Leinster V Clermont....Part 2 The Return

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:59 am

First topic message reminder :

Leinster Website wrote:The Leinster squad have stepped up their preparations for Saturday afternoon's Heineken Cup Round 4 clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne in the Aviva Stadium (KO: 3.40pm) with a training session in UCD on Tuesday afternoon...
Following Sunday’s bruising encounter in France, in a game which marked Andrew Goodman’s European debut, there are a number of bumps and bruises in the squad which will be monitored by the medical team. Amongst them is Kevin McLaughlin who took a heavy knock towards the end of the game but thankfully walked from the field afterwards.

His availability for selection will be decided later in the week, ahead of Friday’s lunchtime announcement. Sean O’Brien’s next appearance will be his 75th for the province in all competitions.

David Kearney and Eoin O’Malley could return to the panel this weekend as both continue to work hard on their respective rehabilitations, alongside another outside back Luke Fitzgerald who remains on course for a possible return to action over the Christmas interprovincial games against either Ulster away (December 21st) or Connacht in the RDS (December 29th).

In a boost to Leinster’s preparations this week, the attendance figure for Saturday’s game looks set to eclipse last year’s previous Irish pool record of 46,365 which was set by Leinster against Bath in the corresponding round last season. It will also be the biggest game of the Pool stages across Europe so far this season.

Over 46,000 tickets have already been sold for the ‘Christmas Craictacular’ in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and tickets are selling fast ONLINE HERE, the Leinster Rugby Store (Donnybrook), Spar (Donnybrook) as well as Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: Andrew Conway
23: Dave Kearney

ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE:

15: Lee Byrne
14: Sitiveni Sivivatu
13: Aurélien Rougerie CAPTAIN
12: Wesley Fofana
11: Napolioni Nalaga
10: Brock James / David Skrela
9: Morgan Parra

1: Raphael Chaume
2: Benjamin Kayser
3: Davit Zirakashvili
4: Jamie Cudmore
5: Nathan Hines
6: Julien Bonnaire
7: Julien Bardy
8: Damien Chouly

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Ti'i Paulo
17: Vincent Debaty
18: Daniel Kotze
19: Loic Jacquet
20: Alexandre Lapandry
21: Ludovic Radoslavjevic
22: David Skrela / Benson Stanley
23: Regan King

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:53 am

Even the French commentators are confused about that one Mr Barnes Laugh

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:54 am

Dear oh dear...Leinster giving away penalties like sweeties. Not a good idea with Para on. picard

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:54 am

Runners from every angle now for CA, when the french teams get their tales up...

by neilthom7 Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:54 am

For a guy that tall Toner is poor in the Lineout

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:55 am

Exeter Scarlets 20 a peice now!!

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:55 am

That is not a try. Luckily held up.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:56 am

thebluesmancometh wrote:Exeter Scarlets 20 a peice now!!

Surely Clermont are top of this pool after today though?

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:56 am

I tell you what, if the ground didnt cut up so much,, ASM were in for a try then...

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:57 am

Clermont might as well just kick for points. They can afford to miss.

ooh! It bounces off the post.

9-22.

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:58 am

Men versus boys out there today. A very limp defence of their trophy from Leinster.

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:59 am

He was inside the 22, surely a penalty for Leinster!!!!

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:59 am

CA is in the 22 and then pushes the man trying to catch the ball... WTF!!!

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:59 am

Baby Chilli on.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:01 am

You know considering this is in Ireland, I'm surprised the turf is so bad on the pitch... Whistle

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:01 am

No try

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:03 am

Leinster lucky if that's not allowed...so close. Just ten seconds left on SOB's binning as well.

No try, but we're still within five metres of a try.

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:03 am

Sorry but Barnes really is a poor ref.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:04 am

Leinster in danger of giving away a penalty try now. SOB back on.

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:04 am

I think Barnes has been ok today!

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:05 am

Penalty kick given to Clermont.

9-25 at 62 minutes.

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:06 am

thebluesmancometh wrote:I think Barnes has been ok today!

Really? Even the French commentators have had trouble working him out...

by Rory_Gallagher Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:07 am

Ross isn't good enough. Neither are the two locks. The set piece just isn't good enough for Leinster to challenge anyone.

