European Rugby Champions Cup 2017 - Round 2

[George Carlin]

Round 2, mofos. Can I stress again my disappointment that nobody can haul their carcass to the keyboard to create separate match threads.

20/10/2017 19:45 P5
Scarlets v Bath Rugby
Parc y Scarlets
BT Sport / beIN Sports

21/10/2017 13:00 P3
Glasgow Warriors v Leinster Rugby
Scotstoun Stadium
Sky Sports / beIN Sports

21/10/2017 16:15 P2
ASM Clermont Auvergne v Northampton Saints
Stade Marcel-Michelin
beIN Sports / BT Sport

21/10/2017 16:15 P5
Benetton Rugby v RC Toulon
Stadio Comunale di Monigo
BT Sport / beIN Sports

21/10/2017 17:30 P4
Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique
Welford Road
Sky Sports / beIN Sports

21/10/2017 17:30 P4
Munster Rugby v Racing 92
Thomond Park
Sky Sports / beIN Sports

21/10/2017 19:45 P2
Saracens v Ospreys
Allianz Park
BT Sport / beIN Sports

22/10/2017 14:00 P3
Montpellier v Exeter Chiefs
Altrad Stadium
beIN Sports / Sky Sports

22/10/2017 16:15 P1
La Rochelle v Ulster Rugby
Stade Marcel-Deflandre
FR2 / Sky Sports / beIN Sports

22/10/2017 17:30 P1
Wasps v Harlequins
Ricoh Arena
BT Sport / beIN Sports

Scarlets v Bath, Glasgow v Leinster and Munster v Racing are the ones that I would like to watch and which my wife will tell me later that I am not allowed to.

[geoff999rugby]

Really struggling to find away wins out of that lot - Toulon yes, Leinster possibly

Other than that it would be a bit of a surprise.
Importance of home wins shown in first round - only 2, with 1 draw

[Scottrf]

Clermont are missing Laidlaw so...

[Cumbrian]

Agreed regarding away wins, there won't be many. Perhaps Bath, Leinster and Toulon have a chance, but still seems unlikely. The bonus points will be important.

[marty2086]

After watching Quins and La Rochelle my confidence in Ulster getting results against both of them grew, I hope it's not misplaced come Sunday and didn't Quins get a result at the Ricoh a few weeks ago?

[Scottrf]

After watching Quins and La Rochelle my confidence in Ulster getting results against both of them grew, I hope it's not misplaced come Sunday and didn't Quins get a result at the Ricoh a few weeks ago?

Really? I heard La Rochelle looked good and turned it on when they needed to.

Quins are what they are - inconsistent.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Really struggling to find away wins out of that lot - Toulon yes, Leinster possibly

Other than that it would be a bit of a surprise.
Importance of home wins shown in first round - only 2, with 1 draw

Based on what I saw last week, I think Beneton (going to need to get used to calling them that) will give Toulon a real scare, and it will not be a walk in the park for Toulon. Beneton made Bath really work for their win at the Rec., and Toulon are starting to look like the years are catching up on them. I would not be overly suprised to see a one scare game either way, especially if the crowd and get the 50-50 calls for their side.

[marty2086]

After watching Quins and La Rochelle my confidence in Ulster getting results against both of them grew, I hope it's not misplaced come Sunday and didn't Quins get a result at the Ricoh a few weeks ago?

Really? I heard La Rochelle looked good and turned it on when they needed to.

Quins are what they are - inconsistent.

Both teams were defensively naïve and gave away some fairly simple tries, I think Piutau and Stockdale could cause La Rochelle problems if they are at the same level as last week and Ulster defence has been fairly good this season

It'll all come down to tactics though, if La Rochelle use their big ball carriers more I think they could run up a score but they seem reluctant to do that and like to play a bit

[yappysnap]

Quins have already won away at Wasps once this season, which probably means we'll get a drubbing this weekend. Consistently inconsistent

[Pete330v2]

After watching Quins and La Rochelle my confidence in Ulster getting results against both of them grew, I hope it's not misplaced come Sunday and didn't Quins get a result at the Ricoh a few weeks ago?

Really? I heard La Rochelle looked good and turned it on when they needed to.

Quins are what they are - inconsistent.

Both teams were defensively naïve and gave away some fairly simple tries, I think Piutau and Stockdale could cause La Rochelle problems if they are at the same level as last week and Ulster defence has been fairly good this season

It'll all come down to tactics though, if La Rochelle use their big ball carriers more I think they could run up a score but they seem reluctant to do that and like to play a bit  

La Rochelle having a good few SH players perhaps has given them the Super Rugby attitude of 'we don't mind you scoring tries because we're going to score more tries than you'. Here's hoping, a try bonus point could be our only hope if they find their early season form.

[marty2086]

Always a beacon of positivity Pete

[formerly known as Sam]

After watching Quins and La Rochelle my confidence in Ulster getting results against both of them grew, I hope it's not misplaced come Sunday and didn't Quins get a result at the Ricoh a few weeks ago?

