URC Semi Finals

by neilthom7 Wed 03 May 2023, 7:33 pm

Semi final time, in Cape Town and Dublin

Saturday 13th May 2023

DHL Stormers v Connacht- DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Viaplay, Premier Sports, Discovery +, FloRugby.com & URC.tv

Leinster v Munster- Aviva Stadium, Dublin – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA
Live on: RTÉ, Viaplay, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Discovery +, FloRugby.com & URC.tv

by neilthom7 Thu 04 May 2023, 12:34 pm

Ulster- Forwards- Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen
Backs- John Cooney, Billy Burns, Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume, Rob Baloucoune, Mike Lowry

Subs- Tom Stewart, Eric O'Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, Nathan Doak, Stuart Moore, Craig Gilroy

Connacht- Forwards- Denis Buckley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Niall Murray, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Conor Oliver, Cian Prendergast
Backs- Caolin Blade, Jack Carty (Capt), Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Tom Farrell, John Porch, Tiernan O’Halloran

Subs- Dylan Tierney-Martin, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, Oisín Dowling, Jarrad Butler, Kieran Marmion, Tom Daly, Byron Ralston

by Collapse2005 Thu 04 May 2023, 6:27 pm

Quarter final line ups are really tasty

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 05 May 2023, 9:58 am

Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

by Oakdene Fri 05 May 2023, 10:02 am

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.

by Collapse2005 Fri 05 May 2023, 11:01 am

Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.

Thats a shame, I will be going. Missed out on tickets for the champions cup final so Sharks it is for me.

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 05 May 2023, 11:07 am

Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.

Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

by Oakdene Fri 05 May 2023, 11:11 am

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

by neilthom7 Fri 05 May 2023, 11:14 am

Still quite a few tickets for sale for the Ulster game tonight too, maybe the bank holiday weekend is having an effect

by neilthom7 Fri 05 May 2023, 11:16 am

Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

Think Springsteen is on at the RDS this weekend so they probably can't, Leinster don't own the stadium

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 05 May 2023, 11:18 am

Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

The RDS is unavailable for the rest of the season due to concerts. Leinster don't own the RDS so can't really complain there.

by Oakdene Fri 05 May 2023, 11:21 am

Ah fair point, apologies.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 05 May 2023, 12:51 pm

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (54)
14. Jordan Larmour (88)
13. Ciarán Frawley (65)
12. Charlie Ngatai (13)
11. Dave Kearney (184)
10. Harry Byrne (49)
9. Luke McGrath (193) CAPTAIN
1. Michael Milne (30)
2. Dan Sheehan (44)
3. Tadhg Furlong (132)
4. Ryan Baird (51)
5. Jason Jenkins (15)
6. Max Deegan (96)
7. Scott Penny (55)
8. Caelan Doris (65)

16. John McKee (18)
17. Andrew Porter (106)
18. Cian Healy (262)
19. Joe McCarthy (17)
20. Jack Conan (130)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (124)
22. Ross Byrne (146)
23. Liam Turner (18)

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 05 May 2023, 12:54 pm

Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

It would be class to have a Leinster v Sharks game going on while the Boss is playing on stage behind one of the goals.
One of the few occasions that the move away from the RDS has been caused by the RDS rather than Leinster looking to up-capacity for a marquee game.
TBH it's a bit of a missed opportunity, as it's a short-term to know if it's happening (playoffs and all), if the game was moved outside of Dublin, or at least the M50, it would have sold out any venue.
Tallaght Stadium (maybe small), Ashbourne, Portlaoise, Nowlan Park? Would have turned it into a feature.

