RaboP12 (Round 2): Leinster 45 vs Dragons 25 k/o - 18:15 Sat, 8 September 2012 (RDS)

First topic message reminder :

Leinster's first home game of the Rabo season. Time to dust the cobwebs off the seats at the RDS. Can't wait for some live rugby! But a strange kick off time.

LEINSTER:15: Isa Nacewa 14: Andrew Conway 13: Brendan Macken 12: Noel Reid 11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan 9: John Cooney

1: Jack McGrath 2: Sean Cronin 3: Jamie Hagan
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN 5: Quinn Roux
6: Ben Marshall 7: Shane Jennings 8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton 17: Heinke van der Merwe 18: Martin Moore 19: Devin Toner 20: Jordi Murphy 21: Luke McGrath 22: Colm O'Shea 23: Darren Hudson

Dragons teamDan Evans, Will Harries, Pat Leach, Andy Tuilagi, Tom Prydie, Steffan Jones; Jonathan Evans; Nathan Williams, Sam Parry, Nathan Buck, Ian Nimmo, Adam Jones, Hywel Stoddart, Jevon Groves (c), Toby Faletau

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Tim Ryan, Lewis Evans, Tom Brown, Liam Davies (Bedwas), Ashley Smith, Hallam Amos.

Madigan MOTM? Yeah.

Risca Rev wrote:Ah man, I know we probably won't get an LBP here, but so happy with our character. A step in the right direction. Guts on the road at least.

Guts and no end of skill. Those back 3 can play man. Need to stop kicking the ball away and run with it more. Ye have the players.

Gibson wrote:Madigan MOTM? Yeah.

Show off

Flipping knock ons have let us down. Our skipper should've kept hold of that two mins ago.

Risca Rev wrote:Ah man, I know we probably won't get an LBP here, but so happy with our character. A step in the right direction. Guts on the road at least.

I thought they looked like they fully expected to lose in the first half. Weren't putting up much of a fight. But they came roaring back in the 2nd. At least it was a gutsy performance.

And they kicked far to much in the first half. In perfect conditions for the "Welsh Way".

20 point win in the end.

Good pick off there but overall Mackin hasn't been great

If someone had said to me we be within 20 of Leinster at the RDS then be happy with that.

Great game to watch. One intercept try apiece. Macken enjoyed that. 45-25 it finishes up.

Feckless Rogue wrote:And they kicked far to much in the first half. In perfect conditions for the "Welsh Way".

Bit weird really, as we are normally better than that. Often guilty of running too much. Guess that's why Steff was hooked though, but then of course Dan Evs throws an intercept. Not sure why Robling wasn't on the bench.

How soon before Madigan overtakes Sexton for the driving seat?

Well after D'Arcy we look weak at 12 so I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them (probably Sexton) move over.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Well after D'Arcy we look weak at 12 so I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them (probably Sexton) move over.

Indeed.

Schmidt introduce a first five-eighth and second five-eighth model?

Pot Hale wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Well after D'Arcy we look weak at 12 so I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them (probably Sexton) move over.

Indeed.

Yeah that sounds good

Cheers for the updates gents. Sounds like we (Dragons) were 'plucky', but still not at the races? Still, the final scoreline is the one for the record books and it will always say that we got a fairly comprehensive beating in the end. And against a very heavily depleted Leinster side. That worries me as a Dragons fan. How will we fare against full strength teams? Scarlets seemed to ease past a depleted Leinster side, no offence.

We're doooooooomed!

I think we have the two best 10's in Ireland. Both of them are pretty much the complete package. And at the other provinces there's also Jackson, Keatley and maybe JJ. That's the sort of conveyor belt of talent we'd love to have in every position.

Sexton is still the king though for me. It would be a shame to see our best 10 moved to 12. But Madigan 10. Sexton 12. should be tried. Might work very well.

Griff wrote:Cheers for the updates gents. Sounds like we (Dragons) were 'plucky', but still not at the races? Still, the final scoreline is the one for the record books and it will always say that we got a fairly comprehensive beating in the end. And against a very heavily depleted Leinster side. That worries me as a Dragons fan. How will we fare against full strength teams? Scarlets seemed to ease past a depleted Leinster side, no offence.

We're doooooooomed!

No comparison between last week and this week for Leinster, Griff. Dragons played very well and their movement on the ball was very good. Leinster poor defence notwithstanding, they notched up three well deserved tries.

