Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 6:35 am

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby
Friday 31 October 2014
KO 19:35
Royal Dublin Society
Dooblin

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Worshi13

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Worshi13

Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Stuart Douglas (Ireland)
Television match official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Assessor: Michael Carroll (Ireland)

Live on TG4/BBC Sheepbotherer

A. Teams:

Leinster Rugby
Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Domini10

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Domini10

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Luke McGrath

1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Kevin McLaughlin (c)
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Peter Dooley
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dan Leavy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Steve Crosbie
23. Mick McGrath

Edinburgh Rugby
Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Kirsty10

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Kirsty10

15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Joaquin DOMINGUEZ
12 Andries STRAUSS (Captain)
11 Tim VISSER
10 Tom HEATHCOTE
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Allan DELL
2 James HILTERBRAND
3 Willem NEL
4 Ben TOOLIS
5 Jack TURLEY
6 Magnus BRADBURY
7 Tomas LEONARDI
8 David DENTON

16 Jake KERR
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Jamie RITCHIE
20 George TURNER
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Greig TONKS
23 Jack CUTHBERT

B. Form - head to head:

22 Played 22
13 Wins 9
9 Losses 13
0 Draws 0
60 Tries 50
46 Conversions 31
58 Penalties 40
2 Drop Goals 2
572 Points 438
26 Avg. Age 25

C. Form:

Fri 20 Decemebr 2013
Edinburgh Rugby 11 - 6 Leinster Rugby
Murrayfield

Sat 10 May 2014
Leinster Rugby 15 - 13 Edinburgh Rugby
Royal Dublin Society

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 6:36 am

Nomination for team reps below please.

Gosh. The tension. I wonder who will win this. Rolling Eyes

by des Tue 28 Oct 2014, 7:21 am

Dolly the sheep as Edinburgh's representative?

by whocares Tue 28 Oct 2014, 8:38 am

des wrote:Dolly the sheep as Edinburgh's representative?

so cute

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October <a href=

Leinster Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby, 31 October Dolly_10

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by **RDW** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 8:44 am

On one hand you could say this game couldn't come at a worst time for Edinburgh - to put things into perspective Leinster fans, our current injury list is at 23, 13 of which you could say were 1st squad regulars - but someone mentioned on another thread that it probably isn't that big a deal, as we were going to lose this one anyway so it is probably a good thing we're not playing Zebre away or something like that. If we're going to be decimated by injuries you'd rather play a game you're going to lose anyone than one you should be aiming to win with a full squad.

Genuinely have no idea what kind of team we're going to be able to select - after the last game at the weekend we had 2 fit 2nd rows and 2 fit backrows in the entire squad. Hopefully some players will be fit this week - especially Atkins and Mckenzie.

On the plus side the A-team runout seemed to go well last night, with Tom Brown and Chris Dean getting a good writeup. Both should hopefully feature on Friday.

I know Leinster had a game on Sunday, and will be without all their Ireland players, but they could put their under 18s out just now and get the win.

by **RDW** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 8:55 am

To put things into perspective, taking that the assumption that none of the injured players will be fit for this weekend, and assuming that Dickinson, Ford, Heathcoat, Fife and Visser will be unavailable due to Scotland duty, the team is currently looking like this:

1 Dell
2 Hilterbrand
3 Nel
4 Bresler (although there are doubts over his fitness too)
5 Toolis (Elite development player)
6 Leonardi
7 ?
8 Denton

9 S-H-C
10 Tonks
11 McLennan/Brown
12 ? (Dominguez?)
13 Dean (EDP)
14 Hoyland (EDP)
15 Cuthbert

Subs - Sutherland, Turner, Andress, ?, ?, Kennedy, ?, ?

If we can find a backrower from somewhere the pack will be relatively competitive, and we'll hopefully see some young exciting players in the backs, but we're desperately short on the bench.

As I said previously, hopefully some of the injured players will be back this week, but I genuinely don't know who will play in the back row as Coman, Du Preez, Watson and Grant are medium to long terms injuries, 18 year old Jamie Ritchie is injured and Magnus Bradbury wasn't included in the A game last night.

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 9:03 am

I'm not having sheep on my bloody thread.

