Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

ongarite

totallegend wrote: »

Very hard to call. Part of me agrees with you, but this is the best team we'll have faced all year, I don't know if keeping it tight is going to work, so part of me says we play Reddan and we go out and take the game to them; that we don't worry about their game plan and just focus on ours.

I think Reddan will start. The experience in Montpellier where we tried to play it tight with Boss nearly backfired.

shuffol

I'd be very surprised if Reddan doesnt start, Boss just isnt playing good enough to force his way in IMO.

justsomebloke

truthfully I can't really see any changes from the team that played cardiff

tolosenc

Kearney, Nacewa, O'Driscoll, D'arcy, Fitzgerald, Sexton, Reddan, Healy, Strauss, Ross, Cullen, Thorn, McLaughlin, O'Brien, Heaslip.

Reddan/Boss is the only real call to be made, but I think it'll be Reddan.

rrpc

tolosenc wrote: »

Kearney, Nacewa, O'Driscoll, D'arcy, Fitzgerald, Sexton, Reddan, Healy, Strauss, Ross, Cullen, Thorn, McLaughlin, O'Brien, Heaslip.

Reddan/Boss is the only real call to be made, but I think it'll be Reddan.

Might be a call to start Cronin instead of Strauss. Strauss hasn't been great with his throwing lately.

irishbucsfan

Not a HOPE would I want Cronin to start over Strauss.

And the idea of starting Cronin for his throwing...?

GerM

Would start Jennings and leave out SOB. He's a great player but he's playing the worst of all our back row players. Let him come in after 50 minutes and release his frustration on Clermont. Jennings and McLaughlin are both playing very well. They've earned their place. Won't happen and I'm sure it will be the same back row as Cardiff but it would be my preference.

irishbucsfan

GerM wrote: »

Would start Jennings and leave out SOB. He's a great player but he's playing the worst of all our back row players. Let him come in after 50 minutes and release his frustration on Clermont. Jennings and McLaughlin are both playing very well. They've earned their place. Won't happen and I'm sure it will be the same back row as Cardiff but it would be my preference.

Completely disagree about O'Briens form. He's getting through loads of work. One of the games recently he was great (was it Munster? Can't remember).

All of those guys are playing well, but O'Brien is a far more complete player. Not to mention far younger.

I don't think this game will suit Jennings, at all. He excels in mayhem, in the presence of poor coaching or poor reffing. He won't find either of those things in Bordeaux imo.

molloyjh

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

That try was Fitzgerald's fault, standing there waving like an eejit.

I think Fitzy got a bit tangled after Dippy and Wallace hit the deck which meant he couldn't get across as quickly as he needed to. Hence the waving.

As for Kearney, I'm assuming he was trying to prevent the off-load to Diack who was right on Mullers shoulder???

For the weekend I'd be inclined to go with Reddan as well. The last thing we need is to keep it tight against Clermont IMO. They're a bigger and more confrontational side overall than we are and a bigger more confrontational SH for Leinster isn't going to tip the scales any.

ongarite

Can see the same backrow as Cardiff game.
Kev has had a fantastic 2nd half to the season, really under appreciated.

Wouldn't mind seeing SOB, Ryan & Heaslip though.
6 suits SOB destructive game better & Ryan was outstanding against Ulster.

justsomebloke

ongarite wrote: »

Can see the same backrow as Cardiff game.
Kev has had a fantastic 2nd half to the season, really under appreciated.

Wouldn't mind seeing SOB, Ryan & Heaslip though.
6 suits SOB destructive game better & Ryan was outstanding against Ulster.

truthfully if Browne and Cullen are starting I would much prefer Locky starting as he gives better options in the lineout

ongarite

ongarite wrote: »

Can see the same backrow as Cardiff game.
Kev has had a fantastic 2nd half to the season, really under appreciated.

Wouldn't mind seeing SOB, Ryan & Heaslip though.
6 suits SOB destructive game better & Ryan was outstanding against Ulster.