Ospreys are looking like the awelsh region that are out of whack. They just lost to Ulster at home.

Great result for Ulster.

Scarlets leading the league after 2 games.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I think we have the two best 10's in Ireland. Both of them are pretty much the complete package. And at the other provinces there's also Jackson, Keatley and maybe JJ. That's the sort of conveyor belt of talent we'd love to have in every position.

Sexton is still the king though for me. It would be a shame to see our best 10 moved to 12. But Madigan 10. Sexton 12. should be tried. Might work very well.

Absolutely. Fixation on positions in the backline is a no-no. Schmidt should try it. And if it works, so should Kidney. Having these kind of options is what needs to be developed to get away from the predictable line-ups that Ireland keeps fielding at test level.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I think we have the two best 10's in Ireland. Both of them are pretty much the complete package. And at the other provinces there's also Jackson, Keatley and maybe JJ. That's the sort of conveyor belt of talent we'd love to have in every position.

Sexton is still the king though for me. It would be a shame to see our best 10 moved to 12. But Madigan 10. Sexton 12. should be tried. Might work very well.

+1 Fully agree with this.

There's more to it than that though when you look at it. For instance Cronin just furthered his case tonight too with a very good display. On top of that you have Hagan who looked really, really good. His scrummaging was top drawer and he is only 25. Cooney looked pretty good and is still a wee thing.

The depth is starting to show.

LEINSTER POSITIVES:

1) Scrum
Even with some young fellas in there (all 3 were young tbh) we were in the ascendancy. Add to that Cronin being very good in the loose, McGrath using his weight to good effect in the carries and Hagan being at more breakdowns than Ross can get to in two games this is a plus.

2) Marshall
He had a very good game and can now be added to the list of backrow we have that can do a good job when called upon.

3) Cooney
Cooney looked seriously dangerous I felt. His kicks were all very good (which is unusual for an Irish 9). His passing was good and he was ok at getting the ball out quick enough. Could be one for the future.

4) Madigan
He did all the stuff he normally does well (beat guys, make space, throw ridiculously good passes) as per usual but his defence against Tuilagi and Faletaeu in particular was quite good. Add to that, that he was kicking so well both from hand and the floor.

5) Attacking Intent
Vintage Leinster and the level of ball handling, support play and offloading was very impressive.

NEGATIVES:

1) Defence
Still an issue especially when the game broke up a bit. Could be players still getting to know each other could be just not good enough.

2) Midfield
It was much better than last week but wasn't great. Not what we want anyway. Improvement but more to be done

Griff wrote:Cheers for the updates gents. Sounds like we (Dragons) were 'plucky', but still not at the races? Still, the final scoreline is the one for the record books and it will always say that we got a fairly comprehensive beating in the end. And against a very heavily depleted Leinster side. That worries me as a Dragons fan. How will we fare against full strength teams? Scarlets seemed to ease past a depleted Leinster side, no offence.

We're doooooooomed!

Sorry, just wanted to add a 'well done Leinster' message! I usually do when we lose, but I think sometimes when you're playing the top teams and are expected to lose you sort of forget to congratulate the virtually inevitable!

Anyway, well done Leinster. Awful injury problems by all accounts but still able to give us a shoeing.

I remember going to Donnybrook around 2001 or 2002 to watch Leinster v Newport, crowd of around 6000 or so, and there wasn't a huge amount of difference in the feel of the 'set up'; both had sort of a club feel to them. Now Newport is part of a region but is in someways less than the sum of its parts, while Leinster have moved on and expanded and seem 'massive'. The gulf is now huge! And the envy is all mine!

I can see Sexton sticking at 10 but Madigan getting the start at 12 rather than the other way around.

Griff wrote:

Griff wrote:Cheers for the updates gents. Sounds like we (Dragons) were 'plucky', but still not at the races? Still, the final scoreline is the one for the record books and it will always say that we got a fairly comprehensive beating in the end. And against a very heavily depleted Leinster side. That worries me as a Dragons fan. How will we fare against full strength teams? Scarlets seemed to ease past a depleted Leinster side, no offence.

We're doooooooomed!

Sorry, just wanted to add a 'well done Leinster' message! I usually do when we lose, but I think sometimes when you're playing the top teams and are expected to lose you sort of forget to congratulate the virtually inevitable!

Anyway, well done Leinster. Awful injury problems by all accounts but still able to give us a shoeing.

