RaboP12 (Round 6): Leinster (30) vs Munster (21) k/o - 18:30 Sat, 6 October 2012 (Lansdowne Road)

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 1 Oct 2012 - 16:08

First topic message reminder :

Leinster & Munster coming off away losses (Connacht & Ospreys respectively).
How much will Leinster rebound?
Is this the usual slow start, or a malaise within the squad?

Squad updates/Teams to follow

Leinster Squad Update: 1 Oct 14:30
Rob Kearney (back) and Gordon D’Arcy (rib) are major doubts for the province and they will continue to be assessed ahead of Friday’s lunchtime team announcement. South African second row Quinn Roux suffered a shoulder injury and he is expected to miss this weekend’s derby match.
Meanwhile, Shane Jennings is expected to shake off the ill effects of an ankle injury which he sustained on the hour mark in Connacht, though it is likely to curtail his on-field involvement in training this week. It is hoped that club captain Leo Cullen (arm) will also return to the panel either this week or next, while Isaac Boss (arm) is getting closer to a return to action.

The province are expected to be boosted by the return of the likes of Jamie Heaslip, Kevin McLaughlin, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton and Richardt Strauss to the panel this week.

There are two significant imminent landmarks for the province with Cian Healy, who turns 25 on Sunday, in line to make his 100th provincial appearance, while Naas number eight Heaslip’s next appearance will be his 150th.

Munster Squad Update: 1 October
Good news from the Munster camp is that the injuries picked up in the game on Saturday at the Liberty Stadium are not causing great concern.

Conor Murray required stitches to a cut above his eye but shortly after he returned it was thought to be in his best interests to replace him with Peter Stringer.
Stringer finished the game but suffered a calf injury and his progress will be monitored though the expectation is that both will be fit for consideration. The same applies to Marcus Horan who sustained a facial cut playing for Shannon.

Paul O'Connell (back), Johne Murphy (knee) and Luke O'Dea (ankle) are all expected to take a full part in training this week while Ian Nagle (shoulder) did likewise last week but will be given a week or so before being made available for selection and Cathal Sheridan (hand) and Ivan Dineen (groin) are also looking at a return in the same timeframe.

Mickado wrote:LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Tom Denton
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid
23: Fionn Carr

red_stag wrote:01: Dave Kilcoyne
02: Mike Sherry
03: BJ Botha
04: Donncha O'Callaghan
05: Donnacha Ryan
06: Dave O'Callaghan
07: Sean Dougall
08: Peter O'Mahony
09: Conor Murray
10: Ronan O'Gara
11: Simon Zebo
12: Casey Laulala
13: Keith Earls
14: Doug Howlett
15: Denis Hurley

16: Damien Varley
17: Wian du Preez
18: Stephen Archer
19: Billy Holland
20: Paddy Butler
21: Duncan Williams
22: Ian Keatley
23: James Downey

Post match report (Indo)
Having saddled themselves with the unwanted tag of league leaders in tries conceded, Leinster for a while looked like they might make serious headway in the other direction at Lansdowne Road last night. In the end they managed one more than they conceded, 3-2, and were happy enough to win, never mind miss out on the bonus.

The bad news is that their list of injured has grown even longer. Four players had to leave early from what was an entertaining contest for the huge crowd of 46,280 who fetched up on a perfect night for rugby. Kevin McLaughlin, Isa Nacewa, Brian O'Driscoll and Andrew Conway all took knocks. Conway's exit was via a stretcher, with a stinger, while McLaughlin will need a scan on a hyper-extended elbow, Nacewa is in trouble with a haematoma, and O'Driscoll sprained his ankle.

It remains to be seen who is fit for the opening defence of their Heineken Cup title, against Exeter in the RDS on Saturday, but as far as last night was concerned they were stuck with a back three of replacement scrumhalf John Cooney, outhalf Ian Madigan (in fairness he was selected at fullback) and Fionn Carr, who surely would have started if he hadn't missed a bad tackle in the five-try defeat in Galway last weekend.

Smelling the weakness in their opponents, Munster -- who came through the game in much better shape physically -- chased the home team down like men possessed. On 53 minutes they looked like they would be beaten out the gate when an outstanding try from O'Driscoll, converted from the touchline by the excellent Jonny Sexton, put Leinster 30-14 ahead.

Going down the final straight, however, it was a mad scramble. Conor Murray spread a bit of panic in the home crowd when, from a couple of metres out, he took advantage of empty corridor to dot the ball down. Replacement Ian Keatley nailed the conversion with a great kick, and Munster were on the charge. A couple of minutes later they looked on the verge of making it a one-point game.