He had a brilliant start to the season too. He's really been very good throughout. A team player too, love watching him marshalling Ryan and Ruddock when they're all working together. He's well worth a spot against Clermont. Been impressed with his line breaking too. Does the "2nd Row" bit well, just making 3m and putting opposition on backfoot and presenting ball quickly.

shuffol

Mclaughlin strikes me as someone who's very comfortable with his game at the minute, very clear on what his job is and goes out and does it well. In contrast SOB looks like he's a little less clear on what his role in the side should be, far cry from the 2nd half of the HEC final when he moved to 6 and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

[Jackass]

Has this been mentioned? RDS looking to raise 17m in revenue by (amongst other measures I'm sure) selling the naming rights to the RDS to redevelop it.

Would definitely entail a rebuild of the anglsea stand with corporate & medical / team room facilities, and hopefully a wrap around roof and fill in of the corners, some new bar facilities and possibly new terracing areas (speculating).

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson confirmed some time ago that plans have been drawn up and they were working with RDS to make a deal about going ahead, this article confirms new capacity will be 23,000 which is a good size.

Hope plans can be announced at the end of the season..

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0420/1224314968405.html

pajunior

Kev could also be handy if we come under lots of pressure and need to kick to the line a lot. An extra jumper at the lineout might prove useful.

ongarite

pajunior wrote: »

Kev could also be handy if we come under lots of pressure and need to kick to the line a lot. An extra jumper at the lineout might prove useful.

He did a great (if somewhat illegal) job on Croft against Leicester in QF last year.

tolosenc

shuffol wrote: »

Mclaughlin strikes me as someone who's very comfortable with his game at the minute, very clear on what his job is and goes out and does it well. In contrast SOB looks like he's a little less clear on what his role in the side should be, far cry from the 2nd half of the HEC final when he moved to 6 and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Him making 20m with half of the Northampton team hanging out of him is probably the endearing image of that game for me.

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

For the weekend I'd be inclined to go with Reddan as well. The last thing we need is to keep it tight against Clermont IMO. They're a bigger and more confrontational side overall than we are and a bigger more confrontational SH for Leinster isn't going to tip the scales any.

That's not why you start Reddan though. Reddan is our best 9 because our pack can secure the ball against most opposition. When they can't though Reddan gets very flustered and sloppy. Like against Glasgow, when Boss came on and improved things drastically.

Starting Reddan will give Clermont a target. Start Boss for 50 minutes and it doesn't give them that avenue in defense. You then control when Reddan enters the game and they won't be able to shift their tactics on the fly nearly as successfully. It means we then have our quickest half back on at a point in the game where he is more comfortable and against an ageing Clermont pack as well.

Just my opinion. I can understand the whole "forget their game, play ours approach," but I think its a little naive to think that will be succesful in France against French opposition. IMO, Reddan would be far more influential wearing 21 than 9.

GerM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Completely disagree about O'Briens form. He's getting through loads of work. One of the games recently he was great (was it Munster? Can't remember).

All of those guys are playing well, but O'Brien is a far more complete player. Not to mention far younger.

I don't think this game will suit Jennings, at all. He excels in mayhem, in the presence of poor coaching or poor reffing. He won't find either of those things in Bordeaux imo.

I haven't said that he's in bad form just that he's not playing as well as our other options. He's getting through work but in areas where Jennings is still better than him overall for me i.e. slowing down the opposition, organising the defence and being a general pain. Jennings workrate without the ball is ferocious and he was absolutely outstanding in Thomond (SOB was on the bench that day). SOB has looked a bit out of sorts relative to last season with his eye catching performances being sporadic. He has improved significantly in terms of break down work rate and positioning but I think Jennings still shades it in those areas. Clermont will be a dog fight with rain forecast and Jennings is a big personality within the team who leads from the front in a tight game like the Saracens game last season or away in Toulouse the year before. He's instrumental in those games.

Would probably bring on SOB for McLaughlin after 50 minutes if the game opens up a little. SOB is a more complete player but the areas he is far better than Jennings in are the areas he isn't making a big impact in this season.

Big Nelly

[Jackass] wrote: »

Has this been mentioned? RDS looking to raise 17m in revenue by (amongst other measures I'm sure) selling the naming rights to the RDS to redevelop it.

