Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

danthefan

Burgo wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

some Fitz Speculation

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/leinsters-luke-fitzgerald-close-to-a-new-deal-as-heineken-cup-finalists-tie-down-stars-3096301.html

hopefully "in the coming days" actually means just that!

but the IRFU have now effectively confirmed a softening of their approach after a wave of public criticism and confusion about their plans.

I wonder what they mean by softening their approach? something along the lines of allowing extensions?

Hopefully what it means is that a common sense approach is to be applied. For example there are loads of back three players available to the national side, therefore allowing Nacewa to stay does no damage to the national side.

CIARAN_BOYLE

theKramer wrote: »

Saw Simon Shawe is leaving at the end of the year. is that the end of the fairytale, or did he get a contract somewhere else?

I thought he was gone already, he disappeared from here in november
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/profiles/index.php

Dravokivich

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I thought he was gone already, he disappeared from here in november
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/profiles/index.php

Think he was still listed in the programmes though.

ongarite

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I thought he was gone already, he disappeared from here in november
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/profiles/index.php

Some of those profile pics are absolute classics!

errlloyd

Is there any chances a rabo final against Munster would be played in the Aviva instead of the RDS?

justsomebloke

errlloyd wrote: »

Is there any chances a rabo final against Munster would be played in the Aviva instead of the RDS?

There would be only a tiny chance of it happening. With an Ireland soccer international being played on the Saturday it would be extremely unlikely to happen

Tox56

As a Leinster fan I would prefer RDS, easier to get a good atmosphere, especially if it was v Munster.

chancer12

Tox56 wrote: »

As a Leinster fan I would prefer RDS, easier to get a good atmosphere, especially if it was v Munster.

Beats Thomond for atmosphere any day!

errlloyd

justsomebloke wrote: »

There would be only a tiny chance of it happening. With an Ireland soccer international being played on the Saturday it would be extremely unlikely to happen

That's a shame.

I'd love the branch to throw it in with cheap tickets.

totallegend

Tox56 wrote: »

As a Leinster fan I would prefer RDS, easier to get a good atmosphere, especially if it was v Munster.

I think it would struggle to fill the Aviva anyway. Much better to have it in a packed RDS than a half-full Aviva (just look at some of the soccer games for proof of that).

JustinDee

errlloyd wrote: »

Is there any chances a rabo final against Munster would be played in the Aviva instead of the RDS?

Unlikely.
It would be at top seed's home ground.

danthefan

totallegend wrote: »

I think it would struggle to fill the Aviva anyway. Much better to have it in a packed RDS than a half-full Aviva (just look at some of the soccer games for proof of that).

Two weeks to sell tickets, a historical double on the cards with Munster going all out to stop it, no way they'd struggle with attendance imo.

[Jackass]

The problem isn't that the 50,000 people who showed up in Lansdowne every time we've played there have suddenly stopped supporting Leinster, the problem is that it's a one week turnaround from a Heineken Cup final. You're likely to get 10's of thousands of Leinster supporters paying to go over to London the weekend before, and not all would be able to either make the trip to Lansdowne (as it would either have to be on the Friday or Sunday due to soccer match) and also the cost involved in knock-out games and trips.

Had we not reached the Heineken Cup final it would be more likely, but even at that, a 2 week turnaround to sell 50,000 tickets is tight enough.

But I'll take the current scenario any day of the week, and to be honest, would probably like to see us lift the trophy in Lansdowne (;)) but RDS is good too.

[Jackass]

Also, are we to assume Munster are going to be in it? I think it's far more likely that we'll b playing the Ospreys.

Fishooks12

[Jackass] wrote: »

Also, are we to assume Munster are going to be in it? I think it's far more likely that we'll b playing the Ospreys.

I'd say it's 50/50 tbh, Swansea is no fortress

errlloyd

I really don't think they'd struggle to fill it, and even if that is an argument they could just price the tickets well. It'd be nice for Munster fans to go to the game, and although maybe 30,000 Leinster fans will travel to Twickers, I'd say there are atleast 20,000 more who won't.

