Rabo PRO12 (Round 7): Leinster 59 v 22 Cardiff Blues @ 18:30 Saturday 27 October (RDS, Dublin)

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 22 Oct 2012, 3:23 pm

Leinster squad update
There are no major injury concerns arising from Saturday’s games in Wales, where the senior team recorded their second Pool victory in the Heineken Cup over the Scarlets, while the province’s ‘A’ team were narrowly edged by Pontypridd in Sardis Road.
Gordon D’Arcy successfully came through 80 minutes after his recent rib injury, while Richardt Strauss received stitches to a cut on his chin.

It is hoped that Rob Kearney (back) will be available this weekend while Quinn Roux (ankle) will also continue to be assessed by the medical team.

Rhys Ruddock successfully came through his first run out of the season in Pontypridd and he is set to be joined in the mix for selection this week by Dave Kearney for the visit of Cardiff.

Second row Tom Denton was a late withdrawal from the ‘A’ game with minor calf tightening but that will not affect his availability this week when the team is named at Friday lunchtime.

Ticket sales for Saturday’s game have passed the 15,000 mark

The match is due to be televised on RTE.
Things are getting positive on the injury front, some good depth getting back fit.

by thebluesmancometh Mon 22 Oct 2012, 3:24 pm

Of course the fans are flocking, I'd be flocking if the Blues were coming to my region too, sadly though mine is the blues so I just have to accept being the whipping boy at present!

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 22 Oct 2012, 3:30 pm

Oh, don't be overly fooled by that ticket sales figure. There are 13,500 odd season ticket holders. That means that our starting position for any game at home will be 13,500. Given that maybe 150-200 people might travel over (pure guess), 15k is a modest top up. Still strong numbers all the same.

Halloween weekend and a bank holiday in Ireland so I'd expect the costumes on (and maybe even Leo the Lion mummified!).

by Mickado Mon 22 Oct 2012, 4:00 pm

Dressing up for a game in the RDS?

Never…

Spoiler:

by thebandwagonsociety Mon 22 Oct 2012, 4:08 pm

The Leinster site also says there will be a special fireworks display! That's a pun competition waiting to happen.

by Gibson Mon 22 Oct 2012, 4:34 pm

We like fireworks v Blues....

This weekend could re-ignite our season. Be good to see the 2 x Kearneys get a run. Just what we need to shake up a flat backline.

Boss & Reddan sharing duties as before, also gives us so much more tactically over the 80. Ruddock is on the way back too, for cover.

January should see the return of SOB and Fitz. It would be like getting two new top signings. Hope we are still in the hunt for the HC then.

Our tight-5 are now fast becoming a weapon and a solid attacking platform again. Jennings is running our backrow like only he can.

It will all come together for December, as our players up it for the AI´s also. We will click and some PRO12 teams will get spanked. We have Blues, Ospreys, Glasgow and Zebre before ASM.

Believe.

by thebluesmancometh Mon 22 Oct 2012, 4:38 pm

Mickado were you at the last haloween game V the Blues in the RDS? I was too, a ghost and a devil, with a pair of witches (and the girlfreinds were dressed up too)

Was a great night out in Dublin that night!!! despite the rugby!!

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 22 Oct 2012, 5:12 pm

Gibson wrote:
January should see the return of SOB and Fitz.

Zebre game for SOB. Possibly Fitz too. He should be back before Christmas anyway.

by Gibson Tue 23 Oct 2012, 5:08 am

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Gibson wrote:
January should see the return of SOB and Fitz.
Zebre game for SOB. Possibly Fitz too. He should be back before Christmas anyway.

Jen, where are you getting his info from bud? If its true, it changes everything. It would be a massive boost to have them both v ASM.

EDIT: Just seen an update in the Indo. Hmmm. SOB looks very promising. Fitzs' position still not clear.

Having the Kearneys back is a cert. These players will be fresh for a surge at ASM. We'll need it. They are gunning for us after 3 years of hurt.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:14 am

Gibson wrote:
Jen, where are you getting his info from bud? If its true, it changes everything. It would be a massive boost to have them both v ASM.

You know...around...Having moved back from De Nederlands many years ago my ear is just closer to the ground.

There is often rumour and counter rumour too.

Squad announcement says no new injuries from the weekend. Grapevine says Isa out for a month with a broken hand. Crying or Very sad

by Gibson Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:22 am

Oooh man. Please not Isa. He is key. But, we don´t have ASM for 6 weeks, so...