Would definitely entail a rebuild of the anglsea stand with corporate & medical / team room facilities, and hopefully a wrap around roof and fill in of the corners, some new bar facilities and possibly new terracing areas (speculating).

Leinster CEO Mick Dawson confirmed some time ago that plans have been drawn up and they were working with RDS to make a deal about going ahead, this article confirms new capacity will be 23,000 which is a good size.

Hope plans can be announced at the end of the season..

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/0420/1224314968405.html

Was mentioned 2 pages ago....

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

That's not why you start Reddan though. Reddan is our best 9 because our pack can secure the ball against most opposition. When they can't though Reddan gets very flustered and sloppy. Like against Glasgow, when Boss came on and improved things drastically.

Starting Reddan will give Clermont a target. Start Boss for 50 minutes and it doesn't give them that avenue in defense. You then control when Reddan enters the game and they won't be able to shift their tactics on the fly nearly as successfully. It means we then have our quickest half back on at a point in the game where he is more comfortable and against an ageing Clermont pack as well.

Just my opinion. I can understand the whole "forget their game, play ours approach," but I think its a little naive to think that will be succesful in France against French opposition. IMO, Reddan would be far more influential wearing 21 than 9.

Yeah I suppose I was really thinking we need to hit them early, and hard. Match them at the breakdown from the very off and generate that quick ball from the beginning. Tough to do alright, but if we want to win it we need to be doing it from the first minute. Don't give them a chance to settle. Looking back to last season and Shaggys try in the away fixture though that can be done equally well with Boss at 9 too.

I think I may need to take a break from boards for the next few days. Just thinking about this game has me a nervous wreck.

rrpc

I didn't see it mentioned on this thread, but Gerhard Vosloo is out for the rest of the season after aggravating an adductor injury during the Montpelier match. His replacement Julien Bardy also went off with an elbow injury, but it's not known so far as to what the prognosis is.

Getting back to the Reddan/Boss discussion, the point is well made about Reddan not going well when the pack are under pressure, but having said that, I'm not sure that's going to be a major problem with Clermont. I only saw the second half of the Sarries/Clermont match and AFAIR, Sarries were able to gte the ball away quick enough. Mind you, they didn't know what to do with it once they had it...

CatFromHue

Has anyone seen much of Clermont this season?

I haven't but Matt Williams on The Breakdown yesterday was saying that they don't commit a huge amount of numbers to rucks and that Leinster need to use our maul more against them.

totallegend

rrpc wrote: »

I didn't see it mentioned on this thread, but Gerhard Vosloo is out for the rest of the season after aggravating an adductor injury during the Montpelier match. His replacement Julien Bardy also went off with an elbow injury, but it's not known so far as to what the prognosis is.

Getting back to the Reddan/Boss discussion, the point is well made about Reddan not going well when the pack are under pressure, but having said that, I'm not sure that's going to be a major problem with Clermont. I only saw the second half of the Sarries/Clermont match and AFAIR, Sarries were able to gte the ball away quick enough. Mind you, they didn't know what to do with it once they had it...

Chatter on the Clermont forum is that Bardy will be ok, still some doubt over Zhirakashvili and given that Domingo is still out, it would be massive for Leinster if another prop bit the dust. Also, apparently Fofana can't finish out games, going off with cramp fairly regularly.

rrpc

CatFromHue wrote: »

Has anyone seen much of Clermont this season?

I haven't but Matt Williams on The Breakdown yesterday was saying that they don't commit a huge amount of numbers to rucks and that Leinster need to use our maul more against them.

That bears out the impression I have from the Sarries match. They seem to put a premium on getting their defensive line set rather than trying to compete in the rucks.

It's still going to be tough but I think Reddan would be the better starter to generate mismatches with quick ruck ball and recycling. If he's going at full tilt, he won't last more than 60 minutes, but I always feel that Boss is the better impact sub of the two.

totallegend

http://www.asm-rugby.com/120423-infirmerie.html

Bardy; examinations of his elbow strain "don't allow for much hope"

Skrela; "still too early to call it on his participation"

Bardy is a good player, but Clermont will still be able to send out a back row of Vermeulen, Lapandry and Bonnaire. I'd almost prefer to see Skrela playing than Brock James, but if Skrela is out, I don't even know who their back up OH would be.

