Match Thread: Leinster v Connacht Fri 19 Dec 1935 RDS, live on TG4

its_phil

S12b wrote: »

So ye have lost 4 of the best players in the world and probably the best coach in the world.....no club (ridiculous French budgets aside) could take that hit without performances dropping quite significantly!

Very valid point but MOC just doesn't seem to be taking them in a clear direction. Gameplans and their execution has been woeful the past few weeks.

errlloyd

Can we get some perspective here. Regardless of form, motivation, energy etc. Regardless of all that, the Connacht team is better than Leinster on paper. This game is going to close, there is no clear underdog

ssaye2

Ian Madigan "a bit banged up," according to Matt O'Connor. Rolled ankle and shoulder niggle mean he doesn't play this weekend

Neil3030

I love what Connacht are doin right now after so many years in the wilderness so friday night will be win win for me. Come on you provincial irish sports team!!

.ak

ssaye2 wrote: »

Ian Madigan "a bit banged up," according to Matt O'Connor. Rolled ankle and shoulder niggle mean he doesn't play this weekend

He's been bulletproof for us so deserves a good rest imo.

vienne86

ssaye2 wrote: »

Ian Madigan "a bit banged up," according to Matt O'Connor. Rolled ankle and shoulder niggle mean he doesn't play this weekend

Hope that's all it is. See him on 26th!

vienne86

ssaye2 wrote: »

Ian Madigan "a bit banged up," according to Matt O'Connor. Rolled ankle and shoulder niggle mean he doesn't play this weekend

Hope that's all it is. See him on 26th!

Quint2010

Whats happened to Hagan?

ssaye2

Quint2010 wrote: »

Whats happened to Hagan?

Was poor in England, just not up to it I imagine. Not even in A's

Last resort type

connachta

Skybet have Leinster - 14 (points to overcome) !!!

They completely lost their mind I guess...

ssaye2

connachta wrote: »

Skybet have Leinster - 14 !!!!

They completely lost their mind I guess...

One person probably bet and it went from -4 to that - dont mind odds.

ionadnapokot

Looking forward to seeing Aki and Henshaw. Poor Reid!...& Fitz:eek:
Would be great to see Marsh get 10-15 mins.
Connacht to hold out for a win by doing a bit of this

Robbo

errlloyd wrote: »

Can we get some perspective here. Regardless of form, motivation, energy etc. Regardless of all that, the Connacht team is better than Leinster on paper. This game is going to close, there is no clear underdog

Tell that to the bookies, they're predicting Leinster by 11-14 points. Value to be had on the alternate handicaps gents.

Putinovsky

S12b wrote: »

Or maybe, just maybe.....in the last few years ye have lost arguably the best coach in the world, outhalf in the world and outside centre in the world. Add in Nacewa who was clearly an invaluable addition to the squad. Ye are also currently without arguably the best loosehead and no.7 in the world.

So ye have lost 4 of the best players in the world and probably the best coach in the world.....no club (ridiculous French budgets aside) could take that hit without performances dropping quite significantly!

The Leinster of old would be better positioned than 5th (after this weekend potentially 6th) without the likes of BOD, Sexton, Healy and O'Brien (in fact most of them rarely played in the Pro 12 anyway!)

Leinster struggled to beat Treviso the other weekend, a team that Northampton put over 67 points on less than 7 days later.

b.gud

Robbo wrote: »

Tell that to the bookies, they're predicting Leinster by 11-14 points. Value to be had on the alternate handicaps gents.

Those odds are very tempting but every time, only done it twice, I've bet on Connacht they had a shocker of a game. Can't remember what the first one was but the second one was the away game to Saracens last year!

Clegg

Quinn Roux seems to be getting on well at Connacht. Makes you wonder what exactly it is with Leinster that they struggle so much with hitting the right balance at second row.

