https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0763rvt
Thursday 11 April 2019
BLOODGATE 10 YEARS ON
Riveting podcast from BBC on Bloodgate saga at Harlequins 10 years on featuring Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Tom Williams, all who were there that fateful day.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0763rvt
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0763rvt
Tuesday 9 April 2019
CUP FINALS COME EARLY THIS WEEKEND
Fantastic Friday this week sees some vital games in both the English Premiership and Pro 14, the outcomes of which will have a big impact on who qualifies for Europe or who gets relegated.
Newcastle v Leicester
Only five points now separate Newcastle (bottom with 29 points) and Leicester (34 points) who play each other on Friday night in the North East. Leicester appear in freefall, and despite having all their English internationals now back from Six Nations duty, defensively looked very disorganised against Exeter last weekend. They look like a disparate bunch of individuals rather than a professional team. And with Tom Youngs being sent off in that game, they may not see him again this season, which will hurt them leadership wise, especially as his brother, Ben, is already absent with injury. Still, players like Tuilagi, May and Ford need to step up and set an example for their less high profile team mates.
Newcastle, with ex Leicester heroes like Dean Richards as coach, Vereneki Goneva, the flying Fijian, on the wing, and Toby Flood at 10, will have added motivation to inflict more pain on their old club. Despite narrowly missing out on a losing bonus point to Sarries last weekend, Newcastle competed strongly up front, and with John Hardie and Mark Wilson in the back row, will not be short of possession. If they can win front foot ball for the likes of Sinotti, Harris and Goneva they will test Leicester's fragile defence, and in Takulua, they have a 80%+ kicker. A win is imperative for both teams in a true 8 point game.
Edinburgh v Ulster
Benetton v Munster
Edinburgh's second half performance against Scarlets last weekend was sheer quality - being 12 points down at half time against a very good Scarlets team with all their Grand Slam stars back - as they scored 20 unanswered points to win the game and deny the Welsh province a valuable losing point. With Ulster being comfortably beaten by Glasgow Warriors, and Benetton drawing with Leinster, this narrowed the gap in Pro14 Conference B between Edinburgh and the Italian province to 1 point, and between Edinburgh and Ulster to 3 points, meaning this Friday's fixture at Murrayfield is now massive.
If Edinburgh win (with a bonus point) they will then be 2 points ahead of Ulster, and in a strong position to secure that valuable 2nd league position going into the final weekend, where they play Glasgow, who will need to also win their game to secure 2nd place in Conference A. However, if Benetton beat Munster at home (a week before their Heineken semi final) then, with only Zebre to beat on the final weekend, they will then be favourites to finish 2nd behind Leinster, and secure home advantage for the play off against the 3rd place team in Conference A (possibly Connacht). But, if Ulster can beat Edinburgh this weekend, or secure a losing bonus point, then they will be in the driving seat themselves for that 2nd place, as they face Leinster (at home) in their final fixture, who have already won Conference B (and are still in Heineken Cup). If Ulster are victorious this Friday, it could mean Edinburgh will only finish 4th in Conference B, forcing them into a play off with the team that finishes 4th in Conference A (Blues or Ospreys) for that final 7th Pro14 Heineken spot.
Newcastle v Leicester
Only five points now separate Newcastle (bottom with 29 points) and Leicester (34 points) who play each other on Friday night in the North East. Leicester appear in freefall, and despite having all their English internationals now back from Six Nations duty, defensively looked very disorganised against Exeter last weekend. They look like a disparate bunch of individuals rather than a professional team. And with Tom Youngs being sent off in that game, they may not see him again this season, which will hurt them leadership wise, especially as his brother, Ben, is already absent with injury. Still, players like Tuilagi, May and Ford need to step up and set an example for their less high profile team mates.
 |
| Tom Youngs suspension could be critical for Leicester |
Newcastle, with ex Leicester heroes like Dean Richards as coach, Vereneki Goneva, the flying Fijian, on the wing, and Toby Flood at 10, will have added motivation to inflict more pain on their old club. Despite narrowly missing out on a losing bonus point to Sarries last weekend, Newcastle competed strongly up front, and with John Hardie and Mark Wilson in the back row, will not be short of possession. If they can win front foot ball for the likes of Sinotti, Harris and Goneva they will test Leicester's fragile defence, and in Takulua, they have a 80%+ kicker. A win is imperative for both teams in a true 8 point game.
Edinburgh v Ulster
Benetton v Munster
Edinburgh's second half performance against Scarlets last weekend was sheer quality - being 12 points down at half time against a very good Scarlets team with all their Grand Slam stars back - as they scored 20 unanswered points to win the game and deny the Welsh province a valuable losing point. With Ulster being comfortably beaten by Glasgow Warriors, and Benetton drawing with Leinster, this narrowed the gap in Pro14 Conference B between Edinburgh and the Italian province to 1 point, and between Edinburgh and Ulster to 3 points, meaning this Friday's fixture at Murrayfield is now massive.
 |
| Jonathan Davies was superb on Friday night against Edinburgh |
If Edinburgh win (with a bonus point) they will then be 2 points ahead of Ulster, and in a strong position to secure that valuable 2nd league position going into the final weekend, where they play Glasgow, who will need to also win their game to secure 2nd place in Conference A. However, if Benetton beat Munster at home (a week before their Heineken semi final) then, with only Zebre to beat on the final weekend, they will then be favourites to finish 2nd behind Leinster, and secure home advantage for the play off against the 3rd place team in Conference A (possibly Connacht). But, if Ulster can beat Edinburgh this weekend, or secure a losing bonus point, then they will be in the driving seat themselves for that 2nd place, as they face Leinster (at home) in their final fixture, who have already won Conference B (and are still in Heineken Cup). If Ulster are victorious this Friday, it could mean Edinburgh will only finish 4th in Conference B, forcing them into a play off with the team that finishes 4th in Conference A (Blues or Ospreys) for that final 7th Pro14 Heineken spot.
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