Fishooks12

On the issue of who starts at 9, simply has to be Reddan

This whole thing of playing Boss away in the pool games is all well and good but Leinster need to take the game to Clermont and play the same expansive game that saw them destroy Cardiff

Reddan is the man for the job

padraig.od

totallegend wrote: »

http://www.asm-rugby.com/120423-infirmerie.html

Bardy; examinations of his elbow strain "don't allow for much hope"

Skrela; "still too early to call it on his participation"

Bardy is a good player, but Clermont will still be able to send out a back row of Vermeulen, Lapandry and Bonnaire. I'd almost prefer to see Skrela playing than Brock James, but if Skrela is out, I don't even know who their back up OH would be.

Parra could slip in there.

Hippo

A couple of posters suggesting over on LF that it might be an idea to play Locky and Jenno, with SOB to come off the bench. Given the 3 players' actual form at the moment, I think there's something in this.

Edit: Sorry this is already under discussion, apologies...

TheGoldenAges

I think we should start Reddan anyway. We tried to play a conservative game against Toulouse 2 years ago and look where that got us. Although Sextons broken jaw didn't help....

irishbucsfan

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

I think we should start Reddan anyway. We tried to play a conservative game against Toulouse 2 years ago and look where that got us. Although Sextons broken jaw didn't help....

Not to mention the scrum falling apart...

yimrsg

I watched the Clermont vs Montpellier match and it was fairly attritional. Montpellier went there without some big names and managed to be competitive and within touching distance for 60 minutes or so. Clermont were upset with the early loss Vosloo who was replaced by Bardy who then went off. Vosloo's absence is a plus for Leinster as whenever I've seen Vosloo play he's been a proper nuisance for the opposition at the breakdown and is fearless in his tackling. Hines for me is a big threat, he was instrumental for Clermont's try; he grubber kicked through and although the defender gathered the ball, Clermont drove him off it and Paulo managed to come up with the ball and touch down with help from Hines. He was his usual self, holding players back, making offloads in the tackle, grabbing defenders jerseys at rucks and being a nuisance. His battle with Thorne promises to be epic.

Brock James' kicking from the tee was pretty solid too, he got a spell on the sidelines courtesy of a yellow for a high tackle and Parra took the kicks well in his absence. With both of them on the pitch I can't see Clermont missing many kicks come the weekend. James' seems particularly fond of up and unders in both defence and attack, Rougerie, Byrne and Malzieu are all big guys who are decent in the air and willing chasers. Luckily in Kearney and Nacewa we've two outstanding fielders of the high ball, they'll need to be at their best to contend with the barrage. Brock's style of play reminds me of ROG's. Kicking based and pragmatic, but on it's day super effective. Since our lineout has been the weakest facet of Leinster recently, I reckon we could see plenty of kicks to touch from Montpellier to test it. That could be a worry as Lapandry and Bonnaire especially are always capable of stealing lineouts.

The selection of our backrow is probably going to be key, and I'd wager that McLaughlin, Jennings and Heaslip will start, with SOB benching. Locky's will offer another lineout option; vital considering how our lineout has misfired at times, Jennings is just the ticket to slow down ball and with SOB can be unleashed from the bench to replace either of them depending on how the game unfolds. I'd also start Boss & VDM as they're our usual "away team" and having guys like Reddan and Healy to spring from the bench at 50 minutes will be key. If we're losing (or ahead) at that time then we need impetus, Boss and VDM aren't going to up the tempo and twist the knife as much as Reddan, Healy etc. can.

I can't bloody wait.

Quint2010

yimrsg wrote: »

I watched the Clermont vs Montpellier match and it was fairly attritional. Montpellier went there without some big names and managed to be competitive and within touching distance for 60 minutes or so. Clermont were upset with the early loss Vosloo who was replaced by Bardy who then went off. Vosloo's absence is a plus for Leinster as whenever I've seen Vosloo play he's been a proper nuisance for the opposition at the breakdown and is fearless in his tackling. Hines for me is a big threat, he was instrumental for Clermont's try; he grubber kicked through and although the defender gathered the ball, Clermont drove him off it and Paulo managed to come up with the ball and touch down with help from Hines. He was his usual self, holding players back, making offloads in the tackle, grabbing defenders jerseys at rucks and being a nuisance. His battle with Thorne promises to be epic.

