Lagons V Drienster

The Leinster squad will play their final game of this Six Nations block away to the Newport Gwent Dragons in Friday night's RaboDirect PRO12 clash in Rodney Parade (KO: 7pm) and the management have reported no major injury concerns arising from the weekend victory over the Scarlets...
Leinster secured their seventh successive victory in all competitions at a wintry RDS on Saturday night and the province could be bolstered by the return of South African lock Quinn Roux who has an outside chance of making the match-day panel after stepping up his rehabilitation following recent shoulder surgery.

Though Isaac Boss (rolled ankle) was replaced as a precaution midway through the second half, his replacement John Cooney touched down with the final play of the game to help secure a bonus point, a five-pointer which was his second in Leinster colours. Aaron Dundon scored his first Leinster try in a fine all-round display by the former Seapoint and Clontarf hooker who secured the Man of the Match award. Saturday’s win also marked Mark Flanagan’s first outing of the season when the Mullingar second row replaced another Academy product Ben Marshall.

It may be a week too soon for Kevin McLaughlin (knee) but Brendan Macken (hamstring niggle) should come back into the frame for Friday evening's match.

Depending on national needs, it is possible that some of the players who haven’t featured prominently over the Six Nations could also be available for selection, though a decision is likely to be made later in the week ahead of Thursday’s midday team announcement.

Friday’s fixture, which is the province’s last game for three weeks, is not scheduled to be televised, though Leinster Rugby will be providing live Twitter feeds via @leinsterrugby.

Leinster will then face back-to-back home league games in the RDS against second placed Glasgow Warriors (March 23rd) and then league leaders Ulster (March 30th).

You'd expect Nugget, Reddan, Toner and Fitz to be released for Leinster, especially Cronin as he's not played much in the last few weeks...

Nice spoonerisms there Jen!

McGrath - Dundon - Bent
Toner - Marshall
Ruddock - Murphy - Ryan
Reddan - Madigan
McFadden - Goodman - O'Malley - Fitzgerald
D.Kearney

Cronin - O'Connell - Hagan - Cullen - Jennings - Cooney - Reid - Carr

Cooney in to give Boss a rest, Cullen could do with one too, Dundon retained after a great game last week.

Last game for 3 weeks? You mean ill have only Ireland to watch? Ill have to take up a hobby in the meantime. Maybe ill finally alphabetise the fridge or take up knitting or some sh1t...

Cronin to Tight Head? Thats the kind of left field thinking that will have you in the running to be DK's replacement. If you can make Mads and Ferg wear clown shoes to negate their kicking you'll be a cert.

Whats with the poor coverage of Leinster games this season? Half of them dont seem to be covered.

Submachine wrote:Cronin to Tight Head? Thats the kind of left field thinking that will have you in the running to be DK's replacement. If you can make Mads and Ferg wear clown shoes to negate their kicking you'll be a cert.

That was an open goal, you saw a weakness, you pounced. I don't blame you. I meant Bent, of course

Golden wrote:Whats with the poor coverage of Leinster games this season? Half of them dont seem to be covered.

It's officially a load of me arse. Only 1 game on the box during the 6nations, and it's a feicin home game too.

RTE hardly ever show Leinster games. Instead they show Munster games that are usually on other channels anyway.

The kids I coach are heading over to this one on the Leinster plane no less! The noise for Leinster with this lot is going to be pretty hefty I think

LEINSTER:

15: Luke Fitzgerald
14: Dave Kearney
13: Brendan Macken
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Jack O'Connell
2: Sean Cronin
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Mark Flanagan
5: Devin Toner
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Michael Bent
19: Leo Cullen
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Andrew Goodman
23: Eoin O'Malley

Yum!

Dan Evans, Adam Hughes, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos, Steffan Jones, Jonathan Evans; Ieuan Jones, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (c), Jevon Groves, Ian Nimmo, Nathan Buck, Sam Parry, Phil Price.

Replacements
Hugh Gustafson, Aaron Coundley, Dan Way, Rob Sidoli, Adam Jones, Wayne Evans, Tom Prydie, Will Harries.

More great work from the Dragons website team:

'Edwards has also put faith in young gun Jack Dixon who will create a new centre pairing alongside Pat Leach. They last played side by side away from home against Bath at the Rec.'

Actually, they last played together against Glasgow the other week. It was quite a noteworthy match.

Why was Murphy dropped??

I see Joe is already preparing for next season by giving Jack O'Connell a start and also giving McGrath good gametime; for the when VDM leaves. He really is great at bringing through players.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why was Murphy dropped??

I see Joe is already preparing for next season by giving Jack O'Connell a start and also giving McGrath good gametime; for the when VDM leaves. He really is great at bringing through players.

No Furlong or Moore (are either injured) seems to suggest that Hagan will still be around next season. I have read on other forums ther is a lot of speculation about him moving to the Jeff

I can't see Hagan staying and IMO shouldn't. Moore is only 21/22 and Furlong is only 20 so there is no rush with them. I would say when Hagan moves thats when he will start to bring them through.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why was Murphy dropped??

