Leinster V Scarlets Now with added Teams

First topic message reminder :

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: David Kearney
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7: Shane Jennings
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Leo Auva'a
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Noel Reid
23: Brendan Macken

SCARLETS:

15: Dan Newton
14: Liam Williams
13: Gareth Maule CAPTAIN
12: Scott Williams
11: Andy Fenby
10: Stephen Jones
9: New Strategy. No Scrum Half!

1: Rhodri Jones
2: Emyr Phillips
3: Deacon Manu
4: Sione Timani
5: Dominic Day
6: Josh Turnbull
7: Johnathan Edwards
8: Kieran Murphy

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Craig Hawkins
17: Phil John
18: Peter Edwards
19: Damian Welch
20: Ben Morgan
21: Liam Davies
22: Adam Warren
23: Viliame Iongi

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson, Stuart Gaffakin (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: John Montayne (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Rory_Gallagher wrote:He is 6 foot 3 apparently, 1.91m. There are few 7s that tall. Barclay comes to mind, and Ouedraogo for France, who isn't a "proper" openside, but a fantastic link-man. There is also Chris Henry who has now made an excellent transition to 7. That is all that comes to mind really for 7s that tall. But even all 3 of those players I mention are very different players, so when people describe "natural" 7s, it can be pretty confusing as all 7s play a different type of game for their team IMO.

For example, I think Jennings is not like McCaw, but he plays a more constructive game and helps keep the pace for Leinster. So maybe Ryan could suit Leinster even if he isn't a breakdown specialist, as he could provide an excellent role as an up-front tackler and link-man. Which is more reminiscent of the french 7s. I have always felt Leinster play similar to a more consistent France.

Yeah I know. What I meant was he is a 6.4 in terms of the number on his back. (3" shorter than Rocky and Croft who are 6'6")

Slightly closer to being a 6 than a 7. Thought it looked a bit confusing when I read it back ok.

Ah right okay. Well all the rest of my post applies to that anyway he could certainly adapt to playing 7, and play a perfect role as a link-man, as he doesn't look like the hard yards type of 6 either, who would barrel through defences. I remember when Warburton was first trying to move to 7, and when he started playing there for Wales, he was described as a 6.5. Nobody seems to remember that though!

Ruddock can't be considered as a vaible option at 8 until he can improve his carrying.

Our best backrows at the moment are

Pro12

6 - McLaughlin
7 - Ryan
8 - Auva'a

20 - Ruddock

HEC

6 - O'Brien
7 - Jennings
8 - Heaslip

20 - McLaughlin

I think for both Leinster and Ireland, SOB should be starting 7 though. Many people disagree with me there, but that is what I think at least. Will be interesting to see how things pan out with SOB, and where he ends up.

Rory, I think he's good enough to play both roles differntly. In time.