Preseason: Northampton Saints (43) v Leinster (0) (Franklin's Gardens)

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 15 Aug 2012, 1:13 pm

Game kicks off 3pm on Saturday 18 August.

LEINSTER matchup to NORTHAMPTON

15: Andrew Conway v Ben FODEN
14: Andrew Boyle v Vasily ARTEMYEV
13: Brendan Macken v George PISI
12: Jordan Coghlan v Dom WALDOUCK
11: Sam Coghlan-Murray v Paul DIGGIN
10: Noel Reid v Ryan LAMB
9: Isaac Boss v Lee DICKSON

1: Jack McGrath v Soane TONGA'UIHA
2: Richardt Strauss v Dylan HARTLEY (capt)
3: Martin Moore v Brian MUJATI
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN v Mark SORENSON
5: Devin Toner v Christian DAY
6: Dominic Ryan v Samu MANOA
7: Jordi Murphy v Teimana HARRISON
8: Leo Auva’a v Phil DOWSON

REPLACEMENTS LEINSTER:
16: Tom Sexton 17: Heinke van der Merwe 18: Jamie Hagan 19: Tom Denton 20: Ben Marshall
21: John Cooney 22: Ian Madigan 23: Collie O’Shea 24: Fionn Carr 25: Jack O’Connell
Replacements SAINTS
Scott ARMSTRONG, Luther BURRELL, Noah CATO, Paul DORAN JONES, Mike HAYWOOD, Tom HICKS, Mark HOPLEY, Tom MAY, Ross MCMILLAN, Tom MERCEY, Stephen MYLER, Ben NUTLEY, Rhys OAKLEY, Ken PISI, Martin ROBERTS, Alex WALLER, James WILSON, Tom WOOD

The Leinster Spin
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchcentre/10210.php

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 15 Aug 2012, 1:37 pm

Squad will be announced on Friday.

Players that will probably come into the mix for selection who were not there last Sat include.

Boss
Conway
Cullen
Nacewa
Roux
Toner
Van Der Merwe

If VDM comes in then less chance of seeing the promising looking O'Connell at LH

Be interesting how Feaky sets up the scrum OK. I think Roux is a tight head scrumager. Leo, Denton, & Flanigan are not and Toner only scrums that side when there are no other options. Hopefully Browne just got a knock last week that will not keep him out.

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 15 Aug 2012, 3:18 pm

Its not a great sign of things to come if we are already relying on Browne. They guy can't be knocked for effort, but we really played him for about a month beyond reasonable last year when he was clearly injured but we had no options available.

Game could be made for Boss. Chances are a scrum going backwards and a forwards dominated contest. Boss is the pick of our scrumhalfs to handle that

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 15 Aug 2012, 3:23 pm

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Its not a great sign of things to come if we are already relying on Browne. They guy can't be knocked for effort, but we really played him for about a month beyond reasonable last year when he was clearly injured but we had no options available.

Game could be made for Boss. Chances are a scrum going backwards and a forwards dominated contest. Boss is the pick of our scrumhalfs to handle that

Yeah but it's a pre season friendly. It's not about coping with their game at all costs. It's about learning and getting up to speed for the season proper.

Having said that. Boss will play most likely anyway but to bring him up to speed rather than....

by thebandwagonsociety Wed 15 Aug 2012, 3:40 pm

I see your point. He'd also provide a cleaner ball to what is probably going to be quite an inexperienced. Would allow them to play their rehearsed moves off a stable(ish) platform.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:21 pm

The Leinster team to face Northampton Saints in Saturday's pre-season friendly in Franklin's Gardens (KO: 3pm) has been named...
There are several changes to the line-up for the province as it steps up its preparations ahead of the start of the new competitive season.

Last weekend’s 33-22 victory over Gloucester saw plenty of young players given the opportunity to gain first team minutes and again this week the team has a youthful look but with the added experience of Captain Leo Cullen and fellow Ireland internationals Isaac Boss and Devin Toner.

Leo Auva’a is joined in the back-row by Jordi Murphy and Dominic Ryan who both featured off the bench in Tallaght Stadium last weekend.

Jack McGrath is joined in the front row by a mix of youth and experience in the shape of Academy prop Martin Moore and double Heineken Cup winning hooker Richardt Strauss.

In the backline, Boss links up with Noel Reid – one of six Academy products - at half back while Jordan Coghlan makes his first start at inside centre alongside Brendan Macken.

South African loose-head prop Heinke van der Merwe is included on the bench after the recent birth of his second Irish-born son, Eli.

