Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread V

awec

Clearlier wrote: »

I tend towards agreeing but the original post read as if there was a problem with D'Arcy playing 13 when I suspect that most of us think that he could do a pretty good job in either role.

There is a problem with him starting at 13. There is no longevity in D'Arcy, someone has to make that jersey their own and to do that they need games.

Ideally we'd have had someone with decent experience at 13 to follow BOD but we have nobody really. There is no point replacing one old hand with another old hand which will just compound the problem.

former legend

the baby bull elephant wrote: »

The big one would probably be to play Olding at 12 with an experienced player.

Against Georgia I'd say we'd be ok with a new centre partnership.

Finding out what the 13 options are like is way too important to waste a game with D'Arcy there.

Edit: just realised this is the Leinster thread

.ak

former legend wrote: »

I never want to see D'Arcy play 13 for Ireland. No no no.

Why not? He's a decent option there, and solid. Won't get caught out in defence and can fix a defender.

former legend

.ak wrote: »

Why not? He's a decent option there, and solid. Won't get caught out in defence and can fix a defender.

Decent and solid is not what we're looking for, but it's not really about D'Arcy's ability. See above for more.

awec

D'Arcy can do a job at 13. We know that, so what's the point in playing him there now?

Do we really want a situation where we go into the 6N and the WC with no real 13 having nailed down the shirt?

.ak

Also whilst I sit here in my Ivory tower in Manhattan I remind myself I am a benevolent overlord, and must show thyself to be so.

So basically first person to PM me gets a cushty Anglesea seat for the Edinburgh game for free. First come first serve.

Am I not merciful?

thomond2006

Don't take .ak's shilling. Don't do it.

.ak

awec wrote: »

D'Arcy can do a job at 13. We know that, so what's the point in playing him there now?

Do we really want a situation where we go into the 6N and the WC with no real 13 having nailed down the shirt?

No one wants that, but it may come to that. None of the pretenders have impressed there.


Until collie o Shea decides to give it a go. Right now he's just enjoying some r&r like a boss.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

Don't take .ak's shilling. Don't do it.

Did I mention you can throw rotten fruit/veg at thomond from this seat?

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

Also whilst I sit here in my Ivory tower in Manhattan I remind myself I am a benevolent overlord, and must show thyself to be so.

So basically first person to PM me gets a cushty Anglesea seat for the Edinburgh game for free. First come first serve.

Am I not merciful?

I usually try not to repeat myself but....

molloyjh wrote: »

LostArt

Have the Quins away tickets gone on sale yet?

Morf

.ak wrote: »

So basically first person to PM me gets a cushty Anglesea seat for the Edinburgh game for free. First come first serve.

What exactly have you been doing while watching Leinster games? :eek:

Clearlier

awec wrote: »

There is a problem with him starting at 13. There is no longevity in D'Arcy, someone has to make that jersey their own and to do that they need games.

Ideally we'd have had someone with decent experience at 13 to follow BOD but we have nobody really. There is no point replacing one old hand with another old hand which will just compound the problem.

Of course there's a problem for Leinster and Ireland with D'Arcy starting at 13 but the problem isn't with D'Arcy. Sorry if that wasn't clear from my post.

Eoin O'Malley was the anointed heir. We're missing him badly IMO. For Leinster Te'o is obviously the great white hope. A little like Henshaw for Ireland he has the raw physical ability. Whether they has the nous, the drive and the ambition is another question.

molloyjh

So from both squad updates (Leinster & Ireland) it looks like Ross and Jenno are definitely out this weekend. Dave, Ferg and Jordi are back training and might be available and Rob might return to training this week too. So while we might be a little threadbare tomorrow we should have something like the following for the Treviso game:

01. E Byrne
02. Dundon
03. Bent
04. McCarthy
05. Douglas
06. Locky
07. Jenno
08. Murphy

09. McGrath
10. Gopperth
11. Fitzy
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. McFadden
15. Kirchner

16. B Byrne
17. Dooley
18. Furlong
19. Denton
20. Conan/Ryan
21. Boss
22. Crosbie
23. D Kearney

That would be a damn fine starting XV at the very least.

stephen_n

Apart from the front row that would be a fairly strong team.

