Embra v Leinster

The Leinster squad trained in UCD on Monday afternoon ahead of Friday night's trip to face Edinburgh in Murrayfield in the RaboDirect PRO12 (KO: 7.35pm) with a number of internationals expected to return to the fray... Andrew Conway received a dead leg when competing for a ball in the air during Saturday night's victory over Connacht. It is anticipated that he will be fit to train during the week and available for the trip to Edinburgh. Richardt Strauss is expected to return to the fray over the coming weeks and Shane Jennings, who was a late withdrawal from Saturday's line up due to illness, is expected to return. Jennings could be joined by a number of other Ireland internationals - such as Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Jonathan Sexton - who were unavailable last weekend. Kevin McLaughlin, meanwhile, was rested as a precaution after sustaining a shoulder knock against Ulster the previous weekend and is also expected to be in the mix. There are no other fresh injury concerns for the province and the management are hopeful that Ireland trio Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Brian O'Driscoll - who continue to make positive strides in their respective rehabilitation programmes - will come into the frame this week ahead of Thursday's lunchtime team announcement. Isa Nacewa is also set to return either this week or next after suffering deep tissue bruising to his arm in the recent Round 4 Heineken Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne. In a further boost, second row Mark Flanagan - who has been unavailable since undergoing a back operation in July - is set to be available for Clontarf in the AIL this weekend away to St. Mary's College.

EDINBURGH:

15: Greig Tonks
14: Dougie Fife
13: Matt Scott
12: Ben Atiga
11: Tim Visser
10: Piers Francis
9: Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

1: Allan Jacobsen
2: Andy Titterrell
3: Willem Nel
4: Grant Gilchrist
5: Sean Cox
6: Stuart McInally
7: Dimitri Basilaia
8: David Denton

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Steven Lawrie
17: Robin Hislop
18: Geoff Cross
19: Perry Parker
20: Netani Talei
21: Richie Rees
22: James King
23: Sep Visser

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Fionn Carr
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Michael Bent
19: Tom Denton
20: Shane Jennings
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Andrew Conway

Any chance you nice Embra chaps would give us a good workout on Friday, while allowing us to win and score at least 4 tries?

Also, We have a few chaps who have been all hurted and stuff, we need to get them back to normal. So if you could not be too rough with those ones.

I'll give you a list after the team is announced.

Reckon Edinburgh will oblige with most of the request on your list. Concede at least 4 tries almost goes without saying, avoid roughing up key players we'll go one better and make sure your whole team comes through unscathed with our patented powder puff defence. Only area we might let you down is when it comes to giving you a good work out. Still 2/3 ain't bad...

I know Joe was saying he doesn't know whether to throw these lads in now as they may not be up to speed for the week after but I'd do it as the 2nd string guys aren't cutting it

Healy-Cronin-Ross
Browne-Cullen
SOB-Heaslip-Jenno
Reddan-Sexton
Darcy-BOD
Fitz-Kearney-McFadden

Dundon-VDM-Bent-Toner-McL-Boss-Madigan-K2

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I know Joe was saying he doesn't know whether to throw these lads in now as they may not be up to speed for the week after but I'd do it as the 2nd string guys aren't cutting it

Healy-Cronin-Ross
Browne-Cullen
SOB-Heaslip-Jenno
Reddan-Sexton
Darcy-BOD
Fitz-Kearney-McFadden

Dundon-VDM-Bent-Toner-McL-Boss-Madigan-K2

If all those guys are fit, I'd rest Ferg. Otherwise I would make only minor adjustments.

Browne is out injured.

If you are planning on replacing Browne with Marshall, it's unlikely he'll play as he is not in the HC squad and can't be put in now. this game will be used to give HC players a run, and our only fit HC 2nd rows are Toner, Cullen and Denton.

I predict Kev will be used as 2nd row cover, with Cullen and toner starting. 2 back rowers on the bench.

choices for the extra back row are Auva'a, Ruddock and Murphy.

