munster were haunted Farrell left his kicking boots at home. Surely they wont be left off the hook in this manner again next weekend?
I doubt it. Saracens wouldn’t have been too put out to just get the bonus point in Limerick. They know that if they beat Munster this weekend then they’ve pretty much knocked them out. You have to say that Munster played better than most expected but that Saracens underperformed. Saracens will improve this weekend but its hard to see if Munster can get to the same level again.
Well said pal… I’ll be jumping on that bandwagon with you and hope Saracens batter the fuck out of Munster.
Looks v unlikely that Ravenhill will be ready. I’d say they would use Thomond rather than give Leinster that advantage to be honest. It’s a major factor in their chances of winning it either way. Best possible scenario is Leinster in QF in Ravenhill, they would beat them there and eliminate chance of meeting them in Aviva in final or SF then
No offence Dan but the prevalence of home advantage in rugby is a joke.
[quote=“dancarter, post: 645393”]
Looks v unlikely that Ravenhill will be ready. I’d say they would use Thomond rather than give Leinster that advantage to be honest. It’s a major factor in their chances of winning it either way. Best possible scenario is Leinster in QF in Ravenhill, they would beat them there and eliminate chance of meeting them in Aviva in final or SF then[/quote]
Travel an extra couple of hundred of miles south rather than Dublin? Come off it Dan, that’s madness. They’d go cap in hand to Ulster GAA for Casement Park or Clones before they’d go to Limerick.
Yeah, its hard to know why it’s so influential a factor.
i can’t see it. the two best teams in the competition played each other sunday.
Don’t underestimate the lure of Thomond pk… The spiritual home of Rugby in Ireland.
It’s because these ultra professional miked up referees are influenced by home crowds roaring at them. Simple as that.
Excluding semi finals which are played on neutral grounds in the country of one side.
There have been 66 QF to date in the competition. 50 home wins. 75%.
Of the 16 losses 6 have occurred when the home team hasn’t used their home ground, mainly for additional capacity. If you strip out those games it’s 50 of 60 home wins 83%.
Stats tell some of the story but in general if you look at those away wins they are primarily by very good sides. Munster have three, Leinster have two, Toulose have two, Leiscter have one. All multiple winners of the comp.
The better team from group gets home advantage so that’s obviously a factor in the stats too.
Home advantage definitely a bonus. Is it overstated, personally I don’t think so but your entitled to your view.
Anyone know when last Ulster won in Dublin? They have a v good recent record away to Munster
Sorry I might have misinterpreted your post. Thought you meant home advantage was overstated
No offence Dan but home field advantage in the HC and French top 14 is off the scale statistically relative to other sports and I have no doubt that that is down to the fact that the sport has so many obscure rules that depend on referee interpretation which is inevitably prone to home field bias.
No offence Dan but home field advantage in the HC and French top 14 is off the scale statistically relative to other sports and I have no doubt that that is down to the fact that the sport has so many obscure rules that depend on referee interpretation which is inevitably prone to home field bias.
Dan
If you are interested in the topic this book has a very good chapter on it
Wouldn’t argue with that at all. So we are basically in agreement, it is a massive advantage.
Refereeing probably the biggest factor. Easier to goal kick at home too, no doubt ROG and Sexton have well worn targets behind each goal etc as part of routine. Distance from touch line to hoardings can make a difference when kicking to touch etc.
Announcement
I shall not be continuing my selections in this thread for the foreseeable future. A leading betting company has been in contact and it has led to the end of this thread as we know it. I can make no further comment on the matter at this stage.
Kind Regards,
TTK
bombshell…absolute fookin bombshell… :o just when i needed moneya t christmas…
we´ll never see his like again… 
Will you be providing a pm service to those who have been with you from the start, Pal?
+1. TTK owes it to the likes of us who have always stood by him through thick and thin.