Leinster vs Edinburgh - Friday 15 April 2016

LEINSTER


EDINBURGH
Players not considered due to injury: Mike Coman (calf), Jack Cuthbert (knee), Nathan Fowles (shoulder), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Will Helu (pectoral), Nasi Manu (neck), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Matt Scott (arm), Jade Te Rure (knee).


Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster, Friday 15 April 2016, RDS Dublin, kick-off 7.35pm

15. Blair Kinghorn

14. Damien Hoyland

13. Chris Dean

12. Phil Burleigh

11. Tom Brown

10. Jason Tovey

9.   Sam Hidalgo-Clyne



1. Alasdair Dickinson

2. Ross Ford (captain)

3. WP Nel

4. Anton Bresler

5. Ben Toolis

6. Jamie Ritchie

7. John Hardie

8. Cornell Du Preez



Substitutes

16. Stuart McInally

17. Rory Sutherland

18. John Andress

19. Alex Toolis

20. Magnus Bradbury

21. Hamish Watson

22. Sean Kennedy

23. Mike Allan



Leinster (63)

Playing For: Home Playoff

Run in: Ulster (A), Treviso (H)


Edinburgh (52)

Playing for: Top 6 Qualification

Run in: Munster (A), Cardiff (H)



Outlook

It's hard to see anything but a Leinster win here. This is an ideal opportunity for Leinster to get 5 points against an Edinburgh side that only mustered a try bonus point against Zebre in the final minutes. With a tough trip to Ulster the following week, this might be a good opportunity for Leinster to rest/not risk a few key players.

For Edinburgh, I don't think a top 6 place is vital. Of course it would be nice to see the likes of Toulon/Saracens/Wasps/Racing come to Murrayfield although it would not help to develop young players (or the whole team tbh). I'd like to see Edinburgh use the run-in to finish the season on a high and bring back the strong defence that has gone on holiday recently.

Not the best quality thread, sorry, but I haven't created one lately and feel I probably should contribute.

Should be a good game, hopefully a few Edinburgh players will be returning from injury. Does anyone know if any of the following will make it for this game:

Grant Gilchrist
Fraser Mackenzie
John Hardie
Jack Cuthbert
Nasi Manu

Great job with the thread

Unfortunately I think we're going to get a bit of a horsing here. Without European competition Leinster will be pretty much full strength and all guns blazing on getting a home semi final and winning the league.

They're going to go hell for leather with this one and I think we're going to get blown away - 30/40 point defeat. We generally don't cope well against teams that play at high tempo and width, and you don't get much more high tempo or width than Leinster!

As for the injuries, Gilchrist is out for the season but they've not said much about the others. Manu tweeted a few weeks ago that he was 4 weeks away so may make it back for the last two games, but I think we're gonna see the same team that played Zebre.

Can't imagine Solly making more than 2 tactical changes. Maybe Manu at 8 with CDP moving to 6 if he is ready. It is a big game for both clubs so see Leinster putting out their strongest line-up.

Can't see beyond Leinster winning by more than a try.

Good thread Nematode.

I can't see Solly making any changes, unless Coman is out then we might see a change there.

Also I would be amazed by anything other than a fairly comprehensive defeat.

Let's not drink too much of the Ladyboy Koolaid - they have not been playing well recently, looked fairly stodgy in their last couple of outings and haven't scored very many tries.

I'm not saying that Solomon's Cinderellas will win - I'm just saying that it shouldn't be a massacre. Mind you, Sam Beard v Ben Te'o is not a match up which I want to think much about.

George Carlin wrote:Let's not drink too much of the Ladyboy Koolaid - they have not been playing well recently, looked fairly stodgy in their last couple of outings and haven't scored very many tries.

I'm not saying that Solomon's Cinderellas will win - I'm just saying that it shouldn't be a massacre. Mind you, Sam Beard v Ben Te'o is not a match up which I want to think much about.

Edinburgh at home with a rested, full strength team available will be the perfect time to regain that form. It is also worth remembering how bad our form has been over the last few months.

Also, given they're near the top of the league they ain't doing too badly!

