Dragons V Leinster

Not on the telly

Pity, Could be entertaining.

LEINSTER:

15: David Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Noel Reid
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Nathan White
4: Devin Toner
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Mark Flanagan
20: Jordi Murphy
21: Luke McGrath
22: Isa Nacewa
23: Darren Hudson

wow we arent taking this one too seriously at all are we?


Not necessarily a bad thing given we are already 1st and have a semi and a final and hopefully a second final to prep for.

Glad to see McGrath back in there and Hagan recovered too. The poster boy of Connacht last year (Carr) really isn't getting the game time I'm sure he hoped he'd get.

That is one exciting backrow and back 3. Shame indeed...

C'mon Leinster !!!!

1. Nathan Williams. 2. Sam Parry. 3. Nathan Buck. 4. Luke Charteris (c). 5. Rob Sidoli. 6. Danny Lydiate. 7. Lewis Evans. 8. Toby Faletau. 9. Wayne Evans. 10. Lewis Robling. 11. Aled Brew. 12. Ashley Smith. 13. Adam Hughes. 14. Will Harries. 15. Hallam Amos.

Subs: 16. Steve Jones. 17. Phil Price. 18. Dan Way. 19. Jevon Groves. 20. Tom Brown. 21. Jonathan Evans. 22. Pat Leach. 23. Jack Dixon.

Quite a few youngsters on show in our 23. I still think we'll lose despite the side Leinster have out. Good to see Jon Evans get a match day squad appearance ( though it's only due to Bedford's injury). Hope Hallam Amos goes well.

A lot of players playing for their place next week at least. I expect big games from Toner, Cronin, McLaughlin and Madigan.

Dragons are far stronger in 2 key areas here. The 2nd-row and the backrow. If their front row can dominate ours (ours is not great, let's be honest here) - they have pack dominance and a platform to work from.

I need the Rev to go through the rest, from a Dragons perspective. I.E. What are Evans and Robling like? Who are the main threats in your backline? (I know Brew is)

Be interesting to see Charteris (2.06m) and Toner (2.08m), in a Battle of the Giants at the lineout.

My shekels are on Dragons to win this one.

Btw, I saw that Leinster backline v Munster, in the B & I SF. They were shoite as a unit. Maybe Madigan and Reddan will stir them up.

I really hope Jack Dixon gets some game time, he looked class when he came on against Munster. A few rough edges still, but he's young and the talent is definitely there.

Gibbo, Lewis Robling isn't the most exciting outside half you'll ever see, but he's solid enough. He can kick goals from quite a distance out but his conversion rate isn't the best. Adam Hughes is a great little player and Will Harries can be a real threat if he gets some space.

Robling is a massive confidence player. That's why it's stupid not to have Tovey on the bench (and classless). Brew is not playing very well at all. Adam Hughes ( as Lucky said) is our best back at the minute. Wayne Evans is not really playing well either.

You're alright about our front row though. Ours ain't great.

Back-row aside, that's the first 'weak' Leinster team I have seen in ages. I'm going down for this. No work and taking a break from uni essays... Saturday's a big day as my club also have their last game of the season and we are expected to be out on the pish soon after. So I doubt I'll get much sleep this weekend.

Cheers Lucky.
I know one thing, Macken and Carr, have only been extended an extra year on their contracts recently. They are playing for their Leinster futures in this run-in and next season. Really expected Macken to userp O Malley to replace BOD. He hasnt delivered. Maybe next season - if he gets the chance. I think Carr will be available when this contract finishes. Fast as lightening, but still so raw defensively and positionally, after a few years playing for Connacht and us.

Conway and D. Kearney have been extended for 2 years. Both international-class players imo.

Risca Rev wrote:Robling is a massive confidence player. That's why it's stupid not to have Tovey on the bench (and classless). Brew is not playing very well at all. Adam Hughes ( as Lucky said) is our best back at the minute. Wayne Evans is not really playing well either.

You're alright about our front row though. Ours ain't great.

Not Au Fay with your front row Rev. I know our starting unit is not the strongest. With VDM(on the bench) alongside Cronin - it strengthens considerably. Also hope we give Hagan a full half. We need to use these opportunties when we get them. Leinster have nothing to lose here. Perfect time to use the full 23 to the max.

Great test for Toner v the excellent Charteris. Hope he comes through it well.

Gibson - you rate Macken higher than O'Malley then?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Gibson - you rate Macken higher than O'Malley then?

I did Rory. Not any more. I still think Macken has it in him though. He'd want to be taking his chances, as well as O Malley has, to survive.

I think Mackens reputation preceded him, he was touted as the next big thing at schools level but he was massive at that age, he's just growing into himself now. Could be a McFadden type late bloomer. Fingers crossed...

Macken sounds like a similar player to Spence. Does he play a more physical type of game in contrast to the likes of O'Malley?

Leo Auva'a to score a hat-trick.

Auva'a has been a great signing. Never seen him have a bad game yet. 100% involved everytime. Bu88er to stop in full-flow. Great ball-carrier.

