Leinster v Scarlets

First topic message reminder :

So here it is. 3rd v 4th. The 2nd biggest game of the weekend.

Possible Leinster team

McGrath
Dundon
Hagan
Cullen
Marshall
Ryan
Jennings
Murphy

Boss
Madigan
Conway
Goodman
O'Malley
Kearney
Nacewa

T Sexton
Van Der Merwe
Moore
Flanagan
Auva'a
Cooney
Reid
Carr

Possibly get 1 or 2 of these back, with the more likely ones listed first.

Bent
Ruddock
McLaughlin
Toner
Fitzgerald
McFadden
Reddan
Cronin

If Nacewa is still out, Conway to FB Carr on and Hudson at 23.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Yup, I belive we can do it.

Also isn't Dundon a great man to have in the squad. He is great with his throwing.

I texted that to a mate. Hes 100%. Unlike Strauss and Cronin. Deserves lots more game time to develop other aspects. Pretty handy up front as well.

Gibson wrote:Yup. Madigan changed the game from the moment he came on. Cooney is looking good too. Murphy just gets better.

I can see us topping the PRO12 in a few games. Ho hum.

I think you could do it indeed. Especially as you only have the one competition to think about now!

MrsP wrote:

Gibson wrote:Yup. Madigan changed the game from the moment he came on. Cooney is looking good too. Murphy just gets better.

I can see us topping the PRO12 in a few games. Ho hum.

I think you could do it indeed. Especially as you only have the one competition to think about now!

Naw, we have 2. Soon, ye will only have one and we will win that one too.

Love you long time pal.

If we keep losing players at the current rate we could be fielding the wee fella's Medallion side by the quater finals!

If only there was a competition for "Who has the strongest team in rehab". We'd win that one hands down!

Leinster starting to peak now. We really want this pro 12 title this year!!!!

Ulster; Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H)

Leinster; Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Ulster (H), Munster (A), Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

Final run in for both. Tough ask for Ulster to go to Leinster and get the win, but if they do, probably seal top spot.

Glasgow have to win vs either Leinster or beat Munster, O's and Scarlets and hope Leinster slip up somewhere to keep second.

Leinster win all their games and they probably seal second, with Glasgow the likely 3rd place team and O's bringing up the rear.

MrsP wrote:If we keep losing players at the current rate we could be fielding the wee fella's Medallion side by the quater finals!

If only there was a competition for "Who has the strongest team in rehab". We'd win that one hands down!

Saw the pics of the Boy on FB. Excellent! Looks soo strong now.

Besides, he is coming to the Leinster Academy. He told me he wants silverware. Dont deny him his ultimate dream Maaw.

Well, I suppose we have so many young talented backs up here just now he might need to go down there to have a chance of a place!

Touche!

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Ulster; Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H)

Leinster; Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Ulster (H), Munster (A), Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

Final run in for both. Tough ask for Ulster to go to Leinster and get the win, but if they do, probably seal top spot.

Glasgow have to win vs either Leinster or beat Munster, O's and Scarlets and hope Leinster slip up somewhere to keep second.

Leinster win all their games and they probably seal second, with Glasgow the likely 3rd place team and O's bringing up the rear.

Hi Ulsterman.

Connacht away is not a given. But yeah, us 2, 1st and 2nd, in whatever order, I reckon. Cant see Munster making it now. Shame that.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Here is a question that I reckon will get a few different opinions:

Is Madigan going to be a better player for Leinster than Sexton? I reckon he is a more dangerous player at least.

Sexton has nothing to prove at club level. He will take Racing to a higher level. Want to see how he goes with the Lions. Madigan is a different player. Like our Paddy J.

I wish him well tomorrow. For himself and for our country. But not for Last Chance Kidney. I want him gone.

Oh I know. I'd also be wary of Glasgow. It'll be a big ask for them to go to the RDS with half a team and pull off an upset, but if they manage to find a kicker/steal Duncan Weir back from Scotland then they could be dangerous for anyone they face. I'm swithering on whether they'll manage to hold onto 2nd or whether Leinster will nick it off them...

Shame about Munster but I reckon they'll be right back in it next year with young JJ at the helm. Big talent that lad. Need to get a sub 9 as Williams is shocking though... Cooney, McGrath, Marmion or Heaney could get poached!

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Ulster; Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Leinster (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H)

Leinster; Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Ulster (H), Munster (A), Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

Final run in for both. Tough ask for Ulster to go to Leinster and get the win, but if they do, probably seal top spot.

Glasgow have to win vs either Leinster or beat Munster, O's and Scarlets and hope Leinster slip up somewhere to keep second.

