Pro14 - Hero or Zero Weekend...

Here it is, the Semi final weekend, where, at the end you could be 1 game from being champions OR lose this weekend and it all means nothing...Plus we have the Pro 14 knock-out game for the last Champions Cup spot.

So, anyone want to make predictions...

Semis
Warriors v Scarlets
Leinster v Munster

Champions Cup Place
Ulster v Ospreys


*** Just for fun, no prizes.

My predictions are:-

Warriors 18 - 23 Scarlets
Leinster 20 - 22 Munster

Ulster 8 - 12 Ospreys

I'd say home team wins all round

Glasgow 20 - Scarlets 30

- 10 point win for Scarlets. Got a better pack and Glasgow have not been on form, giving Scarlets a larger margin for error. Glasgow can beat any team in Europe if their hands are up for it, but struggle with power and a ref who wants a clean breakdown area both of which are the case here.

Leinster 14 - Munster 20

- Leinster to be worn out after celebrating last weeks arm wrestle. Munster want to get some silverware and have had an extra week to recover from the Edinburgh scare.

Ulster 20 - Ospreys 15

- Ulster to win a tight one. Home advantage to be enough to see them through after a tumultuous season for both.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Glasgow 20 - Scarlets 30

- 10 point win for Scarlets. Got a better pack and Glasgow have not been on form, giving Scarlets a larger margin for error. Glasgow can beat any team in Europe if their hands are up for it, but struggle with power and a ref who wants a clean breakdown area both of which are the case here.

Leinster 14 - Munster 20

- Leinster to be worn out after celebrating last weeks arm wrestle. Munster want to get some silverware and have had an extra week to recover from the Edinburgh scare.

Ulster 20 - Ospreys 15

- Ulster to win a tight one. Home advantage to be enough to see them through after a tumultuous season for both.

Glasgow unbeaten at home in the Pro14 I believe ? If this was in Turkmanistan I'd back the homeside but I reckon its Glasgow's to lose.

Warriors 33 - 25 Scarlets
Leinster 28 - 32 Munster

Ulster 18 - 17 Ospreys

I can't see it being a clean sweep of home wins, and I can't see there being more than 1 away winner across the 3 fixtures as historically
I think home advantage clinches it for Ulster in a tight affair.
I reckon Warriors at home will have a lot of players looking to impress for the Test selection, have a great record and probably aren't getting the due credit they deserve.
I think Leinster v Munster will be a high scoring affair. Some key names gone from Leinster for the game which will open up the field. Munster to win by 4 in the end but to be in a comfortable position going into the last 10 minutes.

I think all three home teams to win by about 10

Best game will be first up and the standard will fall with each game.

If both teams are on Glasgow Scarlets could be 40 - 30

Hope there are more than 3pts scored in the first 75mins in the last game. If Bigger gets more than 5 pts he becomes the leading points scorer taking over from the mighty Dan Parkes

Glasgow, Munster, Ospreys.

Based on absolutely no analysis or insight whatsoever (so just a guess) I’m going for wins for:

Scarlets
Leinster
Ulster

So far 1 from 3 for me... although I expected it to be a much closer game.

The Ulster team doesn't look great (apart from outside 10), especially without their two talismanic forwards. I think Ospreys could sneak that if AWJ and Biggar have massive games. This is a game where Ospreys could benefit from putting another open-side flanker at 8. James King, wtf...

Leinster to win the other one, because Leinster.

1 out of 3...

Well to the Ospreys (who I support.. but sometimes wonder why ), I think Meatloaf said it all (with a little liberty with the lyrics taken)...

       
You'll never find your gold on Tandy’s bench
You'll never lift a cup on an Irish street
I know you're playing rugby in a team full of crocks
But there ain't no Champions Cup hiding at the bottom
Of a Swansea Jack’s box

And all I can do is keep on telling you
I want you, I need you
But-there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you
Now don't be sad
'Cause ONE out of three is bad
Now don't be sad
'Cause ONE out of three is bad

The Oracle wrote:Based on absolutely no analysis or insight whatsoever (so just a guess) I’m going for wins for:

Scarlets
Leinster
Ulster

That’s why they call me The Oracle

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Glasgow, Munster, Ospreys.

Do I win a prize?

Like I keep saying, whoever is running the Ospreys belongs in an asylum. They keep hiring amateur coaches and now this Ulster reject is there for the long term. They have a good team but they need some better halfbacks for next season and a good coach to get them playing like a good team again - sadly none of that will happen.

Well I got one right and well off on the scores.

mikey_dragon wrote:Like I keep saying, whoever is running the Ospreys belongs in an asylum. They keep hiring amateur coaches and now this Ulster reject is there for the long term. They have a good team but they need some better halfbacks for next season and a good coach to get them playing like a good team again - sadly none of that will happen.

As I said at the time Clarke is poison.
Best thing we did last summer was getting rid.
A nasty piece of work and clueless - great combination.
For that reason alone I can see Ospreys declining next year, especially as they have lost their half backs
Cardiff will widen the gap between them and Ospreys next year.
In fact with their new signings maybe Dragons could even get off the bottom rung in Wales

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Glasgow, Munster, Ospreys.

Do I win a prize?

The booby prize.... a Drags ST.
I'm 'ere all week btw.