Leinster v Scarlets

So here it is. 3rd v 4th. The 2nd biggest game of the weekend.

Possible Leinster team

McGrath
Dundon
Hagan
Cullen
Marshall
Ryan
Jennings
Murphy

Boss
Madigan
Conway
Goodman
O'Malley
Kearney
Nacewa

T Sexton
Van Der Merwe
Moore
Flanagan
Auva'a
Cooney
Reid
Carr

Possibly get 1 or 2 of these back, with the more likely ones listed first.

Bent
Ruddock
McLaughlin
Toner
Fitzgerald
McFadden
Reddan
Cronin

If Nacewa is still out, Conway to FB Carr on and Hudson at 23.

I would love to see Moore get a game. I'm getting seriously worried with Munster sniffing around for an IQ TH, that with Moore's lack of gametime he will leave. That would be a disaster imo.

One positive about Kidney ignoring Madigan...

It would be a real pain in the hole if we don't get the likes of Bent, Ruddock or McLaughlin back. They're about as likely to play against Scotland as I am.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I would love to see Moore get a game. I'm getting seriously worried with Munster sniffing around for an IQ TH, that with Moore's lack of gametime he will leave. That would be a disaster imo.

How old is Moore? 20-21. It's hard to see him going to another province and getting serious gametime. Hagan has only another year on his contract and if he isn't transferred to another province at the end of this season will possibly go to the Jeff next season if Bent is kept on. As in most things at Leinster there will be a plan for Moore to progress in the right way

I think the Scarlets may feild more or less the same side (depending on WRU release)

Owen, Li Williams (or Reynolds), Maule, Warren, Fenby, O Williams, A Davies;
Rh Jones, E Phillips, Adriaanse, Earle, Snyman, McCusker, Turnbull ( or Edwards), Murphy
(bench -: Myhill, John, Lee, Ball, Edwards/Timani, G Davies, Thomas, Reynolds/K Phillips)

Mickado wrote:One positive about Kidney ignoring Madigan...

It would be a real pain in the hole if we don't get the likes of Bent, Ruddock or McLaughlin back. They're about as likely to play against Scotland as I am.

Not being ignored any longer........

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28403.php

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:One positive about Kidney ignoring Madigan...

It would be a real pain in the hole if we don't get the likes of Bent, Ruddock or McLaughlin back. They're about as likely to play against Scotland as I am.

Not being ignored any longer........

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28403.php

But he has been called up because McSharry is injured, so that must mean he is cover for 12? He is there to hold tackle bags.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:One positive about Kidney ignoring Madigan...

It would be a real pain in the hole if we don't get the likes of Bent, Ruddock or McLaughlin back. They're about as likely to play against Scotland as I am.

Not being ignored any longer........

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28403.php

But he has been called up because McSharry is injured, so that must mean he is cover for 12? He is there to hold tackle bags.

Jaysus I hope so from a Leinster POV. It would be hard on us if we had to start Reid V the Scarlets. At least Ulster can press Pienaar into service at 10.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:One positive about Kidney ignoring Madigan...

It would be a real pain in the hole if we don't get the likes of Bent, Ruddock or McLaughlin back. They're about as likely to play against Scotland as I am.

Not being ignored any longer........

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28403.php

But he has been called up because McSharry is injured, so that must mean he is cover for 12? He is there to hold tackle bags.

Jaysus I hope so from a Leinster POV. It would be hard on us if we had to start Reid V the Scarlets. At least Ulster can press Pienaar into service at 10.

I would say he will be given back, but its not ideal that he is not training with us.

just realised the setious potential depth Leinster have in the back row..... any word of any of them moving to get more game time? I would like to see one of Murphy, Ryan or Ruddock move to Connacht.

Ryan is the only one who is out of contract this May.

Murphy just signed a development contract.

Marshall who seems to be more likely to feature in the 2nd row will sign too.

Gilsenan is in 2nd year academy and looks serious. Conan Leavy and Van der Flier in first year.

Leinster seem to have back rowers coming out of their ears.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Ryan is the only one who is out of contract this May.

Murphy just signed a development contract.

Marshall who seems to be more likely to feature in the 2nd row will sign too.

Gilsenan is in 2nd year academy and looks serious. Conan Leavy and Van der Flier in first year.

Leinster seem to have back rowers coming out of their ears.

We have so many that Coughlan, who was imo our best backrower in the JWC converted to centre.

Connacht are in the market for a backrower specifically a 7. Alot of speculation about Ryan moving west but I would love to see him stay. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Gilsenan moved West?

strong looking leinster team considering they are missing the likes of Cronin Fitzgerald,Heaslip, Kearney,sexton,McFadden,O'Brien,O'Driscoll, Reddan, Ross,Toner,D'Arcy, Healy etc....