LEINSTER:

15: Andrew Conway
14: Andrew Boyle
13: Brendan Macken
12: Jordan Coghlan
11: Sam Coghlan-Murray
10: Noel Reid
9: Isaac Boss

1: Jack McGrath
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Martin Moore
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Leo Auva’a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Tom Denton
20: Ben Marshall
21: John Cooney
22: Ian Madigan
23: Collie O’Shea
24: Fionn Carr
25: Jack O’Connell

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:23 pm

SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY LEINSTER
Pre-Season Friendly
Franklin's Gardens
Saturday, August 18th, 2012
Kick off 3pm
15 Ben FODEN
14 Vasily ARTEMYEV
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Paul DIGGIN
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Lee DICKSON
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt)
3 Brian MUJATI
4 Mark SORENSON
5 Christian DAY
6 Samu MANOA
7 Teimana HARRISON
8 Phil DOWSON

Replacements
Scott ARMSTRONG, Luther BURRELL, Noah CATO, Paul DORAN JONES, Mike HAYWOOD, Tom HICKS, Mark HOPLEY, Tom MAY, Ross MCMILLAN, Tom MERCEY, Stephen MYLER, Ben NUTLEY, Rhys OAKLEY, Ken PISI, Martin ROBERTS, Alex WALLER, James WILSON, Tom WOOD

Owtsch!

by yappysnap Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:34 pm

Pretty strong looking Saints team there, if they click and Lamb has one of his good games then they should be good for the win.

Odd that they have Manoa at 6 though i'd have preferred him at lock. Looking forward to hearing how Teimana goes.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:36 pm

Not far off full strength for the Saints then. That team does look impressive, add in the return of both Wood and Lawes plus this new Bok 8 and things will start to look very tasty in that pack.

Hope Luther Burrell gets a chance to kick on this season, he looked good for Sale previously and then just disappeared once Sam Tuitupo signed.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:40 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
6 Samu MANOA

Manu Tuilagi's full name is Manu Samoa Tuilagi.

Manu Samoa is the name of the Samoan rugby union team (Toa Samoa is the League team)

So I suppose it is a bit like having a son called IRFU McCarthy who ends up playing for England Smile

Is Samu Manoa someone affected with spoonerism saying Manu Samoa?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:41 pm

I am expecting us to get killed. But I was expecting defeat last week too.......

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:46 pm

This will be a great experience for our young props mcgrath and moore. It would be great to see if they can hold their own in the scrum.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:50 pm

Great to see a big strong back rower given a chance in the centre too. We need more 12s

by gowales Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:53 pm

I actually prefer Manoa as a 6/8, when Wood's back Dowson will have a tough job getting into the starting XV

by **rodders** Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:53 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY LEINSTER
Pre-Season Friendly
Franklin's Gardens
Saturday, August 18th, 2012
Kick off 3pm
15 Ben FODEN
14 Vasily ARTEMYEV
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Paul DIGGIN
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Lee DICKSON
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt)
3 Brian MUJATI
4 Mark SORENSON
5 Christian DAY
6 Samu MANOA
7 Teimana HARRISON
8 Phil DOWSON

Replacements
Scott ARMSTRONG, Luther BURRELL, Noah CATO, Paul DORAN JONES, Mike HAYWOOD, Tom HICKS, Mark HOPLEY, Tom MAY, Ross MCMILLAN, Tom MERCEY, Stephen MYLER, Ben NUTLEY, Rhys OAKLEY, Ken PISI, Martin ROBERTS, Alex WALLER, James WILSON, Tom WOOD

Owtsch!

Oh shoite! Shocked

Good luck with this one..... Whistle

.....

by Duigers Fri 17 Aug 2012, 12:58 pm

Jaysus that basically a full strength Saints team!

Good man Joe- throw them in there ! Extremely excited in seeing Coghlan at 12..

A good 2-3 yeas in there and he could be in with a WC shout (cause theres feic all else coming through of standout international class at 12)...

by Mickado Fri 17 Aug 2012, 1:33 pm

Oh this will be a tough game.

Still, interesting that Coughlan has been picked at center. 2 very big centers for Leinster actually.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 17 Aug 2012, 1:39 pm

A good 2-3 yeas in there and he could be in with a WC shout (cause theres feic all else coming through of standout international class at 12)...

