- Jack O’Donoghue is top turnover king after round two
- ‘Saints’ relegated, Newcastle West can yet lift the MJL1 title
- AIL defeats for Shannon, ‘Munsters’, Bruff and Thomond
- Terrific wins for UL Bohemian and Old Crescent tonight in AIL2A
- Bonus point win as Munster prove too strong for the Southern Kings in Cork
- Kings will need to be in regal form to deprive Munster of home victory
- Important games for Limerick clubs as the AIL resumes action this week-end
- Tension mounts as local clubs feature in second last fence of Munster Junior League 1
- Impressive win for Clonmel on UL pitch keeps them on title target
- Will Joe Schmidt ring the changes for the Scottish game?
- Cancellations a-plenty as Munster Junior Cup gathers momentum
- Henshaw at full-back not really a gamble as Ireland name their team
- Ian excited about exploring new horizons as he plans two moves
- Nine local clubs in Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup action this week-end
- UL Bohemian and Thomond advance in the Bank of Ireland Munster Junior Cup
- Abbeyfeale lift the Transfield Cup for the first time since 1977
- Young Munster facing battle to avoid the drop
- Munster fight hard for victory in Rodney Parade
- Bonus point for Garryowen as Shannon fail to build on recent form
- AIL: Shannon win, Young Munster and Garryowen lose today in 1A
- AIL wins tonight for Old Crescent in 2A and Thomond in 2C
- John Ryan for Archer the only change on the Munster team
- Key Euro games for referees Neville, Clancy, Brace and Lacey
- Frank Quinn’s review of the final pools games of Heineken Cup
- Decent Munster representation on Ireland Six Nations squad
- English clubs’ wretched record at Thomond Park: 21 defeats, 2 wins
- A Newcastle view as their side fails to get winning bonus point
- Is the Transfield Cup final to take place in the Markets Field?
- Defeat for Richmond today dents their junior league title hopes
- Brave Garryowen’s late strike gives them ticket to Bateman decider
- Munster march on towards another home Heineken Cup quarter final
- Munster and Gloucester announce their teams for to-morrow night’s game
- All to play for as Munster Junior League division one hots up
- Garryowen keen to avoid their third successive cup defeat
- Munster’s Ian Keatley seems set to join Benetton Treviso
- Leinster are still the favourites to retain the Champions Cup
- Thomond and Bruff advance in cup: Newcastle drop league points
- Munster superb as they hold on for bonus point victory
- Munster’s away form will again be tested in the Showgrounds
- Munster Senior Cup retains its magic as Garryowen seek more glory
- Leinster’s winger James Lowe is suspended for two weeks
- Local referees are included in Guinness PRO14 week-end fixtures list
- St Mary’s, Thomond, Newcastle West, Bruff in league and cup action
- Brilliant Earls try seals victory over Leinster
- Young Munster romp home with comfortable Charity Cup win
- 12 changes as Munster prepare for another Thomond Park epic
- Frank Murphy to referee Munster v Leinster PRO14 fixture
- Full house for Munster and Leinster showdown at Thomond Park
- Christmas 2018 marks a record year for Limerick Rugby website
- Ulster happy with home win while Munster settle for single point
Frank Quinn’s April Fools Day Guide
- Updated: 31/03/2014

By Frank Quinn
IT’S April fools day today so here is a rough guide to the rugby galaxy. All the competitions are drawing to their concluding stages so let’s have a look at what is in store in the coming weeks for rugby fans.
Heineken Cup Quarter Finals: W/End 4th April, with betting
1. Munster 8/15 v Toulouse 6/4
2. Clermont 1/10 v Leicester 6/1
3. Ulster 4/7 v Saracens 11/8
4. Toulon 1/2 v Leinster 13/8
Opinion: The favourites: 4 home teams to win.
Saracens will push Ulster to the limit on Premiership form and the winner has a home country semi-final. I expect Leinster to give a good account against the holders. The odds for a Leicester win are inviting, they have a huge history in this competition, but may have to pass on it this year. Clermont are due an outright win -“one of these years”. Munster to beat Toulouse at Thomond Park and advance to meet Toulon in France or Leinster in Ireland.
Semi-finals draw: (from above QF) W/End 25th April
Winner 3 V. Winner 2
Winner 4 V winner 1
Outright betting Heineken Cup:
Clermont 9/4, Toulon (Holders) 7/2, Leinster 6/1, Ulster 6/1, Munster 8/1, Saracen 10/1, Toulouse 12/1, Leicester 35/1.
Opinion: Based on the draw, Toulon to win – & beat Ulster in the final in Cardiff.
Form
In the Aviva premiership Saracens (Mark McCall) are top with a 7 point lead over Northampton, but Leicester has fought back to 3rd and is dangerous now as usual in the business end of a Championship. Tigers are given no hope in the Heineken by the bookies? But tigers will be dangerous animals in the Premiership, Bath and Northampton will probably make up the quartet.
Opinion: Saracens to win.
In the Rabo, the three Irish teams in the Heineken are showing good form and are in a strong position to make the top four playoffs. Leinster 68, Munster 63, Ulster 60, and probably Glasgow will make the fourth place. Right now it is Leinster V Glasgow and Munster V Ulster in the semis. Leinster to win.
Outright betting Rabo:
Leinster 11/10, Munster 9/5, Ulster 5/1, Glasgow 9/1
In the French Top 14, Montpelier has stolen a march on the two favourites with 66 points, Toulon (v Leinster) and Clermont are on 65, Castres 62, in 5th place Racing Metro (Sexton) 60. In 6th place Munster’s opponents Toulouse 58. It is still a tight competition and the playoffs are demanding. Castres are the holders at 18/1, one third a place to get to the final, must be worth a wager
Outright betting Top 14:
Clermont 13/8, Toulon 5/2 Montpelier 6/1, Toulouse 6/1, Racing 8/1, Castres 18/1
Opinion: Clermont to win.
Super Rugby 15 Southern Hemisphere:
After 6/14 rounds: Sharks (Plumtree’s ex team) 23, Brumbies & Chiefs 17, Lions, Waratahs (Cheika), & Blues 17 points.
Outright betting Super 15:
Chiefs 5/2, Sharks 11/4, Waratahs 4/1, Brumbies and Crusaders 9/1
Opinion: Early days in this competition – A win for Sharks (Natal – South Africa)
Amlin Challenge Cup:
Quarter finals: W/End 4th April1. Wasps V Gloucester
2. Bath V Brive
3. Sale V Northampton
4. Stade Francais V Harlequins (Conor O’Shea)
Semi- finals 1 V 2 & 3 V 4 W/End 25th April
Form
Northampton are 2nd in the Premiership and Bath are 4th, while Stade Francais are 8th in the Top 14. It should be between Bath and Northampton/Stade with the draw
Outright betting:
Northampton 7/4, Bath 11/4, Stade 5/1, Wasps 10/1, Harlequins 10/1, Sale 12/1, Gloucester 14/1.
Opinion: Stade Francais to win, Concentrating on this competition
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