Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

jolley123

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Hang on... so Berquist is coming from 2nd choice behind Carter to 3rd choice behind Sexton and a developing player?
That dosnt make much sense on Berquists behalf.

I can see him being a solid 2nd choice outhalf for Leinster next season.

Basically, in the 10+ game that will be played without Sexton during the WC, both Ians will get a chance to prove themselves, with Berquist backing them up. Then, come Sextons return, Berquist will more than likely back him up in the HC games, unless one of the Ians proves to be a success. Berquist is a temporary signing, to ensure that we don't have to simply rely on both the Ians for a lot of the Magners.

Tomtom364

jolley123 wrote: »

Basically, in the 10+ game that will be played without Sexton during the WC, both Ians will get a chance to prove themselves, with Berquist backing them up. Then, come Sextons return, Berquist will more than likely back him up in the HC games, unless one of the Ians proves to be a success. Berquist is a temporary signing, to ensure that we don't have to simply rely on both the Ians for a lot of the Magners.

oh is he only signed for the one season?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Tomtom364 wrote: »

oh is he only signed for the one season?

yep

roycon

berqvist can play firs centre and outhalf and maybe other positions
ian madigan can play full back and outhalf
ian mckinley can play 1st and 2nd centre and out half

RMD

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think something along the lines of:

Van De Merwe, Strauss, Hagan, Toner, Sykes, McLoughlin, Ryan, Ruddock;
Boss, Madigan, Carr, McFadden, O'Malley, Horgan, Nacewa

Harris-Wright, McGrath, Shawe, Browne, Murphy, Cooney, Berquist, Kearney.

With: Healy, Cronin, Ross, Cullen, O'Brien, Heaslip, Jennings, Reddan, Sexton, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, Fitzgerald all gone.

I wouldn't be surprised if McFadden is chosen to. He's been out to impress in all recent games hes had a part of and he is a utility player, able to play pretty much anywhere in the backline and he can kick to a certain extent. Before Nacewa became our back up kicker, McFadden was the backup kicker to Sexton and he wasn't to bad either.

Dr.Evil

Boss has a chance of making the squad too. Well, he should do..

danthefan

Dr.Evil wrote: »

Boss has a chance of making the squad too. Well, he should do..

Being realistic though, he doesn't. He should, I agree.

tolosenc

People don't think McFadden will travel? Well, I suppose Kidney makes even weirder selections most of the time...

I'd like to see Madigan at scrummie, could do quite well there.

CIARAN_BOYLE

tolosenc wrote: »

People don't think McFadden will travel? Well, I suppose Kidney makes even weirder selections most of the time...

I'd like to see Madigan at scrummie, could do quite well there.

The media consensus seems to be on a 17-13 squad which makes sense.

From there conventional you have to have three options at each of 9 and 10, who knows who the 9s will be but ROG Sexton and Wallace who is mainly a 12 will be the options at 10. D'arcy and BOD are locked in. The top wingers should be Bowe, Earls and Trimble. Then you need a fullback so either Kearney, Murhpy or Jones. Then the last slot can go a lot of ways a second FB is likely to me which would leave no room for McFadden.

RMD

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

The media consensus seems to be on a 17-13 squad which makes sense.

From there conventional you have to have three options at each of 9 and 10, who knows who the 9s will be but ROG Sexton and Wallace who is mainly a 12 will be the options at 10. D'arcy and BOD are locked in. The top wingers should be Bowe, Earls and Trimble. Then you need a fullback so either Kearney, Murhpy or Jones. Then the last slot can go a lot of ways a second FB is likely to me which would leave no room for McFadden.

I think McFadden will be picked though on the fact that he's a utility player. McFadden can play 11-14 no problem and I wouldn't be surprised if he was decent at 15. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped Kearney even if he has recovered for Fitz or McFadden. Kearney wont have played in months so there's no form to go on, not to mention his form prior to injury wasn't great either.

Podge_irl

Kearney is going if he is fit. Kidney is obviously not blind to the problems we had at fullback for the 6N.

Taco Corp

Podge_irl wrote: »

Kearney is going if he is fit. Kidney is obviously not blind to the problems we had at fullback for the 6N.

