HC, Pool 2, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues

by **George Carlin** Mon 02 Dec 2013, 11:21 am

First topic message reminder :

Glasgow Warriors HC, Pool 2, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues - Page 2 Violen15

v Cardiff Blues HC, Pool 2, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues - Page 2 502010

Friday 13 December 2013, KO 20:00
Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

Live on Sky Sports

Referee Pascal "I am not George Clancy" Gauzere (France)
Touch Judge 1 Patrick Pechambert (France)
Touch Judge 2 Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
Fourth Official Philippe Bonhoure (France)
TMO Philippe Bonhoure (France)

Citing Commissioner John Cole (Ireland)

A. HC Form (last 4 games):

1. Warriors

6/12/13
Blues 29 - 20 Glasgow

20/10/13
Glasgow 20 - 16 Chiefs

13/10/13
Toulon 51 - 28 Glasgow

19/1/13
Glasgow 27 - 20 Saints

2. Blues

6/12/13
Blues 29 - 20 Glasgow

19/10/13
Blues 19 - 15 Toulon

13/10/13
Chiefs 44 - 29 Blues

19/1/13
Blues 26 - 14 Sharks

B. Table

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	BP	PTS
1	Toulon	3	2	0	1	80	56	2	10
2	Cardiff Blues	3	2	0	1	77	79	1	9
3	Exeter	3	1	0	2	69	63	3	7
4	Glasgow	3	1	0	2	68	96	1	5

C. Teams

1. Warriors

15 Hogg
14 Maitland
13 McGuigan
12 Dunbar
11 Seymour
10 Jackson
09 Matawalu

01 Grant
02 MacArthur
03 Welsh
04 Nakarawa
05 Kellock
06 Harley
07 Holmes
08 Wilson

16 Hall
17 Big Jerry
18 Kalman
19 Strauss
20 Fusaro
21 Cusiter
22 Weir
23 DTH

2. Blues

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Richard Smith, 12 Rhys Patchell, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Gareth Davies, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Chris Dicomidis, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Rory Watts-Jones, 8 Robin Copeland.

16 Marc Breeze, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Benoit Bourrust, 19 James Down, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Andries Pretorius, 22 Lewis Jones, 23 Dan Fish

D. Parliamo Glasgow:

Alphabetty Spaghetti - D.T.H. van der Merwe, wing
Angel - Gabriel Ascarate, centre
Angela - Jon Welsh, prop
Barry - Byron McGuigan, wing
Big Boab - (see Ginger Tackle Monster, the)
Big Mike - (see Coo, the)
Big Naka - Leone Nakarawa, lock/loosie
Bluto - Josh Strauss, loosie/no.8
Centre, the - (see Lesser Messiah, the)
Coo, the - Michael Cusack, prop
Cooseetah - (see Cus)
Cus - Chris Cusiter, scrum half
DTH - (see Alphabetty Spaghetti)
Flippy - (see Toonie)
Fozzy - Christopher Fusaro, loosie
Furra Lineeeee - Peter Horne, centre
Ginger Tackle Monster, the - Rob Harley, loosie
Guns - Tim Swinson, lock
Henners - Henry Pyrgos, scrum half
Hoggy - Stuart Hogg, full back/wing/centre
Ickle Jon - Jonny Gray, lock
Jedi - James Eddie, loosie
Lesser Messiah, the - Richie Vernon, loosie/no.8
Mark of Nazareth - (see Messiah, the)
Meatball, the - Duncan Weir, fly half
Messiah, the/ HC, Pool 2, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues - Page 2 589312

HC, Pool 2, Round 4: Glasgow Warriors v Cardiff Blues - Page 2 589312

- Mark Bennett, centre
Niko - Nikola Matawalu, scrum half
Niko's Mate - Jerry Yanuyanutawa, prop
No Maits - Sean Maitland, wing
Rhubarb - Ruaridh Jackson, fly half
Ruck Inspector, the - Alastair Kellock, lock
Schlong - Sean Lamont, centre/wing
Sherlock - Tyrone Holmes, loosie
Shrek - Gordon Reid, prop
Toonie - Gregor Peter John Townsend MBE, head coach
Wee P - Pat MacArthur, hooker
Weegie from Fiji, the - (see Niko)

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 05 Dec 2013, 11:48 am

Not sure about the lock pairing, but otherwise strong squad

by VinceWLB Thu 05 Dec 2013, 11:53 am

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Hogg
Maitland
Ascarate
Dunbar
DTH

Weir
Niko

Grant
Hall
Low
Ryder
Kellock
Harley
Fusaro
Strauss

McArthur
Welsh
Kalman
Nakarawa
Holmes
Wilson
Cusiter
Jackson

Is this the return of Welsh at Loosehead? if so that's great news (and maybe means Cusack is on his way back...)

