Leinster v Scarlets HC

First topic message reminder :

Leinster Rugby wrote:
The Leinster squad have stepped up their preparations ahead of Saturday evening's Heineken Cup Round 5 encounter against the Scarlets in the RDS (KO: 6pm)...
Fresh from Friday night’s bonus point victory over Edinburgh, the management have reported no fresh major injury concerns aside from the usual bumps and bruises.

Meanwhile, returning trio Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll all successfully came through the game and suffered no ill effects after their respective long-term injuries.

The management are hopeful that Isa Nacewa and Richardt Strauss will both return to the panel for the visit of the Llanelli based side. Dave Kearney and Eoin O’Malley should also come into the frame to join Ireland international Fergus McFadden, who was rested for the victory in the Scottish capital.

With the ‘A’ side also in action in the British & Irish Cup against Pontypridd in Donnybrook on Saturday afternoon (KO: 2pm) it is another busy week for the province which moved from their base in UCD to a short two-day camp in Johnstown House on Monday lunchtime.

Were I Joe Schmidt I would select this team. Although there may be wisdom in starting Strauss and seeing how long he can go for, rather than bringing him off the bench and finding it was not as long as we thought.

Our only injuries are Roux and Browne which leaves us short on tight head locks.

Healy
Cronin
Ross
Cullen
Toner
O'Brien
Jennings
Heaslip

Reddan
Sexton
Nacewa
D'Arcy
O'Driscoll
McFadden
Kearney

Strauss
Van der Merwe
Bent
McLaughlin/Denton
Murphy/McLaughlin
Boss
Madigan
Fitzgerald

Leinster 33 - 14 Scarlets

Full Time.

Actually that's probably wrong as it comes from the BBC.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

Gibson wrote:Clermont marchon. 23-3. Allez Clermont. This is their HC to lose. Maybe v Toulouse?

Best fans Ive ever mixed with.

Ulster will smash them into splinters

Honest opinion Dodge? Dont think Ulster have enough in them to get past ASM this year. Maybe next year. No 10 see. You need a top class 10 to win the HC.

Pienaar is filling in at a WC level, but he´d rather fully concentrate on his voodoo at 9. It holds you back.

I could well see ye in the Final though. As long as you dont meet ASM 1st.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Not wild on that Scarlets 15 he seems like a bit of a Muppet

Totally agree.

I counted three head high hits although one was a swinging arm smash rather than a tackle. The gurning there would be if that had been against the Sacrlets would have lasted till next Christmas.

Its right

MrsP wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Not wild on that Scarlets 15 he seems like a bit of a Muppet

Totally agree.

I counted three head high hits although one was a swinging arm smash rather than a tackle. The gurning there would be if that had been against the Sacrlets would have lasted till next Christmas.

Oooh MrsP, you are a one.

So as awful as this sounds..........











































































































COME ON EDINBURGH

Gibson wrote:

MrsP wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Not wild on that Scarlets 15 he seems like a bit of a Muppet

Totally agree.

I counted three head high hits although one was a swinging arm smash rather than a tackle. The gurning there would be if that had been against the Sacrlets would have lasted till next Christmas.

Oooh MrsP, you are a one.

You know it's true though. And I got the distinct feeling that Gordan Darcy agrees with me.

Its sounds grand to me bud Peadar. Feic the rest of em, this thread is all about Leinster roysh? So we can say what we like on it.

MON Ewmbra!

Believe!

Pete.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!!!!

Muff! Me 1st bud on BBC 606. Howya doin, ya mad Munster bollix?

<LargeBottleOffDeTopShelf>

Gibson mo chara Im a bag of nerves. Wish it was 3 tomorrow with a 4 try win the bag. Im not so sure though with this Penneyball west to east east to west that we are playing. Cari is over for the w/e hope she is having a ball

<largebottleoffdetopshelf> cant believe they never made a smiley of it

Wasn't it great to see Lukey lookeying so sharp?

Ah Muff man, good to see you.

