Dragons vs Leinster (Friday 19:05)

THE TEAM

Player Player Pos
Carl Meyer             15 Zane Kirchner
Ashton Hewitt         14 Adam Byrne
Adam Hughes         13 Garry Ringrose
Adam Warren         12 Ben Te'o
Hallam Amos          11 Fergus McFadden
Jason Tovey           10 Cathal Marsh
Sarel Pretorius         9 Luke McGrath

Boris Stankovich      1 Peter Dooley
T Rhys Thomas       2 James Tracy
Brok Harris             3 Michael Bent
Rynard Landman     4 Ross Molony
Matthew Screech     5 Hayden Triggs
Nick Crosswell         6 Dominic Ryan
Nic Cudd                 7 Dan Leavy
Lewis Evans            8 Jordi Murphy

Replacements
Elliott Dee           16 Richardt Strauss
Phil Price             17 Jeremy Loughman
Shaun Knight       18 Oisin Heffernan
Cory Hill              19 Tadgh Beirne
James Benjamin   20 Peadar Timmins
Charlie Davies      21 Isaac Boss
Rhys Jones           22 Ian Madigan
Nick Scott            23             Noel Reid

Referee: Marius Mitrea (FIR, 46th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans, Sean Brickell (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Dennis Jones (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)


Ahead of the Captain's Run this afternoon, Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has announced his starting 15 and squad for the trip to Rodney Parade tomorrow in the Guinness PRO12 to face the Newport Gwent Dragons (Kick Off: 7.05pm - live on TG4).

(apologies for the formatting or lack of)

Leinster blurb;

With in excess of 30 players missing through Irish call ups (senior and Under 20s) and injury, there are in total 12 changes from the team that faced Wasps last weekend and a number of first time appearances in the match day squad for those on the bench.

Luke McGrath has also been named captain for the first time in his Leinster career as he makes his seventh start of the campaign. It is his most starts to date in a single season in his 38 appearances to date.

There is one positional switch in the backs as try scorer from last week Zane Kirchner switches from the right wing to full back, with Fergus McFadden returning from suspension to take his place on the left wing while Academy winger Adam Byrne makes his first start for Leinster on the right wing just over three years after his first and only cap to date for Leinster.

On that occasion Byrne came off the bench against Connacht in a 17-0 home win to become the youngest player to ever play for Leinster at just 18 years, eight months and twenty days. Injuries have cut across his progress since then but the UCD club man has been performing very well this season for UCD in the AIL, the Leinster 'A' team in the British & Irish Cup and indeed with the Irish 7s team.

Elsewhere Ben Te'o and Garry Ringrose renew their partnership in the centre, while St Michael's past-pupils Luke McGrath and Cathal Marsh fill the number nine and ten jerseys respectively.

In the pack Peter Dooley, James Tracy and Michael Bent start in the front row with all three starters last week in Irish camp or injured.

Ross Molony is joined by Hayden Triggs in the second row. Triggs makes his first start since injuring his ankle in the Champions Cup game against Bath in November, an injury that subsequently required surgery.

Dominic Ryan at blind side and Jordi Murphy at number eight are retained from last weekend, while Dan Leavy comes into the pack at open side. Leavy is the leading try scorer in this seasons British & Irish Cup with eight tries in the six Pool 1 games.

On the bench Academy players Jeremy Loughman, Oisín Heffernan and Peadar Timmins are all in line to make their Leinster debuts. Loughman and Heffernan are both in their first year in the Academy and Timmins, who has captained the Leinster 'A' team this season, is in his second.

Wales have released Hallam Amos back to the Dragons for this match. Knowing Lyn Jones, he'll start on the bench...

Personally I'm looking forward to watching Leinster play in this game. I think they are probably putting out a better team this week than the team put out last week even though the 'names' aren't there.

I actually like that pack. The front row is technically strong in the scrum and Tracy is surprisingly accurate with the darts to most Leinster hookers. Second row should have grunt and the back row is kind of like having 3 groundhogs so the breakdown will be interesting if the ref lets each team compete for the ball.

Half backs McGrath will keep the ball forwards orientated trying to show Cullen he's the new Boss. Marsh is solid but only a youngster.

Centres have a good mix between Teo power and Ringrose lines of running.