I remember going to Donnybrook around 2001 or 2002 to watch Leinster v Newport, crowd of around 6000 or so, and there wasn't a huge amount of difference in the feel of the 'set up'; both had sort of a club feel to them. Now Newport is part of a region but is in someways less than the sum of its parts, while Leinster have moved on and expanded and seem 'massive'. The gulf is now huge! And the envy is all mine!

Is that why you never congratulate the Scarlets?

Ha! Yes. But, the Scarlets have always been my second team so no bad feeling between us! Good start for you boys. Backs looking sharp as.

Hate to be too critical after a convincing win. But genuine depth, not just in club terms but as truly potential International candidates too, will need much more evidence.

We've been here before, lauding the future (Madigan the most recent), thinking we might just have enough - once again - to make the All Blacks finally recognise us as more than cannon fodder - well, we know how the latest chapter in that novel worked out.

We have to think about more than League, even more than Heineken, when we begin to talk up the next emerging generation, their abilities, their fitness etc. Our standards must rise to continually ask (even in domestic seasons) "Is this or that performance really the kind of performance that would or will worry the very best in this game?" Everything is relative, and as we so sadly found out a few months back, our expectations of quality can often be found out in true tests. Just let's be cautious. After the debacle of New Zeland I promised myself that I would be.

Griff wrote:Ha! Yes. But, the Scarlets have always been my second team so no bad feeling between us! Good start for you boys. Backs looking sharp as.

Only teasing, but I'm glad the Scarlets are your second team (as they should everyone not from down West!) . I have a soft spot for the Dragons so was annoyed when I found out the score today (well yesterday), though I expect the Dragons to have a tough season this season and then really kick on next season with the great youngsters they have, and a few shrewd signings (hopefully in the front row)

SecretFly wrote:Hate to be too critical after a convincing win. But genuine depth, not just in club terms but as truly potential International candidates too, will need much more evidence.

We've been here before, lauding the future (Madigan the most recent), thinking we might just have enough - once again - to make the All Blacks finally recognise us as more than cannon fodder - well, we know how the latest chapter in that novel worked out.

We have to think about more than League, even more than Heineken, when we begin to talk up the next emerging generation, their abilities, their fitness etc. Our standards must rise to continually ask (even in domestic seasons) "Is this or that performance really the kind of performance that would or will worry the very best in this game?" Everything is relative, and as we so sadly found out a few months back, our expectations of quality can often be found out in true tests. Just let's be cautious. After the debacle of New Zeland I promised myself that I would be.

That does invite questions about the calibre of opposition and quality of play that regular league games provide.

I agree that everything needs tO be taken with a bucket load of salt but there are certain things that are transendable: madigan getting 6/7 kicks is one such thing I think.

Would love to see a Sexton / Madigan partnership on the field at some stage but you'd have to say with Madigans distribution skills (best of any out half in the country at the moment) he should move to 12 rather than Sexton?

I don't know Mick, I think Madigan would have to play 10 as Sexton has more experience at 12 and is more physical and tougher in defence. That being said, the one time I can remember them playing together Madigan played 12 and I'd trust Joe with pretty much anything

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I don't know Mick, I think Madigan would have to play 10 as Sexton has more experience at 12 and is more physical and tougher in defence. That being said, the one time I can remember them playing together Madigan played 12 and I'd trust Joe with pretty much anything

Yeah that was my thinking too,I've watched Sexton stand up and push back Castrogiovanni on the charge so I'd say he could cope with the likes of Roberts,Nonu etc.. whereas Madigan doesn't look to have the same physicality there.I'd also say that Madigans linebreaking threat from 10 would really free up space for Sexton to use his pace and power.

The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I don't know Mick, I think Madigan would have to play 10 as Sexton has more experience at 12 and is more physical and tougher in defence. That being said, the one time I can remember them playing together Madigan played 12 and I'd trust Joe with pretty much anything

Yeah that was my thinking too,I've watched Sexton stand up and push back Castrogiovanni on the charge so I'd say he could cope with the likes of Roberts,Nonu etc.. whereas Madigan doesn't look to have the same physicality there.I'd also say that Madigans linebreaking threat from 10 would really free up space for Sexton to use his pace and power.

The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

He (Sexton) was certainly able to deal with SBW when they clashed together. If the 10-12 went Madigan-Sexton then BOD would need to run very hard direct lines and somewhat sacrifice his jinking game.

