Incredible win Edinburgh!! Whose up for Dublin???

First of all, let me get something out the way:

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahem.

Well now that is over, unbelievable day, unbelievable win, unbelievable crowd - what a 25th birthday!

First of all to the game itself - Toulouse were very poor. Credit to Edinburgh though because we matched them where they said they would stuff us - we definitely had the upper hand in the scrums and we coped with their physicality admirably. What was worrying though was, just like Scotland, we had 4 or 5 attacking lineouts near their 22 and we lost possession almost straight away. You normally don't get away with that against good teams and luckily we did. Really need to improve that for the semis.

As for the sin binnings, well I thought Chunks was incredibly harsh. Yes it was a penalty but when have you ever seen someone get yellowed for that?? It was on the halfway line so it wasn't as if he prevented a score. Stupid and cynical yes, a yellow no IMO. For some reason they didn't show any replays of the Rennie one - was that justified?

As for the Servat one well I think it's fair to say the crowd played a huge part in that! I can't believe Owens was considering not giving a card for what was a ridiculous piece of foul play when we were near their line and looking for quick ball. The crowd went totally mental and was baying for blood and luckily he gave the yellow or else there'd be a riot.

On the topic of the crowd - what an atmosphere! Can't thank all the Scottish fans enough from all round the country who came yesterday. I saw rugby tops from the North, South, East and West and they all contributed to the special atmosphere. On a side note then, it is bloody annoying that any time the crowd got noisy they would boom the PA system out with some crap song!

So my final thought is on the captain, and MOTM, Greig Laidlaw. He was superb yesterday. Not just kicking the goals but the way he varied the play too. Fantastic passing and his tactical kicking was spot on too - 2 occasions where he sent a great kick for Visser and then Jones to chase which, although not resulting in a try, went out of play deep into their half putting them under pressure.

So finally - who is up for Dublin????? Apprently yesterday the flights were 38 quid return but Ryanair have obviously got wind of what is going on and have significantly increased the cost this morning! I wish I could swear on here!

So what a day, what a game, and what a great birthday present from Edinburgh!

So proud of them my eyes were definitely filling up at full time.

So proud of them my eyes were definitely filling up at full time

Crybaby.

No sore throat this morning RDW?

Not ashamed to day it - success doesn't happen very often for Scottish rugby fans!

I feel like a pineapple has been pulled up my wind pipe, attached to a porcupine.

Please, don't spoil it by doing a 'We woz innocent for our cards and they was plum guilty for their one."


They woz guilty for their one but let's leave it at that and enjoy your victory which was doubly sweet I'm sure for the very reason that Edinburgh came through a period with two men down against historically Europe's most formidable side. That's character building - don't complain about it, embrace it.

Well done guys, it's no easy task to play Tolouse. I've no idea how you can be 11th in the Rabo Direct and then be a Heinaken Cup semi finalist, but there we go, lol.

Alyn, that's Michael Bradley for you, Connacht would be rooted to the bottom of the league but still get to the Amlin semis or knockouts at least. I was delighted when I heard the result, Edinburgh defended like dogs. They won't be a pushover for Munster/Ulster.

Thomond wrote:Alyn, that's Michael Bradley for you, Connacht would be rooted to the bottom of the league but still get to the Amlin semis or knockouts at least. I was delighted when I heard the result, Edinburgh defended like dogs. They won't be a pushover for Munster/Ulster.

I missed it!
I was at the Bridgend V Tonmawr game. gotta get the priorities right!

Congrats guys hope this really is a boost for Scottish rugby you guys are a sound bunch. Fair play to ye

I watched the match in London with a random Toulouse fan I met. He seemed pretty confident he'd win.. needless to say he was a little upset

Absolutely delighted with last night? Dublin? I would love to go, dunno how Mrs radge would feel about it though!

Bloody Ryanair have increased the flights to 170 quid..... bawbags!

Yeah been looking at flights to go out to Dublin for the semi but can't justify the price they have gone up to
If people are looking for flights have a look at flying ryanair from newcastle to dublin, when i check they had flights first thing out saturday morning and returning first thing sunday morning for about £75 return!

Great win. I was delighted for the fans. Great to see such a big crowd for a Scottish region. It shows the potential for growth in Scottish rugby is there. The trick is to keep delivering those big HC performances every year.

Cant even find even vaguely sensible numbers anymore

just been looking at flight RDW. Best i have found is edinburgh to belfast with easyjet. Fly out first thing saturday morning and return sunday morning. Flight cost is £70 return and a day return ticket on the train from belfast to dublin is £15.
Seems the best option from what i have found so far.

That's what I was considering too. Train from Belfast to Dublin surrounded by ulster fans....

Yeah I was thinking the train could be a bit of a bad ratio of ulster to edinburgh fans but I'm sure it will all be good natured banter.
Seems to be the best option unless you get a car load to go on the ferry?
The bus from belfast to Dublin is the same journey time from the looks of it too!

Well done Edinburgh great result.

The express train from Belfast to Dublin would be a good option. They serve drinks and food on it. There'd probably be loads of fans on it having a bit of craic. Might be a bit pricey though, compared to the bus. Not sure.

Ulsterbus may run a service at a special price if they think there is the demand. They do special offers to Dublin for the Ireland international games.

Just heard from the official SRU twitter account that Edinburgh fans have bought almost 1,000 tickets for the semifinal already. Very positive

That's me all booked up - I'm going to Dublin!!!

How did you manage it RDW, direct to Dublin??


Me Rava Aslongas and few more will be there

No, Edinburgh to Belfast then train to Dublin - flights to Dublin were ridiculous!

Worked out 170 quid each all in, Friday to Sunday.

That's sound, sure the train only takes 90 minutes, or 4/5 cans whichever is easier

Who you flying with RDW?

