31-10-14 TV BLOG

GLASGOW V TREVISO FRI

Gregor Townsend has made 12 changes to his Glasgow team for the Pro-12 meeting with Treviso at Scotstoun on Friday.

The only Warriors remaining from their win over Montpellier are Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro and Pat MacArthur, due to injuries and international call-ups

Canadian international back Connor Braid has returned from a three-week loan period with London Scottish and could make his first competitive appearance.

Head coach Townsend said: "We will have to work very hard for a positive result as Benetton Treviso are a very physical side and are much improved since the start of the season.

Glasgow Warriors: Peter Murchie, Lee Jones, Richie Vernon, James Downey, DTH van der Merwe, Peter Horne, Niko Matawalu: Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur, Rossouw de Klerk, Tom Ryder, Leone Nakarawa, Josh Strauss (C), Chris Fusaro, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alex Allan, Zander Fagerson, James Eddie, Will Bordill, Murray McConnell, Connor Braid, Rory Hughes.

Treviso: Jayden Hayward, Simone Ragusi, Michele Campagnaro, Enrico Bacchin, Ludovico Nitoglia, Sam Christie, Alberto Lucchese, Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni (C), Simone Favaro, Corniel Van Zyl, Tomas Vallejos, Salesi Manu, Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso.

Replacements: Amar Kudin, Albert Anae, Rupert Harden, Mat Luamanu, Marco Lazzaroni, Marco Barbini, Luca Morisi, James Ambrosini.

I see this as a Glasgow win but no bonus point as too many changes have been made

LEINSTER V EDINBURGH FRI

A combination of international call-ups and injuries will see Leinster and Edinburgh both parading much-changed line-ups in Friday's Pro12 game.

Leinster make eight changes from the win over Castres with Ireland stars Jamie Heaslip, Gordon D'Arcy and Ian Madigan among the absentees.

Edinburgh's side has 10 changes from their Challenge Cup win over Lyon.

Nick McLennan, Joaquin Dominguez and fit-again Dougie Fife are all drafted into the Edinburgh backs.

Andries Strauss, a late withdrawal from the Lyon game, takes captain's armband for this game with Ross Ford unavailable because of Scotland duty and both captain Mike Coman and vice-captain Grant Gilchrist out because of injury.

Leinster: Zane Kirchner; Darragh Fanning, Ben Te'o, Noel Reid, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Luke McGrath; Michael Bent, Richardt Strauss, Tadgh Furlong; Tom Denton, Kane Douglas; Kevin McLaughlin (capt), Dominic Ryan, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Peter Dooley, Ben Marshall, Dan Leavy, Isaac Boss, Steve Crosbie, Mick McGrath.

Edinburgh: Nick McLennan; Dougie Fife, Joaquin Dominguez, Tim Visser; Tom Heathcote, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne; Allan Dell, James Hilterbrand, Willem Nel; Ben Toolis, Jack Turley; Magnus Bradbury, Tomas Leonardi, David Denton.

Replacements: Jake Kerr, Rory Sutherland, John Andress, Jamie Ritchie, George Turner, Sean Kennedy, Greig Tonks, Jack Cuthbert

If Leinster are going to be the force they need to be this season this is a place where they need to pick up points

OSPRAYS V CONNACHT FRI

Bundee Aki will make his Connacht debut in Friday night's Pro12 clash with the table-topping Ospreys in Swansea.

The centre is one of nine changes including the temporary return of Kieran Marmion, Rodney Ah You and Darragh Leader from the Ireland camp.

Ospreys number eight Ieuan Jones, on loan from Cardiff Blues, also makes his debut at the Liberty Stadium.

Replacements Rory Thornton and Jordan Collier will add to the tally of debutants if they come off the bench.

The Welsh hosts sit three points clear at the top after six games with Connacht eight points behind in fifth.

Ospreys: Dan Evans, Jeff Hassler, Andrew Bishop, Josh Matavesi, Tom Grabham, Sam Davies, Martin Roberts, Duncan Jones, Sam Parry, Aaron Jarvis, Lloyd Peers (capt), Rynier Bernardo, Sam Lewis, Juston Tipuric, Ieuen Jones.

Replacements: Scott Otten, Marc Thomas, Dmitri Arhip, Rory Thornton, Jordan Collier, Tom Habberfield, Ashley Beck, Aisea Natoga.

Connacht: Shane Layden, Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Craig Ronaldson, Matt Healy, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion, Denis Buckley, Jason Harris-Wright, Rodney Ah You, Mick Kearney, Quinn Roux, John Muldoon (capt), Eoin McKeon, George Naoupu.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jamie Dever, JP Cooney, Andrew Browne, Willie Faloon, Ian Porter, Dave McSharry, Darragh Leader.

