The run in

[UlsterNo9]

If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

Even Leinster would struggle if they lost Furlong and Ala'alatoa, they're onto Abdaladze at 3rd choice.

[Dave]

If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

Incase he's injured, after coming off with an injury. All bases covered.

[Lurgan Lad]

If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

Even Leinster would struggle if they lost Furlong and Ala'alatoa, they're onto Abdaladze at 3rd choice.

Would guess Porter might be third choice, but needless to say tight head isn't a position it is easy to have good depth at

[UlsterNo9]

Would guess Porter might be third choice, but needless to say tight head isn't a position it is easy to have good depth at

It could, but then you're robbing loose head, can Healy do a full 80. Drop off to Milne and Ed Byrne is sizeable.

Just to stoke the fire Leinster have two NIQ tight head props Abdaladze and Ala'alatoa contracted to 2024.

[jean valjean]

Just looking at leinsters fixture list, they play toulouse then possible URC QF, URC SF, Heineken final, URC Final in the following 4 weeks. There is no way they can play their strongest 23 for 5 weeks in a row so may be vulnerable, especially in the URC semi as it is the week before the Heineken.

[CIMANFOREVER]

If we don't screw up agin Edinburgh, Bulls or Sharks qf, then Stormers home sf is the likely path to our Nemesis. That's a physical route.
We'll ship injuries. Squad depth will be tested to stretching point

TOT on crutches. Obviously, no Marty Moore. We now rely solely on Jeff and Milo. If we lose Jeff it would be an unmitigated disaster. Next season, we will be in a worse situation.

Soper said the crutches were a precaution, when interviewed after the game. Which is a positive, doesn't mean O'Toole is not injured, just means the crutches doesn't necessarily mean the worst.

It highlights our vulnerability in a key position though

Even Leinster would struggle if they lost Furlong and Ala'alatoa, they're onto Abdaladze at 3rd choice.

Abdaladze is a hell of a step up from Milo. Is he not Georgian capped now?

[CIMANFOREVER]

Just looking at leinsters fixture list, they play toulouse then possible URC QF, URC SF, Heineken final, URC Final in the following 4 weeks. There is no way they can play their strongest 23 for 5 weeks in a row so may be vulnerable, especially in the URC semi as it is the week before the Heineken.

They're resting next week and can afford to rest plenty of the frontliners against probably sharks/ Bulls/ Connacht.
Agree they could be stretched by URC final. But then so could we x 2

[CIMANFOREVER]

1. Leinster Pts 79 Wins 16
2. Ulster Pts 64 Wins 12
3. Stormers Pts 63 Wins 11
4. Glasgow Pts 58 Wins 12
5. Munster Pts 53 Wins 10
6. Connacht Pts 49 Wins 10
7. Bulls Pts 48 Wins 9
8. Sharks Pts 46 Win 9

Round 18 Fixtures

Stormers v Benetton
Glasgow v Connacht
Bulls v Leinster
Sharks v Munster
Ulster v Edinburgh


Leinster, Glasgow Benetton have European fixture weekend after. Glasgow and Benetton may prioritise selection to suit Europe as said elsewhere.
Munster and Connacht competing for 3rd best placed Irish team for European Cup qualification
Bulls and Sharks competing for 3rd best placed Irish team for European Cup qualification
Ulster and Stormers battling for 2nd place

I hope Leinster end up facing Bulls or Sharks, they'll match them physically. Leinster could then face Munster in Semi Final. No easy route whilst juggling Europe.

I don't really mind who we get as long as we retain second spot. The Bulls gave us a really tough game, so probably would like to avoid them.

I'd rather Bulls than Sharks. Sharks have the talent to explode. They can also implode. Bulls are Meh.

[CIMANFOREVER]

Would guess Porter might be third choice, but needless to say tight head isn't a position it is easy to have good depth at

It could, but then you're robbing loose head, can Healy do a full 80. Drop off to Milne and Ed Byrne is sizeable.

Just to stoke the fire Leinster have two NIQ tight head props Abdaladze and Ala'alatoa contracted to 2024.

Milne is playing well

[Big-al]

By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

[Neill_M]

By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Glasgow team selection v Connacht will be interesting. Go strong OR play the 2s ahead of the Parker Pen next week.

[jean valjean]

Reckon Glasgow will go 50 / 50 with some front liners on the bench.

[Big-al]

By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Glasgow team selection v Connacht will be interesting. Go strong OR play the 2s ahead of the Parker Pen next week.

Perhaps.

I’m going for a BP win Bulls, BP Sharks, win for ulster and win for Glasgow.

Connacht really don’t want to finish 8th either, they need a win, or they will be going to Dublin.

[justinr73]

By my reckoning if everything goes to plan, then we’ll be playing Sharks in the QF.

We could have had easier draws!!!

Glasgow team selection v Connacht will be interesting. Go strong OR play the 2s ahead of the Parker Pen next week.

Perhaps.

I’m going for a BP win Bulls, BP Sharks, win for ulster and win for Glasgow.

Connacht really don’t want to finish 8th either, they need a win, or they will be going to Dublin.

Agree with your first two.

Nice weather today. Should be an open game so BP for us too.

Connacht will therefore kick off in 8th.

[justinr73]

If Connacht win then they’re likely to be back to Glasgow.

Bulls could get past Munster too, sending the Turnips to Belfast…