Brock James' kicking from the tee was pretty solid too, he got a spell on the sidelines courtesy of a yellow for a high tackle and Parra took the kicks well in his absence. With both of them on the pitch I can't see Clermont missing many kicks come the weekend. James' seems particularly fond of up and unders in both defence and attack, Rougerie, Byrne and Malzieu are all big guys who are decent in the air and willing chasers. Luckily in Kearney and Nacewa we've two outstanding fielders of the high ball, they'll need to be at their best to contend with the barrage. Brock's style of play reminds me of ROG's. Kicking based and pragmatic, but on it's day super effective. Since our lineout has been the weakest facet of Leinster recently, I reckon we could see plenty of kicks to touch from Montpellier to test it. That could be a worry as Lapandry and Bonnaire especially are always capable of stealing lineouts.

The selection of our backrow is probably going to be key, and I'd wager that McLaughlin, Jennings and Heaslip will start, with SOB benching. Locky's will offer another lineout option; vital considering how our lineout has misfired at times, Jennings is just the ticket to slow down ball and with SOB can be unleashed from the bench to replace either of them depending on how the game unfolds. I'd also start Boss & VDM as they're our usual "away team" and having guys like Reddan and Healy to spring from the bench at 50 minutes will be key. If we're losing (or ahead) at that time then we need impetus, Boss and VDM aren't going to up the tempo and twist the knife as much as Reddan, Healy etc. can.

I can't bloody wait.

Dropping SOB would be a massive call. I just can't see it happening. I think he will go with the same team that started against Cardiff save for maybe Boss for Reddan

thebaz

can't see O'Brien being dropped, and rightly so -

perhaps would like to see Ryan on the bench , big call given Jennings has done little wrong - spoilt for choice in the back row

roycon

cant bring myself to drop obrien. hes key to the offloading gain line breaking game. healy and reddan have to start as well. mclaughlin has become too good to drop really. we just have to move them around as much as possible keep them on their toes. its not like an away group game last year at night in the freezing rain. it will be warm and dry - perfect for healy and reddan. reddan will definitely be started, healy possibly not and obrien will definitely be started. toner will feature

irishbucsfan

Last year's away game was neither at night nor in the freezing rain.

GerM

roycon wrote: »

its not like an away group game last year at night in the freezing rain. it will be warm and dry - perfect for healy and reddan.

It's raining all week in Bordeaux and the temperatures aren't expected to move from between 12-19C. It's going to be very Irish weather over there. Would be very surprised if we went with anything different from the side that started against Cardiff. Bench is almost cast in stone too I would think.

durkadurka

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Last year's away game was neither at night nor in the freezing rain.

My bollocks still haven't dropped back down since the last home game

Fishooks12

Think of it like this

Who would Clermont rather see running out for Leinster wearing 7, SOB or Jennings?

dtpc191991

yimrsg wrote: »

I watched the Clermont vs Montpellier match and it was fairly attritional. Montpellier went there without some big names and managed to be competitive and within touching distance for 60 minutes or so. Clermont were upset with the early loss Vosloo who was replaced by Bardy who then went off. Vosloo's absence is a plus for Leinster as whenever I've seen Vosloo play he's been a proper nuisance for the opposition at the breakdown and is fearless in his tackling. Hines for me is a big threat, he was instrumental for Clermont's try; he grubber kicked through and although the defender gathered the ball, Clermont drove him off it and Paulo managed to come up with the ball and touch down with help from Hines. He was his usual self, holding players back, making offloads in the tackle, grabbing defenders jerseys at rucks and being a nuisance. His battle with Thorne promises to be epic.