Dominique McElligott and Kirsty Hume are this week's team reps.

by Nematode Tue 28 Oct 2014, 9:09 am

This could be a decent game to watch for seeing some young talent, even if Edinburgh are thrashed. We're going to lose most probably, or at least a win is not expected, so seeing some young talent could be something to take from the game.

by Dorothy_Mantooth Tue 28 Oct 2014, 9:13 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:To put things into perspective, taking that the assumption that none of the injured players will be fit for this weekend, and assuming that Dickinson, Ford, Heathcoat, Fife and Visser will be unavailable due to Scotland duty, the team is currently looking like this:

1 Dell
2 Hilterbrand
3 Nel
4 Bresler (although there are doubts over his fitness too)
5 Toolis (Elite development player)
6 Leonardi
7 ?
8 Denton

9 S-H-C
10 Tonks
11 McLennan/Brown
12 ? (Dominguez?)
13 Dean (EDP)
14 Hoyland (EDP)
15 Cuthbert

Subs - Sutherland, Turner, Andress, ?, ?, Kennedy, ?, ?

If we can find a backrower from somewhere the pack will be relatively competitive, and we'll hopefully see some young exciting players in the backs, but we're desperately short on the bench.

As I said previously, hopefully some of the injured players will be back this week, but I genuinely don't know who will play in the back row as Coman, Du Preez, Watson and Grant are medium to long terms injuries, 18 year old Jamie Ritchie is injured and Magnus Bradbury wasn't included in the A game last night.

I would think that Heathcoate and Fife will be available, as I can't see them starting for Scotland. Of course Cotter may change the recent policy and keep the whole Scotland squad out of this weekends games.

by EWT Spoons Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:05 am

Rumour is that bresler has a ligament injury so will most likely be out, the Edinburgh forum seems to reckon we’re going to be knocking on the door of LI to get one of the Toolis bro’s back from loan.

by EWT Spoons Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:07 am

Also McInally is apparently almost back fit, but will allegedly be moved back to the back row during the international window to cover.

by **RDW** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:09 am

EWT Spoons wrote:Also McInally is apparently almost back fit, but will allegedly be moved back to the back row during the international window to cover.

A year after his move to hooker and his first game back will be in the back row!

Bad news about Bresler - even if we get toolis back we'll have no subs!

by EWT Spoons Tue 28 Oct 2014, 10:14 am

The other Toolis brother works at the pear tree in Edinburgh, he’s not as big and I’ve never seen him play rugby, but lets face it we can’t be too picky at this stage. Whistle

I think McInally is just desperate to play, it’s the last year of his contract and apparently he’s a bit nervous about his chances of getting it renewed given the his lack of gametime.

by des Tue 28 Oct 2014, 11:17 am

George Carlin wrote:I'm not having sheep on my bloody thread.

Part of your 12 steps program?

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 11:37 am

des wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I'm not having sheep on my bloody thread.

Part of your 12 steps program?

by the-goon Tue 28 Oct 2014, 11:44 am

This could be the Leinster squad if none of the Irish players are released for the game. The ? are for the players who might be back.

This will look more like an A game!

Props: Bent, Furlong, Ed Byrne, Dooley
Hookers: Dundon, Bryan Byrne
Locks: Douglas, Denton (injured?), Marshall, Thornbury
Back-row: Conan, Jennings (?), McLaughlin (?), vd Flier, Leavy
Scrum-half: Boss, McGrath
Fly-half: Gopperth, Marsh
Centre: Reid, Macken, Te'o
Back 3: Fanning, Fitzgerald, Kirchner, Dave Kearney (?), Mick McGrath

by **RDW** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 12:30 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:The other Toolis brother works at the pear tree in Edinburgh.

Jeezo, these EDPs must not get paid very much if they are having to take 2nd jobs!

Well whichever Toolis brother has been playing recently for Edinburgh seems to be a big lad - given that they are twins, I suspect the other one will be a big lad too!

Where's our inside men when you need them? Can't remember who, but there are a few people on here who seem to have contacts at Edinburgh

by EWT Spoons Tue 28 Oct 2014, 1:22 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:The other Toolis brother works at the pear tree in Edinburgh.

Jeezo, these EDPs must not get paid very much if they are having to take 2nd jobs!

Well whichever Toolis brother has been playing recently for Edinburgh seems to be a big lad - given that they are twins, I suspect the other one will be a big lad too!

