Amlin 1/4 Wasps vs Leinster

First topic message reminder :

Morning all I thought I'd get the ball rolling on this one.

It's been a while since these two teams faced off, way back to 2009 where Wasps deservedly beat Leinster 19-12 on Leinster's road to their first ever HCup. This was in contrast to the 41-11 win Leinster achieved in October against the same opposition in Dublin.

Leinster were on a great run of form up until this Saturday when they were beaten by Ulster, they now lie in 3rd place in the Rabo league. They find themselves in an odd situation as they and their supporters would consider themselves Heineken Cup big timers and being in the lower tier of Europe I am sure ruffles a few feathers. They have some high profile absentees notably; O'Driscoll, Sexton and Reddan which constitutes a large amount of quality and experience that will not be present.

Wasps find themselves in 7th pace of the Aviva Premiership in the depths of a 4 game losing streak. Some close defeats to Northampton and Worcester compounded by a drubbing to London Irish and a first league home loss to Saracens. Not ideal. Some danger men have just returned from Six Nations duty names like Masi and Launchberry significantly strengthen the side.

So where will the game be decided?
Who will get ascendancy at the breakdown and set pieces?
Who are the danger men coming into this game?
What are the prospective teams?

A lot to work on for Leinster down at their own end of the field...but much happier with their attack.

Wasps are one hungry side! Do they play with that pizazz every week in AP?

Congratulations Madigan an inspired display, but while he was in London did he really need to visit Danny Care's barber?! Horrible hair cut!

Well done Leinster

Leinster= Heineken Chumpians, doh! Little slip of the tongue there from Varndell

yappysnap wrote:Congratulations Madigan an inspired display, but while he was in London did he really need to visit Danny Care's barber?! Horrible hair cut!

Well done Leinster

Unfortunately he got that one recently back home in Dublin.... must have done a dare and ran down one of Dublin's more salubrious streets where the locals keep up the old Indian spiritual of ...scalping.

yappysnap wrote:Leinster= Heineken Chumpians, doh! Little slip of the tongue there from Varndell

Well.........they are...
...for a few more weeks....

Must say I enjoy watching leinster when they play like that..a good tonking..

This interviewer is gas, what a great lad.

Hmmnn...interesting reaction by Schmidt there to the Ireland question.

Missed it..what he say..

yappysnap wrote:Congratulations Madigan an inspired display, but while he was in London did he really need to visit Danny Care's barber?! Horrible hair cut!

Looked to me like he had gone for a Varndell, looked in a mirror, panicked and put a blonde, toy poodle on his head

DOD wrote:Missed it..what he say..

He avoided it as much as possible.
The interviewer copped on to that immediately too!

It wasn't so much the words, but it come across as though he was caught in the headlights. A non-committal answer along the lines of having 'enough on his plate at the moment', but no definite. Would think he would know one way or the other by now.
I reckon he's going to take it.

Hope he takes it if offered. In reality he is the only option..

Great game, really enjoyed that. Thanks Wasps and Leinster. Great to see Wade and Madigan starring.

Munchkin wrote:It wasn't so much the words, but it come across as though he was caught in the headlights. A non-committal answer along the lines of having 'enough on his plate at the moment', but no definite. Would think he would know one way or the other by now.
I reckon he's going to take it.

Yeah I haven't thought that he would but just looking at his body language and expression I now feel he may

DOD wrote:Hope he takes it if offered. In reality he is the only option..

Think McKensie is still is still in the frame? Would be great if Schmidt took it though. Would be delighted with either.

Munchkin wrote:It wasn't so much the words, but it come across as though he was caught in the headlights. A non-committal answer along the lines of having 'enough on his plate at the moment', but no definite. Would think he would know one way or the other by now.
I reckon he's going to take it.

I've been detecting that for a number of weeks now...the "I have enough on my plate". He knows he could easily get rid of the question if he repeated that he was adamant he was going home for family reasons end of next season. That was pretty clear a few months ago. Now it's, hmmm "I'm too worried about Leinster at the moment"

He's had chats.

Sure, except McKenzie wants the oz job so might not stick around. Wouldn't trust him. Schmidt at least has some vested interest, roots here. Much more preferable

McKenzie and Schmidt?

Is there a problem with McKenzie wanting the Oz job some day? He'd be tied into a contract til at least the world cup. Im sure Schmidt would have eyes on the All black job at some point too

Whoever it is..I hope he insists on choosing his own coaches or at least having the chance to put forward his preferences (determined by how much IRFU want to pay everyone!!)

SecretFly wrote:McKenzie and Schmidt?

Wouldn't that be nice...must admit would like to see some Irish coaching involvement...dont laugh but Bradley for two reasons, he is a v good back/ attack coach plus politics in the irfu..given his background

Golden wrote:Is there a problem with McKenzie wanting the Oz job some day? He'd be tied into a contract til at least the world cup. Im sure Schmidt would have eyes on the All black job at some point too

I think DOD means he might be a guy with his eyes on Ireland and his mind constantly on the politics in Australia. I think Schmidt might be ambitious enough in terms of NZ but I think he'd be fully focused on Ireland until after next WC. As DOD says, he has a head start on knowing us and the players...emotionally involved in a sense already

He is a Con man that gets him about 20 points in IRFU, don't want him involved in a head coaching capacity, maybe backs coach.

Golden wrote:Is there a problem with McKenzie wanting the Oz job some day? He'd be tied into a contract til at least the world cup. Im sure Schmidt would have eyes on the All black job at some point too

Nothing wrong with it except deans contract is up next year. Lets say McKenzie signs up, oz have a disastrous lions series and tri nations, goodbye Robbie and we can say goodbye to Ewan...

LondonTiger wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Congratulations Madigan an inspired display, but while he was in London did he really need to visit Danny Care's barber?! Horrible hair cut!

Looked to me like he had gone for a Varndell, looked in a mirror, panicked and put a blonde, toy poodle on his head

I do wonder what goes on in your mind LT when that's the first thing you think seeing his hair.


Anyway no one goes for poodles now days it's all about the pugs.

Madigan is in ridiculous form, not sure I have seen a string of performances like that from an Irish player since maybe SOB in 2011.

DOD wrote:

SecretFly wrote:McKenzie and Schmidt?

Wouldn't that be nice...must admit would like to see some Irish coaching involvement...dont laugh but Bradley for two reasons, he is a v good back/ attack coach plus politics in the irfu..given his background

I like the McKenzie and Schmidt idea

however I would say that there shouldn't be any Irish coaches, I think we need to get away from Irish conservatism and ideology

Thomond wrote:He is a Con man that gets him about 20 points in IRFU, don't want him involved in a head coaching capacity, maybe backs coach.

He is also married to noisy (Noel) murphy's daughter and isn't he related to the kiernans as well? Add 100 points

theslosty wrote:Madigan is in ridiculous form, not sure I have seen a string of performances like that from an Irish player since maybe SOB in 2011.

Thus caution... I mean, I'd actually prefer if he was being less 'visible' but solid. I hate to see players lauded in one or two seasons and then being held to those high standards by fans for the rest of their up/down career.

Although SOB looked tasty tonight too.... so.

I want some of this goodness transfering to Ireland performances soon. Spring-in-step haugtiness from youngsters. Start believing in themselves again.

yappysnap wrote:Congratulations Madigan an inspired display, but while he was in London did he really need to visit Danny Care's barber?! Horrible hair cut!

Well done Leinster

That hair cut might cost him a Lions spot!!!!!Absolute shocker!

SecretFly wrote:

theslosty wrote:Madigan is in ridiculous form, not sure I have seen a string of performances like that from an Irish player since maybe SOB in 2011.

Thus caution... I mean, I'd actually prefer if he was being less 'visible' but solid. I hate to see players lauded in one or two seasons and then being held to those high standards by fans for the rest of their up/down career.

Although SOB looked tasty tonight too.... so.

I want some of this goodness transfering to Ireland performances soon. Spring-in-step haugtiness from youngsters. Start believing in themselves again.

Who is being conservative now. Madigan was good enough last year. Now that the redneck is gone he will fly... Paul Deans mark 2 only better

Just looking at Madigans recent kicking stats. going from ESPN stats here are his last 5 games.

Wasps 28-48 Leinster
9 from 11

Leinster 18-22 Ulster
6 from 6

Leinster 22-17 Glasgow
6 from 6 (one a conversion)

Dragons 19-26 Leinster
3 from 3 (all conversions)

Leinster 32-5 Scarlets
3 from 3 (All conversions)

Thats 27/29 or a 93% conversion rate. Not bad eh?

Golden wrote:Just looking at Madigans recent kicking stats. going from ESPN stats here are his last 5 games.

Wasps 28-48 Leinster
9 from 11

Leinster 18-22 Ulster
6 from 6

Leinster 22-17 Glasgow
6 from 6 (one a conversion)

Dragons 19-26 Leinster
3 from 3 (all conversions)

Leinster 32-5 Scarlets
3 from 3 (All conversions)

Thats 27/29 or a 93% conversion rate. Not bad eh?

Woah

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Golden wrote:Just looking at Madigans recent kicking stats. going from ESPN stats here are his last 5 games.

Wasps 28-48 Leinster
9 from 11

Leinster 18-22 Ulster
6 from 6

Leinster 22-17 Glasgow
6 from 6 (one a conversion)

Dragons 19-26 Leinster
3 from 3 (all conversions)

Leinster 32-5 Scarlets
3 from 3 (All conversions)

Thats 27/29 or a 93% conversion rate. Not bad eh?

Woah

And to think that used to be thought as a weakness?

DOD wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

theslosty wrote:Madigan is in ridiculous form, not sure I have seen a string of performances like that from an Irish player since maybe SOB in 2011.

Thus caution... I mean, I'd actually prefer if he was being less 'visible' but solid. I hate to see players lauded in one or two seasons and then being held to those high standards by fans for the rest of their up/down career.

Although SOB looked tasty tonight too.... so.

I want some of this goodness transfering to Ireland performances soon. Spring-in-step haugtiness from youngsters. Start believing in themselves again.

Who is being conservative now. Madigan was good enough last year. Now that the redneck is gone he will fly... Paul Deans mark 2 only better

I went further than that DOD. I said a few weeks back he should now be considered seriously as first choice. Sexton has moved away, he shouldn't expect a home based player (who has his own unique talents) to wait on the bench for him to fly in. I give high priority in my mind to home based players.

I agree, Sexton should not start against Munster next week

Will he be fit? Thought he was out for another while

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I agree, Sexton should not start against Munster next week

A good game to check out if he has the cojones. It took Sexton a while to figure that one out although the teams were slightly more even then.

can madigan make the lions???????

Apparently so, he nearly made it for the Wasps game apparently

"can madigan make the lions???????"

"Apparently so, he nearly made it for the Wasps game apparently"

That makes Pete sound so sarcastic

I hope Ledge knows it wasn't directed at him

SecretFly wrote:"can madigan make the lions???????"

"Apparently so, he nearly made it for the Wasps game apparently"

That makes Pete sound so sarcastic

I hope Ledge knows it wasn't directed at him

oh yikes didn't realise that, apologies if it came across that way was directed at the Munster game comment

Well played Leinster. Too good for us on the night. Cracking day though, and the Leinster fans were a gas;

Really exciting game to watch - I'm becoming a fan of the amlin!

Genuine question - is Sexton gonna get any gametime this season?? Madigan is on fire and surely can't be dropped just to play Sexton!

Even if he does have stupid hair...

RDW_Scotland wrote:Really exciting game to watch - I'm becoming a fan of the amlin!

Genuine question - is Sexton gonna get any gametime this season?? Madigan is on fire and surely can't be dropped just to play Sexton!

Even if he does have stupid hair...

It's a good comp generally. You should try it some time!

Well deserved Leinster great game.

SOB, Madigan & Wade shone last night.

Good crack last night. Wasps fans were as good as the fans in our last London qf 4 years ago in the stoop.

Great game too. Rugby in general and the game last night.

For Ireland : 10.Sexton 12.Madigan 13.Marshall.....?

gleesonisgod wrote:For Ireland : 10.Sexton 12.Madigan 13.Marshall.....?

10.Madigan 12.Marshall 13.BOD 22.Sexton

Have to say Darcy really looked like he wanted to prove a point last night, young Luke over to you