Match Thread: Leinster Rugby vs Stade Francais, Friday 17th May 20:00, SS2

Piliger

I though Stade were actually brilliant in many aspects of the game. They were awesome at the breakdown, it wasn't Leinster who gave it up, swarming and aggressive in defence and moved the ball wonderfully from attack to attack.
But Leinster's defence was their equal, and Leinster's offence is simply the best in Europe I am completely convinced. They have a special ability to execute and penetrate in a way that no other European team have and they sliced through Stade when they got a sniff.
Stade were brilliant but they lacked that special spark of penetration that Leinster have, and at the highest level that is not good enough. Heaslip talked about being flattered at half time ... no way ... they were just clinical in their attacking brilliance.
In my view Leinster player like European Champions tonight. Their dip in form in the Heineken has robbed them of that trophy but they remain the supreme team on the continent.

P_1

Just back from the match, Leisnter were very clinical with their chances but I was very surprised with the ammount of ball that Stade had. Everything bar the final pass seemed to click for them

Hersheys

Great night.

On the terrace. Surrounded by Stade fans. The odd Clermont scattering.

Absolutely fantastic to finally be there to see Leinster life a trophy.

Glass Prison 1214

If winning the game/trophy was good, Jamie Heaslip jumping into the crowd and giving me a hug after the game was fcuking great......

irishbucsfan

trouttrout wrote: »

Most interesting aspect of the entire game for me is how Leinster just didn't even try and compete at the breakdown. The tactic was to let stade have the ball and trust the defense until they messed up. Now I don't think Schmidt would have been happy with the amount of front foot ball stade got and at the time it was frustrating seeing Leinster play so passively at the breakdown but it was an excellent piece of tactical coaching from Schmidt. Showing the utmost confidence in his players to defend well and be clinical in attack

This all started after we went clear. Its a common tactic from us when we're 2 scores ahead under Joe.

tolosenc

trouttrout wrote: »

Most interesting aspect of the entire game for me is how Leinster just didn't even try and compete at the breakdown. The tactic was to let stade have the ball and trust the defense until they messed up. Now I don't think Schmidt would have been happy with the amount of front foot ball stade got and at the time it was frustrating seeing Leinster play so passively at the breakdown but it was an excellent piece of tactical coaching from Schmidt. Showing the utmost confidence in his players to defend well and be clinical in attack

Also didn't want players at the bottom of a ruck with another big final next weekend.

badbeatcentral

MADIGAN IS GODIGAN

Heroditas

trouttrout wrote: »

Most interesting aspect of the entire game for me is how Leinster just didn't even try and compete at the breakdown. The tactic was to let stade have the ball and trust the defense until they messed up. Now I don't think Schmidt would have been happy with the amount of front foot ball stade got and at the time it was frustrating seeing Leinster play so passively at the breakdown but it was an excellent piece of tactical coaching from Schmidt. Showing the utmost confidence in his players to defend well and be clinical in attack

The Stade gameplay was very easy to read after a short while.
They'd pass the ball wide but only really attack the gain line when a backrow was on the shoulder of the back in possession. The back would then look to offload to that forward when they were tackled. Otherwise they'd just pass it out along the backline.
After a while, Leinster were able to stand off them and spot the supporting back row forward and concentrate the defence on that attacking pod.
Once those players were targeted, the Stade attack kept breaking down.
Stade tried to vary it in the second alf by speeding up their offloading game but by that stage Leinster had no real difficulty closing them down.

Grimebox

They're on the ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iM12EvnwJI

First game in ages that I wasn't at the RDS for and they win a ****ing trophy! Wish I was there!

wicklowwonder

durkadurka wrote: »

Fun fact: Heaslip handed his medal to a steward before jumping into the crowd!

I was sitting in front of him he gave it to him as he celebrated in the crowd then took it back when he went back onto the field. The steward didn't get to keep the medal or anything.

mrkiscool2

I tell you what, I would have loved to have seen a fully fit Leinster side vs Clermont in the group stages, would have been 2 absolute crackers (the match in France was, the one in the RDS not so much). Definitely hard to see past those 2 for 2 or 3 years to come! Fairplay to Leinster, just absolutely ruthless with ball in hand. If they play like that next week you have got to fear for Ulster.

bilston

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

If they play like that next week you have got to fear for Ulster.

Definitely, it could be a cricket score.

wicklowwonder

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

Fairplay to Leinster, just absolutely ruthless with ball in hand. If they play like that next week you have got to fear for Ulster.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves if we give Ulster that much possession Pienaar will create a lot more than the Stade team. Ulster are much better than this Stade team and they have had two weeks rest. I think Leinster can beat them but won't be a cricket score or as comprehensive as last nights game I imagine.

durkadurka

@RossOCK: Winning the Amlin is like sleeping with your best friend's mother. Great while it's happening. But no one wants to discuss it the next day.

irishbucsfan

Gerry Thornley says Andrew Conway was great... I thought he was very average?

Heroditas

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Gerry Thornley says Andrew Conway was great... I thought he was very average?