Hanrahan at Munster, Marshall at Ulster or Whitten at Exeter?

by funnyExiledScot Fri 17 Aug 2012, 2:29 pm

It'll be interesting to see how Lamb and Waldouck combine together. A potentially very skillful and creative pairing that, and a sharp back three. Hefty pack as well. A very tough workout for Leinster.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 17 Aug 2012, 4:29 pm

This has the feel of a proper fixture. Two sides that are definitely interested in see where they are at in their preseason prep.

Teams copied into the OP.

by Rory_Gallagher Fri 17 Aug 2012, 6:45 pm

Duigers wrote:Jaysus that basically a full strength Saints team!

Good man Joe- throw them in there ! Extremely excited in seeing Coghlan at 12..

A good 2-3 yeas in there and he could be in with a WC shout (cause theres feic all else coming through of standout international class at 12)...

..You sure about that? Erm

Some of our most talented youngsters are playing at 12. Hanrahan, Marshall and Farrell to name a few.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 3:29 pm

Leinster down 5-0 after 23mins

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 3:34 pm

Is there any twitter feed?

btw Ulster 7 Tigers 0 (HT). pen try +2(O'Connor)

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 3:38 pm

Ye its on the northampton twitter page. Cant send a link because im on my phone sorry.

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 3:41 pm

https://twitter.com/SaintsRugby - cheers.

29mins SAINTS 10 Leinster 0 TRY Diggin

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 3:46 pm

HT Saints 17 Leinster 0 T Waldouck, Diggin, Artemyev / C Lamb

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 4:42 pm

78mins SAINTS 36 Leinster 0 TRY May

by sugarNspikes Sat 18 Aug 2012, 4:44 pm

I know it's a pre-season game but, blimey, that's some scoreline.

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 4:58 pm

Wait.

FT Saints 43 Leinster 0 T Waldouck, Diggin, Artemyev, Armstrong, Wood, May, Cato / C Lamb, Myler 3

Mind you, I'm on record as saying 'don't invite Irish provinces for friendlies'. You'll get short-changed.

Northampton Saints ‏@SaintsRugby

Leinster: Conway; Boyle, Macken, Coghlan, C-Murray; Reid, Boss; McGrath, Strauss, Moore, Cullen, Toner, Ryan, Murphy, Auva'a

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 18 Aug 2012, 5:46 pm

That score doesn't surprise me one bit looking at the teams.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 18 Aug 2012, 5:48 pm

Is Wood back from injury then? He is a very important player for the Saints.

Also, can anyone who saw the game tell me how Coughlan got on at 12? I would also be interested in hearing how the Leinster back row got on, mainly Dominic Ryan and Jordi Murphy.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 6:52 pm

I wonder how our scrum did. Great that our young props got to play against one of the top scrums in europe.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 7:10 pm

If we're asking questions I'd like to add how did Coughlan and Macken get on together in defence and attack.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 18 Aug 2012, 7:18 pm

Not surprised by the score either tbh just from how good the Saints team was.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 7:44 pm

It proved a testing afternoon for the visitors, the Saints able to mix and match with strength in depth from the bench and Leinster struggling to make their possession count as they had against Gloucester a week earlier, again without their international contingent of course.
An early bout of defence denied Northampton on no less than four occasions, Leinster swarming the breakdown to claim a raft of turnovers.

It was from a far less structured phase of play that the Saints would actually open the scoring - Dom Waldouck bursting through a gap and evading the cover to slide home, Lamb missing the conversion.

Nevertheless, Northampton kept the squeeze on and with the ball shipped quickly off the back of a scrum on Leinster's 22, Paul Diggin was gifted the well-worked score by England full back Ben Foden - who would then put Vasily Artemyev away in the very same corner. This time Lamb converted and Leinster were staring down a 17-0 deficit with half-time fast approaching.

A first telling attack of the match was launched, half breaks from Isaac Boss and his half back partner Noel Reid taking Leinster within 10 metres of the Northampton line. With the posts in sight though, Saints took a leaf out of the Leinster book, committing men to the breakdown and earning the turnover that would ultimately end the half.

The second 40 started as the first had finished, Leinster on the front foot courtesy of a barnstorming break from Leo Auva'a. At the very next ruck Saints replacement Luther Burrell played the ball on the ground and saw yellow for his troubles - just two minutes after he came onto the field.

The advantage was almost immediate, Boss darting over the line and only denied by a fine piece of work from opposite number Lee Dickson holding the ball up.

It was a frustrating start to a frustrating 10 minutes for Leinster, Burrell returning with no further points from either side but a raft of changes instead.

Back to a full compliment the Saints almost added a fourth, Dominic Ryan producing a superb covering tackle on Northampton flyer Ken Pisi in the corner to keep the score at 17-0.

