Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Front Five - 30.05.17

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

Great honest post from Scarlets fan
Siobhan Corcoran


The way the Scarlets won is something that will live with me for a very long time.


Siobhan Corcoran - cornelsiobhan


"We are not holding anything back from each other...if any of us has any knowledge that can help the team win games...it is important we put it out there."


Gerry Thornley - Irish Times


Kelly will be happy enough to get back on the pitch again because just after he had returned to full training two weeks ago, he rolled his ankle.


Cian Tracey - Irish Independent


“The All Blacks are not only a physical contest, it is a big mental contest,”


All Out Rugby


"He is very experienced, knowledgeable, puts his body on the line every time he goes out and wears a red jersey."


David Kent - Balls.ie


Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby
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Monday, May 29, 2017

Bring home advantage back for the Pro12 final

by Ciarán Duffy


For the last three seasons the Pro12 final has been played at a predetermined venue.  Glasgow won at the Kingspan, Connacht won at Murrayfield, and most recently Scarlets won at the Aviva.  Based on Saturdays performance Scarlets would have beaten any team in the league at any venue (yes even in space or a volcano), they are deserved champions.  As it happens, the last three finals have been one-sided affairs.  But watching the match, I couldn’t help but think the game should have been at Thomond Park.  Munster finished top after playing each side twice, it seems fair that they would have home advantage for the decider.

The Pro12 is not like the Top14 or the Aviva Premiership.  There is more than one nation being represented, and so there is no national stadium of the league.  It makes sense that the Champions of England would be crowned at Twickenham.  That’s not the case with the Pro12, there is no stadium that acts as the league's home.  

Destination finals do not guarantee a neutral venue.  In fact, at some stage, home advantage may well go to the wrong team.  Had Leinster progressed to the final they would have had home advantage over Munster despite finishing below them in the league, which would have been unfair.  

The finals have gone Ireland, Scotland, Ireland.  Not exactly spreading it out, but Cardiff is hosting the Champions League final this year, so perhaps the plan is to wait and give Wales the final next year.  Also missing from the list above, Italy.  At some stage if the final is being rotated between each nation, the final will have to be held in Italy, despite the fact that no Italian team has ever finished in or near the top 4.  If said final is being competed by Welsh, Irish or Scottish teams, it would be far from ideal for the travelling fans.  The best placed finalists should be able to pick the venue.  It would make the final a better representation of the season as a whole, the team that finishes first has earned it.  

Destination finals, yes or no? Sound off below (be civil)

Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport).   He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.

*****

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Front Five - 29.05.17

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for our
calendar showing the feast
of summer rugby for us to harp on


One to watch: Fineen Wycherley


WorldRugby.org


This win for Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets was the first by...any Welsh side other than the Ospreys since the Scarlets won their first title back in 2004.


Brendan O'Brien - Irish Examiner


(It was) their best ever finish as a core team


IrishRugby.ie


Previously some diehard supporters have stated they would prefer the national rugby jersey remain unchanged.


Stuff.co.nz


Madigan started the game at out-half, although the Baa-Baas's had their own title for his starting role...


Gavin Cooney - Balls.ie


Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby
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Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019