Friday, 29 May 2015

pro 12 final predictions 29-5-15

PRO 12 FINAL

GLASGOW V MUNSTER









Munster duo Conor Murray and Simon Zebo are struggling to be fit for Saturday's Pro12 decider against Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
Scrum-half Murray (knee) and wing Zebo (concussion) sustained their injuries in the semi-final victory over the Ospreys at the weekend.
Murray was forced off in the first half and Munster are awaiting results of a scan on the injury.
Fellow Irish international Zebo is following return-to-play protocols.
Murray will meet a specialist on Tuesday with Munster fearing he may have sustained ligament damage in Saturday's game at Thomond Park.
Munster captain Peter O'Mahony, Paddy Butler, Eusebio Guinazu and Andrew Smith missed Tuesday's training session as they recovered from knocks picked up in the Ospreys encounter.
However, they are all expected to be fit and available for the showdown with the Scots.
The Scots seem to be on form and seem to have no serious injuries for the final

PREDICTIONS


I cannot see this   being anything but a tight match with neither team getting any more than a 7 point lead at any point in the match. I do think that Munster have got the experience to win this match as the club have been in many tight battles and certain players like Paul O Connell have played in much bigger matches for Munster.  


Monday, 25 May 2015

PRO 12 semi final results 25-5-15

MUNSTER 21-18 OSPREYS

HURLEY AND ZEBO PUT MUNSTER IN FINAL


Josh Matavesi looked to have won it for the Ospreys in injury-time but his try was ruled out for a Rhys Webb knock on.
Tries from Simon Zebo and Denis Hurley either side of half-time had put Munster 16-3 ahead.
Webb's 46th-minute try gave the Ospreys hope and while Paddy Butler added a third for Munster, Jeff Hassler's superb score ensured a frantic finish.
Hassler ran through the Munster defence from the halfway line to score his magnificent individual try in the 53rd minute and after Dan Biggar added the conversion, another penalty from the fly-half brought the Ospreys to within three points of Munster's 21-point haul, but they could not make further headway.
Keatley, on two occasions, and his replacement JJ Hanrahan squandered straightforward penalty chances which would have settled the nerves of the home support.
And those misses appeared to have been punished in the first few seconds of injury-time as Matavesi finished off an over-lap to run in what the Ospreys thought was the winning score.
But referee Nigel Owens asked for a video replay and it showed that Webb had knocked on at the base of a ruck earlier in the play.

MY VIEW

Munster was very lucky to win this game as they nearly lost it at the death. Munster does have some sort of home advantage in the final. I feel that Munster maybe did not deserve to reach this final but home advantage did become a huge advantage

GLASGOW 16-14 ULSTER

VAN DER MERVE TRY AND RUSSELL PENALTIES GLASGOW WIN








It was a semi-final of immense physicality, one that claimed an early victim when Al Kellock, the Glasgow captain playing for the last time in front of his home crowd, retired hurt after just 20 minutes.
By then, Ulster had established their dominance; in the line-out and the scrum, in the collisions and the breakdown and on the scoreboard. For so long they looked set for victory, but the indomitable spirit of these Glasgow men was extraordinary.
Ulster was left completely shocked at the end. Ruan Pienaar's penalty for the visitors after just 30 seconds was cancelled out soon after by Russell - a powerful effort from just inside his own half - but when Henry scored in the corner in the 19th minute it was only what Ulster's early play deserved.
It was a clinical score, sparked by the visitors' grunt up front and finished beautifully out wide when Paddy Jackson linked with Louis Ludik, whose quick hands put Henry over.
There is much attacking nous in this Ulster backline, but Henry can be a bit of a try-machine himself at times. It was his second try in a week at Scotstoun, having scored their only one in last Saturday's 32-10 defeat by Glasgow.
The fact that Ulster was only two points clear at the break was something of a lucky break for the home team, but two points became five when Pienaar landed a second penalty just before 60 minutes had elapsed.
At last, Glasgow found something. Some phases, some urgency, some power. It brought them three points from the boot of Russell and energised the big crowd.
Gregor Townsend leapt off his bench in the hope of finding gaps in a brutish Ulster defence, but for the longest time it looked like Ulster's defence would not be breached.
Ulster scored again. If Stuart Hogg's stunning kick from the tee in the first half was eye-catching then Pienaar's effort from a veritable mile out was even better. It was a thumping kick that restored their five-point lead and left Glasgow needing a try.
And what a try. One of Glasgow's all-time great passes, a 30-yard delivery off Russell's left hand, one of their all-time great run-ins from their departing son, Van der Merwe, and one of the all-time great conversions by Russell from so far out on the right side that he practically had to clear a gap in the crowd in order to kick it.