I am not sure what way this match will go you can see Connacht improving and the Ospreys will have a lot of people out with international duty this could be close but I give it to the Osprey’s

BLUES V MUNSTER SAT 17.15

Argentina utility back Lucas Amorosino makes his debut for the Blues against Munster on Saturday.

And Wales international Rhys Patchell has recovered from a shoulder injury in the 33-18 win away to Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup.

The Blues are without Wales-tied Cory Allen, Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins and Alex Cuthbert

Despite two wins out of two in Europe, the Welsh side are currently a lowly 10th in the Pro12 table.

Fourth-placed Munster meanwhile have only lost once in their last seven matches in all tournaments.

The Irish province will also be without their Ireland squad members in Saturday's contest with Paul O'Connell, Peter O'Mahony Conor Murray, Simon Zebo, Felix Jones and Ian Keatley all unavailable.

Coach Anthony Foley makes 11 changes from last weekend's European win over Saracens with only Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, BJ Botha and CJ Stander retaining their starting places.

Cardiff Blues: Rhys Patchell, Richard Smith, Adam Thomas, Gavin Evans, Lucas Amorosino, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams; Sam Hobbs, Matthew Rees (capt), Adam Jones, Jarrad Hoeata, Filo Paulo, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Manoa Vosawai

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Thomas Davies, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins, Lewis Jones, Garyn Smith, Dan Fish

Munster: Johne Murphy; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Rory Scannell, Gerhard van den Heever; JJ Hanrahan, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan (capt), Billy Holland; CJ Stander, Paddy Butler, Robin Copeland

Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, Alan Cotter, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Barry O'Mahony, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ronan O'Mahony

This could be an exciting match on Saturday and I see it being very close between 2 very good sides but how important the internationals are in my opinion will give the Blues the edge

SCARLETS V ZEBRE SAT 18.00

This match should be important to Scarlet’s doing ok this type of match they should win will probably make a difference to how well they can do this season. I think that this Zebre tram are definitely improving and will get a lot better as the season progresses but I cannot see Scarlet’s lose this game especially as they are at home.  

ULSTER V DRAGONS SAT 19.35

This is a very important match for Ulster as they will not have that many of their best players in the team which will make us see what their strength in depth. The last time they had a match by having to release players they put in a poor performance against Zeb re so this is important

Sean Reidy will play his first competitive match for Ulster in one of seven changes for Saturday's Pro12 clash at home to the Dragons.

Winger Peter Nelson gets his first game this season while Stuart Olding has been released from Ireland camp and starts the match at full-back.

Dragons have Taulupe Faletau, Hallam Amos and Tom Prydie on Wales’s duty.

In all, director of Rugby Lyn Jones has made seven changes from the team that lost 26-30 to Newcastle Falcons.

Rhys Williams has been named at centre for Dragons, just three days after joining on loan form Premiership club Carmarthen Quins.

Ulster coach Neil Doak has made seven changes and two positional switches from the team which started against Toulon in the European Champions Cup.

Ulster : S Olding, L Ludik, D Cave, S McCloskey P Nelson, P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, L Stevenson, F van der Merwe, C Ross, S Reidy, R Wilson (c).

Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, D Fitzpatrick, N McComb, R Diack, M Heaney, I Humphreys, R Andrew.

Newport Gwent Dragons: Jason Tovey, Matthew Pewtner, Rhys Williams, Ashley Smith, Aled Brew, Angus O'Brien, Richie Rees; Boris Stankovich, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Dan Way, James Thomas, Rynard Landman (c), Lewis Evans, James Benjamin, Andy Powell.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Owen Evans, Lloyd Fairbrother, Scott Andrews, Ollie Griffiths, Jonathan Evans, Geraint Rhys Jones, Ashton Hewitt.

I feel that Ulster will win this match but they will find it very difficult

27-10-14 european champions cup

POOL 2

KILKOYNE GIVES MUNSTER VITAL WIN

Final score Munster 14-3 Saracens

After getting an important away win in the first match last week Munster got an important home win.