Leinster win all their games and they probably seal second, with Glasgow the likely 3rd place team and O's bringing up the rear.

Bit early to write the Scarlets off yet lads, 6 games left with 4 at home, Zebre away and Dragons at the Millenium. 4 of the remaining games against the bottom 4 teams and just Glasgow to play from the top half of the table which is at PYS. the team is blowing hot and cold but that has to be the easiest possible run in.

My money would be on Ulster 1st, Leinster 2nd, Glasgow 3rd, Scarlets 4th
The O's would need to win in Glasgow and Leinster to make 4th which would put Gasgow out of the top 4 and the Ospreys into 3rd.

After a sludge start from Leinster (and an extended one!!).... it's noteworthy now to look at the table and see what happens when attention is focused on only one goal.

From pretty bleak beginnings that lasted well into the season... they're now 3rd with most points scored and most tries scored, and only one win less than this year's superking side, Ulster. That was quite an effort to rebalance the boat.... it still might not come to anything... but nice head-down recovery campaign from Schmidt and his squad. Pity about the HC but it was a tall, tall ask in record book terms anyway.

Really want to win the PRO12 more than anything now. 3 consecutive Finals and 3 losses. This must be redressed presently. Id love to do it at the Library. 15,000 Leinster fans to fill it - alongside the normal O's support. That would do nicely.

The Ambling Cup for European also-rans? Meh, I spose it would be nice to win it at HQ. Different silverware for our overworked silver-polishers to work with. We need a supson of variety to keep them focused till next year.

Being totally objective (yeah roysh), I think an Ulster v Glasgow Final would be fantastic for both clubs and the League itself. They have helped make it a better comp over the last 2 seasons.

I'm with you Gibbo. I'd regard Pro12 now as the main challenge, given to the main guys (and some of the filler-ins of course) when they get back...and the Amlin is the lesser one, the second string contest.

We should really be looking to win the rest of our games at this stage I think.

Glasgow, Ospreys and Ulster are all good teams but we have built momentum and have them all at home. Worried about the Ospreys the most they seem to have our number.

The three away games again Dragons, Ulster and Zebre all look very winnable.

The big one will be against Glasgow. It will be tough to see how many lads each team can get back in harness for that game. We should have Sexton for it I'd say!!!!!!

IF Munster lose their HCup 1/4 (and I think they will) they could be looking at a very tough run in to get near the Pro12 places.

Munster are out of play off contention. They have been awful in the Rabo and have by far the toughest run in.

I think so too, it's going to be tough for them though as if they don't win their 1/4 final what have they to play for?

We at least have the Amlin and the league.
They have the HCup and that is looking B.L.E.A.K. for them too

Ye they were completely outplayed by the same Treviso team that we beat 40-5 the week before and now it looks like ROG is going to be back for the Ospreys game. So they are pretty much feiced.

What are the chances of us getting in to first?

Theres a chance but its tough as Ulster have an easy run in. We need to win all our games to have any chance imo.

We play Ulster though so if we win that, that should close the gap.
Christ apart from us they really do have an easy run in though.

They have a lot of injuries too and are competing on two fronts

A lot of their injuries should be back though.

Niggs!

We are 5 points behind Ulster. So even if we beat them, it comes down to bonus points.

You would fancy them to beat Treviso (H), Edinburgh (A), Dragons (H), Connacht (A), Blues (H) with a few bonus points and probably get an lbp from us if we beat them.

We have Dragons (A), Glasgow (H), Munster (A), Zebre (A), Ospreys (H)

A lot less likely to yield as many BP wins.

My analysis. Even if we beat them we won't pass them unless they slip up somewhere else...... Connacht away maybe?

I reckon a lot depends on if we beat Saracens. If we do, the Connacht game is the weekend before the Semi final... So depending on the situation there may be some players rested...

Ulster remaining games currently on 59:
Treviso (h) 4 points
Edinburgh (a) 4 points
Leinster (a) 0 points
Dragon (h) 4 points
Connacht (a) 1 point
Blues (h) 5 points

I am basing this on a lot of injuries and playing in two big competitions the Rabo definitely being secondary to the HCup.

Leinster remaining games currently on 54:
Dragons (A) 4 points
Glasgow (H) 4 points
Ulster (H) 4 points
Munster (A) 4 points
Zebre (A) 4 points
Ospreys (H) 1 point

Glasgow remaining games currently on 56:
Blues (h) 5 points
Leinster (a) 0 points
Munster (h) 4 points
Scarlets (a) 1 point
Ospreys (h) 4 points
Connacht (a) 1 point










So I am guessing......

