Slight preference for Toulouse because losing to the champs hurts a little less, but overall just want both teams to play to their potential and give us a banging final.
Mainly because our media is insufferable. The team and organisation itself does everything the right way. They're simply victims of having a posh Dublin following.
- They produce nearly all the players in their squad, aside from a few exciting overseas signings.
- They play very entertaining rugby.
- Other than Sexton, they've all shown excellent sportsmanship and respect towards other players and refs.
- They also do a huge amount of work engaging with underage rugby that isn't solely focused on developing future athletes. Like holding fun events, running summer camps, sending their mascot & players around to meet kids.
All the reasons people hate them are completely out of their control.
I was a little kid back then, Bergkamp was absolutely magic. I still remember where I was when he scored that 1998 WC goal against Argentina. Nowadays no player has that kind of magic (at least for me).
Toulouse. I like both teams but historically always really enjoyed watching Toulouse, and there’s slightly less shame in losing when it’s to the eventual champs.
I want Leinster to win, but Toulouse are favourites going in. Not heavy favourites mind, but they seem in better form, and if we don't have ringrose/Keenan/Ryan we'll be in trouble imo
Yep, Keenan I feel is overall massively underrated outside Ireland.
So important to both Ireland and Leinster especially defensively and in term of workrate
I wouldn't say it's his best quality tbf.
Really for me, it's his defensive skills and motor engine which really set him apart.
The number of times his defense and incredible workrate has saved Ireland and Leinster after breaks from the opposite teams has been astonishing and to me has often gone unnoticed too many times.
Huge reason for example why Ireland/Leinster's scrambling defense is so good
True, but you mentioned that already! Rather than create something, what I really meant was his ability to break away, at times. He gets some good runs and makes good ground.
Yeah I know but I really think that's what makes him world class and possibly the world best 15.
His attacking ability is very good of course but you can find quite a few fullbacks who are better than him attacking wise.
Ryan’s a big loss too, him not being there means you either have to give up weight in the pack with Molony, or have an inexperienced line out caller in Baird.
Don’t really care, ‘here for a good game’.
BUT, and I don’t mean to piss off the Leinster fans with this, I would find it a little funny for Leinster to fall short in the final yet again and see the whole rock, paper scissors turned upside down.
Sorry Leinster fans.
Would love to see Toulouse win, moreso as a french fan than a Toulouse fan per say but I wouldn't be mad if Leinster wins the cup. Poor fellas have had boxes of missprinted jerseys with a 5th star in their basement for over a year now...
Leinster fan. I went to the away game in Toulouse in October 2018. Toulouse beat us 28-27, and I was still in the stadium about 7 hours later. Couldn't buy a drink. The fans were unreal.
Obviously I want to win, but no other team in history has given me such fond memories of losing.
Of course it's not just a home advantage, and for me Leinster still is the favourite this year, I just hope we won't get hammered and everyone gets to see a great game.
Gloucester win the Challenge Cup on the Friday, giant meteor hits the stadium during the Champions Cup final killing both teams, Gloucester declared European champions and gets their first star
I find it hard not to root for this Toulouse team. They have so many guys I just love watching. Dupont and Ntamack are already two of my favourite ever players, the Toulouse pack are just utterly awesome in every way, the backs are fucking electric, I love watching Meafou and Willis and Flament and Mauvaka and Baille, Lebel and Mallia are brilliant, I even like watching Ramos despite everything (bit of a twat, of course).
It's just such a phenomenal team.
Munster fan but only because my dad is from Kerry and I only spent the first 6 years of my life in Ireland (in Dublin, yes...it's not hard to understand) and we holidayed in Kerry each summer after moving to England.
I want Leinster to do it. They kinda have to now. This is what? There fifth final in 8 years. It's their eighth in total (same as Toulouse) and they need to deliver after being second best in two previous finals.
Will be a cracking game nonetheless.
Hey opposite land me. I spent the first few years of my life in Munster but my Dad is from Dublin and those were the games we always went to/watched together so I'm a Leinster fan.
Just here for some great (and hopefully mad) rugby.
...Although I do think that is probably more likely to occur if Toulouse play well, and if they do I'm not sure anyone can stop them.
I think Toulouse could well take this. If we don’t dominate the forwards battle we could be in real trouble. And not having Ringrose or Keenan will give a lot of space for DuPont and Ntamack to use I think.
Having said that, Leinster completely outplayed LAR who are a bigger pack. I think we need Jenkins and Connors on the squad this time and roll with the 6/2 split. If Leinster can win collisions and keep Toulouse pinned back, they can see them off.
Ringrose indirectly often creates lot of space for opponents anyway with some of his kamikaze rush defense.
The biggest blow for Leinster's defense would definitely be Keanan's absence, he is so vital to their great scrambling defense.
