Leinster v Biarrtiz Olympique - RDS 27/04/13, 14:30 SS1 (Print your tickets!!)

Thanos

Looking forward to this one, could be as good as some of the H-cup games at the weekend. Hope the weather holds off also.
I see Richardt Strauss has been passed fit but Dave Kearney major doubt.

Has anyone got their tickets in the post yet?

justsomebloke

Thanos wrote: »

Has anyone got their tickets in the post yet?

TICKETS FOR THIS GAME HAVE TO BE PRINTED FROM YOUR TICKETMASTER ACCOUNT

ssaye

Thanos wrote: »

Looking forward to this one, could be as good as some of the H-cup games at the weekend. Hope the weather holds off also.
I see Richardt Strauss has been passed fit but Dave Kearney major doubt.

Has anyone got their tickets in the post yet?

You have to print them out if you are a season ticket holder in anyway from your account, not sure otherwise

Thanos

justsomebloke wrote: »

TICKETS FOR THIS GAME HAVE TO BE PRINTED FROM YOUR TICKETMASTER ACCOUNT

And this is why I post here, so many helpful people (especially when you have a head like a sieve like me )

Thanks.

justsomebloke

Thanos wrote: »

And this is why I post here, so many helpful people (especially when you have a head like a sieve like me )

Thanks.

have edited thread title as I sure there will be a good few people who will 'forget' about this

[Jackass]

Sexton is a no-brainer for me at 10, but I'd still consider having Madigan in the starting lineup at 15.

It's tough to say really, he's a difficult man to leave out, and with Rob having a not so great run of form at 15, and also McFadden perhaps not being a natural winger, the back-three selection will be very interesting.

Personally, I would go with:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. Roux
6. O'Brien
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip

9. Boss
10. Sexton
11. R. Kearney
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll
14. Nacewa
15. Madigan

16. Cronin 17. McGrath 18. Bent 19. Toner 20. McLoughlin 21. Cooney 22. Goodman 23. McFadden

The only real surprise there is Madigan to 15 and McFadden very harshly dropped. The reason being that I don't like Nacewa at 11, I feel he's been a bit muted. Madigan is in flying form and has deputised well at 15 this season, he also gives the option of a split midfield either from set-piece or in open play, having Sexton first receiver one side and Madigan first receiver the other side, it gives two superb play-makers either side of the scrum / ruck, and potentially can play havock with opposition defence decision making.

Add to that, you have two wingers who are best at full-back, any concern over Madigans fielding should be offset by the sweeping of Kearney and Nacewa at the back, and Kearney having the natural left boot in the back field is key also.

McFadden poses a great running threat, but considering that Biarritz would be sure to target Madigan at full-back, Kearney and Nacewa under the high ball will be important, but also the marking of Biarritz main point of attack by playing wide, I think Nacewa and Kearney will just be more able to cope with that than McFadden being in there (who has been punished badly on the wing defensively before).

Other main calls, Roux in ahead of Toner, I think Toner has had his best season for Leinster to date, especially upping his physicality, particularly at ruck time (although his carrying still looks like a giraffe running into a brick wall), I still think Roux is a great hope for us in the second row and I'd like to persist with him in a game like this, I do think he's potentially a rough diamond, he has a lot to work on, but I see genuine quality in him.

Back-row, I always, always prefer the most natural open side option available and the best 6 option available. O'Brien is a different player at 6 than he is to 7, when he's free'd up from some of the defensive and digging duties, he gets through a lot of work, Jennings is a man I'm happy to rely on. Arguably better off the bench? Perhaps, but I think with Johhny at 10, any mistakes from Biarritz will be heavily punished by field position and points and Jenno is the man to force them imo.

Reigning Heineken Cup champions against reigning Amlin champions, it's a European super cup of sorts! I think this will be a very tough game, Biarritz have really really focused on the Amlin whenever they are in it, they really want European silverware and recognition, but I think if we commit to this game and give it our full attention, we should have too much for them in the locker.