Add to that a total lack of their usual attacking threat and you have a very average Leinster side.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:07 am

Woah! What a run from Baby Chilli!

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:08 am

To be fair Leinster battling here...that Clermont defence is good though.

Go Sexytoes!!!

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:09 am

Sexton really geeing the boys up here Smile

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:09 am

Can someone remind the commentator that it was Sean O'Brien who was binned? Rolling Eyes

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:10 am

To be fair, Leinster might as well go hell for leather and at least get a LBP. They're going for the corner.

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:10 am

But french people are generally confused about most things Laugh

Seriously though there have been a couple of blips but he's been generally consistent. The area of the scrum has been well reffed as Ive ever seen!

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:10 am

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Ross isn't good enough. Neither are the two locks. The set piece just isn't good enough for Leinster to challenge anyone.

Add to that a total lack of their usual attacking threat and you have a very average Leinster side.

Couldn't agree more. The younger players are nowhere near the required standard, and the McFadden generation still can't shift the incumbents who have seen better days. They might still get out of the group yet, but I think it is unlikely. I certainly don't see them going to Exeter and getting a bonus point. Exeter are a decent side and at home they are formidable.

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:10 am

What a try clap

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:11 am

TRY!

Gibbo will be having an organism...it was Jennings who scored! Yahoo

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:11 am

Is e held up Shocked

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:12 am

16-25

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:12 am

WOW overreact much Hook and Rory???

by Golden Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:13 am

ah jaysus just as it gets interesting i have to leave. mad

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:13 am

16-25 with about 13 minutes to go. Can we get an amazing comeback here?!

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:13 am

Thats a tough call there again...

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:14 am

Golden wrote:ah jaysus just as it gets interesting i have to leave.

Ah can't you re-sit? Very Happy

by BigTrevsbigmac Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:15 am

eirebilly wrote:Thats a tough call there again...

Healey clearly played the ball without letting player go after tackle. Good spot by ref.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:15 am

Argh Healy!

Leinster still have time for a LBP.

16-28

by Golden Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:15 am

Cari wrote:
Golden wrote:ah jaysus just as it gets interesting i have to leave.

Ah can't you re-sit?

Haha i wish, 250 for a repeat. not quite worth it haha

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:16 am

Ah come on billy, from where Barnes is he sees the 2 boys on the floor and the ball pops back despite CA clearly winning ball. Can't blame any ref for calling that one!

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:17 am

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:
eirebilly wrote:Thats a tough call there again...

Healey clearly played the ball without letting player go after tackle. Good spot by ref.

I think that it was harsh myself, should have better hands than to allow a slight touch to spill the ball Wink

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:17 am

thebluesmancometh wrote:WOW overreact much Hook and Rory???

Nope, not really. Still a good side that faces challenges similar to Munster post Kidney. The older players (D'Arcy, Cullen) are certainly on the way out, the players that should be replacing them (McFadden, Toner) are nowhere near good enough and the next generation are still too green at this level. Leinster still a decent side but have been completely exposed today. The strength in depth just isn't there and with a few injuries they are just not the same side at the highest level.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:17 am

thebluesmancometh wrote:WOW overreact much Hook and Rory???

Not at all, two tries in the entire tournament so far is very poor by Leinster's standards. That was scored from a rolling maul also. Where is the inventiveness and creativity we are so used to seeing from Leinster?

I really hope they will pull this back though but I don't think they can.

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:18 am

Sexytoes really should be a captain at some point. I think he'd be a superb candidate for the role.

Clermont are going to take their time now and let the clock wind down...

by eirebilly Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:18 am

Aahh sure, i am just being slightly bitter Wink

by Cari Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:18 am

Para misses a DG thankfully.

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:19 am

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
thebluesmancometh wrote:WOW overreact much Hook and Rory???

Nope, not really. Still a good side that faces challenges similar to Munster post Kidney. The older players (D'Arcy, Cullen) are certainly on the way out, the players that should be replacing them (McFadden, Toner) are nowhere near good enough and the next generation are still too green at this level. Leinster still a decent side but have been completely exposed today. The strength in depth just isn't there and with a few injuries they are just not the same side at the highest level.

Try being a Blues fan

by thebluesmancometh Sat Dec 15, 2012 9:19 am

Billy you wanna see bitter stick around, the blues are up next mad

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