Leinster vs Connacht

Leinster vs Connacht on New Year's Day

On current form you'd be mad to bet against Leinster but Connacht have the talent to produce an upset and have come close on occassion.

What do people think the teams will be? Score will be? Areas to watch?
Any other factors to consider?

Sykes and Carr may well not be available for this game due to injury.

The Leinster team I'd pick

VDM-Cronin-White
Some rotation from last week. Healy seems to be going down injured a lot this season. Also more game time for Cronin to work on his lineout.

Browne-Cullen
More rotation as Cullen was rested last week and Toner could do with a rest before building up to HCup duty.

McLaughlin-Heaslip-Jennings
McLaughlin and Jenno to continue after impressive shifts against Ulster. Heaslip to come in and wreck some havoc too.

Boss-Madigan
Boss looked better than Reddan last week and Madigan is a live wire for sure who needs to be exposed to more and more challenges.

McFadden-O'Malley
This pairing needs considerably more time together. McFadden is our best 12 and EOM our best 13 IMO.

D.Kearney-R.Kearney-Nacewa
Strong back 3 with attacking flair. Kearney to get more game time to encourage a continued improvement in form.

Healy-Hagan-Strauss-Ruddock-Ryan-Reddan-Sexton-Conway
Healy in need of some game time while not hugely intense as appears to be getting injured regularily. Hagan needs game time full stop. Strauss to rotate with Cronin. Ruddock to come on early after a good showing last week and McLaughlin to cover lock. Ryan to get some game time after returning from ankle injury. Reddan to rotate with Boss. Sexton to close the game out if necessary. Conway to continue rehab coming off the bench.

Heaslip and Kearney will surely not be available.Same with sexton, Healy and probably reddan

Oh yeah it's the IRFU camp thing isn't it!?
Totally forgot about that!?

Hmm wonder how much that will influence the Ulster Munster game

VDM-Cronin-White
Cullen-Browne
McLaughlin-Avuav'a-Jennings
Boss-Madigan
McFadden-O'Malley
D.Kearney-Nacewa-Conway

McGrath-Hagan-Strauss-Ruddock-Ryan-Cooney-Berquist-Hudson

I'd like to see Ruddock get a start either at 6 or 8,he was very good off the bench against Ulster and I want to see him get a chance to build on that.

I was thinking the same Sore but, McLaughlin also had a very good game at 6 and Ruddock proved at the beginning of the season that he is not an 8 really. He found it exceptionally difficult controlling the ball at the base of the scrum

I still think he needs game time,he's had a mixed season and any chance to build some good form should be taken.
I like McLaughlin but he's probably as good as he's ever going to be (very good at league level,and well able to step up to Heino level without being top class) whereas I feel Ruddock has more potential so needs every bit of gametime he can get.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:VDM-Cronin-White
Cullen-Browne
McLaughlin-Avuav'a-Jennings
Boss-Madigan
McFadden-O'Malley
D.Kearney-Nacewa-Conway

McGrath-Hagan-Strauss-Ruddock-Ryan-Cooney-Berquist-Hudson

Will these guys not be on Ireland training duty as well? And maybe Jennings too?

Not sure tbh, who goes and who doesn't. you'd think possibly mcfadden too then as well and maybe Toner

I read somewhere that it'll be 20 to 25 players mostly drawn from the WC squad.

Is Berquist fit again?

Think Id expect Sykes to start although it was interesting that McLaughlin went to second row for brown in the ulster game when Sykes was on the bench.

Yeah golden I thought the same. Sykes really doesn't seem to have impressed. I think breq is pretty close to ok again will be interestig to see where he slots in to joes pkans

Ye not too keen on him at all tbh but he deserves a chance and this is definitely the game for it. Any idea what Connacht will be like? Looked like a good team against Munster and i doubt they have the squad to do too much rotation. Would like to see mcsherry- Griffin up against McFadden- O' Malley. I was really impressed with McSherry this season (Griffin as well but i knew about him form the U20s).

