The Zebras v Leinster

There were several injury concerns arising from Saturday night's derby victory over Munster in Limerick, with Dave Kearney set for a spell on the sidelines after being knocked unconscious midway through the second half. Kearney was released from hospital on Sunday morning and will follow the return to play guidelines for head injury.

Gordon D'Arcy suffered a mild calf strain in the opening minutes of the game but it is hoped that the Ireland centre will be available for the trip to Italy next weekend, while second row Quinn Roux (dead leg) should also be back in the frame.

Try-scorer Brian O'Driscoll suffered cramp on his comeback game, but he was fit to finish the game, while Sean O'Brien received treatment to a cut above his left eye which required stitches. Neither knock is expected to prevent either international from missing out on selection ahead of Friday's midday team announcement.

The province expect to have Fergus McFadden and Jonathan Sexton available, although this weekend's game is set to come a week too soon for back-row forward Jordi Murphy as he recovers from a broken hand.

Heinke van der Merwe (knee) continues to receive treatment, while Eoin O'Malley is doubtful but making progress after his long term knee injury.

LEINSTER:

15; Isa Nacewa
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brian O'Driscoll CAPTAIN
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fionn Carr
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: John Cooney

1: Jack McGrath
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Michael Bent
4: Tom Denton
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack O'Connell
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Quinn Roux
20: Leo Auva'a
21: Isaac Boss
22: Cathal Marsh
23: Andrew Conway

Sunday game with 2 x 6 day turnarounds in a row to follow.

Following Saturday v Biarritz and Friday the 3rd v Ospreys

Between 4 and 6 games left in Leinster's season. This is the only one that is not a full on knockout game.

Think I'd have Moore on the bench for this one

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Sunday game with 2 x 6 day turnarounds in a row to follow.

Following Saturday v Biarritz and Friday the 3rd v Ospreys

Between 4 and 6 games left in Leinster's season. This is the only one that is not a full on knockout game.

Yeah this is the last chance to rest guys up yet get some up to speed. Excellent team with both of these in mind Jen.
Yet at the same time we need 4 preferably 5 points from this game if we are to catch and overtake Ulster

Also Glasgow only being a point behind us is a worry if we slip up at all

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Also Glasgow only being a point behind us is a worry if we slip up at all

Glasgow have one less win though. therefore if we win both games. they need 2x bp wins to pass us. If we only win one game. bps will not save us from them.

Therefore a bp is not essential. nice to have. but not essential.

Zebre need a win to justify an HEC spot.

McGrath - Dundon - Hagan
Toner - Roux
Ruddock - SOB - Jennings
Cooney - Sexton
Carr - Goodman - Drico - Conway
Nacewa

Strauss - Healy - Ross - Cullen - McLaughlin - Boss - Madigan - Kearney

Plenty of fire power on the bench if we need it, good lineout (Dundons the only hooker who hasn't had a case of the yips and deserves a start). Get Johnny pinging the corners and maul everything from 5 yards.

I like your team too Mick but...

1) We may as well invest in Bent rather than Hagan, being selfish about it
2) Kearney needs game time to get some form back

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I like your team too Mick but...

1) We may as well invest in Bent rather than Hagan, being selfish about it
2) Kearney needs game time to get some form back

I hear ya on Bent Pete, we're in a catch 22 there, Hagan is arguably on better form right now and every game from now on is crucial, but playing him would be only for short term gain. Still though, I'd stick with Hagan.

Kearney is in poor form alright (not as bad as some people seem to think but he's not been great), played all of the 6nations games though didn't he?

He did indeed which is part of what worries me because he played 2 or 3 games before the Six Nations (returning from back injury) and he was outstanding and then got to the 6Nations and.......

I'd go Bent as I feel we should beat Zebre and with Ross on the bench there is security.

Jen put Marshall in at lock too and I like that idea also

De-Dekkification can take a while. He'll be back, don't you worry.

Remember people were writing him off when he was injured last year and he came back to with the European player of the year.

greytiger wrote:Zebre need a win to justify an HEC spot.

No they dont. Italy improving and doing well in the 6N is justification enough.

Mickado wrote:De-Dekkification can take a while. He'll be back, don't you worry.

Remember people were writing him off when he was injured last year and he came back to with the European player of the year.

