The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Well Nev and Buzzo, I've been sitting here waiting for your observations from the w/e.

I'm presuming you watched but maybe not and judging by the number of empty seats you could have been there Buzzo.

I'm not a Saracens fan but can't help admiring them. I watched thinking that Clermont might shade it through individual brilliance but apart from a couple of odd minutes, particularly at 18-17 it rarely looked like anything other than Sarries would win. And that's factoring in that Clermont were pretty lively in the loose and did that rare thing of turning Sarries over. Frequently.

But Billy was awesome as Billy generally is and he if keeps this level of performance up (and God help us doesn't get injured) those All Black boys are going to get a pretty tough time of it next month.

[Irishnev]

Well Nev and Buzzo, I've been sitting here waiting for your observations from the w/e.

I'm presuming you watched but maybe not and judging by the number of empty seats you could have been there Buzzo.

I'm not a Saracens fan but can't help admiring them. I watched thinking that Clermont might shade it through individual brilliance but apart from a couple of odd minutes, particularly at 18-17 it rarely looked like anything other than Sarries would win. And that's factoring in that Clermont were pretty lively in the loose and did that rare thing of turning Sarries over. Frequently.

But Billy was awesome as Billy generally is and he if keeps this level of performance up (and God help us doesn't get injured) those All Black boys are going to get a pretty tough time of it next month.

To be honest I didn't watch it - had family stuff going on this weekend and didn't even see the West Ham game! I predicted a handy win for them and ultimately they delivered. They remind me of the old Leicester sides - brutish pack, excellent kicker and tactically superb without being over expansive at the back. There is a another few European Cups in them I think.

Munster over achieved this season but Leinster have an excellent crop of young players coming through so might give them some challenge if the French sides fall away. All about the Lions now after the Pro12 finishes.

[Cormack74]

Pretty amazed that 14 man Scarlets saw off Leinster in Dublin last night.

[Buzzo]

Exeter beat Saracens..!

[Cormack74]

Two brilliant semis. Incredible intensity.

I'm pleased Exeter shaded Sarries but last week did look as if it had had an effect and the early injuries didn't help.

Hopefully a Chiefs Wasps final will be a mega try fest.

[Irishnev]

Billy Vunipola out of the Lions squad, Massive loss.

Haskell called up instead

[Cormack74]

Massive as you say. Haskell does well to get in the Wasps team these days, there's no chance (or shouldn't be) of him being anything other than a bench warmer in NZ.

Not sure why they didn't go a bit more like for like and pick Nathan Hughes.

Time to step up to the plate Talupei Faleteau.

[RichC]

Huge loss to the Lions.

[RichC]

Massive as you say. Haskell does well to get in the Wasps team these days, there's no chance (or shouldn't be) of him being anything other than a bench warmer in NZ.

Not sure why they didn't go a bit more like for like and pick Nathan Hughes.

Time to step up to the plate Talupei Faleteau.

Yeah, does seem a surprised that Hughes wasn't drafted in. I'm guessing Faletau will be the test No 8.

[Irishnev]

Massive as you say. Haskell does well to get in the Wasps team these days, there's no chance (or shouldn't be) of him being anything other than a bench warmer in NZ.

Not sure why they didn't go a bit more like for like and pick Nathan Hughes.

Time to step up to the plate Talupei Faleteau.

Stander at 8 and O'Mahony at 6

[Buzzo]

I've sacked off the FA Cup for the pro 12 final.

Scarlett's are destroying Munster.

22-3 after 30 mins.

And they've scored again..!

27-3

[Buzzo]

Converted for 29-3

[Buzzo]

29-10 at HT

Great game.

[Buzzo]

39-10

[Buzzo]

46-22 FT

Scarlets had it won it in the first 30. Great game.