EPCR SEMI-FINAL V CLERMONT

[Ruckedtobits]

Prior to watching for who we will face on this day three weeks, it should be recognised that, although both are huge names in French and European rugby, neither is firing on all cylinders at present:

* Clermont have lost three of their last five Top14 games against Castres, Montpellier and Racing;
* Toulon have lost two and drawn one of their last five Top14 games with defeats by Stade and Brive and a draw with Grenoble;
* Both Clubs have announced the departure of 'Head' coaches at the end of Season, Jono Gibbes to Ulster and Mike Ford to who knows where;
* Matt Giteau is out for a few weeks at least for Toulon, whilst Clermont are missing several players as Azema makes five changes from last week against Racing, including three in the front five.

Expect a slug fest as two ageing teams battle from memory...and for pride.

[alanair]

Slug fest is right... Bore of a Game... anyway Clermont it is... bring 'em on , I say !!

[Donny B.]

Love playing Clermont. Hopefully we can organise another march to the stadium in Lyon

[cormac]

Don't suppose the first round of the French Presidential Election being Sunday 23rd April will have any bearing on when our semi-final is staged?

[brenno]

For what it's worth, bookies offering +4 spread for Leinster, -4 for Clermont. Other semi too close for Paddy Power to call, Muster on +1 spread, Orcs on -1

[Sionnach]

L'Equipe reporting that it's a 16:15 kickoff on Sunday 23rd for Clermont - Leinster.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/ ... yon/790153

[Ruckedtobits]

same time suggested by Midi

[domhnallj]

For what it's worth, bookies offering +4 spread for Leinster, -4 for Clermont. Other semi too close for Paddy Power to call, Muster on +1 spread, Orcs on -1

What does that mean? Sorry to come off as hopelessly ignorant but I don't bet so spreads etc are a complete mystery.

[curates_egg]

That would be a real pain for people wanting to travel back on Sunday - I hope some negotiation takes place.
Selfishly, anything up to a 3.30 kick-off would be fine for me to get back to Brussels - 16.15 means the last train is not make-able.

[cormac]

For what it's worth, bookies offering +4 spread for Leinster, -4 for Clermont. Other semi too close for Paddy Power to call, Muster on +1 spread, Orcs on -1

What does that mean? Sorry to come off as hopelessly ignorant but I don't bet so spreads etc are a complete mystery.

It means that Clermont are favourites. Bookies will offer straight match odds (for this match they're currently Clermont 8/15, Leinster 13/8 and the draw at 22/1) and then usually have a points spread odds. In the points spread odds scenario, both teams are 10/11 to win. In this case the "handicap" for Clermont to overcome is 4 points,

e.g. the final score is Clermont 23 Leinster 20. If you backed Leinster +4 at 10/11 you'd win your bet.

[The Doc]

For what it's worth, bookies offering +4 spread for Leinster, -4 for Clermont. Other semi too close for Paddy Power to call, Muster on +1 spread, Orcs on -1

What does that mean? Sorry to come off as hopelessly ignorant but I don't bet so spreads etc are a complete mystery.

It means that Clermont are favourites. Bookies will offer straight match odds (for this match they're currently Clermont 8/15, Leinster 13/8 and the draw at 22/1) and then usually have a points spread odds. In the points spread odds scenario, both teams are 10/11 to win. In this case the "handicap" for Clermont to overcome is 4 points,

e.g. the final score is Clermont 23 Leinster 20. If you backed Leinster +4 at 10/11 you'd win your bet.

Think of it as the "headstart" the bookies think Leinster need (i.e. +4 in this case) for it to be an even game.

I wonder if the odds tighten - I think this is a tighter game than the Munster Sarries one. Not that Munster can't win but Sarries look more of a problem than Clermont do (based on this weekend)

[domhnallj]

For what it's worth, bookies offering +4 spread for Leinster, -4 for Clermont. Other semi too close for Paddy Power to call, Muster on +1 spread, Orcs on -1

What does that mean? Sorry to come off as hopelessly ignorant but I don't bet so spreads etc are a complete mystery.

