URC Round 2

First topic message reminder :

A place for discussion of all the round 2 games of the United Rugby Championship 2021/2022.

The games this week are:

Friday 1st October 2021
Connacht v Bulls 19:35
Scarlets v Lions 19:35

Saturday 2nd October 2021
Benetton v Edinburgh 13:00
Glasgow v Sharks 15:00
Zebre v Ulster 17:15
Munster v Stormers 19:35
Ospreys v Cardiff 19:35

Sunday 3rd October 2021
Dragons v Leinster 14:00

All times BST

mikey_dragon wrote:Having caught up on one of yesterday’s games, the Lions scrum demolished the Scarlets. That’s a big concern.

Its the one area where the SA teams seem to have the upper hand against everyone except maybe Leinster and Munster. It's why we want them in the league so we can improve our scrumaging.

Very disappointed by their lineout work. Thought they would be close to 100% but seem to mess up to many times in key areas losing momentum.

These SA teams are very strong up front, but they haven’t played too well. I imagine they could be a lot better playing in their home ground.

It’s concerning because the Scarlets front-row were all internationals. There’s Wyn Jones and Owens to come back in I guess but still, this is a basement team in SA. I guess Wales will have to opt for the Ospreys front row.

Stormers have started very well against Munster, racing into a good lead through half an hour.

Cracking start by Stormers. That's more like it.

I think this is the formula the SA teams must adopt for their overseas leg. Just go balls to the wall and run the ball. The fact is they aren't expected to win too many overseas, so if they can win at least one away match and score a couple of bonus points, be it from tries or close losses then they give themselves a shot at the top eight.

Brendan wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Having caught up on one of yesterday’s games, the Lions scrum demolished the Scarlets. That’s a big concern.

Its the one area where the SA teams seem to have the upper hand against everyone except maybe Leinster and Munster.  It's why we want them in the league so we can improve our scrumaging.

Very disappointed by their lineout work.  Thought they would be close to 100% but seem to mess up to many times in key areas losing momentum.

That didn't age well. Stormers killing Munster and playing the ref much better. Have been solid and Munster will have to work hard to get a win. Not many keep Munster scoreless till right before half time

Munster showing yet again that they fall apart if they don't get go forward ball or the opposition run at them. Felt that they got a bit lucky but definitely went up a gear in the second half.

Stormers great at the breakdown and were aggressive but couldn't keep up the tempo and it got away from them. If they can keep that tempo will be pushing for playoffs.

‘Plucky’ Dragons again Leinster dragging us down to their level

In all seriousness, I wasn’t expecting a point out of the game so happy with that. As happy as you can be with losing at home. I’m still scarred by the 0-50 Glasgow humping on a Sunday a few years back. So this was much better

It was a great effort. Really pleased with how they stood up to them.

Have to say, the winger we have on loan doesn’t relish the physical stuff at all

Just saw that last penalty in the match Sharks vs Glasgow.

Good milk, pathetic penalty.

Hollywood must start recruiting rugby players, you see these milking penalties all over the place these days.

What is happening is this "player welfare" tangent is beginning to be exploited by players

Well if our boys could defend like that every game, I'm sure we could register a few more wins. Dropping Lewis Jones and Dixon would also likely see us get more wins....

There was a clear difference when Rhodri came on, that silly kick at the end aside.

Dragons played well fair play to them Ross Moriarty in particular was hitting seven shades out of anything in a Leinster jersey.

RiscaGame wrote:There was a clear difference when Rhodri came on, that silly kick at the end aside.

Definitely. Rhodri has always had a bit of a knack for silly kicks, especially at the end of games! It's going to hold him back if he doesn't work on it.

LordDowlais wrote:Dragons played well fair play to them Ross Moriarty in particular was hitting seven shades out of anything in a Leinster jersey.

Yep, our back 5 was impressive I thought. Rowlands was everywhere, he should partner Beard in the Wales team IMO. We need to do something about the 13 channel, I'm not sure why we don't try Owen there, or maybe just have Roberts and Warren starting. Especially against teams like Leinster.

Rowlands has had two good games for us. Agree on Moriarty.

Roberts has just had surgery, so is out for five weeks or so. It has only just been announced. I did wonder why we hadn't used him. Personally, I would use Warren over Dixon in the interim, but guess he's not anywhere near match fitness yet.

A lot to be positive about from that Dragon's display. They deserved the win but didn't quite grab the game by the scruff of the neck and boss out a victory.

I thought myself that the first yellow card was a little bit unlucky. It was so close to the line I thought it was held up, so defenders can keep their hands on the ball. then the breakdown kind of inched back into the field of play. If moriarty had gotten into the refs ear quickly to put that description into his head it might have just been an unplayable, team going forward scrum call.

The second yellow I thought was a yellow, especially how they have refereed it in the last few seasons, but I couldn't figure out why the ref and linesman couldn't just make the call there and then.... why did it have to go to a TMO? They never give a penalty try when the play is on the 22, let alone still at the half way line.

Dragons were very good at making a mess of the Leinster lineout, fair dues.

It was great to hear a good old partisan crowd in full voice again.

Ross Byrne is now stagnating. Moloney is barely URC level anymore. Healy looks to be good potential TH cover. Porter was solid but nothing special at LH. That new TH should settle in well to the squad between now and xmas. There were one or two of the backs that were more interested in trying the fancy flicks and low percentage offloads than concentrating on their job. Baird had a mare when he was on the field..... he needs to be reprimanded for playing such sh!te, kick him from the Ireland squad, that was a red warning of a display. He better prove it's a pure one-off next match out cos he was the worst player on the field in my mind.

Old Man wrote:

Perhaps if you clarified in your response to him that whilst you mention the Bulls in your comment, you are arguing the point about a different team, then there won't be confusion over the comparison you are drawing?

Perhaps so, yes, but it didn't cross my mind that somebody would not follow my point. Apologies.