It all started with an early Munster penalty after not breaking away from the ruck of a maul Keatley scored the penalty  

Owen Farrell got an important penalty for Saracens  

Munster then got the second to lead 6-3 Keatleys drop goal could have made the difference in this match  

Andrew Conway was very unfortunate not to score a Munster try near the end of the game from a rolling maul position

Kilcoynes try for Munster came from a shift-drive from the line out and Kilkoyne came from the back of a rolling maul

NALAGA SHOWS WHY CLEMAUNT ARE BEST

Clemount win 35-3 against  Sale

In the other match in the pool 1 Cermont showed that they can be an absolutely brilliant side with a bonus point win over Sale

They started with a quality try from a quality move and a switch to Abenandon

A very good kicks and caught and had to run a bit from Nalaga who got a second try  

Rougerie scored a brilliant individual try for the fourth and point try

ARMATICH MANAGES TO GET HIS REVENGE

Ulster 13-23 Tolon

Dylan Armatich scored an early try but it was a forward pass

A quality Tolon move scored by Habana

Dylan Armatich gets justice after his disallowed try which came from an Ulster attacking move and intercepted by Armatich where he ran half the pitch to score

Ulster get a consolation try scored by Gilroy

Paddy Jackson then misses a penalty from the half way line which if he had scored would have given Ulster a losing bonus point

DAVIES GETS VITAL WIN FOR SCARLETS

Scarlet’s 15-3 Lester

Allen should have scored an early try from a rolling maul

Winger Harry Robinson pounced on Beiamim mistake to have one pass and the end then put the ball down for the try.

Alid Davies scored the vital try on 61 minutes to score a very important try as it gave the scarlet's the win

KIETLY KICKS QUALITY PERFORMANCE

Final score Castre 16-21 Leinster

Castre score an early try from a rolling maul  converted

Leinsters Ian Kietly scores 7 kick to give Leinster the win

PENALTY TRY IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 SIDES

Wasps 16-23 Quins

Evens passes to Matthews who puts it sown but no try

Jo Simpson scores a quality for wasps

After hitting the ball over his man and running a quality run a Quins move gives the ball to Mathews who scoed to get his revenge

Wasps gets a penalty try to score  

european champions cup reciew 24-10-14

POOL 1 FRI
MUNSTER V SARACENS 7.45 pm















Munster has made two changes to their side for Friday's European Champions Cup game against Saracens.
James Cronin comes in at loose-head and BJ Botha is recalled at tight-head, with Dave Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer dropping to the bench.
Saracens have Neil de Kock at scrum-half and Owen Farrell at fly-half.
Marcelo Bosch replaces Chris Wyles at outside centre, but lock Alistair Hargreaves is ruled out with a slight knock, so Jim Hamilton comes in
Munster: Jones, Conway, Smith, Hurley, Zebo, Keatley, Murray; Cronin, Casey, Botha, Foley, O'Connell, O'Mahony (capt), O'Donnell, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Guinazu, Kilcoyne, Archer, Holland, Copeland, Williams, Hanrahan, Van den Heever
Saracens: Goode, Ashton, Bosch, Brad Barritt (capt), Strettle, Farrell, De Kock; Barrington, George, Du Plessis, Kruis, Hamilton, Brown, Fraser, Vunipola.
Replacements: Spurling, Gill, Johnston, Botha, Wray, Wigglesworth, Hodgson, Taylor.
I feel that this will be a bonus point win for Munster. I think that the away win last week will help their confidence
POOL 3 SAT
ULSTER V TOLON 1 pm













Ulster and Ireland pair Andrew Trimble and Luke Marshall faces lengthy spells on the side-lines because of injury.
Trimble has suffered ligament damage to a toe and the wing is expected to be out for a "period of months".
Centre Marshall sustained a medial knee ligament injury while playing for the Ravens last weekend and he will be out of action for six weeks.
I think that Ulster can win this match but I think that there defeat by Leister would not help their cause in any way
SCARLET'S V LEICESTER 7.45 pm











South African lock George Earle will miss Scarlets' European Rugby Cup match with Leicester after taking a knock on the head

I think that this tie can go either way but I do think that Leister will have an advantage of last week’s win. I cannot see any chance of a bonus point
POOL 1  SUN
CLERMOUNT AUVERGNE V SALE 3.15 pm













Sale will be down on confidence after their tight win against Munster. But you cannot be sure what French side will come out but I can see a comfortable bonus point win for Clemaunt
POOL 2 SUN
CASTERS V LEINSTER 1 pm









Again this depends on how the French side play on Sunday. I do feel that Leinster can win this match on Saturday.
WASPS V HARLEQUINS 5.15 pm











Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has said his side's bonus-point loss at Leinster in the European Rugby Champions Cup will be meaningless if they fail to beat Harlequins next week.
This is a very interesting match that can go either way as they play each other quite often. I think that home advantage is a big advantage in this match and I feel that wasps will win a close match by no more than a try.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/fixtures

