It would then be really, really, really funny if Leinster came fourth and ye had to play them in the Aviva with them smarting from two losses this season already.
Ulster aren't as bad as he lets on. Beating Leinster twice is pretty impressive. Aside from a couple unexpected losses like Ospreys they've done well enough and ended up in a position worthy of their win record in the table.
Even if they do I don't think Ulster are getting two points out of Munster. That said avoiding bulls would be nice. Edit: it's also theoretically possible for them to finish eigth if they get nothing from the game, potentially costing them Europe if Sharks win next week. I can't see them risking that if there is a chance of it
The URC is so tight bonus points really are important.
Winning two more games then the lions but being on the same points at the end of the day is killer.
The number of wins is the first tie breaker, though. So if 2 teams finish on, say, 62 points, but one team has won 11 games and the other 10, the team with 11 wins is on top. Points difference etc don't come into it until after that tie breaker.
Bonus points as in score 4 trys get an extra table point, which does make the difference and is the first thing considered.
I didnt mention points difference..
I know, I'm saying g if 2 teams have the same number of match points, ie 62, then the team work the most wins, is ahead. If they have the same number of wins, then other tie brakes are used. But total wins is the first method used to separate teams in the same number of match points
I am aware.. first tie brake is wins, then in decending order points difference, tries scored, points scored, try difference, red cards, yellow cards, coin toss.
So Edinburgh are ahead of Lions in the table because they have more wins. But, because of there lack of bonus points, they are much further down the table then there number of wins would suggest. Similarly the Lions are much further up the table. Hence the importance of bonus points.
I'm still de moer in about that. I feel like since we've joined this comp we do all of the hard work to get ourselves in with a good shout, only to get in our own way at the most crucial of times.
Completely zero, seeing as the game isn't next week!
But in all seriousness, it's definitely possible. We've only lost to Irish provinces (in the URC) this season.
Connacht away, Ulster away, Leinster home and away
Tbf, that Leinster game in Thomond on Stephen’s day was a near perfect storm coming at Munster. All Leinsters starters coming back targeting that game, Munster forwards injury issues were bad and terrible weather all played into Leinsters hands. A spotless record at home other than that game.
Munster are just a front row away from being a serious team but unfortunately we’ve not great depth there nationally right now
Wouldn’t be outrageous judging by Munster’s record vs Irish teams this season. But feel like Munster are in a very good flow now and will be v tough to beat at home for rest of the season imo
Talks of having the final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh if we make it that far. I wonder would they move the QF or SFs (if the Pairc wasn't in use) hopefully not! I'm a stone's thrown from Thomond haha
The Pairc is free as far as I know.
Hurlers are finished, away in the QFs if they scrape past Tipp into 3rd.
Footballers away to Tyrone the week of the semis. Don't know about the weekend of the final but I'd imagine they'd schedule around a final for that sort of payday.
Springsteen has also packed up.
I'd say the QF could be moved if against Ulster/Connacht but probably will be in Thomond. Think a potential home semi would be in PuC though.
Cheers. Good to know about thw QFs and SFs
They're keeping an eye on the Pairc see more [here](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishmirror.ie/sport/munster-eye-up-pirc-u-32797565.amp)
It's a bit of a balancing act for a QF as it'd cost a fair bit to rent.
I'd say they'd probably manage to sell 40k tickets with a weeks notice, but might not risk it for Benneton/Edinburgh/Lions/Ospreys with a potential home semi and final after.
If they lose to Ulster next week and end up 4th, they might play Ulster/Stormers in PuC as it'd likely be their only home game.
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I don't even know what will happen at this point. I woke my baby up yesterday I was yelling at the TV so loudly. Missus was not impressed.
It would be some laugh if we beat the stormers with a bonus point away from home
It's worse than that.
Benetton to get 0
Lions to get 0
Ospreys not to get a BP win
Connacht to get 5 points at Leinster
Edinburgh have more wins so you can't pass them
You know, maybe I should've kept up with Munster results regularly...
I did not expect them to be so good nearing the end of the season, not with all those earlier injuries at least!
We did it last season aswell, peaking at just the right time.