Has there been any more updates on Kearney's move to Stormers?

CatFromHue

RMD wrote: »

I think McFadden will be picked though on the fact that he's a utility player. McFadden can play 11-14 no problem and I wouldn't be surprised if he was decent at 15. I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped Kearney even if he has recovered for Fitz or McFadden. Kearney wont have played in months so there's no form to go on, not to mention his form prior to injury wasn't great either.

i wouldnt want mcfadden anywhere near the 15 jersey. its a very different position than center and even the wing. can he kick? can he catch? how is his positioning? its just too far a jump for me to have him there.

mcfadden is a good player but there seems to be a big love in on here about him to the detriment of players ahead of him. he had his chance against munster in the final and while not found wanting he didnt give me the opinion that he should be picked ahead of darcy. he is very like darcy in his style of play so there is an argument for bringing wallace ahead of mcfadden because of this. wallace is a different style of player and asks different questions of the opposing defence.

kearney while not being the perfect in all aspects of the game is still way ahead of the competition for 15 for ireland. i would be very surprised if he wasnt picked to go the world cup. i think he may even be picked as our only specialist 15.

if it is a 17/13 split then you would have (in no particular order)

3 scrum halves - reddan, boss, murray
2 out halves - sexton, rog
2 centers - darcy, bod
2 wingers - trimble, bowe
1 full back - kearney
3 others - wallace, earls, and one of fitzgerald or horgan

wallace would cover 10,12, and 15 (yes 15! thats were he came on against wales this year and he has played there more than mcfadden has on the wing).
earls would cover 11, 13, and also 15

if its a choice of horgan or luke fitz id bring horgan.

if it is a 17/13 split i wouldnt bring mcfadden.

ambid

CatFromHue wrote: »

i wouldnt want mcfadden anywhere near the 15 jersey. its a very different position than center and even the wing. can he kick? can he catch? how is his positioning? its just too far a jump for me to have him there.

mcfadden is a good player but there seems to be a big love in on here about him to the detriment of players ahead of him. he had his chance against munster in the final and while not found wanting he didnt give me the opinion that he should be picked ahead of darcy. he is very like darcy in his style of play so there is an argument for bringing wallace ahead of mcfadden because of this. wallace is a different style of player and asks different questions of the opposing defence.

kearney while not being the perfect in all aspects of the game is still way ahead of the competition for 15 for ireland. i would be very surprised if he wasnt picked to go the world cup. i think he may even be picked as our only specialist 15.

if it is a 17/13 split then you would have (in no particular order)

3 scrum halves - reddan, boss, murray
2 out halves - sexton, rog
2 centers - darcy, bod
2 wingers - trimble, bowe
1 full back - kearney
3 others - wallace, earls, and one of fitzgerald or horgan

wallace would cover 10,12, and 15 (yes 15! thats were he came on against wales this year and he has played there more than mcfadden has on the wing).
earls would cover 11, 13, and also 15

if its a choice of horgan or luke fitz id bring horgan.

if it is a 17/13 split i wouldnt bring mcfadden.

Really good post - except for Wallace at 15. Please no!

Despite all the problems during the 6N, Kidney didn't have confidence to put him there. Also remember how he butchered the try scoring opportunity against Wales - a quality 15 has to be able to hit the line, draw the defence, and make the pass to the man in space. Wallace made a mess of it. I've seen posts in this thread claiming that Wallace's passing is so much better than McFadden's, but I'd dispute that based on his butchering the opportunity against Wales. In fairness though, he was probably out of position (although I don't think that's an excuse).

Anyway, rant over. Aside from that I think your post and your selection is spot on.

CatFromHue

well i think he did alright in that move against the welsh. it was actually bod who messed up what looked like a definite try scoring chance in that play. bod turned it from a 3 on 2 to a 2 on 2.

CIARAN_BOYLE

HEC group is; Leinster, Bath, Warriors and Montpellier

I don't think that any of these games would be big enough a draw to encourage a switch to the Aviva which is unfortunate. Maybe they will move the Bath game and really promote it. 20 in and a tenner for kids/students ect as a promotional tool. Moving to the Aviva wouldn't be the big money spinner.