Keith Earls was held up inches short, and when the ball squirted up referee Leighton Hodges said it was forward and Leinster escaped. Earls made another great burst heading into overtime, but by then the chances of two scores were non-existent.

When the game wasn't stopped for injuries it moved along at a cracking pace, helped by the service of man of the match Eoin Reddan -- his contribution to O'Driscoll's try was first class -- and, in the subtext of showing form for Ireland, Richardt Strauss made a compelling case. He looked like the player who took Leinster by storm when he arrived here three years ago. He did well to finger-tip-score the opening try, after just four minutes, but way better again in keeping the ball alive for the second, for Madigan.

"Yeah I thought he was really good," Joe Schmidt said. "There was one pinball effort where he took a ball behind him and was hit by two guys -- [Casey] Laulala was one of them, who tends not to leave a lot behind when he hits -- and ricocheted away in the lead-up to scoring [Madigan's try]. I thought he was very good."

It remains to be seen if Declan Kidney thinks the same. The Ireland coach will have been pleased with the form of Earls, and Simon Zebo, but it was hard for Munster to get a secure platform given the damage Mike Ross was doing to their scrum. Dave Kilcoyne, his opposite number, is a willing and aggressive ball carrier, but as you would expect he spent more time learning than lecturing in the tight. The ref did him for two penalties in a row -- one hit and one miss for Sexton -- and you felt for him.

Early on Munster looked like they had plenty to offer, with Peter O'Mahony responding within a couple of minutes of Strauss's try. By half-time Leinster had slipped out to 20-14. Ronan O'Gara kept Munster in touch with three penalties but then hit the post with a handy one early in the new half.

Straight from there, Leinster got motoring and hit their opponents with 10 points in four minutes -- first Sexton goaled from the touchline, and then O'Driscoll finished brilliantly after Fergus McFadden laid the groundwork through the middle, riding O'Gara's tackle, before great hands from Reddan kept it all going.

Rob Penney will be delighted with the way his team stuck to the task, but they badly need to get all their big players fit if their game is going to work. Schmidt, while wondering why so much trauma has landed at his door, will be glad that his team can generate this sort of momentum with so many players missing.

Scorers -- Leinster: R Strauss, I Madigan, B O'Driscoll try each; J Sexton 3 pens, 3 cons; Munster: P O'Mahony, C Murray try each; R O'Gara 3 pens; I Keatley con.

Leinster: I Madigan; A Conway (J Cooney 65), B O'Driscoll (N Reid 64), F McFadden, I Nacewa (F Carr 55); J Sexton, E Reddan; H van der Merwe, R Strauss (S Cronin 57), M Ross (J Hagan 65), D Browne (T Denton 73), D Toner, K McLaughlin (J Murphy 12), J Heaslip (capt), S Jennings.

Munster: D Hurley; D Howlett (capt), K Earls, C Laulala, S Zebo (J Downey 65); R O'Gara (I Keatley 60),C Murray; D Kilcoyne (W du Preez 57), M Sherry (D Varley 51 yc 54-64), BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan (B Holland 49), D Ryan, Dave O'Callaghan (P Butler 70), P O'Mahony, S Dougall.

Referee: L Hodges (Wales)

by ME-109 Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:02

rodders wrote:Sexton giving Varley a facial with the elbow there. Maybe Sin was right he is a psycho.....

With that Kerry heritage of course he is...

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:02

Rodders, you Norn-Irish tart. Laugh

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:04

Good move bringing Hagan on. Key learning time.

Conway in trouble. Neck? Be ok lad. Be ok.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:07

Poor stuff from Leinster there. Easy try from Murray.

He's had a cracking game Murray.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:09

Munster are still in this you know. They look a different side with Keatley there.

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:10

Good try Murray. Sniper. Did the same v NZ. Great conv by Keatley.

MON Leinster, they were dead and buried FFS!

BOD off, makes that much differ.

by **Notch** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:11

This has been a cracker.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:12

If Munster score this will be some finish....

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:14

Whoa Munster beasting Leinster in the scrum now...

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:16

Can't believe Munster didn't take another scrum at that penalty.

Earls butchers it.

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:18

rodders wrote:Munster are still in this you know. They look a different side with Keatley there.

Yep, any doubt about Keatley or Rog should be over, still think it is an Irfu decision.

That should have been sent to the TMO.

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:19

rodders wrote:Can't believe Munster didn't take another scrum at that penalty.

Earls butchers it.

I actually think that might have been a try.