Really? I heard La Rochelle looked good and turned it on when they needed to.

Quins are what they are - inconsistent.

Both teams were defensively naïve and gave away some fairly simple tries, I think Piutau and Stockdale could cause La Rochelle problems if they are at the same level as last week and Ulster defence has been fairly good this season

It'll all come down to tactics though, if La Rochelle use their big ball carriers more I think they could run up a score but they seem reluctant to do that and like to play a bit  

La Rochelle having a good few SH players perhaps has given them the Super Rugby attitude of 'we don't mind you scoring tries because we're going to score more tries than you'. Here's hoping, a try bonus point could be our only hope if they find their early season form.

I get the impression that La Rochelle are very well coached. There's not many big names around that squad and they wasn't really any when they first came up an established themselves in the league. If you get a chance to travel over there its a really nice little city on the coast and they are mad about their rugby. I went there pre promotion to the Top 14 and all the bars and shops have signs in the window showing their support for the rugby cub. Unlike most French sides I think they'll try and battle home and away as opposed to focusing on home wins.

[formerly known as Sam]

Leicester Tigers (v Castres Olympique, Welford Road, Saturday 5.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu       

14 Nick Malouf

13 Gareth Owen

12 Matt Toomua        

11 Jonny May            

10 George Ford         

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge  

2 Tom Youngs (c)      

3 Dan Cole     

4 Dom Barrow

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Luke Hamilton

8 Sione Kalamafoni   

Replacements

16 George McGuigan

17 Greg Bateman

18 Pat Cilliers 

19 Dan Tuohy

20 Brendon O’Connor

21 Sam Harrison

22 Joe Ford

23 Mathew Tait

No Matt Smith, I presume he's being rested as he seems to struggle to finish the full 80 these days but has been massive for our defence. Owen impressed against LI so will get to show WR what he's got. Harrison is back from injury which adds a lot of strength to the bench. Mapapalangi comes in for the suspended Williams. A more attacking side with Owen and Mapapalangi better ball carriers than those they replaced, the replaced Williams and Smith are monsters in defence though so I'm not sure we'll necessarily service the onslaught of the Castres forwards if we allow them territory and possession. We'll need to play clever.

[Scottrf]

SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY CLERMONT
Champions Cup
Stade Marcel Michelin
Saturday 21 October 2017
Kick off 16:15 local (15:15 UK)
Live on BT Sport
15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ben Foden
13 Nafi Tuitavake
12 Luther Burrell
11 Tom Collins
10 Piers Francis
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Jamal Ford-Robinson
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Christian Day
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Michael Paterson
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Tom Stephenson
23 Ken Pisi

Like elements of this (Francis 10, Api starting, JFR starting) but wish we'd rested Lawes and Waller.

[marty2086]

Ulster team to play La Rochelle

(1-8): C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, K Treadwell, A O'Connor, I Henderson (captain), C Henry, S Reidy;
(9-15): P Marshall, C Lealiifano, T Bowe, S McCloskey, D Cave, A Trimble, C Piutau;
Replacements (16-23): R Best, K McCall, R Ah You, R Diack, M Rea, J Cooney, L Marshall, J Stockdale.

[beshocked]

Scottrf what are your thoughts on Mallinder at full back?

Is it not a worry you don't have a no 8 in your 23?

Surely there has to be some sort of a plan to recruit another 8?

[formerly known as Sam]

15 Armand Batlle
14 Taylor Paris
13 Thomas Combezou
12 Afusipa Taumoepau
11 David Smith
10 Yohan Le Bourhis
9 Rory Kockott
1 Mihaïta Lazar
2 Marc Antoine Rallier
3 Damian Tussac
4 Steve Mafi
5 Rodrego Capo Ortega
6 Yannick Caballero
7 Anthony Jelonch
8 Alex Tulou

16 Jody Jenneker
17 Tudor Stroe
18 Eric Sione
19 Christophe Samson
20 Baptiste Delaporte
21 Ludovic Radosavljevic
22 Florian Vialelle
23 Killian Jaminet

Steve Mafi returning to WR after a few years away. Was always a fan favourite so will get a warm reception.

Beshocked, Harrison is solid enough at 8. He's no Louis Picamoles but few are. I'm sure Saints will acquire an 8 next summer. In the mean time their pack seems to go well against everyone bar Sarries. Saw an interview with Mallinder Jnr who says he wants to play 15 and he thinks it's his best position, can't say I agree but there you go.

[Scottrf]

Scottrf what are your thoughts on Mallinder at full back?

Is it not a worry you don't have a no 8 in your 23?

Surely there has to be some sort of a plan to recruit another 8?

Well, we have Mitch Eadie but injured. And Dickinson who it seems is out. Brussow coming in Jan which will give some backrow cover even though he's an openside.

Mallinder I've never seen play full back (EDIT: I have but as a replacement) but he did state that's where he sees himself. Obviously suits his boot, and he's probably better with these sort of cover tackles than midfield defence but I'd feel more comfortable with Tuala there. I'd rather have this lineup than 10. Mallinder 12. Francis 15. Tuala though.