One thing to be avoided is that we need to exert far more control on the game than we did in the opening half against Wasps, and not get drawn into another shoot out.

Podge_irl

I don't see the sense in moving Kearney from fullback to wing when he isn't a very good winger and his replacement isn't a very good fullback.

ssaye

Wouldnt play Madiga 15 and drop Ferg.

I know our limitations with DK out but


RK
Ferg
BOD
Darcy
Isa
Sexton
Boss


has to be the way to go barring any unforeseen injuries

Madigan to play Ospreys game and 20 mins the weekend if a decent lead, great headache to have with the both for the next few weeks.

trouttrout

[Jackass] wrote: »

Sexton is a no-brainer for me at 10, but I'd still consider having Madigan in the starting lineup at 15.

It's tough to say really, he's a difficult man to leave out, and with Rob having a not so great run of form at 15, and also McFadden perhaps not being a natural winger, the back-three selection will be very interesting.

Personally, I would go with:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. Roux
6. O'Brien
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip

9. Boss
10. Sexton
11. R. Kearney
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll
14. Nacewa
15. Madigan

16. Cronin 17. McGrath 18. Bent 19. Toner 20. McLoughlin 21. Cooney 22. Goodman 23. McFadden

The only real surprise there is Madigan to 15 and McFadden very harshly dropped. The reason being that I don't like Nacewa at 11, I feel he's been a bit muted. Madigan is in flying form and has deputised well at 15 this season, he also gives the option of a split midfield either from set-piece or in open play, having Sexton first receiver one side and Madigan first receiver the other side, it gives two superb play-makers either side of the scrum / ruck, and potentially can play havock with opposition defence decision making.

Add to that, you have two wingers who are best at full-back, any concern over Madigans fielding should be offset by the sweeping of Kearney and Nacewa at the back, and Kearney having the natural left boot in the back field is key also.

McFadden poses a great running threat, but considering that Biarritz would be sure to target Madigan at full-back, Kearney and Nacewa under the high ball will be important, but also the marking of Biarritz main point of attack by playing wide, I think Nacewa and Kearney will just be more able to cope with that than McFadden being in there (who has been punished badly on the wing defensively before).

Other main calls, Roux in ahead of Toner, I think Toner has had his best season for Leinster to date, especially upping his physicality, particularly at ruck time (although his carrying still looks like a giraffe running into a brick wall), I still think Roux is a great hope for us in the second row and I'd like to persist with him in a game like this, I do think he's potentially a rough diamond, he has a lot to work on, but I see genuine quality in him.

Back-row, I always, always prefer the most natural open side option available and the best 6 option available. O'Brien is a different player at 6 than he is to 7, when he's free'd up from some of the defensive and digging duties, he gets through a lot of work, Jennings is a man I'm happy to rely on. Arguably better off the bench? Perhaps, but I think with Johhny at 10, any mistakes from Biarritz will be heavily punished by field position and points and Jenno is the man to force them imo.

Reigning Heineken Cup champions against reigning Amlin champions, it's a European super cup of sorts! I think this will be a very tough game, Biarritz have really really focused on the Amlin whenever they are in it, they really want European silverware and recognition, but I think if we commit to this game and give it our full attention, we should have too much for them in the locker.

One thing to be avoided is that we need to exert far more control on the game than we did in the opening half against Wasps, and not get drawn into another shoot out.

Don't agree with moving Kearney but good post

Madworld

Madigan is too good to leave out and should be accommodated at 12 or 15

Podge_irl wrote: »

You don't build for the future in semi-finals - you go out to win them.

Do you believe the difference between Sexton and Madigan is so great that we would loose with him at 10?

On paper we are stronger 1-15 than Biarritz. Starting Madigan might decrease the overall quality of the fifteen marginally, but surely it's better for him to get the experience on the big stage now, than in a Heineken Cup knockout match against the likes of Clermont or Saracens.

jamiedav2011

Ian Madigan

Putting Madigan at 15 (where he was fairly limited, and at times, fairly poor this year) just to get him into the starting 15 would be crazy, as would dropping Ferg and putting RK at 11.