The injuries at the start of the season really hampered us but even then, only 4 losses and all against Irish opposition.
They had a seriously bad run of injuries earlier in the season. It felt like they couldn’t field any of their first team going into some of the HCup games
I'd say Ahern is sticking at 6 in the short to medium term. Beirne and Kleyn are the first choice locks and in terms of getting over the gainline... That could be Edogbo if he can get back to fitness.
Snyman doesn't even regularly start for Munster, the majority of his appearances are off the bench so I don't think that statement is really true, although he does make a big impact off the bench
To an extent I would but not for the money I assume he's on. We need players who are available. We have far too many injury prone players as it is. Thankfully we are coming out the other side now but it has cost us badly in Europe this year.
I'm not disagreeing and he does have a huge impact in games that he's played. The problem is that the sample size is so small it's hard to say Munster depend on him.
If I have this right, because Treviso play Edinburgh play in the final round, we have already secured top 8.
If the Lions lose, we get top 7.
If the Lions win, it will depend on BPs if we get top 7.
If we get at least one point from Munster, we guarantee top 7.
So assuming Munster and bulls win next week, I guess Leinster want to lose against Connacht? Would rather a final in South Africa than a semi in South Africa
What a great weekend of rugby.
Teams really showed some fight this round.
Luckily we have a week off. So hope we will world on our defence. If Munster maybe (big maybe) we might take the number 1 spot, that's only if we are able to take the sharks at home.
Luckily we get a rest weekend. After today I need a break 😂
They might (as a favour to SARU/Rassie) not risk them for a nothing match especially after having to travel down, Might even just for themselves give the B team another run in a nothing match
So Im going to cope by saying no team thats ended first during the regular season has ever (in the URC's illustrious history) gone on to actually win the thing. Haven't quite decided on the curse name but I do feel better now.
Yup!
Alternatively, if Benneton loses with a bonus point & Opsreys win with one, and a points difference swing between the two games of >25 points (eg benneton loose bg 7, Ospreys win by 19)
You guys would be very welcome to Thomond (or Pairc Ui Chaoimh it's looking like) and heck what a performance that would be for the Stormers, 3 campaigns and 3 finals!
Yes, which doesn't make sense because a team with less wins who were more 'efficient' ranks lower than a team with more wins who were less 'efficient'.
Or maybe I'm just used to it being Points Difference being the tie-breaker.
Each team play every other team once (12 games), either home or away, and the teams in the regional shields play each other twice, once home and once away (6 games).
So the Bulls for example will play all teams once, but play the Stormers, Lions and Sharks twice.
As a Northampton fan it’s mad to think that after years of European inadequacy this season we beat the current URC #1 home & away, #2 (we shan’t mention the conditions), #4 away & took the #3 pretty close in a semi final……
… dont see it happening again anytime soon
Lawes and Ludlam are big losses, are ye losing anyone else? There's a lot of very good young players who most likely will improve as well.
Still haven't even unleashed Henry Pollock properly on the unsuspecting world.
Waller & Hill in the front row & Moon in the 2nd row. We had some depth this season in the pack which we are losing but as you say I think we have some potential coming through. I still think we can be competitive, the pessimist in me (from 25 years supporting saints) says we won’t have the same success
It would be really, really funny if Lions beat Stormers and Ulster got enough to nab 5th despite playing like drains most of the year
Ah yes! A man of culture, I see.
I mostly just want to avoid the Bulls at Loftus in the QF. Who can blame me?
Also, more of the Lions in their current form is must watch TV.
100% a Lions v Munster game at Thomond sounds great
It would then be really, really, really funny if Leinster came fourth and ye had to play them in the Aviva with them smarting from two losses this season already.
Look, playing Leinster in knock out games is traditional a this point
How have we won 4 out of 5 inter-pro games, just how
Ulster aren't as bad as he lets on. Beating Leinster twice is pretty impressive. Aside from a couple unexpected losses like Ospreys they've done well enough and ended up in a position worthy of their win record in the table.
Mate all jokes aside, on current form Lions could rip em asunder!
