Leinster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors, 27 March

                   
Leinster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors
Friday 27 March 2015
KO 19:35
RDS Arena
Dooblin

Live on TG4/BBC 2 Scotland

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 121st competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Barry Kieran (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: John Cole (IRFU )
TMO: Seamus Fannery (IRFU )

A. Teams:

Leinster Rugby

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Ian Madigan
11. Dave Kearney
10. Jimmy Gopperth
09. Eoin Reddan

01. Michael Bent
02. Richardt Strauss
03. Marty Moore
04. Tom Denton
05. Mike McCarthy
06. Jordi Murphy
07. Shane Jennings (c)
08. Jack Conan

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Gordon D'Arcy
23. Luke Fitzgerald

Glasgow Warriors

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Peter Horne
11. DTH van der Merwe
10. Finn Russell
09. Nikola Matawalu

08. Josh Strauss
07. Chris Fusaro
06. Rob Harley
05. Al Kellock (c)
04. Tim Swinson
03. Zander Fagerson
02. Fraser Brown
01. Alex Allan

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Michael Cusack
19. Jonny Gray
20. Adam Ashe
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Connor Braid
23. Richie Vernon.

B. Form - head to head:

29 Played 29
18 Wins 9
9 Losses 18
2 Draws 2
65 Tries 52
47 Conversions 33
85 Penalties 56
1 Drop Goals 3
677 Points 503
26 Avg. Age 25

C. Form:

Sat 6 Sept 2014
Glasgow Warriors 22 - 20 Leinster Rugby

Sat 31 May 2014 (Final)
Leinster Rugby 34 - 12 Glasgow Warriors

Sat 1 March 2014
Leinster Rugby 28 - 25 Glasgow Warriors

Fri 20 Sept 2013
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6 Leinster Rugby

Given Glasgow have a week off after this, I suspect we'll see the majority of Scotland players.

Saying that, I think Gray and Bennett need a break - this will have been a hell of a tough period mentally and physically for both young men. Give them 3 weeks to rest and recover before the next game and I'm sure we'll see the better of them come the end of the season.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Given Glasgow have a week off after this, I suspect we'll see the majority of Scotland players.

Saying that, I think Gray and Bennett need a break - this will have been a hell of a tough period mentally and physically for both young men. Give them 3 weeks to rest and recover before the next game and I'm sure we'll see the better of them come the end of the season.

I actually don't think that we can afford to give either of them a week off.

In terms of locks, Nakarawa is still serving the final week of his ban for 'going native' and nutting Marc Thomas and Ryder has now gone south.

For centres, Dunbar is broken, Fraser Lyle has buggered off to play 7s and Richie Vernon is a mad giraffe as we all know.

We absolutely have to take down this Leinster side, who have really been very average by the standards set by that club over the past few years.

There are only 5 games left and nearly a fortnight off from this game to Cardiff Blues on 10 April. Every game is crucial and I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of internationalists feature on both sides.

I think we need to be concerned about the front row, with Reid, Welsh, Murray and now Grant injured. We're down to 3rd and 4th choice.
May not be a problem, as we have Jerry, Coo, Fagerson and the SA fella, but will they be enough if Leinster have some grizzly old props?

Leinster 4 props all took part in the Irish dominant scrum this 6 nations, they aren't old grizzly old props (well apart from Mike Ross!) but Glasgow injury list isn't the only reason to be worried about the scrum indeed.

How do we download and re-motivate our players after the polluting crap they have been fed over the last 6 weeks ? Not good at all. Over to you Toonie/Shade/KM

Scotsman reporting that Bennett will need to come through concussion protocols to play in this game, which seems to be awfully soon. Also, apparently Ryan Grant doesn't need surgery but he did his knee and seems unlikely to play.

Not ideal. Very hard to choose a team until Toonie knows who might be available to him. As I mentioned above, I fully expect the international players to be involved. All games are 'must win' now.

Any Leinster fans care to have a guess as to how many of the Irish squad will feature in this one? Quite a few in the match day 23 - Kearney, Fitz, Healy, Ross, Toner, O'Brien, Heaslip, Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Murphy, Reddan and Madigan.

George Carlin wrote:
Any Leinster fans care to have a guess as to how many of the Irish squad will feature in this one? Quite a few in the match day 23 - Kearney, Fitz, Healy, Ross, Toner, O'Brien, Heaslip, Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Murphy, Reddan and Madigan.

Just because it's you Jorgos.

For me. Kearney and Toner defo out. We could have the rest. Possibly rest a couple of the props but you could argue we don't need them.

Heaslip? Not played that much. Just coming back into form. He is the only other one that might get a break.