Though also, if Leinster had crashed out of this years HCup during the pools, then this weekend would be 40k turnout at Lansdowne! The last time the HCup final was in Dublin, didn't Leinster blunder down into the amlin-johnstone-paint-vanarama-pen-trophy? That star isn't even on the jersey (it might still be on the fridge door besides some other participation stars).

by the-goon2 Fri 05 May 2023, 1:13 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

It would be class to have a Leinster v Sharks game going on while the Boss is playing on stage behind one of the goals.
One of the few occasions that the move away from the RDS has been caused by the RDS rather than Leinster looking to up-capacity for a marquee game.
TBH it's a bit of a missed opportunity, as it's a short-term to know if it's happening (playoffs and all), if the game was moved outside of Dublin, or at least the M50, it would have sold out any venue.
Tallaght Stadium (maybe small), Ashbourne, Portlaoise, Nowlan Park? Would have turned it into a feature.

Though also, if Leinster had crashed out of this years HCup during the pools, then this weekend would be 40k turnout at Lansdowne! The last time the HCup final was in Dublin, didn't Leinster blunder down into the amlin-johnstone-paint-vanarama-pen-trophy? That star isn't even on the jersey (it might still be on the fridge door besides some other participation stars).

Don't forget the SF against Perpignan. I was at that match...

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 05 May 2023, 1:35 pm

the-goon2 wrote:
thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

It would be class to have a Leinster v Sharks game going on while the Boss is playing on stage behind one of the goals.
One of the few occasions that the move away from the RDS has been caused by the RDS rather than Leinster looking to up-capacity for a marquee game.
TBH it's a bit of a missed opportunity, as it's a short-term to know if it's happening (playoffs and all), if the game was moved outside of Dublin, or at least the M50, it would have sold out any venue.
Tallaght Stadium (maybe small), Ashbourne, Portlaoise, Nowlan Park? Would have turned it into a feature.

Though also, if Leinster had crashed out of this years HCup during the pools, then this weekend would be 40k turnout at Lansdowne! The last time the HCup final was in Dublin, didn't Leinster blunder down into the amlin-johnstone-paint-vanarama-pen-trophy? That star isn't even on the jersey (it might still be on the fridge door besides some other participation stars).

Don't forget the SF against Perpignan. I was at that match...

I want to both like the post and hit dislike cos of the memories it brings up..

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 05 May 2023, 1:37 pm

Ok, I look at these 4 officiating crews for the weekend and I ponder;
"Are these potential RWC crews?"

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 05 May 2023, 2:19 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (54)
14. Jordan Larmour (88)
13. Ciarán Frawley (65)
12. Charlie Ngatai (13)
11. Dave Kearney (184)
10. Harry Byrne (49)
9. Luke McGrath (193) CAPTAIN
1. Michael Milne (30)
2. Dan Sheehan (44)
3. Tadhg Furlong (132)
4. Ryan Baird (51)
5. Jason Jenkins (15)
6. Max Deegan (96)
7. Scott Penny (55)
8. Caelan Doris (65)

16. John McKee (18)
17. Andrew Porter (106)
18. Cian Healy (262)
19. Joe McCarthy (17)
20. Jack Conan (130)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (124)
22. Ross Byrne (146)
23. Liam Turner (18)

Cell C Sharks

Ox Nche
Bongi Mbonambi
Thomas du Toit
Corne Rahl
Gerbrandt Grobler
James Venter
Vincent Tshituka
Sikhumbuzo Notshe
Grant Williams
Boeta Chamberlain
Makazole Mapimpi
Ben Tapuai
Lukhanyo Am (c)
Marnus Potgieter
Aphelele Fassi
Replacements

Fez Mbatha
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Carlu Sadie
Jeandre Labuschagne
Phepsi Buthelezi
Cameron Wright
Nevaldo Fleurs
Rohan Janse van Rensburg

by Collapse2005 Fri 05 May 2023, 3:55 pm

the-goon2 wrote:
thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:Stormers have sold 40k tickets for their QF which is great to see. Unfortunately we (Leinster) are looking at a small crowd for tommorow.

Define small.
Looking at around 15k which won't look great in the Aviva. The format needs to be reviewed, there's no reason for 1st and 2nd placed teams to be playing in a QF.

