Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

totallegend

Seriously? That's the "incriminating" photo?

trackguy

Boo hoo. I think it's a good move for Irish rugby. I'd love to see a backrow develop for Munster with both Ruddock and POM in it. Leinster have plenty of options, young and old.

.ak

Looks more like he's just taking the mick.

[Jackass]

Anyway, team I'd go for in Treviso:

1. Van Der Merwe
2. Strauss
3. White
4. Browne
5. Toner
6. McLoughlin
7. Jennings (capt)
8. Auva'a

9. Boss
10. Madigan
11. Carr
12. Macken
13. O'Malley
14. Conway
15. Nacewa

16. Dundon 17. McGrath 18. Hagan 19. Flanagan 20. Gilsenan 21. Cooney 22. Berquist 23. Coughlin-Murray

funky penguin

That's an exciting backline, I'd love to see those centres tear it up, and lord knows Madigan should be able to get them motoring. The level head of Nacewa also counters balances the youth of the wingers.

My one problem is that you've left out Ruddock (and I know why, but we'll agree to disagree! :pac: ). Saying that, it's a nicely balanced backrow, and McL brings more options to the line-out.

Also, is Berquist fit yet? Heard he was still away. Heard Fitz was on the mend and should be in line, along with Ryan. Both could be immense bench options to ease them back in.



EDIT: also, was EOM released? If not, perhaps we'll see Fitz from the beginning at 12, Macken to 13.

bamboozle

CatFromHue wrote: »

Only when Dom Ryan and Kev McLaughlin have their match fitness back. Otherwise it's very counter productive.

I was just on LinkedIn earlier, did anyone know Jackman is defence coach at Grenoble?
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bernard-jackman/20/246/842

That Mal O Kelly is an Orthopaedic Specialist
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/malcolm-o-kelly/23/981/15b

Or that Brian O Driscoll is a rugby player!
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/brian-o-driscoll/38/575/638

Jackman is part time defence coach for Grenoble, think he's flown over every few weeks. He's also director of rugby at Tullow and coaching St. Michaels SCT.

There's a fine line between making a living and biting off more than you can chew, wonder if Jackman learned his lesson last year after his exit from Clontarf.

CatFromHue

Bit more news on the Thorn possibility.

---

World Cup winner Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join European champions Leinster on a short-term deal.

The 37-year-old needs permission from his Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where Thorn has been plying his trade since helping New Zealand to their first World Cup triumph since 1987.
Second-row Thorn also needs dispensation from the IRFU to join Joe Schmidt's ranks as Leinster bid to retain their Heineken Cup crown and end their recent wait for the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

"He has won most trophies in rugby but nothing in the Northern Hemisphere yet, that is something that might interest him," said Schmidt.

"Brad is pretty keen to come if it's possible. That's the first step. The second step is gaining approval from the IRFU and they have been very good. They can identify the problem themselves that we do have a real shortage in the second-row.

"That would be something they would agreeable to, as long as we can get the agreement from the Japanese club. We are waiting for some feedback from them.

"We would need him by March to get a three-month contract that covers us for the ERC games as well as the Rabo games."
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/12206.php

Burgo

CatFromHue wrote: »

Bit more news on the Thorn possibility.

---

World Cup winner Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join European champions Leinster on a short-term deal.

The 37-year-old needs permission from his Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where Thorn has been plying his trade since helping New Zealand to their first World Cup triumph since 1987.
Second-row Thorn also needs dispensation from the IRFU to join Joe Schmidt's ranks as Leinster bid to retain their Heineken Cup crown and end their recent wait for the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

"He has won most trophies in rugby but nothing in the Northern Hemisphere yet, that is something that might interest him," said Schmidt.

"Brad is pretty keen to come if it's possible. That's the first step. The second step is gaining approval from the IRFU and they have been very good. They can identify the problem themselves that we do have a real shortage in the second-row.

"That would be something they would agreeable to, as long as we can get the agreement from the Japanese club. We are waiting for some feedback from them.

"We would need him by March to get a three-month contract that covers us for the ERC games as well as the Rabo games."
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/12206.php

Yeah read that in the paper this morning, all looks fairly promising.

Gracelessly Tom

Friend asked Joe after the Area 22 event in D2 last week and he said it was 60-40 in favour of him arriving. I like them odds!:)

smurphy29

[Jackass] wrote: »

Anyway, team I'd go for in Treviso:

1. Van Der Merwe
2. Strauss
3. White
4. Browne
5. Toner
6. McLoughlin
7. Jennings (capt)
8. Auva'a

9. Boss
10. Madigan
11. Carr
12. Macken
13. O'Malley
14. Conway
15. Nacewa

16. Dundon 17. McGrath 18. Hagan 19. Flanagan 20. Gilsenan 21. Cooney 22. Berquist 23. Coughlin-Murray

Conway's injured and O'Malley is on Ireland duty, and won't be released. Think we'll be digging into the academy for a centre and a winger, as well as reserves.

.ak

[Jackass] wrote: »

Anyway, team I'd go for in Treviso:

1. Van Der Merwe
2. Strauss
3. White
4. Browne
5. Toner
6. McLoughlin
7. Jennings (capt)
8. Auva'a

9. Boss
10. Madigan
11. Carr
12. Macken
13. O'Malley
14. Conway
15. Nacewa

16. Dundon 17. McGrath 18. Hagan 19. Flanagan 20. Gilsenan 21. Cooney 22. Berquist 23. Coughlin-Murray

Nice team but considering injures I'd like to see....