That Connacht backline is better than Leinster's too. Especially at the centres. Could be a long night for Fitz and Reid.

ssaye2

Clegg wrote: »

Quinn Roux seems to be getting on well at Connacht. Makes you wonder what exactly it is with Leinster that they struggle so much with hitting the right balance at second row.

That Connacht backline is better than Leinster's too. Especially at the centres. Could be a long night for Fitz and Reid.

He was injured early in his Leinster career and it took him ages to perform when he returned.

.ak

Clegg wrote: »

Quinn Roux seems to be getting on well at Connacht. Makes you wonder what exactly it is with Leinster that they struggle so much with hitting the right balance at second row.

That Connacht backline is better than Leinster's too. Especially at the centres. Could be a long night for Fitz and Reid.

Time on the field. Someone like Roux needs time, locks are slow burners. Look at Denton, truly awful when he arrived and now he's acceptable.

Roux just couldn't be afforded the game time he required at Leinster.

Buer

Ten starts for him already this season. Precisely the reason he was sent to Connacht. If he leaves there with 20-25 starts in the year, it will have been a very worthwhile exercise.

connemara man

It took him a while. but more he plays the better and more influential he becomes. Shame Cooney is tied up I'd say he'd love a chance at Leinster he's also showing there's something about him too.

Rickwellwood

Gwan Connacht !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clegg

Might be worth Roux's time to see if he can get a permanent move to Connacht. You'd have to imagine that Douglas and Toner will be Leinster's main pairing going forward with Denton as back up and maybe Thornbury or Beirne (if he can ever stay fit) as players to be blooded in the league.

b.gud

connemara man wrote: »

It took him a while. but more he plays the better and more influential he becomes. Shame Cooney is tied up I'd say he'd love a chance at Leinster he's also showing there's something about him too.

Roux has steadily improved with every game this season and I would consider him one of our more important players this season. I think Cooney suffered a bit by missing the start of the season through injury but he looks very lively whenever he has played and I would def like to see more of him

sydthebeat

connacht at +11 seems like mad price

hopefully the bookies have it correct

Pudsy33

Biggest single bet I've ever put on rugby on the Connacht handicap. That seems huge.

Swiwi.

Buer wrote: »

Ten starts for him already this season. Precisely the reason he was sent to Connacht. If he leaves there with 20-25 starts in the year, it will have been a very worthwhile exercise.

Do he and/or Connacht have right of refusal on his return to Leinster?

In NZ, certain unions (mainly the Crusaders) got tired of taking players (mainly from the Blues) and turning them into better players, only for the union to take them back the next year. I think they brought in a rule that if you were surplus to requirements and went elsewhere, you could choose to stay there if you wanted.

b.gud

Swiwi. wrote: »

Do he and/or Connacht have right of refusal on his return to Leinster?

In NZ, certain unions (mainly the Crusaders) got tired of taking players (mainly from the Blues) and turning them into better players, only for the union to take them back the next year. I think they brought in a rule that if you were surplus to requirements and went elsewhere, you could choose to stay there if you wanted.

I believe that Roux is contracted with Leinster until the end of this season. His loan deal only lasts until the end of this month and as of yet nothing has been announced as to wether he is going to stay for the rest of the year or not. So in this situation I'd imagine that Leinster could decide they need him back and he'd pretty much have to go if they stood there ground. However he could decide he is better off at Connacht in the long run and choose to sign with them from next season on.

Since the loaning of players between provinces s quite rare in Ireland I don't know if there is any precedence or rules around it. Hopefully it's something Nucifora will sort out

Coburger

vienne86 wrote: »

I would have thought the IRFU would insist on a break sometime. Anyway....

Has he not had a break since the Quinns game last weekend?? ;-)

What a player when it comes to staying injury free (touch wood he continues to stay so)

Coburger

ssaye2 wrote: »

Ian Madigan "a bit banged up," according to Matt O'Connor. Rolled ankle and shoulder niggle mean he doesn't play this weekend

Just read that Sexton may be a doubt for the game against Italy in the 6 Nations and thought Madigan may get a start in this game.