Dunno what the story is with the Ireland camp but Cronins second choice for ireland so id expect him to be there.

Love Conway to get 80 minutes, have high hopes for him.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Not sure tbh, who goes and who doesn't. you'd think possibly mcfadden too then as well and maybe Toner

McFadden yes and Toner no.

I've heard it will be the WC squad. So no Boss, Cronin, Cullen, D'Arcy, Healy, Heaslip, Jennings, Kearney, McFadden, O'Brien, Reddan, Ross, Sexton.

Leaving something like.....

Van Der Merwe
Strauss
Hagan
Browne
Toner
McLaughlin
Ruddock
Avua'a

Cooney
Madigan
Carr (if fit)/Conway
Fitzgerald
O'Malley
D Kearney
Nacewa

T Sexton
McGrath
White
Sykes (if fit)/Flanagan
Jordi Murphy
L McGrath
Macken
Conway/Hudson

Looking a bit callow for Connacht.......

Edit: http://www.irishrugby.ie/provincial/news/25233.php

Yeah I think that qualifies as callow alright. Must be a real kick in te teethto someone like Fitz who's worked so hard since the Rwc only to not be invited again!

Can't remember the last time bar Rwc that we had such a weak 23

Golden wrote:Ye not too keen on him at all tbh but he deserves a chance and this is definitely the game for it. Any idea what Connacht will be like? Looked like a good team against Munster and i doubt they have the squad to do too much rotation. Would like to see mcsherry- Griffin up against McFadden- O' Malley. I was really impressed with McSherry this season (Griffin as well but i knew about him form the U20s).

Dunno what the story is with the Ireland camp but Cronins second choice for ireland so id expect him to be there.

Love Conway to get 80 minutes, have high hopes for him.

Browne has definitely impressed more than Sykes so far this season for sure. NOt really sure what kinda player Sykes is, he is definitely not "the lineout specialist" but doesn't seem to be much of an "enforcer either".

Yeah that's a tasty centre face off but as said McFadden could well be away meaning Fitz would probably have to play centre. 3 positions in 3 weeks....this is not what he will want I'd say.

Makes sense Cronin would be there I guess, do we still have J Harris Wright or just Dundon?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Golden wrote:Ye not too keen on him at all tbh but he deserves a chance and this is definitely the game for it. Any idea what Connacht will be like? Looked like a good team against Munster and i doubt they have the squad to do too much rotation. Would like to see mcsherry- Griffin up against McFadden- O' Malley. I was really impressed with McSherry this season (Griffin as well but i knew about him form the U20s).

Dunno what the story is with the Ireland camp but Cronins second choice for ireland so id expect him to be there.

Love Conway to get 80 minutes, have high hopes for him.

Browne has definitely impressed more than Sykes so far this season for sure. NOt really sure what kinda player Sykes is, he is definitely not "the lineout specialist" but doesn't seem to be much of an "enforcer either".

Yeah that's a tasty centre face off but as said McFadden could well be away meaning Fitz would probably have to play centre. 3 positions in 3 weeks....this is not what he will want I'd say.

Makes sense Cronin would be there I guess, do we still have J Harris Wright or just Dundon?

Harris-Wright signed for bristol a few months ago.

Is he getting his game or do you know? The lad is such a meat head it's not funny!

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Is he getting his game or do you know? The lad is such a meat head it's not funny!

Dunno. but I reckon a Championship side would not sign a player like him to sit on the bench, of fill out a squad

True I guess.

Anyone know what time the team is being announced at?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:True I guess.

Anyone know what time the team is being announced at?

Now.

Leinster team to face Connacht...
The Leinster team to face Connacht in Sunday's RaboDirect PRO12 derby against Connacht in the Sportsground Galway (KO: 5pm) has been named...
Isa Nacewa starts at full back in a side which shows a number of changes from the one which started the 42-13 victory over Ulster on St. Stephen's Day. Andrew Conway, who successfully came through his first appearance on Monday, starts on the left wing with David Kearney on the right wing.

