took it well. The real winner was the GAA this weekend with Dublin defeating Laois and Kildare beating the evilest county of them all (Meath). That sets up a pretty good clash of Kildare v Dublin in a few weeks, both teams made it to the AI semi finals last year so they'll have high hopes again this time round.

HC draw day, very exciting stuff. Hope we get a group of death, an easy group can be a poison chalice.

Mickado wrote:HC draw day, very exciting stuff. Hope we get a group of death, an easy group can be a poison chalice.

Wise words. Munsters most disappointing European campaign (before this years one) was back in 2007 when we had a quite straight forward group of Bourgoin, Castres and Tigers. We had basically qualified after 4 games and ended up losing in Thomond Park and being shown up by Llanelli in the quarter finals.

You need the fear. Compare that to 2008 we draw Wasps, Clermont and Scarlets.

red_stag wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:STAG - whereabouts in Sicily ? We went in September 2009. We had sun everyday 8) We also had torrential rain everyday too, so much that the autostrade was closed for 3 days

We wanted to go to Agrigento but it would add to many transport costs. We are staying in Palermo. Just have to book flights now.

Couldn't agree more. I notice on FB you Leinster boys all want the Scarlets in your group. See Stag, connoisseurs of rugby.

Or in 09 when we had Wasps, Edinburgh and Castres. We hadn't won away in Edinburgh in years, they were a serious bogey team for us. And Wasps had spanked us 2 years previous on the way to the title.

I think Leicester, Gloucester and Montpellier would provide a good combination of stern opposition and good away trips but still leave us in a position to come out of the group.

Most, if not all, Leinster fans who travel to away games would say the trip to Llanelli is the highlight of the season for travelling fans. There's great bonhomie between the two sets of supporters. I remember having great craic with Scarlets fans when we played them in the HC in the RDS.

Munsty, been reading back. Chill out! It's not a problem. Tell the invitees to bring their own meat and a bottle. That means you only have to get the salady stuff, some Richmond sausages, a few burgers and a slab of lager. That'll take 30 mins max the day before. Then tell the girls "right you just relax, I don't want you touching anything till I get back from my exam..."

I'm backing Montpellier to struggle a bit in Europe next season. They are the 4th seeds I want to draw as it means I don't face a tougher French team.

Bore Da/Morning all, hope everyone's well today

I'm honestly not sure who I want in the same group as the Scarlets for the HC, can't wait for it to be announced though. Anyone know what time it'll happen?

rugbydreamer wrote:Bore Da/Morning all, hope everyone's well today

I'm honestly not sure who I want in the same group as the Scarlets for the HC, can't wait for it to be announced though. Anyone know what time it'll happen?

It says Mid Day on the website

It will be streamed live on the ERC website too.

red_stag wrote:Sadly not indeed. Asbo something we touch on another thread. The attendances of Glasgow/Edinburgh. Do you think this resting players thing they are doing is playing a role.

Staggy, yes, I'd have to believe that had an impact - but it sounds as tho Robbo's decision was at least in part based on medical advice, in which case, with the RWC fast approaching, I'm not sure there was much alternative

luckless_pedestrian wrote:You'd get eggbound if you had the Asbo breakfast every day, wouldn't you? Good word, that: eggbound.

Bore da pawb / good morning all. Rain in Newport this morning, but I like the rain

Lucky, what would an :eggbound: emoticon look like - a cross between , & ? Maybe with a wee bit of for good measure?!

I don't care about the Heino. It's a Mickey Mouse cup.

red_stag wrote:I'm backing Montpellier to struggle a bit in Europe next season. They are the 4th seeds I want to draw as it means I don't face a tougher French team.

Staggy, Do you think that they've given their all this season and will potentially regress a little next? Have they recruited well?

Asbo - I think really it had to be done more perhaps they could have been more sneaky and not announced it

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I don't care about the Heino. It's a Mickey Mouse cup.

Indeed, Lucky, the real draw is a week today in Dublin

aha! my agency just sent me a hugely apologetic e-mail re: my rent, it has been paid, they just made the mistake of still having it linked to last years tenancy agreement.

And it's stopped raining! Perhaps today shall be a good day

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

red_stag wrote:I'm backing Montpellier to struggle a bit in Europe next season. They are the 4th seeds I want to draw as it means I don't face a tougher French team.

Staggy, Do you think that they've given their all this season and will potentially regress a little next? Have they recruited well?

I think the element of surprise is gone from them. I think that there will be an element of second season syndrome will kick in and that they will be unable to fight on two fronts and will target domestic success. They seem to have added a few players alright but I'm still backing them to be tough but beatable.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Lucky, what would an :eggbound: emoticon look like - a cross between , & ? Maybe with a wee bit of for good measure?!

Any news on the boiler, Dreamer?

red_stag wrote:A top breakfast IMO should contain bacon, sausage, black and white pudding, eggs (scrambled or fried), mushrooms, tea and toast.

I agree there Stag!! although I do enjoy some beans too and a cup of tea and oj! Just did some scrambled egg on toast for breakfast in work after brutalising my core muscles! That good old cheap thing of a car in now in for an m.o.t

I'm hoping for a trip to Ireland in our group but nothing will stand in Glaws' way

no news on that as of yet Lucky. My flatmate said he'd phone the agency first thing to get it sorted and they're actually pretty good with sending someone out the same day so fingers crossed by the time I get home there'll be hot water!

Beans just don't work for me with breakfast. I find they take away from the rest of the breakfast. Prop I'd love to get Gloucester - we've built up a nice rivalry. 5 games stands at Munster 3-2 Gloucester.

red_stag wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

red_stag wrote:I'm backing Montpellier to struggle a bit in Europe next season. They are the 4th seeds I want to draw as it means I don't face a tougher French team.

