The Pro12 hasn’t gone away you know! Liam Sinclair has a look at how the Welsh, Scottish & Italian teams are doing…
I know you’re all beat into the 6 Nations which started last weekend but if I could just take a moment of your time I’d like to take a look at where the Non-Irish Pro12 teams stand compared to expectations. Won’t take long. I swear.
Benetton Treviso;
8th in the Pro12, 4th in their Heineken Cup pool Treviso are good value for their league position. Strengthening their reputation as a team that are hard to beat and well on the way to consistent 80 minute performances. They have put emphasis on their home form, oft seen as pivotal for a team’s success.
High Points; While victories in both derby matches v Zebre would’ve been satisfying and beating an in-form Scarlets was decent the stand out high are victories over reigning Pro12 champs Ospreys, once each per competition.
Low Points; Near miss against Ulster chafed, shipping 41 points to Glasgow wasn’t ideal but by far the most disappointing part of the campaign was in the Heineken Cup’s Pool 2. Competed in every match and might have been a different story had they not been surrounded by such quality teams.
Goals Moving Forward; Keep doing what they’re doing. 8th is an acceptable position for the Italians. Keep the performances coming, find some consistency and the project is where it should be.
Cardiff Blues;
Disappointingly 7th domestically and a H-Cup campaign to forget. Lack of consistency is the main killer having failed to win more than two matches in a row all season. Both those ‘’runs’’ involved victory over Newport. I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions there. 6th are a distant ahead and could even be looking over their shoulders at Treviso 1 point behind.
High Points; Few and far between. Any compliments have a shined turd feel to them but victory over Munster in their most recent outing deserves a mention.
Low Points; A little easier. Shipping 48 at home to Ulster and 59 away to Leinster must be hard ones to swallow but starting their European campaign by gifting a rudderless Sale victory must be the lowest.
Goals Moving Forward; Damage control. This season is a write off but a run of wins to cement current position is needed to have something to build on next year.
Edinburgh;
What can be said of this year’s Edinburgh side? I had rated them for an assault on the playoff spots at the expense of a decent European campaign. Dead bottom of the overall Heineken cup table and 9th in the Pro12. Really just the best of the non-contenders. Does that count as half right? Already a season to forget.
High Points; Em…..? Beating The Ospreys was alright……. I suppose.
Low Points; Double derby defeats definitely disappointed, shipping 40+ v Ulster not ideal. We head to European competition once again for biggest failure. Finishing bottom of their pool with 0 points, lower than Zebre, is bad enough but failing to register a single point in the opening 2 rounds is embarrassing. Last year’s semi-finalists remember.
Goals Moving Forward; Much the same as Cardiff, the rest of the season is about steadying the ship. With the final four fixtures being against the teams nearest them (Zebre A, Connacht H, Treviso A, NGD H) a run of wins can see them as ‘’best of the rest’’.
Glasgow;
Sit 2nd in the Pro12 behind rampant Ulster. Where they want to be and certainly beat my expectations. Another of my teams that disappointed in Europe but small satisfaction to be gained having ruined it for Northampton on the final day.
High Points; No outstanding achievements really, Glasgow seem to just do the simple things right. Back to back derby wins always a good thing, beating Ospreys in Swansea not to be sneezed at and registering 30+ v NGD and 40+ v Zebre enough to put a smile on the face. I’m a fan of their wrecking job on Northampton’s hopes but maybe I’m just not a great person?
Low Points; Again nothing major. Disappointing in Europe but not embarrassed. The 0-6 at home to Leinster didn’t make for great watching.
Goals Moving Forward; I can’t fault a thing. Glasgow need to keep doing what they’re doing and they should be OK.
Newport Gwent Dragons;
Domestic mid table obscurity beckons once again and might even be looking over their shoulders at Treviso and Connacht. Surprisingly tough Challenge cup group from which they won’t qualify. A nothing season.
This is what I said before the season started. The Dragons are 11th in the Pro12 and finished 3rd in their Challenge Cup pool. About right.
High Points; Have recorded victories over Zebre(37-6), Edinburgh(32-12) and Connacht(14-3).
Low Points; Have shipped 40+ twice this season (v Leinster and Ulster).
Goals Moving Forward; Don’t lose to Zebre and get at least 1 victory on the road. Both can be achieved in Parma on 24/2.
Ospreys;
After a slow start The ‘Spreys have worked themselves into the Play-Off positions. 4th domestically, 3rd in their European pool making them the best performing Non-Irish Pro12 team in the contest. Didn’t embarrass themselves in Pool 2 and may even be contemplating what could’ve been.
High Points; Ending the winning start of rivals Llanelli was satisfying, doubling up on it by hammering them a few months later was the icing on the cake, continuing their good form over Leinster, a solid victory over Munster worth a mention. The biggest hurray goes to the Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse. An achievement for any side.
Low Points; No disrespect to Treviso but the Ospreys will feel they should be beating them so two defeats are hard to take. The second especially as it came on the tails of a disappointing draw with Leicester, a match they should have won on the day.
Goals Moving Forward; Another one that doesn’t require much thinking. Keep winning matches. A good mix of fixtures coming up.
Scarlets;
A good start has petered out somewhat leaving Scarlets in a not too shabby 5th. Europe was disappointing but there was always the feeling that they didn’t have the squad for 2 competitions.
High Points; A good victory over Leinster on day 1 remains the most pleasing part of the Scarlet’s season.
Low Points; Exeter would have liked to emerge from Europe with at least 1 victory. The double headers against Exeter will be seen as a missed opportunity, especially at home. The biggest let down though has to be the absence of their Welsh contingent when Ulster came to town for what was a 1st v 2nd clash. Wales’ decision to play an extra Autumn International (which they lost) may have had a bearing on what ended up a narrow defeat. This was compounded by a hammering in the return fixture and will be looked at come season’s end as a missed opportunity.
Goals Moving Forward; 1) Stop getting injuries. 2) Reel in the Spreys who are a point ahead. 3) Don’t let Munster, a point behind, catch up. Simple really.
Zebre;
Not a lot to be said. Aironi 2.0 have performed exactly as expected. Dead last in the Pro12, dead last in Europe’s pool 3. Not a single victory to their name.
High Points; They haven’t been wound up by FIR. Some of the girls in the crowd are stunning. (Maybe the blokes as well?)
Low Points; Take your pick from the matches. Their name is kinda crap.
Goals Moving Forward; Win a match.
That’s how I see it. Used the word ‘’disappointing’’ a lot when talking of Europe but sure there’s always next year. You may go back to 6 Nations chat.
Liam Sinclair (@liam_bs) – Guesses, generalisations and clichés.