Front row isn't awful either. Dundon isn't going to win any international awards, but he's a solid hooker. Good around the park and lineouts are fine.

Bent has done fine at TH, and I'm eager enough to let the two Byrnes get more senior gametime too.

Considering that McGrath & Healy, Ross & Moore and also Cronin & Strauss are all likely to be away during the 6N, I think that's a front row we might see several times this year.

Tox56

molloyjh wrote: »

So from both squad updates (Leinster & Ireland) it looks like Ross and Jenno are definitely out this weekend. Dave, Ferg and Jordi are back training and might be available and Rob might return to training this week too. So while we might be a little threadbare tomorrow we should have something like the following for the Treviso game:

01. E Byrne
02. Dundon
03. Bent
04. McCarthy
05. Douglas
06. Locky
07. Jenno
08. Murphy

09. McGrath
10. Gopperth
11. Fitzy
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. McFadden
15. Kirchner

16. B Byrne
17. Dooley
18. Furlong
19. Denton
20. Conan/Ryan
21. Boss
22. Crosbie
23. D Kearney

That would be a damn fine starting XV at the very least.

I think Furlong starting at 3 with Bent at LH is far more likely than Byrne at LH and Bent at TH, and that's what the bib theory suggested for the Edinburgh game anyway

molloyjh

Tox56 wrote: »

I think Furlong starting at 3 with Bent at LH is far more likely than Byrne at LH and Bent at TH, and that's what the bib theory suggested for the Edinburgh game anyway

Sounds good to me. Bent will probably go over to TH then at around 60/70 mins if that's the case.

ssaye2

LEINSTER:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Peter Dooley
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dan Leavy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Steve Crosbie
23. Mick McGrath

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 115th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Stuart Douglas (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Brian Byrne must have totally leapfrogged Dundon at this stage.

That's a good team. McLaughlin to be our MOD?

ssaye2

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/12767#.VFIon2dA2VE

Mahatma Geansai

I didn't realise that players named in the original squad would be released back to their clubs.

molloyjh

Squad named:

01. Bent
02. Strauss
03. Furlong
04. Denton
05. Douglas
06. Locky
07. Ryan
08. Conan

09. L McGrath
10. Gopperth
11. Fitz
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. Fanning
15. Kirchner

16. B Byrne
17. E Byrne
18. Dooley
19. Marshall
20. Leavy
21. Boss
22. Crosbie
23. M McGrath

LostArt

Lovely team

Tox56

ssaye2 wrote: »

LEINSTER:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Tom Denton
5. Kane Douglas
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dominic Ryan
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Ed Byrne
18. Peter Dooley
19. Ben Marshall
20. Dan Leavy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Steve Crosbie
23. Mick McGrath

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 115th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Stuart Douglas (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)

Fascinating team, great to see the two byrne's there, and Te'o, Leavy and Dooley in a Leinster squad for the first time. Also good to see McGrath and Conan start, these are the games they need to be playing

I would have liked to see SCM start as bib theory suggested but I guess fanning brings some continuity in the backline

Neil3030

Vange!

Justice for Luke McGrath!

Nige!

former legend

Great team considering all the absentees, especially that backline. Hopefully we can rack up a score and get even more of the nippers on to the pitch in the second half.

Big opportunity for Luke McGrath.

molloyjh

Really happy with the tight five and the back line. Both are as good, if not better, than we could have hoped for. But am I the only one a little concerned about our back row? Locky doesn't have much rugby under his belt lately and Ryan hasn't been as effective as he could be. The bench is very green, but good to see these guys get a run out.

