toulon again!

[Blue Voodoo]

Maybe it was just the European cup Toulouse had on the pitch beforehand ( I can't fully remember there was some alcohol involved )
Anyway they were overwhelming favourites , they were convinced they were going to win

And we stuffed them

[paddyor]

Where is everyone getting the "postive vibes" from? Did the silk road not shut down? PM me. Thanks!

[D2 Blue]

Like many others I've started to feel more optimistic as the game gets closer. Don't know if its justified but sometimes you've gotta cling onto something.

Like others it feels a bit like 2009 - written off, complete underdogs (-11 pts) going up against defending champions who are ageing a bit but still overwhelming favourites.
Leinster have a chance but really they need to pull out the best performance of the last few years and hope that toulon are too confident. Maybe ROG is right - Leinster might just turn this anger and negativity on its head and be pi**ed off enough to put in one hell of a shift.

It could all go badly wrong too but, its better to go out there and give it everything and if its not good enough well then fair enough. That's not to say that they should fling the ball around - that will just hand the game to toulon. But control the set pieces, look for space (not the man), play for territory and kick to find touch. There's a danger in giving toulon too much respect. I'd like to see Leinster go out and try to control the game instead of reacting to the other team. See how they like defending their line against waves of blue attack in a semi final - even the biggest teams can crack under pressure.

You never know, it could all go right, just maybe.
GWAN LEINSTER!

[neiliog93]

Also, in 2009 the media were massively anti-Leinster. While it hasn't happened to the same degree this time at all, there is still an 'us against the world' mentality within the squad as Luke Fitzgerald articulated recently. That helps too.

[Riptide]

I think we're going to win. Semi-finals can be odd games, as we saw from today's match - there are so many nerves involved, that there are occasions when form doesn't really come into it. We need one of those!

With that said, man-by-man, Toulon are much more experienced and composed than their Clermont counterparts and have a history of converting their chances into trophies.

Oh, If there were any grounds to believe .. but Leinster haven't played really close to the gain line all season, or shown the "game" or skills to play a consistently accurate, high-tempo multi-phase game that may be required to break Toulon down. Leinster no longer manipulate defences out of position, because we can't retain the ball long enough. We have become less structured, less organised and standards in accuracy have dropped. We are now more dependant on individuals breaking out and elevating our game. Just don't see it happening.

[DartVader]

Pilgrimage to "The Miracle of Marseille"!
Today's the day it clicks hopefully.
Now get this plane off the ground.

COYBIB

[footrush]

Pilgrimage to "The Miracle of Marseille"!
Today's the day it clicks hopefully.
Now get this plane off the ground.

COYBIB

One more step to the Holy Land ?.

[kermischocolate]

Most of the media seem to have forgotten that you don't get to a European semi final by luck.

Yes, Leinster aren't playing nearly as well as they have done in the recent past but there hasn't been that high a turnover of players- this squad knows how to win pressure games.

On paper Leinster are the overwhelming underdogs. But games aren't won or lost on paper. If Edinburgh (EDINBURGH FFS!!!) can get to the final of the 2nds cup it just proves the point anything is possible!

The game is there to be won and Toulon are far from invincible.

Good luck.

[curates_egg]

2) Complacency. I live in France and from all the print and TV I've seen, it's clear that noone gives us a chance. I'm convinced that the Toulon team subconsciously think that they can't lose (see 2009, above). This is very dangerous with any team, but particularly when you're playing a side full of quality players that are used to winning big games over the years.

Totally agree. French rugby establishment has written us off. We have a squad full of internationals and Lions though. Yes there are gaps; yes their squad is stronger; yes we have no form and are playing headless rugby lately; but we have a strong squad of players who want to play for Leinster because they want to play for Leinster (and not just earn money, as Seanie and Jamie reminded Toulon). That has to count for a lot in a one-off game.

I've a similar feeling to how I felt in Bordeaux. Think our chances are lower but we have a chance and we have players who can take that chance.

[footrush]

Pilgrimage to "The Miracle of Marseille"!
Today's the day it clicks hopefully.
Now get this plane off the ground.

COYBIB

Ps don't 4get ure cape pilgrim it's lashin here !.

[le marseillais]

Clermont fans have made their choice, definitly !
http://www.cybervulcans.net/forum/topic ... try1901443

[Peg Leg]

Clermont fans have made their choice, definitly !
http://www.cybervulcans.net/forum/topic ... try1901443

And if Leinster were waiting for the finalist from Toulon v zebre, there'd be a clamor of support for zebre on here.

Not necessarily a good thing.

[le marseillais]

Clermont fans have made their choice, definitly !
http://www.cybervulcans.net/forum/topic ... try1901443

And if Leinster were waiting for the finalist from Toulon v zebre, there'd be a clamor of support for zebre on here.

Not necessarily a good thing.

Could you explain please ?

[johng]

He says you want Leinster because they would be easier to beat....

[le marseillais]

Oh no, it is absolutly not our mind.
First of all, we like Toulon as you like Munster.
And we do appreciate Leinster and the fans, it's why we prefer to play vs the blues in final.
Nothing to do with our chance to win or lose.

[neiliog93]

Most of the media seem to have forgotten that you don't get to a European semi final by luck.

Yes, Leinster aren't playing nearly as well as they have done in the recent past but there hasn't been that high a turnover of players- this squad knows how to win pressure games.

On paper Leinster are the overwhelming underdogs. But games aren't won or lost on paper. If Edinburgh (EDINBURGH FFS!!!) can get to the final of the 2nds cup it just proves the point anything is possible!

The game is there to be won and Toulon are far from invincible.

Good luck.

You do get to a semi-final by luck. Leinster had a very easy pool relative to others and still nearly messed it up. Then we scraped by Bath at home with a lot of luck, winning by 3 points but losing 2-0 on tries.

[matt]

This is MOC's 3rd year in a row playing Toulon in QF/SF & after watching last years game we just cannot kick possession away aimlessly.

The first 2 penalties for Toulon last year after 3 & 15 mins were the result of us being put on the back foot after Gopperth kicked high from right towards our left wing just outside our 22. Toulon thrive on disruption & in both cases won the loose ball. In these positions we have to hold onto the ball & build phases & move their old guys in particular around. If Hayman, Bakkies, Williams, Lobbe, Smith etc are constantly running rather than hitting it improves our chances.

We can win but for us to do so a lot of good things have to happen. Play the wrong game & it will be same old story. I'd like to think we have learned & today could be our day.

[olaf the fat]

6-9 half an hour gone!

and what 8 penalties to 2?

[olaf the fat]

Jayus Madser!!!

[olaf the fat]

on top in the scrum and line out for the first half.

Toulon seem to be coming good and upping the intensity. tough 40mins ahead...