If Edinburgh win in Dublin and against Munster next week the top 4 is still a possibility

cameljunior wrote:If Edinburgh win in Dublin and against Munster next week the top 4 is still a possibility

That's the most optimistic 1st post I've ever seen! That would be miraculous if that happened. If both teams had qualified for Europe then we at least stood a fighting chance, but with them now fully focused on the Pro 12 i can't see it happening at all.

Welcome to the forum!

It is also possible that we could have an Edinburgh Glasgow Pro 12 Final at Murrayfield now wouldn't that be something

I'm expecting Edinburgh to be hammered here. Leinster do everything that bit quicker and slicker, and even our much vaunted scrum looked a little out of sorts against Zebre.

Solomons will pick the same XV. We know that.

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Bresler 5.B Toolis 6.Coman/Ritchie 7.Watson 8.Du Preez 9.SH-C 10.Tovey 11.Brown 12.Burleigh 13.Allan 14.Hoyland 15.Kinghorn

16.Andress 17.McInally 18.Dell 19.A Toolis 20.Ritchie/Bradbury 21.Kennedy 22.Fife 23.Helu

If I've got any more than two of those wrong I'd be surprised, hitherto unknown injuries permitting.

Am I the only one thinking Leinster would perform better here with Treacy at '2', Molony at '5' and McGrath at '9'. Would be a bold move by Cullen but the young hooker has better darts and more open a game than both Cronin and Strauss. Molony gives better energy to the side than the likes of Triggs or Denton. McGrath provides better pace to the game than Reddan or Boss would offer.

Healy's form and antics don't even deserve a bench spot either. I'd almost go so far to say we are wasting money paying him so much for the lazy displays he puts out now. Jack McGrath is playing way more consistently better ball in recent months and the academy bench options have stepped up well when called on.

Went for Leinster by less than 7. Top of the league with a miserly defence but not running in the tries (other than a couple of one off games). Poor weather will also keep the scoreline low.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Am I the only one thinking Leinster would perform better here with Treacy at '2', Molony at '5' and McGrath at '9'.  Would be a bold move by Cullen but the young hooker has better darts and more open a game than both Cronin and Strauss.  Molony gives better energy to the side than the likes of Triggs or Denton.  McGrath provides better pace to the game than Reddan or Boss would offer.

Healy's form and antics don't even deserve a bench spot either. I'd almost go so far to say we are wasting money paying him so much for the lazy displays he puts out now. Jack McGrath  is playing way more consistently better ball in recent months and the academy bench options have stepped up well when called on.

Went for Leinster by less than 7. Top of the league with a miserly defence but not running in the tries (other than a couple of one off games).  Poor weather will also keep the scoreline low.

Edinburgh will need a hurricane of an apocalyptic nature to avoid defeat here. I'm talking about winds hitherto unknown to nature which, inexplicably, turn 180 degrees in Edinburgh's favour at half time, where Devon Toner can do no more than sit on the floor for 80 minutes to prevent being blown away.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Edinburgh will need a hurricane of an apocalyptic nature to avoid defeat here. I'm talking about winds hitherto unknown to nature which, inexplicably, turn 180 degrees in Edinburgh's favour at half time, where Devon Toner can do no more than sit on the floor for 80 minutes to prevent being blown away.

Or, as they call it in Aberdeen, summer.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Edinburgh will need a hurricane of an apocalyptic nature to avoid defeat here. I'm talking about winds hitherto unknown to nature which, inexplicably, turn 180 degrees in Edinburgh's favour at half time, where Devon Toner can do no more than sit on the floor for 80 minutes to prevent being blown away.

Or, as they call it in Aberdeen, summer.

All I have taken from this thread is that there are two people in this forum who smoke crack cocaine.

Crack's not really my drug of choice. Those octagons from 12 years ago were excellent though.

Anyway, to further the accusations of madness from us rare, positive Edinburgh supporters I also think we'll win.

We have a genuine stand off and a good one at that.  SHC was also good when he came on last game.  Coman looks broken so Bradbury will hopefully start.  Burleigh is a very good center. I don't think I have never seen him knock on.