1. Van Der Merwe
2. Strauss
3. White
4. Browne
5. Toner
6. McLoughlin
7. Jennings (capt)
8. Auva'a

9. Boss
10. Madigan
11. Carr
12. O'Shea
13. Macken
14. Conway (LR said possible, if not Hudson)
15. Nacewa

16. Dundon 17. McGrath 18. Hagan 19. Flanagan 20. Gilsenan/Ryan 21. Cooney 22. Reid 23. Marsh

Changes bolded.

Neil3030

CatFromHue wrote: »

Bit more news on the Thorn possibility.

---

World Cup winner Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join European champions Leinster on a short-term deal.

The 37-year-old needs permission from his Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where Thorn has been plying his trade since helping New Zealand to their first World Cup triumph since 1987.
Second-row Thorn also needs dispensation from the IRFU to join Joe Schmidt's ranks as Leinster bid to retain their Heineken Cup crown and end their recent wait for the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

"He has won most trophies in rugby but nothing in the Northern Hemisphere yet, that is something that might interest him," said Schmidt.

"Brad is pretty keen to come if it's possible. That's the first step. The second step is gaining approval from the IRFU and they have been very good. They can identify the problem themselves that we do have a real shortage in the second-row.

"That would be something they would agreeable to, as long as we can get the agreement from the Japanese club. We are waiting for some feedback from them.

"We would need him by March to get a three-month contract that covers us for the ERC games as well as the Rabo games."
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/12206.php

Just to play the pedant, they are all quotes from JS. Brad Thorn hasn't confirmed nor denied anything yet. Misleading headline.

Quint2010

Ruddock would be a loss. I would have him ahead of McLoughlin thats for sure. Even worse is letting Munster get him:mad:

Podge_irl

Quint2010 wrote: »

Ruddock would be a loss. I would have him ahead of McLoughlin thats for sure.

Schmidt doesn't mind you. Which means his loss will be minimal.

irishbucsfan

Neil3030 wrote: »

CatFromHue wrote: »

Bit more news on the Thorn possibility.

---

World Cup winner Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join European champions Leinster on a short-term deal.

The 37-year-old needs permission from his Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues where Thorn has been plying his trade since helping New Zealand to their first World Cup triumph since 1987.
Second-row Thorn also needs dispensation from the IRFU to join Joe Schmidt's ranks as Leinster bid to retain their Heineken Cup crown and end their recent wait for the RaboDirect PRO12 title.

"He has won most trophies in rugby but nothing in the Northern Hemisphere yet, that is something that might interest him," said Schmidt.

"Brad is pretty keen to come if it's possible. That's the first step. The second step is gaining approval from the IRFU and they have been very good. They can identify the problem themselves that we do have a real shortage in the second-row.

"That would be something they would agreeable to, as long as we can get the agreement from the Japanese club. We are waiting for some feedback from them.

"We would need him by March to get a three-month contract that covers us for the ERC games as well as the Rabo games."
http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/12206.php

Just to play the pedant, they are all quotes from JS. Brad Thorn hasn't confirmed nor denied anything yet. Misleading headline.

As if Joe Schmidt is going to lie about him being interested?

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

As if Joe Schmidt is going to lie about him being interested?

That's not my point. The article says, "Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join Leinster", which is not exactly true.

justsomebloke

Neil3030 wrote: »

That's not my point. The article says, "Brad Thorn has confirmed his desire to join Leinster", which is not exactly true.

Some of the reports coming from the Brad thorn camp is that he said purple monkey dishwasher

totallegend

Team for tomorrow is out, massive night for Colm O'Shea:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Darren Hudson
13: Brendan Macken
12: Colm O'Shea
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Nathan White
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7: Shane Jennings
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Tom Sexton
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Mark Flanagan
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid
23: Andrew Boyle

A seriously strong pack there.

CatFromHue

interesting that kev mac is the captain. i suppose he's been with squad whereas jennings was away with ireland.

CatFromHue

CatFromHue wrote: »

interesting that kev mac is the captain. i suppose he's been with squad whereas jennings was away with ireland.

Anytime I've seen Kev line up with Ruddock and Ryan, he's spent the entire game talking to them, putting them into the right positions, realigning the back row constantly.

He's definitely a "senior" member of the squad at this stage. Pretty happy for him to have the (C) for the game.

Looking forward to the centre pairing getting some gametime!

funky penguin

Exciting line-up!

Fair play to Joe, making sure his young players are getting game-time.

If this was Deccie, Nacewa would be at out-half and Shane Horgan on crutches at inside centre....¬_¬

bamboozle

big opportunity for Collie O'Shea to show his worth, good tidy ball playing 12

irishbucsfan

I had a feeling OShea would be needed. He's done well for the As.

Big night for a few lads. Boyle for example being a first year academy guy.

Shame we didn't see an Irish prop starting or Dom Ryan back, but thems the breaks.

Fireball07

No Ruddock?

irishbucsfan

Fireball07 wrote: »

No Ruddock?

Ireland didn't release him or Kearney

dtpc191991

This is excellent, it could be the start of the development of some really good centres for the national side.

Burgo

Pretty exciting line up! I wonder who will take the place kicking, Nacewa or will this be Madigans time

Tox56

Really dissapointing to not see at least one of McGrath/Hagan, but can't really complain, that's an excellent front-row.

What's Colm O'Shea like? Any good?

irishbucsfan

Tox56 wrote: »

Really dissapointing to not see at least one of McGrath/Hagan, but can't really complain, that's an excellent front-row.

What's Colm O'Shea like? Any good?

Not a superstar but certainly could gave a great pro career

Tox56

Tox56 wrote: »

What's Colm O'Shea like? Any good?

young, eager and talented.

That's all we need to know at this stage.

Can't wait to see the difference between the starting tight 5 and the subs, hopefully there'll be little to no difference in ability.