Think the Scarlets will go with the same team that beat Muster. Although one or two injury concerns.

Possibly a good time to go to dublin, but aren't clemornt the only team to win there this season? think i'd be happy with a LB point to be truthful.

pioden gorllewin wrote:strong looking leinster team considering they are missing the likes of Cronin Fitzgerald,Heaslip, Kearney,sexton,McFadden,O'Brien,O'Driscoll, Reddan, Ross,Toner,D'Arcy, Healy etc....

Think the Scarlets will go with the same team that beat Muster. Although one or two injury concerns.

Possibly a good time to go to dublin, but aren't clemornt the only team to win there this season? think i'd be happy with a LB point to be truthful.

And I'd be happy to give you one...... LBP that is.

Madigan will spend the week with Ireland and may find himself on the Ireland or Leinster bench.

Goodman and Eoin O'Malley will probably move in a place in that case. with macken coming in at 13.

McLaughlin injured, but we will probably have Bent and Ruddock.

Sorry to go off topic, but just saw that Terenure lost to Roscrea in the Senior Cup. Why are Roscrea (from Tipperary) not in the Munster cup instead of the Leinster one?

Golden wrote:Sorry to go off topic, but just saw that Terenure lost to Roscrea in the Senior Cup. Why are Roscrea (from Tipperary) not in the Munster cup instead of the Leinster one?

always have been. the college is on the tipp offaly border and therefore the leinster munster one too.
The rugby club is in the same area and the playing fields of the college are actually in Leinster as far as I know.

Ah right cheers for that Jen. Quick google search and I see that Gavin Duffy and O'Halloran went there.

There is also Buccaneers RFC whose ground "Dubarry park" is in Leinster but they play in Connacht.
I can see Connacht and Leinster fans quibbling over Robbie Henshaw, as he is from Athlone which is in both provinces.

Anything west of the Shannon is Athlone County Roscommon (Connacht) whereas anything to the east (Main bulk of the town) is Athlone Co Westmeath. (Leinster)

Dunno where Robbie's house is.

Scarlets have Shingler, turnbull, knoyle and another (can not remember who) back this weekend

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Scarlets have Shingler, turnbull, knoyle and another (can not remember who) back this weekend

Matthew Rees

Only missing about 4 to Wales.

Not sure how many injuries you have. We are missing 20

I think it is 11 to Ireland 7 injuries and 2 suspensions.

How long is Denton suspended for?

Not having liam williams released might be a problem for us, if gareth owen doesn't recover in time. heard that Nacewa might be injured, is this true?

Isa is almost certain not to make it.
He played the game against you last month with a broken arm. I think they want to get him right for the end of the season.

Probably the glasgow game on the 23rd of march is my guess for when you will see him.

I really hope Madigan gets time to play this game. I mean, Kidney really jerked around (yeah i'm using that expression now) by travelling to Llanelli to see ROG live when he could have gone to the RDS and watched ROG on the tv, thus seeing all 3 available outhalves in the same weekend. Instead he goes to Wales, misses Madigan having a cracking game, then doesn't call him up, then does call him up, then doesn't select him.

Since only those of us lucky enough to be there can tell you how well Madigan played you can take it from me, he actually levitated off the pitch for about 6 seconds at one stage, and i'm pretty sure i saw him pass the ball with his arse, fixing 6 defenders at once. To steal a phrase from my good friend MickyT, it was like watching the tele, ironically.

Scarlets side

Aled Thomas, Nic Reynolds, Gareth Maule, Adam Warren, Andy Fenby, Owen Williams, ALed Davies;
Phil John, Emyr Phillips, Jacobie Adriaanse, George Earle, Johan Snyman, Aaron Shingler, Josh Tunbull, Rob McCusker (c)
(bench -: Matthew Rees, Rhodri Jones, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Sione Timani, Gareth Davies, Kristian Phillips, Dale Ford)

Shame Gareth Owen couldn't shake off his injury for this game. Back 3 look pretty weak defensively and in attack. Having KP on the bench doesn't fill me with confidence either. Good to see dale ford back, after an unlucky run of injuries.

Pack looks pretty strong - and glad easterby has kept with aled & Owen has the half back pairing.

Back three are looking a bit too makeshift. Not filled with too much confidence.