The result against Zebre was not as bad as everyone made out.  Their previous 2 nillings saw them hold out quite well until into the second half, much as they did against us.

The only condition for being remaining positive is that Ross Ford will be given a break.  He looked shattered after 20 minutes and his knock on was entirely due to fatigue.

des wrote:Crack's not really my drug of choice. Those octagons from 12 years ago were excellent though.

Anyway, to further the accusations of madness from us rare, positive Edinburgh supporters I also think we'll win.

We have a genuine stand off and a good one at that.  SHC was also good when he came on last game.  Coman looks broken so Bradbury will hopefully start.  Burleigh is a very good center. I don't think I have never seen him knock on.

The result against Zebre was not as bad as everyone made out.  Their previous 2 nillings saw them hold out quite well until into the second half, much as they did against us.

The only condition for being remaining positive is that Ross Ford will be given a break.  He looked shattered after 20 minutes and his knock on was entirely due to fatigue.

Put me down for some of whatever you are on!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

des wrote:Crack's not really my drug of choice. Those octagons from 12 years ago were excellent though.

Anyway, to further the accusations of madness from us rare, positive Edinburgh supporters I also think we'll win.

We have a genuine stand off and a good one at that.  SHC was also good when he came on last game.  Coman looks broken so Bradbury will hopefully start.  Burleigh is a very good center. I don't think I have never seen him knock on.

The result against Zebre was not as bad as everyone made out.  Their previous 2 nillings saw them hold out quite well until into the second half, much as they did against us.

The only condition for being remaining positive is that Ross Ford will be given a break.  He looked shattered after 20 minutes and his knock on was entirely due to fatigue.

Put me down for some of whatever you are on!

The result was fine. It was the performance that drove me to drink.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:


Put me down for some of whatever you are on!

The result was fine. It was the performance that drove me to drink.

So I smuggled in the following:
1 x Magic Rock Salty Kiss
1 x Beavertown Bloody Ell
1 x Albino Squid Assassin
1 x 13 Guns

This may go some way to explaining my opinion of the game.

That'll do the trick. Booze is a handy antidote to watching Edinburgh play.

Top 6 is very important for Edinburgh - they need the exposere and the money from playing in the euro cup. Last years run in the minnows cup that no one watched cost them a top 6 place in the league as they simply did not have the squad to compete on two fronts. Getting into the euro cup is worth enough to get a couple more class players

TJ wrote:Top 6 is very important for Edinburgh - they need the exposere and the money from playing in the euro cup.  Last years run in the minnows cup that no one watched cost them a top 6 place in the league as they simply did not have the squad to compete on two fronts.  Getting into the euro cup is worth enough to get a couple more class players

To be fair, by the time the Euro knockout rounds came round I think we were well off top 6 place anyway. I do agree though that he needed to rotate more (which is still the case!)

Also worth remembering for a large chunk of last season we were decimated by injuries - down to 2 locks for most of it!

Good to see John Hardie back, and there's good impact off the bench in the forwards.

Not sure Jamie Ritchie should be starting against that Leinster pack though



Following last week’s Guinness PRO12 break, during which an Edinburgh Rugby 7s side secured the Ladies’ Cup at Melrose, the club return to league action tomorrow (Friday 15 April) away to Leinster.

There are two changes to the backs, with Melrose Sevens-winning captain Chris Dean coming in at outside centre and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne moving up from the bench to take the scrum half berth.

Blair Kinghorn retains the full-back spot with Damien Hoyland and Tom Brown on the wings. Dean is partnered by Phil Burleigh at inside centre while Jason Tovey – who gave a man-of-the-match performance on his club debut against Zebre last time out – retains the 10 jersey.

In the pack, the front row of Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and WP Nel remains, with Ford leading the side in the absence of the injured Mike Coman.

The second row pairing of Anton Bresler and Ben Toolis is retained with Cornell Du Preez again pulling on the no 8 jersey.

John Hardie returns from injury at openside while Jamie Ritchie is on the blindside. Ritchie, along with substitute Magnus Bradbury, will be returning to the ground where they made their professional debut last season. That match also saw a first cap for hooker George Turner – albeit he debuted on the wing – and Heriot’s club captain, Jack Turley, who started at lock.