Where's our inside men when you need them? Can't remember who, but there are a few people on here who seem to have contacts at Edinburgh

Sorry should have been clearer, there are 3 Toolis bros, twins (EDP players) and the other one, non pro rugby playing bar man

by funnyExiledScot Tue 28 Oct 2014, 2:12 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:Also McInally is apparently almost back fit, but will allegedly be moved back to the back row during the international window to cover.

A year after his move to hooker and his first game back will be in the back row!

No surprise there. I suspect his move to hooker will match the epic fail of Tonks' move to 10. Doesn't work if the coaches don't give them a chance.

by **George Carlin** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 2:49 pm

In case Leinster fans haven't worked it out by now - the Edinburgh squad is spectacularly broken at the moment and makes Leicester Tigers look like a full strength set up.

by **RDW** Tue 28 Oct 2014, 4:16 pm

I'm amazed to see the win ratio between these two teams is Leinster 13 Edinburgh 9 - 60/40 split

That's a lot closer than you'd expect from a multi Pro 12 and HK winning team against a team like Edinburgh!

I do remember us ruining BoD's last ever game at Murrayfield last season by beating them on a minging night...

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 28 Oct 2014, 4:47 pm

A/ Embra used to be the "good Scottish team" until a few years ago

B/ They were Leinster's "bogey team" until we lashed you in Murrayfield in the HC in October 08. And in the Magners at home the previous month

If you look it up, in Sept 08 the record was Embra 6 wins, Leinster 4

Sounds like you are perhaps even more injured that us at the moment.
We could have the like of Strauss, Ross and R Kearney trying to prove their fitness on Friday.

Any brave Scots gonna make the Halloween journey?

by des Tue 28 Oct 2014, 9:46 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:A/ Embra used to be the "good Scottish team" until a few years ago

It would be good if you could remind our pals from the west of this. They seem to have very short memories.

by SecretFly Wed 29 Oct 2014, 12:22 am

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Any brave Scots gonna make the Halloween journey?

No need for the sarcasm, Jenifer. So it'll be an horrific bloodbath of terror for them but don't rub it in.

by PenfroPete Wed 29 Oct 2014, 8:31 am

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Stuart Douglas (Ireland)
Television match official: Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Assessor: Michael Carroll (Ireland)

by **RDW** Wed 29 Oct 2014, 8:43 am

Well at least we've got a decent ref!

In other news, looks like Strauss will be passed fit, and I suspect will captain the team.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 29 Oct 2014, 11:57 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:Well at least we've got a decent ref!

In other news, looks like Strauss will be passed fit, and I suspect will captain the team.

Not sure we want a decent ref for this one. Negligent reffing was our only hope!!

by SecretFly Wed 29 Oct 2014, 12:02 pm

Leinster ain't all that swell lately Exiled. There is every possiblity that you could win with a decent ref - who pings Leinster repeatedly for being boring , which Nigel could do as he's pi-ssed BOD retired.

by **George Carlin** Wed 29 Oct 2014, 12:29 pm

Bugger, I just read that Ben Te’o will make his first start for Leinster this weekend.

That's just not very sporting.

by SecretFly Wed 29 Oct 2014, 12:35 pm

Why? Is he a musician?

by **George Carlin** Wed 29 Oct 2014, 12:38 pm

SecretFly wrote:Why? Is he a musician?

Worse. He's good at rugby and everything. We shouldn't have to put up with that sort of sh!t.

by **RDW** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 12:25 pm

Edinburgh team:

15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Joaquin DOMINGUEZ
12 Andries STRAUSS (Captain)
11 Tim VISSER
10 Tom HEATHCOTE
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Allan DELL
2 James HILTERBRAND
3 Willem NEL
4 Ben TOOLIS
5 Jack TURLEY
6 Magnus BRADBURY
7 Tomas LEONARDI
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Jake KERR
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Jamie RITCHIE
20 George TURNER
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Greig TONKS
23 Jack CUTHBERT

Solid enough backs, but a hellishly green pack

Tonks and Cuthbert on the bench is a bit strange given the inexperience in the squad

Our 2nd rows are an academy player and an amateur...

by **RDW** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 12:38 pm

Leinster team:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Ben Te'o Shocked

12. Noel Reid
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Peter Dooley
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dan Leavy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Steve Crosbie
23. Mick McGrath

I'm not familar enough with some of those names to know how many points they are going to hump us by...

by **George Carlin** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 12:46 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Leinster team:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Peter Dooley
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dan Leavy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Steve Crosbie
23. Mick McGrath

I'm not familar enough with some of those names to know how many points they are going to hump us by...

