Leinster v Scarlets HC

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 12:47 pm

Leinster Rugby wrote:
The Leinster squad have stepped up their preparations ahead of Saturday evening's Heineken Cup Round 5 encounter against the Scarlets in the RDS (KO: 6pm)...
Fresh from Friday night’s bonus point victory over Edinburgh, the management have reported no fresh major injury concerns aside from the usual bumps and bruises.

Meanwhile, returning trio Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney and Brian O’Driscoll all successfully came through the game and suffered no ill effects after their respective long-term injuries.

The management are hopeful that Isa Nacewa and Richardt Strauss will both return to the panel for the visit of the Llanelli based side. Dave Kearney and Eoin O’Malley should also come into the frame to join Ireland international Fergus McFadden, who was rested for the victory in the Scottish capital.

With the ‘A’ side also in action in the British & Irish Cup against Pontypridd in Donnybrook on Saturday afternoon (KO: 2pm) it is another busy week for the province which moved from their base in UCD to a short two-day camp in Johnstown House on Monday lunchtime.

Were I Joe Schmidt I would select this team. Although there may be wisdom in starting Strauss and seeing how long he can go for, rather than bringing him off the bench and finding it was not as long as we thought.

Our only injuries are Roux and Browne which leaves us short on tight head locks.

Healy
Cronin
Ross
Cullen
Toner
O'Brien
Jennings
Heaslip

Reddan
Sexton
Nacewa
D'Arcy
O'Driscoll
McFadden
Kearney

Strauss
Van der Merwe
Bent
McLaughlin/Denton
Murphy/McLaughlin
Boss
Madigan
Fitzgerald

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 07 Jan 2013, 1:41 pm

Based on this weekend I think the Scarlets may look something like (proving injuries have cleared up)

L Williams
G Maule
S Williams
J Davies
K Phillips / A Fenby
A Thomas
T Knoyle

R Jones
E Phillips
J Adriaanse
G Earle
J Snyman
J Turnbull
A Shingler
R McCusker

(Bench: M Rees, P John, S Lee, T Vallejos, J Edwards, G Davies, D Newton, A Warren)

by Mickado Mon 07 Jan 2013, 1:43 pm

Yep. McLaughlin and Murphy (is he HC registered?) on the bench.

I'd say that's our strongest team available.

Starting with Cronin is probably best for our plan of starting at 100mph.

by Mickado Mon 07 Jan 2013, 1:44 pm

Is North defo out SSM?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:09 pm

Mickado wrote:Yep. McLaughlin and Murphy (is he HC registered?)

Yep. Members of our senior squad who are NOT HC Reg

Flanagan
Macken
Ryan
T Sexton (Was replaced by Bent)

Members of our Academy who ARE HC Reg

Moore
Murphy

Luke McGrath WAS in the original squad but was replaced by Goodman

So HC Reg Back rows are

Avua'a
Heaslip
Jennings
McLaughlin
O'Brien
Ruddock
Murphy

by Mickado Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:13 pm

Actually Jen, dya reckon Joe might plump for Ruddock ahead of Murphy? I thinks he's definitely made improvements to his game this season.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:20 pm

Mickado wrote:Actually Jen, dya reckon Joe might plump for Ruddock ahead of Murphy? I thinks he's definitely made improvements to his game this season.

I think he'll captain the A team v Pontyprid

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:22 pm

Mickado wrote:Is North defo out SSM?

Pretty sure he will be out, even if it is just rested.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:22 pm

This game has to be brutal aggression from Leinster. I have to say I'd like to see Boss start and attempt to go through the middle of them for the first part of the game. I think Boss is playing better than Reddan currently also.

I think aggression is the word I am looking for as an overall performance goal. Manic aggression.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:30 pm

Did you put the fear of god in anyone today Pete?

I've a feeling that fellahs would be stepping back from you and going wtf?

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Mon 07 Jan 2013, 2:43 pm

I'm a ginger monster!

by **rodders** Mon 07 Jan 2013, 3:29 pm

Hey chaps how'd BOD get on the other night?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Mon 07 Jan 2013, 3:39 pm

He got his bad game of the season out of the way before the HC

by **rodders** Mon 07 Jan 2013, 3:58 pm

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Mon 07 Jan 2013, 5:56 pm

He was pretty bad.
Luke was fairly good.
Kearney looked pretty amazing

by glamorganalun Mon 07 Jan 2013, 7:14 pm

The Scarlets should concentrate on the RABO and field a weakened team as they can't qualify for the HC, why risk injuries.

by Feckless Rogue Mon 07 Jan 2013, 7:33 pm

glamorganalun wrote:The Scarlets should concentrate on the RABO and field a weakened team as they can't qualify for the HC, why risk injuries.

