Clermont vs Leinster thread and how to delay a plane...

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

First topic message reminder :

So this is the big one, huge one, massive one!
Some are calling this the unofficial final.

Two powerhouses in European Rugby and arguably the best two teams in the competition coming together.

Recent tussles have favoured Leinster who beat Clermont in the Aviva convincingly enouugh and in the RDS by the skin of their teeth with James missing a good few kicks at goal. Clermont beat Leinster in France but the visitors managed to get a crucial LBP.

Huge match ups all over the field.

The entire front rows
Hines vs Thorn
Sexton vs James
Rougerie vs O'Driscoll
Kearney vs Byrne

Home advantage sees Clermont the slight favourites but they have moved the game to Bordeaux.

Thoughts on who can win it?
Team you want to see?
Where the game can be won for each side?
Ref?
Rant?

Let it all come out here.

I have a tiny bit of a huge problem here also:
I (like a fool) decided to go to Budapest this weekend. My return flight leaves at 17:25 Hungarian time (also French time).
My question is...how do I delay a plane......?

[Knowsit17]

Leinster forwards on the back foot apart from the breakdown. Further alarm bells in the scrummaging department. I can see Clermont grinding out a result unless something is done.

[Rava]

Hopefully they can analyse the problems and sort out the front row and lineout. Won't win without a set piece.
Got a couple of favors from Barnes so it could be worse.
It's only six points.

Come on Leinster BELIEVE!!

[LordDowlais]

Barnes isn't having a good game so far

Thankfully for Leinster, hopefully they will sort their forwards out and we will see another Rabbo team in the final.

[eirebilly]

I would take D'Arcy off at half time and move Sexton to 12 and bring Madigan on at 10.

You could have the entire All Black back line, but unless the forwards sort themselves out you are not going to win this game.

That maybe so but Leinsters midfield defence has been very weak and D'Arcy is at the centre of that.

Get the lineouts sorted and stability in the scrum and Leinsters forwards wont be so much on the back foot.

[Gibson]

May see VDM on. Powerful scrummager.

[gowales]

Barnes isn't having a good game so far

Thankfully for Leinster, hopefully they will sort their forwards out and we will see another Rabbo team in the final.

Personally i'm cheering for Clermont because if they win the whole thing, Wasps will be in the HC next year and that'll mean they can probably get some investment.

[eirebilly]

Why wait for the last 10 for Madigan Gibbo? I would have him on now.

[Knowsit17]

Numa Numa

[Notch]

It's hard to see how Leinster are going to turn this game around up front. They need a miracle of the measure of the half-time turn around in the Final...

[Portnoy]

I think that Barnes will now have realised that negativity of Leinster at the breakdown along with ASM forward dominance will result in a procession of penalties against the Ladyboys in the second half. That's the way it goes these days.

[Feckless Rogue]

I would take D'Arcy off at half time and move Sexton to 12 and bring Madigan on at 10.

You could have the entire All Black back line, but unless the forwards sort themselves out you are not going to win this game.

True. Clermont pack is having an excellent game. Normally Leinster are quite good at fixing things at half time. We'll see if they can this time. I'm sure Schmidt will do something. I've never seen Leinster completely collapse though. Even when getting mullered by Toulouse in Toulouse 2 years ago. They never give up. Made a game of it against the tide. So I at least expect some form of Leinster fightback here.

[Gibson]

Id worry about his defence over a longer period Billy. Hes good, but this is big boys stuff. Also, ASM know nothing of him. He may be the man to open them up. We'll see. Need the 1st score in the 2nd half.

[LordDowlais]

I think that Barnes will now have realised that negativity of Leinster at the breakdown along with ASM forward dominance will result in a procession of penalties against the Ladyboys in the second half. That's the way it goes these days.

If this is the Leinster 1st front row, then they need investment in that area a.s.a.p. At this rate they will not win this game and then it looks like they will have Munster in the Rabbo semi, then either Ospreys or Glasgow if they beat Munster. All those sides have good forwards and unless the pull their fingers out they will be potless this year.

[eirebilly]

The game was played at a frenetic pace Gibbo, thats got to have tired some boys out. I would have Madigan on now or at the latest 50mins.

