Leinster v Saracens Sat 15th Jan 1.30pm KO

ongarite

Looks like the weather is going to put a real dampener on the game tomorrow.
Conditions will be just like the Ospreys game last Friday night but it will be quite windy also.

Leinster weren't great in the wet conditions so i can't see a bonus point coming from this game, going to be a real battle.

CouchSmart

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Nathan Hines
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Clint Newland
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Luke Fitzgerald

dastardly00

SARACENS:
15: Nils Mordt
14: David Strettle
13: Michael Tagicakibau
12: Brad Barritt
11: James Short
10: Owen Farrell
9: Richard Wigglesworth
1: Rhys Gill
2: Schalk Brits
3: Carlos Nieto
4: Steve Borthwick CAPTAIN
5: Hugh Vyvyan
6: Kelly Brown
7: Andy Saull
8: Ernst Joubert
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Jamie George
17: Jared Saunders
18: Petrus du Plessis
19: Hayden Smith
20: Justin Melck
21: Neil de Kock
22: Gavin Henson
23: Noah Cato



REFEREE: Romain Poite (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Laurent Cardona, Patrick Pechambert (both FFR), 4th OFFICIAL: Brian MacNeice (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Jean-Christophe Gastou (FFR)

Otacon

Seems like exactly what was expected. Can't argue with that. Hopefully the weather doesn't affect the game too much.

EDIT: Referring to the Leinster team BTW

durkadurka

CouchSmart wrote: »

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Nathan Hines
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Clint Newland
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Luke Fitzgerald

Couple of big calls -McFadden for Fitz, and Ryan instead of McLaughlin.
Madigan on bench instead of Berne - I'm not keen on that.

Schmidt not afraid to play an up and coming guy over an established star....

Otherwise no surprises.

Thanos

durkadurka wrote: »

Couple of big calls -McFadden for Fitz, and Ryan instead of McLaughlin.
Madigan on bench instead of Berne - I'm not keen on that.

Schmidt not afraid to play an up and coming guy over an established star....

Otherwise no surprises.

McFadden has been playing well while Fitz is only back from injury and does not have enough game time. Ryan also play well and McLaughlin has only had one ML game............

Right calls imo.

irishbucsfan

Almost had the team predicted right apart from Reddan/Boss and Madigan/Berne.

And I don't accept Reddan v. Saracens (or anyone...) is the right selection, but he'll probably have a stormer.

Excited now

Hippo

Excited too, but very anxious about Reddan as well!

durkadurka

Thanos wrote: »

McFadden has been playing well while Fitz is only back from injury and does not have enough game time. Ryan also play well and McLaughlin has only had one ML game............

Right calls imo.

McFadden is a brave call though. I admire it. He wouldn't have been criticised for picking fitz

CouchSmart

I'm assuming Berne is still not 100% fit. He's only had two appearences and has been missing from a number of 23's. Hopefully Sexton lasts the 80.

Thanos

durkadurka wrote: »

McFadden is a brave call though. I admire it. He wouldn't have been criticised for picking fitz

True.

I bet he is wearing a rather big smile today mind you!

Quint2010

If Sexton gets injured Nacewa will go to fly half and Fitzgerald to full back. I am expecting a big game from BOD tomorrow. His form this season has been patchy enough

Hippo

ongarite wrote: »

Looks like the weather is going to put a real dampener on the game tomorrow.
Conditions will be just like the Ospreys game last Friday night but it will be quite windy also.

Leinster weren't great in the wet conditions so i can't see a bonus point coming from this game, going to be a real battle.

It's a pretty much full-strength Sarries team, a bonus point was always going to be a long shot

Well ****ing done Schmidt.

I'm more impressed with him week on week. Pick the team that's playing best, no allegiances. Breath of fresh air really!

durkadurka

Thanos wrote: »

True.

I bet he is wearing a rather big smile today mind you!

More likely too stay too. Future looking bright for him now, with bod likely to start fading after world cup.

The Rooster

Reddan played quite well v Sarries in Wembley. We'd built up abut a 10 point lead when he went off, and it was only then they really came back into it. Boss will play against Racing again (and vd Merwe probably will too).

Personally I think Schmidt has made all the right calls.

On the bench Madigan ahead of Berne is a very interesting one! I would say there is something to be read into that. Or maybe SB is just carrying a knock.

TheHighRoad

Deleted User wrote: »

Well ****ing done Schmidt.


I'm more impressed with him week on week. Pick the team that's playing best, no allegiances. Breath of fresh air really!

Which is exactly why I wish Ireland had a manger from outside of Ireland with no allegiances

lemansky

CouchSmart wrote: »

I'm assuming Berne is still not 100% fit. He's only had two appearences and has been missing from a number of 23's. Hopefully Sexton lasts the 80.

Interesting to note, Berne is starting at 12 against Worcester on Sunday.

CouchSmart

lemansky wrote: »

Interesting to note, Berne is starting at 12 against Worcester on Sunday.

Very interesting, perhaps an indication Berne will be released at the end of the season with Madigan being trusted as back up 10.