Murphy would be my choice. So either Murphy and McLaughlin or Murphy and Jennings on the bench for the Scarlets game.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:If you are planning on replacing Browne with Marshall, it's unlikely he'll play as he is not in the HC squad and can't be put in now. this game will be used to give HC players a run, and our only fit HC 2nd rows are Toner, Cullen and Denton.

I predict Kev will be used as 2nd row cover, with Cullen and toner starting. 2 back rowers on the bench.

Didn't know he was out but yes I'd go with the double backrow selection on the bench.
Will be very interesting to see who is in and who isn't and then if Isa gets selected for the week after

You have any more inside scoops on this one Jen?

Not really. They say Bod will start, but no one knows how many of Luke, EOM or The Kearneys will.

They won't all fit into the team anyway.

Jennings is fine, but we are OK in the back row. Isa will probably not start this week, but may next week.

People are saying that Strauss will play a part in the HC, but I think he may well be left until the 6N with Ireland.

Happy new etc. etc. lads!

Thought Dundon played well against Connacht, but I’d still prefer to have both Cronin and Strauss available for the HC.

Nice to see some good news about injuries for once, how are they all going to fit in? Well, being brutally honest, O’Malley doesn’t need to play this week, because BOD will play the following week, would really like to see Ferg and BOD in the centers against Edinburgh with Fitz and D.Kearney on the wing, start Isa at fullback and spring R. Kearney from the bench.

Heat to 220c , fuse into a bonus point hungry animal, serve over Scarlets and Chiefs.

I'm glad someone else made this article because I am one well and truly downtrodden Edinburgh fan and couldn't face the prospect!

So basically we will be playing a full strength Leinster team seeking a confidence boosting big win before the HK? And we've only won 4 games this season - Blues away, Zebre home, Ospreys home, Connacht away? And have been well and truly dominated by Glasgow in the 1872 cup the past 2 weeks?

Yeah I'm not sure I wanna spend 20 quid on this one...

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm glad someone else made this article because I am one well and truly downtrodden Edinburgh fan and couldn't face the prospect!

So basically we will be playing a full strength Leinster team seeking a confidence boosting big win before the HK? And we've only won 4 games this season - Blues away, Zebre home, Ospreys home, Connacht away? And have been well and truly dominated by Glasgow in the 1872 cup the past 2 weeks?

Yeah I'm not sure I wanna spend 20 quid on this one...

Keep the chin up RDW it must be tough, I moan a bit because we aren't guaranteed qualification to the 1/4 in the HCup and are outside the rabo top 4.
Perspective I guess.

Hope your team's fortune change soon, sport can be tough man

Mickado wrote:
Heat to 220c , fuse into a bonus point hungry animal, serve over Scarlets and Chiefs.

Quality Michael.

Did you write that in a Lloyd Grossman accent?

Just my standard voice Jen, which as everyone who’s met me knows, is virtually the same as oul Lloyd himself.

I’m not D4, but I’m trying hord.

Mickado wrote:Just my standard voice Jen, which as everyone who’s met me knows, is virtually the same as oul Lloyd himself.

I’m not D4, but I’m trying hord.

You're gas lad!!!!
What are we thinking score predictions wise? Would be great to get a TBP but that may be too much to ask for away

I predict we will win with a TBP.

Purely based on the fact that we have to find try scoring form and we've so many key players back in the mix, albeit match rusty.

Edinburgh team:

15 Greig Tonks

14 Dougie Fife
13 Matt Scott
12 Ben Atiga
11 Tim Visser

10 Piers Francis
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Andy Titterrell
3 Willem Nel
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Sean Cox
6 Stuart McInally
7 Dimitri Basilaia
8 David Denton

Substitutes
16 Steven Lawrie
17 Robin Hislop
18 Geoff Cross
19 Perry Parker
20 Netani Talei
21 Richie Rees
22 James King
23 Sep Visser


Interesting that he is keeping with Piers Francis at 10, who has hardly set the heather alight since coming over a few weeks ago and kicking some scots 10s out of a place.