It stayed that way well past the hour, Leinster's scramble defence working well and a Tom Wood effort chalked off under the posts for crossing.

Just moments later though Northampton's fourth arrived, James Wilson this time providing the cut and thrust as well as the offload for Scott Armstrong and a fifth was hot on its heels, Wood getting his score in the corner. Replacement fly half Stephen Myler converted both and the score had raced up to 31-0.

The rout was rounded off by Tom May and Noah Cato inside the last 10 minutes, one laying on the score for the other and bringing about the final whistle of a disappointing run out for Leinster.

It wasn't all bad news for Leinster though. Earlier in the afternoon the Under-19s had avenged last season's defeat to their Saints counterparts with a fine 30-27 win. Tries from Ian Fitzpatrick, Stephen O'Neill and Cian Kelleher took Leinster clear and despite four tries in a strong Saints comeback, a faultless kicking display from Conor McKeon, not to mention some outstanding defence, ensured the Aer Lingus Perpetual Trophy headed back to Dublin.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 7:45 pm

Taken from the leinster app

by Portnoy Sat 18 Aug 2012, 8:08 pm

Saints site report

Seven up for Saints against Leinster
18 August 2012, 05:31 pm ::
Match Report By Tom Kwah
Although assistant coach Paul Grayson played down the final scoreline, there was plenty to please the sunlit Franklin's Gardens crowd in the seven-try win over Leinster.
Right from the off Saints showed that they were in the mood to take advantage of the clear summer afternoon, George Pisi and Dom Waldouck combining superbly down the left wing with the former only being denied a try when a Ryan Lamb chip bounced away from the Samoan. The forwards were warming to their task, too, setting up a powerful maul from their first attacking lineout.

But while there was plenty of pressure, scoring opportunities were hard to come by in the opening quarter. A Paul Diggin pass to Waldouck evaded the centre to float into touch, and Leinster held firm at a five-metre scrum.

It was only temporary respite, however, as Noel Reid's kicking from hand played straight into Saints' hands. A wayward touchfinder set up a Vasily Artemyev attack, and although the visitors held out the initial run back their defence proved powerless to stop Waldouck. The centre looked to have run up a blind alley, but his legs kept pumping and eventually Waldouck worked his way through the tacklers, into the clear, and over for his first Franklin's Gardens try.

The second try came six minutes later and it was a peach. Saints again opted to turn a penalty into a scrum, but once the ball was secured the backs were set loose. This time everything went to plan, the dummy runners held the defenders and some sleight of hand from Dickson and Lamb, and good timing from Foden, put Diggin over in the right corner.

The crowd in the Shrubbery Terrace were treated to another good score eight minutes after that. Like its predecessor, this try was created by some great handling, this time Phil Dowson. His slipped ball out of contact put Foden into the clear, Artemyev the recipient of the final scoring pass.

Leading 17-0 at the break, Saints found themselves a man down two minutes after the re-start when Luther Burrell's over-exuberance in the tackle earned the replacement centre a yellow card.

Leinster used this as the impetus for their most dangerous attack of the game thus far. But while Boss found his way over the line he did not count on Lee Dickson, who pulled off a superb tackle to hold the Irish scrum-half off the ground.

This effort galvanised the rest of the defence, and the pressure from the Saints won a turnover and nullify the danger.

Saints were still down to 14 men, but they belied the disadvantage by coming within a metre of extending their lead. In the first half Ken Pisi had showed his twinkling toes; in the second 40 his pace, power and handling skills came to the fore, and were so nearly rewarded when Tom May put him into space, only for the defence to scramble and force the Samoan into touch.

Saints continued to press, but while there was plenty of action as a raft of replacements bedded themselves into the pace of the game scoring opportunities were hard to come by.

Tom Wood came closest in a charge to the line, and while the England flanker was to find himself on the end of the game's fifth try it was its predecessor three minutes earlier which raised the roof.

The full back may have changed - James Wilson having replaced Foden at half-time - but the skills were just the same, the Kiwi slipping a great pass to Scott Armstrong for the score. And Ben Nutley showed similar prowess in Saints' sixth, grabbing the ball off his bootlaces to keep a move alive which ended in a try for Tom May.

Noah Cato's awareness had put May clear, and the centre returned the favour two minutes later. Cato sped over, Myler added the extras once again, and Saints fans headed home happy.

Leinster site report
well http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/10210.php

by **profitius** Sat 18 Aug 2012, 8:56 pm

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That score doesn't surprise me one bit looking at the teams.