I agree

by theslosty Mon 07 Jan 2013, 9:54 pm

How's SOB getting on down there? Heard things about 2011 form?

by LeinsterFan4life Mon 07 Jan 2013, 11:48 pm

theslosty wrote:How's SOB getting on down there? Heard things about 2011 form?

He's been magnificent since his return from injury. He is running threw people like he was in 2011. Expect to see him rack up more motm awards this year.

by Mickado Tue 08 Jan 2013, 7:16 am

Feckless Rogue wrote:
glamorganalun wrote:The Scarlets should concentrate on the RABO and field a weakened team as they can't qualify for the HC, why risk injuries.

I agree

I also agree.

O'Brien isn't quite back to his 2011 vintage just yet but the signs are good. Starting Jennings allows him to carry harder and more often.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 08 Jan 2013, 9:44 am

glamorganalun wrote:The Scarlets should concentrate on the RABO and field a weakened team as they can't qualify for the HC, why risk injuries.

I am not sure about throwing the match. We have had two bad results in our last two games, I am not too sure what the effect of throwing out a youth team and having their backsides handed to them would be on support/moral in and around the region.

Personally I think we shoud possibly look at resting one or two players, and playing one or two who need game time, but other than that we need to try and get a performance and result that can get some of that feel good factor back.

by Mickado Tue 08 Jan 2013, 10:29 am

What would be your preferred team?

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 08 Jan 2013, 10:36 am

Personally I think Rhodri Jones needs to get a start at loosehead, and maybe Jake Ball at lock, if he is in the squad. Possibly give Aled Thomas a rest at flyhalf and start with Dan Newton, but other than that the side that played against Ulster, with Liam Williams in at fullback, and Gareth Maule or Andy Fenby taking over from North.

by Smirnoffpriest Tue 08 Jan 2013, 11:05 am

I'd def start with Newton, I've felt we are far to pedestrian with Thomas at FH and one of the stand out thing in the Christmas games has been the difference between the oppositions 10's putting them in the right area's and ours giving ball away, kicking too far (and going over the touchline without bouncing) or too short. Even against the Blues who were poor, Patchell almost won it for them with a great performance.

IMO Newton's kicking and decision making has been good recently, especially in the 1st half against Ulster - I felt we badly missed him in the 2nd.

Rhod and Adriaanse to start, Maule has to start, Scott W is very much off form and I reckon he could do with a rest.

by Morgannwg Thu 10 Jan 2013, 2:55 pm

After all of the sh1te performances you still insist on starting with the worst scrum half in Wales. I'll never understand you people (nor the coaches that select this player).

by ScarletSpiderman Thu 10 Jan 2013, 3:05 pm

Morgannwg wrote:After all of the sh1te performances you still insist on starting with the worst scrum half in Wales. I'll never understand you people (nor the coaches that select this player).

N'ah we can't feild Rhys Webb he's an Osprey

by Morgannwg Thu 10 Jan 2013, 3:53 pm

Knoyle is the worst for being consistently poor throughout his career. At least Williams and Webb have shown they can actually play at this level. Webb is beyond gash right now though.

by dublin_dave Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:07 pm

if any of the scarlets players are interested in getting absolutely rotten drunk tonight us Leinster fans will happily foot the bill. 70-0 at HT then we can rest the lads for Exeter and 6 nations.

Looking at the other groups it is a massive ask but i think two bonus point wins could well be enough. Still potential for upsets in other groups.

Believe as that Gibbo fella would say guinness

by Mickado Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:13 pm

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

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

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Michael Bent
19: Tom Denton
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Brian O'Driscoll

SCARLETS:

15: Liam Williams
14: Andy Fenby
13: Gareth Maule
12: Scott Williams
11: Kristian Phillips
10: Aled Thomas
9: Tavis Knoyle

1: Phil John
2: Ken Owens
3: Jacobie Adriaanse
4: George Earle
5: Richard Kelly
6: Rob McCusker CAPTAIN
7: Josh Turnbull
8: Kieran Murphy

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Matthew Rees
17: Rhodri Jones
18: Samson Lee
19: Johan Synman
20: Sione Timani
21: Gareth Davies
22: Jonathan Davies
23: Adam Warren

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:13 pm

Dammit beaten by seconds!

by Mickado Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:15 pm

BOD on the bench, i'm flummoxed...