Or a novel idea cold be to play the match at your home ground? That must have a capacity of what 19,000, so 15,000 or so would look good there?

It would be class to have a Leinster v Sharks game going on while the Boss is playing on stage behind one of the goals.
One of the few occasions that the move away from the RDS has been caused by the RDS rather than Leinster looking to up-capacity for a marquee game.
TBH it's a bit of a missed opportunity, as it's a short-term to know if it's happening (playoffs and all), if the game was moved outside of Dublin, or at least the M50, it would have sold out any venue.
Tallaght Stadium (maybe small), Ashbourne, Portlaoise, Nowlan Park? Would have turned it into a feature.

Though also, if Leinster had crashed out of this years HCup during the pools, then this weekend would be 40k turnout at Lansdowne! The last time the HCup final was in Dublin, didn't Leinster blunder down into the amlin-johnstone-paint-vanarama-pen-trophy? That star isn't even on the jersey (it might still be on the fridge door besides some other participation stars).

Don't forget the SF against Perpignan. I was at that match...

So was I, painful.

by Collapse2005 Fri 05 May 2023, 8:41 pm

Good game Connacht v Ulster, looking good for Connacht

by Collapse2005 Fri 05 May 2023, 9:26 pm

Wow very bad day for Ulster!

by clivemcl Fri 05 May 2023, 9:37 pm

A lot of heart and passion and effort from Connacht - best of luck to them in semis.

I'll keep my negative Ulster comments for our own thread. Let's not air our dirty laundry.

by mikey_dragon Sat 06 May 2023, 7:30 pm

Leinster sweep aside Sharks 35-5. Sharks didn’t offer much.

by Old Man Sun 07 May 2023, 6:07 am

The greatest news for the Sharks is that John Plumtree has returned as new headcoach, under him the Sharks were formidable in Super Rugby.

I expect to see a much better Sharks teamnext season. One who will now have the tools to challenge the top teams

They have the takent, they have bought the players, now they will have the coach.

by Collapse2005 Sun 07 May 2023, 7:37 am

Unfortunately the didnt qualify for the champions cup though

by Old Man Sun 07 May 2023, 9:02 am

Yeah, they will have to correct that next season.

by Oakdene Tue 09 May 2023, 9:47 am

Collapse2005 wrote:Unfortunately the didnt qualify for the champions cup though

Do they qualify if Leinster win the Champions Cup?

by neilthom7 Tue 09 May 2023, 8:16 pm

Oakdene wrote:
Collapse2005 wrote:Unfortunately the didnt qualify for the champions cup though

Do they qualify if Leinster win the Champions Cup?

Nah, they are out no matter what, they would have had to win the URC to be in with the Welsh team finishing outside top 8

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 10 May 2023, 11:22 am

Leinster v Munster this weekend.
I'll say it.... Munster are waiting in the long grass.
Their written off (dangerous)
They will get more than half of the crowd in the stands (potentially)
They are waiting in the tall long grass ready to pounce
This is all set for Leinster to sleep walk into a fixture being taken for granted.

On the other side Stormers to hold off Connacht.
Connacht's final was last week.

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 10 May 2023, 11:24 am

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Leinster v Munster this weekend.
I'll say it.... Munster are waiting in the long grass.
They're written off (dangerous)
They will get more than half of the crowd in the stands (potentially)
They are waiting in the tall long grass ready to pounce
This is all set for Leinster to sleep walk into a fixture being taken for granted.

On the other side Stormers to hold off Connacht.
Connacht's final was last week.

by Oakdene Wed 10 May 2023, 11:27 am

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Leinster v Munster this weekend.
I'll say it.... Munster are waiting in the long grass.
Their written off (dangerous)
They will get more than half of the crowd in the stands (potentially)
They are waiting in the tall long grass ready to pounce
This is all set for Leinster to sleep walk into a fixture being taken for granted.

