Looking at the season end games I can see Ospreys leapfrogging Munster. Yes they are many points behind but Ospreys (as compared to Edinburgh) are Munsters biggest challenge. Don't think the release of internationals to the Munster team will solve the underlying problem they have, direction.

Accidentally Onside wrote: Though you'd wonder how far Munster have fallen if they think they need to go full hog at home against Treviso :dry: :dry:

It's worse than that: they're dead, Jim. They're going full hog at home to Zebroni. :lol:

If I was cynical I'd suggest Munster are in a worse position than Ulster and as such are being allowed play their starting internationals, the Leinster and Connacht teams will be interesting in this regard.

Though you'd wonder how far Munster have fallen if they think they need to go full hog at home against Treviso :dry: :dry:

Interesting that Munster are fielding their international starters for the visit of Zebre, but Ulster have rested all theirs for the trip to Glasgow.
So maybe Ulster are saving them for us next week, but does that mean Munster have to rest their lot at Aviva?

Fourdogs wrote:

wp_rathead wrote:
exactly, we shouldn't fear a full strength Leinster

Your right we shouldn't but neither should we be hoping for them to put out a full strength side, just to prove a point.

I'm going with the idea (and bear with me on this) that as a province we had a double break this season with the world cup and the 6 nations. So as a province, with few internationals, we took full advantage of that situation.

So have we done great. Yes we have done great. But wprathead lets not tempt the Gods wrath on this one. Watched the Leinster vs Glasgow game. Leinster are a huge physical presence. If Connacht win it won't be by much. If Leinster win it will be because they will bully us into it. This will not be pretty. I would not be betting on TOH, Healy or Poolman to score. Indeed weather conditions suggest it will be a brawl.

As such I would be hoping direct lines from Marmion and McGinty to move things through the centre with backup support from the pack. This will not be high scoring. This will be a possession game.

wp_rathead wrote:
exactly, we shouldn't fear a full strength Leinster

Your right we shouldn't but neither should we be hoping for them to put out a full strength side, just to prove a point.

Full strength side or not, it's a critical game for us and one that we can certainly win. Any word on player injuries ?

Fourdogs wrote:

wp_rathead wrote: I have to say I'm opposite FourDogs- I hope the lads on the Irish bench like Madigan, Reddan, Cronin, Strauss, Healy, Ruddock, VdF, McFadden are all made available for them
Give us a good barometer of where we are at - plus will give them less of an excuse when we beat them

I'm guessing the 15 Players starting won't be allowed start for their provinces next week as per the usual Player Welfare protocols

We are top of the league on ability and performances so why should we need to be measured against anyone.

exactly, we shouldn't fear a full strength Leinster

wp_rathead wrote: I have to say I'm opposite FourDogs- I hope the lads on the Irish bench like Madigan, Reddan, Cronin, Strauss, Healy, Ruddock, VdF, McFadden are all made available for them
Give us a good barometer of where we are at - plus will give them less of an excuse when we beat them

I'm guessing the 15 Players starting won't be allowed start for their provinces next week as per the usual Player Welfare protocols

WP
This one we will never agree on.
Would much rather have the win and 5 points from a 2nd string Leinster team than sit there listening to "we played very well and pushed a strong Leinster team very close"
Barometers are great for measuring the weather but a win is what matters.
We are top of the league on ability and performances so why should we need to be measured against anyone.

connachta wrote: ]best news you could expect. Best ref for the Two best team in the league

As I understand it there is only the best team in the league (which as it happens is us). Has something changed? Then there is second best. Who cares about them, never remembered

]best news you could expect. Best ref for the Two best team in the league

Nigel Owens will be reffing the Leinster game.

borders5 wrote: No BP for Munster. Leinster were beaten by a very depleted Glasgow. Are Leinster the ones with the lack of strength in depth? Thought the latter would be a draw for a long time there and that would have been good.

Thought Leinster looked pretty impressive. Don't think they will care much for Clancy reffing one of their games in the near future. Think Leinsters demise on the night can be mainly attributed to a very poor game by Marsh. And they will have Madigan back for Connacht so that will be an improvement (if not a massive improvement). Not a huge Clancy fan myself. I'm all for a reff being fair to both teams and while my heart isn't broken seeing Leinster lose, I would be pretty shagged off if Connacht had had the same decisions go against them.

I have to say I'm opposite FourDogs- I hope the lads on the Irish bench like Madigan, Reddan, Cronin, Strauss, Healy, Ruddock, VdF, McFadden are all made available for them
Give us a good barometer of where we are at - plus will give them less of an excuse when we beat them

I'm guessing the 15 Players starting won't be allowed start for their provinces next week as per the usual Player Welfare protocols

Darragh wrote: What I think (and hope for).....

Leinster - Win
Ulster - LBP
Munster - Win
Treviso - Win
Glasgow - LBP

That for me, irrespective of where we finish, would represent a remarkable season.

Jesus, that would be great.
Minimum 14 additional points predicted there would put us on 73. Glasgow topped the Pro 12 last year with 75 points (16 wins and 1 draw).
Would be nice if Leinster rested their internationals next Sat in favour for the big home game against Munster the following week.

salmson wrote: Ha, stopped following this online when Munster pulled within lbp range in the last minute. Nice of them to blow it!

Gave me a fright when I saw this at first - thought I had misread the result!
The result worked out for Connacht, with no losing bonus point. A win next week at the Sportsground would be a big statement!