Back 3 is alright. I remember Adam Byrne when he got his first cap. He was young and a big winger. He got the nod due to his size and never really did anything. Hopefully the time in the academy has been worthwhile. Zane and Fergus you know what you are going to get there, solid performers.

30 players called up or injured. What are peoples thoughts on the Dragons potential team?

Player Player Pos
Carl Meyer 15 Zane Kirchner
Ashton Hewitt 14 Adam Byrne
Adam Hughes 13 Garry Ringrose
Adam Warren 12 Ben Te'o
Hallam Amos 11 Fergus McFadden
Jason Tovey 10 Cathal Marsh
Sarel Pretorius 9 Luke McGrath
Boris Stankovich 1 Peter Dooley
T Rhys Thomas 2 James Tracy
Brok Harris 3 Michael Bent
Rynard Landman 4 Ross Molony
Matthew Screech 5 Hayden Triggs
Nick Crosswell 6 Dominic Ryan
Nic Cudd 7 Dan Leavy
Lewis Evans

Replacements
Elliott Dee 16 Richardt Strauss
Phil Price 17 Jeremy Loughman
Shaun Knight 18 Oisin Heffernan
Cory Hill 19 Tadgh Beirne
James Benjamin 20 Peadar Timmins
Charlie Davies 21 Isaac Boss
Rhys Jones 22 Ian Madigan
Nick Scott 23 Noel Reid

I can't believe Rhys Thomas is starting ahead of Elliot Dee again.

Haven't seen the team announced for dragons on anything other than a leinster rugby page so taking it as the team for now.

I've checked, it is confirmed.

Carl Meyer, Ashton Hewitt, Adam Hughes, Adam Warren, Hallam Amos, Jason Tovey, Sarel Pretorius; Boris Stankovich, Thomas Rhys Thomas ©, Brok Harris, Rynard Landman, Matthew Screech, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Phil Price, Shaun Knight, Cory Hill, James Benjamin, Charlie Davies, Geraint Rhys Jones, Nick Scott.

Strong enough team considering theres 30 odd players unavailable.

Great for McGrath to get the armband.

Triggs back makes that team look a lot stronger than it would have otherwise.

Should be a good one, will be interesting to see how that Leinster pack fare against that Dragons 1st choice front 5.

Great to see Triggs back, very good player who will add some much needed steel.

VinceWLB wrote:Should be a good one, will be interesting to see how that Leinster pack fare against that Dragons 1st choice front 5.

Great to see Triggs back, very good player who will add some much needed steel.

Oh, I'm sure they'll cope just fine! You see, unfortunately, the Dragons 1st choice front row (if this is it) doesn't really give us an advantage as such. It's not a weapon and doesn't give us the upper hand. The best it gives us is parity and a solid platform. It's when the 2nd choice front 5 comes in that we are in trouble as they tend to go backwards. So I'm hoping at best that we can be 'solid' in the set pieces

Griff wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:Should be a good one, will be interesting to see how that Leinster pack fare against that Dragons 1st choice front 5.

Great to see Triggs back, very good player who will add some much needed steel.

Oh, I'm sure they'll cope just fine! You see, unfortunately, the Dragons 1st choice front row (if this is it) doesn't really give us an advantage as such. It's not a weapon and doesn't give us the upper hand. The best it gives us is parity and a solid platform. It's when the 2nd choice front 5 comes in that we are in trouble as they tend to go backwards. So I'm hoping at best that we can be 'solid' in the set pieces

I remember that Dragons front 5 (well Hill for Screech) going very well last season and i remember they did a number on a few teams last season including Ulster where the had the upper hand at scrum time. They seem to have gone backward, quite literally, this season though.

Massive rain forecast for Friday evening 1800hrs.
Won't suit the Drags' running game.

Cardiff Dave wrote:Massive rain forecast for Friday evening 1800hrs.
Won't suit the Drags' running game.

Perfect weather for January rugby

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I can't believe Rhys Thomas is starting ahead of Elliot Dee again.

Me neither, but it was always going to be that way given the bonehead's decision to make him captain. I think Lyn should go at the end of the season.

The decision to make him captain was mad in the first place and his regular tombola selection is just crazy.

