Dragons V Leinster

First topic message reminder :

Not on the telly

Pity, Could be entertaining.

LEINSTER:

15: David Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Noel Reid
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Nathan White
4: Devin Toner
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Mark Flanagan
20: Jordi Murphy
21: Luke McGrath
22: Isa Nacewa
23: Darren Hudson

sean.c wrote:Hopefully there's a Reddan-Boss relationship there rather than an O'Gara-Sexton one... All for the greater good

Because sexton hasn't the cojones or mental capabilities to try yo be as good as he can rather than use the excuse of O'Gara. What a load of tosh. Sexton just isn't good enough, even now with O'Gara almost an oap..poor johnny

Sexton is the best flyhalf in the NH. By a mile. His next step is to start dominating the NH sides. If only we could get rid of Deccie and let him fly. Ah well. Next year he's gone. Thank Christ.

Madigan should travel for the experience. JS needs decent backup and the backup now is not the Georgie Best. In fairness - it never really was.

Re Sexton.. I hope so but i doubt it...still...great defense, pity about the rest of his game...but he is a decent HC outhalf...hasn't cut it at intl level yet and probably never will.

great win by the lads...nice to see madigan kicking.

If we get to the final Madigan should start. He's been the standout player for us in the Rabo this year and deserves it.

ye i think he will sean cause all the boys will be nackered after the HC final.

There are players like Madigan, Kearney Jr. etc. who've put us 10 points clear at the top of the league. There's no reason why they can't be trusted to win the play-offs. Our very strongest side should play the HC final. And some should play the PRO12 semi, some should play the PRO12 final, as Schmidt see's fit.

But I don't think anyone should really be playing all three matches. It would be to much.

Feckless Rogue wrote:There are players like Madigan, Kearney Jr. etc. who've put us 10 points clear at the top of the league. There's no reason why they can't be trusted to win the play-offs. Our very strongest side should play the HC final. And some should play the PRO12 semi, some should play the PRO12 final, as Schmidt see's fit.

But I don't think anyone should really be playing all three matches. It would be to much.

I would guess that several players will play all three. (If there are 3)

Much is made of this rest and rotate stuff. Basically it's balls out from here on in.

We have one of the most rested and rotated squads in Europe, as evidenced by the lack of injuries (so far)

No player would want to miss any of the 3 possible games at this point.

How would you feel If we did an "England in the soccer WC 1970" and rested players in the semi then missed the final. (OK England did it in the Quarter final, but you get the point)

My guess is minimal rotation from here on with perhaps 25 players at most in the last 3 squads.

So did anyone get to see he match,I'd like to know how did Kearney jr. go at fullback,McGrath at LH and Luke McGrath in his few minutes at the end.

Does anyone know were to find highlights of the match?

But last year we did tire in the PRO12 final against Munster. With the squad we have, I think we can rotate in fresher players the PRO12 matches and we'll be more likely to win both.

We lost last year because of 3 things.

We spent 3 days on the p1ss after Cardiff. (I would hope we have learned from this)

We were away in Thomond (We HAVE learned from this and if we get past Glasgow we will be at home)

Munster were REALLY, REALLY up for it. (again we should have learned from that)

We have lost every Magners final there has been. Hopefully that has given us a lesson too.

Feckless Rogue wrote:But last year we did tire in the PRO12 final against Munster. With the squad we have, I think we can rotate in fresher players the PRO12 matches and we'll be more likely to win both.

OK using the 23 guys that played Clermont as a basis. Who would you add besides Dave K for Luke?

I think Kearney Jr, Madigan, McFadden, O'Malley, McLaughlin, Toner, VDM and Ryan are definitely good enough to start against Glasgow and win.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I think Kearney Jr, Madigan, McFadden, O'Malley, McLaughlin, Toner, VDM and Ryan are definitely good enough to start against Glasgow and win.

OK. Just O'Malley and Ryan then? (the rest were in there anyway)

So you agree with me then. I said 25 players max for all 3 squads. And that some players would play all 3 games.

This is the business end. Its been a long season. So we need to utilise the whole squad.

BOD has been well rested. He is just starting to get really match-fit. He is in every game. Same with Cullen. Same with Thorn. Backed up by Toner.

But. I think this complete task, may take more than 25 players. We should use some of the lads, who have actually won this League - by a mile and put our trust in them.

Let's check. Who's up to it, outside of the normal HC 23?

For the PRO12 alone.
O Malley
Auva'a
Conway
Carr
Macken
McGrath
Ryan
Ruddock

Id use 30 players in these 3 games. We have it. Its readied. Let's flaunt it.

Id start Madigan against Warriors for starters. Let him fly now. He kicked like a dream last night. Have JS on the bench and McFadden on the pitch. Isa too. As kicking backup. Justin Case.

Its how Joe mashes & mixes it all up from here on in, that is key. He's none too shabby at that craic. He will need to give some of his big game players a wee run next Sat. Ulster are sunning themselves in Portugal. There is nothing like game time to get you ready for a big game. Training in the Sun doesnt even come close. Having a rest is one thing, but being match-ready is another. We can use this to our advantage.

Believe in Joe.