If we hold normal season rabo game against Munster there, then why not the final? Lets give it the sense of occasion it deserves.

totallegend

danthefan wrote: »

Two weeks to sell tickets, a historical double on the cards with Munster going all out to stop it, no way they'd struggle with attendance imo.

Maybe the Munster fans can refresh my memory as to how it was on their end, but I don't remember a huge clamour for tickets among Leinster fans for last year's final in Thomond, when the historic double was on the cards as well. Am I wrong?

Quint2010

[Jackass] wrote: »

Also, are we to assume Munster are going to be in it? I think it's far more likely that we'll b playing the Ospreys.

We not also assuming Leinster are going to be in it?...:rolleyes:

danthefan

totallegend wrote: »

Maybe the Munster fans can refresh my memory as to how it was on their end, but I don't remember a huge clamour for tickets among Leinster fans for last year's final in Thomond, when the historic double was on the cards as well. Am I wrong?

Whoa whoa whoa there.

Less people wanted to go to an away game?

[Jackass]

There was definitely a good few Thousand Leinster fans at it, but wasn't much of a clamour. I got tickets for myself and some friends handy enough, and I haven't been a season ticket holder in a couple of seasons.

I'd like to see it sent to Lansdowne and see what happens. I do also think as mentioned above, ticket pricing would be important, 10 and 20 euro tickets for example.

I wonder if we won both, would they be allowed to parade the Heineken Cup with the PRO12 trophy after the second final?

[Jackass]

Quint2010 wrote: »

We not also assuming Leinster are going to be in it?...:rolleyes:

I think it's a safer bet tbh.

danthefan

[Jackass] wrote: »

I think it's a safer bet tbh.

I though we were basically just talking hypothetical.

LEIN

No TV coverage of Saturday nights game! :mad:

Link

errlloyd

danthefan wrote: »

I though we were basically just talking hypothetical.

Yeah in a hypothetical Munster Leinster final. Ulster any other season.

Play the final in the Aviva, at best you make a little more money for the branch at worst you make the tickets cheaper for the fans?

Interestingly what is the minimum turnout you would be comfortable with moving to the aviva for? I'd say if you can get 37,000 or more its worth it. Even though the atmosphere won't be as good.

its_phil

DD9090 wrote: »

No TV coverage of Saturday nights game! :mad:

Link

There is more important games on to be fair as entertaining as Leinster games tend to be.

Tox56

Can't really expect an utterly meaningless game to be televised ahead of the more important games, but it's still a shame, I normally enjoy watching how the younger guys are coming on.

totallegend

DD9090 wrote: »

No TV coverage of Saturday nights game! :mad:

Link

Tg4 would be relying on Welsh TV to provide the feed and presumably, Welsh lads are more interested in their teams who have something to play for.

errlloyd

Ospreys v Aironi is a meaningless game too...


Edit: Guess it would be harsh not to televise their last ever match.

its_phil

errlloyd wrote: »

Ospreys v Aironi is a meaningless game too...


Edit: Guess it would be harsh not to televise their last ever match.

Seen as BBC Alba is showing Glasgow v Connacht instead of Edinburgh v Treviso, the Italian brodcasters were always going to show Aironi seen as they are playing in Italy.

CatFromHue

Fishooks12 wrote: »

I'd say it's 50/50 tbh, Swansea is no fortress

The Ospreys are averaging two home losses per season for the last three seasons. This year one in the Rabo, to Glasgow during the 6 Nations, and one in the HEC to Saracens. Last season both were in the Magners (Dragons and Munster). The season before to Ulster and Leinster in the Magners.

The biggest losing margin in these 6 games was 7 points to Leinster in 09/10.

Honestly they're the only team I fear in the play offs as they've done the double on us this season, as well as on Munster and Connacht.