LEINSTER:

15: Dave Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fionn Carr
10: Noel Reid
9: Isaac Boss

1: Jack McGrath
2: Aaron Dundon
3: Michael Bent
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Ben Marshall
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jordi Murphy

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Thomas Sexton
17: Jack O'Connell
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Mark Flanagan
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: John Cooney
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fergus McFadden


Noel Reid, good player in attack, but could be targetted in defense. Our backrow is very strong (all things considered) so hopefully he can get some quick ball to work with. Looking forward to this one more than the Irish game tbh!

Interesting that Murphy is at 8? Is that due to Ruddock training with Ireland all week?

Murphy has started the last 2 games (away to Cardiff and home to Treviso) at 8. Ruddock started the last game at 6 with Ryan at 7.

Ah right... Didn't notice! Always thought of him as a blindside! Still good prospect. Think he's got a chance to displace Jamie in the next season or two?

Murphy is a much better 8 than Ruddock. Ruddock has been great all season at 6 though, so its unlucky that he misses out. The competition for backrow is fierce; even with all the internationals gone.

Murphy is a cracking prospect, but right now he's a better openside. I hope he sticks with 8 and improves there, because there's just too many bodies vying for position on the flanks at this stage.

Heaslip, O'Brien, Jennings, McLaughlin, Ryan, Ruddock, Murphy, Conan, Gilsenan, Auva'a. Quality depth.

pioden gorllewin wrote:Shame Gareth Owen couldn't shake off his injury for this game. Back 3 look pretty weak defensively and in attack. Having KP on the bench doesn't fill me with confidence either. Good to see dale ford back, after an unlucky run of injuries.

Pack looks pretty strong - and glad easterby has kept with aled & Owen has the half back pairing.

Looking at our side I have a feeling we will be doing the 10 man rugby approach. Pinging it to the corners, and just trying to keep it in their half to live off any mistakes. Our pack is looking decent and showing some real attitude around the park, and even the subs for the pack are all hard grafting niggly sods, so fingers crossed for a repeat in game plan from last weekend.

Indeed, when you think Coghlan moved to centre to try and get gametime! We're blessed in this country when it comes to depth at least at Pro12 level for backrowers.

Ulster have plenty of depth (Ferris, Henry, Wilson, Williams, Diack, Birch, Joyce, McComish, Doyle, Henderson) as do Munster (O'Donnell, Stander, Coughlan, O'Mahony, O'Callaghan, Holland, Ronan, Butler, Dougall)

Is this game on the box at all?

Mickado wrote:I really hope Madigan gets time to play this game. I mean, Kidney really jerked around (yeah i'm using that expression now) by travelling to Llanelli to see ROG live when he could have gone to the RDS and watched ROG on the tv, thus seeing all 3 available outhalves in the same weekend. Instead he goes to Wales, misses Madigan having a cracking game, then doesn't call him up, then does call him up, then doesn't select him.

Since only those of us lucky enough to be there can tell you how well Madigan played you can take it from me, he actually levitated off the pitch for about 6 seconds at one stage, and i'm pretty sure i saw him pass the ball with his arse, fixing 6 defenders at once. To steal a phrase from my good friend MickyT, it was like watching the tele, ironically.

Is this on Telly? Can't find it...

http://nutjob.eu/njtvx7.html

try this link mckay. this is what im watching it on.

Diolch yn fawr

croeso

Madigan simply outstanding once again. No surprise there. Jordi Murphy is going to ba a star and its great to see Ruddock finally starting to play to his potential again,

Yup. Madigan changed the game from the moment he came on. Cooney is looking good too. Murphy just gets better.

I can see us topping the PRO12 in a few games. Ho hum.

Its going to be tough Gibbo as Ulster haven't got a difficult run in. If only Horne didn't miss that kick infront of the posts to deny Ulster a LBP.

We have Ulster at home Fan. That's a 5 pointer. A 10 pointer even...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nYX-iuUFk

Murphy is of the same mould as O'Brien from the looks of things. Very quick and powerful guy. I can see them two on the flanks for Leinster in the future. Unless he decides to focus playing at 8.

Out of the young Leinster stars in the back row (Ryan, Murphy, Ruddock) Murphy has been on top I think.

Gibson wrote: We have Ulster at home Fan. That's a 5 pointer. A 10 pointer even...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5nYX-iuUFk

Good luck, you're going to need it sir.

Yup, I belive we can do it.

Also isn't Dundon a great man to have in the squad. He is great with his throwing.

And we have Ireland's future backup 10 when that Cork gobshoite gets sacked.

Just joshin Rory. Its all still to play for...

Beware of Glasgow Warriors. Incredible consistency and belief.

I fancied them at the start of the season. Love to see them make the Final.

Here is a question that I reckon will get a few different opinions:

Is Madigan going to be a better player for Leinster than Sexton? I reckon he is a more dangerous player at least.