[LeinsterFan4life]

The regions never fail to dissapoint in Europe...

[Cumbrian]

I had Bath to win by 1-12 at 3-1 , which I thought was a really generous price. I may yet lose but I felt that Scarlets were bigged up quite a lot.

[Cumbrian]

I'm glad I lumped on it. Bath had all of the territory and all of the pressure and all that Scarlets had was a pretty try off a clearly forward pass. Bath dominated the game.

[mikey_dragon]

The regions never fail to dissapoint in Europe...

Away win for Cardiff in the second tier though....

[LeinsterFan4life]

The regions never fail to dissapoint in Europe...

Away win for Cardiff in the second tier though....

I didn't expect that, great result.

[mikey_dragon]

The regions never fail to dissapoint in Europe...

Away win for Cardiff in the second tier though....

I didn't expect that, great result.

Me neither. I expected Scarlets to edge Bath at home though.

[mikey_dragon]

Seeing as I can't find a thread for it, did anyone watch Toulouse vs Cardiff? How did the youngsters up front go for Cardiff?

[Artful_Dodger]

Scarlets looked a far cry from the teams that ripped it up against Leinster and Munster in the Pro14 playoffs last season. The difference?

Those games took place in late spring/early summer, tonight was all about a hard edged gratuitous pack and sensible decision in the backs. Instead, Scarlets just tried to put it through the hands which was never going to work in that sort of wind and rain.

[Artful_Dodger]

Also worth pointing out, that Bath got their strategy and tactics spot on. A pack that did what had to be done and backs that were conservative in their approach and didn't try low percentage plays (baring in mind the conditions) like the Scarlets did.

[VinceWLB]

Seeing as I can't find a thread for it, did anyone watch Toulouse vs Cardiff? How did the youngsters up front go for Cardiff?

Very well. Dillon Lewis proved once again why he is a better scrummager than Assiratti. Seb Davies also great when he came on and showed why he is going to be an excellent player in the future.

Halfbacks played well and won the kicking game but Morgan deservedly got MoM for a very lively performance.

[mikey_dragon]

Great news, Cardiff and Wales need a few of the youngsters to step up. Good for MM too, he usually gets a lot of criticism for his tackling.

[profitius]

Scarlets are not out of it yet. They're capable of winning all their remaining games.

[eirebilly]

Feel a bit sorry for Saints fans today, think they are going to get smashed.

[marty2086]

Treviso 17-13 Toulon after 42mins

[Heaf2]

Feel a bit sorry for Saints fans today, think they are going to get smashed.

Have you been watching the game Billy? What do you think of the officiating?

[Heaf2]

Ah just seen your post on the other thread ...

[nathan]

Genge has a lot of carrying in him today

[lostinwales]

23-3 for Leicester at the mo

[lostinwales]

28-3

[nathan]

Veainu magic, Genge's carrying. There are even offloads!

[formerly known as Sam]

54-10. That's a satisfactory result. TBP, no LBP helping our points for column nicely.

[formerly known as Sam]

Spoke too soon. BBC showed the game as finished a bit too early. We managed to concede three tries and give Castres a cheap TBP consolation.

[Guest]

I think it's a good thing that Castres picked up an LPB Sam. It'll keep them interested for their next match against Racing at home. If they picked up nothing today I think they'd have completely thrown in the towel. They'll still lose but if they could hold Racing to 4 it'd be great.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think it's a good thing that Castres picked up an LPB Sam. It'll keep them interested for their next match against Racing at home. If they picked up nothing today I think they'd have completely thrown in the towel. They'll still lose but if they could hold Racing to 4 it'd be great.

Good point. They'll be keen to make a statement for the home game at least.

[The Great Aukster]

Really struggling to find away wins out of that lot - Toulon yes, Leinster possibly

Other than that it would be a bit of a surprise.
Importance of home wins shown in first round - only 2, with 1 draw

Based on what I saw last week, I think Beneton (going to need to get used to calling them that) will give Toulon a real scare, and it will not be a walk in the park for Toulon.  Beneton made Bath really work for their win at the Rec., and Toulon are starting to look like the years are catching up on them.  I would not be overly suprised to see a one scare game either way, especially if the crowd and get the 50-50 calls for their side.

This has to get the award for the most prescient post of the season (so far) - well done SS.

[eirebilly]

Excellent match between Montpellier and Exeter. Locked at 24-24 with 10 minutes to go.

[eirebilly]

Scratch that, Exeter with the penalty and its 24 - 27 to Exeter.

[Heaf2]

Good win for Chiefs

[eirebilly]

Makes the back to back matches against Leinster very interesting. A win either way for both should mean they both progress.

[Heaf2]

My favourite English team outside of London Irish versus my favourite non-English team ... hoping for a couple of great matches

[eirebilly]

Ulster started brightly but La Rochelle with the early try. They are electric when they get going, great side to watch.

[eirebilly]

Piatau is brilliant when he is actually interested in playing.

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