Who would take over Mikey? Would Kingsley step up a role then bring someone else in to fill his role or should we bring in a straight replacement for Lyn?

I'm not sure Bedford. It's a long shot but I like to see us bring in a kiwi with S15 experience, the way Connacht have done because with the right coaching I think we have the players (when they're all fit) to execute a similar game plan.

Anybody can take over. Just somebody who doesn't view kicking as plan a, b and c.

Are Leinster missing 30 players? I'd have thought somebody might've mentioned it.

Though in all seriousness, imagine missing 30 players and still calling on Kirchner, Te'o, McFadden, Ryan, Murphy, Strauss, Boss and Madigan.

For Dragons, as has been mentioned starting TRT is shocking. Why they have GR Jones in the squad is beyond me, as is the decision to persist with Nick Scott. Also, I am not sure why Crosswell is 6 and Evans 8.

Sorry Risca, that was me drumming on about it (copied it from the leinster website - so you already know the line Cullen is going to roll out all of this evening).

Looking forward to seeing Ringrose play in the centres again, in difficult conditions it will be good to see how he copes.

In the pack, I like the look of Tracy at hooker and Molony has got good reviews at lock.  Tracy has been good with the darts, so an away game in windy conditions is a good challenge for the young lad.


For Dragons, what player in the pack and player in the backs do the home fans think are worth keeping an eye on for tonight?

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Sorry Risca, that was me drumming on about it (copied it from the leinster website - so you already know the line Cullen is going to roll out all of this evening).

Looking forward to seeing Ringrose play in the centres again, in difficult conditions it will be good to see how he copes.

In the pack, I like the look of Tracy at hooker and Molony has got good reviews at lock.  Tracy has been good with the darts, so an away game in windy conditions is a good challenge for the young lad.


For Dragons, what player in the pack and player in the forwards do the home fans think are worth keeping an eye on for tonight?

Player in the pack AND in the forwards?!  Ha ha!  I'd say Landman.  He's our talisman and really our captain (although seems to have been dropped from captaincy after a red card last year).  He's a big lump but has got surprisingly good hands and can run some angles too!  When he gets fired up for it then he's one of the best locks playing in Wales, in my opinion.  Bit biased though!

In the backs - Ashton Hewitt is an emerging wing. Local lad, came through the academy, and has scored some good tries. Elusive in attack. I'm not 100% confident on him in defense, but others seem to think he's fine. There was some disappointment that he wasn't called into the extended 6N squad announced the other week.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Sorry Risca, that was me drumming on about it (copied it from the leinster website - so you already know the line Cullen is going to roll out all of this evening).

Looking forward to seeing Ringrose play in the centres again, in difficult conditions it will be good to see how he copes.

In the pack, I like the look of Tracy at hooker and Molony has got good reviews at lock.  Tracy has been good with the darts, so an away game in windy conditions is a good challenge for the young lad.


For Dragons, what player in the pack and player in the forwards do the home fans think are worth keeping an eye on for tonight?

It wasn't a pop at a Leinster fan. Just a dig at what Cullen said really aye. I read it on skysports or somewhere and thought Leinster A were going to rock up at Dave Parade tonight, then saw the team. Must be such a hardship

Griff wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Sorry Risca, that was me drumming on about it (copied it from the leinster website - so you already know the line Cullen is going to roll out all of this evening).

Looking forward to seeing Ringrose play in the centres again, in difficult conditions it will be good to see how he copes.

In the pack, I like the look of Tracy at hooker and Molony has got good reviews at lock.  Tracy has been good with the darts, so an away game in windy conditions is a good challenge for the young lad.


For Dragons, what player in the pack and player in the forwards do the home fans think are worth keeping an eye on for tonight?

Player in the pack AND in the forwards?!  Ha ha!  I'd say Landman.  He's our talisman and really our captain (although seems to have been dropped from captaincy after a red card last year).  He's a big lump but has got surprisingly good hands and can run some angles too!  When he gets fired up for it then he's one of the best locks playing in Wales, in my opinion.  Bit biased though!

In the backs - Ashton Hewitt is an emerging wing.  Local lad, came through the academy, and has scored some good tries.  Elusive in attack.  I'm not 100% confident on him in defense, but others seem to think he's fine.  There was some disappointment that he wasn't called into the extended 6N squad announced the other week.

