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.

No Lewis Roblin? Hm not sure why he isn't on the bench but I guess Smith and Evans could cover 10. I really hope we don't pick up any injurys, especially the back 3.

I thought we were going to test a few more than we are, that's a good backline.

Exactly the same behind the scrum for the Dragons then. A different front row, but the two Nathans started most matches last season (Buck did, anyway). Pretty happy all round, not the wholesale changes I was expecting!

Is strauss injured?

Good looking Dragons side. Gully is not the best prop in the world but he is pretty solid, and like Luckless said hey have both proven themselves last season.

IS that Liam Davies (Bedwas) on the bench the ex-scarlets scrum half Liam Davies?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Is Strauss injured?

He got a stinger which he was expected to recover from. Either he didn't quite, or they are just being careful with him.

Dundon is out with a foot injury and even Dave Doyle, the only other hooker outside first year in the academy, is injured too

Yes it is spider.


People are saying we should win this one but we also have a young side, half backs are very inexperienced. Great young players but whatever team Leinster put out they are always difficult at home.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Is Strauss injured?

He got a stinger which he was expected to recover from. Either he didn't quite, or they are just being careful with him.

Dundon is out with a foot injury and even Dave Doyle, the only other hooker outside first year in the academy, is injured too

I thought dundon played well when he came on, so its dissapointing that he's out. I thought sexton played well in pre season so he should be fine. Good battle for 3rd choice hooker at leinster.

youngguns6 wrote:Yes it is spider.


People are saying we should win this one but we also have a young side, half backs are very inexperienced. Great young players but whatever team Leinster put out they are always difficult at home.

I am not expecting the Dragons to win this, especially after both the Dragons & Leinsters results last weekend, I doubt LEinster will take you lightly at all. However I do expect you to give them a damn good match, and make them have to play for a full 80 mins.

I think you will be plesently suprised with Liam, he is a very good scrum half, but unfortunately seem to be a bit free running with his mouth. Could be another good player for you though.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Is strauss injured?

Picked up a Stinger injury in the first game and was subbed off. It was going to be a prematch call but then they were even laughing that Cian Healy might need to be hooker cover if any more injuries hit that position!

That's a pretty decent set of backs the Dragons have. There's a lot of pace there if they can get quick ball to cause more than a few problems for the Leinster defence.
I still expect Leinster to win at home but the Dragons are definitely in with a shout and should make a good game of it.

Strauss, Boss and Ryan out isn't what worries me from a Leinster perspective to be honest, it's that centre partnership. I really feel we could have issues there again. Who is going to generate go forward ball? Roux and Avuav'a? That it? If it is, it may not be enough to win the game

Griff wrote:Dragons are putting out a second string team to rest players! Ridiculous. We only had a very slim chance as it was with a full strength squad but I think we've blown that now. I understand squad rotation and player management, but 2nd game of the season? What about consistency, building match fitness and picking on form? You can't do that by chopping and changing each week. At least not with only a hand full of 'stars' like the Dragons have.

Leinster by 8.

I completely agree with you. But not that score though. Dragons aren't rotated much, if we can achieve parity at least then those good backs can slice them up a bit. Dragons should win. It's not a case of Leinster going backwards this year, I think all the other Rabo teams have improved.

Hope you are right

Hi Morgannwg, yeah I made that comment before the team was announced. Edwards was talking like it would be a wholesale rotation. He mentioned squad players being seen as more than just squads players, that they're here to play rugby and not make up the numbers, which I do agree with but not right at the start of the season! However, it turns out that it's just a few changes in the pack. No harm there really. Still not overly confident. I saw a stat the other day that we have never finished within 8 points of Leinster in Leinster. That's pretty awful, and the sort of stat that seems to keep us down by getting into the psyche!

I still don't trust our away form (though of course there's no evidence yet that we will still be garbage on the road) enough to say we will win. Last week was probably the worst thing that could have happened from a Dragons point of view, as they'll be hurting now. Realistically I'd be happy with an LBP seeing as we've never had one in Dublin. I remember last year I had high hopes as we played a Leinster B out there and we were dump again, so trying to keep my expectations low.

Should be a close game. Id expect a huge performance from us though. The fans wont have us beaten at home. Macken and Reid need to step it up more than anyone. It was like watching ROG x 2 in defence last week. They were a gaping hole defensively and ineffective in attack. Madigan needs to show he can run games now and get the basics right, before we keep hailing him as a future Superstar. Conway and Carrs' speed needs to be exploited & released. Don't rate Carr, but I'd expect Conway to step up and take his place in the 1st squad this year. Cooney has a great chance to show he can make it. Must give fast ball to release the speedsters. Isa normally starts warming up around now too - after a few starts. So hopefully, he can get his wingers moving this eve.

Need to win the collisions and make our tackles. We were not at the races last week. Some of these boys need to show why they won the PRO12 League proper last year. Be interesting to see Roux & Cullen together. Like to see Roux & Toner together for the last 20 or so. Our Frontrow will be under major pressure out there. Hope they hold out. At least Joe is using all his props this year - he has to. But its good. We will suffer temporarily from it, but long-term, its the right way to go. Good to see Cronin back. But what will make the differ is Cullen, imo. He, along with Jenno, will have them performing.