I think Madigan may also find more space on inside shoulders at 10 than Sexton would. Then again you'd lose some of the cool decision making that Sexton seems to ooze

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

Kidney and his coaching team introduced the idea of Sexton playing at 12 alongside O'Gara. Specifically, the Australian backs coach, Alan Gaffney, who discussed the issue in an interview and that he had spent some time trying to persuade Sexton that he should try it.

“Well, although Sexto doesn’t want to hear it every time I talk to him about it, I think Sexto has got all the attributes for a good 12,” said Gaffney.

“He’s an excellent defender, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the better defenders in the team; he’s very, very good at it. He prefers to play 10 and he’s a world-class 10, but they’re both world-class players and trying to get them both into the team is a difficult challenge."

Madigan inside of him instead of O'Gara, and having two kicking midfielders is worth exploring - it opens up more avenues for attack.

I amn't entirely convinced it will work to be honest but it is definitely worth trying for a few games. I wonder if Joe is planning of trying it because they won't do it in Ireland unless it's being done in Leinster and proven to work at that level

Kidney doesn't seem to take much notice of how Leinster go about their rugby.

Too true Feckless.

Would a Madigan-Sexton-O'Driscoll midfield be too lightweight or too indirect? Remember out back 3 aren't huge either

Pot Hale wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

Kidney and his coaching team introduced the idea of Sexton playing at 12 alongside O'Gara. Specifically, the Australian backs coach, Alan Gaffney, who discussed the issue in an interview and that he had spent some time trying to persuade Sexton that he should try it.

“Well, although Sexto doesn’t want to hear it every time I talk to him about it, I think Sexto has got all the attributes for a good 12,” said Gaffney.

“He’s an excellent defender, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the better defenders in the team; he’s very, very good at it. He prefers to play 10 and he’s a world-class 10, but they’re both world-class players and trying to get them both into the team is a difficult challenge."

Madigan inside of him instead of O'Gara, and having two kicking midfielders is worth exploring - it opens up more avenues for attack.

The highlighted part is why I think it might be a problem,Kidney is notoriously slow to give young players a chance unless forced to through injury,he even declined to bring Madigan on your to NZ this summer so I can't see him rushing him through now.Kidney is under huge pressure at the minute and he isn't going to take risks that might backfire on him.

Now maybe he'll be fine with Leinster running the experiment and he'll just pick Sexton at 10 anyway but it's hard to know just how much power he wields in this area,could Schmidt just say screw it I'm picking whoever I want.

Missed the game. Good result for Leinster though considering the number of players missing. Maybe Scarlets did do well to put them away in the opening round. Worrying signs that Blues and Ospreys lost at home aswell.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

Kidney and his coaching team introduced the idea of Sexton playing at 12 alongside O'Gara. Specifically, the Australian backs coach, Alan Gaffney, who discussed the issue in an interview and that he had spent some time trying to persuade Sexton that he should try it.

“Well, although Sexto doesn’t want to hear it every time I talk to him about it, I think Sexto has got all the attributes for a good 12,” said Gaffney.

“He’s an excellent defender, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the better defenders in the team; he’s very, very good at it. He prefers to play 10 and he’s a world-class 10, but they’re both world-class players and trying to get them both into the team is a difficult challenge."


Madigan inside of him instead of O'Gara, and having two kicking midfielders is worth exploring - it opens up more avenues for attack.

The highlighted part is why I think it might be a problem,Kidney is notoriously slow to give young players a chance unless forced to through injury,he even declined to bring Madigan on your to NZ this summer so I can't see him rushing him through now.Kidney is under huge pressure at the minute and he isn't going to take risks that might backfire on him.

Now maybe he'll be fine with Leinster running the experiment and he'll just pick Sexton at 10 anyway but it's hard to know just how much power he wields in this area,could Schmidt just say screw it I'm picking whoever I want.

I don't quite follow your point. The section you highlighted shows that Kidney was willing to try Sexton out of position which is what you originally queried. The point being would he play Sexton at 12 - the answer is he already has. The question then becomes who he would want at 10, if he chose to use Sexton at 12 again? The principle is established, now it's a case of picking the partnership. O'Gara is on his last hurrah, as is Darcy, so looking at a combo of Sexton and Madigan is a possibility. Though, perhaps Madigan become the No 2 out half on the bench, due to Kidney's innate conservatism, as you state. It may take Schimdt trying it to see whether it works, if it's to be considered at test level.

Pot Hale wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
The only problem with this theory is would it have to be sanctioned by Kidney before it could happen and if so can anyone see him allowing his 1st choice 10 be played out of position?