True story but he only has 2 games to get himself on to the Lions plane. On current form he doesn't deserve it really

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Mickado wrote:De-Dekkification can take a while. He'll be back, don't you worry.

Remember people were writing him off when he was injured last year and he came back to with the European player of the year.

True story but he only has 2 games to get himself on to the Lions plane. On current form he doesn't deserve it really

He is behind 1/2p but only Hogg can realistically challenge him for a place on the lions.

I think both Hogg and 1/2p are ahead of him and deservedly so.

Team up. Should be enough to not become the Zebra's first victim.

LEINSTER:

15; Isa Nacewa
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brian O'Driscoll CAPTAIN
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fionn Carr
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: John Cooney

1: Jack McGrath
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Michael Bent
4: Tom Denton
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack O'Connell
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Quinn Roux
20: Leo Auva'a
21: Isaac Boss
22: Cathal Marsh
23: Andrew Conway

Apart from Bent and Dento, and Ruddock at 8, I'd say that's a pretty good team.

I think Ruddock has been a lot better over the last few months,although that has mainly been at 6.

Looks like the Amlin is being taken seriously by Leinster. Most of the team rested.

I think thats great. Annoys me when we hear about how its a nothing tournament.

The knockouts had likes of Toulouse, Leinster, Wasps, Biarritz, Gloucester, Perpignan, Stade Francais and Bath. Thats almost good enough to be Heineken Cup standard.

A humdinger of a Semi Final between Leinster and a Biarritz team who will want it to get Heineken Cup next year will be epic!

red_stag wrote:Looks like the Amlin is being taken seriously by Leinster. Most of the team rested.

I think thats great. Annoys me when we hear about how its a nothing tournament.

The knockouts had likes of Toulouse, Leinster, Wasps, Biarritz, Gloucester, Perpignan, Stade Francais and Bath. Thats almost good enough to be Heineken Cup standard.

A humdinger of a Semi Final between Leinster and a Biarritz team who will want it to get Heineken Cup next year will be epic!

Completely agree Stag.

Coupled with your point above I think this is the last game that Leinster are going to be able to rest the front runners. We could possibly have 5 games (Ospreys, Rabo semi and final and Amlin semi and final) where we are going to need all our top lads. Guys like Heaslip, SOB, Ross, Madigan need a bit of a rest before a really tough slog over the next while (depending on if we get through those semi-finals I guess)

Delighted to see McGrath in at 1, I have been looking over some games from the last month and I have been really impressed when he has come on

The fact that Madigan isn't on the bench, may mean he is going to start against Biarritz

Ledge the ledgebag wrote:The fact that Madigan isn't on the bench, may mean he is going to start against Biarritz

It definitely means that he has been playing loads of games in a row (and full games at that), I am glad he is getting a break, strange to see Marsh leapfrog Reid.

I think they've copped on that Reid isn't really a 10, I think Marsh has been starting there for the A's with Reid either at 12 or 15.

McGrath had a good game last week, definitely worth his call up. Monster.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Ledge the ledgebag wrote:The fact that Madigan isn't on the bench, may mean he is going to start against Biarritz

It definitely means that he has been playing loads of games in a row (and full games at that), I am glad he is getting a break, strange to see Marsh leapfrog Reid.

Reid is only being considered at 12 now I think. Which is why I would probably have stuck him in. Marsh to come on only in an emergency or when the game is won. Goodman and Nacewa can cover 10 if needed.

My team had Darcy at 12 with Goodman on the bench covering 10/12. When Darce was not fit, this was possibly the best option. They may want Marsh to get a bit of Rabo action too, he was way off the pace at the start of the season, but has come on well in the A games.

red_stag wrote:Looks like the Amlin is being taken seriously by Leinster. Most of the team rested.

Of course it is stag....its the lads only realistic chance of silverware this year ....

rodders wrote:

red_stag wrote:Looks like the Amlin is being taken seriously by Leinster. Most of the team rested.

Of course it is stag....its the lads only realistic chance of silverware this year ....

You could live to regret those words Rod. If we make it to your "home" final.

I reckon Ulster chose the RDS because of Leinster's extra games in the Amlin. Didn't want us to have to travel after our hard work.

This game is being played in a different stadium. Its in the Stadia Citta Tricolore.