Head coach Alan Solomons said: “Leinster top the table and playing them in Dublin will be a huge challenge. We are all excited about the game and of the challenge it presents.”

Edinburgh go into the game in seventh place in the league table, which Leinster currently lead. Three points separate the cubs in fifth, sixth and seventh places with five points between the top four.

The capital club beat Leinster at home in the opening round of this season’s Guinness PRO12 but have only achieved a season double over their Irish opposition once, in 2003/04.


Players not considered due to injury: Mike Coman (calf), Jack Cuthbert (knee), Nathan Fowles (shoulder), Grant Gilchrist (arm), Will Helu (pectoral), Nasi Manu (neck), Fraser McKenzie (neck), Matt Scott (arm), Jade Te Rure (knee).


Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster, Friday 15 April 2016, RDS Dublin, kick-off 7.35pm

15. Blair Kinghorn

14. Damien Hoyland

13. Chris Dean

12. Phil Burleigh

11. Tom Brown

10. Jason Tovey

9.   Sam Hidalgo-Clyne



1. Alasdair Dickinson

2. Ross Ford (captain)

3. WP Nel

4. Anton Bresler

5. Ben Toolis

6. Jamie Ritchie

7. John Hardie

8. Cornell Du Preez



Substitutes

16. Stuart McInally

17. Rory Sutherland

18. John Andress

19. Alex Toolis

20. Magnus Bradbury

21. Hamish Watson

22. Sean Kennedy

23. Mike Allan

That's as good a 23 as we've put out this season although I'd much rather McInally and Bradbury were starting. I know Ford's had a week off but I think he needs more than that. CDP's probably in the same boat.

It's also a shame for Fowles as I'm sure he would have been confident of at least a bench spot after last Saturday's performance.

I wonder if the 6/2 split is because he is expecting a fierce forward battle or he couldn't bring himself to drop Watson.

It matters for naught if he doesn't use any of the subs obviously!

I'd have been tempted to play McInally at 6, Hardie at 7 & Bradbury at 8 - McInally & Bradbury are too good to be benching in their current form.

No Sexton for Leinster

15. Rob Kearney (172 Leinster caps)
14. Fergus McFadden (141)
13. Ben Te'o (35)
12. Noel Reid (57)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (150)
10. Ian Madigan (143)
9. Luke McGrath (45)
1. Cian Healy (152)
2. Richardt Strauss (126)
3. Mike Ross (130)
4. Ross Molony (19)
5. Mick Kearney (4)
6. Rhys Ruddock (108) CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier (22)
8. Jordi Murphy (75)

Replacements

16. Sean Cronin (109)
17. Peter Dooley (17)
18. Tadhg Furlong (46)
19. Devin Toner (178)
20. Dominic Ryan (102)
21. Eoin Reddan (135)
22. Cathal Marsh (12)
23. Dave Kearney (98)

I expect Edinburgh to dominate the set piece in this game.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I expect Edinburgh to dominate the set piece in this game.

Well given that is our only tactic, I do hope so!

It is a strong Leinster team but it doesn't fill me with dread as I feared it would - if it was at Murrayfield I would rate our chances but I just can't see us getting a win in Dublin.

The Leinster selection means Edinburgh have a chance

geoff999rugby wrote:The Leinster selection means Edinburgh have a chance

Any idea why they've rotated / rested players given they don't have European games so have plenty rest weeks until the end of the season?

Edinburgh have the stronger pack in the set piece. Leinster have a superior game plan, superior backs and are at home. Hope Edinburgh can do it on what looks to be cold, windy and wet day in Dublin. Think the kicking will have to be top knotch from Tovey for that to happen.

Think the 6/2 split might be the acceptance that CDP and Hardie should not play 80 so Watson and Bradbury at the hour mark. Be a good time to see if the Ritchie, Watson and Bradbury back row fits well together against a pretty darn good back row.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Edinburgh have the stronger pack in the set piece. Leinster have a superior game plan, superior backs and are at home. Hope Edinburgh  can do it on what looks to be cold, windy and wet day in Dublin. Think the kicking will have to be top knotch from Tovey for that to happen.