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 05 Dec 2013, 12:10 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Not sure about the lock pairing, but otherwise strong squad

I take that back having now seen this:

Not available due to injury: Fraser Brown (neck), Mike Cusack (shoulder), Jonny Gray (ankle), Peter Horne (knee), Sean Lamont (ankle), Peter Murchie (shoulder), Tommy Seymour (calf), Tim Swinson (shoulder/chest), Richie Vernon (knee).

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Dec 2013, 12:53 pm

Them thar Blues:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Richard Smith, 12 Dafydd Hewitt, 11 Harry Robinson, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams; 1 Sam Hobbs (c), 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 4 Chris Dicomidis, 5 Filo Paulo, 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Rory Watts-Jones, 8 Robin Copeland.

Replacements: 16 Marc Breeze, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Benoit Bourrust, 19 Luke Hamilton, 20 Ellis Jenkins, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Gareth Davies, 23 Dan Fish

by alexgmacdonald Thu 05 Dec 2013, 12:57 pm

Pretty strong Cardiff team!

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Dec 2013, 12:59 pm

Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Williams, Patchell and Robinson all playing.

Methinks the reports of the Blues' injury-related demise has been somewhat exaggerated.

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 05 Dec 2013, 1:01 pm

George Carlin wrote:Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Williams, Patchell and Robinson all playing.

Methinks the reports of the Blues' injury-related demise has been somewhat exaggerated.

Means feck all if the pack can't win them any ball.

Glasgow by 10.

by wales606 Thu 05 Dec 2013, 1:03 pm

alexgmacdonald wrote:Pretty strong Cardiff team!

Really? Don't know what team you're looking at?

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Dec 2013, 1:07 pm

wales606 wrote:
alexgmacdonald wrote:Pretty strong Cardiff team!
Really? Don't know what team you're looking at?

by funnyExiledScot Thu 05 Dec 2013, 1:14 pm

Strong Glasgow team. I think Glasgow by 10 points, possibly TBP as well (especially with Niko at 9).

Great to see the first choice back three all starting and Dunbar back at 12.

by **George Carlin** Thu 05 Dec 2013, 1:17 pm

Official ERC preview - some interesting stats:

Pool 2 is the most tightly-contested of all six pools so far, with each of the four sides having won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures. And while it is English outfit Exeter Chiefs and Heineken Cup holders RC Toulon who currently occupy the top two spots, Glasgow or the Blues could yet be leading the standings after the next round of action.

The Blues began with a heavy defeat at Exeter but a strong second-half showing saw them score four tries to claim a bonus point before they produced the shock of the weekend with a stunning 19-15 success over Toulon. Few critics gave the Welsh region any chance of toppling Toulon given the star-studded nature of Bernard Laporte's squad but the Blues did just that thanks to a late Gareth Davies try in the capital.

That surprise victory has raised hopes of a first Heineken Cup quarter-final showing since 2009, but the Warriors will be confident of dampening those spirits having had something of a stranglehold over the Blues in recent years. The Scottish side have won the last five encounters between the two teams since the Blues secured back-to-back successes in November 2010 and February 2011, with the Blues only once picking up a losing bonus point in that handful of fixtures.

The sides were relatively evenly matched in their most recent encounter as the Warriors won 22-15 at Scotstoun in the opening game of the season, but things had been far more clear cut before that with scorelines of 18-3, 28-13, 34-13 and 31-3 last season and the season before.

The Blues have won two, lost three and drawn one of their six games since the latest of instalment of European action, with the draw coming in their most recent outing at Benetton Treviso at the weekend. The Warriors have played two less fixtures but have also enjoyed mixed fortunes since beating Exeter in Round 2. Having won their first six league games before taking a try-scoring bonus point in defeat at Toulon, Gregor Townsend's men have been beaten by Munster and Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect PRO12 but they did win away at Connacht and were 28-16 victors at the Ospreys on Friday night.

Glasgow welcomed back seven internationals for that latest trip to the Liberty Stadium and the Blues should be boosted by the return of the likes of Lions stars Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and Gethin Jenkins from Wales duty and Alex Cuthbert from international action and an ankle injury. Cuthbert hasn't played since the win over Toulon but started for Wales against Australia on Saturday.

Match facts

These two teams have met twice before in the Heineken Cup, each securing a home pool victory in the 2001/02 tournament. Those two fixtures averaged 66 points per game.

