Heineken Cup Semi Final Previews and Predictions

Leinster v. Toulouse (Aviva Stadium, Sat 30th April, 15.00)

Surely the clash of the weekend. In fact, the clash of the year. This is going to be a brilliant game. Looking at the quarter finals, Leinster took care of Leicester in Dublin, playing in 4th gear. On the flip side, Toulouse needed extra time to beat Biarritz in a pulsating game in San Sebastian. You can forget that result though. Tolouse booked themselves a place in the knock-out stages of the top 14 last weekend. They are entering their 10th consecutive Heineken Cup Semi Final and are of course defending champions. Leinster seem certain to have booked a place in theiir domestic knock out stages also. They are going into this game having won every cup game this year in sensational fashion. In my opinion and I've heard a lot of people say this too, it is to be Leinsters year again. They are a hard team to beat in the Aviva Stadium and their Heineken Cup form this year is light years ahead of the rest. Toulouse have selected based on form, leaving Jauzion and Dusautoir on the bench. A formiddable pair to spring from the bench, Leinster will need to note their presence when they come on. The back 3's from each team are world class. Fitzgerald, Horgan and Nacewa making up Leinsters contingent. Fitzgerald has had a dissapointing season to date, while Shaggy has averaged a try every 3 games. Isa Nacewa though is the man to look out for. He is at the heartbeat of every Leinster attack these days and his try in the quarter final was a glimpse of his talent when running from fullback. We've seen France counter attack on many occasion, Toulouse emply the same tactics. They are fantastic when they come together but thats only IF they come together. Its going to be a fantastic display of attacking rugby and I as the writer of Ruck-That would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Irish players and provinces the best of luck this weekend. (I do not write the Super Rugby Round ups)

Allez les Bleus....

RT Prediction: Leinster

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Northampton Saints v. Perpignan (Milton Keynes, Sunday May 1st, 15.00 local time)

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet as I have been writting predictions now for the last hour and I'm fed up. Northampton, along with Leinster, are the only other team who are undefeated in the Heineken Cup this year. This is probably quite significant for Sundays  encounter as it illustrates the type of season Northampton have been having. They are doing quite well in the Premiership but without a doubt, their main focus will be on the Heineken cup. Perpignan knocked out Toulon, who were no push overs by any means of the imagination. The Saints had a tough encounter too against an Ulster side who lacked the pedigree needed for the kncok out stages of this competition. I really should be saying Northampton to win this one, based on well, everything. I'm not going to though, I've had a sneaky feeling about Perpignan for a while now and I think they have it in them to win away from home. Their fullback Porical, is one of their best players and it shocks me that he isn't Frances first choice. Northampton don't lack class either, espescially in that department with Foden at the helm. They do have something about them this season to be fair but I'm going to go with my gut on this one.

RT Prediction: Perpignan

Amlin Challenge Cup Special

We'll start off with the Amlin Challenge Cup and take a look at our 2 semi-finals. First up its Munster v Harlequins, followed by the All French affair of
  Stade Francais v. Clermont Auvergne.

Munster v. Harlequins (Thomond Park, Sat 30th April, 13.00 local time)

I saw a headline during the week which read " Monye backing Evans in shoot-out with O'Gara". As you can imagine, this made me laugh quite a bit, after I figured out who Evans was. For those of you who don't know, Nick Evans is the out-half who came onto the pitch in 2009 against Leinster as the bood sub in the scandal that was "bloodgate". Yes that is infact the last time I actually heard of Nick Evans making a headline in European Rugby. Now, all of a sudden he is the man to fear as he comes to Thomond Park tommorow with Quins. I don't know what is funnier though, the thought that Evans can out kick RO'G or the fact that Ugo Monye thinks this game is going to be decided on kicks?

Harlequins are placed 7th in the Aviva Premiership, while Munster are sitting at the top of the Magners eagerly awaiting the knock-out stages. In the European rankings, Munster are again at the top in 1st place and all the way down a whole 21 places are the Harlequins (22nd)... Sitting below Glasgow and Ulster!

I really don't need to go any further do I?

and oh yeah.... He's back!

RT Prediction: Munster (by atleast 10)

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Stade Francais v. Clermont Auvergne (Stade Charlety, Paris Friday 29th April, 20.45 local time)

I'm not going to pretend I know my stuff on French rugby. I simply don't watch any of it. From the little knowledge I have, I'd probably pick Clermont to win this. They have been a stronger team over the last few years and have always proved difficult opposition against both Munster and more recently Leinster in the Heineken cup. They are also in the hunt for the top 14 title while Stade have been out of the league for a while now. Both of these teams are typically French. They could turn up and play a fantastic game or they could just as easily not turn up at all. Michael Cheika is in charge of Stade at the minute and he will be keen to see them win this as it is the only chance they have of gaining Heineken Cup qualification for next year. If leage form is anything to go by then this would be easy to predict as Stade have lost 6 of their last 7. 

However if team selection is to play a part (and lets face it, it obviously should) then it would seem Clermont are saving themselves for their last Domestic game. Its hard to know. Clermont have a habbit of doing stupid things like that when it comes to claiming European silverwear hence their lack of it! But they have an embarrasment of riches when it comes to players.

RT Prediction: Clermont Auvergne 

Supa Dupa Rugby Round-up with Fancois " BOD aint no GOD" Badenhorst

Is there anything he can't do?

HEY! WAKE THE FUCK UP! Yeah, you know why. It’s Super Rugby round 10.
The round kicked off in North Harbour as the Blues beat the Rebels 40-23 in an entertaining game. The Rebels tried their damndest but they come up short against quality opposition almost everytime. On a sidenote, Blues flanker Jerome Kaino loves ball carrying. The Crusaders lost. I’m not talking about the historical Crusaders that sacked Jerusalem here; I’m talking about the modern day rugby playing variety. They went down 26-18 to Highlanders early Saturday morning (early for those of us who don’t inhabit middle earth of course) at home in what is surely a sign of the coming apocalypse. The ‘Saders have been blazing of late and I would have bet my house that they would’ve gotten the victory here, despite Coach Todd Blackadder missing some stars. Big shout has got to go to Highlanders flank Jarrad Hoeata (try remembering that fucking spelling) who played like, to quote the late great Bill McLaren, “A man possessed.”
Meanwhile in Oz, The Reds ended their long losing streak against the Waratahs by winning 19-15 in Brisbane. Now, I hate the Reds, I’m not even gonna lie, but they are playing like champs at the moment. In another vintage Reds try celebration Quade Cooper backflipped like a Soviet gymnast. He also played okay I suppose... bastard. The Bulls lost, again, to the Force 26-21 in Perth on Saturday. To be honest, there’s more chance of me engaging in a whirlwind affair with Kate Middleton than the Bulls defending their title. They’re playing shit and they deserved to lose.
The Sharks are really large. I’m not just talking like usual pro rugby large; I’m talking construction equipment large. They’re easily the biggest team in this tournament and when they use their physiques right it’s a pretty special sight. The Hurricanes found it out first hand as they lost 40-24 in Durban with John Smit having his best game in about a millennia. We all know whats coming here. Lions. Lost.34. 30. To. The. Chiefs. Yes, that’s right the team that is addicted to losing lost. Big surprise there. To be fair to them they played decent but they undo any good work they do by acting brain dead at other times. It’s more frustrating than that rich old uncle who just won’t die so you can claim the inheritance.
I just want to take some time out of my day to wish Brian O’Driscoll all the bad luck and sadness in the world tomorrow . ALLEZ TOULOUSIAN.
There ya go my precious concubines. Big Fran got you covered. Yeah