Champions Cup Pool 5: Leinster v Bath, 16 January

            
Leinster Rugby v Bath Rugby 
Saturday 16 January 2016
KO 17:30
RDS Arena, Dublin

Live on Sky Sports / beIN Sports

Referee Pascal Gauzere (France)
Touch Judge 1 Maxime Chalon (France)
Touch Judge 2 Jean-Luc Rebollal (France)
Fourth Official Eric Gonthier (France)
TMO Eric Gonthier (France)
Assessor Jerry Wallis (England)
Citing Commissioner Alberto Recaldini (Italy)

A. Head to Head

8 Played 8
6 Wins 2
2 Losses 6
0 Draws 0
215 Points 153

B. Tournament Form

Leinster Rugby
19/12/15: Leinster 16 - 20 Toulon
13/12/15: Toulon 24 - 9 Leinster
21/11/15: Bath 19 - 16 Leinster

Bath Rugby
10/1/16: Toulon 12 - 9 Bath
19/12/15: Bath 10 - 36 Wasps
13/12/15: Wasps 23 - 25 Bath

C. Teams

Leinster Rugby

15. Zane Kirchner; 14. Isa Nacewa, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Ben Te'o, 11. Dave Kearney; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Peter Dooley, 2. James Tracy, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Josh Van Der Flier, 8. Jordi Murphy

16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Martin Moore, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. Noel Reid

Bath Rugby

15. Anthony Watson; 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Kyle Eastmond, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. George Ford, 9. Chris Cook; 1. Max Lahiff, 2. Rob Webber, 3. David Wilson, 4. Stuart Hooper, 5. Dom Day, 6. Matt Garvey, 7. Francois Louw, 8. Leroy Houston

16. Ross Batty, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. David Denton, 21. Jonathan Evans, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Tom Homer

Jaysus, I remember when you couldn't move on their boards for gleefully posting Ladyboy fans. Now:

To be fair, that was mainly gibbo though, he was like 25 Leinster posters rolled into 1

Cannot see past a Bath win here. They should be targetting a TBP.

Baths last trip to Dublin ended in defeat but from memory they paid too much respect to Leinster and the game was there for them to win easily if they had realised. Both teams have gone in different directions since then so should be comfortable for Bath.

A Euro match with a PRL team and it isn't on BT Sport, is something wrong there?

BT don't cover away matches outside the UK.

Maybe Bath will win but I doubt it this time and certainly the chances of a TBP against the meanest defence in the pro12 are nil. Given Bath's position in the AP maybe you can clarify how they gave gone in a different direction to Leinster who are beginning to show some improvement after a lousy start. Don't think Bath will get out of this group but frankly if bath or Wasps qualify as long as Toulon don't.

I expect a pretty comfortable Leinster win,we're a different team now that Cullen has had a chance to make his mark and as long as we don't capitulate in the scrum like we did in the away fixture then I'd say we should win by 10.

This is a huge game for us as a big win here can set us up for the next campaign. Hopefully VDF and Ringrose start and get that exposure.

Let's face it, Leinster have nothing to play for. Bath should win comfortably with the players they have got. Leinster already out so dead match for them. Their position in the pool doesn't have any effect on rankings next year so probably should try out a few of the academy players alongside some of the more experienced players.

Try bonus should be a realistic achievement.

Should be a comfortable win for Leinster, though with captain Hooper returned at least Bath showed some grit against Toulon.

Leinster are in a much better place then when they faced Bath last time. They wont want to end their season in Europe with no wins and this is an easier game then away to Wasps. Plus Im sure they'd love to knock Bruce Craig's play thing out of Europe.

I'd expect a strong Leinster team injuries withstanding.

LondonTiger wrote:Should be a comfortable win for Leinster,

Pot Hale wrote:Bath should win comfortably

Hmm - I see the scrap for the plucky underdog tag has kicked off...

Bath have been really poor so far this year. I wouldn't really bet on them beating anyone if they turn up as they have in the prem. That said they are clearly capable of much more, Ford has started to look back to his better form and he's important making the whole team tick. I wouldn't like to say who is favourite.

It'll probably be a draw

Leinster to win

Leinster Rugby
15. Zane Kirchner; 14. Isa Nacewa, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Ben Te'o, 11. Dave Kearney; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Luke McGrath; 1. Peter Dooley, 2. James Tracy, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Ross Molony, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Josh Van Der Flier, 8. Jordi Murphy
16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Martin Moore, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. Noel Reid

Bath Rugby
15. Anthony Watson; 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Kyle Eastmond, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. George Ford, 9. Chris Cook; 1. Max Lahiff, 2. Rob Webber, 3. David Wilson, 4. Stuart Hooper, 5. Dom Day, 6. Matt Garvey, 7. Francois Louw, 8. Leroy Houston
16. Ross Batty, 17. Nick Auterac, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. David Denton, 21. Jonathan Evans, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Tom Homer

Exciting Leinster team but the scrum could be a worry.

Yikes very surprsied Cullen didnt go for the strongest team.

Massive task for the front 5.

Youd have to favour Bath now.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Exciting Leinster team but the scrum could be a worry.

Are you happy with Cullen? I must admit that I thought it was a mistake to appoint him but I can see what he is trying to do and if it clicks, Leinster may be a very good team again.

eirebilly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Exciting Leinster team but the scrum could be a worry.

Are you happy with Cullen? I must admit that I thought it was a mistake to appoint him but I can see what he is trying to do and if it clicks, Leinster may be a very good team again.

Certainly playing better rugby than we were under MOC. I think it will all come down to who we sign for next season. If we get a top SH and second row we could have a really good team but I have no faith in Leinster/IRFU scouting.

