Official United Rugby Championship thread

[dkm57]

Well done Munster. A year too early for Glasgow, the lessons learned from this year's final matches should hopefully stand them in good stead.

[fishfoodie]

Why is the Leinster crowd so small?

I'd say a lot are holding onto their money for the Final, or the HEC final.

Too many games, & too many Euros per ticket !

I’m sure I heard them say something about capacity was set at 19,000 and they had sold 16,000. Wonder what that is about

It looked like they just opened the lowest tier, which presumably was where the capacity number came from.

Maybe they'll open up the the 2nd & 3rd tiers for the Semi, with the Munster fans justifying the extra costs ?

[CM11]

Why is the Leinster crowd so small?

I'd say a lot are holding onto their money for the Final, or the HEC final.

Too many games, & too many Euros per ticket !

I’m sure I heard them say something about capacity was set at 19,000 and they had sold 16,000. Wonder what that is about

If we make both finals (URC final will almost definitely be in Lansdowne if we make it) then Leinster fans will have had 7 knockouts over the course of 9 weeks. Current tally is roughly 140,000 tickets sold for the 4 knockouts to date. At the best of times the league knockouts play second fiddle, they weren't going to try for more than one tier this week and I presume it reduced the cost of rental.

Munster making the semis will make next week interesting but they might not aim too high even then.

[Uncle fester]

Well done Munster. A year too early for Glasgow, the lessons learned from this year's final matches should hopefully stand them in good stead.

A good hard contest. Could have been a very different game if Glasgow had taken the 3 pointers on offer early in the game.

[OomStruisbaai]

Semi finals
Saturday, May 13

DHL Stormers v Connacht
DHL Stadium, Cape Town

KO: 15:00 (UK/IRE) / 16:00

Leinster v Munster
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

KO: 17:30 (UK/IRE) / 18:30 SA

[Sandstorm]

Herschel played his best game in years yesterday. Quick service, good kicking and terrier defence. Hope he keeps it up for rest of the season.

[FalseBayFC]

Well done the Stomps and Stomps supporters. Best SA team, best crowd and best coach. I had low expectations of the Sharks and was not disappointed. Been a supporter since our B-section Currie Cup days so I'll keep on trucking and being optimistic.

3 Irish teams in the semis. What a result for Irish rugby! Going from strength to strength. Very impressed with the youngsters coming through too.

[OomStruisbaai]

Well done the Stomps and Stomps supporters. Best SA team, best crowd and best coach. I had low expectations of the Sharks and was not disappointed. Been a supporter since our B-section Currie Cup days so I'll keep on trucking and being optimistic.

3 Irish teams in the semis. What a result for Irish rugby! Going from strength to strength. Very impressed with the youngsters coming through too.

Cheers Boet. You are a real Piesang Boer.

[assfly]

Oh god. It's that time of the year I have to support the Stormers.

Mind you, it will be nice to support a team that actually plays well and wins games

[Sards]

Oh god. It's that time of the year I have to support the Stormers.

Mind you, it will be nice to support a team that actually plays well and wins games

A lot of our best players weren't involved in that match.
Kok, Bosch, Siya and Eben. Was expected. They didn't embarrass themselves. Best to move along and build again with Plum.
Our Currie Cup is strong without our boks. Going to only get better. Our youth rugby is strong. We won the under 20s.Let's sort that out and build upwards.

Congratulations to Stormers. I felt they got the rub of the green with a lot of calls in the first half. Not going to have that in Ireland. Manie was back on song. Not sure about the rest of you but they will need to improve a lot more. I was very dubious about Blommetjies when he joined the Stormers, but he really has brought a game to match Gelant. He would definitely be a starter for me. He has ignited the WP Currie Cup. Although results don't show. His kicking out of hand is first class and he fits in with the backline. Probably the only change I would make. Going to need everything going forward.

[fishfoodie]

With the attrition so far, I think Leinsters Minis could be sent out to face whatever battered team mkes it thru this game

Awww shite.

Munster quartet Malakai Fekitoa, Conor Murray, RG Snyman and Calvin Nash are all out of Saturday's United Rugby Championship semi-final against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium due to head injuries.

They were all removed for HIAs during last Saturday night's bruising quarter-final victory over Glasgow Warriors and are following return to play protocols.

The province are also awaiting the results of a scan on Peter O'Mahony's elbow, but Tadhg Beirne did come through his return from an ankle injury unscathed as he played the full 80 minutes at Scotstoun.

Even though it's an Irish interpro, & they're always up for grabs, regardless of form; I'd hoped Munster would at least be able to field a competitive side.

[assfly]

Why don't we just skip to the Leinster Stormers final and save everybody the hassle and injuries.

[OomStruisbaai]

Why don't we just skip to the Leinster Stormers final and save everybody the hassle and injuries.

That unfair.

[Chilli]

Why don't we just skip to the Leinster Stormers final and save everybody the hassle and injuries.

Or just award the trophy to Leinster and get it over with?

[LoveOfTheGame]

Why don't we just skip to the Leinster Stormers final and save everybody the hassle and injuries.

Or just award the trophy to Leinster and get it over with?

Typical vrystaat supporter, no fight left. Just wants to give things away. Any blackboard specials today?

[CM11]

Everyone expected Leinster to do the double last year too

[LoveOfTheGame]

Everyone expected Leinster to do the double last year too

In fairness they are a very scary prospect for LR and whichever team they get in the URC final. The only positive I can take from this is that they might be mentally switched off for the URC if they win the HC. Not saying they will mind, but hitting highs like that would surely have an effect on the mental prep for the following week's final. It's crazy actually now that I think of it, but if there is a team that could do it...