I thinks its absolutely shocking that Tovey or Thomas aren't in the squad considering its their last chance to appear in a Dragon's shirt.

I'm going to the game to cheer off Longdog and Brewwwwwwwww but it's not the same

Gibson wrote:Auva'a has been a great signing. Never seen him have a bad game yet. 100% involved everytime. Bu88er to stop in full-flow. Great ball-carrier.

Lydiate's gonna level him butty, don't you worry.

Mickado wrote:I think Mackens reputation preceded him, he was touted as the next big thing at schools level but he was massive at that age, he's just growing into himself now. Could be a McFadden type late bloomer. Fingers crossed...

Macken had the same problem as me. When he was in school it was just get the ball to Macken and let him have a run. He was big, strong and fast and could run over, round or through you. Now he has to learn to be more of a team player etc. (AND he is)

Sadly I had about 1% of his talent and was found out by the time I was 15 when everyone caught up with me.

Him and Conway were the MEN a few years ago. (Next big thing outta Rock) Conway has progressed further but seems a little injury prone.

Both are still great prospects. Competition for places in Leinster from the first team all the way down to the sub academy and beyond is white hot. Which is great for Leinster and us fans if a little hard on some of the players who don't quite get the spots.

When you look at someone like Dave Kearney who would WALK into most Club teams and even international ones, but finds himself JUST on the wrong side of the HC 23 (For now) It is the same all the way down to schools level

Ah Jen, so you were like Ross? A School Ledge? If you only had half the fun, sure feic the rugby.

It's good to hear that the roots of Leinster Rugby are so strong now and go all the way down. It should make the Cream creamier.

I can see a dip coming in 2030 though. Worrying.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
When you look at someone like Dave Kearney who would WALK into most Club teams and even international ones, but finds himself JUST on the wrong side of the HC 23 (For now) It is the same all the way down to schools level

Jaysis. I write this then Luke is out for the season, missing the HC final and the tour to NZ.

Dave Kearney is suddenly on the right side of the 23. It's an ill wind... Gutted for Luke though.

I hope Kearney Jr. starts in the HC final. Gutted for Fitzy. Not again.

Bu88er! Just read that on the Leinster website. He was getting back to his best as well. But, we have a plethora of talent to replace him with.

Id put Kearney on the wing instead of him. Not McFadden.

SNAP Feckless.

Real shame for Luke Fitzgerald.

Just remembered Rob Howley is at RP tomorrow, so hopefully (from a Dragons point of view) some of our Welsh lads impress him and maybe get a shot in the Barbarians game.

Charteris is one Rev. Or is he nailed-down by Wales?

They'd love Nacewa again.

I mean for the Wales squad. Charteris is pretty nailed on for the Welsh squad aye.

Brain-fart Gibbo.

Will Luke McGrath be fast tracked into the Leinster first team?

Im really excited by him he looked great for the Irish U-20's this year but I'd say he's a bit small for this level at the minute.This is exactly the right type of game to give him a taste of 1st team action and make sure he's hungry to get back to this level as soon as possible.

Is this not being televised??? Why not??

Feckless Rogue wrote:Is this not being televised??? Why not??

I'm guessing it's because it's a dead-rubber game. Nothing riding on it.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:wow we arent taking this one too seriously at all are we?
Not necessarily a bad thing given we are already 1st and have a semi and a final and hopefully a second final to prep for.

So the play off semi is a done deal then? Do Glasgow/Munster/Scarlets know?

Read it again

3-3. 10 mins. Robling and Madigan pens.

Feckless Rogue wrote:Is this not being televised??? Why not??

maybe because there are 3 other games on the same time and all 3 of those are being televised and welsh tv stations rarely televise dragons games. and munster and ulster have a derby at your end.

3-9. Madigan pens. Getting some practice in and this is the game to do it in. No pressure. Must kick everytime he plays in the PRO12. Only way to perfect it - in competition.

6-16. Mcgrath try and Madigan converts.

Looking very like Leinster v Warriors at the RDS and Ospreys v Munster at the Library.

Gibson wrote:Looking very like Leinster v Warriors at the RDS and Ospreys v Munster at the Library.

I ahree 2 home wins then, and a repeat of the 2010 final, with hopefully the same result!

Could very well be Alan. But this time. This time...

I hope we get the Double. Even bigger and more experienced squad now.

O's having a hard time down in Aironi. 11-15 HT. But 2nd is safe.

6-22 at Dave. Madigan has kicked more pens (5 and 1 conv) than he has in his young career in this one so far. Good stuff. Its all he's lacking. That and ball out of hand/positional play. Its coming.

Trys for Adams and Lydiate. 18-22. FT.

Anyone put their hands up tonight?

Wasnt televised Sean. Expect a report back from our Dragons man at Dave - The Rev.

Madigan is setlling in his kicking for sure. Major plus.

Agh, thought you were there. Good result, I was expecting a loss.

Gibson..you only laughed when I said before Christmas that Madigan was the next big thing. Bound to be first choice next year...

Hopefully there's a Reddan-Boss relationship there rather than an O'Gara-Sexton one... All for the greater good