If I was a Munster fan roysh now, Id be preparing for a large pish-taking scenario when ye make it and we dont. Used be normal like...

But I´d forgotten what its like for the last 4 years. We need that back. We need that provincial top-dog battle to drive us both forward. So do ye, if the truth be told.

P.S. Ulster fans are reading this. Careful now.

Fair play to Scarlets. Can't qualify. Behind early. No home fans to impress. Leinster threatening to rampage. But they just never stopped tackling and didn't cave in.

Pity some of the French sides don't show that level of respect for this competition.

come on edinburgh

being an ex edinburgh resident and a dub im 100% happy to cheer for Edinburgh tomorrow.

Haggis, neeps and tatties and some fine scotch at the ready for tomorrows breakfast.

"Im not so sure though with this Penneyball west to east east to west that we are playing" Made me chuckle bluemuff. Will revert to type tomorrow i would say given Edinburgh front 5 are not all that

i think you will win but bonus point im not so sure.

god willing toulon beat the tar out of montpellier and we both go through as best runners up. Ospreys beating Leicester would help i think. getting confused with all the permutations

BlueMuff wrote:Pete.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!!!!

Sorry Blue, kinda struggling for survival here and will throw a dead man's grip on anything that will save us.

Horrible to say it true, not really sure how to express it in words.

Gibbo is right when he says
"If I was a Munster fan roysh now, Id be preparing for a large pish-taking scenario when ye make it and we dont. Used be normal like..."

The thread Leinster are hanging from is terrifyingly weak.

We need Toulon to beat Montpellier.
We need Edinburgh to beat Munster.
We need, we need, we need.....

Feckless Rogue wrote:Fair play to Scarlets. Can't qualify. Behind early. No home fans to impress. Leinster threatening to rampage. But they just never stopped tackling and didn't cave in.

Pity some of the French sides don't show that level of respect for this competition.

Don't fully agree that the French aren't giving it everything but...

Scarlets

Feckless Rogue wrote:Fair play to Scarlets. Can't qualify. Behind early. No home fans to impress. Leinster threatening to rampage. But they just never stopped tackling and didn't cave in.

Pity some of the French sides don't show that level of respect for this competition.

Excellent post. Scarlets remind me of Leinster a few years back. Both of us wont change our creed. No matter what. We both strive to play open, attacking, rugby. They have no end of guts too.

Well played Scarlets.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:Pete.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!!!!

Sorry Blue, kinda struggling for survival here and will throw a dead man's grip on anything that will save us.

Horrible to say it true, not really sure how to express it in words.

Gibbo is right when he says
"If I was a Munster fan roysh now, Id be preparing for a large pish-taking scenario when ye make it and we dont. Used be normal like..."

The thread Leinster are hanging from is terrifyingly weak.

We need Toulon to beat Montpellier.
We need Edinburgh to beat Munster.
We need, we need, we need.....

We don't need embra to win we just need Munster to not get a BP in either game.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:Pete.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!!!!

Sorry Blue, kinda struggling for survival here and will throw a dead man's grip on anything that will save us.

Horrible to say it true, not really sure how to express it in words.

Gibbo is right when he says
"If I was a Munster fan roysh now, Id be preparing for a large pish-taking scenario when ye make it and we dont. Used be normal like..."

The thread Leinster are hanging from is terrifyingly weak.

We need Toulon to beat Montpellier.
We need Edinburgh to beat Munster.
We need, we need, we need.....

Pete sums it all up. We need far too much realistically. Its not in our hands. We need Mammy´s Novenas more than ever now. Id love to see us make it 4 and join Toulouse, at a top table for just 2. In Lansdowne v ASM. I had a Dream. But its so far away now...

All depends on what team Toulon put out. Come on Toulon!!!!

Edit: there is also the small matter of us getting 4 tries against Exeter

Sure you can come and cheer us on Gibbo.

That would be nearly as good, no?

Still though. Good to see Leinster looking more like themselves. As long as we strive to play Leinster rugby, I don't mind if we don't win every year.