Te'o.

He's going to eat our midfield all by himself.

Also, I hope Ed Byrne gets his hair cut and cancels all his weekend stand up gigs if he'll be propping for the Ladyboys.

by **profitius** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 12:50 pm

Are the Strauss lads brothers? I thought I heard that a few weeks back.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Thu 30 Oct 2014, 1:02 pm

profitius wrote:Are the Strauss lads brothers? I thought I heard that a few weeks back.

I believe their captain is a brother of Leinster and Ireland's Richardt Strauss

RDW_Scotland wrote:

I'm not familar enough with some of those names to know how many points they are going to hump us by...

Many! Who do you want to know about?

Apart from 2 loose heads on the bench which means Bent will have to swap over to TH at the hour, I have very few concerns with anyone there.

Bent played TH in our 2 European games in the last 2 weeks so I have no concerns about him other than having to play 80 mins which is hard for any prop. He has done that for us this season already.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Thu 30 Oct 2014, 1:06 pm

George Carlin wrote: I hope Ed Byrne gets his hair cut and cancels all his weekend stand up gigs if he'll be propping for the Ladyboys.

This Ed Byrne is one of a set of Carlow twins who play LH and hooker. 21 years old last month, and they eat deap fried Scotsmen for breakfast while chuckling quietly

by IanBru Thu 30 Oct 2014, 2:37 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Our 2nd rows are an academy player and an amateur...

Very true, although Jack Turley has been doing very well captaining Heriot's. Interestingly, he played for the NZ Schools side way back when:

http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/476.html
Surname, First Name, Position, School

BRAID Luke Gary 7 Tauranga Boys'
CAMERON Matthew Brett 9 Hamilton Boys'
CATHCART Adam John 6 Hamilton Boys'
COCHRANE Hamish McLean 1 Marlborough Boys?
CROTTY Ryan Stevenson 12 Shirley Boys'
DAGG Israel 15 Lindisfarne
DIXON Ashley Lyonal 2 Christchurch Boys'
GUILFORD Zachary Robert 15 Napier Boys'
HARDIE John 7 Southland Boys
HARRIS Michael James 10 Westlake Boys'
HITCHCOCK Samuel Wells 1 Auckland Grammar
KIRKPATRICK Daniel Peter John 10 Napier Boys'
MANU Liukanasi 8 Christchurch Boys
MACDONALD Quentin 2 Marlborough Boys'
NGALUAFE Wayne 9 Kelston Boys'
PERRY Tim 3 St Andrews
PISI Ken 14 Massey High
REED Hugh 5 Christchurch Boys High

SAILI Peter 8 St Peters, Auckland
STANLEY Winston 13 Auckland Grammar
TAYLOR Andre 11 Palmerston North Boys' High
TURLEY Jack 4 Auckland Grammar
WHITELOCK Sam 4 Fielding High
WILLISON Jackson Don Kingi 12 Hamilton Boys' High

One or two familiar names in that group... and Jack Turley

by **George Carlin** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 3:25 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
George Carlin wrote: I hope Ed Byrne gets his hair cut and cancels all his weekend stand up gigs if he'll be propping for the Ladyboys.
This Ed Byrne is one of a set of Carlow twins who play LH and hooker. 21 years old last month, and they eat deap fried Scotsmen for breakfast while chuckling quietly

Surely it's excessive to deep fry something that is already, by nature, deep fried.

by EST Thu 30 Oct 2014, 3:44 pm

IanBru wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Our 2nd rows are an academy player and an amateur...
Very true, although Jack Turley has been doing very well captaining Heriot's. Interestingly, he played for the NZ Schools side way back when:

http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/476.html
Surname, First Name, Position, School