MY VIEW


This angered me as Ulster had so much control of this match for so long and to lose it at the death angered me in a big way. Also to lose it due to one kick angered me as well  

Friday, 22 May 2015

pro 12 semi final predictions and teams

We are at the stage of the season now where everything is knockout and this is the first round of pure knockout rugby
Here are the semi-finals and the teams they plan to play. Whether they get home advantage or not depends on league position

SEMI FINAL 1

GLASGOW V ULSTER FRIDAY 7.45 pm













Hooker Fraser Brown and scrum-half Henry Pyrgos return to Glasgow Warriors' line-up to tackle a much-changed Ulster in the Pro12 semi-final.
Brown replaces Dougie Hall, while Niko Matawalu moves to the left wing to accommodate Pyrgos at Scotstoun.
Ulster restore Ruan Pienaar, Paddy Jackson, Darren Cave, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy and Tommy Bowe to the backline.
Captain Rory Best returns at hooker in a team that boasts 304 caps.
The sides met last Saturday in the final round of regular Pro12 fixtures, the Warriors earning a 32-10 bonus-point victory to secure the home play-off.
Ulster head coach Neil Doak opted to rest many of his Test players, with only full-back Louis Ludik, prop Ricky Lutton, lock Lewis Stevenson and flanker Chris Henry retained this week.
Best and Lutton are joined in the front-row by Callum Black, Dan Tuohy partners Stevenson in the second-row, while Roger Wilson and Iain Henderson form an all-Ireland back-row with Henry.
In the backline, Cave is paired with Payne in midfield, Bowe and Gilroy line up on either wing, and Pienaar and Jackson resume their half-back partnership.
Prop Rob Herring has been cleared of stamping on an opponent in last week's fixture by a Pro12 disciplinary committee and is named on the bench.
Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend is able to recall the club's record try-scorer, DTH van der Merwe, to the squad with the Canadian now recovered from a hand injury.
The semi-final will mark the last home appearance for the winger, together with Matawalu and captain Al Kellock, with the trio departing Glasgow for the Scarlets, Bath and retirement respectively.
Townsend said: "It will be a big challenge facing one of the best sides in Europe for the second time in a week and it's knock-out rugby now, so we know what's at stake.
"We've had some epic battles with Ulster over the last few seasons and they'll be eager to reverse the scoreline from last week."
Glasgow Warriors: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Richie Vernon, Peter Horne, Niko Matawalu, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Ryan Grant, Fraser Brown, Rossouw de Klerk, Jonny Gray, Al Kellock (CAPTAIN), Josh Strauss, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe
Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Gordon Reid, Mike Cusack, Leone Nakarawa, Ryan Wilson, Duncan Weir, Sean Lamont, DTH van der Merwe
Ulster: Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar, Callum Black, Rory Best (CAPTAIN), Ricky Lutton, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Roger Wilson
Replacements: Rob Herring, Andrew Warwick, Bronson Ross, Robbie Diack, Sean Reidy, Paul Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Michael Allen

PREDICTION



Ulster are playing for a home final. There is no doubt that this is something that Ulster will look for. Glasgow found it difficult against a weakened Ulster team last week so I think that this match will be very close and definitely could see both teams winning it. But I do feel that Ulster do have a big advantage knowing the ground and staying in Scotland I do feel thaty Ulster can learn a lot from Glasgow last week which gives it just to Ulster but Glasgow are improving year on year and this might be a big chance for them.