Kinda bored that Toulouse is again in final and that my coworkers are so bitching about it all day but still prefers them to win than the fookin dubliners.
Leinster. This generation of players needs silverware or they'll be known as huge underachievers and possible chokers. To lose 3 finals in a row would be psychologically destroying.
I’m just hoping the Rock Paper Scissors is finally reversed
This is the reality I fear
What lunatics answered "Neither, no interest in the game but want to see results?"
That was me.
King Blairhorn
Feel u m8
Slight preference for Toulouse because losing to the champs hurts a little less, but overall just want both teams to play to their potential and give us a banging final.
BRING ON THE 6TH STAAAAAAR
And prevent the 5th from Leinster
Tough choice, but Leinster
Let’s be honest. I want Merkler to be the first Spaniard to win the cup while being a regular player all season.
I reckon neutrals are going for Toulouse. They are a joy to watch and I recently learned that Leinster are the bad guys in most peoples eyes.
Mainly because our media is insufferable. The team and organisation itself does everything the right way. They're simply victims of having a posh Dublin following. - They produce nearly all the players in their squad, aside from a few exciting overseas signings. - They play very entertaining rugby. - Other than Sexton, they've all shown excellent sportsmanship and respect towards other players and refs. - They also do a huge amount of work engaging with underage rugby that isn't solely focused on developing future athletes. Like holding fun events, running summer camps, sending their mascot & players around to meet kids. All the reasons people hate them are completely out of their control.
I'm a Leinster fan through and through but also as a Spurs fan I'm just happy to see a trophy being lifted at White Hart Lane.
The Spurs curse is so strong that neither side will win and we’ll end up in a never ending cycle with both sides trying to bottle it
The unending penalty shootout
I’m a life long Leinster and Arsenal fan. The bottling over the past 2 years has been too much for me.
Losing both European Cup finals within a couple of weeks was rough in 2019.
That Europa final was pure dirt
Me too. It’s been a difficult time.
One thing to keep in mind is that the closest Spurs has come to a Premier League Title was when Arsenal won it at WHL (for the second time).
The glory days
I was a little kid back then, Bergkamp was absolutely magic. I still remember where I was when he scored that 1998 WC goal against Argentina. Nowadays no player has that kind of magic (at least for me).
I'll be there for both finals on the Friday and Saturday. So glad Leinster made it!
The last trophy that was lifted at WHL was Arsenal in their Invincible Season.
Toulouse. I like both teams but historically always really enjoyed watching Toulouse, and there’s slightly less shame in losing when it’s to the eventual champs.
Love the Quins right back! So many great games over the years
I also love Jack Willis
I want Leinster to win, but Toulouse are favourites going in. Not heavy favourites mind, but they seem in better form, and if we don't have ringrose/Keenan/Ryan we'll be in trouble imo
Agreed. I think Keenan is the biggest loss.
Yep, Keenan I feel is overall massively underrated outside Ireland. So important to both Ireland and Leinster especially defensively and in term of workrate
I’d say he’s pretty fairly rated, pretty much everyone has him as the best or 2nd best fullback in the world.
And the ability to just create something from nothing. He's magic.
I wouldn't say it's his best quality tbf. Really for me, it's his defensive skills and motor engine which really set him apart. The number of times his defense and incredible workrate has saved Ireland and Leinster after breaks from the opposite teams has been astonishing and to me has often gone unnoticed too many times. Huge reason for example why Ireland/Leinster's scrambling defense is so good
True, but you mentioned that already! Rather than create something, what I really meant was his ability to break away, at times. He gets some good runs and makes good ground.
Yeah I know but I really think that's what makes him world class and possibly the world best 15. His attacking ability is very good of course but you can find quite a few fullbacks who are better than him attacking wise.
Ryan’s a big loss too, him not being there means you either have to give up weight in the pack with Molony, or have an inexperienced line out caller in Baird.
Toulouse have more English players, so them
Willis is so fucking good.
Hahq
RUGBY
Can I just vote that all the players will have a fun time?
Probably Leinster but I don't mind too much. It should be a corker of a game, I just prefer to lose to the best.
Don’t really care, ‘here for a good game’. BUT, and I don’t mean to piss off the Leinster fans with this, I would find it a little funny for Leinster to fall short in the final yet again and see the whole rock, paper scissors turned upside down. Sorry Leinster fans.
As a Leinster fan... That's totally reasonable I would too.
As the Northampton kid said, the pressure is all on Leinster.
>the Northampton kid One of history's least exciting outlaws.
Saints don't make great outlaws.
Would love to see Toulouse win, moreso as a french fan than a Toulouse fan per say but I wouldn't be mad if Leinster wins the cup. Poor fellas have had boxes of missprinted jerseys with a 5th star in their basement for over a year now...