On the plus side I would expect a home QF from that group to be held in the Aviva so I doubt the commercial side is too unhappy.

tolosenc

Bath would get 30k max. Leave them in the RDS.

Looking forward to a trip to Montpellier, though.

Podge_irl

Apparently Leinster have sold 13,000 season tickets already. That's a phenomenal amount and will go a long way towards securing their finances. They really need to get the RDS expanded soon.

Blured

Podge_irl wrote: »

Apparently Leinster have sold 13,000 season tickets already. That's a phenomenal amount and will go a long way towards securing their finances. They really need to get the RDS expanded soon.

While its great news that season tickets are selling so well, we had a similar number last year and the RDS was still just over half full on a handful of occasions (more often than it was full).

The most important reason (IMO) for the development of the Anglesea stand would be to put in corporate facilities. I would love to see a new stand similar to the one in Thomand, with a large terrace area, then some corporate boxes and seats above that.

LeeroyJones

I remember reading a Q&A session with Mick Dawson regarding the future of Leinster Rugby a few months ago. He touched upon the fact that at the time, about Christmas time I think, they had architects currently working on plans for the Anglesea Stand.

Has anyone heard any updates on these plans?

justsomebloke

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I remember reading a Q&A session with Mick Dawson regarding the future of Leinster Rugby a few months ago. He touched upon the fact that at the time, about Christmas time I think, they had architects currently working on plans for the Anglesea Stand.

Has anyone heard any updates on these plans?

I haven't seen anything like this

>_>
<_<

move along people.

That said in the current market there is a big difference between getting plans done up and then actually following though with it.

LeeroyJones

Joe the Santa wrote: »

I haven't seen anything like this

>_>
<_<

move along people.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/olsc/6278.php
Well, now you have

Joe the Santa wrote: »

That said in the current market there is a big difference between getting plans done up and then actually following though with it.

That's the question

justsomebloke

LeeroyJones wrote: »

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/olsc/6278.php
Well, now you have

I think you missed the point of my post

Winters

Blured wrote: »

The most important reason (IMO) for the development of the Anglesea stand would be to put in corporate facilities. I would love to see a new stand similar to the one in Thomand, with a large terrace area, then some corporate boxes and seats above that.

This was my question from the Mick Dawson Q&A (http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/olsc/6278.php): "16. May I ask if larger terraces for standing fans are included in the future plans for Leinster Rugby? I believe terraces are an integral part of rugby grounds and provide for greater atmosphere at games.

We are currently looking at a redevelopment of the Anglesea Stand and we acknowledge that the terrace is an integral part of what we do and we would plan to have a terrace as part of the new redevelopment whenever it happens."

They are looking at three options as far as I know. Do nothing, refurbishment and new build. Obviously its in dire need of work but the money, between the RDS and LR might not be there at the moment.

No doubt terracing needs to be included. I hope the two groups understand that.

justsomebloke

Winters wrote: »

No doubt terracing needs to be included. I hope the two groups understand that.

The problem is I don't think they do

Beanmachine

Steven Sykes is playing for the Sharks now on sky sports 4 for anyone interested. He's playing ok, calling the lineout well and hitting the rucks havn't seen him carrying much yet!!

Taco Corp

Beanmachine wrote: »

Steven Sykes is playing for the Sharks now on sky sports 4 for anyone interested. He's playing ok, calling the lineout well and hitting the rucks havn't seen him carrying much yet!!

He got subbed at half time. Not said why

danthefan

Surley wrote: »

He got subbed at half time. Not said why

Hurt his knee apparently.

Conchir

Surley wrote: »

Has there been any more updates on Kearney's move to Stormers?

What? :O

Where was that mentioned?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Conchir wrote: »

What? :O

Where was that mentioned?

There was talk of him doing a short term move to gain fitness before the WC and Stormers was the logical choice because there was talk about SARU asking Stormers to rest a couple of back three players for a couple of weeks at the end of the super 15 season.

Its NGTH I think since its now so late in the season. He might go down and play with a currie cup team but there has been no more talk about it in the press