Heineken Cup Round 6 Previews

Aironi v Ulster

Ulster stand on the brink of qualification for the first time since 99 (when they last won the cup). Surprisingly they could still top their group should they pick up more match points than Biarritz who are at home to Bath. The more likely scenario is that both Ulster and Biarritz will collect bonus point wins leaving Biarritz to qualify in 1st place with Ulster grabbing one of the best runners up spots.

RT prediction: Ulster

Racing Métro 92 v. Leinster

With Leinster already qualified and Racing Métro out of contention, it looks like a fairly useless game. Rest assured however that Leinster are travelling to Paris in search of a home quarter final. With Heaslip and D'arcy back on board and Leinster in the flying form they are in, who would bet against them home or away. I see nothing other than a Leinster victory here and a home quarter final for them.

RT prediction: Leinster


Munster v. London Irish

This game at the beginning of the campaign had the potential to be a cracker, sadly however it will not have any bearing on who wins the group. There is however, a challenge cup spot up for grabs. Munster have qualified for the knock out stages 12 years in a row, have played in four finals and won two of them. There plan would not have been to win a challenge cup at the beginning of the season however it would seem that Munster are at a cross roads and the Amlin challenge cup could prove to be a very useful competition in terms of developing the squad. I would really like to see McGahan go for the win here and use this competition to blood the likes of Ian Nagle, Scott Deasy, Tommy O'Donnel etc. These boys are the future of the club and it would do them good to expose them to European Rugby albeit not at the highest level.  London Irish are a useful side when they feel like it but no matter how much they try they will not beat a hurting Munster side in Thomond Park this weekend.

RT prediction: Munster

Guinness is good for you! Enjoy Fantasy Rugby sensibly

Well its back, possibly one of the things I look forward to the most about the Six Nations is the Guinness Fantasy Rugby competition... Click the link below and get joined up!! I'll set up a pool for all the followers of this blog also, join if you think your up to the challenge!

Look, even Paul O'Connell plays it when he's not too busy saving the world!!

Guinness Fantasy Six Nations 2011

Kidneys Fullback conundrum

So as we all know, the Six Nations is just around the corner. Ireland kick off their campaign in the Stadio Flaminio away to Italy. They do this without their first choice and second choice fullback (Kearney and Murphy respectively). Now don't get me wrong, I hope they recover quickly and get back to their best and all of that jazz but I couldn't have wished for a better scenario. What has happened to Rob Kearney in the last year! I have not been more unimpressed in all my life. When Kearney went on the Lions tour he was playing some fairly good rugby, people were even talking about him being the best full-back in the world (that's another matter), but since he came back from the tour he has been very ordinary. I'm not saying that he was a one hit wonder, I believe we will see the best of him yet but his performances in the last year have been mediocre at best and in my opinion all the talk about him went to his head, which is now firmly lodged up his hole!

So with the fortunate injury of Kearney you now look at Geordan Murphy, except you don't because he's fucked too. I have no problem with Murphy, except that he is a bit predictable at this stage of his career. So with those 2 out of the picture Kidney has a problem, or so you would think. Enter Luke Fitzgerald.

This is the perfect opportunity for him to show what he can do in his supposedly preferred position. He is in my opinion the best counter attacking option that Ireland have got to offer. He's sound under the high ball, shows good pace and has an electric side step, great handling skills and most of all he's got a brain and a half when it comes to playing the game. His only downfall for fullback is his kicking, its poor but he can work on that! Kidney could also opt for Keith Earls, another superb counter attacker and actually has more pace than Fitzgerald. The Moyross magician as he is more affectionately known has bags of talent and has yet to be given a real chance on the international stage. I couldn't finish without mentioning Gavin Duffy from Connacht, Kidney could also pick him but I hope he doesn't....cause he's shit! My monies on Fitzgerald getting the nod for the Italy game, after that, its over to him!

My first shiny new post!

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. I've wanted to make a blog now for a while and I spent some time mulling over the idea of it. I knew that if I made one I'd probably end up filling it with rugby related news and views. So with that, I decided to dedicate my blog to the wonderful sport. Lets get one thing clear, I will rant on about various teams, players, coaches etc. the good the bad and the ugly, you know yourself but the point of this blog is not to offend anyone although on occasion I will manage that and if you have a problem with it..well...fuck you.

I think we can all be friends on this blog, consider it your blog as much as mine! I welcome anything you have to say on anything rugby related and I look forward to hearing from you, thank you and Enjoy