Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

CatFromHue

molloyjh wrote: »

Again looking at final end result figures without context is pointless. Last season we had a first half to the season that was insane when it came to injuries. And the injuries weren't limited to first team players, a lot of the back-ups were hit too.Also the quality of opposition last season in the Rabo was a good deal higher than it has been this season where the Pro12 is really showing signs of the damage done by the Welsh exodus. With 3 games to go and looking at our average so far we are looking at conceding another 4 tries. That will take us to 31. That might be an improvement over last season, which was a bit of a freak of a season, but it's worse than any other season in the last 6 or 7 years. And we've conceded a good deal more tries and more points than any other side competing for the play-offs.

As for the HEC we had Clermont in our pool last season and had to play them with a patchwork backline. We didn't have anyone of that quality this season and didn't have the injury woes either. And yet we still conceded more. Bear in mind too that Ospreys scored a sum total of 3 tries in the pool this season and Castres only 5. 4 of Castres tries were against us. So it's not like we were up against try scoring machines or anything.

As fans we all know the context but you could equally argue that at the start of this season we'd no Nacewa, Sexton, Kirchner, BOD, Cullen, Reddan has injury probs at the start of the season, and SOB has only managed 5 appearances for us all season.

Yeah we'd Clermont in the HEC last season but our group overall was a good bit stronger this season. Castres are not as good as Clermont but Northampton and Ospreys are alot better than Exeter and Lanelli.

BazPM

I wonder if Luke Fitzgerald will be back for this weekend, very odd injury he has, hopefully Matt o Connor can help him 'recover'

.ak

BazPM wrote: »

I wonder if Luke Fitzgerald will be back for this weekend, very odd injury he has, hopefully Matt o Connor can help him 'recover'

Guy Easterby talks about it in the article above. Nothing odd about it.

BazPM

.ak wrote: »

Guy Easterby talks about it in the article above. Nothing odd about it.

He can't even get the injury right in the article. All I'm saying is I've heard there's more to lukes absenteeism

.ak

BazPM wrote: »

He can't even get the injury right in the article. All I'm saying is I've heard there's more to lukes absenteeism

There isn't. And he got the injury right - it isn't just Luke's abdominal muscle acting up, his flexor is too.

rugby addict

I was talking to someone last week who personally knows Luke, seemingly he is pulling like a train.

.ak wrote: »

There isn't. And he got the injury right - it isn't just Luke's abdominal muscle acting up, his flexor is too.

Sounds a lot like bedroom injuries to me.

former legend

BazPM wrote: »

He can't even get the injury right in the article. All I'm saying is I've heard there's more to lukes absenteeism

Ah yes, the old "I know something you don't know" contribution. Excellent.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

former legend wrote: »

Ah yes, the old "I know something you don't know" contribution. Excellent.

Should be a bannable offense. So ****ing annoying

CatFromHue

rugby addict wrote: »

I was talking to someone last week who personally knows Luke, seemingly he is pulling like a train.

Sounds a lot like bedroom injuries to me.

When you put it like that it does :pac:

SaveOurLyric

ssaye2 wrote: »

Easterby reveals that it is often Fitzgerald himself who is making the calls on whether or not his body is ready to play. Normally, such decisions are completely in the hands of the province’s medical team, but Leinster have learned to trust the Ireland international’s instincts.

Wouldnt mind that setup myself.

Monday morning alarm clock. Should I go to work? No, call the boss: "Look, I could come in. If you really need my, of course I'm there. But I just feel I'm about a week away. Best not risk it. My instinct tell me I should just have a long lie in today and listen to the radio. Just dont feel up to coming in. I'll see how things go this week and I might see you next Monday."
Boss : "That sounds sensible, SaveOurLyric. You just go back to sleep there. Best switch off your phone too so no one can disturb. Talk next Monday."

awec

BazPM wrote: »

He can't even get the injury right in the article. All I'm saying is I've heard there's more to lukes absenteeism

I'm pretty sure I told you last night about this sort of thing.

If you know something spit it out.

ssaye2

A decision on whether Luke Fitzgerald will be available for Ireland's summer tour to Argentina will be made in the next two to three weeks, according to Leinster manager Guy Easterby, who admitted the player could need an "intervention" to fix the problem in the off-season.



http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/fitzgeralds-argentina-tour-hopes-on-knife-edge-30185723.html


McFadden not as bad as first thought and

ALSO details on player transfers and the new performance director






We're still managing the injury, it's a niggly one and it improves at times and it's regressing at times as well," Easterby explained, adding that Fergus McFadden should feature before the end of the season as his knee injury is not as bad as first feared.
"It's frustrating because you want to pick a player of his quality, but it's him we feel sorry for more than anything. It's about managing it and then looking at it again in the summer and seeing if there any interventions needed to put it right."
Meanwhile, Easterby has warned against the incoming IRFU performance director forcing Leinster to move their back-up players to different provinces as has been mooted.
With Australian David Nucifora expected to take over the new role in June, there is speculation the stronger provinces may have to move a number of their young players out in order to give them game time, while Connacht fear being forced to lose Robbie Henshaw to a top-tier European province.
"We would have to sit down with the guy who comes in and have a long and interesting chat," Easterby said.

thomond2006

Oh ffs let's not go down the road of moving players around provinces willy nilly. I want for the most part Munster produced players at Munster, not become Team Ireland production line #1.