Delighted for McGrath getting his first start under MOC.

thomond2006

Shame T'eo won't get the ball since McGrath can't pass.

ssaye2

molloyjh wrote: »

Really happy with the tight five and the back line. Both are as good, if not better, than we could have hoped for. But am I the only one a little concerned about our back row? Locky doesn't have much rugby under his belt lately and Ryan hasn't been as effective as he could be. The bench is very green, but good to see these guys get a run out.

Delighted for McGrath getting his first start under MOC.

Not really we are down a club side and still putting out a fair few good combos. We dont have much better at the moment as backup so delighted with that.

Especially Luke getting more gametime.

ssaye2

Edinburgh named their team in pic form, its too small for my eyes even with zoom. :pac: Anyone have text version


Ha complaints about it

https://twitter.com/EdinburghRugby/status/527794355428659200

former legend

thomond2006 wrote: »

Shame T'eo won't get the ball since McGrath can't pass.

Nah, he'll get loads of ball. When McGrath aims for Gopperth five yards away, it will end up with Te'o in the outside centre channel.

.ak

Would've liked to see Mick McGrath getting a start but other than that it's all good. Week to soon for ferg, Jennings etc?

molloyjh

It's next to impossible to see the Edinburgh line up on their Twitter page. From what I can tell we're looking at:

01. Allan Dell
02. James Hilterbrand
03. Willem Nel
04. Magnus Bradbury
05. Ben Toolis
06. Jack Turley
07. Tomas Leonardi
08. David Denton

09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
10. Tom Heathcote
11. Tim Visser
12. Andries Strauss
13. Joaquin Dominguez
14. Dougie Fife
15. Nick McLennan

16. Jake Kerr
17. Rory Sutherland
18. John Andress
19. Jamie Ritchie
20. George Turner
21. Sean Kennedy
22. Greig Tonks
23. Jack Cuthbert

ssaye2

Edinburgh Rugby team v Leinster, Friday 31 October, RDS Dublin, kick-off 7.35pm
15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Joaquin DOMINGUEZ
12 Andries STRAUSS (Captain)
11 Tim VISSER
10 Tom HEATHCOTE
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Allan DELL
2 James HILTERBRAND
3 Willem NEL
4 Ben TOOLIS
5 Jack TURLEY
6 Magnus BRADBURY
7 Tomas LEONARDI
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Jake KERR
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Jamie RITCHIE
20 George TURNER
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Greig TONKS
23 Jack CUTHBERT

errlloyd

Return of Dave Denton is huge for them and a good test for Conan.

colster

ssaye2 wrote: »

Edinburgh Rugby team v Leinster, Friday 31 October, RDS Dublin, kick-off 7.35pm
15 Nick McLENNAN
14 Dougie FIFE
13 Joaquin DOMINGUEZ
12 Andries STRAUSS (Captain)
11 Tim VISSER
10 Tom HEATHCOTE
9 Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE

1 Allan DELL
2 James HILTERBRAND
3 Willem NEL
4 Ben TOOLIS
5 Jack TURLEY
6 Magnus BRADBURY
7 Tomas LEONARDI
8 David DENTON

Substitutes
16 Jake KERR
17 Rory SUTHERLAND
18 John ANDRESS
19 Jamie RITCHIE
20 George TURNER
21 Sean KENNEDY
22 Greig TONKS
23 Jack CUTHBERT

The 2 Stauss brothers (Richardt and Andries) playing.

Rigor Mortis

Very exciting back line there. That's a strong enough Edinburgh line up. Should make for an interesting game.

.ak

.ak wrote: »

Would've liked to see Mick McGrath getting a start but other than that it's all good. Week to soon for ferg, Jennings etc?

Was thinking that but then a good bit of inexperience starting so you either drop Fanning (who could probably do with a rest) or Fitz who really needs game time.

If you drop Fanning for McGrath we are a bit more vulnerable as T'eo, Luke McGrath, Fitzy and Reid have very little game time between them. that said, I'd say if we are going well McGrath will come on early enough for Fanning.