You're essentially dropping MCF, one of our best performing backs, to shoehorn in a 10 at 15!

RK should start FB and MCF should start on the wing.

Podge_irl

Madworld wrote: »

Do you believe the difference between Sexton and Madigan is so great that we would loose with him at 10?

No, but it was a general comment.

I think Sexton is still the better player and by a reasonable margin. Madigan will definitely start some of these games as Sexton won't play 5 big games in a row, but I don't think Leinster should be playing a loose game against Biarritz.

molloyjh

Ian Madigan

Madworld wrote: »

Do you believe the difference between Sexton and Madigan is so great that we would loose with him at 10?

On paper we are stronger 1-15 than Biarritz. Starting Madigan might decrease the overall quality of the fifteen marginally, but surely it's better for him to get the experience on the big stage now, than in a Heineken Cup knockout match against the likes of Clermont or Saracens.

The difference between starting Sexton and Madigan is huge IMO. The way Jonny brings in those around him and just pulls the strings is a joy to watch. Those outside him must love playing with him. They just need to run lines off him and he'll put them into space. Madigan is an individual talent who still has a lot to learn about controlling a game and those around him.

That said I don't think we can start Sexton in 5 games in a row (and we have to make that our aim) so there will be some rotation between the 2.

thomond2006

Ian Madigan

If Leinster are in both the Amlin and Rabo finals, then it's possible that they'll be a bit more rotation than we've seen in previous seasons between Heineken/Rabo finals. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think both competitions would be equal in terms of priority, the players must be sick of messing up the Rabo.

Podge_irl

I'd rather win the Rabo personally, but given the Amlin is a European trophy and gets Connacht into the HEC I imagine there will be a lot of pressure to win that one.

thebaz

I'd love to see Madigan and Sexton play together as two out halves , like the old All Blacks used to use , and then BOD as accompaning center

Grimebox

Ian Madigan

Any combo of Madigan/Sexton with one coming on at 60 minutes would be grand. I actually don't know who to pick. I don't think it hugely matters

little173

molloyjh wrote: »

The difference between starting Sexton and Madigan is huge IMO. The way Jonny brings in those around him and just pulls the strings is a joy to watch. Those outside him must love playing with him. They just need to run lines off him and he'll put them into space. Madigan is an individual talent who still has a lot to learn about controlling a game and those around him.

That said I don't think we can start Sexton in 5 games in a row (and we have to make that our aim) so there will be some rotation between the 2.

I agree - Sexton is a class act and has performed at the very highest level for some time, Madigan has got game and he will hopefully develop that control needed at the test level over the next year and his decision making will improve which is the key to the 10 position when you have all the requiste skills.

leftleg

Grimebox wrote: »

Any combo of Madigan/Sexton with one coming on at 60 minutes would be grand. I actually don't know who to pick. I don't think it hugely matters

Its an excellent problem for Joe and Leinster to have.

jamiedav2011

Ian Madigan

If that is the Biarritz team, are the likes of August, Lauret, Thion, Barcella, Pereyonlongue all injured?

totallegend

Ian Madigan

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

If that is the Biarritz team, are the likes of August, Lauret, Thion, Barcella, Pereyonlongue all injured?

Lauret is only coming back from injury so might be on the bench, Barcella and Thion are injured alright, not sure what the craic is with August or Peyrelongue.

Edit; August, Peyrelongue and Lauret all played last week against Bordeaux so could well be in contention.

ssaye

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/mobile/news/9681.php

Leinster supporters will get a chance to honour several players from Ireland's Six Nations and Grand Slam winning side who will display the Women's Six Nations trophy at half-time of Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup Semi-Final against Biarritz...
Captain Fiona Coghlan will be joined by her Leinster and Ireland team mates, Ailis Egan, Marie Louise Reilly, Sharon Lynch and Nora Stapleton and Ireland Senior Women's coach Philip Doyle at the RDS on Saturday - so please be sure to give the Leinster stars a big cheer when they take to the field!