Also strange to see Basalaia at 7, because he definitely isn't a 7!

Fairly standard Edinburgh team there, but think we're onto a hiding with this one.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Fionn Carr
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Michael Bent
19: Tom Denton
20: Shane Jennings
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Andrew Conway

14 Irish internationals starting. Game on!

Finally we get a decent backline on the park.

Carr as a place holder for Isa next week

Yup, we're getting pumped!

but if QPR can best Chelsea...

Great to see those names in there. Bar Carr of course but I think he is in to give Isa and Ferg a break. Shame K2 isn't fit.

Hope BOD jumps straight back into the form he showed against the Blues.

Yeah, Carr is the only real weakness in there. Up against Visser too...

I'm bleedin deliora with that team though.

How ever did Piers Francis get a pro contract?! What level of insanity imagined that his crabbing distribution style is at this level?

Mind you, the same can be said of Atiga? Who is responsible within Edinburgh rugby or the SRU?

Was listening to a podcast at the weekend As, they said that when the signing was announced he was touted as a player who only missed out on a starting place with the Chiefs due to injury, but when these lads had a look into that, the people on the Chiefs forum nearly cracked their hole laughing at the suggestion.

Indeed, Mick, not at all surprised. At least Atiga had 'it' at one time, can't see that Francis ever did

Things I didn't want to see in this team selection:

- Laidlaw at 9
- Francis at 10
- Scott not at 12
- no openside flanker in the squad (4 specialist number 8's instead)

Head says Leinster by no less than 20 points.

Worst of all is that I'm supposed to be off the booze for a couple of weeks, so I'll have to watch this one sober. Yikes!

Mickado wrote:Yeah, Carr is the only real weakness in there. Up against Visser too...

I'm bleedin deliora with that team though.

Mise freisin,
Can see a few fireworks being brought out for this one! I'm hoping we can start putting together some real performances.

Shame for o'malley that he came back the same week as bod, very unfortunate for him.

This is resembling the final hours of Rafa's tenure with every passing game. The team selections are becoming erratic, poor players are undroppable, and good players arent getting a game. The backrow has three players all playing out of position. Now all we need is for Bradley to slip up in an interview and admit that he doesnt play form players because theyve proved themselves and have earned a spot in the stands for the rest of the season.

I still cant believe Leonard hasnt had a minute of gametime since keeping us in the scarlets game with his place kicking when everyone around him was losing their head, ESPECIALLY as missed place kicks have been one of our problems since then! Hes not injured, keeps getting punted out to melrose every week. Same goes for Hunter.

its just madness, some random englishman whos played less top flight games than those guys and is utter mince is consistantly getting picked ahead of them.

Leinster have a habit of bollocking up gimme games. And particularly in Edinburgh. People coming back in at key positions doesn't mean they'll click first time.

I reckon it'll be a tight one and Leinster will get the workout they need, but possibly a result they don't want.

Imperialbigdave wrote:This is resembling the final hours of Rafa's tenure with every passing game. The team selections are becoming erratic, poor players are undroppable, and good players arent getting a game. The backrow has three players all playing out of position. Now all we need is for Bradley to slip up in an interview and admit that he doesnt play form players because theyve proved themselves and have earned a spot in the stands for the rest of the season.

I still cant believe Leonard hasnt had a minute of gametime since keeping us in the scarlets game with his place kicking when everyone around him was losing their head, ESPECIALLY as missed place kicks have been one of our problems since then! Hes not injured, keeps getting punted out to melrose every week. Same goes for Hunter.

its just madness, some random englishman whos played less top flight games than those guys and is utter mince is consistantly getting picked ahead of them.