SEMI FINAL 2

MUNSTER V OSPREYS SATURDAY 2.30PM













Ospreys wing Tom Grabham has been ruled out for the rest of the season and will miss the Pro12 play-offs.
Grabham, 23, has failed to recover from an abdominal strain sustained during the win over Cardiff Blues in April.
Ospreys' medical team decided, following consultations with specialists, that Grabham should have surgery.
"He has undergone a minimally invasive procedure to repair the damage," Ospreys said in a statement.
"[He] will rehab over the summer with a view to returning to training for pre-season.
Ospreys face Munster away in the play-off semi-final on Saturday with Glasgow or Ulster awaiting the winners in the final on 30 May.

PREDICTION


I feel that this tie belongs to Munster as I feel that they are a lot stronger in confidence than the Ospreys after what happened last week. I feel that people like Conor Murray and Paul O'Connell can definitely do things to change this game.


Monday, 18 May 2015

PRO 12 FINAL DAY 18-5-15

PRO 12 FINAL DAY RESULTS

GLASGOW 32-10 ULSTER

RUSSELL DOUBLE OUTCLASSES ULSTER


Glasgow ran in four second-half tries to secure the bonus-point required for top spot and a Pro12 home semi-final against vanquished opponents Ulster.
The visitors looked like the team chasing a bonus point as they repeatedly kicked to touch from penalties and it was fourth time lucky as Henry bulldozed his way through, with Ian Humphreys adding the extras.
he hosts' pace immediately quickened and Hogg gathered a long, looping pass to race away and collect his own perfectly weighted kick as he scored in the corner, with Russell unable to land a difficult conversion.
A few minutes later, Russell was knocking over a much easier kick, having shown great strength to go through two tackles and plant the ball down near the posts.
With Ulster starting to wilt, Andrew Warwick was sent to the sin bin and Gray powered his way into the scoring zone only to be prevented from grounding by a cluster of defenders in white.
Tommy Seymour was then well placed to reach the corner only for Pyrgos to throw a wild pass behind the winger and into touch.
Glasgow were now camped in the Ulster 22 and a lovely dummy created a gap for Russell to dart through for his second try, with his second conversion following.
The crowd were now roaring their support and the noise was deafening when Vernon broke a weak tackle 30 metres out. The flanker-turned-centre had the speed to get home and, with the crucial bonus point secured, Russell was in no hurry to knock over the extras.

MUNSTER 50-27 DRAGONS

MURRY HAT TRICK MEANS MUNSTER ARE ON A DIFFERENT PLANET


Munster ran riot with eight tries against the Dragons to set up a home Pro12 semi-final against the Ospreys.
Conor Murray scored two of his three tries in the first half with Andrew Smith, CJ Stander and Paul O'Connell putting Munster 33-10 ahead the break.
Ashton Hewitt had Dragons only first-half try with Tyler Morgan, Rhys Buckley and Jack Dixon also crossing.
Keith Earls and Ronan O'Mahony added second-half tries as Munster secured a vital home semi-final at Thomond Park.
Munster started the final round of games in third place but secured a top-two position with a flurry of early tries.
They had the bonus point wrapped up after 23 minutes when Conor Murray scored from close-range for his second, and Munster's fourth, try.

EDINBURGH 23-26 LEINSTER

4 TRY LEINSTER SHOW TOP CLASS


Edinburgh's flickering hopes of staying in European Champions Cup contention were extinguished by Leinster.
Last year's champions led 17-10 at half-time with Noel Reid and Jack Conan scoring either side of Hamish Watson's impressive try for Edinburgh.
Zane Kirchner extended Leinster's lead before Tim Visser's score and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne kicked the hosts ahead.
But tries from Jordi Murphy and Luke McGrath, allied with solid Ian Madigan kicking, meant the Irishmen prevailed.