Killser

Ian Madigan

Johnny or Mads???? Great problem to have to figure out. Feel sorry for Joe, he has to do this for the rest of the season - and then gets to do it all over again next season, when he has a green tracksuit on!

Got to be Johnny for me - best player needed in your biggest games! Mads will be 'The Man' next season, and will start all the big games!

ssaye

Big few weeks, could be a great send off for Joe and the rest.

C'MON Leinster

ssaye

Did SOB get a knock or just have a handy day, seems to be taking it very handy in training

http://inpho.ie/assignment/Leinster-Rugby-Squad-Training-Tuesday/IDkqPXmTr2CNO-9OTY9E2g..a?ts=rg2-nGZa3fBC6BvWZO4QFQ..a

KmcL
SJ
JH
?

totallegend

Ian Madigan

With a couple of Lions coaches in attendance, part of me wishes Madigan gets the nod to maybe boost his chances ahead of next week's announcement.

ssaye

totallegend wrote: »

With a couple of Lions coaches in attendance, part of me wishes Madigan gets the nod to maybe boost his chances ahead of next week's announcement.

I heard he is just gonna go and pretend to be Owen Farrell

Problem? :pac:

.ak

Has anyone else bought extra tickets (not your seat from your STH account) for this? Have they arrived yet?

Podge_irl

.ak wrote: »

Has anyone else bought extra tickets (not your seat from your STH account) for this? Have they arrived yet?

I did, but it defaults to the Ticketfast method of distribution and that's what I used.

awec

.ak wrote: »

Has anyone else bought extra tickets (not your seat from your STH account) for this? Have they arrived yet?

I have no ST and my ticket arrived at the start of the week.

TheGoldenAges

Fedex gave me free tickets, sound lads

.ak

Never mind, arrived this morning... Can't wait now, love European rugby weekends

irishbucsfan

Ian Madigan

Easy to forget just how good Biarritz are. They don't really have the squad to ever challenge in the Top 14 but they have a seriously tough team on paper for knockout rugby.

They're going to try and force a game based on set pieces and tight play. Normally when a side tries to pick a side based on the tight you can kick them around the field but Biarritz love playing against that style of rugby. More kicking also means more set pieces so if they get the upper hand there they can take the kicking game away from us somewhat.

I think our approach should be based on distributing our attack as much as possible. Whether they start with Baby or HB they will be suspect in defense outside of midfield so if we can get quick ball we should move it there and try and keep shifting them all over the field as wide as we can. The problem there is in guaranteeing quick ball, but it is possible if we can keep moving them wide and keep them stretching to get to breakdowns.

If we get in a situation though where we're waiting on the ball at any breakdown then Boss or Sexton should kick the ball away. No need to get ourselves into a scrap for possession anywhere. We should be able to defend well against these guys, particularly as we should be more than capable of slowing them down enough to prevent them getting quick ball wide themselves.

So with that in mind my team would be:

Healy, Cronin, Ross, Cullen, Roux, McLoughlin, SOB, Heaslip; Boss, Sexton, Nacewa, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, McFadden, Kearney

Strauss, McGrath, Hagan, Toner, Jennings, Cooney, Madigan, O'Malley

molloyjh

Ian Madigan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Easy to forget just how good Biarritz are. They don't really have the squad to ever challenge in the Top 14 but they have a seriously tough team on paper for knockout rugby.

They're going to try and force a game based on set pieces and tight play. Normally when a side tries to pick a side based on the tight you can kick them around the field but Biarritz love playing against that style of rugby. More kicking also means more set pieces so if they get the upper hand there they can take the kicking game away from us somewhat.

I think our approach should be based on distributing our attack as much as possible. Whether they start with Baby or HB they will be suspect in defense outside of midfield so if we can get quick ball we should move it there and try and keep shifting them all over the field as wide as we can. The problem there is in guaranteeing quick ball, but it is possible if we can keep moving them wide and keep them stretching to get to breakdowns.