Cardiff Blues have won four of their six matches against Scottish clubs in the tournament.

Glasgow have won seven and lost 11 of their matches against clubs from Wales. However, the Warriors have won their last three matches against Welsh opposition.

Glasgow average more clean breaks (11.5) and defenders beaten (29) than any other side in the opening two rounds of this season's Heineken Cup.

Ruaridh Jackson provided three try assists in Glasgow's opening two games this season, more than any other player in the tournament.

Both clubs have scored exactly 48 points to date, although Glasgow have scored one more try (six) than the Blues (five).

Nikola Matawalu has beaten 12 defenders so far in the tournament, the joint- second-highest individual total this season.

The Blues have won six of their last eight home games in the Heineken Cup, only losing to French opposition in this run (Toulon and Montpellier in 2012).

Tim Swinson and Matawalu were named in the Amlin Opta Index Team of the Round for their performances in Round 2. Matawalu's average score of 444 points after two matches ranks him amongst the top five players in Europe on the Amlin Opta Index this season.

by reallybored Thu 05 Dec 2013, 3:16 pm

Good Glasgow team, like the combination of Niko & Weir. Starting Hall & Kellock is sensible, hopefully Dunbar & Gabrielle aren't too rusty, first time we've seen this back-three and it looks quwaullittyyy. Surprised Eddie isn't on the bench, he usually has a good impact.

Come on Glasgow, 0 - 3 would be a cracking result but a BP win could put them in control of the pool. Stay out our half and keep discipline without the ball, don't give Halfpenny easy shots.

by jimbopip Thu 05 Dec 2013, 3:34 pm

A good looking team. The pack looks solid and if the 4G pitch is as fast as they say then we should see Wilson and Naka come on and make an impact. Only two backs on the bench which means that, probably, Cooseater comes on at 9 and Niko covers the back three with Ruaridh covering 10, 12 and 13.
Probably as strong a team as we could put out in the circumstances. A win here will go a long way to shutting the door on the Blouses as they then have away matches at Scotstoun and Toulon.
C'mon the Warriors.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Thu 05 Dec 2013, 4:00 pm

jimbopip wrote:A win here will go a long way to shutting the door on the Blouses as they then have away matches at Scotstoun and Toulon.
C'mon the Warriors.

Would say tomorrow night’s game is as close to an eliminator game as you can get at this stage. For me whoever loses is out of the running for the HC 1/4s as Loser would need to win out and probably pick up 2 bps in their last three games, which I just don’t see happening.

by demosthenes Thu 05 Dec 2013, 4:39 pm

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:
jimbopip wrote:A win here will go a long way to shutting the door on the Blouses as they then have away matches at Scotstoun and Toulon.
C'mon the Warriors.
Would say tomorrow night’s game is as close to an eliminator game as you can get at this stage. For me whoever loses is out of the running for the HC 1/4s as Loser would need to win out and probably pick up 2 bps in their last three games, which I just don’t see happening.

So, no pressure on either side, then?

Should be a good game. Glasgow's pack should edge it, but if the Cardiff backs get much ball...

At least no worries about the pitch - unlike the Millenium or Murrayfield!

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Dec 2013, 4:53 pm

Still a very open group and these next two weekends will surely make or break teams fortunes.

Not the best Blues team and if that Glasgow team can play like they did last week against the Ospreys then they have to be favourites.

Good luck to both teams. C'mon the Blues

by Newsilure Thu 05 Dec 2013, 7:55 pm

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Williams, Patchell and Robinson all playing.

Methinks the reports of the Blues' injury-related demise has been somewhat exaggerated.
Means feck all if the pack can't win them any ball.

Glasgow by 10.

Yes only one perhaps two of the Blues pack is a first choice player with second rows so scarce a chap whose never played for us is being drafted in from Ponty. Still being Welsh, I am still confident but not really sure what of!

by wales606 Thu 05 Dec 2013, 9:03 pm

Newsilure wrote:
Tattie Scones RRN wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Williams, Patchell and Robinson all playing.

Methinks the reports of the Blues' injury-related demise has been somewhat exaggerated.
Means feck all if the pack can't win them any ball.

Glasgow by 10.
Yes only one perhaps two of the Blues pack is a first choice player with second rows so scarce a chap whose never played for us is being drafted in from Ponty. Still being Welsh, I am still confident but not really sure what of!

No Gethin Jenkins, no Matthew Rees, no Scott Andrews, no Bradley Davies, no Lou Reed, no Josh Navidi, no Sam Warburton, no Andreus Pretorious, no Cory Allen, no Owen Williams,...hell, we don't even have Gavin Evans!