I wonder if Joe has a say in trying to get Madigan more game time at 10 between now and then.

I wonder how many Connach players would make it into the Leinster side they are playing.

Pudsy33

Coburger wrote: »

Just read that Sexton may be a doubt for the game against Italy in the 6 Nations and thought Madigan may get a start in this game.

I wonder if Joe has a say in trying to get Madigan more game time at 10 between now and then.

I wonder how many Connach players would make it into the Leinster side they are playing.

Where did you read this?

Peregrine

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Where did you read this?

L'Équipe reported it.
http://www.thescore.ie/johnny-sexton-head-injury-1842962-Dec2014/

b.gud

Coburger wrote: »

I wonder how many Connach players would make it into the Leinster side they are playing.

CatFromHue

Coburger wrote: »

I wonder how many Connach players would make it into the Leinster side they are playing.

Are you bored with the Henshaw speculation already and looking for some new tabloid stories :pac:

connachta

Clegg wrote: »

That Connacht backline is better than Leinster's too. Especially at the centres. Could be a long night for Fitz and Reid.

Little hindsight : if someone had told that 2 years ago, asylum would have been wide opened for him:eek:

Donnielighto

b.gud wrote: »

A conservative 5 should be safe for Connacht, 1,3,9,12,13.

b.gud

Donnielighto wrote: »

A conservative 5 should be safe for Connacht, 1,3,9,12,13.

My gif was to say that there is no way I'm gonna answer and get involved in that can of worms

Gits_bone

1,3,4,9,11,12,13

connachta

Everybody will scream about who I'd pick, Connacht and Leinster fans, but this would be my "mix XV"

15. Kearney
14. Poolman
13. Henshaw
12. Aki
11. Kirchner
10. Gopperth
9. Marmion

1. Buckley
2. McCartney
3. Furlong
4. Roux
5. Toner
6. Muldoon (captain)
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip


Replacements:

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. AhYou
19. Douglas
20. Faloon
21. Boss
22. Carty
23. Leader

CowboyTed

Gits_bone wrote: »

1,3,4,9,11,12,13

That is conservative:

Wingers
Healy v Fitzgearld
Poolman v D. Kearney
On form these are very close. I think Fitzgerald is planning the poorest of all them.

Flankers
Muldoon v McLaughlin
Another tight call.

errlloyd

CowboyTed wrote: »

That is conservative:

Wingers
Healy v Fitzgearld
Poolman v D. Kearney
On form these are very close. I think Fitzgerald is planning the poorest of all them.

Flankers
Muldoon v McLaughlin
Another tight call.

What? How exactly do you figure that, Luke has played 2 games, Dave Kearney has played 1? Poolman and Healy have scored some good tries recently, but they're not at the same level.

Also Fitzgerland isn't on the wing tomorrow, Kirchener is, and Kirchener is better than Poolman.

CatFromHue

Fitzgerald v Henshaw could be a trail match up for Ireland

connachta

errlloyd wrote: »

Kirchener is, and Kirchener is better than Poolman.

Poolman's great, not a single deficit in his game

Robbo

The correct answer is Denis Buckley at numbers 1 through 15.

connemara man

Robbo wrote: »

The correct answer is Denis Buckley at numbers 1 through 15.

I swear there are times when Buckley has the ball a light goes of in his head and he thinks he's a 13

Hagz

errlloyd wrote: »

Can we get some perspective here. Regardless of form, motivation, energy etc. Regardless of all that, the Connacht team is better than Leinster on paper.

Eh, sorry what? No chance.

On paper Leinster's back-row, 2nd row, half-backs and back-three are better than Connacht.

S12b

Yes it's a pointless exercise but hey, it's better than study so here goes.....