Brendan Macken partners Eoin O'Malley, who will make his 42nd appearance for the province, at centre with Isaac Boss linking up with Ian Madigan at half back.

Leo Cullen leads the team and partners Damian Browne at second row with Jamie Hagan joining fellow Academy graduate Jack McGrath in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss who made his 50th Leinster appearance against Ulster.

Final decisions on the makeup of the back-row, replacement back-row and in the replacement outside back slots will be made closer to kick off.

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: David Kearney
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Brendan Macken
11: Andrew Conway
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Jack McGrath
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Kevin McLaughlin/Shane Jennings
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings/Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid/Fionn Carr
23: Luke Fitzgerald

REFEREE: John Lacey (IRFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson, Michael Black (both IRFU, TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

Don't feel so bad about going to this fixture now. The 4 WC players will be a great help.

Yeah it's a good team for sure. Very strong bench in places. Good backline and while the pack may not be hugely mobile it's quite strong

Is Fionn Carr injured?

Is Cullen and Boss starting here an indication that they wont be used by Ireland in the future given they are missing the IRFU training camp. Also very surprised to see Cronin picked.

Feckless Rogue wrote:Is Fionn Carr injured?

Did his ankle against Ulster.

Standulstermen wrote:Is Cullen and Boss starting here an indication that they wont be used by Ireland in the future given they are missing the IRFU training camp. Also very surprised to see Cronin picked.

Cullen is at best 4th choice in Kidney's mind behind Ryan and O'Callaghan.
Boss was drafted in at the last minute for the WC when O'Leary just gave Kidney no choice.
Jennings was only included because Wally got hurt.

Cronin is a bit surprising though. With Flannery still out, he should be 2nd choice. Have Varley and or Sherry gon ahead of him? Surely not.

To be fair I wouldn't be that surprised if it turned out Cronin and Fitz were at the training camp in Carton House and are just released to sit on the bench. After all, this game is 1st January. It's a 2 day training camp that is ongoing now so it should be finished by then no?

Never thought of that, if that's the case I'm sure it would be pretty easy or someone to figure that out.

What kinda stuff do people think they are doing in Carlton for 2 days?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Never thought of that, if that's the case I'm sure it would be pretty easy or someone to figure that out.

What kinda stuff do people think they are doing in Carlton for 2 days?

Kidney and the boys will be having a wee chat and a post-mortem. " Lids, we'll put my tactical phhook-up at the RWC behind us. We'll give my new plan A a lash in the 6-N. "

POC. " Errm Deccie, whats de new plan like?"

"Well Paulie, you'll be my new Captain and... we've had enough of trying to play rugby.Its alien to me, to be honest. Cant work it out and its for soft langers anyway. We'll play it de Munster Way and win de feicin ting with 5 ROG drop-goals"

POC smiles. " Grand Boss"

Leinster Crew. "Groooooooooooan"


Really looking forward to see if Macken can put a spanner in McFadden/Darcy/O Malley works tomorrow. He must take these chances. Conway needs to start showing his pre-injury form to challenge Carr. I think he will.

Good performances required from McGrath, Hagan & Browne, in the pack, to pre-justify the IRFU Directive.

Its all bubbling over nicely.

Happy New Year all.

I've just emailed my article to the Indo - "Leinster Kicked to Victory by Fijian Import".

Not a single point for Leinster scored by an Irish player, as I understand it. I'm sure they'll be keen to flag that up, given their concern about thirty-something foreigners holding back talented youngsters...

Bated breath.

Connacht 2 tries to nil and still lose. So unlucky with the drop goal at the end. Some great running rugby and if it wasn't for some silly handling errors they would have won. Sounded like great atmosphere at the sportsground. Connacht definitely moving in the right direction

Don Alfonso wrote:I've just emailed my article to the Indo - "Leinster Kicked to Victory by Fijian Import".