20,000 tickets have been sold!!! According to Leinster rugby.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:This game is being played in a different stadium. Its in the Stadia Citta Tricolore.

20,000 tickets have been sold!!! According to Leinster rugby.

Wow impressive!!! Thats one of the top crowds all year. Possibly the top non derby crowd this season?

It's some sort of a charity thing,the funds are going to earthquake victims I think.I don't know if they have discounted tickets or what but it's a serious jump in attendance.

GunsGerms wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:This game is being played in a different stadium. Its in the Stadia Citta Tricolore.

20,000 tickets have been sold!!! According to Leinster rugby.

Wow impressive!!! Thats one of the top crowds all year. Possibly the top non derby crowd this season?

I'll believe that when I see them in the stadium.

Ye true Jen. Seems to much to be true. I wonder if Leinster rugby meant capacity instead of tickets sold.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:It's some sort of a charity thing,the funds are going to earthquake victims I think.I don't know if they have discounted tickets or what but it's a serious jump in attendance.

They've targeted this game all season off the pitch as a big opportunity to market the brand and get in a big crowd in for the reigning European champions.

As much as Leinster have rotated a lot, I'm glad for Zebre that Sexton and BOD are playing because they've definitely been talking up Leinster from a marketing PoV and those big stars are who the Zebre crowd want to see.

Well...... we need a bp here now. we need Ulster Leinster 1 2. Then we need to beat the Os for a home semi with the possibillity of a home final.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Sunday game with 2 x 6 day turnarounds in a row to follow.

Following Saturday v Biarritz and Friday the 3rd v Ospreys

Between 4 and 6 games left in Leinster's season. This is the only one that is not a full on knockout game.

Yeah this is the last chance to rest guys up yet get some up to speed. Excellent team with both of these in mind Jen.
Yet at the same time we need 4 preferably 5 points from this game if we are to catch and overtake Ulster

Whatever happens you are relying on us to lose at home to Cardiff now.

Notch wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Sunday game with 2 x 6 day turnarounds in a row to follow.

Following Saturday v Biarritz and Friday the 3rd v Ospreys

Between 4 and 6 games left in Leinster's season. This is the only one that is not a full on knockout game.

Yeah this is the last chance to rest guys up yet get some up to speed. Excellent team with both of these in mind Jen.
Yet at the same time we need 4 preferably 5 points from this game if we are to catch and overtake Ulster

Whatever happens you are relying on us to lose at home to Cardiff now.

We were never going to catch Ulster once they beat us. Run in was too handy for them. They then ensured we did not need to by selecting our home ground for the final.

We come 2nd and win our semi... result rds final. We come 1st and win our semi... result rds final. We come 3rd and win our semi... result rds final.

So our biggest worry was always Glasgow. We could have done with them not getting a BP tonight.

We now need 9 points to be sure of a home semi. Had they not got a BP, 2 wins would have done it.

Yeah jen, it's now importantwe get the 4 tries tomorrow

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Notch wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Sunday game with 2 x 6 day turnarounds in a row to follow.

Following Saturday v Biarritz and Friday the 3rd v Ospreys

Between 4 and 6 games left in Leinster's season. This is the only one that is not a full on knockout game.

Yeah this is the last chance to rest guys up yet get some up to speed. Excellent team with both of these in mind Jen.
Yet at the same time we need 4 preferably 5 points from this game if we are to catch and overtake Ulster

Whatever happens you are relying on us to lose at home to Cardiff now.

We were never going to catch Ulster once they beat us. Run in was too handy for them. They then ensured we did not need to by selecting our home ground for the final.

We come 2nd and win our semi... result rds final. We come 1st and win our semi... result rds final. We come 3rd and win our semi... result rds final.

So our biggest worry was always Glasgow. We could have done with them not getting a BP tonight.

Sorry Jen. As mentioned before, they're very moreish and once we'd started, we just had to finish the whole bag.

If you only leave with 4 points tonight (and it's not impossible - it's bloody warm already and the Scarlets couldn't manage 4 tries over there) then next week is going to be very interesting. We'll be at the Sportsground throwing the kitchen sink at them and you'll be fending off the Spreys at home. Game on.

Game on indeed !

Christ yeah that is a good point, next week is going to be critical. Depending on tomorrow's result we could be breaking out the calculators!