Staggy, Do you think that they've given their all this season and will potentially regress a little next? Have they recruited well?

I think the element of surprise is gone from them. I think that there will be an element of second season syndrome will kick in and that they will be unable to fight on two fronts and will target domestic success. They seem to have added a few players alright but I'm still backing them to be tough but beatable.

Staggy, I'm tempted to add "second season syndrome" to the rugby myths thread!! (Mainly cos I don't want the Chiefs to be affected by it!!

It is a myth in some cases. Many teams don't suffer from it at all. But its something I can see happening to Montpellier. I hope I'm wrong as I think they are excellent. I wonder will they do what they did this year and leave their best players out of Europe.

There's a good topic for discussion. What are the biggest HC induced rivalries in Europe?

Ulster and Stade have had more head to heads than any other 2 teams in Europe. Leicester have played Leinster more than any other team in Europe (and been beaten by them more than any other team too!).

Mickado wrote:There's a good topic for discussion. What are the biggest HC induced rivalries in Europe?

Pontypridd and Brive

I would say Musnter v Leinster has become the biggest. The 2 Heineken Cup encounters has fuelled the rivalry.

Currently Biarritz are probably our biggest rivals. We've played them in two quarter finals, a semi final and a final.

Ospreys v Leicester always has a lot of ill-feeling around it.

Teams like Montpellier and Castres will be unable to fight on two fronts indeed...because I think Montpellier will struggle in T14 next season, I rather see them playing proper rugby during the H cup pool and not throw it away so would not underestimate them. If you look at T14 , there is on the paper 10 strong contenders for the playoffs with Toulon, Perpignan, Bayonne and possibly Stade Francais having nothing else to concentrate on. on the other hand, Castres seems to be more limited (not an exicting recruitement).

Scarlets v Leicester always has quite a bit of feeling to it, although not so much in more recent years.

prop_lyd wrote:

Mickado wrote:There's a good topic for discussion. What are the biggest HC induced rivalries in Europe?

Pontypridd and Brive

Toulouse and Ebb vale (sorry if I got the spelling wrong but still remember that joke of a game )

red_stag wrote:I would say Musnter v Leinster has become the biggest. The 2 Heineken Cup encounters has fuelled the rivalry.

Currently Biarritz are probably our biggest rivals. We've played them in two quarter finals, a semi final and a final.

Staggy, would you say that was mainly an ML or is it specific to the HC?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

red_stag wrote:I would say Musnter v Leinster has become the biggest. The 2 Heineken Cup encounters has fuelled the rivalry.

Currently Biarritz are probably our biggest rivals. We've played them in two quarter finals, a semi final and a final.

Staggy, would you say that was mainly an ML or is it specific to the HC?

I think our Magners Leauge rivalry has been intensified by our European meetings. ML was always a derby but it has taken on new life since the 2006 and especially 2009 European Semi finals.

I've spent five minutes drawing up a confessions thread only to delete it. No matter how much you ask people not to argue the rights and wrongs of the guilty secrets shared, they won't be able to resist it.

Confessions thread? How would it work.

What time is the draw, just so I can take a 'comfort break' from work!

Stag, I purposely avoided Leinster v Munster. We’ve played eachother twice whereas Leinster have played Leicester over 10 times. (think we’ve played 11, won 6).

Didn’t Ebbw Vale beat Toulouse the week after they had 100+ points put on them?

Morning all, good buzz in here.

Mickado wrote:Stag, I purposely avoided Leinster v Munster. We’ve played eachother twice whereas Leinster have played Leicester over 10 times. (think we’ve played 11, won 6).

Thats true but I would still say the Heineken Cup meetings between us have greatly raised the profile and intensity of our Magners games. Its been a very powerful rivalry in only 2 meetings.

As I said though currently its Biarritz for us. Every time we face them there's something on the line. We beat them in quarter finals back in 2001. They beat us in quarter finals in 2005. We beat them in final in 2006. They beat us in semi finals in 2010. A lot of rivalry there. No pool matches. Something on the line every time.

Toulouse vs leinster? The quality when they play is breathtaking at times.

Munster v Leinster now must be one of the biggest club rivalries in the game? Even in the Magners their matches are incredible. I'm an Ulster fan but I can't think of anything in the domestic game which matches it for intensity and drama.

Can’t argue there Stag, those two games probably raised the profile of the ML as much as either of us winning the cup. The hype before each of them was seismic!

Rodders, Toulouse v Leinster is a good shout, a good few pool meetings (generally going 50/50) with a few recent knockout stage games thrown in.

Scarlets v Toulouse maybe? One for the fans of cavalier rugby. That match from a few years back when Scarlets won it at the death was a true classic.

Scarlets and Toulouse are more opponents than rivals, aren't they? To me the word rivalry suggests a certain amount of niggle.

Kia ora, mauri ora all

Proof that NZ is a tad over-obssessed with rugby.

I note that over 10,000 people have joined a Faceache group protesting the Highlanders' jersey change. Pity not too many of them go to games.

Mickado wrote:
Didn’t Ebbw Vale beat Toulouse the week after they had 100+ points put on them?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998-99_Heineken_Cup_pool_stage

Pool 3. Your not wrong there!!

Mickado wrote:Scarlets v Toulouse maybe? One for the fans of cavalier rugby. That match from a few years back when Scarlets won it at the death was a true classic.

THE GREATEST COME BACK IN HEC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/llanelli_scarlets/6169505.stm