URC Round 3

First topic message reminder :

It's almost time for round 3 of the URC 2021/2022 season, some real interesting games this weekend, that Benneton v Ulster game could be fantastic.

Heres the games list (all times BST)

Ulster v Benetton- Friday 08/10/2021- 7:35pm- BBC NI, TG4, Premier Sports
Ospreys v Cell C Sharks- Friday 08/10/2021- 7.35pm- BBC Wales, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Leinster v Zebre - Saturday 09/10/2021- 1pm- RTÉ 2, Mediaset, Premier Sports
Glasgow Warriors v Emirates Lions- Saturday 09/10/2021- 3:05pm- Premier Sports, SuperSport
Connacht v Dragons- Saturday 09/10/2021- 5:15pm- TG4, S4C, Premier Sports
Edinburgh v DHL Stormers- Saturday 09/10/2021- 5:15pm- Premier Sports, SuperSport
Cardiff v Vodacom Bulls- Saturday 09/10/2021- 7:35pm- S4C, SuperSport, Premier Sports

Scarlets v Munster- Sunday 10/10/2021- 2pm- S4C, RTÉ 2, Premier Sports

It would be nice if the European teamms are also penalised when they seal lff at the ruck.

Well the Bulls aren't going to win many matches with the amount of penalties they concede.

Old Man wrote:It would be nice if the European teamms are also penalised when they seal lff at the ruck.

Could be a beneficial thing for rugby in general if SA were dragged into the same interpretation as the Europe. May force NZ and Aus to get on board too.

Bulls are a good team, but it is surprising how one-dimensional and error-strewn they are. It’s just like watching the Ospreys…

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Old Man wrote:It would be nice if the European teamms are also penalised when they seal lff at the ruck.

Could be a beneficial thing for rugby in general if SA were dragged into the same interpretation as the Europe. May force NZ and Aus to get on board too.

No doubt, but there needs to be consistency too, the SA teams have been murdered in the breakdown, but it feels these penalties are only going one way.

If the referees are being strict on SA teams, they also need to be strict on European teams

The fact is if you take the breakdown away from any team they can't play rugby.

Staying on your feet when you steel a ball means you can't hinge, but the European team regulalry get away with it, also on attack they have two or three players "driving" over the ruck, not staying on their feet, but they also get away with it.

So if you tell us these are the way laws are interpreted, then at least officiate it that way both ways.

They’re already talking about Priestland… he’s not international quality and neither is Turnbull.

Old Man wrote:The fact is if you take the breakdown away from any team they can't play rugby.

Staying on your feet when you steel a ball means you can't hinge, but the European team regulalry get away with it, also on attack they have two or three players "driving" over the ruck, not staying on their feet, but they also get away with it.

So if you tell us these are the way laws are interpreted, then at least officiate it that way both ways.

Flicking between this and the footy on itv so can't confidently comment on this.

Good start to the half fir bulls. They need to cut out some of those ridiculous penalties though.

Still looks like I could be wrong

Bulls just don't seem to learning how to paint the right picture for the ref, not sure if it's the players or the coaches that are struggling with it.

The other three have all stepped up and getting to grips with the refs and teams but Bulls seems to be slow learners.

Brendan wrote:Still looks like I could be wrong

Bulls just don't seem to learning how to paint the right picture for the ref, not sure if it's the players or the coaches that are struggling with it.

The other three have all stepped up and getting to grips with the refs and teams but Bulls seems to be slow learners.

There's also the fact that they've just been simply cr@p so far too. Stormers look impressive though.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Brendan wrote:Still looks like I could be wrong

Bulls just don't seem to learning how to paint the right picture for the ref, not sure if it's the players or the coaches that are struggling with it.

The other three have all stepped up and getting to grips with the refs and teams but Bulls seems to be slow learners.

There's also the fact that they've just been simply cr@p so far too. Stormers look impressive though.

