12 weeks for something that might be gouging, I don’t know...anyway we’ll talk about that later, especially for “gerry”!
Decided to wait, this week, for a couple of the teams to come out before we had a chat.
Changes aplenty for Munster
Plenty of changes for Munster, leading into their clash away to Edinburgh.
They have a hell of an injury list at the moment - Howlett, Dowling, Horan, Buckley, Ryan, most of whom would have been starting.
Add to that Quinlan getting rested, it leaves a team with a few unfamiliar combinations, particularly the front row, which is the one area they need to hammer down!
Munster haven’t lost to Edinburgh in a long time, either home or away and it would be considered a blow to a team that is only finding form again after a couple of hard weeks to lose.
Connacht have to build on wins
For Connacht, these next couple of games have to be seen as a make or break point for their season.
I know it’s a bit early in the season to be pulling that one out but if they can’t build on their great form in the Shield, you’d have to worry.
And as to your question “crawfy”, unfortunately “Acerizzle” has it on the button!
If Connacht ever want to get more funding and attention from the IRFU, they simply have to have a good season.
A win here and a win there, that ends up with a battle for last place, just won’t do.
Heartless IRFU
When it come to Connacht, the IRFU are simply (heartlessly) - doing the numbers game and making business decision for the “good “ of the other provinces!!
Not great I know but whether right or wrong, it’s been in Connacht’s hands for quite a while.
Leinster-Ulster to be high scoring
Leinster and Ulster are on pitch in Belfast on Saturday for what should be a good game to watch.
The Northies have been scoring some good tries, while still letting in quite a few of their own!
Should lead to a high scoring game. I'm surprised to see Wallace rested, as I would have thought that a win against another table-topper would have been top priority.
At least one of the backrow headaches has been removed for Cheika picking his side this week!
Can’t see too many changes in the backline and you would have to say that McLaughlin deserves to start at 6. Also would expect to see CJ starting to get game time.
If they can find some of that away form they showed last week, especially in defence they will come out on top.
Jennings ban could lead to dangerous water
As for Jennings ban, I just feel that this is heading into dangerous water.
Yes, they are right, there is absolutely no place for gouging in the game but what is troubling me is that lack of clarity over whether he did or didn't do it. What is coming out of this is that he “could have” done it - not that he 'did' do it.
Ban a guy for something he does. But please, don't ban him for something that might have been.
Where does this stop? Player running, hands off opposition, finger in eye....banned?!
Now if I may, I’ll get to a few of your questions from this week...
Welcome, welcome "gerry"!
Firstly, of course I’d like to welcome “gerry” and it’s great to see a man making an impression nice and early! Hope there’s are many more debates coming our way soon.
Anyway to what you’ve said, the first thing you’ve got wrong is that I was defending an old team mate over poor awl John!
If you knew your rugby, like most of the guy and girls that comment here on the blog, you’d know that I have played with John far more times than I ever played with Shane, having won nearly every cap I played with him!
Yes, I'm a Leinster fan but on a personal level, I’d have great allegiance to the Bull (as would most people in the country).
Remember to read!
If you read the piece (that’s the important bit!) at no point do I compare the two, I'm actually giving out about the disciplinary committees!
John’s own defence lawyers apologised to him, saying if they had known that a week's reduction in the ban was all they were going to get, they won’t have persued it.
As a red mist got John for that split second (the first time ever), a different red mist must have got hold of you when you started to read, or should I say scan!
And as of not commenting for the Sexton thing (where’d you pull that one out of?) fair enough but I had a look back and I don’t remember any protest from yourself around that time....