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Friday, May 20, 2011

Heineken Cup Final

when I googled Courtney Lawes I just found image after image of this guy looking seriously confused! do it

So here we are after a long season, Leinster and Northampton have navigated their way through the pool stages and knockout stages undefeated... But what happens when 2 teams meet undefeated? Somethings got to give.

Cardiff has proved quite a successful venue for Irish teams in the past. There was Munster in 06 and 08 followed by the Grand slam for Ireland in 09... but does that bear any significance on this game? not really...

Leinster are slight favorites heading into the game with the bookies giving them a handicap of -6.0.. 6 points in rugby though is a slender lead.. One break away try and you can kiss that 6 point lead bye bye. Northampton have got the men for break away tries too. Remember the quarter final when they played Ulster? A try their scrum half finished off courtesy of a super counter attack by Ashton and Foden. Their try was simply class, however I'd like to point out that Leinster won't switch off as easy to allow something like that to happen.

Both of these teams are fairly equal and have adapted to the new laws probably the best in the northern hemisphere. A very mobile pack and a cracking back 3 lies await on each team but there similarities stop there as Leinster have got a centre that the rest of the world can only dream about. Any team would gladly take Brian O'Driscoll into their starting 15. The man is a rugby genius and finals are what he was born to play. He always does it on the big occasion and this one will be no exception. 1-15 in the Leinster team is sprinkled with talent and there subs bench isn't too shabby either with the young guns to call on. Northamptons threats come from their pack and their ever impressing duo of Ashton and Foden. In the pack they have got Dylan Hartley who we won't talk about much on this blog due to the fact that I can't stand him. Credit where credit is due though, he has the look of a good leader about him, that seems to be his strongest point, but I think he's an average professional rugby player at best. The other guy in there ranks is Courtney Lawes. What can I say about him? He's tall, athletic, big hitter, hard worker, etc. etc. I could go on but I won't. And here is why... From 5 o clock tomorrow, the Sky commentators will begin to talk about Courtney Lawes. They have him up there with Jesus and the likes.... But you will be sick hearing about him by the end of the game and that is a fact. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a Courtney Cam set up for tomorrow ( a camera that follows Courtney Lawes ONLY)... In fact even if Leinster do win tomorrow, Courntey Lawes will probably get man of the match.

Anyway enough of all that, lets get down to business.... Who do I think is going to win? Leinster.... Who do I want to win? Again Leinster..... Who is going to win? Comments and predictions below please... All I know is, its going to be a fantastic final. The Millenium Stadium is the best stadium in the world for an atmosphere and I hope they close the roof.... Allez le Bleus





RT Prediction: Leinster

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