IBD, you are of course spot on. The weegie in me is chuckling with delight but the Scot in me ( gosh it's getting crowded in here) is quite appalled. How is it that the side chosen against Bennetton looks very strong but is missing Cooseater, Ramont, Welsh, Barclay,Fozzie, Wee Dunky, Schlong all Scottish internationals not to mention Maitland Street and the Messiah and yet the MFL are struggling to put out a decent first fifteen? Rafa's recruitment policy seemed to be " If I buy enough raffle tickets I'll win something" but what is it at the Morningside Reading Room? If you buy enough foreigners one of them must be Dan Carter? I think it's time for heads to roll and one or two, or more, mercenaries to go home. Let's be clear I'm not against imports per se; Cusack is a wee smasher and has made a huge contribution to the Weege this year, ditto Josh Strauss. You can see that they have "encouraged" their team-mates to meet their standard of performance : god help us if Francis has that effect on Laidlaw.

in edinburgh for the weekend for mates birthday, i will be attending this

strong team but will be a tough game nonetheless. We need a win and a performance.

The next few Rabo games are crucial as we have to hit the ground running for the last 2 HC cup games to have even a glimmer of a hope of getting out of the hole we have dug ourselves in our group.

As an aside Dougie Fife - what a name. he will probably play in a kilt

dublin_dave wrote:in edinburgh for the weekend for mates birthday, i will be attending this

strong team but will be a tough game nonetheless. We need a win and a performance.

The next few Rabo games are crucial as we have to hit the ground running for the last 2 HC cup games to have even a glimmer of a hope of getting out of the hole we have dug ourselves in our group.

As an aside Dougie Fife - what a name. he will probably play in a kilt

hes ginger(ish) aswell.

Pot Hale wrote:Leinster have a habit of bollocking up gimme games. And particularly in Edinburgh. People coming back in at key positions doesn't mean they'll click first time.

I reckon it'll be a tight one and Leinster will get the workout they need, but possibly a result they don't want.

HAD a habit I would have said. Last season we lost to Ospreys (3 times) and Glasgow (once), none of those games were gimmes. Same this season, Scarlets (away), Ospreys (away), Clermont (home and away), Ulster (away) and Connact (away). None of those were easy games.

Mickado wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Leinster have a habit of bollocking up gimme games. And particularly in Edinburgh. People coming back in at key positions doesn't mean they'll click first time.

I reckon it'll be a tight one and Leinster will get the workout they need, but possibly a result they don't want.

HAD a habit I would have said. Last season we lost to Ospreys (3 times) and Glasgow (once), none of those games were gimmes. Same this season, Scarlets (away), Ospreys (away), Clermont (home and away), Ulster (away) and Connact (away). None of those were easy games.

I look forward to being pleasantly surprised as they touch down their fourth in the 60th minute.......

I'll be pleasantly surprised if Leinster don't score their 4th try after 20 mins

Absolutely pumped for this! So excited for Luke coming back from injury and it is the first time since last May that we have had a team resembling our first choice go out!

It may be too late for our HCup chances but if we go down we'll go down all guns blazing! Edinburgh are the dress rehearsal for that

jimbopip wrote:

Imperialbigdave wrote:This is resembling the final hours of Rafa's tenure with every passing game. The team selections are becoming erratic, poor players are undroppable, and good players arent getting a game. The backrow has three players all playing out of position. Now all we need is for Bradley to slip up in an interview and admit that he doesnt play form players because theyve proved themselves and have earned a spot in the stands for the rest of the season.

I still cant believe Leonard hasnt had a minute of gametime since keeping us in the scarlets game with his place kicking when everyone around him was losing their head, ESPECIALLY as missed place kicks have been one of our problems since then! Hes not injured, keeps getting punted out to melrose every week. Same goes for Hunter.

its just madness, some random englishman whos played less top flight games than those guys and is utter mince is consistantly getting picked ahead of them.