It'll be a stinger to not even qualify from the pool though. The worst part is, I actually think we were the better team in the first game against Clermont but just couldn't nab the win in the end. We were just short a few to many of our big players.

MrsP wrote:

Sure you can come and cheer us on Gibbo.

That would be nearly as good, no?

With you girl, just your company would be enough. Id love to see ye win it in Dublin. I' ll be side-by-side with my bud Rava at the Final. A Ballymoney man who stood beside me at Twickers last year. Shook my hand and went off for a tear. Be nice to see him cry with tears of joy and not sadness this time. Id love that.

I agree Feckless, losing that first game was a kick in the teeth

As soon as the thought crossed my mind of us trying for a best 2nd rather than overtaking Clermont I knew somewhere in the darkest parts of my mind that we were in trouble...

Miracles happen

Believe

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I agree Feckless, losing that first game was a kick in the teeth

As soon as the thought crossed my mind of us trying for a best 2nd rather than overtaking Clermont I knew somewhere in the darkest parts of my mind that we were in trouble...

Miracles happen

Believe

9-6 and very nearly a draw, v Chiefs, was none too healthy for us either. When the draw was made, I saw that as a possible 5-pointer. How wrong I was. They scared the livin-schiit out of us, right up to the last second. Asbo was lovin it.

Are we mad to expect 5pts at Sandy Park? They are a proud club. A very solid unit. They dont succumb easily. Not at home.

Im staying with Asbo next week. Along with 16 others off here. Be a blast either way.

Chiefs have built on solid ground and have stabilised in the Jeff now. Instead of worrying about relegation, they now expect HC qualification. Thats a huge shift. They are rebuilding their ground to a 20,000 all-seater. They mean long-term business. They are to be feared and respected - at home especially. But we need to, and will, get the 5pts required. That much I believe. Won't be easy, but we have it well within us to do it. We are at our very best when we really have to do it.

The rest is up to that fickle finger of faith that is the HC. Man I love this comp. Nothing else comes even near. Not the 6-N. Not the RWC. Girlie beach-volleyball maybe.

I would bet my house on Leinster getting 5 points next week. Simply because it's Leinster. 5 pointer needed today and they went out and got it despite it being difficult at times. They might not make it past the quarters this time though.

I would so love things to end up as Clermont #1 qualifier and Leinster #8 qualifier, meaning Clermont vs Leinster in France in the quarters. The latest episode in the Leinster Clermont rivalry.

I'd be backing Leinster as well, purely on the basis that after a winning streak of more than 50 at home, Clermont have gotta lose soon.

Thought I'd try separate my mind from my heart for a few minutes:

1-The worst performance you have seen
5- An average run of the mill performance
10- The best performance you have ever seen

Healy- 8.5
Great scrummaging, outstanding work ethic, destructive ball carrying, tree felling tackling. Ps: Nice hands too.

Cronin- 6
Very nice line running and support play. Lineouts were much better than last week, his rucking style is also very effective.

Ross- 6.5
Won us a few right hand shoulders in the scrum, carried more than has previously.

Cullen- 6
Good work in the lineout and his defence was impressive. Still an appalling ball carrier but his leadership out there was invaluable.

Toner-5
Carries the way he did in 10/11 season which is not a positive. This was one of his better days this season. Some nice handling though.

Ruddock- 6.5
Looked very aggressive and positive in his workrate and carrying. His defence was impressive also. Huge improvement.

Jennings- 7.5
Exceptional linking play from scrum to 12 channel. Looked aggressive and effective in rucking and tackling.

Heaslip- 6
Good ball skills and won 'the hard yards' often. Seems less mobile than years gone by. Did well in the lineout too.

Boss- 4
Service was a bit slow and his passing while fine was a slower version of Reddan's.

Sexton- 7
Varied the play really well and kept the defence guessing between inside and outside attack. Could have kicked for corners more.

Fitzgerald- 8
Really positive performance in the air, carrying, evasion, contact and line running/timing. Fitz is back.

