Monday, May 02, 2016

Front Five - 02.05.16

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.
 
Later today on HarpinOnRugby…
our Ulster v Leinster writeup
is titled “Needs and Wants”
 
 

"Gatland was still coaching (Wales), wasn't he? He was still sitting next to Howley in the coaches' box anyway." - David Nucifora
 
 
Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

After all negativity surrounding Irish rugby this season, the IRFU’s fire power may yet prove to be a game changer
 
 
Alan Drumm - Pundit Arena

Ulster could make the top four with a bonus-point defeat or even if taking nothing from the Liberty Stadium, provided Munster ensured the same fate for the Scarlets at Thomond Park.
 
 
Gerry Thornley - Irish Times

'You have to be your best on your worst day.'
 
 
Megan Williams - SportsJOE.ie

"It’s a sad day but they’ll bounce back if they stick together because they’ve got so many of the building blocks in place." - Conor O'Shea
 
 
Robert Kitson - The Guardian

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP
Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Sunday, May 01, 2016

Online comments after Ulster v Leinster

A selection of the “keyboard warrior” reactions after the full-time whistle of our featured matches of the weekend.

If you’d like to contribute stay tuned to our Facebook page for our “Feel free to leave your thoughts…” posts which show up around full time after Leinster & Ireland matches.

Rugby Opinion


To say Clancy favoured Ulster would be a massive understatement. Only bothered to referee one side. I know Leinster were lethargic in the latter stages of the second half but that scoreline greatly flatters Ulster.
I hope we meet again in the knockout stages, we owe them one after that...

Daragh Faughnan



Pre match interview with Leo told a lot. He talked about Leinster players looking to impress to get on SA tour rather than a desire to win the match and finish season as strongly as possible. Our failure to score when we get within 5 metres of the line is a recurring problem (And George Clancy does what he does best - inept!)

Andrew Bailey



Boring and predictable!

Tom Clarke



Well done Ulster bullied us up front and their back had a game plan which we didn't if l hadn't have seen Matt OConnor on tv in Australia this morning l would have thought he was back in charge we were awful and lm really sorry to say if this is the best Dempsey has to offer our back players will it not good enough and we will have to bring someone else in to do the job we have the players to be winning in style

Odran OBrien



The Leinster players were exhausted after that big European game last week. We need a week off before these big derbys....oh wait, that was a tweet from 5 years ago....
And I think we need a backs coach...

Colin Mehigan



Why did we take a lineout when our scrum was so far on top? It could easily have been a penalty try or a sin binning.
Nothing to offer in attack and there's no excuse for Dave and Isa leaving their man to tackle someone else's man.
We need a director of rugby as Leo's backroom have added nothing to out attack. Leo said that some of players were playing to get their names on the SA tour list, every single player who had his mind on June and not an interpro game V Ulster should have been cut from the team until their concentration was on Leinster.

Chris McDonnell



From an Ulster viewpoint when I saw Clancy was the ref my heart sank but I think he was quite lenient towards Ulster today. Thought Leinster's bench might win the match for them but have to say I thought Ulster really fronted up, had more variety and imagine to their game and generally wanted the win more. Few cracking performances from the boys. Jackson had a great game and Payne for me is a cracking fullback. Fully expect a big response however if these teams meet again at the RDS in a few weeks time!!

Craig Boyd



Many thanks to all who offered opinions.

Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP

Front Five - 01.05.16

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.
 
Unbelievably the bookies still have Leinster
as favourites to win the Pro12 Grand Final…
on this weekend’s form plus Murrayfield decider
surely it’s Glasgow’s title to lose?
 
 

Kelleher (21) has had one start this season...despite being rated as one of the best young fullbacks in the country.
 
 
Brendan Fanning - Irish Independent

Not only was their cover with Dave Kearney coming across and Luke McGrath also on hand, but it was highly unlikely Pienaar was going to get on the end of his kick through.
 
 
Ryan Bailey - The42.ie

...things finally clicked in the extended divisional play-offs as they saw off Ulster duo Ballymena and Ballynahinch.
 
 
Irish Times

The Cardiff Blues flanker was hurt when he was tackled by his Wales back row colleague Dan Lydiate
 
 
Simon Thomas - Wales Online

...the evidence only came to light as Cummings had forgotten to switch off the recoding equipment at full time.
 
 
Alan Drumm - Pundit Arena

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP
Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

D4tress

D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019