NPR

fishfoodie wrote: Wed May 25, 2022 9:10 am No teams up yet, but we have the officials.

EPCR Challenge Cup Final

Friday 27 May 2022 21:00
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Ref: Luke Pearce (England) Assis Ref 1: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Assis Ref 2: Frank Murphy (Ireland) TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Lyon v RC Toulon


Heineken Champions Cup Final

Saturday 28 May 2022 17:45
Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Ref: Wayne Barnes (England) Assis Ref 1: Matthew Carley (England) Assis Ref 2: Christophe Ridley (England) TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Leinster Rugby v Stade Rochelais

PCPhil wrote: Wed May 25, 2022 9:58 am Is the match free to watch on a channel in Ireland?

TheFrog wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 11:12 am I fancy Toulon for the Challenge Cup as they are on impressive form and trying to put some varnish over a disappointing season.

In the Champions Cup, I struggle to see how La Rochelle can get anywhere near Leinster, especially if Leinster plays again at the level they were at against Toulouse.

La Rochelle will try to use its raw power to deny Leinster momentum and try to spoil the ball and prevent Leinster from putting pace in their game. But the Leinster pack has what is required to respond to La Rochelle's power up front so I don't think they will be worried. Add to that West who can't kick in front of the posts and Leinster know they can be naughty if needed to kill any momentum La Rochelle may have without risking punishment for that.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 9:36 am

TheFrog wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 11:12 am I fancy Toulon for the Challenge Cup as they are on impressive form and trying to put some varnish over a disappointing season.

In the Champions Cup, I struggle to see how La Rochelle can get anywhere near Leinster, especially if Leinster plays again at the level they were at against Toulouse.

La Rochelle will try to use its raw power to deny Leinster momentum and try to spoil the ball and prevent Leinster from putting pace in their game. But the Leinster pack has what is required to respond to La Rochelle's power up front so I don't think they will be worried. Add to that West who can't kick in front of the posts and Leinster know they can be naughty if needed to kill any momentum La Rochelle may have without risking punishment for that.

Toulon will win that conformably IMHO despite it being an all Fre final and we know what sh*tfests they always are. Surprised they have risked Kolbe though.

Other game is probably not even worth watching.

PCPhil wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 10:59 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 9:36 am

TheFrog wrote: Thu May 26, 2022 11:12 am I fancy Toulon for the Challenge Cup as they are on impressive form and trying to put some varnish over a disappointing season.

In the Champions Cup, I struggle to see how La Rochelle can get anywhere near Leinster, especially if Leinster plays again at the level they were at against Toulouse.

La Rochelle will try to use its raw power to deny Leinster momentum and try to spoil the ball and prevent Leinster from putting pace in their game. But the Leinster pack has what is required to respond to La Rochelle's power up front so I don't think they will be worried. Add to that West who can't kick in front of the posts and Leinster know they can be naughty if needed to kill any momentum La Rochelle may have without risking punishment for that.

Toulon will win that conformably IMHO despite it being an all Fre final and we know what sh*tfests they always are. Surprised they have risked Kolbe though.

Other game is probably not even worth watching.

Cor Torque, give us a smile. On that basis I wouldn’t have watched Jp vs SA in 2015!

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 6:58 pm How turgid is this going to be?

lemonhead wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 7:25 pmLinky?

fishfoodie wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 7:12 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 6:58 pm How turgid is this going to be?

Not going too bad so far; Lyon are certainly up for it & Toulon haven't seen the ball.

fishfoodie wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 7:44 pm Soooooo many handling errors

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 7:47 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 7:44 pm Soooooo many handling errors

Usual garbage when 2 Fre sides meet in a big game.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:16 pm Lyon ripping Toulon apart atm

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:16 pm Lyon ripping Toulon apart atm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:20 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:16 pm Lyon ripping Toulon apart atm

I forgot the pitch was artificial LOU play on plastic too and it's a major advantage because Toulon's whole game is based around power at Mayol. Here, Couilloud's fast service is simply bypassing RCT's pack whereas Serin's snail delivery is killing his own team.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:29 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:20 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:16 pm Lyon ripping Toulon apart atm

I forgot the pitch was artificial LOU play on plastic too and it's a major advantage because Toulon's whole game is based around power at Mayol. Here, Couilloud's fast service is simply bypassing RCT's pack whereas Serin's snail delivery is killing his own team.

I don’t think think pitch is plastic, not from those divots after the scrum

Tichtheid wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:36 pm That’s a penalty try

fishfoodie wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:39 pm Kolbe is like tits on a bull with this Toulon side