[OomStruisbaai]

Will be nice if the Stormers can do the URC double.

[Chilli]

Why don't we just skip to the Leinster Stormers final and save everybody the hassle and injuries.

Or just award the trophy to Leinster and get it over with?

Typical vrystaat supporter, no fight left. Just wants to give things away. Any blackboard specials today?

There is indeed.
"Jou Sissie Se Vissie"

[CM11]

Everyone expected Leinster to do the double last year too

In fairness they are a very scary prospect for LR and whichever team they get in the URC final. The only positive I can take from this is that they might be mentally switched off for the URC if they win the HC. Not saying they will mind, but hitting highs like that would surely have an effect on the mental prep for the following week's final. It's crazy actually now that I think of it, but if there is a team that could do it...

Other way around for me. We'll either win both or neither.

[Uncle fester]

How are the Glesca contingent feeling about the challenge cup final?
Looks like I'm going to it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Connacht squad
Forwards: Jack Aungier, Finlay Bealham, Denis Buckley, Jarrad Butler, Eoin de Buitlear, Peter Dooley, Oisín Dowling, Jordan Duggan, Dave Heffernan, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Josh Murphy, Darragh Murray, Niall Murray, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Dylan Tierney-Martin,.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Carty, Tom Daly, Tom Farrell, Cathal Forde, Mack Hansen, Kieran Marmion, John Porch, Tiernan O’Halloran, Byron Ralston, Colm Reilly.

[OomStruisbaai]

22,000 tickets sold in 24 hours for Cape Town semi final. They chasing 49,000 for the Stadium record.

[clydecloggie]

How are the Glesca contingent feeling about the challenge cup final?
Looks like I'm going to it.

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

[CM11]

How are the Glesca contingent feeling about the challenge cup final?
Looks like I'm going to it.

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

What's your injury list like?

[clydecloggie]

How are the Glesca contingent feeling about the challenge cup final?
Looks like I'm going to it.

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

What's your injury list like?

Pretty good I think. Other than Josh McKay no big names injured AFAIK.

[CM11]

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

What's your injury list like?

Pretty good I think. Other than Josh McKay no big names injured AFAIK.

Hope you guys can do it.

[Uncle fester]

How are the Glesca contingent feeling about the challenge cup final?
Looks like I'm going to it.

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

Besta luck.

[fishfoodie]

What's your injury list like?

Pretty good I think. Other than Josh McKay no big names injured AFAIK.

Hope you guys can do it.

Ditto !

Having Silverware in the Clubhouse does wonders for morale all round.

[OomStruisbaai]

[Sards]

Stormers by 21
They are playing the weakest Irish team at home

[OomStruisbaai]

Connacht is going to kill the Stormers at the breakdowns without Fourie. Marvelous also secured us lineout ball.

[Uncle fester]

Stormers by 21
They are playing the weakest Irish team at home

That's Ulster tbf.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers by 21
They are playing the weakest Irish team at home

That's Ulster tbf.

Was thinking the same thing. The Stormers will have to be on their best.

[Blake]

Connacht is going to kill the Stormers at the breakdowns without Fourie. Marvelous also secured us lineout ball.

Without Fourie our chances went down considerably. He made such a massive diffirence last week.

He really is the team talisman.

[OomStruisbaai]

Connacht is going to kill the Stormers at the breakdowns without Fourie. Marvelous also secured us lineout ball.

Without Fourie our chances went down considerably. He made such a massive diffirence last week.

He really is the team talisman.

He make a difference every week. We need him in 6 for the Springboks aswell, not 8. By far our best fetcher.

[OomStruisbaai]

Stormers v Connacht
(Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 16.00; 15.00 IRE & UK time; 14.00 GMT)

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Willie Engelbrecht, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Ben-Jason Dixon, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 John Porch, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Cian Prendergast, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 5 Niall Murray, 4 Josh Murphy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Tierney-Martin, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Oisín Dowling, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Tom Daly 23 Byron Ralston.

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Blain (Scotland)

Leinster v Munster
(Landsdowne Road, Dublin – Kick-off: 17.30; 16.30 GMT)

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Jimmy O’Brien, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Harry Byrne, 9 Luke McGrath (captain), 8 Jack Conan, 7 Will Connors, 6 Max Deegan, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Ryan Baird, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Michael Milne
Replacements: 16 John McKee, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Nick McCarthy, 22 Ciarán Frawley, 23 Liam Turner.

Munster: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Jack Crowley, 11 Shane Daly, 10 Ben Healy, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Gavin Coombes, 7 John Hodnett, 6 Peter O’Mahony (captain), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Diarmuid Barron, 1 Jeremy Loughman.
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Josh Wycherley, 18 Roman Salanoa, 19 Fineen Wycherley, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Neil Cronin, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Alex Kendellen.

Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Chris Busby (Ireland)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

[OomStruisbaai]

Sards can't blame the ref. Mind you Adamson is the kakkest ref to get in any competition

[weegie01]

Should be a great game and 50/50. As gutted as I am about the Munster result, I'm a lot more optimistic about the Challenge Cup Final now that Glasgow don't have to play Leinster 6 days before.

What's your injury list like?

Pretty good I think. Other than Josh McKay no big names injured AFAIK.

Jordan's suspension is a huge issue. I can't recall if he had already broken the record for the most appearances by a Glasgow player in a season, or would have done in the final. Either way, that he did this in his first season shows just how important he is to Glasgow. They basically have no else left standing they trust at ten. He may not be a star, he may not be anything like their best player, but he is arguably the one whose loss has the biggest impact.

[fishfoodie]

Good start by Connacht, putting real pressure on Stormers

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