Leinster by 5-10. Although Dragons could sneak it - if they Believe.

I'm with you on most of that Gibson. Reid and Mackin in particular are our weak links IMO. Don't have much expectation for Reid at all but Mackin could go places if he gets the finger out, but he has to start making tracks. With EOM, McF, Darcy, BOD, Fitz all out he won't get a chance like this again for a while and so far he has not taken it. If he wants to live up to the hype of a few years ago he needs to get his skates on.

I think Cullen will make a difference alright I'm not sure if it will be enough of one if I am honest but somewhere deep down I am expecting us to win.......
BELIEVE

Yeah Pete. Macken and Conway are playing for squad places. Reid & Carr will always be backup I'm thinking.

A real plus would be to see McGrath and Hagan hold their own and more, this eve. Will be keeping a close eye on young Ben Marshall and Quinn Roux also.

Bring it on!

In front of the telly with a beer. CMON LEINSTER.

Yeah just listened to pope there saying guys are playing for their places

I'd be guessing guys like Cronin, roux, Jennings, madigian, avuav'a, Conway should all be aiming to be in the 23 man squad.

Lots to riding on this other than the result before the big boys arrive back

Great first scrum,very encouraging signs there so far.Hagan might be stepping it up a notch this year.

Shaggy also mentioned McGrath on the bench. Haven' see much of him. But heard the hype.

Wow what a score,great break from Reid

Looks like someone had some Weetabix this morning. Leinster have woken up.

Haha what were we saying about reid?! :p

Great start hagan too

Much better start this week!

Reid creates another try

And theyve gone asleep again. Pass on a plate for Dragons to intercept and score.

Do the Tuilagis do hit specials. He hardly seemed to touch Madigan and he went down like a sack of spuds. Was there a shoulder?

Please listen very carefully roysh lads? I have about 16 sites I can normally get any game on, But... this one is on RTE. NO links working outside the ROI!!! Basterds!

Goin phhoookin ballistic here. Haven't missed a game in 7/8 years. If anyone out there has a link that works outside the ROI, it's worth a blowjob. And a pint. Thank you for listening.

Gibson wrote:Please listen very carefully roysh lads? I have about 16 sites I can normally get any game on, But... this one is on RTE. NO links working outside the ROI!!! Basterds!

Goin phhoookin ballistic here. Haven't missed a game in 7/8 years. If anyone out there has a link that works outside the ROI, it's worth a blowjob. And a pint. Thank you for listening.

I want one too. Not an ROI one

You guys need a proxy server

Sorry guys don't have a link.

If you use firefox then download foxy proxy and set it up you might get the 2nd half

Lads, Cooney is good!
Marshall too

Madigan's boot is finely tuned. 4 from 4. 16-13.

Message for Gibbo.

Horseshoite pen against Nimmo. If Irish commentators say it, it's especially true.

Dog shoite decision again, Weak Italian ref. Tidy

And a lovely grubber to touch to follow it up.

Leinster not being tough enough at the breakdown, but Dragons keep doing them favours by handling on the ground or not releasing. Kick for touch into 22.

Leinster keep the ball and forward take it up. A number of phases and Ben Marshall takes it on the fly and goes over. Good work Leinster. More please.

Try for marshall.

Surprised about cooney didnt think he was any good but looks fairly decent so far

Risca Rev wrote:Message for Gibbo.

Horseshoite pen against Nimmo. If Irish commentators say it, it's especially true.

Rev. You know how I love you already butt?

Well...

Madigan's radar boot converts and it's a ten point lead 23-13. 35 on the clock.

These boys must have got some roastin off Joe. It shows. Last Chance Cafe for a few of em. Playing well. Have we been getting mullered in the scrum lads?

Handling and catching errors letting Leinster down. Schmidt still won't be happy with this performance at the break.

Dragons make their way into Leinster 22 with a touch kick. Leinster catch and kick out. Dragons get back possession and after a couple of phases go off their feet at the breakdown and penalty for Leinster to clear. Actually cynical infringement or persistent and Nathan Williams heads for the bin. Oh dear.

No we're dominating the scrums,not by much but we're getting a slight nudge every time.

Rev can i get a PM? Managed to get this foxy poxy but keeps skipping. cheers!

asoreleftshoulder wrote:No we're dominating the scrums,not by much but we're getting a slight nudge every time.

Ah good news man. Cheers Sore.

Tuilagi doing very well in disrupting Leinster backline moves. He's up very fast. Maybe too fast if Leinster can catch him out.

Leinster keep attacking and keep messing the critical pass. Cronin makes a burst and his pass doesn't go to hand. Ball still alive as the clock goes into red. But a penalty has been conceded by Tuilagi and a kick before the half time oranges.

Leinster should have scored there with the extra man. Madigan is in front of the posts and theyll head for the sheds at 26-13 up.

Ah sorry Rev, I forgot. Here's yer and we're even on blowjobs now ja?

That's more like Leinster. What do you think of Dragons performance so far Rev?

Pot,
Yer posts are like listening to radio. Clear & concise. Excellent.