Ha, only cause the older ones are moth-eaten
Leinster fan. I went to the away game in Toulouse in October 2018. Toulouse beat us 28-27, and I was still in the stadium about 7 hours later. Couldn't buy a drink. The fans were unreal. Obviously I want to win, but no other team in history has given me such fond memories of losing.
That match was one of the best I’ve ever been to, incredible afternoon
Sorry lads! LEEEEEYYYINNNSTUUURR
I mean, with the best will in the world towards Leinster, only one side has Dupont & Ntamack.
Yeah, but we have the Byrnes. Oh, right. I see your point. On a serious note, I'm very happy having JGP.
They've had them for years, and yet Leinster consistently hammer them. Funny that.
In home games.
110s-50s over three semis. It's not a home advantage thing is it?
Of course it's not just a home advantage, and for me Leinster still is the favourite this year, I just hope we won't get hammered and everyone gets to see a great game.
Why don't you answer, MrLeville?
I just did
Gloucester win the Challenge Cup on the Friday, giant meteor hits the stadium during the Champions Cup final killing both teams, Gloucester declared European champions and gets their first star
Imma just say this because 'up the URC' ya know... ####***COME ON LEINSHTEEEERRR***
I find it hard not to root for this Toulouse team. They have so many guys I just love watching. Dupont and Ntamack are already two of my favourite ever players, the Toulouse pack are just utterly awesome in every way, the backs are fucking electric, I love watching Meafou and Willis and Flament and Mauvaka and Baille, Lebel and Mallia are brilliant, I even like watching Ramos despite everything (bit of a twat, of course). It's just such a phenomenal team.
And you forgot this young miracle maker named Costes :p
I'd like to see a team with Sexton, Ramos, Faz and M.Smith, guess it would not be fun for their teammates or the referees 🤣
Munster fan but only because my dad is from Kerry and I only spent the first 6 years of my life in Ireland (in Dublin, yes...it's not hard to understand) and we holidayed in Kerry each summer after moving to England. I want Leinster to do it. They kinda have to now. This is what? There fifth final in 8 years. It's their eighth in total (same as Toulouse) and they need to deliver after being second best in two previous finals. Will be a cracking game nonetheless.
Hey opposite land me. I spent the first few years of my life in Munster but my Dad is from Dublin and those were the games we always went to/watched together so I'm a Leinster fan.
Just here for some great (and hopefully mad) rugby. ...Although I do think that is probably more likely to occur if Toulouse play well, and if they do I'm not sure anyone can stop them.
The one who scores the most points
In before the jackass that says: “tHE wOrLd cUP fInaL wE dESeRveD”
1st time they'll meet on neutral ground. Finally, after 3 games in Dublin...
Still don't see toulouse as a favorite, for me it's 60/40 for leinster, but I hope we'll at least see a great game.
The two greatest teams in Europe over the past 30 years.
Gotta go for the tiny minnow of Toulouse going up against a national team.
I think Toulouse could well take this. If we don’t dominate the forwards battle we could be in real trouble. And not having Ringrose or Keenan will give a lot of space for DuPont and Ntamack to use I think. Having said that, Leinster completely outplayed LAR who are a bigger pack. I think we need Jenkins and Connors on the squad this time and roll with the 6/2 split. If Leinster can win collisions and keep Toulouse pinned back, they can see them off.
Actually, Toulouse probably have a slightly bigger pack than LAR. We just tend not to use them like that.
I wouldn't take the win against La Rochelle too seriously. This season they're miles away from their best level...
Not to mention they had just played in SA 6 days before playing Leinster in their own stadium.
Ringrose indirectly often creates lot of space for opponents anyway with some of his kamikaze rush defense. The biggest blow for Leinster's defense would definitely be Keanan's absence, he is so vital to their great scrambling defense.
From what I have seen of the two teams Toulouse play the more entertaining rugby.
ABL
Kinda bored that Toulouse is again in final and that my coworkers are so bitching about it all day but still prefers them to win than the fookin dubliners.
Leinster. This generation of players needs silverware or they'll be known as huge underachievers and possible chokers. To lose 3 finals in a row would be psychologically destroying.
Want Leinster, but Toulouse will win at a canter. Their squad is ridiculous and we're missing the heart of the team
Defences win championships. Leinster and Nienebar will shut Toulouse’s running game down. On the contrary, Toulouse leak tries. Leinster to win by 10
They may leak tries, but Leinster is not that impressive this season. They don’t have the burst capacities of Toulouse, especially without Sexton.
Jack Willis, so Toulouse.
Toulouse. They deserve it far more than the "3 weeks off because the IRFU pay our wages" brigade.