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:23

Reddan motm? Seriously? I've only seen the second half but he has made some brainless mistakes.

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:23

That' s game. We really made hard work of that. Should have been a TBP. Not happy. We need to learn how to defend without BOD. But we did well there to save the try. still needs work. Lots of work.

The real Leinster are on the way back. Bring on the HC.

Believe.

by ME-109 Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:24

Enjoyable game...happy with the progression...especially the last 10 mins...would have given up last year...

Redden motm....hilarious.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:25

Great result for Ulster, not a bonus point in sight... good job lads thumbsup

....

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:26

Jesus both teams have a lot of work to do, Munster can fix some of their problems by replacing Rog and Hurley in the backs, and when Stander arrives, along with POC in the pack they will be a bit stronger.

Leinster should be alright when there injuries recede at bit.

Still can't believe that the ref refused to use the TMO, its there for a reason.

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:26

WHO?

by maestegmafia Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:27

Well done Leinster, bad luck Munster. Looked like a hell of a lot better game than Blues vs Glasgow.

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:28

Leinster have a very tough match in the Hec next week, Munster less so, but with Connacht having Zebre, you would be hoping for a clean sweep for the Irish provinces all the same.

by mrsuperclear Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:32

Eh, what knock on did that ref see there? TMO is there for a reason, use it and don't pretend you saw something you thought happened.

Then again, I'd be critical of him for using the TMO for Murray's try (and how did the TJ not see it?)

Anyway, Leinster still definitely deserved the win.

No ROG starting next week please!

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:32

Aye it was a cracker but it still leaves plenty of question marks over both sides.

Munster couldn't live with Leinster when they clicked but Leinster still mentally aren't where they'd expect at this stage of the season and Munster could well have nicked that one at the end.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:34

Injuries killed as the end. We had two scrum halfs on the pitch for flip sake. Doesnt look good for conway. It would have been a comfortable win if the injuries didnt happen.

by valjester Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:36

rodders wrote:Aye it was a cracker but it still leaves plenty of question marks over both sides.

Munster couldn't live with Leinster when they clicked but Leinster still mentally aren't where they'd expect at this stage of the season and Munster could well have nicked that one at the end.

The thing for Munster is that they need to get rid of ROG, they don't have Wallace papering over his defensive weaknesses any more, I would guess that most of Leinster's breaks and momentum came from running straight through ROG. After that they need POC back, and Ryan and POM fully fit, without Poc they are half the team, he will be able to carry the younger players until they are up to it, but until then they look a bit weak in the pack.

Leinster just need to stop having so many injuries.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:37

Conway outplayed Zebo tonight imo. Leinster having terrible luck with injuries.

by Artful_Dodger Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:43

As one of the few people in the North with RTE, TV3 and TG4 I thoroughly enjoyed that match, thought Munster deserved a LBP though.

by **rodders** Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:47

Artful_Dodger wrote:As one of the few people in the North with RTE, TV3 and TG4 I thoroughly enjoyed that match, thought Munster deserved a LBP though.

+ 1

by Feckless Rogue Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 20:48

by Pot Hale Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:35

I'll second that. Yahoo

Anyone third it?

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:38

Oh, ok then. Cool

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:39

Artful_Dodger wrote:As one of the few people in the North with RTE, TV3 and TG4 I thoroughly enjoyed that match, thought Munster deserved a LBP though.

Dodger,
Yer takin de pish roysh? And I love ya for it. guinness

by Pot Hale Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:41

Gibson wrote:Oh, ok then.

No that's not the same as Yahoo

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:52

Pot Hale wrote:
Gibson wrote:Oh, ok then.

No that's not the same as

Listen man, I predicted us by 15. So OK is OK, roysh?

Disgusted in Amsterdam.

by MrsP Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 21:54

Gibson wrote:
Pot Hale wrote:
Gibson wrote:Oh, ok then.

No that's not the same as

Listen man, I predicted us by 15. So OK is OK, roysh?

Disgusting in Amsterdam.

I wouldn't go quite that far buddy!

Whistle

by Gibson Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 22:13

Noordies are harsh folk
Has to be said
But best be careful
Cos I need a bed.

RedWine

by MrsP Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 22:25

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 6 Oct 2012 - 22:59

I am surprised so many people enjoyed this game. I thought it was a bit of a bore fest for the most part. Whistle

Good win for Leinster though! But you are so unlucky with all these injuries.

by ME-109 Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 0:16

Funnily enough I agree with Rory (it must be a blue moon)....it was nothing on the Ulster Munster game and had nothing of the intensity of a local derby....kind of like a training ground game except for the last 10 mins...

by **rodders** Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 0:22

Actually I agree with both of you but didn't want to be the first one to say it.

