Pro12 final: Munster v Scarlets Dublin 27-05-2017

First topic message reminder :

So tomorrow ends the Pro-12, who will be the champions?

Munster: Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray; CJ Stander, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter O'Mahony (captain), Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, John Ryan, Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne

Replacements: Rhys Marshall, Brian Scott, Stephen Archer, Jean Deysel, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Jaco Taute

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Steffan Evans; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; John Barclay (captain), James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Tadhg Beirne, Lewis Rawlins, Samson Lee, Ryan Elias, Rob Evans

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Will Boyde, Jonathan Evans, Hadleigh Parkes, DTH Van der Merwe

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson (IRFU) & Ian Davies (WRU)

TMO: Neil Paterson (SRU)


In my opinion (as a Munster fan) Munster are making a mistake in starting Saili. I think his lack defensive skills will be exposed by the Scarlets. I would have started Taute.

Luckless, in fairness to Annscommbe he hasn't had enough chances to get the back line clicking so far though.

Was at this game. It was a good final. Scarlets fully deserved the win but in all fairness the real final was their game the previous weekend before against Leinster. Great to see the Scarlets so strong.

Munster fans were a bit like their team's stars, very quiet all day. The Munster fan beside me fell asleep for most of the second half. There was a few "Stand up and fight" banners around the Aviva. They should have read sit down and sleep.

I've always thought of the Scarlets as a very creative team with ball in hand.

Aahhh the expected slight at Munster and their fans from the usual suspect.

Such a shame but to be expected I guess.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I've always thought of the Scarlets as a very creative team with ball in hand.

With the exception of this season they haven't been creative for something like 5 years. I always felt that Scarlets had a bit of a knack for hiring poor coaches like the rest of the Welsh. Two regions currently have good coaches, now we need the other two to sort it out.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I've always thought of the Scarlets as a very creative team with ball in hand.

They have been but in 2017, they have been head and shoulders above the rest. To win a Semi Final and a Final away, against 2 Semi Finalists in Europe was simply an outstanding effort and showed that they also have great composure. Happy that Munster made the Final though but some days you are just beaten by a better side.

...and other days you get hammered by a better side.

I think your Schmidt and Heaslip posters are getting lonely Guns. Better get to it.

Just leave it Rory, it really isn't worth the time. Some people just like to wum for attention.

PhilBB wrote:So Munster being 1/3 doesn't make their opponents huge underdogs.

Dear Christ.

That shows a tremendous comprehension ability.

As I explained bookies don't put in the analysis to rugby that they do for Soccer or Horse Racing - it is very very small beer in terms of income.
As a consequence they go for the obvious odds.
Anyone who follows rugby in detail would be aware of the run Scarlets were on 18 out of 20 wins from their previous Pro12 games and also would be aware of the
style of rugby they play was always likely to exposed Munster poor defending in the midfield - as it did.
I'll go further I suspect that they don't mind the odd win in sports that are not big money earners as it may just persuade some of the winners to try their hand at soccer and racing betting
where the bookies would fleece them.

Anyone I spoke to at the game I was saying I had Scarlets down to win