Ulster 77 points
Leinster 75 points
Glasgow 71 points

I actually fancy Glasgow to get a win in PYS and the Sportsground... If they don't get any injuries between now and then, they'll do damage.

And EVERYONE should come away from the Library with 5 points at this point in the season. Edinburgh have been absolutely mince and I think we beat them by 30 points last time so I'd still expect a BP there.

Ulster remaining games currently on 59:
Treviso (h) 4 points
Edinburgh (a) 5 points
Leinster (a) 1 points
Dragon (h) 4 points
Connacht (a) 1 point
Blues (h) 5 points

Leinster remaining games currently on 54:
Dragons (A) 4 points
Glasgow (H) 4 points
Ulster (H) 4 points
Munster (A) 4 points
Zebre (A) 4 points
Ospreys (H) 4 point

Glasgow remaining games currently on 56:
Blues (h) 5 points
Leinster (a) 1 points
Munster (h) 4 points
Scarlets (a) 4 point
Ospreys (h) 4 points
Connacht (a) 4 point


Ulster 79
Glasgow 74 (ahead on BPs)
Leinster 74

Glasgow can beat Ospreys at home but we can't? I suppose going on last season.........

Ulster and Glasgow to get no LBP in the RDS. hmmmmm maybe.

Glasgow unable to turn over the Scarlets. Perhaps.

Connacht to win BOTH of their last home games v the top 2..... Stretching it now...

I can see a few more winning BPs too,

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:
Ulster 79
Glasgow 74 (ahead on BPs)
Leinster 74

Your figures actually add up to 78 for Leinster and Glasgow, and the number of wins is what divides the teams on the same points.

So the team with the most BPs is the loser.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:
Ulster 79
Glasgow 74 (ahead on BPs)
Leinster 74

Your figures actually add up to 78 for Leinster and Glasgow, and the number of wins is what divides the teams on the same points.

So the team with the most BPs is the loser.

Man, my mental maths is shocking these days... Really, I thought BPs decided it! Still it'll be close between Leinster and Glasgow. One slip either way and the other will get the home SF...

Bonus points are a disadvantage. Wins are what you need.....

3.5. If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order:

• number of matches won;
• the difference between points for and points against;
• the number of tries scored;
• the most points scored;
• the difference between tries for and tries against;
• the fewest number of red cards received;
• the fewest number of yellow cards received.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Bonus points are a disadvantage. Wins are what you need.....

3.5. If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order:

• number of matches won;
• the difference between points for and points against;
• the number of tries scored;
• the most points scored;
• the difference between tries for and tries against;
• the fewest number of red cards received;
• the fewest number of yellow cards received.

And if they are all tied on all of the above it goes down to a good old coin flip (pretty sure they do, the HEC does).

a coin flip yes...but a Heads Up bonus point goes to the team that named Heads....................

I am relatively confident that we can get 2nd place (trying not to sound cocky now!) but with Ulster and Glasgow at home, there are two big games in there that can be momentum shifters.

Also.........touches all wood around him......are injuries are beginning to look ok again.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Also.........touches all wood around him......are injuries are beginning to look ok again.

http://forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22397

Touché jen, touché.

Didn't realise Browne was so bad. Has been coming all season though. Cullen said after the game last weekend he's gonna keep trucking, sounds hungry. Great roux is back and great that Marshall is stepping up. I know the kid, he's a good lad, really humble and I guess just polite.

I wonder who will get 12 with Darcy out?
Fitz? McFadden? Goodman?

Running out of back 3 players with Carr and Conway going and ISA down

I would have no problems with Cullen staying on...infact I would love him to stay on. IMO he's playing his best rugby in the last 2 years atm.

Browne has a career threatning injury. Lets hope he can recover as he was in good form before he was injured.

I didn't see this thread sooner... The scoreline is a bit of a turnaround compared to the season opener aye... How different was this Leinster team to the team from the first game of the season?

1st game . 2nd game

Isa Nacewa . Dave Kearney
Andrew Conway . Andrew Conway
Brendan Macken . Eoin O'Malley
Noel Reid . Andrew Goodman
Fionn Carr . Fionn Carr
Ian Madigan . Noel Reid
Isaac Boss . Isaac Boss
.
Heinke van der Merwe . Jack McGrath
Richardt Strauss . Aaron Dundon
Jamie Hagan . Michael Bent
Damian Browne . Leo Cullen
Devin Toner . Ben Marshall
Dominic Ryan . Dominic Ryan
Shane Jennings . Shane Jennings
Leo Auva'a .Jordi Murphy

Yes Neil William Gerald Morgan

Remarkably similar teams.

The Scarlets had their Internationals in the September game though