Scarlets neglected to take Sexton, Bod & Nacewa with them George. If we can secure one of those moreish bps then any win v the Os will do us fine. We focking sure owe them one.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Christ yeah that is a good point, next week is going to be critical. Depending on tomorrow's result we could be breaking out the calculators!

calculators is a bit strong pete. a win tomorrow and match their game next week and we are in. a bp win tomorrow and Any win next week will keep them out. Even if they get a bp in galway.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Christ yeah that is a good point, next week is going to be critical. Depending on tomorrow's result we could be breaking out the calculators!

calculators is a bit strong pete. a win tomorrow and match their game next week and we are in. a bp win tomorrow and Any win next week will keep them out. Even if they get a bp in galway.

Ha I'm pretty simple Jen.
Is that by order of points difference or head to head?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Christ yeah that is a good point, next week is going to be critical. Depending on tomorrow's result we could be breaking out the calculators!

calculators is a bit strong pete. a win tomorrow and match their game next week and we are in. a bp win tomorrow and Any win next week will keep them out. Even if they get a bp in galway.

Ha I'm pretty simple Jen.
Is that by order of points difference or head to head?

Neither Pete. Head to Head is in the HC pools.

The Rabo goes on wins first. If we win our last 2 the only way Glasgow can pass us is by scoring a BP in the sportsground. If we get a BP win tomorrow and ANY win next week they can't catch us.

We are both on 15 wins, but we have a game in hand.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Christ yeah that is a good point, next week is going to be critical. Depending on tomorrow's result we could be breaking out the calculators!

calculators is a bit strong pete. a win tomorrow and match their game next week and we are in. a bp win tomorrow and Any win next week will keep them out. Even if they get a bp in galway.

Ha I'm pretty simple Jen.
Is that by order of points difference or head to head?

Neither Pete. Head to Head is in the HC pools.

The Rabo goes on wins first. If we win our last 2 the only way Glasgow can pass us is by scoring a BP in the sportsground. If we get a BP win tomorrow and ANY win next week they can't catch us.

We are both on 15 wins, but we have a game in hand.

ledge-bag

I'm confident that with Sexton, McFadden, Isa and BOD in the side, we will close this deal.

A lot of that team are fresh and hungry and have a lot to prove. As in that whole pack. We have missed Strauss badly also. Its great to see Dom Ryan back at 7. He needs a nice clear, injury-free run.

With our full-strength side out, we will hammer a failing O's next week too. I expect 10 pts from the last 2 games.

Believe.

Gibson wrote:I'm confident that with Sexton, McFadden, Isa and BOD in the side, we will close this deal.

A lot of that team are fresh and hungry and have a lot to prove. As in that whole pack. We have missed Strauss badly also. Its great to see Dom Ryan back at 7. He needs a nice clear, injury-free run.

With our full-strength side out, we will hammer a failing O's next week too. I expect 10 pts from the last 2 games.

Believe.

+1

Also hope Strauss gets the bit between the teeth now and finishes the season really strongly cos he's had a somewhat fragmented season so far

There are two big battles coming up between now and 2015 for hooker.

Best v Strauss for the starting hooker berth will be very interesting. Both starting for their province. Both have the ability to do very well. Comes down to form and tactics.

The other battle will be Mike Sherry v Sean Cronin for the third choice hooker. This will be a very tight one too.

red_stag wrote:There are two big battles coming up between now and 2015 for hooker.

Best v Strauss for the starting hooker berth will be very interesting. Both starting for their province. Both have the ability to do very well. Comes down to form and tactics.

The other battle will be Mike Sherry v Sean Cronin for the third choice hooker. This will be a very tight one too.

Completely agree.
Neither Best nor Strauss have been playing good rugby lately. I had Best nailed on for the Lions 2 shirt in December but since then he has looked pretty poor in some aspects of his game (granted he has maintained very high standards in other areas)

Similarly Strauss I thought could be an option to tour, this obviously won't happen now due to his injury but that withstanding his form this season has not been great. Cronin has improved hugely this year (especially since Xmas I feel)

Sherry is an interesting prospect. He has looked very sharp and at 24 has still lots of time to develop especially that he is Munster's starting hooker.

I think he has won the battle with Varley but with Munster having released James Rael and Sean Henry it means that Ireland U20 captain Niall Scannell will begin to get a chance.