Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Hype710

Hagz wrote: »

Personally I was really disappointed with McFadden. He showed little to no attacking threat and I feel like without BOD, our defense will be seriously tested. When EOM was given a game against Clermont he really stood up, and I feel like McFadden just didn't do that today. Maybe I'm being overly critical, but I would consider playing EOM or Fitz at 13 instead.

McFadden's the kind of guy you want to see doing really well, he gives it absolutely everything, but I'm inclined to agree. Just doesn't seem to have the nous required at 13, had a great chance with the two on one and was far too indecisive.

Hagz

Hype710 wrote: »

McFadden's the kind of guy you want to see doing really well, he gives it absolutely everything, but I'm inclined to agree. Just doesn't seem to have the nous required at 13, had a great chance with the two on one and was far too indecisive.

On second viewing, he wasn't bad, it's just that he's a very direct runner. Aggressive with ball in hand, but you don't get much creativity form him.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I'd be tempted to experiment slightly next week

Healy Cronin Ross Cullen Toner SOB Ryan Heaslip Redden Sexton Carr/DKearney McFadden Fitzgerald Nacewa Kearney

Strauss VDM Hagan Sykes Jennings Boss Madigan EOM

That said I think Hype posted the most likely lineup above

I was pretty happy with McFadden to be honest. Montpellier's defence was just phenomenal, it was tough to get anything working.

GerM

durkadurka wrote: »

Interesting to see all three of blackrocks back three from about 5 years ago playing HEC today. Got to be some sort of record. Fitz, Morris and artemiev.

With Madigan on the bench for Leinster also. Dave Moore didn't make the 23 for Connacht. Aidan Wynne was in the centre for them also. Absolutely freakish back line the likes of will probably never be matched in schools rugby.

Hagz

I think one thing that we did show today, is that our squad depth really makes a difference. Glasgow and Bath, and many other teams in this competition won't be able to call on the guys we can at the closing stages in the game.

.ak

Whilst I'm bit biased as I'm a fan of Ferg, I think he did just fine today. He was far better than D'Arcy, but was still way off the mark for this level. Hard to judge as he was cleaning up other's mistakes in defense for most of the match.

His attacking play didn't suit the game today. But I think our expectations might be a tad high, as a lot of european teams opt for the 'utility' centre on the outside rather than a specialist like BOD. If he gets enough game time there he might be moulded into that role.

To put it short I think all his 'failings' there are easily fixable with more game time.

It is a pity we weren't ahead with 20 minutes left on the clock, as I think EOM should've gotten a shot there too.

EKClarke

I'd like to see Nacewa at full back, he was very poor on the wing. And I think O' Malley should be given a shot at 13.

[Jackass]

Yeah that was the worst I've seen Nacewa play since joining Leinster I think.

He does need to move back to 15, McFadden to the wing with Fitz and O'Malley at 13. OR just move Rob to 11, McFadden to 14 and Fitz to 13.

Backline isn't right the way it is though.

Fishooks12

Surprised O'Malley wasn't introduced mid way through the second half

McFadden was struggling to make an impact at that stage and it would have offered a different threat

circos

Isa needs to be at 15, its just a waste otherwise. Kearney needs to earn the 15 spot at least!! Throwing him back in there without even earning it just doesn't say much for Isa.

For a man who has had so much game time at 15 and never put a foot wrong its a shame to put him out of position.

The backline just doesn't perform as well without Isa there it seems.

irishbucsfan

Dont think Nacewa will move to 15. Kearney is the Irish fullback and he's playing well there, they aren't going to drop him for an older NIQ. Just won't happen, or be allowed to happen.

Nacewa is a very good winger, as we saw in 09/10 when he was also our player of the year. He'll be back to his best there.

wixfjord

Looking back, I think those 2 points were a very good result for us, both in terms of points on the board and a result in France, and also as a momentum stopper for Montpellier.

Overall, I thought we were quite poor in many facets. Sent the ball too wide too early, played a far too open game and there were numerous offloads that just shouldn't have been thrown.

Was impressed with Browne, and I though Fitz, Sexton, Kearney and Heaslip had good games.

A win against Glasgee would set us up nicely.

Just looking at last years pools, and 24 points got us second seeds, so, for example, a 4 point win against Glasgow home and away, Mont and Bath at home, and a 4 pointer against Bath away would leave us near that, give or take bonus points.
Need a good performance and win next week though.