Paul Marchall

Position: Scrumhalf
DOB Jul 26, 1985
Height173 cm
Weight79 kg
Played131
Points75
Place of birth
Lisburn
School
Methodist College Belfast
Rugby union career
Playing career
Provincial/State sides
National team(s)
2013–present Ireland 3 (0)

Player Biog
Scrumhalf Paul Marshall joined Ulster Rugby on a full contract at the start of the 2006-07 sporting year having graduated from the Ulster Academy. He made his first team debut that season against the Dragons, although had played in preseason friendlies the year before.  
A former pupil of Methodist College, Paul has captained the Ulster U21 side and was part of the Irish under 21 Six Nations team in the 05/06 season. Paul was selected for the 2008 Ireland A Churchill Cup tour and represented Ireland in the 2009 IRB Rugby World Cup 7’s tournament.
 Paul is a former captain of the Ulster U21 rugby team.
His lively play around the fringes at ruck time make him a constant threat to the opposition. Paul's defensive work makes him an important part of the Ulster team , despite being the lightest player in the squad.
Despite having limited game time with the presence of Ruan Pienaar in the squad, Marshall has become a lot better in recent seasons. His form has resulted in Pienaar being moved to flyhalf on occasions to accommodate him.

 He was named Most Improved Player for the 2011/12 season at the annual Awards Dinner and capped off a superb campaign with a place in the Ireland against the all blacks.
He was man-of-the-match against Castres in the Heineken Cup at the start of the 2012/13 campaign and his excellent form in both Europe and the PRO12 was rewarded when he won his first cap against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations.
In the summer of 2013 Marshall was able to get more international caps when he played against the United States and Canada.
He signed a new three-year deal in October 2013 that will keep him at Ulster until the summer of 2017.

European champions cup 20-10-14

POOL 1

SARACENS 30-23 CLEMRMOUNT

SARACENS CAN LEARN

Zac Gilford scores a try from a good running move

What a quality pass from Webber to Strettle who scores a quality try

Strettle then was able to take on the Cemrmount defence to score a try in the corner

A quality kick and knock on lead to an Ashdon try

Saracens were definitely a lot better than anyone thinks and may be able to reach a quarter final 

SALE 26-27 MUNSTER

MUNSTER GET ONLY AWAY WIN

Kilkoyne scored a try from a rolling maul

Ciprani scored an early penalty for Sale

Murray got a try from a rolling maul also

Lund scored from a quality run to score a Sale try

A fine passing move set up Leota to made this match very interesting

Tommy O Donnell was very lucky not to concede a penalty try

Danny Ciprani kicked 16 points to give sale real hope

Everything went down to an Ian Keatley drop at goal which he scored from to give Munster the win

 This was a vital away win for Munster and it could make a huge difference in qualifying

POOL 2

LEINSTER25-20 WASPS

LEINSTER WIN TIGHT MATCH

Hadalack ran near the entire pitch to score a Wasp’s try from a Leinster bad pass on the Wasps line try for Leuia

Heslip made a run and makes the kick to Fanning in the corner

Christopher Wade made a quality run down the Leinster wing to score

Dara fanning scored again from momentum ball out and pass from Heslep Ryan put the ball down for a brilliant Leinster move

.Leinster showed why they are still one of the best in Europe but they must improve

QUINS 25-9 CASTRE

QUINS SHOW TOP CLASS

Quins scored the only try in this match from a long kick and catch from Danny Care who was the hero of the day as he kicked 7 shots 6 penalties and one conversion. The try was a kick from Evens that care was able to run onto

Was this a good Quins or a bad Castre as the French teams do not know how to travel well 

POOL 3

LEICESTER 25-18 ULSTER

WILL BONUS POINT HELP

Ulster scored an early penalty from Paddy Jackson which became very important at the end of the game as it was the difference between them getting a bonus point

Owen Williams scored the first of Leiicester tries from some quality movement

After that Leicester took more control of this match as Youngs made a kick which Kitcner was able to put down.

Freddie Burns try would be the difference in this match

Bowe and Page made a 1,2 which gave Ulster some hope in this match as Bowe was able to put it down

Cave should have scored from the scrum but Van der Mere jumped over the people to run it home

. Ulster will now have to beat Toloun but this bonus point could be vital  

TOLON 28-18 SCARLET'S

TOLON SHOW FRENCH CLASS 

Giteau seemed to create a try from nothing to give Tolon a start

Scott Williams passes to Barclay to score for the Scarlet’s

Youngs intercepts a ball and passes it to Kitcher to score

Tolon got a quality try from a kick and pass move which was caught by Memoz who scored

Steffon Armitage scored a quality fry running into the corner

Rhys Pristland scored a try as he ran half the pitch to score a try

 The surprise here was that Tolon did not get the bonus point. Are they who we think they are?

