Sometimes we Irish fans need reminding there's other teams in the Pro12 beside the provinces...thankfully Liam Sinclair has stepped forward to do just that throughout the upcoming campaign...
Liam here, delighted Harpin’ on Rugby has given me an opportunity to spread my particular brand of writing. Using banal generalisations and overused clichés, my particular concentration will be reviewing and previewing the non-Irish Pro12 teams in the Heineken Cup and the RaboPro12.
We’ll start things off by taking a quick look at how we think the teams are going to do next season. It was really close all last year but the usual suspects managed to take the top spots. I’m hoping for change this year with the less successful Welsh provinces wanting their voices heard and some urgency injected into the Scots after near misses for both teams last year.
WALES
Mission accomplished for the Ospreysdomestically, time to focus on Europe. They have been given a pool that, while tough, they have every chance of qualifying from and this will be their focus. They will need one big win on the road against The Tigers or Toulouse but home form will be the foundation. Due to this change in focus they will place below the top 4 in the pro12 and challenge more strongly in Europe. I rate them to qualify for the knockouts.
Has to be this year for Cardiff. Ran out of steam towards the end of the season losing four of their last six but possess a squad filled with talented, mentally strong individuals. Europe was a fluke last year due to a bizarre (exciting) pool. Will be right in there at the business end of the season domestically but will barely register in Europe.
Scarlets. Much like last year will keep in touch with Cardiff and the top spots until near the end. They have exciting attackers that will hopefully be utilised and the battle between these provinces will be one to watch. Tough European pool with Leinster and Clermont leaves them little hope of qualification which could lend further advantage domestically.
N.G.D. Domestic mid table obscurity beckons once again and might even be looking over their shoulders at Treviso and Connacht. Surprisingly tough Challenge cup pool from which they won’t qualify. A nothing season.
Cardiff, the Spreys and Scarlets will all be aiming for the playoffs and right here, right now I’m tipping Cardiff to make it in with Spreys finishing next strongest.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh will prioritise the Rabo this year. Home form will need to be the foundation for a serious assault on the top spots. It’s a realistic goal and I rate them to make it. In Europe they will come up against three teams that will expect to beat them and avoiding finishing bottom might have to be spun as success come March.
Glasgow will fall to mid table and will crash out in the pools in Europe. Have a feeling they have the ability to ruin it for one of Ulster or Northampton though with one decent showing.
ITALY
Treviso will be aiming to better their 10th place and 3 try Bps suggests that there is the attacking potential to worry opposition. Once they’ve gotten through a tough start the problem, a common one for many small teams, will be closing off games from a winning position. I think they’re good enough to finish above at least two other teams, maybe three. 9th a success at the expense of The Dragons.
Zebre are brand new so should be hard to tell?? The big question has to be ‘’can a Heron change its stripes?’’ Let’s be mad, go out on a limb. No they can’t. They’re gonna be terrible. Last in the Pro12, last in ERC Pool C.
So Edinburgh and Cardiff to make the Play-Offs, Ospreys, Scarlets and Glasgow to be behind that leading pack, Treviso a little further back along with The Dragons leaving Zebre way behind everybody.
That’s how I think It’ll pan out, hope I’m not too embarrassed come May.
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© JL Pagano 2012