I'd agree with you. I didn't think he stood out too much

errlloyd

What did people think of the atmosphere. I was in the north stand. Was a little quiet, but all the tries were scored the far end, so we had nothing to shout about!!

trouttrout

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Gerry Thornley says Andrew Conway was great... I thought he was very average?

Heroditas wrote: »

I'd agree with you. I didn't think he stood out too much

Mixed for me. Brilliant take and offload for the Cronin try but one or two errors in defense (although he did make one very good tackle on Sergio P)

irishbucsfan

A few times Conway received the ball in space and just clearly didn't know what to do. One was right in front of me and you could see his indecision. Lead to a turnover.

cormacjones

badbeatcentral wrote: »

MADIGAN IS GODIGAN

Enough of this.

Mahatma Geansai

Well done Leinster. Not the trophy you wanted, but its still great to get something in the bag. I'm sure you'll find a dark corner in one of the trophy cabinets for it .

.ak

errlloyd wrote: »

What did people think of the atmosphere. I was in the north stand. Was a little quiet, but all the tries were scored the far end, so we had nothing to shout about!!

I was in the Northstand too. I thought the atmosphere was cracking when we got going, but for large parts of the 2nd half it was dead, but that's to be expected, t'was cold and the team took their foot of the gas, we were defending in the middle of the park for most of it, so it's not like we could even get a few defending-on-the-try-line chants.

As an aside, the brass band playing at the bottom of the north stand were cracking! Great buzz, had people out of their seats dancing.

Dave_The_Sheep

.ak wrote: »

I was in the Northstand too. I thought the atmosphere was cracking when we got going, but for large parts of the 2nd half it was dead, but that's to be expected, t'was cold and the team took their foot of the gas, we were defending in the middle of the park for most of it, so it's not like we could even get a few defending-on-the-try-line chants.

As an aside, the brass band playing at the bottom of the north stand were cracking! Great buzz, had people out of their seats dancing.

South stand where we were was buzzing. Thought it was the best atmosphere in a good while (though I missed Biarritz, to be fair). Might be to do with the big lump of Stade supporters to our left - just behind the goal posts - making lots of noise, so most of the Leinster crowd were trying to drown them out.

We did get most of the tries though, I suppose.

.ak

Yeah I was looking over to the south stand with jealous eyes actually! It always helps to have a big group of away supporters near you, helps the natives pick up their voices a bit. But also you had the view of the only screen! We missed all the replays n stuff. And yeah, all the tries were down your end. During the build up to the one try we got down our end (Healy's) the place was on their feet and very loud indeed.

Burgo

.ak wrote: »

I was in the Northstand too. I thought the atmosphere was cracking when we got going, but for large parts of the 2nd half it was dead, but that's to be expected, t'was cold and the team took their foot of the gas, we were defending in the middle of the park for most of it, so it's not like we could even get a few defending-on-the-try-line chants.

As an aside, the brass band playing at the bottom of the north stand were cracking! Great buzz, had people out of their seats dancing.

North stand 4 life! Yeah great atmosphere in the first half, we got to see the leinster defense up close and personal. But it definitely fizzed out a bit in the second half. Yeah the band really brought something to it.

molloyjh

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Well done Leinster. Not the trophy you wanted, but its still great to get something in the bag. I'm sure you'll find a dark corner in one of the trophy cabinets for it .

Pride of place. Sure isn't it the new Heino!

.ak

Was thinking to myself last night, did Johnny deserve MoTM? And then I remembered that tackle, when Paris were in for a certain try. I've never seen a covering/lifting/holding up tackle made on the line so well. Dunno if the TV caught it, but I'm sure the ball must've been millimeters from touching the line. That ALONE deserved MoTM. The momentum could've swung in Stade Francais' favor it is awarded.

Burgo

.ak wrote: »

Was thinking to myself last night, did Johnny deserve MoTM? And then I remembered that tackle, when Paris were in for a certain try. I've never seen a covering/lifting/holding up tackle made on the line so well. Dunno if the TV caught it, but I'm sure the ball must've been millimeters from touching the line. That ALONE deserved MoTM. The momentum could've swung in Stade Francais' favor it is awarded.

Just watched it there again, Seanie did as much as sexton for that to be fair.

molloyjh

Burgo wrote: »

Just watched it there again, Seanie did as much as sexton for that to be fair.

This. Jonny got the tackle in and held him long enough for Seanie to get under him, but it was Seanie that prevented the grounding. Great work from both of them.

chippers

Burgo wrote: »

Just watched it there again, Seanie did as much as sexton for that to be fair.

Agree - it was a combined effort. O'Brien deserves a lot of the credit there as well.

jamiedav2011

Great game, Stade's forwards were a match for us, but the passing skills of Plisson, and at times Dupuy, when they went wide shot them in the foot.

Thought Heaslip, Boss and RK were good for us.

Any word on the injuries? Strauss and SOB looked ok when walking off, MCF wasn't great.

Burgo

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Great game, Stade's forwards were a match for us, but the passing skills of Plisson, and at times Dupuy, when they went wide shot them in the foot.

