Pro 14 - General Thread

[paddyor]

Treviso topping the conference after 2 rounds, Scalets and Os both away up next.

[Ruckedtobits]

Possibly not too many on here experienced my mis/good fortune this evening. With duty taking me overseas, was unable to get a stream of Premier Sports 2 to watch Leinster v Dragons. But my trusty Mobdro located a totally uninterupted stream of Scarlets v Treviso and allowed me witness what was almost upset of the season.

Treviso played with 14 for 75% of the game and scored four tries and were still leading Scarlets after 70 minutes. They played a smart entertaining brand of rugby which Crowley should be proud of. Their first choice pack is topdrawer and they have a back three which will cause problems to opponents in Pro14 & Europe.

Forget the final score and don't believe the Welsh media. This Scarlets were being pushing into mistakes by opponents, who played with 14 and 13 for large parts, and were both competitive, skillful and very fit.

For those with Eir or Premier Sports a replay is well worth watching.

[blockhead]

Zebre came from 0-21 down at home to beat Cardiff 26-24.

[tomthefan]

Possibly not too many on here experienced my mis/good fortune this evening. With duty taking me overseas, was unable to get a stream of Premier Sports 2 to watch Leinster v Dragons. But my trusty Mobdro located a totally uninterupted stream of Scarlets v Treviso and allowed me witness what was almost upset of the season.

Treviso played with 14 for 75% of the game and scored four tries and were still leading Scarlets after 70 minutes. They played a smart entertaining brand of rugby which Crowley should be proud of. Their first choice pack is topdrawer and they have a back three which will cause problems to opponents in Pro14 & Europe.

Forget the final score and don't believe the Welsh media. This Scarlets were being pushing into mistakes by opponents, who played with 14 and 13 for large parts, and were both competitive, skillful and very fit.

For those with Eir or Premier Sports a replay is well worth watching.

I saw most of that game as well, I was cursing that Scottish/Irish referee because of what seemed like an endless succession of penalties he was awarding against Treviso.
Yet when I look on the official site it says he gave 6 penaties apiece.

This was he

https://www.pro14rugby.org/report/scarl ... y-thriller

[neill_m]

Zebre came from 0-21 down at home to beat Cardiff 26-24.

Third lead blown in 3 games. Beaten in 78th, 84th and 79th minute so far.

[blockhead]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ial-rights

This could be a plant to focus the Nigels ahead of a 2nd CVC bid.

[tomthefan]

Hopefully it's rubbish and if not, hopefully the IRFU have a veto and would use it.
Wouldn't trust the reeeejuns not jump at it and the scotch are skint.

[neill_m]

Round 4:

Fri 21 Sep
6:15pm Cheetahs v Ulster Premier Sports 2
7:35pm Cardiff Blues v Munster Premier Sports 1/Eir Sport 1/TG4

Sat 22 Sep
2pm Southern Kings v Glasgow Premier Sports 1/Eir Sport 1/Free Sports
5:15pm Connacht v Scarlets Premier Sports 1/TG4/Eir Sport 2
5:15pm Dragons v Zebre Premier Sports 2/S4C
7:35pm Leinster v Edinburgh Premier Sports 2/Eir Sport 1
7:35pm Ospreys v Benetton Premier Sports 1/Eir Sport 2

The Southern Kings Glasgow game is now being played at the University stadium (15k capacity) in PE, as the big stadium is being prepared for the South Africa Australia game on Sat 29th.

[dropkick]

Hopefully it's rubbish and if not, hopefully the IRFU have a veto and would use it.
Wouldn't trust the reeeejuns not jump at it and the scotch are skint.

Chance for the IRFU to get back at the others.

[tomthefan]

Hopefully it's rubbish and if not, hopefully the IRFU have a veto and would use it.
Wouldn't trust the reeeejuns not jump at it and the scotch are skint.

Chance for the IRFU to get back at the others.

That would be very pleasing (especially if they strung the hoors along until the very last moment)

[blockhead]

Something stirring in Italy?
Since a heavy defeat to Leinster at home on the 2nd of Dec 2017, Treviso have won 10 of their last 14 Pro14 games, including victories over Scarlets and ourselves.
Zebre have won 5 of their last 6.
Last season was their best ever season in the league (in terms of combined wins in a season).
Their U20s didn't look too bad in the 6Ns last season either btw.

[Ruckedtobits]

Something stirring in Italy?
Since a heavy defeat to Leinster at home on the 2nd of Dec 2017, Treviso have won 10 of their last 14 Pro14 games, including victories over Scarlets and ourselves.
Zebre have won 5 of their last 6.
Last season was their best ever season in the league (in terms of combined wins in a season).
Their U20s didn't look too bad in the 6Ns last season either btw.

Absolutely. Credit Kiernan Crowley and his fellow Coaches in Treviso. They have a pack, a pair of half-backs and a first choice back-three who,IMO, are currently the best strike force in the League.

Add Ml Bradley and Conor O'Shea to the Italian Brain's Trust and I suggest that a small each-way wager on Italy for the 6N title in a year in which all the other nations will be focussed exclusively on the RWC. Odds are currently c. 500-1..

[Ruckedtobits]

Something stirring in Italy?
Since a heavy defeat to Leinster at home on the 2nd of Dec 2017, Treviso have won 10 of their last 14 Pro14 games, including victories over Scarlets and ourselves.
Zebre have won 5 of their last 6.
Last season was their best ever season in the league (in terms of combined wins in a season).
Their U20s didn't look too bad in the 6Ns last season either btw.

BTW, there was a really funny incident in the last 5-10 minutes of the coverage of Scarlets v Treviso when Crowley's Asst Coach (Forwards?) tore off his head-set and left the Coaches box when the Ref, yet again, penalised Treviso in attack as they sought a winning score. Crowley threw his eyes to heaven and calmly put on the head-set and issued further instructions! Pure Opera.

[Ruckedtobits]

I'd also have a few quid on Treviso for the Challenge Cup.

[neill_m]

I'd also have a few quid on Treviso for the Challenge Cup.

The French sides tend to treat the Challenge Cup as a secondary concern and focus on the league - either making the end of season barrage or just staying up. Pau and Bordeaux fall between those 2 stools and may have a crack at it this year. Of the Pro 14 sides in it - Treviso, Connacht and Ospreys may fancy their chances. In terms of the English sides, the likes of Bristol and Worcester will probably focused on a relegation fight, but you do have Sale, Saints and Quins who may see it as a way into the 19/20 H Cup.

[blockhead]

Cockers calls Connacht "Cheats"! Oh the irony.
To be fair to the Leicester legend. He brings a lot of attention to the Pro14.

[blockhead]

kings 21-0 v Glasgow after 18mins

[Peg Leg]

kings 21-0 v Glasgow after 18mins

31-0 now bp in the bag

[cormac]

Glasgow managed to snatch a bp in the last minute. Finished 38-28 to the Kings

[Peg Leg]

The ref was very generous to Kings inability to scrum tbf.