Sharks, Stormers and even Lions (other than handling errors) all improved this week but Bulls seem to be just as lost as they did in Italy end of last season v Benetton.

Bulls get a ruck penalty awarded, at last

And immediately concede one

Things are turning around for the Bulls, another steal at the breakdown

And then they concede one

Can someone expalin the law on mauls where the defending team literally has half their lineout swing around to the back of the opponent maul?

Old Man wrote:Can someone expalin the law on mauls where the defending team literally has half their lineout swing around to the back of the opponent maul?

Keep the same bind and you're fine.you can't change bind.

What happpened to when you are behind the maul you are offside?

Old Man wrote:What happpened to when you are behind the maul you are offside?

Never heard of the law tbh.

Just checked and there's no such law.

Not long ago the referee would tell you to go back.

Old Man wrote:Not long ago the referee would tell you to go back.

Only if they deemed you joining from the side or changing bind.

Strictly speaking they could give a pen against either instead of warning too.

Huge second half from the bulls. They stopped conceding penalties and dominated.


Good week for SA sides.

Lions will count themselves very unlucky, Glasgow's try was never a try, how there was so little investigation by the TMO is an absolute mystery, had he looked at it from more than just one angle he would have clearly seen the ball was never grounded behind or on the line.

Other than that better performance from SA teams.

Bulls need to seriously get to grips with the breakdown.

Lions are playing better than expected with very few big names, their handling needs work.

Stormers came back well after being two tries down.

Sharks did the job, but they also conceded a lot of penalties in the first quarter.

Bulls don't get the BP but they get up and running.

It's tight in the middle of the table with so many teams turning over each other.

So far 7/23 away wins, and one draw.

If Munster win away to Scarlets then 33% of away matches have been won, that is a decent percentage.

Not so sure Munster will win.

The younger kids are hungry and will give a good account of themselves but they have definitely put the focus on Connacht next week.

Brendan wrote:Not so sure Munster will win.

The younger kids are hungry and will give a good account of themselves but they have definitely put the focus on Connacht next week.

It would be a massive upset if Munster won. I'd be worried about Scarlets for the rest of the season if they don't put that side away.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Brendan wrote:Not so sure Munster will win.

The younger kids are hungry and will give a good account of themselves but they have definitely put the focus on Connacht next week.

It would be a massive upset if Munster won. I'd be worried about Scarlets for the rest of the season if they don't put that side away.

Yeah, Scarlets have 4 Lions back tomorrow too: Wyn Jones, Gareth Davies, Liam Williams and Ken the Sheriff. Not sure if that helps (could be rusty) but sounds like Munster are going the other way and resting the top players so I would like to think Scarlets could/should win at home. They’ve got around 10 internationals in the starting line up. 4 or 5 on the bench too.

The Oracle wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Brendan wrote:Not so sure Munster will win.

The younger kids are hungry and will give a good account of themselves but they have definitely put the focus on Connacht next week.

It would be a massive upset if Munster won. I'd be worried about Scarlets for the rest of the season if they don't put that side away.

Yeah, Scarlets have 4 Lions back tomorrow too: Wyn Jones, Gareth Davies, Liam Williams and Ken the Sheriff.  Not sure if that helps (could be rusty) but sounds like Munster are going the other way and resting the top players so I would like to think Scarlets could/should win at home.  They’ve got around 10 internationals in the starting line up.  4 or 5 on the bench too.

This weekend many of the returning players have looked poor, but I think even without their stars the Scarlets would be strong.

It will be a good test to see how good this Munster squad is. Can't understand why RG and Zebo didn't go to settle the pack and backs. It's not like the two of them have been overplayed in the first two matches.

Well I haven’t seen the Munster lineup, not sure why they’d make a lot of changes if they have done that. I’m not convinced Scarlets will put them to the sword anyway, they haven’t been very convincing.