IBD, you are of course spot on. The weegie in me is chuckling with delight but the Scot in me ( gosh it's getting crowded in here) is quite appalled. How is it that the side chosen against Bennetton looks very strong but is missing Cooseater, Ramont, Welsh, Barclay,Fozzie, Wee Dunky, Schlong all Scottish internationals not to mention Maitland Street and the Messiah and yet the MFL are struggling to put out a decent first fifteen? Rafa's recruitment policy seemed to be " If I buy enough raffle tickets I'll win something" but what is it at the Morningside Reading Room? If you buy enough foreigners one of them must be Dan Carter? I think it's time for heads to roll and one or two, or more, mercenaries to go home. Let's be clear I'm not against imports per se; Cusack is a wee smasher and has made a huge contribution to the Weege this year, ditto Josh Strauss. You can see that they have "encouraged" their team-mates to meet their standard of performance : god help us if Francis has that effect on Laidlaw.

I just wish I knew who was accountable for these decisions. Many suggest that Bradley is having players picked for him, and being told to play Laidlaw at 9 and Francis at 10, but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting coach would allow his reputation to be tarnished without some say in the matter.

There are other little things that really annoy me. For example why did we continuously kick restarts long against Glasgow in the second match. Why not put the ball in the air and challenge? Assuming Leinster have more than one restart in the game tonight, watch what Sexton does with the ball. It'll go short and high, and there will be Leinster players both challenging and waiting to hoover up any scraps. Basics done well. Another example is kicking to touch. At the start of the match Edinburgh used Laidlaw to kick, and lo and behold little distance was made. It's the big weakness in his game. Later in the game they figured out what every single Edinburgh fan was saying in my area of the ground, use Tonks. It's clear that he has the longest kick in the squad, so use it. It's a very simple change, but these small details can amount to a big difference. What on earth are the coaches doing all week??

funnyExiledScot wrote:

I just wish I knew who was accountable for these decisions. Many suggest that Bradley is having players picked for him, and being told to play Laidlaw at 9 and Francis at 10, but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting coach would allow his reputation to be tarnished without some say in the matter.

There are other little things that really annoy me. For example why did we continuously kick restarts long against Glasgow in the second match. Why not put the ball in the air and challenge? Assuming Leinster have more than one restart in the game tonight, watch what Sexton does with the ball. It'll go short and high, and there will be Leinster players both challenging and waiting to hoover up any scraps. Basics done well. Another example is kicking to touch. At the start of the match Edinburgh used Laidlaw to kick, and lo and behold little distance was made. It's the big weakness in his game. Later in the game they figured out what every single Edinburgh fan was saying in my area of the ground, use Tonks. It's clear that he has the longest kick in the squad, so use it. It's a very simple change, but these small details can amount to a big difference. What on earth are the coaches doing all week??[/quote]
Spot on Post !

Janecory wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:
I just wish I knew who was accountable for these decisions. Many suggest that Bradley is having players picked for him, and being told to play Laidlaw at 9 and Francis at 10, but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting coach would allow his reputation to be tarnished without some say in the matter.

There are other little things that really annoy me. For example why did we continuously kick restarts long against Glasgow in the second match. Why not put the ball in the air and challenge? Assuming Leinster have more than one restart in the game tonight, watch what Sexton does with the ball. It'll go short and high, and there will be Leinster players both challenging and waiting to hoover up any scraps. Basics done well. Another example is kicking to touch. At the start of the match Edinburgh used Laidlaw to kick, and lo and behold little distance was made. It's the big weakness in his game. Later in the game they figured out what every single Edinburgh fan was saying in my area of the ground, use Tonks. It's clear that he has the longest kick in the squad, so use it. It's a very simple change, but these small details can amount to a big difference. What on earth are the coaches doing all week??

Spot on Post !

You had an extra "[/quote]" at the top there Jane.