Think the 6/2 split might be the acceptance that CDP and Hardie should not play 80 so Watson and Bradbury at the hour mark. Be a good time to see if the Ritchie, Watson and Bradbury back row fits well together against a pretty darn good back row.

I can't see him subbing CDP off - I'd prefer Bradbury to replace Ritchie anyway. Like most Edinburgh fans I'd prefer him to be starting!

Great to see Hardie back but I'm slightly perplexed to see Mike Allan dropped to the bench. He's been quite dangerous with ball in hand over the last few games - maybe that's why!

Good strong team from Edinburgh, but Leinster still overwhelming favourites.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:The Leinster selection means Edinburgh have a chance

Any idea why they've rotated / rested players given they don't have European games so have plenty rest weeks until the end of the season?

It will have something to do with Internationals only been allowed so much game time for their Provinces in a year.
With a couple of specific exception the Provinces select which games to rotate players

Solomons says McKenzie, Coman and Gilchrist are out for the season but Matt Scott could return for Munster. At the very least he'll get one past run out at Murrayfield against the Blues.

It's Friday and I know the Luvvies will be shuffling around in the Whispering Gallery this evening. So, do I force myself to watch on the Heedrum Hodrum channel? After the dross against the Italians the other week? I know that a win would help Scottish rugby, move the Effette Ones closer to a top six spot and make it , slightly, more likely that the reigning champions get a home semi.

BUT....

Guys you were utterly woeful last time I watched.

I suppose watching young Ringrose score a hat-trick and strengthen his claims to be almost as good a prospect as was at his age might be worth tuning in for.

jimbopip wrote:I suppose watching young Ringrose score a hat-trick and strengthen his claims to be almost as good a prospect as was at his age might be worth tuning in for.

Well I'm not sure what game you're gonna watch, cause he ain't playing for Leinster!

RDW, two reponses to your very sensible point:

is there any point in watching then?

you can prove anything with facts. As has been said on here many a time.

Your post has shown me that there's a whole new list of emoticons that I hadn't noticed. The first one is meant to represent cunning apparently...

So Billy Hill have an 11 point handicap for Leinster. Seems a little big but they're the guys with the spooky crystal ball.

jimbopip wrote:It's Friday and I know the Luvvies will be shuffling around in the Whispering Gallery this evening.  So, do I force myself to watch on the Heedrum Hodrum channel? After the dross against the Italians the other week? I know that a win would help Scottish rugby, move the Effette Ones closer to a top six spot and make it , slightly, more likely that the reigning champions get a home semi.

BUT....

Guys you were utterly woeful last time I watched.

Better to watch a well groomed team than a night out in Weegieville - or a night in with your deep fried confectionery and a bottle of buckie

TJ wrote:

jimbopip wrote:It's Friday and I know the Luvvies will be shuffling around in the Whispering Gallery this evening.  So, do I force myself to watch on the Heedrum Hodrum channel? After the dross against the Italians the other week? I know that a win would help Scottish rugby, move the Effette Ones closer to a top six spot and make it , slightly, more likely that the reigning champions get a home semi.

BUT....

Guys you were utterly woeful last time I watched.

Better to watch a well groomed team than a night out in Weegieville - or a night in with your deep fried confectionery and a bottle of buckie

Must it be an either/or?

Glasgow fans usually finish off a night out with the deep fried snickers supper and then medicinally gargle with the Buckie. After all the singing and shouting the throat needs some attention.

N.B. the above does not include Bru: after I showed his comments re "my current girlfriend" the Hagia Sophia decided to spice up their Saturday nights by introducing role-play. Every other Saturday she "meets him aff the bus" alternated with "let's get in the kebab shop queue".

Edinburgh's tackling poor so far

We're not gonna cope long with this pace

Edinburgh running out of ideas in the Leinster 22 after a good Tom Brown break

Hmmm. Our play is dissapointingly dirty tonight. Don't like it

What's happened to our lineout this season? It was statistically one of the best in the league last season with the same 2-4-5 axis

Nel is a penalty magnet tonight

Our discipline is crap! Line-out too.