It means that Clermont are favourites. Bookies will offer straight match odds (for this match they're currently Clermont 8/15, Leinster 13/8 and the draw at 22/1) and then usually have a points spread odds. In the points spread odds scenario, both teams are 10/11 to win. In this case the "handicap" for Clermont to overcome is 4 points,

e.g. the final score is Clermont 23 Leinster 20. If you backed Leinster +4 at 10/11 you'd win your bet.

Thanks.

[Ruckedtobits]

So, a late kick-off is a problem: one box ticked by Clermont;
The Lions Squad gets announced on April 19th: another non-worry for Clermont;
Leo has to decide does he find room for Rob K in Squad: not a problem for Clermont;
Leinster have Ospreys & Connacht next: Clermont have Brive & Grenoble -dogfights;
No French referee: Barnes, Nigel or ?????: Barnes definitely a problem for Clermont;
French Election Day; A problem for approx 18,000 Clermont supporters;
How will this pitch hold up to Scrums?: A big problem for both teams.

Lots to plan for there. But, who would you prefer to be this morning? Leo / Burt or Dai Young, Isa or Willie Le Roux?

Scores change matches, howlers change careers.

[Flash Gordon]

ASM clear favourites and think it'll be a huge ask for this relatively inexperienced Leinster team. Given the player experience this year, a European Semi final and top of the Pro 12 is way ahead of expectations though so anything more is a bonus - though I'm sure the team will be thinking that 2 more games means a 4th star.

We'll have to be way more clinical with possession in this , we're not going to be playing game than we were against Wasps, we're not going to be play ASM in France with 60%+ possession.....

[cormac]

So, a late kick-off is a problem: one box ticked by Clermont;
The Lions Squad gets announced on April 19th: another non-worry for Clermont;
Leo has to decide does he find room for Rob K in Squad: not a problem for Clermont;
Leinster have Ospreys & Connacht next: Clermont have Brive & Grenoble -dogfights;
No French referee: Barnes, Nigel or ?????: Barnes definitely a problem for Clermont;
French Election Day; A problem for approx 18,000 Clermont supporters;
How will this pitch hold up to Scrums?: A big problem for both teams.

Lots to plan for there. But, who would you prefer to be this morning? Leo / Burt or Dai Young, Isa or Willie Le Roux?

Scores change matches, howlers change careers.

Rob Kearney won't be back for the Clermont game.

[wixfjord]

Nakaitaci ruled out for the season with an ACL:
http://www.planetrugby.com/news/nakaita ... he-season/

Just Strettle or Toeava to come in then!

[riocard911]

Nakaitaci ruled out for the season with an ACL:
http://www.planetrugby.com/news/nakaita ... he-season/

Just Strettle or Toeava to come in then!

That's good news for us. He was Clermont's most potent threat yesterday vs Toulon.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

He can also be exposed in defence though. Great player to watch, pity we won't get to see him.

[22dropout]

Bit disappointed in the lack of size of the stadium selected to host the Semi Final. Last time we played Clermont it was in Bordeaux with a 35,000 capacity and the place was rammed. Despite it being a 2-3 hour drive from Clermont. Lyon is half that distance and the stadium only takes 25,000. Going to be very hard to get tickets for this one.

[The Doc]

Bit disappointed in the lack of size of the stadium selected to host the Semi Final. Last time we played Clermont it was in Bordeaux with a 35,000 capacity and the place was rammed. Despite it being a 2-3 hour drive from Clermont. Lyon is half that distance and the stadium only takes 25,000. Going to be very hard to get tickets for this one.

Hard if you are living in Clermont - presume Leinster will be entitled to an equal share with Clermont (say at least 7.5k after general corporate). There is no way we will take our full allocation. But Clermont fans might have issues