Madigan is also on the bench for that game - hard to know whats going on.

lemansky

CouchSmart wrote: »

Very interesting, perhaps an indication Berne will be released at the end of the season with Madigan being trusted as back up 10.

Madigan is also on the bench for that game - hard to know whats going on.

Wow, I totally missed that! That is odd alright. I'd hate to think of Berne leaving just yet.

batman2000

Also this must be worth mentioning:

REFEREE: Romain Poite (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Laurent Cardona, Patrick Pechambert (both FFR), 4th OFFICIAL: Brian MacNeice (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Jean-Christophe Gastou (FFR)

Who knows which rulebook Monsieur Poite will decide to read on the flight over. !

wixfjord

Happy with that team.
Think Reddan is the right call, it seems to be a pattern to play Boss + VDM in games when we may be up against it, and Healy + Reddan in games when we're at home or the fave.

Wind and rain might put paid to any chance of a BP tomorrow though, and make the win even more difficult.

smurphy29

Very happy with the selection. By picking McFadden Schmidt is sending out a really positive message: if you play well enough, you will get picked, regardless of reputation, stature etc. Big game for Dom Ryan, I though Locky was going to get the start in a similar move to Munster with POC, but it's also a positive call by sticking with Ryan on the basis od what he's shown this season.

Looks like Schmidt regards Healy and Reddan as his 'home team' and Boss and vdMerwe as his away team. Don't be surprised to see the pair rotated in next week.

thebaz

Ryan gets call - am I right in saying he is not on contract - if i was connaught/ulster/munster I'd be sniffing around - need to tie him up soon - as he can only get better

CouchSmart

thebaz wrote: »

Ryan gets call - am I right in saying he is not on contract - if i was connaught/ulster/munster I'd be sniffing around - need to tie him up soon - as he can only get better

Ye, only year 2 academy. He'll be put straight onto a full one next year. I assume he get's some sort of compensation for being such a regular in the first team. Either way all this game time is gonna help him get a nice contract for himself next season.

funky penguin

batman2000 wrote: »

Also this must be worth mentioning:

REFEREE: Romain Poite (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Laurent Cardona, Patrick Pechambert (both FFR), 4th OFFICIAL: Brian MacNeice (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Jean-Christophe Gastou (FFR)

Who knows which rulebook Monsieur Poite will decide to read on the flight over. !

It really is worrying that these days I look to see who the ref is! I used to never care.

Huge call with McFadden. Delighted for him. Interesting to see what Declan does now as well with this selection.

If he does eventually bring Fitz on (which should be a definite 'yes'), I'd prefer to see him come on for D'Arcy maybe, with McFadden slotting in beside BOD.

funky penguin

funky penguin wrote: »

Huge call with McFadden. Delighted for him. Interesting to see what Declan does now as well with this selection.

Funny thing is, I don't think it was a huge call. I think we're just so used to having players stroll back into the first team in Irish rugby, that we thought it was a huge call.

batman2000

Anyone else seen this tune attached...PS You have to sing it your head !!)

David900

I would have liked to have seen Ruddock involved, personally I prefer him to Ryan - no disrepect to Ryan and he has taken his chances greatly. If I was Ruddock I'd eye a move to Munster, I think he would solve their problems over the coming years.

I hope SOB puts in a stormer to create more pressure on Kidney.

Quint2010

batman2000 wrote: »

Anyone else seen this tune attached...PS You have to sing it your head !!)

There's a seperate thread for this song. Very very funny. Hope we hear it sung tomorrow!

CIARAN_BOYLE

David900 wrote: »

I would have liked to have seen Ruddock involved, personally I prefer him to Ryan - no disrepect to Ryan and he has taken his chances greatly. If I was Ruddock I'd eye a move to Munster, I think he would solve their problems over the coming years.

Its a solid fight between Ryan and Ruddock which Ryan seems to be winning this season.

I agree that Leinster may have too many quality back row forwards and too little space with them.

Heaslip, SOB, Jennings, McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock

Paul Ryan is pretty decent too (but is currently injured), Stephen Keogh is fringe player that needs a few games a season, then there are a few decent guys in the academy too.

No is getting on in age, Jennings is 29 and he is the old man in the backrow.

I wouldn't suggest moving just yet but I would keep an eye on my options if I was in his shoes.

Quint2010

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Its a solid fight between Ryan and Ruddock which Ryan seems to be winning this season.

I agree that Leinster may have too many quality back row forwards and too little space with them.

Heaslip, SOB, Jennings, McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock

Paul Ryan is pretty decent too (but is currently injured), Stephen Keogh is fringe player that needs a few games a season, then there are a few decent guys in the academy too.

No is getting on in age, Jennings is 29 and he is the old man in the backrow.

I wouldn't suggest moving just yet but I would keep an eye on my options if I was in his shoes.

And there will be the son of a former all black playing in the back row for Leinster in a couple of years..

roycon

tbh i was surprised to see mcloughlin in there ahead of ruddock in the subs. as for madigan ahead of shaun berne. madigan has the pace to play at full back and second centre whereas shaun berne is really only an outhalf or first centre. i know they have plenty of cover in those positions but its no harm to have him ther. hes also got a better kicking game than berne and considering the expected conditions...

