United Rugby Championship

[Son of Mathonwy]

Well done Scarlets. Maybe the Lions are the only beatable SA team at home - we'll get further evidence for that next week. So, Cardiff and the Scarlets can make the playoffs, hope they both make it (although one may well push the other out).

[Numbers]

Well done Scarlets. Maybe the Lions are the only beatable SA team at home - we'll get further evidence for that next week. So, Cardiff and the Scarlets can make the playoffs, hope they both make it (although one may well push the other out).

Unless Cardiff get 2 points in their last game the Scarlets are all but qualified, only Edinburgh, Munster and Benetton can overtake them and Munster play Benetton in the last game, they are both 2 points behind so unless they have a draw with a try bonus point for both teams then the Scarlets should be through, however if they qualify 8th they will play Leinster...

I suppose it's another game and Champions Cup next season.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Whitewash for Wales. Not that surprising really. The Ospreys should have found a way to win that messy game - too many errors on both sides. Scarlets will be kicking themselves for missing a chance to beat the Sharks at home. Stormers were always going to be a tough ask for Cardiff and the Bulls an impossible one for the Dragons.

Now all the Scarlets need to do is beat Leinster at home. Yeh.

[Sandydragon]

Whitewash for Wales. Not that surprising really. The Ospreys should have found a way to win that messy game - too many errors on both sides. Scarlets will be kicking themselves for missing a chance to beat the Sharks at home. Stormers were always going to be a tough ask for Cardiff and the Bulls an impossible one for the Dragons.

Now all the Scarlets need to do is beat Leinster at home. Yeh.

This is a season everyone will want to forget. I hope this is the point we bounce back, but frankly I’m not that confident.

Of the Ospreys and Llanelli withhold their players from international duty, the Japan tour could be a disaster. If they don’t sign then I foresee a legal battle ahead. It could be years before the dust settles.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Scarlets did better than expected. It would have been a lot closer too - even a nail-biter - if Leinster hadn't had that bullshit TMO call giving them their third try.

[Sandydragon]

Scarlets did better than expected. It would have been a lot closer too - even a nail-biter - if Leinster hadn't had that bullshit TMO call giving them their third try.

That’s a credible result.didnt see the game so can’t comment on the TMO call. It was always a long shot. Leinster seem a bit more vulnerable this season, there’s a goood chance of someone upstaging them in the next two games.

[Tuco Ramirez]

shithousery from the Sharks 9 in the Munster pen shootout though..... no place for that in rugby

[Numbers]

shithousery from the Sharks 9 in the Munster pen shootout though..... no place for that in rugby

Yeah, he even winked at Crowley, understandably Crowley was livid.

[Numbers]

Scarlets did better than expected. It would have been a lot closer too - even a nail-biter - if Leinster hadn't had that bullshit TMO call giving them their third try.

That’s a credible result.didnt see the game so can’t comment on the TMO call. It was always a long shot. Leinster seem a bit more vulnerable this season, there’s a goood chance of someone upstaging them in the next two games.

Leinster deserved the win on the balance of play despite the poor TMO ruling, the Scarlets scored some good tries through the backs but had to ywllow cards which didn't help matters. Leinster do seem to fell the pressure badly in the big games.

[Sandydragon]

shithousery from the Sharks 9 in the Munster pen shootout though..... no place for that in rugby

Yeah, he even winked at Crowley, understandably Crowley was livid.

Been a bit overblown though. Crowley kicked his penalty so it wasn’t match changing, even if unquestionable taste (albeit some of the sledging I’ve seen over the years would also be the same, it’s a fine line).

[Numbers]

shithousery from the Sharks 9 in the Munster pen shootout though..... no place for that in rugby

Yeah, he even winked at Crowley, understandably Crowley was livid.

Been a bit overblown though. Crowley kicked his penalty so it wasn’t match changing, even if unquestionable taste (albeit some of the sledging I’ve seen over the years would also be the same, it’s a fine line).

I suppose the point would be that that sort of thing isn't in the spirit of the game, irrespective of whether it changed the outcome or not.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yeah, he even winked at Crowley, understandably Crowley was livid.

Been a bit overblown though. Crowley kicked his penalty so it wasn’t match changing, even if unquestionable taste (albeit some of the sledging I’ve seen over the years would also be the same, it’s a fine line).

I suppose the point would be that that sort of thing isn't in the spirit of the game, irrespective of whether it changed the outcome or not.

It does look like the Munster fans are griping because they lost, not because this thing made any difference to the outcome.

[Sandydragon]

Yeah, he even winked at Crowley, understandably Crowley was livid.

Been a bit overblown though. Crowley kicked his penalty so it wasn’t match changing, even if unquestionable taste (albeit some of the sledging I’ve seen over the years would also be the same, it’s a fine line).

I suppose the point would be that that sort of thing isn't in the spirit of the game, irrespective of whether it changed the outcome or not.

Some of the play acting we can all do without. I think some refs are punishing these events when in play, not sure what the ref could do during a penalty shootout. A yellow would seem a bit meaningless st that point.

But all teams niggle and Munster are as capable of that as anyone.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Looks like fairly limited free-to-air coverage this season.

This weekend we just have S4C showing Cardiff-Lions live on Saturday and a delayed showing of Scarlets-Munster on Sunday.

[Numbers]

They have quite a bit more than just the URC on Premier now, there's Top14 and also La Liga and some occasional boxingso may be worth the investment.

