Comments on: Best of the weekend: Quins march into play-offs, Ulster pip Munster at Thomond

By: OM

OM — Mon, 12 May 2014 16:48:26 +0000

Tough competition from Castres but hero of the week for Luke Pearce? From what I saw of the Saints-Wasps game (up to 50 min) he certainly deserves a mention for both his minimal use of the TMO, and allowing him to give his report before saying what he had seen. The first couple of times at least the TMO was visibly and audibly shocked to be able to give his view!

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 May 2014 13:41:45 +0000

I don’t think Leicester will win. Contentious win last time and a Saints side determined to make them pay for that and last years final.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Mon, 12 May 2014 12:14:13 +0000

Very much looking forward to the semi finals, think Saracens will beat Quins, but the other for me is too close to call. I think Saints are better on paper, but Tigers have had the better of them over the years.

Next season will be interesting. Saracens and Saints spent big for this season, (Johnston, Vunipola, Fotuali’i, North, Corbs) but other teams seem to be getting their big names in for next season (Burns, Yarde, Burgess and everyone to Wasps). I would expect to see a closer league next season as a result of this.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:53:29 +0000

As a Wasps fan this weekend highlighted our serious lack of depth. BUT, we do have 6 or 7 very good players coming in, and no one leaving, so that gives me some optimism.

On the play-offs, I can’t see Quins winning at the Allianz, but I do think Leicester will win at Saints.

That should leave England with a pretty good first XV for the first test match, with only Farrell and Tuilagi being the real big misses. Sounds bad but it could be worse.

Obviously Vunipola is missing too – but Morgan always does well in an England shirt.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:43:33 +0000

who played?

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 12 May 2014 10:01:45 +0000

Also runner up for villain of the week should go to the referees assistant, and to referee Greg Garner for the straight sending off of Justin Melck. Eye gouging is a very serious offence, and carries a lengthy ban, so to not even ask the TMO to check is pretty disgraceful. To not even ask the alleged victim of the eye gouging (who made no complaint, and has since said that nothing happened) is also ludicrous!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 12 May 2014 09:57:47 +0000

Predictions for the semi’s? I think Sarries will edge out Quins at Allianz Park, as they won’t want to repeat last seasons semi final disappointment.
I also have a feeling that Tigers might just sneak a win at Franklins Gardens. They will have been disappointed with their performance on Saturday, and I think a very different Tigers will be playing Friday night.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 12 May 2014 09:44:22 +0000

I will be intrigued to see how Quins progress next year.

They have at times lacked a bit of bite around the park and clubs with the power have over powered them in games this season.

Injuries haven’t helped them, but I can’t help but feel that Olly Kohn’s retirement and JJ moving to Saracens has been instrumental in our struggles this year.

Guest moving to Irish and Mo to France means some of the younger back row players will get more of a look in.

Back to the game though, they managed it well. I think Robshaw was spot on, composure won the game. Bath made inroads comfortably at times and a few more phases and they would have been in range.

By: Fearless Fred

Fearless Fred — Mon, 12 May 2014 09:32:22 +0000

Actually, it’s the THIRD year in a row that it’s Harlequins, Leicester, Northampton and Saracens as the top four at the end of the season. I don’t think this means that they’re miles ahead of the pack though. Sale and Bath have definitely been in the mix up to the final few weeks. I think it’s a case of these four teams having been through a successful campaign before know how to make the most of their squads at the crucial times of International windows and the final run in to the Semis.

By: Blub

Blub — Mon, 12 May 2014 09:26:38 +0000

An all round great game at the Stoop, and Ford’s try was fantastic. I wouldn’t dare to compare them as players in all facets, but the try itself reminded me of Barry John.

BUT, what on earth were they thinking, to go for the drop goal from that far out???

I thought that Fearns was really impressive.