Darcy- 5
Got across the gainline a few times but wasn't a massive threat and didn't release men outside him that often to any real effect. Defence wasn't great.

McFadden- 6
Looked tenacious and brought his high workrate to 13. Good in contact, distributed fairly well. Defence was ok.

Nacewa- 5
Has started kicking the ball ahead too often IMO. Defence was strong but seemed to stick to his wing for the majority of the game.

Kearney- 6.5
Looked really dangerous entering the line close to the ruck, his angles and timing are exceptional. Didn't get the ball in open field very often.

Scrum-8
Lineout-7
Defence-7
Attack-8
Breakdown-8

Other:
I am still unconvinced by BOD I suppose it is only his second game back.
Neither scrumhalf seems in particularly great form recently.
Dundon, VDM, Madigan all looked very good off the bench

Was O'Brien a late withdrawal?

Agree Morgan.

Id love to see Ospreys downing Tigers tomorrow, for all sorts of reasons. The main reason being, it would help us hugely.

Artful_Dodger wrote:I would so love things to end up as Clermont #1 qualifier and Leinster #8 qualifier, meaning Clermont vs Leinster in France in the quarters. The latest episode in the Leinster Clermont rivalry.

I'd be backing Leinster as well, purely on the basis that after a winning streak of more than 50 at home, Clermont have gotta lose soon.

Woah......!

I'd take that!

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:Pete.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................!!!!

Sorry Blue, kinda struggling for survival here and will throw a dead man's grip on anything that will save us.

Horrible to say it true, not really sure how to express it in words.

Gibbo is right when he says
"If I was a Munster fan roysh now, Id be preparing for a large pish-taking scenario when ye make it and we dont. Used be normal like..."

.....

If Ulster and Munster qualify does that mean Leinster are the third Irish province <run>

Gibson wrote:Agree Morgan.

Id love to see Ospreys downing Tigers tomorrow, for all sorts of reasons. The main reason being, it would help us hugely.

Me too, just so a Welsh team wins this weekend. If Leinster get in at #8 then they would likely face Harelquins. The second chapter in the 'Bloodbath.'

Artful_Dodger wrote:I would so love things to end up as Clermont #1 qualifier and Leinster #8 qualifier, meaning Clermont vs Leinster in France in the quarters. The latest episode in the Leinster Clermont rivalry.

I'd be backing Leinster as well, purely on the basis that after a winning streak of more than 50 at home, Clermont have gotta lose soon.

Ah Dodge. Imagine that happening again? Yeah, I think that´s what would happen if have a mini-miracle. Id take that. The 1st team to beat Clermont at home in eons. Id take that. Id rip Nathan Hines arm off for it right now. Id be killed for it, but wotdephook.

I love Leinster. Me brudder loves Leinster. So does his missus. Me mother loves Leinster. She organised the Novenas that got us 3. My sisters love Leinster. Im a Leinster man. I come from a Leinster family. And I make no bones about it either.

Believe.

Yeah, but the Scarlets will beat Clermont.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Thought I'd try separate my mind from my heart for a few minutes:

1-The worst performance you have seen
5- An average run of the mill performance
10- The best performance you have ever seen

Healy- 8.5
Great scrummaging, outstanding work ethic, destructive ball carrying, tree felling tackling. Ps: Nice hands too.

Cronin- 6
Very nice line running and support play. Lineouts were much better than last week, his rucking style is also very effective.

Ross- 6.5
Won us a few right hand shoulders in the scrum, carried more than has previously.

Cullen- 6
Good work in the lineout and his defence was impressive. Still an appalling ball carrier but his leadership out there was invaluable.

Toner-5
Carries the way he did in 10/11 season which is not a positive. This was one of his better days this season. Some nice handling though.

Ruddock- 6.5
Looked very aggressive and positive in his workrate and carrying. His defence was impressive also. Huge improvement.

Jennings- 7.5
Exceptional linking play from scrum to 12 channel. Looked aggressive and effective in rucking and tackling.