I only watched the Scarlets game and I recorded the Cardiff game but unfrotunately thye SKY code for the match was incorrect so the coverage only started at the 30 minute mark which was annoying.

Anyway a good start for Cardiff v the Lions, also a good showing from the Ospreys to get something @ the Bulls, it looks like they played with some endeavour as all but one of their tries was scored by a back, The Scarlets were a mixed bag, we really should be beating Munster at home or at the very kleast getting soem points from the game, The Dragons like the Scarlets need to make sure they throw the kitchen sink at these matches to get the 4th try but not a bad effort away from home @ Ulster.

[newgalesurf]

Saw Dragons game. Promising effort but defense is bad, especially up the middle. Gotta clean that up

For once we had a decent pack and pushing Ulster around (getting scrum penalties is unheard off )

Ospreys started strong and good invention. Seemed more like a Super Rugby tie than URC - defense optional. Not seen other 2 yet

[newgalesurf]

And good to have some rugby to talk about (finally)

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yeah, good start from Cardiff. They always looked like the better team even when they went behind for a bit. The Scarlets just couldn't hold off the power of Munster. I've only seen the highlights of the other two (although there were quite a few of those in the 14-try Ospreys game). Bull were playing forwards rugby, Ospreys were playing backs rugby, fairly even contest, no disgrace in that scoreline out there. Dragons were unlucky not to get the fourth try but were well beaten.

Interesting that the Stormers nilled Leinster. What does that bode for the Ospreys next week??

[UKHamlet]

Yeah, good start from Cardiff. They always looked like the better team even when they went behind for a bit. The Scarlets just couldn't hold off the power of Munster. I've only seen the highlights of the other two (although there were quite a few of those in the 14-try Ospreys game). Bull were playing forwards rugby, Ospreys were playing backs rugby, fairly even contest, no disgrace in that scoreline out there. Dragons were unlucky not to get the fourth try but were well beaten.

Interesting that the Stormers nilled Leinster. What does that bode for the Ospreys next week??

Leinster look curiously undercooked. They've had a string of bad results in the pre-season.

[Sandydragon]

Yeah, good start from Cardiff. They always looked like the better team even when they went behind for a bit. The Scarlets just couldn't hold off the power of Munster. I've only seen the highlights of the other two (although there were quite a few of those in the 14-try Ospreys game). Bull were playing forwards rugby, Ospreys were playing backs rugby, fairly even contest, no disgrace in that scoreline out there. Dragons were unlucky not to get the fourth try but were well beaten.

Interesting that the Stormers nilled Leinster. What does that bode for the Ospreys next week??

Leinster look curiously undercooked. They've had a string of bad results in the pre-season.

Must be a lions hangover, which is a bit strange as they do have huge strength in depth and should at least be competitive.

[Sandydragon]

Williams and De Beer need to spend some time practicing drop goals. FFS

[Son of Mathonwy]

Williams and De Beer need to spend some time practicing drop goals. FFS

Frustrating. They didn't get the W but after last season a D is remarkable, especially with their scrum being destroyed. But, yeah it was there for the taking in the last 2 minutes.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Yeah, good start from Cardiff. They always looked like the better team even when they went behind for a bit. The Scarlets just couldn't hold off the power of Munster. I've only seen the highlights of the other two (although there were quite a few of those in the 14-try Ospreys game). Bull were playing forwards rugby, Ospreys were playing backs rugby, fairly even contest, no disgrace in that scoreline out there. Dragons were unlucky not to get the fourth try but were well beaten.

Interesting that the Stormers nilled Leinster. What does that bode for the Ospreys next week??

Leinster look curiously undercooked. They've had a string of bad results in the pre-season.

Must be a lions hangover, which is a bit strange as they do have huge strength in depth and should at least be competitive.

Looks like (from the highlights) the Ospreys put in a better show vs the Stormers than Leinster did. Still fell well short although the Stormers definitely got the bounce of the ball in a couple of tries.

[Sandydragon]

Leinster look curiously undercooked. They've had a string of bad results in the pre-season.

Must be a lions hangover, which is a bit strange as they do have huge strength in depth and should at least be competitive.

Looks like (from the highlights) the Ospreys put in a better show vs the Stormers than Leinster did. Still fell well short although the Stormers definitely got the bounce of the ball in a couple of tries.

I watched the game and I’d suggest that the better team won on the night. Some beautiful tries which needed a bit of chance, but the Sotermers made their own luck. Ospreys started well but seemed to run out of ideas at times.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Must be a lions hangover, which is a bit strange as they do have huge strength in depth and should at least be competitive.

Looks like (from the highlights) the Ospreys put in a better show vs the Stormers than Leinster did. Still fell well short although the Stormers definitely got the bounce of the ball in a couple of tries.

I watched the game and I’d suggest that the better team won on the night. Some beautiful tries which needed a bit of chance, but the Sotermers made their own luck. Ospreys started well but seemed to run out of ideas at times.

Sure, no doubt the Stormers deserved the win, I'm just saying the scoreline should have been closer.

Frustrating for Cardiff to lose to Munster but good that they were that close. They should have won, unfortunately just two games in Sheedy has forgotten how to kick again - which lost them 7 points. Okay, I guess the wind was a nightmare but Sheedy always curls them to the left. He otherwise had a great game but he could be Wales's 10 if he fixed this.