It's not bad like, I'm just flummoxed. Can't remember the last time he came off the bench. Mind games....

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:28 pm

Mickado wrote:BOD on the bench, i'm flummoxed...

It's not bad like, I'm just flummoxed. Can't remember the last time he came off the bench. Mind games....

The same goes for Jon Davies with us, both of those benches look pretty good mind (well bar lack of a fly half for the Scarlets).

by the-goon Fri 11 Jan 2013, 12:30 pm

Not bad, 3 tries to the good with 20 to go and Mads, Redden and Drico are sprung from the bench to chase that 4th....

by SubsBench Fri 11 Jan 2013, 1:35 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
Mickado wrote:BOD on the bench, i'm flummoxed...

It's not bad like, I'm just flummoxed. Can't remember the last time he came off the bench. Mind games....

The same goes for Jon Davies with us, both of those benches look pretty good mind (well bar lack of a fly half for the Scarlets).

So, we have a SH and two centres on the bench and a FH starting who hasn't been playing very well. For once I'm glad I haven't got Sky and won't be able to watch a game! After the first twenty minutes the rest of the game could be an exercise in damage limitation.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 11 Jan 2013, 1:41 pm

SubsBench wrote:So, we have a SH and two centres on the bench and a FH starting who hasn't been playing very well. For once I'm glad I haven't got Sky and won't be able to watch a game! After the first twenty minutes the rest of the game could be an exercise in damage limitation.

In our defence we have our first, third and forth (Priest, Dan Newts and Jordan) choice fly halves out injured, and out fifth choice (Gareth Owen) still on a ban. So realisitcally we have no options there, especially when you consider that player need to be HEC registered etc. We took Jordan out of the squad so we could register Adriaanse.

I think at the end of the last match we had Aled Thomas covering fullback and Scott Williams playing at flyhalf, so I guess the same will happen if we get an injury in the back 3, with Foxy coming on in the centre. Or even if Aled gets a knock Scott to fly half, Foxy on and Sanjay to take the kicks. Also I believe Foxy and Scott have played for Wales on the wing, and Warren and Maule have played there for us in the past too. I know it is not ideal, but I guess there are options in place still.

by SubsBench Fri 11 Jan 2013, 1:52 pm

yeah, suppose there isn't really another option. Shame about Newton, he looked pretty good until injury against Ulster.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri 11 Jan 2013, 1:56 pm

SubsBench wrote:yeah, suppose there isn't really another option. Shame about Newton, he looked pretty good until injury against Ulster.

It is pretty sad that we are down to the bare bones again like that. And to be honest based on his preformance against Ulster, and managing to put Nick Williams down when it was a one on one, I think Dan would have been looking to be starting fly half this week if not injured.

I think the best we can be looking for tommorrow is a losing bonus point and a full 80 mins performance. We put in a good showing for 50 mins against Ulster, and if we can just squeeze an extra half hour out, we will put ourselves in a good position for the Rabo fixture against Leinster next month (during the 6Ns).

by GoodinTightSpaces Fri 11 Jan 2013, 2:13 pm

apparently BOD is being managed. must not be back to 100% yet

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 11 Jan 2013, 2:32 pm

Where is EOM? He isn't in the A team either. At least Dave Kearney is back with the A's

by Mickado Fri 11 Jan 2013, 3:05 pm

He's still injured.

Murphy isn't in the A team either but it would seem he's on call for the first team in case of injury (which is standard).

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 11 Jan 2013, 5:44 pm

Strange call eh?

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 12 Jan 2013, 4:32 pm

LEINSTER A

Brendan Macken was the star of the show at Donnybrook as his brace of tries helped Leinster 'A' beat Pontypridd 21-9 and move four points clear at the top of Pool 5 in the British & Irish Cup...
Having lost out to the Welsh League Champions when the sides clashed at Sardis Road back in October, Leinster 'A' were eager to gain revenge in this round 5 encounter.
Thanks to the kicking prowess of Noel Reid, they managed to break the deadlock with just seven minutes of play gone when the Clontarf clubman found the target with a 30-metre penalty.