Heaslip- 6
Good ball skills and won 'the hard yards' often. Seems less mobile than years gone by. Did well in the lineout too.

Boss- 4
Service was a bit slow and his passing while fine was a slower version of Reddan's.

Sexton- 7
Varied the play really well and kept the defence guessing between inside and outside attack. Could have kicked for corners more.

Fitzgerald- 8
Really positive performance in the air, carrying, evasion, contact and line running/timing. Fitz is back.

Darcy- 5
Got across the gainline a few times but wasn't a massive threat and didn't release men outside him that often to any real effect. Defence wasn't great.

McFadden- 6
Looked tenacious and brought his high workrate to 13. Good in contact, distributed fairly well. Defence was ok.

Nacewa- 5
Has started kicking the ball ahead too often IMO. Defence was strong but seemed to stick to his wing for the majority of the game.

Kearney- 6.5
Looked really dangerous entering the line close to the ruck, his angles and timing are exceptional. Didn't get the ball in open field very often.

Scrum-8
Lineout-7
Defence-7
Attack-8
Breakdown-8

Other:
I am still unconvinced by BOD I suppose it is only his second game back.
Neither scrumhalf seems in particularly great form recently.
Dundon, VDM, Madigan all looked very good off the bench

Pretty good synopsis Pete. Ruddock, having flattered to to decieve up to now, really stood up tonight. If I was Heaslip, I´d be concerned right now. He´s the perfect 8. Great at 6, but made for 8. He´s a beast. Jamie is half his size. All good.

Jamie and Rhys do very different kinds of carrying; Rhys isn't going to make those dead ball, 0 momentum carries and be successful at it where as Jamie somehow does.

It was a very encouraging performance from a player who was beginning to look like dead weight though.

Still shocked at how well Fitz has returned.

Glas a du wrote:Yeah, but the Scarlets will beat Clermont .

I heard they have extra security organised for that Glas. You are right, as per. Llannelli is a very scarey place. Ive met the inhabitants. Darwin had a pint. I doubt they will even leave their hotel in Cardiff. But hey. They will be well safe in the confines of that shed in the car-park though.

I'll tell you something, if they don't then Easterby's lot will not be a happy one. Not qualifying is one thing, not winning any games and haemorrhaging ranking points is something else entirely.

Riddle me this 606v2

Would anyone here start BOD next week? I am not sure I would...

Some very attractive rugby played by Leinster. For the Irish fans not appreciating Liam Williams I can only assume you had your blinkers on. The same as I did when he played the ospreys. He is brilliant to watch as long as he is not playing against you. McFadden had a kick at him after he was pulled back but it wasn't Sanjay and I counted a couple of other cheap shots at the breakdown on him but no penalty. Not having a pop but watch him in a "neutral" game. Fun to watch.

High tackles happen. Sometimes they are just one of those things but when one player perpetrates three in one match it starts to look like that was where he was aiming. If he was a Tongan playing against a Welsh side there would probably be an entire segment of ScrumV dedicated to discussing each of the incidents. No denying he is a useful player but I doubt I'd enjoy watching him trying to remove the heads of any team. Each to his own I suppose.

Oh god yeah he looks good, not debating that it's just he got called on a few different foul plays and I imagine he was in others I didn't see.

Also in Madigans try, he was squaring up to Darcy, i have watched Darcy for years and can't remember him squaring up to many so........

For any Leinster fans watching today:

we want Edinburgh to beat Munster (or Munster not get the TBP)
we want Treviso to beat Toulouse
we want Ospreys to beat Leicester (no LBP for Leicester)

These results are fairly crucial, we also have to hope that Tuolon beat Montpellier next week.

With Madigans try pete I think he thought that it was Williams who had held him back a few phases earlier. He was pulled back by maule I think, when he turned around Williams was the next player her saw. Started from there.

Mrs P, suppose you could say the same for the predominantly Irish tactic of holding a player up around his neck, very dangerous, I don't like seeing, as you said each to their own.