POOL 4

GLASGOW STILL IMPROVING

Glasgow 37-10 Bath. Glasgow have to reach the quarters this year but is that possible  

SOME FRENCH CLASS

Tolouse 30-23 Monellie. I am not too sure what this says about anything

POOL 5

LITTLE TO LEARN

Osprays 42-7 Treviso.  You can not learn from a match like this

JOHHNY TOP CLASS

Racing 20-11Northampton. Good luck Johhny this was tight.  

european champions cup preview

POOL 1

SALE V MUNSTER SAT 1PM

Sale are currently in 10^th in the Aviva Premiership while Muster are currently in fourth but this must be a match that Munster are looking for an away win from as they have that bit of form needed. With players like Connor Murray for Munster and Tom Brady and Danny Ciprani this match could be a lot closer than people think. I can see Munster getting a bonus point but cannot see anyone winning this one by more than 7

SARACENS V CLEMOUNT AUVERNE SAT 5.15PM

Saracens are currently in second place in the Premiership and seem to have some form behind them.. Clemaont Auvergne look on fire so this would be an away match that they feel they must win Clemount having players like Vincent Debaty. Home advantage could suit Saracens here and give them a lift and players like Chis Ashton and Brad Baret I can see this being a very interesting match. No team winning by more than 7  

POOL 2

HARLIQUINS V CASTRE FRI 7.45PM

Harliquins are currently 7^th in the Premiership. Caster are in 12^th so this looks like a match that is a lot more even than people thing but from form you have to look at Harlequin’s. This is the big Friday match so I was able to get a little bit of information about the team. Players like Danny Care and Nick Easter will be very important against French teams. Castre do seem to have a lot of foreign players like Richie Grey from Scotland and Cedric Garcia from Spain but the French players will be the ones that make the difference. I can see a bonus point win here for Harlequins

15. Mike Brown,14. Marland Yarde, 13. Matt Hopper, 12. George Lowe, 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma,10. Nick Evans,9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler©, 2. Dave Ward,  3. Will Collier, 4. Charlie Matthews, 5. George Robson,  6. Luke Wallace 7. Chris Robshaw,  8. Nick Easter

16. Rob Buchanan, 17. Mark Lambert, 18. Kyle Sinckler,  19. Sam Twomey, 20. Joe Trayfoot  21. Karl Dickson, 22. Jordan Turner-Hal,  23. Ollie Lindsay-Hague

LEINSTER V WASPS SAT 5.15PM

Wasps are currently 5^th in the premiership. Leinster are currently 6^th in the pro 12 is this the match that can ignite a season or is this just a home win. This could go anyway.   Leinster have got a lot of players that can change a match like Mile Ross, Sean Cronin a young player Issac Boss and Ian Madagan who all are Ireland internationals. For wasps players like James Haskill and Sam Jones but for me this is a Leinster bonus point win.  

POOL3

LEICESTER V ULSTER SAT 7.45PM

Leicester are currently 8^th in the premiership while Ulster are 3^rd in the pro 12 which means that for me Ulster have got a sense of momentum to their game. With Ulster players like Tommy Bowe and Rory best this match could be interesting  but Leicester have their own stars that can make a difference which include Tom Cole for me this is going to be a close match but I could see it as an Ulster win but not by much.

TOLON V SCARLETS SUN 4.15PM

Scarlet’s are currently 7^th in the pro 12. Tolon are one of the best teams in Europe and sit in second position in the table and must look at this game as a must win away match as the other matches will definitely be a lot more difficult. Tolon have got some stars from all over the world and this is the example of how to use a lot of money. Bringing in Delon Armitage from England and Carl y nan as captain from New Zealand. But they do have their fair share of French stars also. For the Scarlet’s this looks like a scary site as they do not have the best defence. If anyone is going to get this team together it is Aled Davies but I cannot see anything except for a rout for Tolon here a comfortable bonus point win as I cannot see them not scoring early.

These are the matches I will be looking at as they involve Iris team from Ireland so every point counts for this European cup.  As I feel that this year it is so important to get as many Irish teams out of the group and competing at the knockout stag. I do have hope for both Glasgow and Osprey’s but I am not sure how deep they can go . I will try to focus on all groups.