This was an ideal start to the contest for the hosts, who were well on top in the possession stakes in the early moments. But a resilient Pontypridd, who were accompanied by a vocal travelling support, were quick to cancel this out with a place-kick of their own from out-half Dai Flanagan.

As the game progressed, it was becoming clear just how important accuracy from the boot was going to be, and even though Reid made no mistake with an 11th minute penalty from the left hand side, Flanagan was on target with a difficult effort just seven minutes later.

Reid confidently struck his third penalty of the afternoon 22 minutes in, but despite threatening the Pontypridd line on a number of occasions, Girvan Dempsey's men were unable to break the visitors' well-organised defence.

Flanagan was extremely unfortunate to see a further opportunity from a kickable position come back off the post, but they had a narrow escape of their own just past the half hour mark when Andrew Conway miscalculated a pass that almost certainly would have ended in a try for Reid.

The persistence of the Pontypridd pack provided Flanagan with a chance to level matters for a third time on 38 minutes, and he duly obliged from a distance of 35 metres.

However, there was just enough time for Leinster 'A' to inflict a hammer blow upon their Celtic counterparts.

Some excellent build-up play by Reid put centre Brendan Macken through for a well-worked try on the left flank. Reid landed the subsequent conversion, giving his team a 16-9 advantage at half-time.

This gave the Blues great confidence upon the resumption, and they managed to maintain their considerable momentum from the end of the first half with a second try.

Macken completed his brace with the first attack of the half following terrific link-up play with his centre partner Jordan Coghlan.

For the first and only time in the game, Reid was wide of the mark with his conversion attempt, but Leinster 'A' now had 12 points to spare over Pontypridd - a deficit that the Principality Premiership outfit were always going to have difficulty negotiating.

To their credit, Dale McIntosh's troops did their utmost to cut into the Leinster 'A' lead, and they enjoyed a sustained period of pressure just shy of the hour mark.

Indeed, they looked like they had gotten through for their first try on 56 minutes, but they were held up a couple metres from the Leinster 'A' line.

They continued to press as much as they could, but they simply could not execute the final pass that was required to get through a compact Leinster 'A' back-line which was well-marshalled by Macken, Coghlan and David Kearney.

With the likes of James Tracy, Jack O'Connell, Jack Conan and Andrew Boyle being introduced in the closing stages, the Blues had enough energy in the tank to keep their opponents at bay.

In spite of more admirable endeavours from the Welsh side late on, Leinster 'A' had more than enough in reserve to record their fourth triumph of the pool stages.

REFEREE: Steve Lee (RFU)

by Gibson Sat 12 Jan 2013, 4:48 pm

We need to slaughter Scarlets tonight and we should do with that squad. At least a TBP and then some. No disrespect to Scarlets, but even their full squad would have problems tonight. As it is... I expect us to dish out a hammering.

Watching RCT v Sarries. Want RCT to beat them well (no LBP) to put them in fine fettle for Munster next week. 25-18 at the minute.

Biarritz can only get 19 pts now. Same with Saints. 20 pts, if we can get them, could well be enough yet. Will be cheering for both Ospreys and Edinburgh this weekend. As well as Leinster. This HC has a few twists and turns left in it yet. It always dishes up a few shocks. I love it.

Believe.

by eirebilly Sat 12 Jan 2013, 4:49 pm

Good luck to Leinster tonight. I cant see anything other than a try fest Very Happy

by Gibson Sat 12 Jan 2013, 4:55 pm

Howya Billser mate. Alles goed met jou mon? Ale

RCT 25-25 Sarries. Buhugger! Mon Racing TF!

by Gibson Sat 12 Jan 2013, 4:59 pm

Great scrum Sarries. Pen. 25-28. MON RCT!

by eirebilly Sat 12 Jan 2013, 5:01 pm

Doin grand Gibbo, hows you and yours?

Better from Sarries Very Happy

by Gibson Sat 12 Jan 2013, 5:06 pm

Grand Billy. Had a rustig Kerst. Worked thro most of it. Saves the pain of facing it again after a week or 2 off. And it fills daul bank account.

28-28. MON RCT! Must win this one to keep your hopes alive. And help Leinsters. Whistle

by eirebilly Sat 12 Jan 2013, 5:11 pm

A draw would suit me just fine Wink

by Gibson Sat 12 Jan 2013, 5:11 pm

28-31. Sarries want this bad. Fair play to em. RCT far too indisciplined.

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