This run in is going to really show us where the team are.

It is not an easy run in. Three interpros and Glasgow. Even Treviso away might have become a banana skin in seasons past.

I honestly believe this now comes down to mental strength and true grit. If we can show the confidence we have played with, coupled with a maturing composure, then we are less inclined to creak when the pressures come on. I do remain concerned about our defence. Post 6 Nations for every team will take on a whole new level of seriousness and focus.

I have high hopes for how we finish, but I am not sure my expectations are aligned!!!

We have never been in this position before.

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.

Even if Munster beat us in the Sportsground its looking good to finish above them at this stage. They'll probably need a result in Galway just to keep in line for European qualification. Thought ahead of these games against the provinces that Cardiff could do damage and they've denied us in the past but have done us some big favours with 0 points for Ulster and Munster from their trips there.

Roll on next Saturday.

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

I'd expect Glasgow to pick up another 20 points before they visit the Sportsground, meaning even even if we beat Leinster and Munster, they might arrive with a chance of overtaking us.
Meanwhile Blues level with Ospreys. Not likely to pull off too many end of season heroics, but they could catch Munster yet!

And only 3 tries.

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.

salmson wrote: Feck it but Munster sneaked the bonus point at the death.

??
Cardiff Blues claimed a 37-28 GUINNESS PRO12 win.
Read more at www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/19348.php#PWerszCbrDcZPsY0.99

Feck it but Munster sneaked the bonus point at the death.

Cardiff pulling away and Glasgow all square. I'd take that.

salmson wrote: I'm not sure what you're driving at. I thought World Rugby had already declared us Pro 12 winners?

Oh yeah, the rugby season will be over, I was talking about, eh, flights to Birmingham - very handy for the festival in Hay-on-Wye - thought that was clear from the context.

pinky wrote: In unrelated news, if anyone was thinking of going anywhere for a weekend at the end of May, Ryanair have flights for €20 return to a place that's pretty close to another place that you might want to go to. That's the kind of price that would be worth paying even if the thing you were thinking of going to the place for turned out to be a different thing.

I'm not sure what you're driving at. I thought World Rugby had already declared us Pro 12 winners?

In unrelated news, if anyone was thinking of going anywhere for a weekend at the end of May, Ryanair have flights for €20 return to a place that's pretty close to another place that you might want to go to. That's the kind of price that would be worth paying even if the thing you were thinking of going to the place for turned out to be a different thing.

Leinster are pretty much guaranteed a home semi at this stage and there's not a whole lot we can do about it.
Even if they lose tonight and next week and in Ravenhill, if they win their three home games that would leave Ulster needing to win all their remaining 5 or Scarlets to win 4/5.
So there's no real advantage to us in seeing them beaten. The objective for Connacht now should be to be the other team in the top 2 and Glasgow (along with Ulster) are our main rivals for that spot.

Cardiff and Glasgow for me.
Doesn't matter who they play, they are furthest behind. Let them win tonight and we look after ourselves. We've both at home

Two postponed games being played tonight.
Cardiff to beat Munster and Leinster to beat Glasgow would be ideal.
The bookies have the opposite but not by much.
Glasgow have a lovely run-in so the less points they pick up in the next few weeks the better.
Of course it would mean the indignity of spending 8 days in lowly second place, but I could survive that.

Ulster away should be a BP at best. For the other games, despite my pessimism/realism, I tend to agree, 3 then 5 international Connachtmen back, + Roux Cooney Parata Heffernan and Marshall as luxury substitutes. We really have the best squad we've ever had to finish a great season. That's astonishing...