[Match Thread] Cardiff v Leinster - 6.30pm

zAbbo

Live on Setanta Sports 2 (Sky:424) from 6pm and on S4C (Sky:134)

Kick Off: 6.30pm

Blues: Ben Blair; Richard Mustoe, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Chris Czekaj; Nicky Robinson, Jason Spice; Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (capt), Mamma Molitika, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams.
Replacements: Gary Powell, T. Rhys Thomas, Scott Morgan, Ben White, Darren Allinson, Ceri Sweeney, Jamie Robinson.

Leinster: Isa Nacewa; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll , Felipe Contepomi, Rob Kearney; Jonathan Sexton, Chris Whitaker (capt); Cian Healy, Bernard Jackman, Ronan McCormack, Devin Toner, Malcolm O'Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: John Fogarty, Stephen Knoop, Trevor Hogan, Sean O'Brien, Chris Keane, Luke Fitzgerald, Girvan Dempsey.

Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU)

Previews:
BBC
Irish Times
Independent.ie

Looking at the lineups, You'd think Leinster would breeze past Cardiff, but the runners up for the last two seasons have always put in strong performances - despite their lack of signings. Watch out for their scrum half - Allinson, he's on a development contract but looks a really good prospect.

Should be exiting, as the Leinster backline looks very strong, but mixed feelings with imports are taking up places of Irish players (Contempomi in the centre, and Necewa at FB)

Good to see Chris Czekaj back in action as well, after that horrendous injury

Sundy

That leinster front 5 looks very weak, just hope they can put in a strong performance and the backs click first time out

[Jackass]

zAbbo wrote: »

Looking at the lineups, You'd think Leinster would breeze past Cardiff

I don't know if I'd agree with that. It's very much a second string front row with Healy and McCormack in there, where as the Cardiff front row of Gethin Jenkins, Gareth Williams & Taufa'ao Filise certainly have the edge.

In the 2nd row, I'm yet to see a really impressive display from Toner and this is really a make or break year for him. If he doesn't show us all he's the man to replace big Mal this year we'll have to look at the possability of maybe trying to get Bob Casey back or something. (or possibly even Rocky in 2nd row with Jennings at six and O'Brien at 7 if/when he shows his absolute class this season). Hogan is a decent player who will do a job, but isn't anything special.

Back row is strong, Jowitt is really looking to stake a claim for his place in what is already a very competetive back row so I don't have too many concerns there, but on a whole, you'd have to say, given the conditions tonight (nothing but rain) Cardiff will really look to take it to us in the pack, and with massive plaerys like Van Der Linde, Wright, Cullen & Rocky missing (half our pack), they may get a slight edge on us there.

Also, while the backs on paper are world class, we need to see them really click early this season, again the competition for places here is unbelievable, the quality throughout is superb. But not ideal conditions to look to put the ball through the motions out wide, but will be looking for a big performance from Sexton to show how he can control the match from 10.

Cardiff are imo one of the most underrated sides in ML (despite finishing second for last 2 seasons and impressive in Europe last year) and I think they have a really strong team out and will put it up to us. This will be a real test of the depth of the squad and quality we have along the fringes (with 5 first choice players out including D'Arcy) but I think Leinster will come good by less than 7. But very tight game.

Inquitus

The Tight 5 is very weak, and had the weather been poor, I would have favoured Cardiff, but the weathers meant to be great, so I think Leinster will get away with it.

[Jackass]

Inquitus wrote: »

The Tight 5 is very weak, and had the weather been poor, I would have favoured Cardiff, but the weathers meant to be great, so I think Leinster will get away with it.

Dunno about that man, people thought the game was going to be called off the weather is so bad.

CardiffBlues.com wrote:

http://www.cardiffblues.com/33_3736.php

Blues v Leinster - Match Update For Supporters
Despite the current wet weather, there are currently no fears for today's fixture being delayed.
Cardiff Arms Park grounds staff are working on the pitch to make sure it is in the best possible condition for the match. However the match referee will have the final say on the game going ahead.

Please note due to the Wales v Azerbaijan football fixture in the Millennium Stadium, there will be a road closure in operation from the Angel Hotel down to the end of Westgate Street.

Drivers will not be able to turn right into the Arms Park when you come over the Castle Street Bridge into Westgate Street.

