Leinster V Cardiff Blues Lansdowne rd

First topic message reminder :

Surprised there's no thread already. Leinster massive favourites at home. Cardiff Blues coming in under the radar.

Could there be an upset?

This time 6 years ago an unfancied Leinster travelled to the home of European Rugby. To a team that would have just won 3 in a row but for the famous Rob Howley try in 04. (They won in 03 and 05 and lost in the dying minutes of the 04 final)

Leinster played the most incredible game against them and took Toulouse out of it. (Sadly blew it on Black Sunday v Munster in the semi, and then lost the Celtic league to a late drop goal by David Humphries in Wales on the last day of the league)

Could Cardiff Blues pull a similar stroke? Will Jamie Roberts play? Is Sam Warburton really out? How fit is Gethin? Henson is defo out anyway.

Leinster have close to a full deck......... Worried about any knockout game, and worried about the low key buildup here and the fact that the Blues could put one big game together and give us a shock.

rugbydreamer wrote:NOW it's going pearshaped Billy...

It was 5 minutes ago as well, see i dont exaggerate

I was at the RDS before Christmas when Leinster put 50 on the Blues. This could match that I'm afraid.

BLues have got to score next if they've any chance.

They need to cut out the silly errors though, they're hamstrining themselves if they keep up with the ill discipline.

BOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ooo ouch, poor Blues, this is going to get messy....

These are all Irishmen playing this brand of rugby. The only reason Ireland aren't playing like this is the Coach.

Some beautiful rugby from Leinster - great stuff.

Great no look pass from Sexton

why did Pearson ping the Blues there??

Rava - ah c'mon, can't we keep that stuff off this thread?

This is getting embarrassing... for the Blues and for Declan Kidney!!!

Fair play to Fitz for not over running the move

Simply amazing stuff, took the 7 minutes get going but after hat its been all Leinster.

Why should I keep "that stuff" off this thread.
It's topical.

okay seriously i'm starting to get baffled. Every time the BLues are going forward he's pinging them for going in from the side at the ruck, but I've seen Leinster do it at least 3 times now, and nothing.

All I want is consistency.

Lovely kick there by Sexton.

Rava - it isn't topical, Ireland aren't playing here Leinster are, this has nothing to do with Kidney. It's jsut a bit of a that all Irish threads turn into a Kidney debate is all.

Get off your high horse Dreamer.
Seems one can only make observations here that Admins and Mods allow.

Leinster in their pomp in first half. Time to put their foot on Cardiff's throat in the second. No mercy. Please.

wow okay, complete overraction there Rava. Not sure where that's come from?

Anyway, back to the rugby being played. Not sure how the Blues are going to be able to come back form this. Their bench is loads weaker then Leinster's as well. Have a horrible feeling this could get even messier

Leinster awesome. As you say, obviously coached very well. Cardiff are a total embarrassment as predicted. A bunch of demoralised guys who are going to be on the end of of a record breaking hiding.

loving the replays of that BOD try, beautiful bit of rugby fair play.

Rava wrote:Get off your high horse Dreamer.
Seems one can only make observations here that Admins and Mods allow.

No, she's just making a point. Relax in your cacks and enjoy the match for what it is.

Grandiloquent observations about the state of the game can come later.

Andrews is way out of his depth, it also does not help when you have an 8 that does not push. These joke coaches have to go the mid field defence is terrible, could do with Henson even with blurred vision he may tackle someone.

Good time for the O's to play them next week...

Leinster are back to back champs playing like this. They look so relaxed yet so effective. A good hammering (which all Wales fans predicted, but the Irish didn't :s) should see B & B go. Shouldn't it?

Very much so Breadvan. I can see a few penalty tries coming...

who can they afford to bring in, Morg?

Am not sure how much Leinster are going to be able to take from this match. Tis nice for them to work the moves in the backs, but they're hardly being challenged, are they?

C'mon Blues, better 2nd half please, get a bit of pride back in your shirt!

Not sure who, but Blues fans have been saying anyone but these two. A big overhaul is needed and it doesn't just stop at the coaches. Question is will that even happen.

Not sure who, but Blues fans have been saying anyone but these two. A big overhaul is needed and it doesn't just stop at the coaches. Question is will that even happen.

not with P THomas in charge it won't!

good position for a lieout here Blues, c;mon...

We all knew Leinster can but some electric back play together when given the chance. The trick is to stop their pack and deny them the opportunities. Because they'll invariably take them with style. If Leinster take you up front, they take you apart.

Men against boys - this is embarrassing.

Too easy now

another try, Leinster really going for a big big win here.

I keep ammending my prediction every few minutes at this rate, within 50 points now unless Leinster ease up

Only Ospreys and some French teams have the ability to stop the Leinster pack, on a good day for them that is. Leinster are just class. Predicting Blues play too easily and not even playing to the best of their ability.

Pay Joe Schmidt whatever he wants - Ireland need him.

Really hope Sarries win tomorrow.

argh, my food is ready, going to miss the rest of this half (although from a Welsh fan's perspective, that's not a bad thing really!)

wonder what the score will be when I log back on...

Enjoy the rest of it, Leinster fans

They just love that HC...

Be surprised if there isn't a Irish side in the final this year. Maybe even two.

I just kind of want to see Cardiff score

...I dont

eirebilly wrote:I just kind of want to see Cardiff score

How dare you Sir!

No you don't Billy. Be ruthless, if i was Cullen i would be saying 45 points is the bare minimum.

leinsterbaby wrote:...I dont

Where's the compassion, the humility??

I do really, they have had no rub of the green or bounce of the ball.

You make your own luck Billy

There is always that element of the bounce of the ball Golen

Have to get in the position to capitalise on it yourself though