David900

As a Leinster fan I'd love him to stay, I think he could be really important in the future.

He has been a captain at underage level, which I think speaks of his importance. Didn't he used to keep Ryan on the bench at underage? Fair play to Ryan tough it thats true.

David900

Quint2010 wrote: »

And there will be the son of a former all black playing in the back row for Leinster in a couple of years..

Who is that?

Quint2010

David900 wrote: »

Who is that?

Harrison Brewer. Mike Brewers son. Best schools player I have ever seen. Terenure have won the last 2 junior cups because of him.

batman2000

Quint2010 wrote: »

There's a seperate thread for this song. Very very funny. Hope we hear it sung tomorrow!

Although off-topic sorry didnt see the other thead


........(goes off to look)

WeeBushy

Quint2010 wrote: »

Harrison Brewer. Mike Brewers son. Best schools player I have ever seen. Terenure have won the last 2 junior cups because of him.

He's only, what, 15? Far too young to be talking about him playing for Leinster at the moment. He does appear to be a serious talent, but at 15 its too early to say how he will develop.

However way OT, prob more suited to the School's Cup thread.

If Leinster put in a couple of early scores I can see Saracen's heads dropping, especially being away from home and getting that victory in the last round. They had something to prove that day, less so now imo.

I'm going for a Leinster BP victory...

Hope I haven't jinxed it.

Quint2010

Well he is the first 15 year old I have heard of being called up by Leinster Schools (even though the school wouldnt allow it) and if he keeps his head straight and is nurtured the right way he will be playing for Ireland by the time he's 20 I am sure of it

tolosenc

If he's that good, surely the Blacks have an eye on him. I mean, they snap up all of the Islander talent, so I doubt they'd miss the one of their own just because he's not living there.

Quint2010

tolosenc wrote: »

If he's that good, surely the Blacks have an eye on him. I mean, they snap up all of the Islander talent, so I doubt they'd miss the one of their own just because he's not living there.

Well his mum is irish, he was born here and has lived all his life here so if Leinster and the IRFU are worth their salt they'll have him signed up already

WeeBushy

Quint2010 wrote: »

Well he is the first 15 year old I have heard of being called up by Leinster Schools (even though the school wouldnt allow it) and if he keeps his head straight and is nurtured the right way he will be playing for Ireland by the time he's 20 I am sure of it

Took up that post in the School Cup thread as I think its an interesting point, but don't want to derail this thread, and is probably more suited to there.

Hope that's OK with you

Quint2010

WeeBushy wrote: »

Took up that post in the School Cup thread as I think its an interesting point, but don't want to derail this thread.

Hope that's OK with you

sure. Sorry. Its just someone mentioned Leinster conveyor belt of back row talent coming thru and I was just pointing out it extends to junior level at school:)

[Jackass]

Ok, I think I should throw this out there now...

Could everybody please stop suggesting whoever doesn't make the Leinster 23 each week should move to Munster for game time...

It's getting a little old, and Munster aren't the new Connacht, they've got players of their own to give game time to...

David900

Well I think the point was relevant actually. I think Ruddock is ready to be a first team player. He might recieve that after this year at somewhere like Munster where their main backrowers are ageing, but possibly not at Leinster.

Although it is off topic I thought it was relevant to make.
Sorry if you are fed up of hearing people's opinions on a public forum.

phog

CouchSmart wrote: »

Very interesting, perhaps an indication Berne will be released at the end of the season with Madigan being trusted as back up 10.

Madigan is also on the bench for that game - hard to know whats going on.

Maybe Schmidt knows Sexton is off to France and is preparing for life without him.

The Rooster

phog wrote: »

Maybe Schmidt knows Sexton is off to France and is preparing for life without him.

finger on the pulse as ever phog

[Jackass]

David900 wrote: »

Well I think the point was relevant actually. I think Ruddock is ready to be a first team player. He might recieve that after this year at somewhere like Munster where their main backrowers are ageing, but possibly not at Leinster.

Although it is off topic I thought it was relevant to make.
Sorry if you are fed up of hearing people's opinions on a public forum.

Sorry, nothing personal, and many posters do it, I just think if you asked a Munster fan they'd name guys like Ryan, Ronan, Leamy and a host of young lads as their future back-row options.

Ruddock will get game time at Leinster, and there are plenty of young Leinster fringe players who would make other first teams in the next season, but that doesn't mean they should move rather than fight for their place. Leinster are building a squad, not a 15 man team, and Schmidt has more than demonstrated he wants to rotate at least two teams worth of players, and the form ones will get the big matches, regardless of reputation. This is why an academy player is currently holding the 6 jersey ahead of two Irish international players (Ruddock & McLoughlin) and why McFadden is remaining in the team ahead of a Lion who's come back from injury.

Mushy

Clermont 7-10 Racing

nearly HT.

wixfjord

Poster on LF reporting Darce is out with calf strain.

I'm a little bit wary about this game, and with the wind and rain and a few key guys missing it's making me more wary.

It's a game that Leinster 3 years ago could very easy lose, but I'm confident we've the experience to win through.