Bradley would be used to players being picked for him from Connacht.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Janecory wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:
I just wish I knew who was accountable for these decisions. Many suggest that Bradley is having players picked for him, and being told to play Laidlaw at 9 and Francis at 10, but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting coach would allow his reputation to be tarnished without some say in the matter.

There are other little things that really annoy me. For example why did we continuously kick restarts long against Glasgow in the second match. Why not put the ball in the air and challenge? Assuming Leinster have more than one restart in the game tonight, watch what Sexton does with the ball. It'll go short and high, and there will be Leinster players both challenging and waiting to hoover up any scraps. Basics done well. Another example is kicking to touch. At the start of the match Edinburgh used Laidlaw to kick, and lo and behold little distance was made. It's the big weakness in his game. Later in the game they figured out what every single Edinburgh fan was saying in my area of the ground, use Tonks. It's clear that he has the longest kick in the squad, so use it. It's a very simple change, but these small details can amount to a big difference. What on earth are the coaches doing all week??

Spot on Post !

You had an extra "

" at the top there Jane.

Bradley would be used to players being picked for him from Connacht.

[/quote]

There are rumours saying that is what is happening in Munster with ROG: the old heads in the Munster jackets are telling Penny to pick ROG when he would prefer to pick Keatley. These could be complete fairtale.

Ulster to beat the Scarlets tonight. Glasgow to get a hard fought 4 pointer.

Rob Kearney to touch down the 4th try on 62 minutes before being hauled off, pushing Leinster past Glasgow into 4th on points diff.

You heard it here 1st.

(Probably won't fecken happen now that I've said it)

Hah! My litte extra "[/quote]" fecked you up Pete.

Dammit Jen!

Delighted to see Kearney and Fitzy back in particular. And old man BOD.
Is O'Malley back?
Our unstoppable surge of victories in all competitions starts here lads.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

Imperialbigdave wrote:This is resembling the final hours of Rafa's tenure with every passing game. The team selections are becoming erratic, poor players are undroppable, and good players arent getting a game. The backrow has three players all playing out of position. Now all we need is for Bradley to slip up in an interview and admit that he doesnt play form players because theyve proved themselves and have earned a spot in the stands for the rest of the season.

I still cant believe Leonard hasnt had a minute of gametime since keeping us in the scarlets game with his place kicking when everyone around him was losing their head, ESPECIALLY as missed place kicks have been one of our problems since then! Hes not injured, keeps getting punted out to melrose every week. Same goes for Hunter.

its just madness, some random englishman whos played less top flight games than those guys and is utter mince is consistantly getting picked ahead of them.

IBD, you are of course spot on. The weegie in me is chuckling with delight but the Scot in me ( gosh it's getting crowded in here) is quite appalled. How is it that the side chosen against Bennetton looks very strong but is missing Cooseater, Ramont, Welsh, Barclay,Fozzie, Wee Dunky, Schlong all Scottish internationals not to mention Maitland Street and the Messiah and yet the MFL are struggling to put out a decent first fifteen? Rafa's recruitment policy seemed to be " If I buy enough raffle tickets I'll win something" but what is it at the Morningside Reading Room? If you buy enough foreigners one of them must be Dan Carter? I think it's time for heads to roll and one or two, or more, mercenaries to go home. Let's be clear I'm not against imports per se; Cusack is a wee smasher and has made a huge contribution to the Weege this year, ditto Josh Strauss. You can see that they have "encouraged" their team-mates to meet their standard of performance : god help us if Francis has that effect on Laidlaw.

I just wish I knew who was accountable for these decisions. Many suggest that Bradley is having players picked for him, and being told to play Laidlaw at 9 and Francis at 10, but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting coach would allow his reputation to be tarnished without some say in the matter.

There is no way any coach that his worth his salt, would pick Laidlaw and Francis at 9&10, after the poor performances from both in the last few games !

Ok, good luck Leinster

Atiga burned by D'arcy - doesnt bode well

Jaysus BOD looks very thin...