The big difference between the two for me is, Cullen is willing to start younger players. I suppose the pressure to succeed had dissipated once Cullen inherited a backfiring team. I don't think we're playing particularly inspiring rugby, and on top of that we're out of Europe already and our group is hardly amazing (6th and 9th placed premiership sides have beaten us). But we're clearly making progress - something I never felt when watching MOC's side came within a hair of the HC final last year.

I hope both teams lose

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Exciting Leinster team but the scrum could be a worry.

Are you happy with Cullen? I must admit that I thought it was a mistake to appoint him but I can see what he is trying to do and if it clicks, Leinster may be a very good team again.

Certainly playing better rugby than we were under MOC. I think it will all come down to who we sign for next season. If we get a top SH and second row we could have a really good team but I have no faith in Leinster/IRFU scouting.

With Madigan away, I think Leinster also need to sign a good 10 (or have they already, not up to date with Leinster transfer news) to cover for Sexton.

I just think that Cullen is bringing a balance to the Leinster team and it bodes well for them next season.

rodders wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Should be a comfortable win for Leinster,

Pot Hale wrote:Bath should win comfortably

Hmm - I see the scrap for the plucky underdog tag has kicked off...

Bath - all guns blazing in last chance saloon v Cullen experimenting.

Only one outcome should happen.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Exciting Leinster team but the scrum could be a worry.

Are you happy with Cullen? I must admit that I thought it was a mistake to appoint him but I can see what he is trying to do and if it clicks, Leinster may be a very good team again.

Certainly playing better rugby than we were under MOC. I think it will all come down to who we sign for next season. If we get a top SH and second row we could have a really good team but I have no faith in Leinster/IRFU scouting.

Surely we have a top SH in luke mcgrath. Boss needs to become a coach (somewhere else) and reddan become the older statesman in support keeping the kid honest.

Second row definitely agree with you. Molony looks good but probably a solid replacement for McCarthy long term. We've tried to recruit locks a number of times now except for Thorn and Hynes they rarely provided the umphh to match their bulk or paypacket.

I think the front row should be good in this game, they are very inexperienced but technically well drilled. My problem is the lack of power in the second row might just put this Leinster pack in reverse gear fairly quickly.

Are they clearing a bit of space for Ross Byrne? Only seen him from the bench but has a great physique for an outhalf, decent underage pedigree but hasn't really played with the first XV yet. a solid 6 foot something, only 21 years old, could be a good prospect.

We still need a SH to come in and do a job and preferable a good one. The jury is still very much out on Luke Mcgrath so I wouldn't be confident on relying on just him. Ross Byrne started against the Scarlets earlier in the season and had a nightmare. Still a great prospect but will have to be managed.

Well, best of luck Leinster fans, hope you can get the win today

Leinster B team somehow are leading Bath at half-time

12-3.

Presume Bath will step it up in the second half and win at a canter...

Pot Hale wrote:Leinster B team somehow are leading Bath at half-time

12-3.

Presume Bath will step it up in the second half and win at a canter...  

Guessing you haven't seen much of bath this season.

nathan wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Leinster B team somehow are leading Bath at half-time

12-3.

Presume Bath will step it up in the second half and win at a canter...  

Guessing you haven't seen much of bath this season.

I have actually. They're a good side.

Did anyone else think the yellow was a little harsh?

Pot Hale wrote:

nathan wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Leinster B team somehow are leading Bath at half-time

12-3.

Presume Bath will step it up in the second half and win at a canter...  

Guessing you haven't seen much of bath this season.

I have actually. They're a good side.

They've had one good game and they've been pretty average. Dropped in form since last season.

How was that not a yellow after Nacewa's break??

Yes he got up slowly off the ground and got in the way a bit but the Bath defence were in place and they were 40 metres out.  Seen plenty of mauls pulled down much closer (not in this match) that aren't given as yellow so this just seemed a bit harsh.  Just my observation - not really worried either way tbh.

Ah I've just caught up - see you're talking about a different incident ...

Yeah when McArthy knocked it on after it looked like a bath player handled the ball. Ref gave a penalty. And was a very obvious yellow IMO - Bath were at sea!

Perhaps he was thinking he was harsh for the earlier yellow so was balancing it out

Great response

Impressive from Leinster, they looked almost unstoppable on that sequence.

Ring rose is a superb player

Clearly after having a rush of blood and giving that first yellow to Bath the ref has bottled a few after on both sides ...

Isa still has some gas

What has happened to Bath this season? They've been really bad tonight.

Well I'll say one thing for Munster and Leinster even though they were both out of the running to qualify.

They both turned up to play today.

They've been bad all season, there last Euro game was good but everything else has been a bit meh

Good to see bounce back from Leinster and Munster today, need to build on those now. All the young guns played really well, Molony, Ringrose, Tracy, Furlong, VDF, all brilliant.

Heaf wrote:Clearly after having a rush of blood and giving that first yellow to Bath the ref has bottled a few after on both sides ...

I reckon it should have been 2-1 on the yellows instead of 0-1 although Bath would probably still have lost as they didn't really look to be at the races for most of the game ...

Heaf wrote:

Heaf wrote:Clearly after having a rush of blood and giving that first yellow to Bath the ref has bottled a few after on both sides ...

I reckon it should have been 2-1 on the yellows instead of 0-1 although Bath would probably still have lost as they didn't really look to be at the races for most of the game ...

T'eo was lucky I thought, that could have gone either way.

Leinster have been slowly but surely turning on the screw after that pathetic performance at home against Wasps and Cullen has been doing a decent job so far.

Congrats to Leinster. Good result for Cullen and his starting selection rewarded him with his faith in the academy troops.

Dooley, Travcy, Molony, Furlong, van der Flier take a bow.