Inquitus

High
14°C
Rain
Wind From Northeast at 31 kmph
Maximum Humidity 88%
UV Index4
Chance of Precip. 70%

When I checked this morning it was supposed to be fine.......as you can see it's changed

Funkstard

This not on Setanta Ireland so? Bollocks

[Jackass]

It's not billed on the website as Setanta Ireland, but last night on Setanta they said it is so I'm presuming it is. I'm 80% sure it will be.

toomevara

It is indeed on Setanta Ireland...coverage starts at 6....By the way the weather in Wales is utterly appalling...drove through large parts of S. Wales this morning and the place is a swamp...not sure about cardiff tho.

RuggieBear

toomevara wrote: »

drove through large parts of S. Wales this morning and the place is a swamp...

so what's new?:D

toomevara

RuggieBear wrote: »

so what's new?:D

I can hear them sharpening their leeks as I type...if your'e not careful Bryn Terfel will pop round your gaff and bore you to death with his godawful caterwauling!

RuggieBear

tbh i think cardiff will be way too strong for us up front.and martyn williams will have a field day if it is wet with a Scottish ref.

Inquitus

At least its not Changelang!

Jackz

Scrum doing ok so far.

RuggieBear

ref is woeful

Stev_o

Ref is a complete idiot should have been a penalty try or a sin binning for Kearney there

RuggieBear

Stev_o wrote: »

Ref is a complete idiot should have been a penalty try or a sin binning for Kearney there

could argue he made a genuine attempt to catch ball. hands going upwards not knocking it down.

Stev_o

RuggieBear wrote: »

could argue he made a genuine attempt to catch ball. hands going upwards not knocking it down.

Tbh its a certain try situation Kearney was never going to intercept it, if it was a IRFU ref or WRU it would have been a sin binning or a penalty try but since its a SRU ref nothing happens :rolleyes:

Inquitus

Its debatable, it wasn't blatant and it could have gone either way....Munsterfan....Neutral point of view.

Looks like it's going to be a close game, wouldn't foresee more than one score in it at this stage.

Goan Leinster!

Inquitus

Sexton looks flakey

RuggieBear

williamns had to be offside

Stev_o

Inquitus wrote: »

Its debatable, it wasn't blatant and it could have gone either way....Munsterfan....Neutral point of view.

Looks like it's going to be a close game, wouldn't foresee more than one score in it at this stage.

Goan Leinster!

Well he clearly had his arms stretched out his body was nowhere near the ball for a start most ref's would give it as a penalty try.

Sextons kicking there was awful

Stev_o

Sexton to blame for that try =/ If it was a half decent clearance that try wouldnt have happened

Scootay

At a wedding. No TV. Score?

Stev_o

Scootay wrote: »

At a wedding. No TV. Score?

7-3 to Cardiff

Scootay

Cheers.keep it up please. Only at the soup course.

Stev_o

That Cardiff No.8 Powell is having a stormer completely out shinning Heaslip at the moment.

Inquitus

Tight 5 beginning to creak for Leinster.

Jackz

Gwan the MAL, sprinting and kicking like a wing.

Inquitus

Drop Goal 10-3

Stev_o

Assistant ref my ass they are beyond useless they do nothing in trying to solve problems that the ref cant see:mad:

Inquitus

All Bloo's, Leinster have no ball, are putting together no phases, and unless it changes drastically soon, they will lose, and probably without a losing bonus point. Backrow being completely outplayed, Tight 5 missing CJ's arrival and Cullen.

Inquitus

10-6

You never know, but it would be daylight robbery

Stev_o

Pack is asleep being completely outplayed is Heaslip and Jowitt even playing? They arent doing anything and are being completely outplayed by their opposites.

Again Andy Powell is showing to be a great number 8

RuggieBear

only in this as cardiff keep dropping the ****ing ball

Stev_o

Leinster have awful awful tackling technique alot of players trying to wrestle the opposition which is failing miserably

ironingbored

Is it just me or does Knoop look more like a winger than a prop? Leinster are awful but there's just not enough umph in the scrum. having said that we're only 7 down.

Inquitus

13-6 Dropgoal.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

This is an awful match

Inquitus

13-9 pen

Stev_o

Ref is so awful why do Scotland make useless ref's why

Inquitus

Stev_o wrote: »

Ref is so awful why do Scotland make useless ref's why

Changelang's, worst refs evah

RuggieBear

lol

undeserving try

Jackz

lol

zAbbo

Haaha, what an odd try.

Good follow up by Necewa

Inquitus

lol

ironingbored

Try! Nacewa! Blessed

Scootay

Who got the try? You're killing me.

Scootay

Ok, got it as I posted.
13 - 13?

Inquitus

16-13 Leinster and possibly one of the most undeserved leads ever, but hey...who cares

Inquitus

Pen Bloo's halfway middle of the park.