Kidney and his coaching team introduced the idea of Sexton playing at 12 alongside O'Gara. Specifically, the Australian backs coach, Alan Gaffney, who discussed the issue in an interview and that he had spent some time trying to persuade Sexton that he should try it.

“Well, although Sexto doesn’t want to hear it every time I talk to him about it, I think Sexto has got all the attributes for a good 12,” said Gaffney.

“He’s an excellent defender, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the better defenders in the team; he’s very, very good at it. He prefers to play 10 and he’s a world-class 10, but they’re both world-class players and trying to get them both into the team is a difficult challenge."


Madigan inside of him instead of O'Gara, and having two kicking midfielders is worth exploring - it opens up more avenues for attack.

The highlighted part is why I think it might be a problem,Kidney is notoriously slow to give young players a chance unless forced to through injury,he even declined to bring Madigan on your to NZ this summer so I can't see him rushing him through now.Kidney is under huge pressure at the minute and he isn't going to take risks that might backfire on him.

Now maybe he'll be fine with Leinster running the experiment and he'll just pick Sexton at 10 anyway but it's hard to know just how much power he wields in this area,could Schmidt just say screw it I'm picking whoever I want.

I don't quite follow your point. The section you highlighted shows that Kidney was willing to try Sexton out of position which is what you originally queried. The point being would he play Sexton at 12 - the answer is he already has. The question then becomes who he would want at 10, if he chose to use Sexton at 12 again? The principle is established, now it's a case of picking the partnership. O'Gara is on his last hurrah, as is Darcy, so looking at a combo of Sexton and Madigan is a possibility. Though, perhaps Madigan become the No 2 out half on the bench, due to Kidney's innate conservatism, as you state. It may take Schimdt trying it to see whether it works, if it's to be considered at test level.

My point is basically that Kidney won't throw Madigan in at 10 for Ireland until he is proven at HC level and maybe not even then.Now if Madigan is to become proven at HC level that would necessitate Sexton moving to 12 but he'll still be playing 10 for Ireland during the AI's at least,would Kidney want his starting outhalf for the November Tests (which are vital for WC seeding) playing out of position.

Mickado wrote:Would love to see a Sexton / Madigan partnership on the field at some stage but you'd have to say with Madigans distribution skills (best of any out half in the country at the moment) he should move to 12 rather than Sexton?

I think Madigan should play 12. These days I think having a hard tackling 12 isn't actually as necessary as people make out. A ball carrier will generally hit the 10 channel anyway to get closer to the forwards (where Sexton would be). Out of the two centres, I think the 13 must be the hard hitting tackler. They must be able to shut down space and try to prevent the offload too.

I mean he should play 12 if he and Sexton are both in the same side, rather than Sexton at 12. He is still primarily a 10.

It's probably worth trying it both ways and see what fits,hell you could have a left-right 10-12 axis instead of 12-13 the way it's usually done.

I do think at this point Schmidt should be looking to play them both in the same side. Madigan is too good to leave out and at 12 the options aren't as good.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I can see Sexton sticking at 10 but Madigan getting the start at 12 rather than the other way around.

Totally agree Rory. Why move the best 10 in the NH out of position? Madigan would be brilliant at 12 also. And we know he can more than cover 10. That's a given. With those 2 on the field, we have inbuilt cover for both positions - and could switch them on a tactical basis - mid game. It also gives us no end of invention and defensive stability in the middle. With McFadden and Isa on the field - it also gives us 4 place-kicking options. Not to mention kicking from hand.

Was really happy with our frontrow. Need lots more game time for Hagan and McGrath. They were excellent yesterday. This is Cronin's year to really put it up to Strauss(who becomes IQ). If we could have McGrath & Hagan pushing Healy and Ross in the same way, by the end of the season - that would be Nirvana. Having VDM gives us the time to ease McGrath in, to challenge Healy. Hagan for Ross is far more important right now. I want to see Hagan start every possible PRO12 game on that basis. Its the only way to get him ready. TH's especially, need to to play every given minute to develop their craft. Im sure the IRFU are happier today and will encourage it.

Cooney really had a fantastic game yesterday. He'll need to continue that upward-spiral to break the Reddan/Boss hold on that position in the HC. Himself and Madigan really got us going in attack.

Young Ben Marshall fully acquitted himself on the blindside. Time will tell, but he did not look out of place and put in an enormous amount of work at the breakdown.