CONNACHT 20-24 OSPREYS

3 TRY OSPREYS BEAT DIFFICULT CONACHT


Ospreys had a strong wind advantage at the Sportsground in their favour in the first half and Biggar opened the scoring with a fifth minute penalty before converting his own try after 16 minutes.
He crossed under the posts after the Connacht scrum collapsed and Ben John picked a great line to send Biggar over for an easy score.
John found some great running angles to punch holes in Connacht midfield and added their second try after 25 minutes with Rhys Webb adding a third try two minutes later.
Wing Eli Walker though he had grabbed the precious bonus point for Ospreys just before half time after being released by Webb, but on review the try was ruled out as he had lost control of the ball when diving for the line.
Connacht came back strongly in the second half with the wind at their backs with two Jack Carty penalties finally getting the home side on the scoreboard.
After going through a series of attacking lineouts, Eoghan Masterson was shunted over the line for Connacht first try and Denis Buckley added a second in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to push Connacht into the top six.

BLUES 29-5 ZEBRE

2 CUTHBERT TRIES ENSURES BLUES BONUS POINT WIN


Alex Cuthbert opened the scoring on 29 minutes, before lock Marco Bortolami was sent to the sin bin for the Italians.
Within 60 seconds prop Gethin Jenkins powered over for Blues, Rhys Patchell converting.
After the break Cuthbert, Patchell and Garyn Smith crossed for Blues with Valerio Bernabo scoring for Zebre.
But, after frustrating the hosts for the majority of the first-half the deadlock was finally broken when Blues full back Alex Summerhill fed Cuthbert to dive over in the corner, Patchell missing the conversion.
Five minutes later Zebre captain Bortolami was shown the yellow card for coming in at the side of a ruck.
Cardiff immediately capitalised with Jenkins peeling away from a drive from an attacking line out to score, with Patchell adding the extras.
After the restart Cuthbert rode a challenge before touching down for his second for an unconverted try.
Patchell made amends for missing that kick by later converting his own try to seal a bonus point for Blues.
Zebre, the lowest try scorers in the Pro12 this season, scored a consolation through Bernabo, but fly-half Luciano Orquera failed to convert.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32749387


TREVISO 13-17 SCARLETS

PRIESTLAND BOOT ENSURES SCARLETS WIN



The opening 10 minutes was played mainly between the two 22s before the home side broke the deadlock with the afternoon's first try.
Hooker Giazzon drove over from an attacking line out but full-back Hayward failed to convert.
Matthew Luamanu came close to adding a second try after outrunning the Scarlets but Liam Williams and Hadley Parkes denied the number eight inches short of the try line.
Hayward added three points to Treviso's tally with a penalty from straight in front of the posts before Priestland secured Scarlets' first points of the afternoon with a penalty.
Treviso extended their lead with a second try after Hayward intercepted Adam Warren's pass and ran half the length of the pitch to score in the corner.
The New Zealander failed to convert his own try but his side went into the break firmly in control and leading 13-3.
Henry Seniloli should have scored a third try for the hosts but after some showboating by the scrum-half he was tackled by Scott Williams before he could place the ball down
But with Treviso beginning to tire in the second half, Scarlets stepped up the pressure and they were rewarded with their first try on 61 minutes.
Full-back Liam Williams skipped through the Treviso defence to score underneath the posts and Priestland added the extras to cut the deficit to three points.
They were ahead for the first time in the game when wing Evans crossed over in the corner and Priestland's conversion

RESULTS OF ACTION CHAMPIONS CUP
Connacht will go into a playoff against Gloster for a European Champions cup spot but could not catch the Scarlet’s in 6th spot for automatic qualification
Treviso will get a European Champions cup spot over Zebre. If Zebre had won they would have reached the European champions cup next season


PLAY OFF SEMIS
Glasgow will play Ulster in Glasgow maybe Ulster should stay in Glasgow for the week
That leaves Munster to play Ospreys


Friday, 15 May 2015

final day pro12 predictions 15-05-15

ALL FIXTURES ARE ON SATURDAY 16TH MAY AT 3PM

There is no team news as all matches are on Saturday and this is the final day of the regular season..All matches are played at the same date and time so no team gets an advantage. 