Easyjet. Spent a lot of time looking into it and the Belfast option with them was by far the cheapest.

Put on a Boks top for the train RDW and you will blend in

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Put on a Boks top for the train RDW and you will blend in

Risky, they migh mistake you for an England fan

I'm very tempted by Dublin (having been deprived of the amazing result at Murrayfield because of a wedding).

Will look into it (and by that, I mean beg the missus....)

As an Ulster fan over here I'm praying that I get tickets... Was in Murrayfield for the Toulouse game and as much as that was good, I'd love to be in Lansdowne for the SF.... Just have to hope I get tickets now!

Also for those considering heading over another option is to get the bus from Edinburgh to Dublin via Cairnryan and Belfast. It's £52 return and although it's about 10 hrs of travelling there's not many cheaper ways of getting to Dublin at the minute!

Hey! Any Scottish fans wanting to get to Dublin then Get to Belfast and I will transport you to Dublin by car. I can accommodate five people. PM me.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Easyjet. Spent a lot of time looking into it and the Belfast option with them was by far the cheapest.

Let me know mate.I will do my best to get you to Dublin.

Any Edinburgh fans thinking about travelling down from Belfast by train with the Ulster fans I can say that there will be nothing but craic on the journey between fans no matter what jersey you are wearing!

We are taking all our kids down and I have no concerns about the atmosphere on the trains at all!

Come on over!

That's Rugby! Eh?

We're heading down on the Friday so are hoping the train will be less chaotic! My dad did the same trip recently for the 6N and he said the train was mentally busy, even on the Friday.

I'm assuming they'll be putting extra trains on since 40 000 Ulster fans will probably be heading down??

Thanks for the info and offers of lifts - always liked you Ulster fans!

Can anyone recommend the best way to get from Belfast airport to the train station? How much and how long? We've got 3 hours between our flight arriving and the train leaving so plenty time. Likewise we don't fly back 'til Sunday night so plenty time to make it to the airport.

I'm going to save myself for Twickenham instead.

Is it Belfast International or City airport?

BI is about 20min from Belfast. There is a bus that takes you directly to the Europa hotel, where the bus/train station is. Not sure how long it takes:

http://www.translink.co.uk/Services/Other-Translink-Services/Airport-Services/Airport-Express-300/

Going to Belfast might be a good shout. I'm risking divorce by even considering this but I'll try and bribe the Mrs with Flowers, Chocs and other means to try and barter a weekend pass.

Need to find a missus that likes rugby - mine is coming too!

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I'm going to save myself for Twickenham instead.

Surprisingly that thought did cross our minds - if Edinburgh somehow did win would we be able to afford going to Twickenham having just been to Dublin??

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:I'm going to save myself for Twickenham instead.

Surprisingly that thought did cross our minds - if Edinburgh somehow did win would we be able to afford going to Twickenham having just been to Dublin??

Very true RDW as neither are famous for their cheap digs or beer!

I just have a feeling that Edinburgh's name might be on the cup this year so will count on them defeating Ulster (easiest of the three other teams) and heading over to London for the final.

If not then at least I save some nagging from the missus.

You're possibly the most optimistic Scottish rugby fan I've ever seen!

I did put an each way bet on Edinburgh for the cup before the QF mind...

RDW_Scotland wrote:Need to find a missus that likes rugby - mine is coming too!

Mine quite liked the idea of a weekend in Dublin until I mentioned the rugby

Like Radge, I'm going to have to contemplate the possibility that if I go to Dublin she might not be there when I return!!

We should just get all the rugby wives together and let them go shopping or something and we'll go watch the game!

You guys really need to come - what are the chances of this ever happening again to Scotland fans, never mind just Edinburgh fans!

RDW_Scotland wrote:We should just get all the rugby wives together and let them go shopping or something and we'll go watch the game!

You guys really need to come - what are the chances of this ever happening again to Scotland fans, never mind just Edinburgh fans!

Noone will be more gutted not to be going than myself. However I seriously doubt Mrs Radge will be happy if I went. In fact I think she'll be downright furious. I know it's a once in a lifetime thing at the moment but I'm hoping this is just the start of Pro Rugby in Scotland getting some exposure at the sharp end of European club rugby.

I think I'll just have to content myself watching the game at a packed Tcheuchters.

That your local Radge? I watched the Italy game there.

Just tell her you're away on business or something!

Nah I'm a Fifer, but it can always be relied on to show Heineken Cup Rugby. I went there after the Toulouse game to watch Leinster muller Cardiff.

It's a decent atmosphere and the booze is not extortionate, it's a decent enough wee place to go.

MrsP, Mrs Radge's interest on rugby pretty much starts and ends with the Edinburgh rugby calender. Beyond that she has little interest in the sport.

RDW_Scotland wrote:We should just get all the rugby wives together and let them go shopping or something and we'll go watch the game!

Are you insane!!? Mrs fES would alleviate Ireland's financial troubles given 80 minutes carte blache in Dublin.

Just a wee Ulster fan jumping in here with some more travel advice. As well as the normal scheduled trains to Dublin it's possible that Translink will put on some extra ones - or at least have a special offer on the scheduled ones.

As someone else has mentioned,there are also regular buses to Dublin from the Europa Bus Centre - it takes about 2hrs or so, if I remember rightly. For the Munster game on Sunday they put on a special service to Limerick which cost £35 return - Dublin is much closer and should be cheaper. If there is a special bus service it would be more convenient as they should take you right to the Aviva, rather than the scheduled services which will just deposit you in the centre of Dublin. Either way both the trains and buses are operated by Translink so their website should have more information on what's available.

There will be a lot of Ulster fans making the trip too but I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if there was anything other than good craic all round!