Thought Heaslip, Boss and RK were good for us.

Any word on the injuries? Strauss and SOB looked ok when walking off, MCF wasn't great.

Kearney had a good game, bar his kicking which was woeful. He made about 10 metres with 3 or 4 kicks.

McFadden came on for the trophy and lap of honour so it wasn't as bad as first thought. Hopefully available next week.

jamiedav2011

Burgo wrote: »

Kearney had a good game, bar his kicking which was woeful. He made about 10 metres with 3 or 4 kicks.

McFadden came on for the trophy and lap of honour so it wasn't as bad as first thought. Hopefully available next week.

Really? That'd be a boost, considering the manner in which he came off.

jamiedav2011

What happened with the Stade subs?
Bezy wasn't named originally, but was in the programme.

Who came on and who didn't?

Tox56

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Really? That'd be a boost, considering the manner in which he came off.

Conway was stretchered off in a similar fashion in the Aviva game against Munster and started the next week against Exeter so it wouldn't be hugely surprising.

jamiedav2011

Tox56 wrote: »

Conway was stretchered off in a similar fashion in the Aviva game against Munster and started the next week against Exeter so it wouldn't be hugely surprising.

Good point. Thought Fergie was great again last night. Fast becoming my favourite Leinster player.

He's in the Girve/Jenno mode of giving absolutely everything he has for the team.

Might not be the best or biggest player on the pitch, but serious attitude and toughness makes up for it.

Teferi

Kearney was a very mixed bag last night. Woeful with the foot, good around the park.

McFadden had a cracker of a match. I always enjoy watching him. Gives 100% all the time. He has quite a smart rugby brain, can read a game well.

Heaslip was similar. Involved in everything.

MBolgia

Bought two terrace tickets to the Amlin final this time last year as a treat for myself and my son. Only thirty quid, so delighted to be going to see Leinster. We normally slum it in the North Stand but last night we were in the Terrace.

Awesome craic, great banter, fantastic view and just good fun all night. I'm a convert. The terrace it is for me from now on!

errlloyd

.ak wrote: »

Was thinking to myself last night, did Johnny deserve MoTM? And then I remembered that tackle, when Paris were in for a certain try. I've never seen a covering/lifting/holding up tackle made on the line so well. Dunno if the TV caught it, but I'm sure the ball must've been millimeters from touching the line. That ALONE deserved MoTM. The momentum could've swung in Stade Francais' favor it is awarded.

The south stand got all the tries. The north stand got that, I went wild.

CatFromHue

Teferi wrote: »

Kearney was a very mixed bag last night. Woeful with the foot, good around the park.

He didn't cover himself in glory for their try either.

Piliger

Heroditas wrote: »

I'd agree with you. I didn't think he stood out too much

he has a lot of attacking promise but he has to learn how to tackle ...... woeful.

Piliger

.ak wrote: »

. . . . when Paris were in for a certain try.. . . . .

Ehhhh.... who ?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Piliger wrote: »

Ehhhh.... who ?

Its what the french call stade francais

awec

Piliger wrote: »

he has a lot of attacking promise but he has to learn how to tackle ...... woeful.

I think he's just overly eager to smash someone. Think if he was a bit more patient he'd get more tackles in, rather than running out.

Ruck Inspector

watch the work madigan puts in for the first try.. unreal

P_1

Do Stade have a pink remote controlled car bring out the tee for every kick at goal. One of the more WTF moments I've had at a rugby match

Grimebox

P_1 wrote: »

Do Stade have a pink remote controlled car bring out the tee for every kick at goal. One of the more WTF moments I've had at a rugby match

They had one bringing water out anyway

vienne86

.ak wrote: »

I was in the Northstand too. I thought the atmosphere was cracking when we got going, but for large parts of the 2nd half it was dead, but that's to be expected, t'was cold and the team took their foot of the gas, we were defending in the middle of the park for most of it, so it's not like we could even get a few defending-on-the-try-line chants.

As an aside, the brass band playing at the bottom of the north stand were cracking! Great buzz, had people out of their seats dancing.

I'm always in the North stand, and atmosphere was particularly good last night.....that band.....mighty. I presume it was the same band in the Aviva today - they were just below me. Where did they come from?

Ginny

MBolgia wrote: »

Bought two terrace tickets to the Amlin final this time last year as a treat for myself and my son. Only thirty quid, so delighted to be going to see Leinster. We normally slum it in the North Stand but last night we were in the Terrace.

Awesome craic, great banter, fantastic view and just good fun all night. I'm a convert. The terrace it is for me from now on!

Hopefully your son wasn't the poor lad we seemed to scare in the terrace near the dressing rooms!

Grimebox wrote: »

They had one bringing water out anyway

Yeah the lad controlling it was in front of the terrace got a cheer everytime he successfully got it off the pitch.

Brian_Zeluz

P_1 wrote: »

Do Stade have a pink remote controlled car bring out the tee for every kick at goal. One of the more WTF moments I've had at a rugby match

They've been using that gimmick the last few seasons I think, definitely saw them with it in the top14 a good while back.