Dropped is a little harsh. Rotated is perhaps a better word

Yeah, he's started the last 3 games. Good rotation in the backrow I say.

Strong bench!

Be looking for 5 points here, put pressure on Glasgae and Ulcer.

4 tries won't fecken score themselves though......

Submachine wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why was Murphy dropped??

I see Joe is already preparing for next season by giving Jack O'Connell a start and also giving McGrath good gametime; for the when VDM leaves. He really is great at bringing through players.

No Furlong or Moore (are either injured) seems to suggest that Hagan will still be around next season. I have read on other forums ther is a lot of speculation about him moving to the Jeff

Furlong supposedly destroyed Horan in the AIL a few weeks back, not that says too much. Horan really was awful

The Herald are reporting that Roux will sign a 2 year extension. Good news... I think.

I like that news, really bolsters our lock options.

Good team overall

I think the signing of Nimmo from the Pirates sums the Dragons up - What a complete waste at this level

Really miffed this isn't on tv. Leinster really starting to motor now, would love to see how we get on...

Begs the question; who will receive the biggest reaming this evening, the Dregs or the Blouses?

A try after one minute, you kidding!

2 tries in a few minutes, the Dragons really aren't helping their case as a pro organisation!!

Rodney parade has turned into the plumpy average looking girl in school who will let anyone get a crack at her!

Leinster looking for the BP try before 15 mins???

Glad they were considering coaching changes. Post tonight should surely seal it.

Not a lot of heart in the Dragons ranks right now either morg, I wouldn't put the whole issue on the coaching setup, just most.

Yeah I agree with you. A lot of 'too average' players plying their trade here and I doubt they're motivated. If we get a new coach then we definitely need a few new players too.

Ye but losing stars every seasons not going to help, it just seem pride for the shirt has gone!

And that won't stop if there aren't drastic changes now. I would have traded Lydiate and Faletau to get Charteris back. We have Evans and Jones as the replacements. Maybe Ospreys will give Morgan Allen back...

Don't hold your breathe!!!

Jones is a bit of a monster I like him a lot.

Evans seems to have been floored with no Welsh call up which a lot of people Including him were expecting. Since the squad was anounced he's gone from being their standout player to prem quality!!

Apparently our scrum is doing ok. I don't know what Leinster's second string's props are on show, but are they poor scrummagers normally?

Defensively all at sea again, so I gather. One thing we have to do is get a decent and full time defensive coach. The knives will be out again for Darren anyway.

A try back? Ieuan Jones.

It's not nice to tease us Dragons

Ieuan the monster goes over. He's going to be a hell of a player. Wonder when Ospreys will come looking?

Rev, Hagan and Bent are rated quite highly in Leinster. And Cronin is an international.

Nonsense. Hagan and Bent are not highly rated at all. Most Leinster fans are looking at younger options like Furlong and Moore due to the utter failure of Hagan. Bent falatywred to deceive in the autumn internationals and has been demolished on several occasions since.

O'Connell is the LH tonight I think,he's young but has potential whereas Hagan is not great on the TH side.

Cronin on two tries. He got two last week too didnt he?

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Nonsense. Hagan and Bent are not highly rated at all. Most Leinster fans are looking at younger options like Furlong and Moore due to the utter failure of Hagan. Bent falatywred to deceive in the autumn internationals and has been demolished on several occasions since.

They were then. Last time I read both were rated. Bent still made the Ireland squad did he not?

2 for Cronin, 2 for D Kearney. According to Leinster Twitter feed Leinster scrum winning penalties and one feed against the head

He was 3rd choice but behind Ross we really have no one of any quality yet.

Not so much on the scrum doing ok then?

Teasing over then. BP Leinster. Sounds like its been a long time coming, so improved defence by Drags I suppose (holding out so long).

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_8532434,00.html

Planet rugby not doing their research

asoreleftshoulder wrote:http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_8532434,00.html

Planet rugby not doing their research

Hahaha they even have the right one in the teamsheet

I didn't even see that,sheesh

We are within 2 now of Ulster.

Losing bonus point - yay! And we didn't concede 60 - yay!

Progress.

I arrived a minute late and Leinster had already scored their first try. The first two were such soft tries to concede, but we defended much better second half. We showed much more spirit. Dan Evans's missed touch was a turning point.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Nonsense. Hagan and Bent are not highly rated at all. Most Leinster fans are looking at younger options like Furlong and Moore due to the utter failure of Hagan. Bent falatywred to deceive in the autumn internationals and has been demolished on several occasions since.

Nonsense is right. Hagan and Jack O'Connell were the starting props. It was O'Connell's 1st start for Leinster.

Bent came on after 45. McGrath after 50. Both would be a step up from the starter.

Bent was ridiculously over hyped after 2 short cameos in November. Has been developing since. Not much of a step up from Hagan but ahead of him. I would think both can improve.

Moore and Furlong are seen as having more potential than either of them but they are still just that... Potential.