Henshaw should never be moved in a million years.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh ffs let's not go down the road of moving players around provinces willy nilly. I want for the most part Munster produced players at Munster, not become Team Ireland production line #1.

Henshaw should never be moved in a million years.

Ah yes but Henshaw is technically from Leisnter isn't he? So he qualifies on residency. At the very least we can bring him in as a project player for 3 years and have him qualify for Leinsterdom after that.

Buer

Lets be honest, if Henshaw delivers on his promise in the next couple of seasons, I think we'd all be relatively confident that he won't be playing his rugby in Connacht by 2018.

RobbieRuns

The same applies to Marmion. I think that in his position he is actually ahead of Henshaw in fulfilling Ireland requirements. Boss will slip away in the next year or so, Reddan will only do a few more, so Murray and Marmion could be one and two scrum halves within a few years.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh ffs let's not go down the road of moving players around provinces willy nilly. I want for the most part Munster produced players at Munster, not become Team Ireland production line #1.

Henshaw should never be moved in a million years.

I don't know. I'm all for Leinster players going to other provinces to learn their trade. People seem to be happy with fringe players going overseas rather than to other provinces, but the fact of the matter is once that happens they rarely come back.

danthefan

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh ffs let's not go down the road of moving players around provinces willy nilly. I want for the most part Munster produced players at Munster, not become Team Ireland production line #1.

Henshaw should never be moved in a million years.

Munster have/have had a rake of Leinster players now, and vice-versa. It only makes sense.

Having said that I'm not hugely comfortable with just taking players from Connacht.

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Ah yes but Henshaw is technically from Leisnter isn't he? So he qualifies on residency. At the very least we can bring him in as a project player for 3 years and have him qualify for Leinsterdom after that.

He might be from the roscommon side of athlone. I've heard him refer to connacht as his home province.

Tell you what though, connacht have a decent midfield coming together. If they can source a balling 10, that leaves:

9. Marmion
10. ?
12. Bundee
13. Henshaw

ssaye2

Neil3030 wrote: »

He might be from the roscommon side of athlone. I've heard him refer to connacht as his home province.

Tell you what though, connacht have a decent midfield coming together. If they can source a balling 10, that leaves:

9. Marmion
10. ?
12. Bundee
13. Henshaw

? Steenson

Neil3030

ssaye2 wrote: »

? Steenson

I was also thinking Madigan seems to work better with Kiwis

Larbre34

Neil3030 wrote: »

I was also thinking Madigan seems to work better with Kiwis

No bother. As we're getting Sexton back ye can take him. No point having two similar players as him and Gopperth on the roster together.....;);)

LeeroyJones

In all seriousness if Sexton was to return home next season we would have a situation where Ireland would have 5 top 10s across three teams. Not to mention the other up-and-comers Carty, Marsh etc. I wonder if there's any possibility of Keatley returning to Connacht.

Sexton
Madigan

Jackson

Hanrahan
Keatley

Larbre34

LeeroyJones wrote: »

In all seriousness if Sexton was to return home next season we would have a situation where Ireland would have 5 top 10s across three teams. Not to mention the other up-and-comers Carty, Marsh etc. I wonder if there's any possibility of Keatley returning to Connacht.

Sexton
Madigan

Jackson

Hanrahan
Keatley

Top 10s? By world standards, only Sexton is outstanding. Jackson is coming along, Madigan has dropped off the curve for various reasons, Hanrahan is full of potential but Keatley has peaked and he is very average.

LeeroyJones

Larbre34 wrote: »

Top 10s? By world standards, only Sexton is outstanding. Jackson is coming along, Madigan has dropped off the curve for various reasons, Hanrahan is full of potential but Keatley has peaked and he is very average.

OK out-halves who are good enough to be exposed at Pro12/Heineken Cup level.

ssaye2

http://balls.ie/rugby/meet-leinster-team-played-first-european-cup-game-1995/

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/team/results/match_centre_leinster.php?section=overview&fixid=640

Synode

Only one sub in the match, on the Milan side :eek:

Did all players usually play the full 80?

stephen_n

Synode wrote: »

Only one sub in the match, on the Milan side :eek:

Did all players usually play the full 80?

Tactical substitutions were not really used then no, injury or fatigue were the only real reasons for players coming off.