CARDIFF BLUES V ZEBRE Cardiff Arms Park










PREDICTIONS

I feel that Cardiff Blues will win this match but as they are the worst of the non-Italians both teams are looking not to be bottom of the ladder. Zebre will be up for the fight so I could see them getting a bonus point.
CONNACHT V OSPREYS Sports ground










PREDICTIONS


I feel that this match will be more important for Connacht than for the Ospreys and for that reason and the fact that they are at home I feel that Connacht will win but will not be strong enough to get the bonus point a place in play offs is up for grabs. I think Connacht will find it difficult to get the bonus point but I do think they can win.,  
EDINBURGH V LEINSTER Murray field









PREDICTIONS

I feel that this will be a win for Leinster but I do not think by that much. I feel that Leinster will be too strong and with their win last week I feel that they will have the confidence to wi. But with Edinburgh playing for a playoff spot anything can and probably will happen in this match.

GLASGOW WARRIORS V ULSTER  Scotstoun Stadium










PREDICTIONS

I feel that this probably will be a replacement for the semi-final and that is one of the reasons that I think Glasgow will be too strong. I also feel that Ulster will get the bonus point as I think that this match will be close as the 4 teams in the top 4 are only separated by 1 point
.
MUNSTER V DRAGONS Irish Independent Park










PREDICTIONS

I cannot see this match going anywhere except a comfortable Munster win as the teams are so different in their strengths this could lead to a difficult All Ireland Semi-final with Ulster. I think the difference here will be whether or not Munster get the bonus point as that will be vital to who plays who in the semis.   
TREVISO V SCARLETS Stadio Mogino



PREDICTIONS

Any hope Connacht have of reaching the European Champions cup may be gone as the Scarlet’s play Treviso. Scarlet’s do not have to just win this but have to play for the bonus point and I think that they will find it a lot harder to get the bonus point than they think


Monday, 11 May 2015

FINAL DAY AND TABLES


PRO 12 TABLE


TEAM
PLAYED
WON
DRAWN
LOST
FOR
AGAINST
BONUS POINT
POINTS
OSPRAYS
21
15
1
5
522
338
8
70
GLASGOW
21
15
1
5
508
350
8
70
MUNSTER
21
14
2
5
531
340
10
70
ULSTER
21
14
2
5
514
340
9
69
LEINSTER
21
10
3
8
447
352
11
57
SCARLETS
21
10
3
8
435
375
7
53
CONNACHT
21
10
1
10
427
395
7
49
EDINBURGH
21
10
1
10
376
385
6
48
DRAGONS
21
8
0
13
366
434
9
41
BLUES
21
6
1
14
401
540
4
30
TREVISO
21
3
1
17
293
624
4
18
ZEBRE
21
3
0
18
261
610
3
15

FINAL FIXTURE SATURDAY AT 3PM
Treviso v Scarlet’s
Blues V Zebre
Connacht V Ospreys
Edinburgh V Leinster
Glasgow V Ulster
Munster V Dragons
WHAT ARE THEY PLAYING FOR

Zebre and Treviso are playing to avoid the wooden spoon and a Champion’s Cup spot 
 Ulster, Munster, Glasgow and Ospreys are playing for a home semi-final. No one has ever won an away semi final
Scarlets need a losing bonus point to seal the spot in the Champions Cup
Connacht need to beet Ospreys and if they fail Edinburgh need to beet Leinster but the gaining of 1 bonus point might be enough