That's 8 starters at least!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:09 pm

FFS just noticed its Clownshoes Clancy on the whistle. Be assure that moron will do his level best to spoil the game - the worst so called Grade 1 ref employed by the IRB.

Anyway - get yer game faces on Warriors - EVERYONE, not just a few, and play for 80 mins not 40 or 30. Huge game for our season

C'mon Glasgow Warriors - Whatever it Takes Yahoo

by jimbopip Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:16 pm

Where ypu been all week? You're measured, thoughtful contributions have been missed.
Whatever it takes!!!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:31 pm

Ermm - busy at work IYKWIM !!!

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Fri 06 Dec 2013, 6:32 pm

jimbopip wrote:Where ypu been all week? You're measured, thoughtful contributions have been missed.
Whatever it takes!!!

See pm

by jimbopip Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:54 pm

So, present MrsPip is settling down for a Corrie-Neasties-Corrie fest. Which means I wont see the game live but at silly o'clock once everyone else is done with the tellybox. Shall stop posting/reading now as I want to know fecc all when I watch.
p.s. No match for me tomorrow : Chrimbo feccin shopping ho-ho- feccin-ho.

by **Notch** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:57 pm

On paper, they might be one of the weakest packs to take the field in the Heineken Cup over the past few years. Filo is a good player and Copeland is good... less said about the rest the better!

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:58 pm

Anybody needs a link give me a shout and I'll pm you.

by jimbopip Fri 06 Dec 2013, 7:59 pm

A link to watch?
Please enlighten us.

by A Simply Mesmeric Try Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:14 pm

I have a good link too (probably the same as AD's) Cool

I've always wondered. Is it permitted to post links of such feeds directly on a thread?

by jimbopip Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:15 pm

Ta much Artful.

by Converter Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:17 pm

Could someone PM me a link please ?

by **George Carlin** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:18 pm

How the hell did Halfpenny come up with that ball?

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:22 pm

A Simply Mesmeric Try wrote:I have a good link too (probably the same as AD's)

I've always wondered. Is it permitted to post links of such feeds directly on a thread?

I don't know if its against the rules of the board or not, but such links should only ever be shared through private messages Smile

by cakeordeath Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:22 pm

Glasgow are continuing their poor form.

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:23 pm

This is a great game in some respects the running from deep and counter attacking from both teams is excellent, however both teams at the breakdown are a bit pitiful and both teams are doing very silly things at times.

by GLove39 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:24 pm

DTH doesn't look good, big limp

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:26 pm

Glasgow have to sort their breakdown out fast! They are conceding so many turnovers and its leaking points.

by **George Carlin** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:27 pm

Oh my god - we have got to protect that ball.

Ospreys first half all over again.

by GLove39 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:28 pm

Thats criminal by Weir. Worst place to knock on

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:29 pm

Wow, very poor from Weir. Glasgow making so many basic errors, not that Cuthbert hasn't as well. But that hands Blues great 5m scrum.

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:30 pm

Try for Rhys Patchell.

by VinceWLB Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:30 pm

Glasgow's HEC campaign coming to an abrupt end here.

by **Notch** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:30 pm

I can't decide if this game is brilliant or terrible! It seems to swing from one extreme to the other within even just one passage of play... it certainly is entertaining.

How sloppy are Glasgow at the breakdown? No ball security at all...

by Cardiff Dave Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:31 pm

Get in there Patchwell.

by A Simply Mesmeric Try Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:31 pm

Every time Glasgow get the ball into the Blues' 22 they cough it up! steam

Bluto and Weir's knock ons were horrendous...

Oh and cheers AD!

Anyone who needs a linky link, pm me.

And oh FFS they scored furious

by cakeordeath Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:42 pm

This is brutal from Glasgow.

by **George Carlin** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:43 pm

Glasgow doesn't need an opposition.
We do perfectly well by ourselves.

by **Notch** Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:44 pm

Glasgow present the unedifying sight of a team falling apart... balls in Townsends court. What the hell can he do?

by Artful_Dodger Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:44 pm

Glasgow need half time without conceding any more points and then hope for a second half transformation.

by GLove39 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:46 pm

Notch wrote:Glasgow present the unedifying sight of a team falling apart... balls in Townsends court. What the hell can he do?

Tell Duncan Weir not to drop the ball in his own try area..? steam

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:48 pm

Very poor attendence.

by GLove39 Fri 06 Dec 2013, 8:50 pm

Finally, really needed that.

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