Not a single point for Leinster scored by an Irish player, as I understand it. I'm sure they'll be keen to flag that up, given their concern about thirty-something foreigners holding back talented youngsters...

Bated breath.

BlueMuff wrote:Connacht 2 tries to nil and still lose. So unlucky with the drop goal at the end. Some great running rugby and if it wasn't for some silly handling errors they would have won. Sounded like great atmosphere at the sportsground. Connacht definitely moving in the right direction

It will be Neil Francis. Ulster Saffers save the day for inadequate and over-hyped, home-grown talent. Munster are doomed. Leinster Academy - found out at last.

De gobshoite.

Gotta love im.

Thought once again Griffin played very well. I really like the look of him at 13, makes me think Spence should perhaps focus on becoming a 12 in all seriousness though, we have some fantastic options as BOD's successor.

Jeez Gibson the leinster backs were like a Young Munster prop forward convention tonight. The claw would have more skill in is big thumb than the lot of them put together....

DOD wrote:Jeez Gibson the leinster backs were like a Young Munster prop forward convention tonight. The claw would have more skill in is big thumb than the lot of them put together....

True. And with some kind of passion involved, looking for scarce places in the 22/23. Not impressed.

Not impressed at all.

Wished Connacht had won. Really.

I'm getting worried about our lineout,we could be found out badly when we come up against the very top teams.I think I now understand why Schmidt keeps picking McLaughlin in the away matches,he wants 4 lineout options.

Poor performance but a win on the road none the less.

What did ye make of Madigan playing 10 mins at scrum half? I think it's seriously worth looking at.

Our lineout was poor. Out of all our second row options Browne and Cullen are probably the poorest 2 on a pure lineout ability basis. It was magnified also by terrible throws towards the back of the lineout (ball, footwork, lifters, positioning was all wrong).

I was very peeved off with the way Leinster played to be honest. No tempo, No precision, No intensity. It was as if the pack looked at that back line said to themselves we ain't running after those headless chickens trying to retain ball at the breakdown so looked to slow the game down with a load of one-pass rugby.

Any leinster fella responsible for the poor connacht lad that had to go off on a stretcher? I see that the on-field retaliation with Strauss has him on the injured list with facial injuries being assessed (some way to go to ruck someones face!). As it is inter-pro I assume it will be brushed aside!

You mean Brian Touhy? He broke his leg unfortunately.

I don't think the Connacht players were peeved with him getting the injury, it had nothing to do with a Leinster tackle / foul play. I think they were getting annoyed because we were playing on (counter rucking) while he was injured.

The lineout was shocking, but the conditions were awful, just because Isa kicked 5/5 doesn't mean it was a soft day, the wind was really high, or so i read.

*EDIT - Brian Touhy

Mickado wrote:You mean Dan Touhy? He broke his leg unfortunately.

I don't think the Connacht players were peeved with him getting the injury, it had nothing to do with a Leinster tackle / foul play. I think they were getting annoyed because we were playing on (counter rucking) while he was injured.

The lineout was shocking, but the conditions were awful, just because Isa kicked 5/5 doesn't mean it was a soft day, the wind was really high, or so i read.

But you have to play to the whistle. In the Leinster/Ulster game the week before Fitzgibbon (to his credit, I don't usually like his style/calls) blew on more than one occasion when it looked like someone was injured as a breakdown was forming (Fionn Carr getting pinned in a tackle, and I think he stopped for a clash of heads on another occasion which could have been missed by alot of refs)

Isa won't have a kicking display like that for a long time. I was at the Bohermore end (playing windbreaker for half a terrace the way the breeze was howling into my back) and how he was bisecting the posts and easily getting 5 metres over the bar each time was a credit to the man. He had a beauty the first half also which was going wide up till the last metre before the posts and then faded left to right. McIlroy would have been proud of that swing.

Ah stop man, I only saw it on TV, but it was a class kick. Nice to have a 3rd choice kicker who can do that. I’d love to see the % success for himself, McFadden and Sexton this season. They’re hardly missing anything.