I am surprised. Leinster had a pack which included Toner, Cullen, Auva'a, Dom Ryan, McGrath and Struass who all have been around the squad for a few years and are rated. The backline looked a bit raw alright but they had Boss, Conway and Macken etc.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:05 pm

They had their 1st choice second row, but overall that is a 3rd or 4th string team played against an extremely experienced and near 1st choice Saints team. Auva'a has only had one season with Leinster, McGrath is also fairly new and Ryan was injured for nearly all of last season. Conway and Macken are also still very green. Plus Leinster had a flanker at 12 to experiment with.

To be honest I thought Leinster were going to get blown away when I saw the teams.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:12 pm

Reading the match report on the leinster site, it doesnt sound like we played as bad as the scoreline suggests. I expected leinster to lose but not by that much.

by Artful_Dodger Sat 18 Aug 2012, 9:21 pm

Leinster playing blindside flankers at inside centre doesn't seem a brilliant plan to me.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 18 Aug 2012, 10:22 pm

I think Coughlan switching to the backs could actually be a blessing in disguise for both himself and Leinster. He has a lot of pace despite being 17 stone. However, I am not sure he should be a 12. Might make a decent Horgan-esque winger though. Or a huge strike runner at 13.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 18 Aug 2012, 10:22 pm

Or they could just send him over to Ulster if they have too many back rowers. Whistle

by doctor_grey Sun 19 Aug 2012, 12:37 am

Looking at the line-ups, I would have expected a nice sized win for Saints. That said, I am most intersted how certain players made out:
Recovering players like Tom Wood and Vasily Artemyev
Newly signed players like Waldouck, Ken Pisi, Luther Burrell and James Wilson
Young players like Scott Armstrong, Mike Haywood, Tom Hicks, Tom Mercey, Ben Nutley, and Alex Waller

That's the future.

by Mickado Mon 20 Aug 2012, 9:26 am

Portnoy wrote:Wait.

Mind you, I'm on record as saying 'don't invite Irish provinces for friendlies'. You'll get short-changed.

We beat Gloucester last week and didn’t Tigers just draw with Ulster’s kids?

by Portnoy Mon 20 Aug 2012, 9:31 am

Mickado wrote:
Portnoy wrote:Wait.

Mind you, I'm on record as saying 'don't invite Irish provinces for friendlies'. You'll get short-changed.

We beat Gloucester last week and didn’t Tigers just draw with Ulster’s kids?

By 'invite' Mick, I meant 'extend an invitation to Irish provinces to your ground'. They will inevitably be bereft of as many 'stars' as the IRFU feel inclined.

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 20 Aug 2012, 9:35 am

Portnoy wrote:
Mickado wrote:
Portnoy wrote:Wait.

Mind you, I'm on record as saying 'don't invite Irish provinces for friendlies'. You'll get short-changed.

We beat Gloucester last week and didn’t Tigers just draw with Ulster’s kids?

By 'invite' Mick, I meant 'extend an invitation to Irish provinces to your ground'. They will inevitably be bereft of as many 'stars' as the IRFU feel inclined.

Everyone has always known that the Irish internationals won't be back playing for provinces in preseason games (they won't even be back over the first 2-3 games of the season), which means Saints knew the squad they were getting for this fixture when it was arranged. Surely it's a great confidence booster to beat the HC champions and keep them with a duck-egg going into the season?

by Portnoy Mon 20 Aug 2012, 10:01 am

That's fine. Which is why I'd say that the Saints management should know what to expect.

But maybe any new or casual fans may not have. And they may well feel short-changed.

Take this Ulster promo (I draw short of calling it an ad as it would be subject to the ASA standards) as an example. What reasonable inference might be drawn by a similar a group of their fans: http://www.ulsterrugby.com ?/news/10687.php

by bluestonevedder Mon 20 Aug 2012, 10:17 am

Great to see Tom Wood back! And by all accounts, it sounds as if he played very well? Albeit, against a seriously weakend Leinster side. Waldouck went well too?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 20 Aug 2012, 10:19 am

Don't mind him. He's just sore that a pre season thrashing of us welford rd in August 2010 did not help them when it came to the QF in April 11. (in fairness they ran us close in that game and we were at home)

I went over for that game, my abiding memory was Simon Shawe (The Ulster Dentist and Prop who was drafted in at short notice with no pre season when Stan Wright got hurt) lying on the ground severely short of wind after the 1st scrum he was in. Poor fecker was so unfit.

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