I could try and claim with the poor weather forecast that the players to note will be forwards/pack guys. But you're correct

Griff wrote:In the backs - Ashton Hewitt is an emerging wing.  Local lad, came through the academy, and has scored some good tries.  Elusive in attack.  I'm not 100% confident on him in defense, but others seem to think he's fine.  There was some disappointment that he wasn't called into the extended 6N squad announced the other week.

He's not great under the high ball - it wouldn't surprise me if we see him tested in that aspect today, given the likely conditions - but one on one he's quite solid, despite not being the biggest.

Nasty weather out tonight but a tidy start by the dregs

Ringrose looks a superb talent, surprised that he is playing tonight rather than prepping for his test debut

Never a knock on, what a awful call by the TMO.

TMO has been busy...

Dragons cross for the second time in five minutes..!

I don't know. Neither look certain to me.

Good to see the dragons spirit of attack considering the weather

I'm suprised he didn't get that one wrong as well!

Second time lucky eh

Lol Tovey stole Hewitt that try!

Finally an un-arguable try.

Dregs looking good tonight

Big smile from to eh after a drop goal.

Fantastic defence by the Dragons this half

Two attacks of twenty plus phases and 84% possession to Leinster and no points for the away side.

Well done dregs, that's great play in defence

Dragons pack doing a great job. Might do well during the six nations

Some great performances from Leinster players too

Dooley, moloney both stand out

Hope for their sake county aren't playing on that pitch tomorrow!

maestegmafia wrote:Two attacks of twenty plus phases and 84% possession to Leinster and no points for the away side.

Well done dregs, that's great play in defence

It's a bit of a recurring problem for us,we're just not that clinical in the final third of the pitch.The new coaching setup have brought us on in leaps and bounds from the dross we were playing last season but that's one area they still have to sort out.

Considering the conditions both teams have performed miracles to make a game of it.

It's mud wrestling conditions, the ball is a bar of soap

Handling errors both single figures speaks for the quality of the lads out there cos if they were in triple figures on a night like this you wouldn't be surprised

Great win for the Dragons. Done the Scarlets a big ol' favour there. Not sure Hewitt deserved MotM there though.

Yeah a pretty good match considering the weather,disappointed not to get a losing bonus point but considering how blessed we were not to concede at least one more try in the first half I can't say we really deserved it.Well played Dragons.

Coleman wrote:Great win for the Dragons. Done the Scarlets a big ol' favour there. Not sure Hewitt deserved MotM there though.

Who would you had as MOTM then? Pretorius marshaled the game pretty well at scrumhalf, Landman lead by example in the pack and Tovey kicked well but no one particularly stood out apart from Hewitt.

That was a better game than i expected in these conditions.

VinceWLB wrote:

Coleman wrote:Great win for the Dragons. Done the Scarlets a big ol' favour there. Not sure Hewitt deserved MotM there though.

Who would you had as MOTM then? Pretorius marshaled the game pretty well at scrumhalf, Landman lead by example in the pack and Tovey kicked well but no one particularly stood out apart from Hewitt.

That was a better game than i expected in these conditions.

Landman i think. Did a lot of grunt work. I rate him, the Dragons have got themselfs a great player there.

Nice one Dragons, good win there

Very happy with that result. Good performance given the conditions. We were better in the 1st half than 2nd IMO, but conditions got worse as the game went on.

Probably the worst type of game for Amos to try to showcase his skills to get back in the wales side. Don't think he touched the ball!

Missed the win as I work evenings now, and thank f**k that I did. This weather is horrible.

Any news?

Coleman wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

Coleman wrote:Great win for the Dragons. Done the Scarlets a big ol' favour there. Not sure Hewitt deserved MotM there though.

Who would you had as MOTM then? Pretorius marshaled the game pretty well at scrumhalf, Landman lead by example in the pack and Tovey kicked well but no one particularly stood out apart from Hewitt.

That was a better game than i expected in these conditions.

Landman i think. Did a lot of grunt work. I rate him, the Dragons have got themselfs a great player there.

Oh so he got on the scoresheet AGAIN then? It's too bad his shirt isn't more blue, it's killing his popularity - outside of Gwent at least.