CatFromHue

ssaye2 wrote: »

Edinburgh named their team in pic form, its too small for my eyes even with zoom. :pac: Anyone have text version


Ha complaints about it

https://twitter.com/EdinburghRugby/status/527794355428659200

I see Edinburgh have gone for the auld 4 3 2 2 2 1 formation this week.

Larbre34

With 18 Edinburgh absences, our 'C' team such as it is should be able to beat them. Hugely interesting selection, delighted to see Kevin back.

Hope Te'o brought his tackling head because Solomon's will send a coach and horses down that inexperienced area of our line.

This match is Kirchner's to grab by the b0ll1x

CatFromHue

I could see Munster slipping up in Cardiff so a good win here and we'll be back in business.

ssaye2

CatFromHue wrote: »

I could see Munster slipping up in Cardiff so a good win here and we'll be back in business.

November and especially 6N Leinster have gotten the points to win the league or go close, hopefully the same this season.

molloyjh

Larbre34 wrote: »

With 18 Edinburgh absences, our 'C' team such as it is should be able to beat them. Hugely interesting selection, delighted to see Kevin back.

Hope Te'o brought his tackling head because Solomon's will send a coach and horses down that inexperienced area of our line.

This match is Kirchner's to grab by the b0ll1x

They've 18 injuries and another 2 away with Scotland so they are missing 20 in all. Leinster are missing at least 19 though.

Swiwi.

molloyjh wrote: »

Squad named:

09. L McGrath
10. Gopperth
11. Fitz
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. Fanning
15. Kirchner

Tidy back division this week: ZK in his best position at 15, Fitz and an in-form Fanning on the wings, an intriguing mid-field mix, and the people's hero McGrath geting a run out at 9. Bloody Gopperth at 10 though

Pudsy33

http://jrnl.ie/1753717

I am seriously excited to see Te'o orrow. I'm not expecting miracles but a few big hits and decent carries will be great to see. MOC says Te'o described the breakdown as a free shot so hopefully we will see him clearing people out left right and centre.

irishbucsfan

Pudsy33 wrote: »

http://jrnl.ie/1753717

I am seriously excited to see Te'o orrow. I'm not expecting miracles but a few big hits and decent carries will be great to see. MOC says Te'o described the breakdown as a free shot so hopefully we will see him clearing people out left right and centre.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him as well.

I would be very happy if he doesn't do the usual League convert thing of playing 70 minutes a week for the first 6 months, but I'd still be interested in seeing the odds on him picking up a sinbinning at some point!

Seems to have massive potential though. Himself and Reid in midfield could be devastating (especially with Lukey running lines inside Reid).

Swiwi.

The worse thing about this game is the time! I was all set to watch Aki debut for Connacht, but I must admit Te'o lining out for Leinster is tempting too. In addition, Connacht have stuck Aki at 13, which is not his best position, so maybe my Leinster loyalty will shine though. Especially given I no longer have West of Ireland heritage...

thomond2006

CatFromHue wrote: »

I see Edinburgh have gone for the auld 4 3 2 2 2 1 formation this week.

Kenny Cunningham used to play in that formation at Wimbledon.

molloyjh

Swiwi. wrote: »

Tidy back division this week: ZK in his best position at 15, Fitz and an in-form Fanning on the wings, an intriguing mid-field mix, and the people's hero McGrath geting a run out at 9. Bloody Gopperth at 10 though

Yeah, really happy with that back line. McGrath has his issues but can really get pace into the game. While we haven't seen it from Reid much lately he loves himself a line break. If Te'o can just make a couple of decent carries and create space for him Reid could do some real damage. And the back 3 is very handy. Hopefully we get better use out of Kirchner this week in particular.

Swiwi. wrote: »

The worse thing about this game is the time! I was all set to watch Aki debut for Connacht, but I must admit Te'o lining out for Leinster is tempting too. In addition, Connacht have stuck Aki at 13, which is not his best position, so maybe my Leinster loyalty will shine though. Especially given I no longer have West of Ireland heritage...

You do have some Welsh connections though too don't forget. :cool: