Leinster v Glasgow Warriors, RDS, 2030, Saturday 1 March 2014

At RDS, Dublin, 8.30pm.
Live on TG4/BBC ALBA

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 105th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Gafikin, Richard Kerr (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

Leinster
15: Zane Kirchner
14: Darragh Fanning
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Noel Reid
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Martin Moore
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jordi Murphy

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Richardt Strauss
17: Michael Bent
18: Mike Ross
19: Tom Denton
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Jimmy Gopperth
23: Darren Hudson

Glasgow Warriors
15. Peter Murchie
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Finn Russell
11. Niko Matawalu
10. Ruaridh Jackson
9. Chris Cusiter (Captain)

1. Gordon Reid
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Mike Cusack
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray
6. James Eddie
7. Rob Harley
8. Josh Strauss

Substitutes

16. Fraser Brown
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Ed Kalman
19. Leone Nakarawa
20. Tyrone Holmes
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Mark Bennett
23. Lee Jones

Should be a good game. It hasn't been often that Leinster have played at home on a Friday night. A great way to kick off the weekend, get out of work, couple of pints, over to the game, celebrate the weekend. brilliant.

Going to be very tough for us - hard ground to play at and we're not properly firing. Will we have the Scottish internationals back?

Nematode wrote:Going to be very tough for us - hard ground to play at and we're not properly firing. Will we have the Scottish internationals back?

Nope - although with SJ's selection policy you never quite know who will be spat out of the system.

With Dickinson possibly injured you might be lucky to have both of Welsh and Reid available.

I would assume Low, Swinson, Fusaro, Wilson, Cusiter, Weir, Dunbar, Seymour and Hogg will be kept back.

Presume like Leinster you will get to start anyone from the extended squad and probably start any bench players from the 6Ns to give them game time and keep them fresh for the final 2 rounds. Any starters will probably not travel and if they do might be bench options for the game with minimum minutes expected out of them.

I'd expect Cronin, McGrath and Moore to start. Probably Roux and Denton. Jordi in the backrow with Ruddock and Jennings? Reddan with the start and possibly Gopperth given the start unless MOC thinks Madigan is going to put on a show to try and force himself into a bench option for Italy game. Centres will be weak enough with Reid (don't really rate) and Macken (kind of plateau'd this season). Back 3 will be dangerous with McFadden, Luke and Kirchener knocking around.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Should be a good game. It hasn't been often that Leinster have played at home on a Friday night. A great way to kick off the weekend, get out of work, couple of pints, over to the game, celebrate the weekend. brilliant.

Well it will be 'oftener' as this game is on a Saturday   

Is Goodman injured?

Macken and Reid are poor, I would much rather Madigan at 12 and Fitz at 13.

Apparently Cusiter, Swinson and Seymour released back to Glasgow from the Scotland squad, as well as Peter Murchie now declared fit and ready to play. We should hopefully be able to put out a half decent team for this game.

Jeez - just read that no team has dropped Leinster at the RDS since last March. Impressive.

George Carlin wrote:Jeez - just read that no team has dropped Leinster at the RDS since last March. Impressive.

Well records are there to be broken. Look what happened to our playing away from home one last weekend and that was not exactly expected either!

I'd expect a reaction from them this week, they know that they have underperformed recently and with players coming back from injury now competition is going to step up. I think the pitch is in decent knick out there and that can only help us as well.

BigGee wrote:Apparently Cusiter, Swinson and Seymour released back to Glasgow from the Scotland squad, as well as Peter Murchie now declared fit and ready to play. We should hopefully be able to put out a half decent team for this game.

Good information. Nothing on the Warriors website yet, apart from various videos of Western scooting past various players on the 7s circuit.

Those three would make a big difference, and if fit Murchie should go straight back in at 15. Matawalu is not a full back in my book, much better at 9.

George Carlin wrote:Jeez - just read that no team has dropped Leinster at the RDS since last March. Impressive.

Its been a while since a refs had to buy his own post match   down there too ....

George Carlin wrote:Jeez - just read that no team has dropped Leinster at the RDS since last March. Impressive.

Glasgow took out last unbeaten at home record too.    

Presume theres no chance of seeing Isles this week?

Or is he not joining til next season?

Going to be interesting who he picks at SH for this game with all three of them fit and available. Cusiter you really feel could do with a start, having been warming far to many benches recently but who to back him up with. I'd probably start with him and bring Niko on early in the second half.

I doubt if Murchie is going to start, he may be fit but can't be match fit, its got to be bench at best and maybe even a club game, he has got to give that shoulder a good test.

Lee Jones has done enough to keep one wing spot, will he start Seymour on the other. Does this mean he is not going to start next week, to be fair Evans has had 2 good games off the bench and probably deserves the start.

I am sure Swinson and Gray will start in the second row, which also means that Gray R and Hamilton will start against France next week. I think whoever of Swinson and Gray J has the best game this week may be on the bench.

Quite a few permutations there which could no doubt be welded into a decent team, but how will they play though is the six hundred million dollar question?

Anyone got any thoughts as to how Jacko did at full back last week, the reports seemed to be fairly neutral. Maybe they are having a look at him there to see if he has any future at it. I don't think he is likely to have much of a one at FH for Glasgow.

Golden wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Jeez - just read that no team has dropped Leinster at the RDS since last March. Impressive.

Glasgow took out last unbeaten at home record too.    

Presume theres no chance of seeing Isles this week?

Or is he not joining til next season?

Our boy Carlin will be here in a couple of weeks, Golden. So no chance you'll see him. Mind you, apparently he's so quick you might not see him even if he was on the pitch. I forgot that this match was happening during the international window - was rather hoping to see Healy and Cusack face off, which would have been epic. No chance of that now, I would think.

BigGee wrote:Going to be interesting who he picks at SH for this game with all three of them fit and available. Cusiter you really feel could do with a start, having been warming far to many benches recently but who to back him up with. I'd probably start with him and bring Niko on early in the second half.

I doubt if Murchie is going to start, he may be fit but can't be match fit, its got to be bench at best and maybe even a club game, he has got to give that shoulder a good test.

Lee Jones has done enough to keep one wing spot, will he start Seymour on the other. Does this mean he is not going to start next week, to be fair Evans has had 2 good games off the bench and probably deserves the start.

I am sure Swinson and Gray will start in the second row, which also means that Gray R and Hamilton will start against France next week. I think whoever of Swinson and Gray J has the best game this week may be on the bench.

Quite a few permutations there which could no doubt be welded into a decent team, but how will they play though is the six hundred million dollar question?

Anyone got any thoughts as to how Jacko did at full back last week, the reports seemed to be fairly neutral. Maybe they are having a look at him there to see if he has any future at it. I don't think he is likely to have much of a one at FH for Glasgow.

Jacko had a good game at FB with some good kicking from hand. Winning try was nothing to do with him as he had come up to our line not expecting Mad MacMata to kick it straight to the opposition.

Pretty strong looking Glasgow team.

15. Peter Murchie
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Richie Vernon
12. Finn Russell
11. Niko Matawalu
10. Ruaridh Jackson
9. Chris Cusiter (Captain)
 
1. Gordon Reid
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Mike Cusack
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray
6. James Eddie
7. Rob Harley
8. Josh Strauss
 
Substitutes
 
16. Fraser Brown
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Ed Kalman
19. Leone Nakarawa
20. Tyrone Holmes
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Mark Bennett
23. Lee Jones

Bennett has been dropped for Richie Vernon!!

Rob Harley at 7 - that smacks of team orders from Scott Johnson.

Pace - no.
Acceleration - no.
Quick to get over the ball - no.
Good handling skills - no.
Link play - no.
Better at 7 than Holmes - no.
Openside rather than blindside - a big fat incompetent yes.

George Carlin wrote:
Our boy Carlin will be here in a couple of weeks, Golden. So no chance you'll see him. Mind you, apparently he's so quick you might not see him even if he was on the pitch. I forgot that this match was happening during the international window - was rather hoping to see Healy and Cusack face off, which would have been epic. No chance of that now, I would think.

Well we will get McGrath (who is arguably a better scrummager than Healy) vs Cusack! not bad and a possible appetizer of the epic one in the playoff   

funnyExiledScot wrote:Bennett has been dropped for Richie Vernon!!

For the sake of the future of Scottish rugby, you find this amusing?! Oh good lord

funnyExiledScot wrote:Rob Harley at 7 - that smacks of team orders from Scott Johnson.

Pace - no.
Acceleration - no.
Quick to get over the ball - no.
Good handling skills - no.
Link play - no.
Better at 7 than Holmes - no.
Openside rather than blindside - a big fat incompetent yes.

I don't think it does, fES - Rab C is no Big Guava Boab fan, this reeks of Toonie - his lack of consistency in selection plus some plain bizarre ones this season has become legendary

funnyExiledScot wrote:Rob Harley at 7 - that smacks of team orders from Scott Johnson.

Pace - no.
Acceleration - no.
Quick to get over the ball - no.
Good handling skills - no.
Link play - no.
Better at 7 than Holmes - no.
Openside rather than blindside - a big fat incompetent yes.

I think the plan is to have 2x6's. Eddie could have worn the 7, it wouldn't make a difference.

Not too impressed by some choices. Jones/Matawalu is a tough call. I personally would rather have Russell at 10 and Bennett at 12 - don't really know why Jackson is involved. Maybe it's his laser accurate kicking   

Overall I'd have picked the same pack so I like it. Glad to see Murchie back, Seymour should be a good inclusion on the wing and to be fair, Vernon is looking not too shabby at outside centre.

Good choices, just don't like having Jackson at 10. Give Russell consistent game time at 10 because he's the future.

(I might be being optimistic here, but notice Cusiter starting. He'll definitely be benching at least for next week. Could    being on the bench mean he might bench for Scotland??)

Side note - K Brown and D Taylor bench for Saracens vs Bath

I think he is easing Russell in a bit, playing 10 against the Leinster pack is not going to be the ride that it was (or should have been) against the Dragons, lets not forget how inexperienced he is at this level. I can't see Murchie lasting the whole game, so at some point Jacko is going to move back, Russell to FH and Bennett to IC is what I imagine will happen. Its probably not a bad idea and in the meantime he can take the kicks.

The pack looks pretty good, with more to come off the bench later on. They should at the very least be competitive and a few of them putting their hands up for bench places in next weeks international. Cussack lasted half an hour last week, he should at least get to the second half this time and Kalman should be able to hold his own when he comes on. Good to see Brown getting a run off the bench as well. He may well be someone coming into the reckoning more and more next year for Glasgow and Scotland.

We have beaten Leinster once this season already and we should be going there to win again. Lets see if it is only the bigger games that they can get up for!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Bennett has been dropped for Richie Vernon!!

For the sake of the future of Scottish rugby, you find this amusing?! Oh good lord

Guys, guys. Don't worry. Isn't it obvious? Bennett is being rested for the French game next week.

Monster Glasgow tight five, flankers are odd. Jedi has been known to be better suited at lock but the big feller has been in wonderful form and deserves to start in any position. There are some serious ball carriers in that Glasgow pack and thankfully Sherlock on the bench if we realise that we haven't actually touched the ball in half an hour.

Bennett will get on at some point but looking forward to seeing Vernon's huge fend again. Let's no forget we have a 17 stone centre now with him.

We cannot leave the RDS without some points to show for it. Cannot.

A very strong looking side with lots of options on the bench. I think the two sixes to start with is about slugging it out and then bringing on some big runners; Naka, Holmes,   , Jones. Big as in make yards not size.
We could end up with
9. MadMata
10 . Russell
11. Seymour
12.   
13 Richie Vee
14 . Jones
15. Rhuaridh
There's no shortage of running ability there.
If the pack have battered their forwards into stupefaction and then we have Holmes and Naka running at them it could be a very enjoyable evening all round. Wither the Muppetometer?

LEINSTER:
15: Zane Kirchner
14: Darragh Fanning
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Noel Reid
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Martin Moore
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jordi Murphy

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Richardt Strauss
17: Michael Bent
18: Mike Ross
19: Tom Denton
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Jimmy Gopperth
23: Darren Hudson

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU) ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stuart Gafikin, Richard Kerr (both IRFU)
CITING COMMISSIONER: Peter Ferguson (IRFU) TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

Pretty handy Leinster side out as well, this could be quite a game!

Good news that Peter Horne has tweeted showing him training - light stuff ok but nonetheless very encouraging. We have missed his lightening breaks this season for sure   

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Good news that Peter Horne has tweeted showing him training - light stuff ok but nonetheless very encouraging.  We have missed his lightening breaks this season for sure   

You are quite right Schiz; he will lighten many a dull match.  

Why the hell does this have to start at 8?

Absoluely no consideration for any rugby fans that might be in a different time zone. One four hours ahead, just for instance.

Come on Glasgow, Your neighbours to the east did you a great favour last night. The best way to repay them would be to take some points here. You owe your fans a performance as well, so make tonight the night!

Why is Nakawara not starting!?! He was the only reason I got tickets to this game

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why is Nakawara not starting!?! He was the only reason I got tickets to this game

Don't worry, he'll be on in the second half to do some damage when the game opens up!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Why is Nakawara not starting!?! He was the only reason I got tickets to this game

Don't worry he will wreak havoc in the 2nd half   


Bit concerned about the scrum, Leinster have a strong front row and Cusack seemed out of his feet after 10 min last sunday, Hope it goes well but i would have Welsh at LH instead of Reid.

Scrums will be very close to call. I would have picked 1. Welsh 2. Hall 3. Cusack to give Big Mike optimal chance to wreak havoc but Jerry is in the wings to shore up Reid in the worryingly likely event his backside is presented to him in a commemorative frame.

Ye hopefully Ill get to see big Naka in the second half. One of the most gifted rugby player I've seen in a long time.

Bad luck Warriors. Some poor 1st 40 discipline with some inconsistent refereeing decisions (unusual from Owens I know) cost us. Not sure that was the right decision to kick the penalty with 5 mins to go. We were pushing them all over the field with Welsh Yaya and Big Naka giving impetus off the bench.

Why have we got 2 threads running for the same game - most confusing !   

I caught the last 20 minutes of this, and it looked like a cracking contest. Decision to take three points at the end was a bad call, and it felt like Glasgow settling for a LBP. Perhaps understandable given the opposition, but I don't think Leinster would have fancied defending an attacking lineout in their 22 with 5 minutes to go with a 6 point lead. I think it would have been a relief to see Russell go for the posts knowing that they only had to pin Glasgow back and wait for the turnover (which, after some typically loose stuff from Matawalu, they were able to secure).

Looks like Vernon had an impressive game. I guess Bennett now slips further down the pecking order. Jackson also looked decent in setting up Vernon for his first try - at least it looked that way on the post-match highlights.

Both Scottish teams are certainly competitive at the moment.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I caught the last 20 minutes of this, and it looked like a cracking contest. Decision to take three points at the end was a bad call, and it felt like Glasgow settling for a LBP. Perhaps understandable given the opposition, but I don't think Leinster would have fancied defending an attacking lineout in their 22 with 5 minutes to go with a 6 point lead. I think it would have been a relief to see Russell go for the posts knowing that they only had to pin Glasgow back and wait for the turnover (which, after some typically loose stuff from Matawalu, they were able to secure).

Looks like Vernon had an impressive game. I guess Bennett now slips further down the pecking order. Jackson also looked decent in setting up Vernon for his first try - at least it looked that way on the post-match highlights.

Both Scottish teams are certainly competitive at the moment.

Yeah I though it was a strange call but was happy to see it as Glasgow were threatening every time they ran at us.