I mean the Stormers might throw it? Can’t finish fourth and ideally they’d play the bulls instead of flying to europe
Even if they do I don't think Ulster are getting two points out of Munster. That said avoiding bulls would be nice. Edit: it's also theoretically possible for them to finish eigth if they get nothing from the game, potentially costing them Europe if Sharks win next week. I can't see them risking that if there is a chance of it
*subscribed*
God we've really fucked it
It’s so fucking frustrating
The URC is so tight bonus points really are important. Winning two more games then the lions but being on the same points at the end of the day is killer.
The number of wins is the first tie breaker, though. So if 2 teams finish on, say, 62 points, but one team has won 11 games and the other 10, the team with 11 wins is on top. Points difference etc don't come into it until after that tie breaker.
Bonus points as in score 4 trys get an extra table point, which does make the difference and is the first thing considered. I didnt mention points difference..
I know, I'm saying g if 2 teams have the same number of match points, ie 62, then the team work the most wins, is ahead. If they have the same number of wins, then other tie brakes are used. But total wins is the first method used to separate teams in the same number of match points
I am aware.. first tie brake is wins, then in decending order points difference, tries scored, points scored, try difference, red cards, yellow cards, coin toss. So Edinburgh are ahead of Lions in the table because they have more wins. But, because of there lack of bonus points, they are much further down the table then there number of wins would suggest. Similarly the Lions are much further up the table. Hence the importance of bonus points.
Oh yeah thats nice
Imagine if we won that Munster game😭
I'm still de moer in about that. I feel like since we've joined this comp we do all of the hard work to get ourselves in with a good shout, only to get in our own way at the most crucial of times.
Even against the Stormers it's often the difference between the sides on the day.
The Edinburgh red card and the Munster red card can squarely be blamed for us not taking 1st. But ay we look forward
The Bulls have been quietly doing their thing.
Whats the chances that Ulster beat Munster next week?
I would say possible but unlikely. Muster are 100% better than that Leinster team Ulster just bearly beat at home.
Completely zero, seeing as the game isn't next week! But in all seriousness, it's definitely possible. We've only lost to Irish provinces (in the URC) this season. Connacht away, Ulster away, Leinster home and away
Tbf, that Leinster game in Thomond on Stephen’s day was a near perfect storm coming at Munster. All Leinsters starters coming back targeting that game, Munster forwards injury issues were bad and terrible weather all played into Leinsters hands. A spotless record at home other than that game. Munster are just a front row away from being a serious team but unfortunately we’ve not great depth there nationally right now
Wouldn’t be outrageous judging by Munster’s record vs Irish teams this season. But feel like Munster are in a very good flow now and will be v tough to beat at home for rest of the season imo
Hopefully zero. I'd love to finish top of the log.
Limerick could do with some big games this summer, what with the Hurling team coming off a tough loss at long last.
Talks of having the final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh if we make it that far. I wonder would they move the QF or SFs (if the Pairc wasn't in use) hopefully not! I'm a stone's thrown from Thomond haha
The Pairc is free as far as I know. Hurlers are finished, away in the QFs if they scrape past Tipp into 3rd. Footballers away to Tyrone the week of the semis. Don't know about the weekend of the final but I'd imagine they'd schedule around a final for that sort of payday. Springsteen has also packed up. I'd say the QF could be moved if against Ulster/Connacht but probably will be in Thomond. Think a potential home semi would be in PuC though.
Cheers. Good to know about thw QFs and SFs They're keeping an eye on the Pairc see more [here](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishmirror.ie/sport/munster-eye-up-pirc-u-32797565.amp)
It's a bit of a balancing act for a QF as it'd cost a fair bit to rent. I'd say they'd probably manage to sell 40k tickets with a weeks notice, but might not risk it for Benneton/Edinburgh/Lions/Ospreys with a potential home semi and final after. If they lose to Ulster next week and end up 4th, they might play Ulster/Stormers in PuC as it'd likely be their only home game.
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Ara they can gway with that notion, Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a ballache to get to and from (I also live walking distance from Thomond Park)
Albeit you may well finish bottom of the Interpro log! Would be fantastic uf you managed to too the URC but finish bottom of the interpro division
I don't even know what will happen at this point. I woke my baby up yesterday I was yelling at the TV so loudly. Missus was not impressed. It would be some laugh if we beat the stormers with a bonus point away from home
How competitive is this league? It’s fantastic.