On the other side Stormers to hold off Connacht.
Connacht's final was last week.

I think Munster have a few injury worries which will really hamper them.

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 10 May 2023, 11:35 am

Oakdene wrote:
thebandwagonsociety wrote:Leinster v Munster this weekend.
I'll say it.... Munster are waiting in the long grass.
Their written off (dangerous)
They will get more than half of the crowd in the stands (potentially)
They are waiting in the tall long grass ready to pounce
This is all set for Leinster to sleep walk into a fixture being taken for granted.

On the other side Stormers to hold off Connacht.
Connacht's final was last week.

I think Munster have a few injury worries which will really hamper them.

Calvin Nash, Malakai Fekitoa, Conor Murray and RG Snyman, all failed to return to the pitch following HIAs in Glasgow and have been subsequently ruled out of the Leinster match.

The above is out of the Irish Times today

by Oakdene Wed 10 May 2023, 12:06 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:
Oakdene wrote:
thebandwagonsociety wrote:Leinster v Munster this weekend.
I'll say it.... Munster are waiting in the long grass.
Their written off (dangerous)
They will get more than half of the crowd in the stands (potentially)
They are waiting in the tall long grass ready to pounce
This is all set for Leinster to sleep walk into a fixture being taken for granted.

On the other side Stormers to hold off Connacht.
Connacht's final was last week.

I think Munster have a few injury worries which will really hamper them.

Calvin Nash, Malakai Fekitoa, Conor Murray and RG Snyman, all failed to return to the pitch following HIAs in Glasgow and have been subsequently ruled out of the Leinster match.

The above is out of the Irish Times today

Is it still the case that if 7 clear days have passed they could play, obviously if they are showing no lasting effects of the head knocks? They were the later kick off on Saturday if memory serves me right & the semi final is 15:00 on Saturday so not 7 full days.

by Collapse2005 Fri 12 May 2023, 1:21 pm

Thats my understanding. Remember the first test v NZ Sexton left the pitch with a head knock and failed the HIA but played test two and three because test two was on the 7th day.

by Oakdene Fri 12 May 2023, 1:26 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:Thats my understanding. Remember the first test v NZ Sexton left the pitch with a head knock and failed the HIA but played test two and three because test two was on the 7th day.

Just wanted to check it hadn't changed - I seem to remember it happening to a Scottish player where they got concussed on the weekend before but couldn't play against Wales literally because the window was an hour or 2.

by **BigGee** Fri 12 May 2023, 3:36 pm

I am amazed PoM is playing flor Mumster tomorrow, he looked in a really bad way when he went off against Glasgow last week. They must have some regeneration tank to keep him in between matches. He is certainly a tough fellow.

by neilthom7 Sat 13 May 2023, 8:24 pm

It’s a stormers v Munster final then. Could be a second win for South Africa in 2 years

by bsando Sat 13 May 2023, 8:27 pm

What a result for Munster. Nice to see Healy getting on the scoreboard too

by Collapse2005 Sat 13 May 2023, 9:17 pm

Was at the game, great atmosphere, decent match and good win for munster, well deserved. Positive for Irish rugby.

by mikey_dragon Sat 13 May 2023, 10:47 pm

Good win for Munster, expected Stormers to win the other play-off though. If Munster get some players back in they have a good chance of winning, just need to ‘Munster’ the rapid Stormers…

by **RiscaGame** Sun 14 May 2023, 11:02 am

Crikey. Back in the heady days at the start of Dai Flanagan's highly successful stewardship and the walloping they gave Munster, I would never have thought that Munster would be making the final. Fair play to them.

by Collapse2005 Mon 15 May 2023, 9:28 am

Yes Munster looked in a lot of trouble at the start of the season. They have turned their season around superbly. What a final we have to look forward to. Could be one of the most anticipated in a long time.

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