CatFromHue

unless you there was an injury yeah

even then i'm not fully sure subs were allowed for injuries at some levels, you might have had to ask the opposition captain was he ok with the sub first

Riskymove

stephen_n wrote: »

Tactical substitutions were not really used then no, injury or fatigue were the only real reasons for players coming off.

only introduced in late 96

injuries were only reason

stephen_n

Riskymove wrote: »

only introduced in late 96

injuries were only reason

Memories dodgy thought they came in with the AIL but were still rarely used, forgot it was that late.

durkadurka

Riskymove wrote: »

only introduced in late 96

injuries were only reason

You had to be half dead before you'd come off too.

Riskymove

durkadurka wrote: »

You had to be half dead before you'd come off too.

indeed...no blood substitutes

ssaye2

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/11819.php

Injury Update

TLDR

CatFromHue

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/11819.php

Injury Update

TLDR

Hmmm why did they bold it that a full range of food and beverage facilities will be available from 3.30 - 6.30.......:pac:

The Luke Fitz situation really needs to be sorted. I'd actually be against him going on tour this Summer if fit as some sort of work has to be carried out to stop this injury from re-occuring.

It's not good for anyone to be monitored on a day to day basis for such a long time like this.

awec

He really is your Ferris - I imagine having him available will become a luxury.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

tbh if Fitz isn't playing more or less consistently he won't be picked given our options. He should be concentrating on playing for Leinster injury free first and foremost

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Larbre34 wrote: »

Top 10s? By world standards, only Sexton is outstanding. Jackson is coming along, Madigan has dropped off the curve for various reasons, Hanrahan is full of potential but Keatley has peaked and he is very average.

Keatley isn't very average. He's no world beater but he's a good outhalf

Pudsy33

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Keatley isn't very average. He's no world beater but he's a good outhalf

Agreed, the way I see it any of Madigan, Keatly or Jackson would be playing for Wales, Italy or Scotland without a doubt.

Fireball07

.ak wrote: »

Well my argument would be the league isn't as poor as people make it out to be. We still have to compete with some top teams like Munster, Ulster, Ospreys and Glasgow and ofcourse teams like Scarlets, Connacht, Treviso are all capable of putting it up to us.

I like the league... but the fact is that isn't great. I mostly enjoy it from a development aspect, getting to see young players and seeing them flourish and improve. And that's good. But in terms of top quality matches- the play-offs are generally good and you get the odd big fixture where two full-strength teams play against each other. But there are still numerous problems, and if the Welsh exodus continues, it could be a disaster.

I would take Irish teams falling out of the play-offs if it meant a more competitive league all-round.

Larbre34 wrote: »

Top 10s? By world standards, only Sexton is outstanding. Jackson is coming along, Madigan has dropped off the curve for various reasons, Hanrahan is full of potential but Keatley has peaked and he is very average.

He's average if you compare him to Sexton, but he is a good HC-level out-half now, was excellent against Toulouse for example.

And we don't know for sure he's peaked, this is his 1st season as a starter in the HC, he could improve. I don't think he has as high a potential ceiling as Madigan/Jackson/Hanrahan but he's a good, creative player.

CatFromHue

Move over Munster the Indo is now ours!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/independent-teams-up-with-leinster-rugby-30189799.html

Riskymove

CatFromHue wrote: »

Move over Munster the Indo is now ours!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/independent-teams-up-with-leinster-rugby-30189799.html

two-faced gits

.ak

Hahah, wut?

Riskymove

.ak wrote: »

Hahah, wut?

Leinster supplement in Leinster
Munster supplment in Munster

official media partner to both!!

I look forward to differing coverage ahead of derbys

.ak

So is the full title of musgrave park going to be "The Irish Independent Official Newspaper of Leinster Rugby Park"?

thirteen.

.ak wrote: »

So is the full title of musgrave park going to be "The Irish Independent Official Newspaper of Leinster Rugby Park"?

Oh how I'd love that

Fireball07

.ak wrote: »

So is the full title of musgrave park going to be "The Irish Independent Official Newspaper of Leinster Rugby Park"?

If Leinster want to donate something towards the sponsorship of the ground, we'd happily go along with that

SOB would do.

Morf

Fireball07 wrote: »

If Leinster want to donate something towards the sponsorship of the ground, we'd happily go along with that

SOB would do.

Platter of prawn sandwiches/antipasti and a case of prosecco?

Glass Prison 1214

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Zane Kirchner
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Noel Reid
11: Darragh Fanning
10: Jimmy Gopperth
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Martin Moore
4: Devin Toner
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Richardt Strauss
17: Jack McGrath
18: Michael Bent
19: Tom Denton
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Luke McGrath
22: Ian Madigan
23: Brendan Macken

Sir Chops

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Zane Kirchner
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Noel Reid
11: Darragh Fanning
10: Jimmy Gopperth
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Martin Moore
4: Devin Toner
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Jordi Murphy
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Richardt Strauss
17: Jack McGrath
18: Michael Bent
19: Tom Denton
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Luke McGrath
22: Ian Madigan
23: Brendan Macken

Is that tomorrow's lineup?