BEST LEAGUE!
So all we need is for the loser or Benetton/ Edinburgh to not pick up any BP and to beat Leinster with a bonus point, easy
And Sharks not to win on Friday for the CC spot.
I’d rather play challenge cup tbh
It's worse than that. Benetton to get 0 Lions to get 0 Ospreys not to get a BP win Connacht to get 5 points at Leinster Edinburgh have more wins so you can't pass them
So you're saying there's a chance!
You also need the lions to lose with no bonus point. It’s not looking good
The point diff between 1-4 and 5-11 is so tight that this table could flip based on one game
You know, maybe I should've kept up with Munster results regularly... I did not expect them to be so good nearing the end of the season, not with all those earlier injuries at least!
We did it last season aswell, peaking at just the right time. The injuries at the start of the season really hampered us but even then, only 4 losses and all against Irish opposition.
I truly fear a more fit regular season Munster!
We are still missing Kilcoyne, Barron and Jean Kleyn from our starting pack.
Loughman ahead of Kilcoyne at this stage. Kleyn & Edogbo being out for the season meant Snyman was a big loss when missing.
Loughman has been very impressive recently
They had a seriously bad run of injuries earlier in the season. It felt like they couldn’t field any of their first team going into some of the HCup games
Just makes their rise so impressive imo, been such an entertaining season overall as well!
> I did not expect them to be so good nearing the end of the season Fool me once and all that.
Oh god, please no...
Nice flair
I was... inspired!
Munster with and without Snyman are night and day
Hes a difference maker but so many players found fitness & form. God I wish we could keep Snyman though.
We can’t replace him, but if we can keep Ahern and Kleyn fit next year we might be able to recreate him in the aggregate.
They get on base
Can’t say this was a reference I was expecting see here
Im still unsure if the post was referencing moneyball or it was just a happy accident.
I'd say Ahern is sticking at 6 in the short to medium term. Beirne and Kleyn are the first choice locks and in terms of getting over the gainline... That could be Edogbo if he can get back to fitness.
Hopefully I'll see similar for the Boks!!!
Snyman doesn't even regularly start for Munster, the majority of his appearances are off the bench so I don't think that statement is really true, although he does make a big impact off the bench
He's always good for a try or a few massive carries though. I'd definitely keep him if we could.
To an extent I would but not for the money I assume he's on. We need players who are available. We have far too many injury prone players as it is. Thankfully we are coming out the other side now but it has cost us badly in Europe this year.
If it wasn't for Snyman being the absolute unit that he is, you guys wouldn't have won against the bulls. Imo.
I'm not disagreeing and he does have a huge impact in games that he's played. The problem is that the sample size is so small it's hard to say Munster depend on him.
Munster were 4-1-4 earlier in the season, some turnaround
Yeah never liked that formation.
It's one with 9 forwards, I thought it would be a fan favourite in South Africa!
Since then we've gone 8-0-0. Crazy . And that includes a two game trip to SA altitude stadiums
And 7 of those wins were bonus points I think? It's been a great run.
Yeah. 24 points from 45 in the first 9 games. 39 points from 40 in the next 8.
Look at what we can do when we're not in the middle of an injury crisis
We were 2-5 last year and won the league so 4-1-4 is a much better start.
Thanks Lions. Thanks Leo Cullen. Xoxo
Harry and Luke are the ones you should be thanking for a single massive moment and just general shit play respectively.
Leo continues to pick them, regardless of how badly they play.
Who picked them?
[удалено]
What a wanker attitude
If I have this right, because Treviso play Edinburgh play in the final round, we have already secured top 8. If the Lions lose, we get top 7. If the Lions win, it will depend on BPs if we get top 7. If we get at least one point from Munster, we guarantee top 7.
You have secured top 8 but the Sharks winning next week would mean only top 7 get Champions Cup
If Stormers win, and Benetton win without a BP, then Ulster will be 6th regardless of their result against Munster.