BRAID Luke Gary 7 Tauranga Boys'
CAMERON Matthew Brett 9 Hamilton Boys'
CATHCART Adam John 6 Hamilton Boys'
COCHRANE Hamish McLean 1 Marlborough Boys?
CROTTY Ryan Stevenson 12 Shirley Boys'
DAGG Israel 15 Lindisfarne
DIXON Ashley Lyonal 2 Christchurch Boys'
GUILFORD Zachary Robert 15 Napier Boys'
HARDIE John 7 Southland Boys
HARRIS Michael James 10 Westlake Boys'
HITCHCOCK Samuel Wells 1 Auckland Grammar
KIRKPATRICK Daniel Peter John 10 Napier Boys'
MANU Liukanasi 8 Christchurch Boys
MACDONALD Quentin 2 Marlborough Boys'
NGALUAFE Wayne 9 Kelston Boys'
PERRY Tim 3 St Andrews
PISI Ken 14 Massey High
REED Hugh 5 Christchurch Boys High

SAILI Peter 8 St Peters, Auckland
STANLEY Winston 13 Auckland Grammar
TAYLOR Andre 11 Palmerston North Boys' High
TURLEY Jack 4 Auckland Grammar
WHITELOCK Sam 4 Fielding High
WILLISON Jackson Don Kingi 12 Hamilton Boys' High

One or two familiar names in that group... and Jack Turley

I make that 4 AB's and 11 pro's?

Not bad company at all.

by **RDW** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 4:33 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
George Carlin wrote: I hope Ed Byrne gets his hair cut and cancels all his weekend stand up gigs if he'll be propping for the Ladyboys.
This Ed Byrne is one of a set of Carlow twins who play LH and hooker. 21 years old last month, and they eat deap fried Scotsmen for breakfast while chuckling quietly

Problem is, only 3 of that starting XV actually went to school in Scotland!

10 are SQ though....

by VinceWLB Thu 30 Oct 2014, 4:38 pm

That injury list is some of the biggest i have ever seen, 5 locks and 5 backrowers injured at the same time Sad

, just a thought but maybe players can cope with Solomons' physical approach of the game?

by **BigGee** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 5:47 pm

This is actually a no lose game for Edinburgh. No one is giving them a hope and it is not a game they would ever have expected to win anyway, so will have no real bearing on their season.

For that reason it is actually a good game to try out a few of the youngsters and squad players, who have been awaiting their opportunity. In so many games so far, you can see that Solomon's has felt obliged to play his strongest team. In the course of a season, this policy may have come back to haunt him, as it did last year when a lot of them were overplayed and ran out of gas by the spring.

If some of these guys put in a performance, win or lose, then it may well convince him to rotate a bit more and give then a few more opportunities. You can see why he has been so conservative so far and the recent improvements in results would probably justify that approach. It is probably unsustainable in the longer term though, so this may not necessarily be a bad thing.

by **RDW** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 5:49 pm

Shame to see neither Chris Dean or Chris Auld involved, but he maybe thought given the massively inexperienced back that it would be a step too far.

by InjuredYetAgain Thu 30 Oct 2014, 7:22 pm

Is there a rule in the Pro12, like with schools, where you stop if one team reaches 60 points. Or perhaps we could freshen things up by combining Edinburgh pack with Leinsters backs and vice versa.

by **George Carlin** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 7:26 pm

Right Leinster. Give us the 5 points now, and we won't put you through the humiliation of our brilliance. Can't say fairer than that.

by InjuredYetAgain Thu 30 Oct 2014, 8:13 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Shame to see neither Chris Dean or Chris Auld involved

Chris Auld? What happened to Jayne Torvill?

If you are under 40, ask your parents.

Jeez, ScotRail journeyed are tedious (in case you hadn't guessed)

by **RDW** Thu 30 Oct 2014, 8:14 pm

Well since you've got internet access, try to get some better jokes!

picard

by InjuredYetAgain Thu 30 Oct 2014, 9:11 pm

Should you not be pouncing about training and practicing dropping the ball so the forwards have to win it for you just so that you can drop it again?
On another less contentious note, what happened to that American dude Edinburgh signed, Brett Thomson? Or was it Glasgow who signed him? Either way, has nobody thought of reporting his disappearance to the cops?

by TJ Thu 30 Oct 2014, 9:13 pm

George Carlin wrote:Right Leinster. Give us the 5 points now, and we won't put you through the humiliation of our brilliance. Can't say fairer than that.

Yup!

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