Our lineouts were good. Quin Roux needs more time to bed-in also, but he is a very physical player and will not be bullied. Id like to see more of Toner & Roux together in the PRO12, as the season progresses.

Not too fussed going over the backs as a unit. That will take care of itself. Cant see Reid or Carr making it tbh. Maybe they will surprise us.

We need to follow it up with a more clinical (defensively for sure) performance v Treviso away next week. Just what we need, a team, who at home - will give anyone in Europe a hard test. But all-in-all, a Grand Day Out for the Leinster Way.

Believe.

SecretFly wrote:Hate to be too critical after a convincing win. But genuine depth, not just in club terms but as truly potential International candidates too, will need much more evidence.

We've been here before, lauding the future (Madigan the most recent), thinking we might just have enough - once again - to make the All Blacks finally recognise us as more than cannon fodder - well, we know how the latest chapter in that novel worked out.

We have to think about more than League, even more than Heineken, when we begin to talk up the next emerging generation, their abilities, their fitness etc. Our standards must rise to continually ask (even in domestic seasons) "Is this or that performance really the kind of performance that would or will worry the very best in this game?" Everything is relative, and as we so sadly found out a few months back, our expectations of quality can often be found out in true tests. Just let's be cautious. After the debacle of New Zeland I promised myself that I would be.

So true. That hiding should serve to stop us over-hyping new players. We (Ireland), over-hyped our present players and look where that's got us. For me, a player has to consistently perform at the highest level, for 2 or 3 years, to prove himself at the top. There have been far too many one-season rugby-wonders in the past. But I'm glad that Schmidt is giving our lot every chance to make that step up.

TBH Madigan reminds of one player especially. Felipe Contepomi.

Well that was a nice way to stop the rot. Brilliant performance from Madigan and Cooney. Marshall looks like a very clever player, he took an excellent line for his try and his lineout work was very good. Roux has potential, his work at the ruck was encouraging but he needs to work on his handling, if he can do that, and there's no reason to think he can't, he could make a very good foil for Toner.

The scrum went very well and I think Martin Moore might be the widest player in the history of rugby!

Moore is in the classic mold of a prop forward. I wonder does he have judo experience the way he almost throws people to the ground in the tackle?

Hagan looks physically better conditioned this season, much quicker around the park and good technique in the scrum.

McGrath (prop not scrumhalf), had a very solid game. Still young but looks promising. Has been thrown in at the deep end at TH a couple of times last season, is that a switch he could make?

Best thing I can say about the backrow during the game was that I didn't once think about the players that were missing, meaning Jenno/Leo/Marshall were covering all the bases. Was Marshall even used as a lineout option. He is tall for a backrow player. Heaslip was waterboy for the forwards during the game and was visibly smaller than the young fella.

On a side, BOD and Heaslip acted as waterboys for the forwards and backs. Is it common practice for veterans to take this job at other clubs? (I think I've seen Jennings, BOD, Darcy, Heaslip, Sexton do waterboy duties at different times).

The ref I thought had a poor game but was consistent between both teams, the offside line was a metre further up the pitch and definitely helped interceptions.

Noel Reid, who I usually think of as an outhalf, had a good display at inside centre. Might not be HC standard, but for the RaboP12 he definitely is exciting to watch when given time and space. He made a great break in the first half but even more impressive, slowed down and drift back towards his support when he knew the solo try wasn't on. Very good awareness. This isn't the first time he has shown good vision in attack.

There was a moment in the game where I though Fionn Carr had grown up during the off season. He didn't seem out of place in the back line. I'm not talking about maturity or leadership. Just purely talking height. Then I realised we have a seriously short and light backline. It's a good thing we have very strong depth in the backs, because our guys will wear down and pick up knocks more than bigger backlines over time.

Our defensive focus was a times terrible. It must improve. Could be the lack of voices in the defensive line and how the likes of Darcy and BOD really lead the line when they are playing.

I thought Leinster played some cracking attacking rugby at the weekend and there looks to be some real quicksilver backs coming through.

Madigan in particular was excellent and Conways try was superb.

However some of the defending was shocking and the 3/4 line was badly exposed physically at times. Tuilagi gave the young guys quite a few problems. Macken put his body on the line a few times but there seems to be a real lack of physicality there in a few of these guys.

I'm sure Schmidt will be disappointed because that relentless appetite for defence is one of the hall marks of the 1st team.