I thought the intensity was a bit flat at times compared to recent games between Munster and Leinster. It lacked the bite and niggle you expect from this fixture.

Quality wise a good game though.

by ME-109 Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 0:27

It was like watching a super 15 game...too clinical and far too much quality rugby...not sure how I feel about it...even POM didnt get into a fight with himself....there was no triumphalism....the crowd were flat....Varley was a complete dope but nothing new there....and no controversy...(well maybe the try at the end when the ball popped up from earls) but nothing major...except for Redden as MOTM.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 0:28

good win lads, some really good rugby at times, Sexton looked really good and Heaslip was deadly, really does well when he is captain. Other than that Jenno, Strauss, Toner, BOD played quite well.

Disappointed with some of our discipline and concentration. We could have put them to the sword tonight and really showed the world we are back to where we should be.

Still, a win against Munster is very welcome particularily with all our injuries I wasn't sure we'd win at all prior to the game.

Need some guys back especially if Conway and Isa are out

by **profitius** Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 1:01

It wasn't very intense but it was play at a fast pace.

I'm not overly disappointed with the result. After tonight Penney will have found out that ROG is not up to it any more. Keatley isn't just better now, hes miles better. Better defense, better attack and he was even kicking the ball better tonight.

Lualala and Earls are not a good midfield partnership. Lualala is a poor defender and you could see Leinster targeting himself and ROG. The turning point in the game was when McFadden went through ROG to set up the Leinster try. That was just after ROG had missed an easy kick for 3pts.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 1:05

profitius wrote:It wasn't very intense but it was play at a fast pace.

I'm not overly disappointed with the result. After tonight Penney will have found out that ROG is not up to it any more. Keatley isn't just better now, hes miles better. Better defense, better attack and he was even kicking the ball better tonight.

Lualala and Earls are not a good midfield partnership. Lualala is a poor defender and you could see Leinster targeting himself and ROG. The turning point in the game was when McFadden went through ROG to set up the Leinster try. That was just after ROG had missed an easy kick for 3pts.

+1

by **rodders** Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 9:53

Re Reddan getting MOTM, the award was presented to Strauss so perhaps the announcer got it wrong.

Also I can't understand why Munster didn't take another scrum when they got that penalty at the 5m scrum near the left hand touchline in the second half. They seemed to be getting on top on the scrum but went for the lineout instead.

by Golden Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 10:28

Any news on Conway??

Missed most of the second half but was listening on the radio and it sounded serious enough.

With Kearney (x2), Nacewa, Conway, Fitzgerald and hudson injured from the back 3 alone our depth is really been questioned. I dont think ive ever seen this amount of injuries. Hopefully some of them will come back next week

by Thomond Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 11:21

Bye bye Rog. I'm almost beginning to wonder did Penney select him on purpose. Say we lost to Racing Metro with Keats starting last night, everyone would be calling for ROG. Last night showed that he isn't up to it for the umpteenth time.

He "got the backs moving" I have heard some people say. Bollix. There's a difference between making serious gains from it and shifting it for the sake of shifting it. ROG sits far too deep, he would be better off kicking half the time, Keatley attacked the line and was effective with the boot. Part of it was Leinster bringing on the subs, but the forwards seemed to respond a bit to him.

Munster need to improve their discipline, there are tiems when they give away needless penalties at the breakdown instead of trying to believe in their defensive unit. Varley in particular is one of these consistent infringers.

One of two calls didn't go Leinster's or Munster's way (One stage in the first half, a ball hit off Doug Howlett's shoulder, when he couldn't have knocked it on without Madigan spilling it first!) but the ref was by and large consistent. That's all you can ask for. The no try from Laulala was quite annoying, the angles didn't prove conclusive but I don't think it went forward. It should have involved the TMO I think but that might jsut have been me.

by **rodders** Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 11:56

Good man Thom.

If you watch Keatley he fixes the defence in a way ROG never could because he was the gas to dummy and go himself. This in itself gets the defence back peddling and creates space for the guys outside him. Madigan and Sexton do the same for Leinster.

I think he's kicking better than ROG too so I'd argue he's better in every aspect of fly half play right now.

by Thomond Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 11:57

Rodders it only took people 6 months to catch up to me like, but sure we live and learn.

by Rory_Gallagher Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 12:09

Does Sin agree with you though? That is the question.. Whistle

by Thomond Sun 7 Oct 2012 - 12:12

Has Sin ever agreed with any Munster fan since Kindey left?!

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