1) Buckley v Bent : (Connacht) Buckley is one of the most underrated players in Ireland
2) McCartney v Dundon : (Connacht) although pretty much unproven in Ireland surely a guy who has played Super XV and captained at ITM level is ahead of Dundon, a solid and steady squad player
3) Big Rodney v Furlong : (Connacht) a tight one and long term Furlong will probably be better but right now Ah You seems to be ahead. Gets a lot of stick but has been brilliant for us for 15 months now

4) Roux v Toner : (Leinster)
5) Muldowney v Douglas : (Leinster)

6) Muldoon v McLaughlin : (Connacht) very much a form based call. McLaughlin has gotten very little game time and seems to be a shadow of the player he was 3 years ago. Muldoon is injury free, playing regularly and back to his best. McLaughlin could easily pass him again though
7) McKeon v Jennings : (Leinster) just back from injury and could be outplayed tomorrow but as an out n out 7, only one winner here. If only we had Heenan.
8) George v Heaslip : (Leinster)

9) Marmion v Boss : (Connacht)
10) Carty v Gopperth : (Leinster)

11) Healy v D Kearney : (Leinster) fairly clear cut here although I'm a big fan of Healy, very solid player
12) Aki v Reid : (Connacht)
13) Henshaw v Fitz : (Connacht)
14) Poolman v Kirchner : (Leinster) just the same as 11, Kirchner far more high profile but Poolman is a great player. Strong, fast, good in D and under high ball
15) Mils v Kearney : (Leinster) a few years ago it would have been different but the younger player gets the nod in the one on one comparison. Mils's brain and experience invaluable to a raw team like Connacht though

So final score is Connacht 7 vs Leinster 8.

I think I have been fairly impartial. Some might argue the front row but I'd disagree. Muldoon v KMcL only very debatable one IMO.

errlloyd

Hagz wrote: »

Eh, sorry what? No chance.

1-15 is close. I think they have better players in important positions.

vienne86

So we were beaten by Munster at home. If we now get beaten by Connacht at home as well, I'll be seriously worried.

connachta

Hagz wrote: »

back-three are better than Connacht.

:pac: great joke

connachta

S12b wrote: »

Yes it's a pointless exercise but hey, it's better than study so here goes.....

1) Buckley v Bent : (Connacht) Buckley is one of the most underrated players in Ireland
2) McCartney v Dundon : (Connacht) although pretty much unproven in Ireland surely a guy who has played Super XV and captained at ITM level is ahead of Dundon, a solid and steady squad player
3) Big Rodney v Furlong : (Connacht) a tight one and long term Furlong will probably be better but right now Ah You seems to be ahead. Gets a lot of stick but has been brilliant for us for 15 months now

4) Roux v Toner : (Leinster)
5) Muldowney v Douglas : (Leinster)

6) Muldoon v McLaughlin : (Connacht) very much a form based call. McLaughlin has gotten very little game time and seems to be a shadow of the player has was 3 years ago. Muldoon is injury free, playing regularly and back to his best. McLaughlin could easily pass him again though
7) McKeon v Jennings : (Leinster) just back from injury and could be outplayed tomorrow but as an out n out 7, only one winner here. If only we had Heenan.
8) George v Heaslip : (Leinster)

9) Marmion v Boss : (Connacht)
10) Carty v Gopperth : (Leinster)

11) Healy v D Kearney : (Leinster) fairly clear cut here although I'm a big fan of Healy, very solid player
12) Aki v Reid : (Connacht)
13) Henshaw v Fitz : (Connacht)
14) Poolman v Kirchner : (Leinster) just the same as 11, Kirchner far more high profile but Poolman is a great player. Strong, fast, good in D and under high ball
15) Mils v Kearney : (Leinster) a few years ago it would have been different but the younger player gets the nod in the one on one comparison. Mils's brain and experience invaluable to a raw team like Connacht though

So final score is Connacht 7 vs Leinster 8.

I think I have been fairly impartial. Some might argue the front row but I'd disagree. Muldoon v KMcL only very debatable one IMO.

We agree, except for Poolman