Leinster Clermont Auvernge

[jaybee]

spanking delivered.... :-)

[tony]

Yes No regrets needed for Ivor. What a team. Great to watch.At a communion and we ende up watching the football after. By god it is turgid in comparison. Fair play to Ulster they put up a very good performance. The scoreline flattered Leinster in the end but it is great to see them win so easily in the end. Felt sorry for the 20yr ulster lad a very tough game for him.
Hopefully not too much partying this time and they can see off the ospreys.

[fergus]

More than the result, it was the manner of the victory that impressed me most. Leinster upped their game and dominated in every aspect of the play. It was a thoroughly professional performance.

[jaybee]

the gushing from sky will have enraged the munster troops.....!!

[fergus]

I think that poor old Munster have a lot of rebuilding to do quickly to catch up. I know these things come in cycles but they need to get a move on.

[Ivor]

A great exhibition of rugby from both teams. Ulster looked dangerous at time but whenever they loomed Leinster swamped them. In many ways it was a victory for coaches. Schmidt made it very clear when he came in that he was going to improve Leinster's handling and passing skills and by God he has! It's the stuff of black magic at times where players know and trust their teammates will be there to run onto a pass. Ulster on the other hand put a talented but inexperienced 20 year old out to play against the best team in Europe when they had the option of starting with Ian Humphreys. Madness.

It was a great day for Irish rugby too.... the standard was high and the entertainment value unsurpassable!

[fergus]

Well summed up Ivor. I also felt from when the teams were announced that the omission of Humphreys was a big mistake. But, to be fair, I felt that he did not make too much of a difference when he did come on....perhaps the damage was well and truly done by then.

I don't think that we are quite at the Black Magic stage yet but if Schmidt can do one final thing for the team namely offloading the ball in contact then we will definitely be unstoppable. Yes BOD does it like no other but that is instinctive genius. The others do not quite have it but if they do acquire that difficult skill I think that it will further open out their play and allow them to play to their natural strengths.

[tony]

Well summed up Ivor. I also felt from when the teams were announced that the omission of Humphreys was a big mistake. But, to be fair, I felt that he did not make too much of a difference when he did come on....perhaps the damage was well and truly done by then.

I don't think that we are quite at the Black Magic stage yet but if Schmidt can do one final thing for the team namely offloading the ball in contact then we will definitely be unstoppable. Yes BOD does it like no other but that is instinctive genius. The others do not quite have it but if they do acquire that difficult skill I think that it will further open out their play and allow them to play to their natural strengths.

By god Fergus I wouldnt like to be managed by your good self. Heineken Cup unbeaten, Pro12 ran away with the league and you are still looking for improvements. Have to get them up against the all blacks and see how they fare.

[Diapason]

If Schmidt can do one final thing for the team namely offloading the ball in contact then we will definitely be unstoppable. Yes BOD does it like no other but that is instinctive genius. The others do not quite have it but if they do acquire that difficult skill I think that it will further open out their play and allow them to play to their natural strengths.

Agreed, and I think off-loading in the tackle has stood in Ireland's way too many times against tough opposition where space is limited.

Really enjoyed the match yesterday, thought Ulster played really well too, and although they were outclassed in the end, the score certainly flattered Leinster. Might need to pay up and get Sky Sports next year, the Heineken Cup has become just too damn entertaining to miss.

[Ivor]

Yes BOD does it like no other but that is instinctive genius. The others do not quite have it .....

Ah now, Sexton, D'arcy, Madigan and the 2 Kearneys made passes yesterday that looked like something out of The Matrix! There's no doubt that BO'D is the real natural on the team but there's a chemistry there now that must be the envy of all other Northern hemisphere clubs.