I do also believe that Munster's win yesterday could be a blessing in disguise for us. The longer our southern cousins are fooled into believing they are still a top team the better imo, Northampton should have won that game easily, but for a combination of Lamb and Owens.

wixfjord

Conway and Macken both grabbed tries yesterday:

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/8838.php

CIARAN_BOYLE

wixfjord wrote: »

Conway and Macken both grabbed tries yesterday:

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/8838.php

More worrying in Dominic Ryan being substituted after 16 minutes. Was he injured?

durkadurka

I had a look over the last 7 or eight years and 22 points will usually get you a home qf. We really need to take 14 points at home, beat Glasgow away, and will probably need something against bath away.
Result yesterday is not bad. Were still not firing on all cylinders. Hopefully next week we can iron out the kinks.

I said 6 points from these two games would be ok, but Bath away looking more and more like the crucial match now, like Saracens was last year.

.ak

Ryan off after 16 minutes and nothing mentioned in the match report?

Marshall on on 44 and off on 70? I think he's a very decent player, will be keeping an eye on him.

Does anyone else think that Hagan just isn't match fit yet? I haven't seen him last 80 yet, and that could be the reason he wasn't in the HEC squad yesterday? I can't imagine any other reason that he'd have come across from Connacht to play B&I Cup games on the opening HEC weekend?

ambid

Deleted User wrote: »

Marshall on on 44 and off on 70? I think he's a very decent player, will be keeping an eye on him.

Does anyone else think that Hagan just isn't match fit yet? I haven't seen him last 80 yet, and that could be the reason he wasn't in the HEC squad yesterday? I can't imagine any other reason that he'd have come across from Connacht to play B&I Cup games on the opening HEC weekend?

Agree about Hagan. Whenever I've seen him he looks exhausted after 50 minutes.

Also Sykes only played 44 minutes so maybe he's not fit yet either. He clearly needs lots of gametime to get used to NH rugby so may have fitness problems. Both are long term signings though so nothing to worry about.

irishbucsfan

Took Mike Ross, Stan Wright and Richardt Strauss whole seasons to get fit, so I'm not expecting anything too much from those lads too soon. If they can contribute in the same way we'll be sorted.

jack01986

It looks like Fitzgerald is getting his form back. He looked like he had so much time on the ball and seemed to make yards whenever he ran with.

WeeBushy

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Took Mike Ross, Stan Wright and Richardt Strauss whole seasons to get fit, so I'm not expecting anything too much from those lads too soon. If they can contribute in the same way we'll be sorted.

I wouldn't say its all fitness (except for in Wright's case!) that stopped them making an impact straight away.

Leinster play a different brand of rugby to most other teams, and it takes a while to fit into that. Ross and Strauss both played at a high level before coming to Leinster so would have been fit, but Ross was a scrum specialist and was not expected to do much else, while Strauss was coming from a different hemisphere of rugby. Therefore it took them a while to fit in. Same will be the case for Hagan, Sykes, Cronin etc imo.

Although I agree completely with the the bolded bit (the majority of what you said in fact!), I think the reason they will take a while to make an impact is more to do with getting used to our style rather than fitness.

Higher

I really think its time to give Fitzgerald another go at 13. He has the skill set and I feel he should be given a prolonged run there. Its a shame O'Malley has started the season so poorly because last season he excelled in HC cup rugby against Clermont so the talent is definitely there. McFadden is fast, hes strong and hes a grafter but he isn't creative. I think he makes an excellent 12 and winger but he isn't a 13.

I would also really like to see how Madigan would get on at 12, I honestly think he could be lethal in that position.

durkadurka

When everyone else seems to be going for big 12s I thing looking at Madigan there would be suicidal.

Higher

durkadurka wrote: »

When everyone else seems to be going for big 12s I thing looking at Madigan there would be suicidal.

Hes very strong in defense and has the ability to break lines. Very good passer and can kick if needed.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I'd like to see it tried off the bench a couple of times in games when things are going well in the pro 12.

.ak

Madigan at 12? ... He can make line breaks, and he can get over the gainline, but relies on his speed and step for that, not his bulk. A good team with organised defence would cause him to go backwards.

.ak

Jamie Heaslip wrote:

GUINNESS Rugby Team Update>>>Jamie Heaslip>>>Mixed feelings about yesterday. A really tough game. We let them into it with some mistakes. Happy to take 2points from there though. Seriously impressive focus by Johnny at the end of it! A lot of work ins for the week. Hopefully will get the chance to play in the RDS this week, it's been a while!

Well, atleast the players are being honest with themselves and they're not saying it was a good result, but they're happy to take 2 points. Good attitude imo. Lots to work on.

durkadurka

Anyone getting a bit worried about Cullen? I'm getting the feeling this is his last season on the front line.

Big Nelly

durkadurka wrote: »

Anyone getting a bit worried about Cullen? I'm getting the feeling this is his last season on the front line.

He ended up with more ball than I have ever see go through his hands yesterday!!!