Magners League run in...


By Peter Jenkins
March 30 2007

As signings are confirmed and rumours fly around, some with more truth than others, I decided to take a step back into the present and looked at the run in to the Magners league campaign.

Magners League run in.    CHANGES TO STORY (to update after rounds of games are played) ARE IN BLUE

 

Of course the following is all based on past form, and what would be expected to happen, we all know rugby isn’t like that. Bonus points also haven’t been added into the permutations.

 

The table stands currently as follows:

(position, team, games played, points)

1. Leinster       14    46

2. Ulster          15    45

3. Ospreys       14    42

4. Cardiff Blues 13    37

5. Edinburgh    14    35

6. Dragons       13    34

7. Llanelli Scarlets 13   33

8. Munster        14   32

9. Glasgow       15   32

10. Connacht    15   24

11.  Borders      14   8

 

Remaining Fixtures are as follows:

 

Friday, 23 March 2007

Borders v Edinburgh, WON BY BORDERS

Leinster v Connacht  WON BY LEINSTER

Llanelli Scarlets v Newport-Gwent D'gons  WON BY LLANELLI

Ulster v Munster WON BY MUNSTER

 

Well I think Edinburgh, Leinster, Scarlets wins are likely and with the home advantage I believe Ulster may just prevail at Ravenhill. That would make some interesting changes to the table…  (well i was right with two games, the shocks being a win for Munster at Ravenhill coming from 21-3 behind at half time to win 21-24 and Borders beating Edingburgh 10-3 at home)

 

1. Leinster       15    50

2. Ulster          16    49

3. Ospreys       14    42

4. Edinburgh    15    39

5. Cardiff Blues 13    37

6. Llanelli Scarlets 14   37

7. Dragons       14    34

8. Munster        15   32

9. Glasgow       15   32

10. Connacht    16   24

11.  Borders      15   8

 

The actual table after this round of games is:

1. Leinster       15    50

2. Ulster          16    46

3. Ospreys       14    42

4. Llanelli Scarlets 14   38

5. Cardiff Blues 13    37

6. Munster        15   36

7. Edinburgh    15    36

8. Dragons       14    34

9. Glasgow       15   32

10. Connacht    16   24

11.  Borders      15   12

 

 

Friday, 06 April 2007

Connacht v Cardiff Blues, 18:30

Edinburgh v Newport-Gwent D'gons, 19:30

Glasgow v Leinster, 19:30

Llanelli Scarlets v Borders

Ospreys v Munster

 

Now I would expect away wins for Cardiff and Leinster a home win for Llanelli and too other tight games, with home advantage being crucial. These results would leave the table as follows.

 

1. Leinster       16    54

2. Ulster          16    49 

3. Ospreys       15    46

4. Edinburgh    16    43

5. Cardiff Blues 14    41

6. Llanelli Scarlets 15   41

7. Dragons       15    34

8. Munster        16   32

9. Glasgow       16   32

10. Connacht    17   24

11.  Borders      16   8

 

Friday, 13 April 2007

Borders v Ulster, 19:30

Cardiff Blues v Edinburgh

Connacht v Glasgow, 18:30

Munster v Llanelli Scarlets

Newport-Gwent D'gons v Leinster, 19:15

The next crucial round of games would I imagine see Ulster, Cardiff and Munster wins. I would also fancy the Dragons and Connacht at home against their respective opponents. EDF FINAL IS THIS WEEKEND.

1. Leinster       17    54

2. Ulster          17    53 

3. Ospreys       15    46

4. Cardiff Blues 15    45

5. Edinburgh    17    43

6. Llanelli Scarlets 16   41

7. Dragons       16    38

8. Munster        17   36

9. Glasgow       17   32

10. Connacht    18   28

11.  Borders      17   8

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Cardiff Blues v Newport-Gwent D'gons

Llanelli Scarlets v Ospreys

 

The last of the midweek derbies would take place next, with home wins leaving Cardiff in a strong position and The Dragons looking likely to have to win the play off to get into the HC.

 

1. Leinster       17    54

2. Ulster          17    53 

3. Cardiff Blues 16    49

4. Ospreys       16    46

5. Edinburgh    17    43

6. Llanelli Scarlets 17   45

7. Dragons       17    38

8. Munster        17   36

9. Glasgow       17   32

10. Connacht    18   28

11.  Borders      17   8

 

Friday, 27 April 2007

Borders v Cardiff Blues, 19:30

Llanelli Scarlets v Edinburgh

Munster v Newport-Gwent D'gons

Ospreys v Leinster

Ulster v Glasgow

 

A weekend off (20th-22nd) then follows (possibility of the Derby games being moved to here or the Rearranged Scarlets game being played now). Unless of course the Scarlets are still in the HC. The games on the weekend of the 28th would be expected to go the way of Cardiff, Llanelli, Munster and Ulster with a tough to call game at the Liberty stadium. For Cardiff’s title chances a home win (probably more likely) would be the best result.

 

1. Ulster          18    57

2. Leinster       18    54

3. Cardiff Blues 17    53

4. Ospreys       17    50

5. Llanelli Scarlets 18   49

6. Edinburgh    18    43

7. Munster        18   40

8. Dragons       18    38

9. Glasgow       18   32

10. Connacht    18   28

11.  Borders      18   8

 

Before we go into the last two weeks of the season, it may be wise to factour in the Results from the postponed games (due to the EDF Semis)

 

Llanelli Scarlets v Cardiff Blues

Newport Gwent Dragons v Ospreys

 

Well we all know that anything can happen in derby games but in all honest id expect two away wins if either ‘Region’ harbours any hopes of the title.

 

1. Ulster          18    57

2. Cardiff Blues 18    57

3. Leinster       18    54

4. Ospreys       18    54

5. Llanelli Scarlets 19   49

6. Edinburgh    18    43

7. Munster        18   40

8. Dragons       19    38

9. Glasgow       18   32

10. Connacht    18   28

11.  Borders      18   8

 

Friday, 04 May 2007

Cardiff Blues v Ulster

Edinburgh v Munster, 19:30

Glasgow v Ospreys, 19:30

Leinster v Borders

Newport-Gwent D'gons v Connacht, 19:15

 

The penultimate round of fixtures sees a must win game for Cardiff, I would expect Edinburgh (with Munster out of contention), Ospreys, Leinster and Dragons wins.

 

1. Cardiff Blues 19    61

2. Leinster       19    58

3. Ospreys       19    58

4. Ulster          19    57

5. Llanelli Scarlets 19   49

6. Edinburgh    19    47

7. Munster        19   40

8. Dragons       20    38

9. Glasgow       19   32

10. Connacht    19   28

11.  Borders      19   8

 

Table is looking very tasty for Cardiff fans as a home win in the Final game at home to Leinster would all but win Cardiff the title. But imagine the press coverage if, as one would predict, results went this way. Would be a memorable and exciting end to what (we hope) will have been a season where Cardiff have already picked up the EDF Energy Cup.

Friday, 11 May 2007

Borders v Ospreys

Cardiff Blues v Leinster

Llanelli Scarlets v Connacht

Munster v Glasgow

Ulster v Edinburgh

 

With home wins for Cardiff, Scarlets, Munster, Ulster and an away win for the Ospreys. The final table should look like this.

 

1. Cardiff Blues 20    65

2. Ospreys       20    62

3. Ulster          20    61

4. Leinster       20    58

5. Llanelli Scarlets 20   53

6. Edinburgh    20    47

7. Munster        20   44

8. Dragons       20    38

9. Glasgow       20   32

10. Connacht    20   28

11.  Borders      20   8

 

And what a great season it will have been eh!