We are incredibly lucky with injuries over the 6N (Touching every piece of wood in sight) And Kevin McLaughlin is the only senior squad player currently injured.

Having said all that. This is the team that lost at home to the Dragons. And had a very good team out v Scarlets in the last game and got lashed out of it.

Glasgow are the form team in the league and must be pi$$ed off losing at the RDS. Though they did win there in 11/12. A season where we only lost 4 games in all comps all season. (3 to the Ospreys)

Glasgow could be in luck if the leinster boys are still hungover from their 6ns partying!

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

George Carlin wrote:
Any Leinster fans care to have a guess as to how many of the Irish squad will feature in this one? Quite a few in the match day 23 - Kearney, Fitz, Healy, Ross, Toner, O'Brien, Heaslip, Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Murphy, Reddan and Madigan.

Just because it's you Jorgos.

For me. Kearney and Toner defo out. We could have the rest. Possibly rest a couple of the props but you could argue we don't need them.

Heaslip? Not played that much. Just coming back into form. He is the only other one that might get a break.

We are incredibly lucky with injuries over the 6N (Touching every piece of wood in sight) And Kevin McLaughlin is the only senior squad player currently injured.

Having said all that. This is the team that lost at home to the Dragons. And had a very good team out v Scarlets in the last game and got lashed out of it.

Glasgow are the form team in the league and must be pi$$ed off losing at the RDS. Though they did win there in 11/12. A season where we only lost 4 games in all comps all season. (3 to the Ospreys)

Good [man/woman], Jen.

tigertattie wrote:Glasgow could be in luck if the leinster boys are still hungover from their 6ns partying!

Caught us out in Thomond park for the Pro12 final in 2011

George Carlin wrote:
Good [man/woman], Jen.

I'm some man for one woman.

It seems the IRFU don't agree with me and won't release ANY starters.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:It seems the IRFU don't agree with me and won't release ANY starters.

Really unfortunate for Leinster.

When will Maitland be back for Glasgow?

Don't know SirBurger - he's been away for far too long.

I see Sir Nige of Owens is going to be holding the whistle :

Will Leinster have their new false teeth in for the final run of the season???

Some O'Connor gold dust would be approved of in the Leinsterish attack department. But I guess that crock of .... gold... is empty at this stage. No three wishes is going to fill it either.

Would there be many tears shed in IRFU headquarters if Leinster weren't in any Cup finals before the RWC?

FecklessRogue wrote:Would there be many tears shed in IRFU headquarters if Leinster weren't in any Cup finals before the RWC?

I'm not saying. I'm pleading innocence.

Just realised that Leinster have the ERCC quarters against Bath on 4 April.
Resting their international players for this league game would make sense, in that case.

Yes, it would make sense... provided Leinster had some serious power intent for that Bath game. Then you could acknowledge that balancing of the books with regard to Glasgow. But ................. oh well, who is to know. I'd just like to see a return to some kind of Leinster defiance at some point at the end of this season. Bath I suppose would be the priority for that if O'Connor had the savvy to unlock it.

Hopefully attitude, focus, mindset from all those involved in the 6Ns squad remains in their heads for the next fortnight. If even half of it does then they could put in a performance despite MOC.

Glasgow team out this lunchtime.

15. Hogg
14. Seymour
13. Bennett
12. Horne
11. DTH
10. Russell
9. Matawalu

8. Strauss
7. Fusaro
6. Harley
5. Kellock
4. Swinson
3. Fagerson
2. Brown
1. Allan

16. MacArthur
17. Yanuyanutawa
18. Cusack
19. Gray
20. Ashe
21. Pyrgos
22. Braid
23. Vernon

Dodgers of the Soap:

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Tommy Seymour
13. Mark Bennett
12. Peter Horne
11. DTH Van Der Merwe
10. Finn Russell
09. Nikola Matawalu

08. Josh Strauss
07. Chris Fusaro
06. Rob Harley
05. Al Kellock (c)
04. Tim Swinson
03. Zander Fagerson
02. Fraser Brown
01. Alex Allan

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Michael Cusack
19. Jonny Gray
20. Adam Ashe
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Connor Braid
23. Richie Vernon

Wow. The big guns locked and loaded.

Thanks Mr Fever.
With the exception of two very inexperienced props. That is a very strong side.

Alex Dunbar at 12 is probably the only change from a first choice set of backs. (note how I skilfully avoid the ,"Is Niko a genius or liability?" debate).
The back row could well be starting for Scotland in the World Cup. Yes I know Cowan made more steals than anyone else in the tournament, but there is a lot more to being a really good 7 and I'm not sure he has got it.
Assuming the Mighty Coo is fit then there is plenty of grunt to come on when they swap the front rows round.
I like the split on the bench, just slightly surprised that the Jedi isn't there to give Ickle Jonny or Arthur Ashe a rest. I get the feeling Toonie feels that a win here all but guarantees us a play off spot. Mind you if the IRFU/ Ladyboys prioritising committee decide to rest the eight lads who were on duty at Murrayfield then I see no reason why we shouldn't feel a win is achievable.
Can't wait for kick off.