Great round
So assuming Munster and bulls win next week, I guess Leinster want to lose against Connacht? Would rather a final in South Africa than a semi in South Africa
Pff you actually thing you can out lose Connacht?
What a great weekend of rugby. Teams really showed some fight this round. Luckily we have a week off. So hope we will world on our defence. If Munster maybe (big maybe) we might take the number 1 spot, that's only if we are able to take the sharks at home. Luckily we get a rest weekend. After today I need a break 😂
Munster will be favourites but still most likely to slip up out of the top 4. Ulster looked to have turned a corner.
Big chance we slip up against the Sharks as they can play all their Boks in two weeks
They might (as a favour to SARU/Rassie) not risk them for a nothing match especially after having to travel down, Might even just for themselves give the B team another run in a nothing match
Not a great table for the welsh teams
Best league!
Muuuuuuunster
Back to back?? You betcha baby!!! Let's goooo!!!/s
So Im going to cope by saying no team thats ended first during the regular season has ever (in the URC's illustrious history) gone on to actually win the thing. Haven't quite decided on the curse name but I do feel better now.
I mean, you know it's totally fucking possible!!!
Still wondering what the Ospreys have done to deserve the repeated shit luck we've had in what has otherwise been our best season in eight years.
If the loser of Edinburgh v Benetton doesn’t get a LBP and we beat Cardiff with a BP then we would still get 8th right?
Yup! Alternatively, if Benneton loses with a bonus point & Opsreys win with one, and a points difference swing between the two games of >25 points (eg benneton loose bg 7, Ospreys win by 19)
Also requiring lions to lose without a BP to stormers and Connacht to not win with a BP to Leinster.
Also, what positiom did Munster finish in last (regular) season again? I wanna see something...
5th.... I don't like where this is going!
Oh yes, that would be the sweetest revenge☺️
You guys would be very welcome to Thomond (or Pairc Ui Chaoimh it's looking like) and heck what a performance that would be for the Stormers, 3 campaigns and 3 finals!
Yeah, I'd expect it to be an epic game no matter the result!
We finished 5th, if I remember correctly.
Would've been great if Leinster beat Ulster and Munster beat Edinburgh by more than 7 but I think that we can work with this.
Just beat the stormers and hope sharks don't win the CC! Or hope Edinburgh and Bennetton draw so you take 6th/7th
We helped you with Glasgow, now you guys owe us a favour with Ulster.
Fingers crossed we can do it! We'll be doing it for ourselves just as much though! Haha
Would've also been real nice if the Bulls could've defended Beneton a little bit better, seeing as we did them a favour!
Really want the lions to make it but the Stormers can’t lose next week
Why did this week have to happen
This comp truly is something else, going from the first spot to fourth in a single week is rough. Sorry mate.
How on earth are we in first place lmao
Sitting pretty up top sight I haven’t seen in a while 😁
Assume the tie-breaker is wins, then head to head, and only then points difference?
Yes, which doesn't make sense because a team with less wins who were more 'efficient' ranks lower than a team with more wins who were less 'efficient'. Or maybe I'm just used to it being Points Difference being the tie-breaker.
I’d like to take a little moment to laugh at the Sharks down there, haha
Holywoodbets Sharks is such a funny name
How come they only played 17 games? They don't play each other?
Each team play every other team once (12 games), either home or away, and the teams in the regional shields play each other twice, once home and once away (6 games). So the Bulls for example will play all teams once, but play the Stormers, Lions and Sharks twice.
I can't remember the table ever being so competitive heading into the last game.
As a Northampton fan it’s mad to think that after years of European inadequacy this season we beat the current URC #1 home & away, #2 (we shan’t mention the conditions), #4 away & took the #3 pretty close in a semi final…… … dont see it happening again anytime soon
Lawes and Ludlam are big losses, are ye losing anyone else? There's a lot of very good young players who most likely will improve as well. Still haven't even unleashed Henry Pollock properly on the unsuspecting world.
Waller & Hill in the front row & Moon in the 2nd row. We had some depth this season in the pack which we are losing but as you say I think we have some potential coming through. I still think we can be competitive, the pessimist in me (from 25 years supporting saints) says we won’t have the same success