Pro 14 - General Thread

[neill_m]

Cardiff Blues going cashless. Will need vouchers to buy a pint.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/9754.php#.W2LKAMsUmM8

[The Doc]

Cardiff Blues going cashless. Will need vouchers to buy a pint.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/9754.php#.W2LKAMsUmM8

A lot of the French stadiums are like that - it's ok once you get used to it

[neill_m]

Cardiff Blues going cashless. Will need vouchers to buy a pint.

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/9754.php#.W2LKAMsUmM8

A lot of the French stadiums are like that - it's ok once you get used to it

Indeed the system varies from ground to ground. Montpellier had a smart card system (although it was cash in the stands), Clermont had beer tokens and in Italy you go into one queue where your order is taken and paid for and written down on a receipt. You then go to queue 2 with the receipt and get your beers.

[arsebiscuits1]

Proper order. Never have cash with me.

Has been a problem on more than one occasion in the RDS

[rooster]

I’m guessing that BOI reckon they get better value giving money to 3 provinces than directly to the IRFU.

Make that 4 provinces, they have gathered up Connacht as well.

[neill_m]

Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Donncha O'Callaghan, Maz Reilly and Murray Kinsella announced as the pundits for Eir Sport's coverage for the upcoming season.

[neill_m]

Round 1 Games (KO - Irish Time):

Fri 31st Aug 7:35pm Cardiff v Leinster Premier Sports/Eir Sport/TG4
Fri 31st Aug 7:35pm Ospreys v Edinburgh Premier Sports/Eir Sport
Fri 31st Aug 7:35pm Zebre v Southern Kings Eir Sport/Free Sports
Sat 1st Sep 3pm Connacht v Glasgow Premier Sports/Eir Sport/TG4
Sat 1st Sep 5:15pm Munster v Cheetahs Premier Sports/Eir Sport
Sat 1st Sep 5:15pm Ulster v Scarlets Premier Sports/Eir Sport/S4C
Sat 1st Sep 7:35pm Dragons v Benetton Premier Sports/Eir Sport

[Ruckedtobits]

Cheetahs currently being hammered 32-0 by Western Province in an almost empty and nearly flooded Newlands. Whilst they started well, they've looked increasingly second-rate since the storm started.

Munster will get the opportunity next weekend to see how the Pro 14 rates against Currie Cup / Super Rugby standards. Lots of big forwards and hard tackles but very little guile in evidence.

[harblstuff]

Cheetahs currently being hammered 32-0 by Western Province in an almost empty and nearly flooded Newlands. Whilst they started well, they've looked increasingly second-rate since the storm started.

Munster will get the opportunity next weekend to see how the Pro 14 rates against Currie Cup / Super Rugby standards. Lots of big forwards and hard tackles but very little guile in evidence.

South Africans generally saying the Cheetahs have been raided for players and are a shadow of their former selves from last year.

[neill_m]

The Cheetahs surpassed expectations last year and as a result have lost a lot of players to sides in the Pro 14, Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and the Top League in Japan. By all accounts, they have been playing weakened sides in the recent Currie Cup games with their focus on the Pro 14.

I would predict that Cardiff Blues are probably favourites to get 3rd in Conference A this season with the top 2 the same as last year.

[Ruckedtobits]

Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Donncha O'Callaghan, Maz Reilly and Murray Kinsella announced as the pundits for Eir Sport's coverage for the upcoming season.

Murray is well worth recruiting but the jury's out on Donncha and Maz but Luke is a disaster either as commentator or colour coverage. But definitely looking forward to Murray & Tommy. Remember lads, less is more. No Shaggy length sentences.

[wixfjord]

Looks like Scarlets are pretty badly hit with injuries. Cassiem, their new #8 from Cheetahs who gave us a good few problems last year is out for first few weeks.
https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/cass ... son/608102

Might not be such a bad time to be playing them.


Also out:

Paul Asquith – calf

Jake Ball – bicep tendon

Will Boyde – shoulder

Angus O’Brien – fractured hand

Uzair Cassiem – to undergo a scan today on lower leg injury

Dylan Evans – shoulder

Jonathan Evans – foot

Leigh Halfpenny – groin

Wyn Jones – calf

Samson Lee – cheekbone

Johnny McNicholl – facial fracture

Hadleigh Parkes – finger

Lewis Rawlins – shoulder

Aaron Shingler – knee


Might

[blockhead]

Zebre off to a flyer with a BP.
Osprey's beat Edinburgh, 2 tries for the bould Mr. North.

[johng]

Yerman who can't pronounce the letter o has a dodgy Mic on commentary in Galway . Took them ages to sort it. Teething troubles for the production company. Connacht not going well either.

[johng]

Ah jaysus. Now swifty's Mic is dodgy

[cormac]

It's on TG4 too. Fair to say defences are not on top here.

[johng]

Yep. At least Connacht are on the right side of the scoreboard at half time.

Crowd mics acting up now.

[wixfjord]

Scarlets go down in Ravers with a LBP.

Picked up a few knocks as well. John Davies didn't start, Patchell and Dan Jones went off injured I believe.

[blockhead]

Benetton beat Dragons in Rodders. Looked good for it too. Jackman can dedicate himself fully to punditry soon enough I'd say.

[Ruckedtobits]

Have the two Italians ever won on the same weekend before? Conor O'Shea must be doing something right, as well as both Coaches.