Brock James' kicking from the tee was pretty solid too, he got a spell on the sidelines courtesy of a yellow for a high tackle and Parra took the kicks well in his absence. With both of them on the pitch I can't see Clermont missing many kicks come the weekend. James' seems particularly fond of up and unders in both defence and attack, Rougerie, Byrne and Malzieu are all big guys who are decent in the air and willing chasers. Luckily in Kearney and Nacewa we've two outstanding fielders of the high ball, they'll need to be at their best to contend with the barrage. Brock's style of play reminds me of ROG's. Kicking based and pragmatic, but on it's day super effective. Since our lineout has been the weakest facet of Leinster recently, I reckon we could see plenty of kicks to touch from Montpellier to test it. That could be a worry as Lapandry and Bonnaire especially are always capable of stealing lineouts.

The selection of our backrow is probably going to be key, and I'd wager that McLaughlin, Jennings and Heaslip will start, with SOB benching. Locky's will offer another lineout option; vital considering how our lineout has misfired at times, Jennings is just the ticket to slow down ball and with SOB can be unleashed from the bench to replace either of them depending on how the game unfolds. I'd also start Boss & VDM as they're our usual "away team" and having guys like Reddan and Healy to spring from the bench at 50 minutes will be key. If we're losing (or ahead) at that time then we need impetus, Boss and VDM aren't going to up the tempo and twist the knife as much as Reddan, Healy etc. can.

I can't bloody wait.

That would be a very dangerous tactic to be employing against Leinster with Kearney at FB.

justsomebloke

GerM wrote: »

Bench is almost cast in stone too I would think.

Toner V Browne is probably the only call to be made

WeeBushy

justsomebloke wrote: »

Toner V Browne is probably the only call to be made

Browne's lack of game time recently would suggest Toner is a cert for the bench imo.

Hippo

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Think of it like this

Who would Clermont rather see running out for Leinster wearing 7, SOB or Jennings?

Sure, they'd be scared of the SOB of a year ago. Not so much now maybe, and Jenno would make a real difference at the breakdown.

danthefan

I'd like to see Jennings start tbh, I think Leinster are a better team with him in it. McLaughlin will almost certainly start though for the lineout if nothing else.

justsomebloke

WeeBushy wrote: »

Browne's lack of game time recently would suggest Toner is a cert for the bench imo.

Browne played both the B&I cup semi and the game against Edinburgh so isn't short of game time either

Fishooks12

Surprised by the calls for SOB to be dropped!

It didn't go down well when the same call was made for Kidney to drop him!

[Jackass]

I think it's the quality of replacement that's the difference.

Personally, I'd keep O'Brien at 6 and start Jennings at 7 with Heaslip at 8.

I know how good McLoughlin has been, but that's our best back-row imo.

Jennings' importance just can't be under stated, his link work and breakdown work is just so crucial to the Leinster game plan, and his slowing down of ball, turnover and choke tackles are priceless, but also some unseen work where he just pops up in broken play to move the ball along the line etc., he's just crucial.

I think Heaslip and O'Brien are superb at the breakdown and tackle area also, even if they haven't been making massive carries as of late.

McLoughlin brings a bit of everything, but I just feel the other 3 bring more in the areas we need them there for, other than lineout work. But I feel O'Brien and Heaslip could be used in the lineout more if needs be...

Quint2010

I just wonder is Schmidt thinking of a McLoughlin-Jennings-SOB back row?...

durkadurka

We still get the best out of SOB at six.
But we'll need lockys bulk in the first half I think.

yimrsg

Quint2010 wrote: »

Dropping SOB would be a massive call. I just can't see it happening. I think he will go with the same team that started against Cardiff save for maybe Boss for Reddan

thebaz wrote: »

can't see O'Brien being dropped, and rightly so -

perhaps would like to see Ryan on the bench , big call given Jennings has done little wrong - spoilt for choice in the back row

roycon wrote: »

cant bring myself to drop obrien. hes key to the offloading gain line breaking game. healy and reddan have to start as well. mclaughlin has become too good to drop really. we just have to move them around as much as possible keep them on their toes. its not like an away group game last year at night in the freezing rain. it will be warm and dry - perfect for healy and reddan. reddan will definitely be started, healy possibly not and obrien will definitely be started. toner will feature

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Surprised by the calls for SOB to be dropped!

It didn't go down well when the same call was made for Kidney to drop him!

Declan Kidney drops players.
Joe Schmidt rotates players.

Big difference.