If we get in a situation though where we're waiting on the ball at any breakdown then Boss or Sexton should kick the ball away. No need to get ourselves into a scrap for possession anywhere. We should be able to defend well against these guys, particularly as we should be more than capable of slowing them down enough to prevent them getting quick ball wide themselves.

So with that in mind my team would be:

Healy, Cronin, Ross, Cullen, Roux, McLoughlin, SOB, Heaslip; Boss, Sexton, Nacewa, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, McFadden, Kearney

Strauss, McGrath, Hagan, Toner, Jennings, Cooney, Madigan, O'Malley

O'Malley? What's the logic there? That gives us no cover in the back 3. McFadden provides centre cover as-is so surely we need someone like Conway in there?

irishbucsfan

Ian Madigan

molloyjh wrote: »

O'Malley? What's the logic there? That gives us no cover in the back 3. McFadden provides centre cover as-is so surely we need someone like Conway in there?

Actually back 3 is covered there.

13 will be vital. The wings not really as much. But yeah Conway could be good either.

totallegend

Ian Madigan

Paddy Power have installed Leinster as ten-point favourites, can't see there being that much between the teams...

awec

What are the good pubs around the ground for post-match Munster watching?

totallegend

Ian Madigan

awec wrote: »

What are the good pubs around the ground for post-match Munster watching?

Searsons on Baggot Street is like the unofficial Munster HQ in Dublin, or it used to be anyway.

The easy option post-match is Paddy Cullen's as it's right beside the RDS, but it is to be avoided because the screen set-up is atrocious.

If you're shouting for Clermont, head for Kiely's...

Buer

Ian Madigan

If you're looking for somewhere very close to the ground, Paddy Cullen's, Slattery's, Beggars Bush and Horse Show House will all be busy and have the game on. For a bit more comfort in a nicer setting, I'd go the extra 300m up the road to the Schoolhouse on Morehampton Road.

trouttrout

When is the team announced?

Will miss the game because I've a match myself. Obviously the Munster junior rugby board care little for the Lunster supporters playing across the province!

totallegend

Ian Madigan

trouttrout wrote: »

When is the team announced?

Will miss the game because I've a match myself. Obviously the Munster junior rugby board care little for the Lunster supporters playing across the province!

Noon tomorrow.

trouttrout

totallegend wrote: »

Noon tomorrow.

ah just noticed the match isn't tomorrow from that! Unreal, I'll see it so

ssaye

awec wrote: »

What are the good pubs around the ground for post-match Munster watching?

Oil Can Harrys, Lower Mount St has been great recently for games.

Walk another 5 mins over the bridge towards town from Ballsbridge, projectors, screens, tvs, pool, roof terrace and usually enough seats as it is just far enough away for people not to walk est. 10 min from ground.

irishbucsfan

Ian Madigan

Awec go for the full treatment. Go to one of the nice pubs where they serve mochas and pay boggers to pull the pints (cultural outreach). You'll need to cheer for Clermont though.

awec

Mochas?

Might head to Kielys or the Horse Show, will see where the wind takes me.

totallegend

Ian Madigan

awec wrote: »

Mochas?

Might head to Kielys or the Horse Show, will see where the wind takes me.

If you're looking for atmosphere, why not post on the Munster thread and see if they can recommend any pubs where the fans are likely to be?

.ak

awec wrote: »

Mochas?

Might head to Kielys or the Horse Show, will see where the wind takes me.

They'd be my prefence. Depending on how lazy I am. Horse Show House has a massive screen so it's handy, but Kiely's is the better pub, comfy seats and a great selection of beers for the average boozer.

awec

Don't want to be walking too far. Be grand!

ssaye

awec wrote: »

Don't want to be walking too far. Be grand!

Kielys is about a good 8-10 minute walk through the crowds from RDS and will probably have a 100 or so there already before the crowds come in for Munster. Usually standing room only if its back to back games but its a great spot and the 15 foot HD projector near the food area and new projector to the right of the door are a welcome bonus.

Grimebox

Ian Madigan

I would be very surprised if you got seats in Kiely's after coming from the RDS