European Club Rugby
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Great game. The mental fragility of Leinster is something else, though. I understand that the high expectations can cause unnecessary pressure but during the game it almost seemed like they were surprised about how hard Northampton were playing. As if it wasn't the semi-final of the Champions Cup.
The most damning thing to me was that the Northampton players didn't even seem exhausted near the end. Multiple players in the bin throughout the game but never once trailed.
Phenomenal attacking performance by Northampton, it has to be said. They made that Nienaber defence look like a sieve.
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@MiketheSnow said in European Club Rugby:
@Dodge said in NH club rugby:
Semi finals this weekend, think Northampton will get stuffed, also backing Bordeaux to beat Toulouse without Dupont, hope I'm wrong on both counts, Toulouse definitely have a chance.
Leinster to win but closer than you think
Bordeaux to sneak itBath to win away with strong second half
Racing with the away win, justOne good prediction out of three so far. Lyon OU has won comfortably against Racing 92 (29-15).
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@sparky said in European Club Rugby:
Leinster's defence turned to poo against Northampton.
Based on the commentary in this thread I decided to watch this game, and it didn't disappoint. Northampton made Leinster's defence look inept, competed ferociously (and paid the price with deserved YCs) and took well-constructed chances with the odd bit of individual sublime skill to come out winners.
But even at the death you'd have expected Leinster to have executed and won it. But they looked shell shocked from the outset when it turned out that the final wasn't a foregone conclusion and Northampton weren't prepared to play to the Irish script. Most noticeably the Irish commentary slowly acknowledging what was happening before their eyes.
Quite why you'd keep Jordie on the bench for a semi-final beggars belief when he keeps getting MotM and praise for his performances.
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@sparky said in European Club Rugby:
Why on earth did Leinster pay all that money to sign Jordie Barrett and then left him on the bench?
Staggering.
There is some talk in Irish media circles that their hand was forced contractually.
RG Snyman has a similar selection asterisk beside his name.
If the Irish locks are fit he cant start or something to that effect. -
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@Jet said in European Club Rugby:
@sparky said in European Club Rugby:
Why on earth did Leinster pay all that money to sign Jordie Barrett and then left him on the bench?
Staggering.
There is some talk in Irish media circles that their hand was forced contractually.
RG Snyman has a similar selection asterisk beside his name.
If the Irish locks are fit he cant start or something to that effect.Barrett was free for selection they just didn't pick him.