Ladyboys team announced. I'll let someone else put it up. My first impression is it's beatable.

Really strong line-up from Glasgow, and a particularly attacking backline.

Hugely excited to see such a young and promising front row, and there's plenty oomph among the forwards on the bench.

I think Glasgow will win.

They're pretty.
Oh so pretty:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Ian Madigan
11. Dave Kearney
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Marty Moore
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Jordi Murphy
7. Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8. Jack Conan

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Gordon D'Arcy
23. Luke Fitzgerald

That's some team! On the bench. Or did the team announcers get the list upside down?

When are the IRFU going to force Madigen to play 10? It looks like he will be the 10 cover for the WC so it makes sense for him to play there. Also, it means we don't have to suffer Jimmy bleeding Gopperth!

I think Mad Dog against Hornee Furra Linee at 12 should be worth watching.

So should Ben Te'o against the Messiah.

For some reason, I cannot see the name "Te'o" without this running through my head:


It's killing me.

Hopefully the weather stays like it is today and we get some running rugby. The Pro 12 has been quite turgid during the 6N period but these games usually turn out to be crackers.

How confident are Leinster fans of a tidy and morally superior victory? And where is my boy Gibson, ffs? You cannot avoid us forever you young scallywag.

George Carlin wrote:How confident are Leinster fans of a tidy and morally superior victory? And where is my boy Gibson, ffs? You cannot avoid us forever you young scallywag.

I believe the morally superior victory is already in the bag, whatever the result.

the-goon wrote:When are the IRFU going to force Madigen to play 10? It looks like he will be the 10 cover for the WC so it makes sense for him to play there. Also, it means we don't have to suffer Jimmy bleeding Gopperth!

To be fair, if we take three 10s he could be covering inside centre as well. The last Irish training squad had no inside centre in it apart from Robbie Henshaw...

I think the few times i have seen Madigan at flyhalf he has been no great shakes, certainly no better than Gopperth anyway.

Leinster should really be targeting the scrum in the 1st half as Glasgow will have 2 youngsters propping up. Then it will be trickier once Cusack and Gray comes in

I will make a bold prediction and say if Leinster lose this they are out of the playoffs but they will beat Bath next week.

First time I can recall ben marshall been named in a side this season.

Is douglas injured?

VinceWLB wrote:I think the few times i have seen Madigan at flyhalf he has been no great shakes, certainly no better than Gopperth anyway.

Leinster should really be targeting the scrum in the 1st half as Glasgow will have 2 youngsters propping up. Then it will be trickier once Cusack and Gray comes in  

I will make a bold prediction and say if Leinster lose this they are out of the playoffs but they will beat Bath next week.

Both sides have some power coming off the bench, but I actually think the young Glasgow front row will do ok. I have big hopes for all three.

Has anyone read the preview on the BBC website?

It would be nice if they got someone with an interest in sport to write these.

"Third-placed Leinster trail Glasgow by eight points in the league but have a game in hand over the Warriors."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32068546

MrsP wrote:Has anyone read the preview on the BBC website?

It would be nice if they got someone with an interest in sport to write these.

"Third-placed Leinster trail Glasgow by eight points in the league but have a game in hand over the Warriors."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32068546

The BBC is full of Interns staffing these online pages. It's about the same as having employees to write up your 'personal' tweets. "Write something. Nobody will notice anyway."

I think the Ulztars v Edinburgh Blues is actually going to be a better game, with both of them in 7th position at the moment. Good fight that will be.

SecretFly wrote:I think the Ulztars v Edinburgh Blues is actually going to be a better game, with both of them in 7th position at the moment.  Good fight that will be.

You should speak with your intern....

Late change for Glasgow - Finn Russell injured his ankle yesterday so Vernon comes in at 12 and Horne to 10.

Big blow for Glasgow - hopefully it isn't too serious.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Late change for Glasgow - Finn Russell injured his ankle yesterday so Vernon comes in at 12 and Horne to 10.

Big blow for Glasgow - hopefully it isn't too serious.

  Vernon at 12 isn't too far away from Niko at lock.

Why not Braid at 10 or 12 instead?

anybody have a good link for this?

Oh hai Glasgow.

Looking rather sharp this evening

Ouch Zander

Let Glasgow play and they will be dangerous!

Ritchie Vernon clearly can play at 12!