You used live in NL Jen? Yer not a Clog are ya? Wink

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:32 am

Gibson wrote:Oooh man. Please not Isa. He is key. But, we don´t have ASM for 6 weeks, so...

You used live in NL Jen? Yer not a Clog are ya?

Jaysus no. But I once rode a woman who was.

by Gibson Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:42 am

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Gibson wrote:Oooh man. Please not Isa. He is key. But, we don´t have ASM for 6 weeks, so...

You used live in NL Jen? Yer not a Clog are ya?
Jaysus no. But I once rode a woman who was.

by SecretFly Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:52 am

Fitz back in time for Christmas? So he's become Santy?

Well, with all his injuries I suppose it was a wise move to retire and become the Big Cheese of Tinsel'n'Toys.

by Mickado Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:53 am

Classy!

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:08 pm

OK Gibbo.

Prepare to get seriously aroused.

As you probably know, Ruddock played the A game at the weekend.

Dave K ready this week. (you probably saw him in the warmup and as a water carrier on Saturday) Goodman and Bent next week. Possibly Roux and Rob K too.

O'Malley and Ryan probably for Glasgow on the 23rd

And the best bit.......

Fitzer and SOB too. Smile

G'wan yah good thing!!!!

Barring further injury in the mean time

We've THE FULL DECK for Clermont.

Wooohooo!!!

http://www.herald.ie/sport/rugby/blues-early-christmas-3270516.html

by SecretFly Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:16 pm

Will the full deck shuffle smoothly when we meet them (Clermont) though?

Or will it be like an out of practice cardsharp and when he tries to purr his deck with slick fingers it instead explodes all over the place and onto the embarrassed floor?

by **rodders** Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:20 pm

Well by jeebus great news indeed.... this season might not be a total write off for you lads after all. Grand news all round guinness

.

.....

by SecretFly Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:22 pm

Back to your smug "We ain't lost even one yet!!" thread, rodders. You don't want to be catching any of our gloom Wink

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:41 pm

SecretFly wrote:Will the full deck shuffle smoothly when we meet them (Clermont) though?

Oh you little ray of sunshine. Smile

When you find a 50 quid note you probably say... If only it was 100 ah well.

by SecretFly Tue 23 Oct 2012, 10:44 pm

Just playing Devil's advocate in his absence Whistle

Where is he? - Oh he thought he could take a well earned break now that world banks are doing his job for him.

by Gibson Tue 23 Oct 2012, 11:32 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:OK Gibbo.

Prepare to get seriously aroused.

As you probably know, Ruddock played the A game at the weekend.

Dave K ready this week. (you probably saw him in the warmup and as a water carrier on Saturday) Goodman and Bent next week. Possibly Roux and Rob K too.

O'Malley and Ryan probably for Glasgow on the 23rd

And the best bit.......

Fitzer and SOB too. G'wan yah good thing!!!!

Barring further injury in the mean time

We've THE FULL DECK for Clermont.

Wooohooo!!!

http://www.herald.ie/sport/rugby/blues-early-christmas-3270516.html

I think I just did a liittle wee. Oh yes. Oh phookin yes!

Agree with Fly though. Need to get them all integrated, rolling and playing with fluency. Not easy at that level. Need to use all the 4 PRO12 games really well to that end. I know, but phookit, its the Hieno. Its our Cup. And its Final is in our Stadium. I mean.

I trust in Joe and Jonno. Their timing is always sublime.

Believe.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 24 Oct 2012, 7:25 am

ok. slight technical hitch. isa and rk have come into line with the rumours. isa back for clermont but rob not until new year.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 24 Oct 2012, 8:38 am

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1024/1224325625948.html

by Jenifer McLadyboy Wed 24 Oct 2012, 8:49 am

The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away.

by Mickado Wed 24 Oct 2012, 9:03 am

Ah Bollix.

I'm shocked about RK, he seemed to think he'd be good to go for the AI's just this week.

by SecretFly Wed 24 Oct 2012, 11:30 am

Hmmm..seems the devil came home early!

by thebandwagonsociety Thu 25 Oct 2012, 3:37 pm

The ticket sales are up to 16,500 as of the end of yesterday. This is going to be almost full for the game. They put on a good show for Hallowe'en, plenty of fancy dress, hopefully fireworks on and off the pitch. Also, here's hoping that Cardiff have a bit of a 'mare!