[Notch]

Forget opening them up if you can't stem the flow at scrum or lineout. You need your tight five to stand up and win this; if they don't, everyone else is irrelevant. You can't cut them open if you don't have any kind of platform.

THIS, this is the time for Leinster to show their true champion quality. Need Healy, Ross, Cullen, Thorn and Strauss to stand up in such a big way. It'll be tough. But Leinster are a champion side for a reason.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!

[Glas a du]

Clermont could run out of steam second half. Leinster have to attack more and kick less. They have to sort out the scrum. It can be done, but they need to start well.

[Pot Hale]

Looking ominous for Leinster currently. Boss is too slow, they need Reddan on. And Ross is creaking. Strauss not sharp with his throwing.

A Sexton inspired revival?

[mankiaow]

Leinster a being undone, in the main, by two things, Strauss' throwing and Sexton's kicking. They're ceding too much posession from the restarts and gaining nothing from their lineouts. It's giving Clermont confidence.

They should be able to fix it in the second half.

[eirebilly]

I would not be all that concerned about the Leinster forwards unless they are still being dominated after 50mins. These are forwards that are better than this and i think that they will have got some clear instructions at 1/2 time.

[Feckless Rogue]

I think that Barnes will now have realised that negativity of Leinster at the breakdown along with ASM forward dominance will result in a procession of penalties against the Ladyboys in the second half. That's the way it goes these days.

If this is the Leinster 1st front row, then they need investment in that area a.s.a.p. At this rate they will not win this game and then it looks like they will have Munster in the Rabbo semi, then either Ospreys or Glasgow if they beat Munster. All those sides have good forwards and unless the pull their fingers out they will be potless this year.

I think you have to give credit to the excellent Clermont pack though. They're beating Leinster. Doesn't mean any other team will be able to.

[eirebilly]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[Guest]

ha did anyone just hear BOD moaning to the assistant ref there?

"Oh, come on Nigel!"

[Knowsit17]

HEALY!

[Rava]

Yeeeesssssssss Healey

[Gibson]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Thats MY Leinster. Carved open as requested!

[Notch]

OHO! Nice rugby

[Guest]

Wow. Great start Leinster.

[LordDowlais]

Yeeeeaaahhhh!!!!!! Try for Leinster. How good is Kearney !!!!!

COME ON LEINSTER !!!!!!!!!!

[Rory_Gallagher]

HEALYYYYYYYY!!!

[Guest]

very good answer at the beginning of the 2nd half, nice try by Leinster.

[Knowsit17]

Champions' character to pounce on the first hint of an opportunity!

[Feckless Rogue]

Tryyyyy

Told ye there'd be at least some form of fightback. Even if they ultimately end up losing. This Leinster team will only go down swinging.

[eirebilly]

Brilliant clearance kick

[Gibson]

Losing is NOT an option.

[eirebilly]

What a DG

[Knowsit17]

Stunner by Kearney!

[Guest]

sweet, sweet kick.

[Golden]

Beaty!!!! Come on!!!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Kearney is the best 15 in world rugby right now.

[Feckless Rogue]

Kearney. Wow. Pleasure to watch a player this good in this type of form. BOD like influence in turning the game around.

[Gibson]

That, is why we are European Champs. We are turning it around and punishing them now. Nous. Oodles and oodles of nous and experience.

Kearney is da Man!

[Golden]

Leinster stealing some crucial ball. Yet again they come out after the break a different team

[eirebilly]

I still think that this is made for Madigan. Clermont can be opened up by him.

[Gibson]

Bottle gone.

[Notch]

Oooh! The bottle is on, Brock James... this game has turned on its head.

[Guest]

that was a v v strange kick. Parra to kick from now on!

[wales606]

James in trouble, why not let Parra kick anyway? - Surely more reliable.

Leinster doing a Leinster, brilliant comeback in 10 minutes.

[Knowsit17]

James with a rare miss. Tide may be turning...or not. Another pen for Clermont.

[Notch]

Can I just say, Rob Kearney is ridiculous. I mean... in a good way.

[eirebilly]

Bottle back

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