Stellar signing in Lloyd Ashley mind…

Yeah Scarlets should win this one. Munster throwing too many young players on at once. Big test for Healy.

Welsh rugby is pretty shocking right now. It doesn’t bode well for the autumn.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Brendan wrote:Not so sure Munster will win.

The younger kids are hungry and will give a good account of themselves but they have definitely put the focus on Connacht next week.

It would be a massive upset if Munster won. I'd be worried about Scarlets for the rest of the season if they don't put that side away.

If you’re very worried then I wonder how all their fans feel…

We knew Peel had a job on his hands, I guess we underestimated how big a job it would be. I think they would have been okay had Brad Mooar stayed put.

What the hell?! Scarlets, what happened?! Only seen the score line!

If scarlets get thumped at home against Munster’s 2nd or 3rd choice players, what chance they can do anything of note in the league this season? Terrible result. But of course, hats off to Munster

mikey_dragon wrote:Welsh rugby is pretty shocking right now. It doesn’t bode well for the autumn.

Yep, when Dragons arguably put in the best performance of the weekend you’ve really got to start to wonder what’s going on. Going to be a long miserable season for the Welsh regions (again)

Yeah Munster were very good, fair play to them. Too bad for Snyman, he’s been unlucky with injuries since arriving.

I’ll just get this out there before anyone else does… I thought the ref was another shocker. The return of Scottish refs…

Was Snyman injured again?

Yep, a few minutes after coming on as a sub apparently

The ref was pretty weak. Imagine being overruled by the idiot Neil Paterson for the one try. Thankfully he semi redeemed himself by sticking to his decision for the deliberate knock on.

Scarlets were shocking. The only player who half turned up was Jonny Williams. There’s no real shame in losing to a hungry side, as a lot of those second choice players would be, but they shouldn’t be losing at home, in that manner.

Just saw that Snyman’s injury is reported as significant. That’s a shame. Awful luck.

Jack O'Donoghue is on fire currently, and I liked the look of Jack O'Sullivan at 8. Liam Coombs also caught the eye. And boy does Calvin Nash have a turn of speed. Munster turning out some possible pearlers from their academy - great to see.

Great to see the Sharks were in attendance for the Bulls match. 

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Old Man wrote:Great to see the Sharks were in attendance for the Bulls match. 

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Yeah I seen that. They'll be pretty confident about beating Cardiff based on that as well.

Pot Hale wrote:Jack O'Donoghue is on fire currently, and I liked the look of Jack O'Sullivan at 8.   Liam Coombs also caught the eye.  And boy does Calvin Nash have a turn of speed.  Munster turning out some possible pearlers from their academy - great to see.

They're producing some good forwards I've noticed, especailly back-row forwards. The new boy at lock (Ahern?) also looked decent. There were some good players in the Munster pack and replacements, but what does the actual first choice pack look like?

I haven't been on these boards for a while, but can I just say what a good idea it is to have a dedicated thread per round - good work neilthom7

Great to see how much rugby still means to Bismarck du Plessis.

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Old Man wrote:Great to see how much rugby still means to Bismarck du Plessis.

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At 37 he's still pretty good!

Yeah, he had a good game on the weekend

Scarlets had a similar result v Sale last year when all their players came back straight into the team.

Not sure if the internationals don't get going or if the other players just assume the internationals will get them across.

If it happens again it's more than just a coincidence.

Munster's Locks and backrow is very compeditive as is the half backs and centres when everyone is fit.  Overall have most positions covered with two good players and should be able to do horses for courses.

Healy isn't flashy but he does the basics well and that boot gets you playing in the right part of field.  It's good to see especially with Carbery not exactly playing well.

But as always 3 key dates matter
26/12 Home v Leinster
02/04 Away v Leinster
23/04 Away v Ulster

Those last 2 games along with Ulster v Sharks and Ulster v Leinster could have a big say in the order of the top 4. And Munster will probably come up short in the Semis against one of the other three.