Ok, I must cut down on the puns.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 26 Oct 2012, 8:38 am

Great news there jen regarding some, shame about Kearney and isa

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 26 Oct 2012, 11:41 am

My preferred team for Saturday:

VDM-Strauss-Hagan
Roux-Toner
Ruddock-Heaslip-Jennings
Boss-Sexton
McFadden-BOD
Conway-Madigan-K2

Cronin-Healy-Ross-Browne-McLaughlin-Cooney-Darcy-Carr

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 26 Oct 2012, 12:08 pm

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: David Kearney
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Damian Browne
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Isaac Boss
22: Brendan Macken
23: Fionn Carr

CARDIFF BLUES:

15: Leigh Halfpenny
14: Alex Cuthbert
13: Dafydd Hewitt
12: Jamie Roberts
11: Tom James
10: Jason Tovey
9: Lloyd Williams

1: Tafa'ao Filise
2: Marc Breeze
3: Scott Andrews
4: Bradley Davies
5: James Down
6: Josh Navidi
7: Sam Warburton
8: Andries Pretorius CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS

16: Rhys Willimas
17: Nathan Trevett
18: Campese ma'afu
19: Lou Reed
20: Robin Copeland
21: Lewis Jones
22: Ceri Sweeney
23: Tom Williams

by the-goon Fri 26 Oct 2012, 12:35 pm

Jenno getting a rest tomorrow, strong team enough a team despite the injuries. This will be won in the pack, the Blues look to have a bit more firepower from 11-15.

I'll say a home win but no BP for either team.

by XR Fri 26 Oct 2012, 12:53 pm

This may be worth a -14 handicap for leinster tomorrow, i'll have to take a trip to the bookies raspberry

by **rodders** Fri 26 Oct 2012, 1:28 pm

Leinster bench starting to look stronger again. I'm going to tip Leinster for the 5 points here at home, although thats a decent Blues side there on paper.

by Gibson Fri 26 Oct 2012, 2:52 pm

That´s a very strong 23 when you consider who is missing. Bench is getting stronger by the week too.

I think we´ll get the 5pts and a runout for most of that squad. No offence to Blues, but it is high time we started clicking.

Jenno is getting a well deserved rest. He´s played every game this year.

by thebluesmancometh Fri 26 Oct 2012, 5:18 pm

Blues to take this game by 5 - 8 points...

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 26 Oct 2012, 5:24 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Blues to take this game by 5 - 8 points...

Jaysus I hope not.

Just when we were down to only 14 injured players

Leinster

Sean O'Brien
Leo Auva'a
Quinn Roux
Mark Flanagan
Conor Gilsenan
Dominic Ryan
Aaron Dundon
David Doyle
Luke McGrath
Rob Kearney
Luke Fitzgerald
Eoin O'Malley
Darren Hudson
Isa Nacewa

Cardiff

Harry Robinson
Benoit Bourrust
Jake Cooper
Chris Czekaj
Ryan Harford
Michael Paterson
Rhys Patchell
Sam Hobbs
Tom Davies
Rory Watts-Jones
Gavin Evans

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 27 Oct 2012, 12:49 pm

fl!pping injuries! Sad

by Rory_Gallagher Sat 27 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm

Jordi Murphy will want to leave a lasting impression in this game, this is a great chance for him. When O'Brien, Ryan, Auva'a and Ruddock all return to full fitness, he is going to have a hard time getting as much experience as he has been getting so far.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 27 Oct 2012, 1:44 pm

agree rory excellent point

by Golden Sat 27 Oct 2012, 1:50 pm

Presume it will be grand getting tickets in spar in donnnybrook?

by kingjohn7 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 2:01 pm

Is this on tv in uk?

by wales606 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 2:08 pm

kingjohn7 wrote:Is this on tv in uk?

S4C

by kingjohn7 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 5:44 pm

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:14 pm

COME ON LEINSTER

by wales606 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:17 pm

COME ON BLUES

by wales606 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:17 pm

*cough*

by thebluesmancometh Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:20 pm

Blues to win 19 - 17!!!

by Golden Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:23 pm

Only one NIQ player in 23! Not bad at all

by Pot Hale Sat 27 Oct 2012, 6:30 pm

Is that Leinster Blues or Cardiff Blues?

I see Conor O'Shea is doing punditry at pitch side in RDS. Good opportunity for him to glean Leinster info. Surprised he does the gig the day before his team plays tomorrow afternoon in Madjeski.

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