Leinster v Bath, 04/04/15; 1515 - live on BT Sports 1 and Newstalk

.ak

Flipper22 wrote: »

Excited to see T'eo start. I know he's raw and it could backfire, but he's an absolute panzer who runs great lines and has great hands. Carries like SOB but with maybe a bit less power but better hands.

12. SOB
13. T'eo

Discuss.


:pac:

Buer

If someone like Fitzgerald can start reading Te'o's offloads then we could see the start of a beautiful friendship. His attacking game has looked really good. I'd be very wary of him in terms of rucks and defence though.

The one call that the panel couldn't make last night was at scrum half. A week ago they expected Reddan to be nailed on but the knock and Boss's performance have put him right into the frame.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but I don't see it happening. Instead of who? They've got two of the best centres in England there. Maybe as a flanker....

Instead of Eastmond supposedly. If they're worried about power in midfield then I could see it happening. Also I'm sure Burgess brings a lot of intangibles to the team, he's a big character.

I'm equally worried about both Eastmond and Burgess. I think both could do a lot of damage if they had the right circumstances. I really don't want to see a "breakout" game from Burgess.

.ak

I think we'd contain Burgess fine. It's the smaller footballers in midfield we have trouble with. Bennett tore us apart last week.

Buer

In his 6 starts in 2015, Ben Te'o has beaten 27 defenders and made 11 clean breaks in 454 minutes of rugby.

.ak

Buer wrote: »

In his 6 starts in 2015, Ben Te'o has beaten 27 defenders and made 11 clean breaks in 454 minutes of rugby.

Getting used to the new scrum.com layout I see.

.ak

.ak wrote: »

12. SOB
13. T'eo

Discuss.


:pac:

total former

Bath to <insert pun here>

Buer wrote: »

In his 6 starts in 2015, Ben Te'o has beaten 27 defenders and made 11 clean breaks in 454 minutes of rugby.

I'm not sure whether you think that is good or bad, but either way you have stats to back it up so I agree.

irishbucsfan

Buer wrote: »

If someone like Fitzgerald can start reading Te'o's offloads then we could see the start of a beautiful friendship. His attacking game has looked really good. I'd be very wary of him in terms of rucks and defence though.

The one call that the panel couldn't make last night was at scrum half. A week ago they expected Reddan to be nailed on but the knock and Boss's performance have put him right into the frame.

I think Boss would be the right call if he can play to a decent standard but I'm worried whether he really can any more in an intense game like this.


I worry about where we're going to win this game. We're not going to do it out wide. You also have to imagine we're not going to be able to dominate possession and go through 10 phase possessions, we've seen Gopperth falling to marshall the team in possession to often to expect that, especially against a Mike Ford side. I was hoping at the beginning of this season that he'd be capable of it, but I've given up on that dream now.

The alternative then is playing for territory and trying to take Bath for points in their own half. That would be ideal and Bath have been beaten that way this season. A basic requirement of that approach is accurate and intelligent kicking, but where do we get that from? Gopperth and Reddan? I'm not so certain of that either. And if we do try to play a territorial game are we certain of outplaying Ford? A lot of people seem to be favouring us so I suspect they'll have a better suggestion of where we can beat this team, I may be missing something obvious. It's why I really think this will be a close game, and it will be completely dependent on performances from the back row and back three (in particular Rob Kearney).

Buer

.ak wrote: »

Getting used to the new scrum.com layout I see.

Not gonna lie....it was a bleak 3 hours.

irishbucsfan

.ak wrote: »

I think we'd contain Burgess fine. It's the smaller footballers in midfield we have trouble with. Bennett tore us apart last week.

We've been torn apart by big carriers as well. Especially big carriers deep in phase play, and that's exactly what Burgess has made a career out of doing. I'm not particularly delighted about either prospect.

Flipper22

.ak wrote: »

12. SOB
13. T'eo

Discuss.


:pac:

That'd be fun!!

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I worry about where we're going to win this game.

That's easy, Lansdowne Road.

stephen_n

.ak wrote: »

That's easy, Lansdowne Road.

Surely you mean the Aviva

First Up

thomond2006 wrote: »

Fanning to score a 100m try after receiving a long loopy pass from Madigan inside the Leinster in goal area.

7-0 FT

I'm not sure he will nail the conversion.

.ak

stephen_n wrote: »

Surely you mean the Aviva

Ah, suppose now I see why he's worried.

accidentprone1

Deleted User wrote: »

Appearance of defenders post-tackle, right?

stephen_n

10 man rugby is the way to go, at least for the first half. We can't afford the game breaking up. Really hope Goperth brings his kicking boots, as the last thing we need are aimless uncontestables.

irishbucsfan

What's an uncontestable? A kick to touch? Never heard it described like that, seems the terminology has gone 360 on kicking in a few years!

Podge_irl

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What's an uncontestable? A kick to touch? Never heard it described like that, seems the terminology has gone 360 on kicking in a few years!

Think in this context an uncontestable is a ball we have no hope of recovering.

.ak

Uncontestable is a nice term for a piss-poor kick that's too long but isn't a touch finder either. A garryowen that gives no chance for our chasers to put pressure on.

That's what I assume he meant.

Neil3030

Podge_irl wrote: »

Think in this context an uncontestable is a ball we have no hope of recovering.

Like when Mike Ross runs the kick-chase?

stephen_n

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What's an uncontestable? A kick to touch? Never heard it described like that, seems the terminology has gone 360 on kicking in a few years!

I'm assuming you're being obtuse but what I meant is a kick straight up the middle of the pitch, that's long but doesn't give the chasers any chance to contest it.

shuffol

Perhaps Bath will select Burgess in anticipation of us selecting Teo, thinking that a midfield of Eastmond and Joseph would be too lightweight. I would've thought a tighter game would suit us, we've a stronger pack and should have a clear advantage in the front row. I would've thought that our priority would be to contain their attack which is why I'd prefer to go with Fitzgerald at 13 rather than Teo. He's done very well but this is a big step up against one of the strongest backlines in the competition.

What's the breakdown of Teo's starts been? Has he featured predominantly at 13?

irishbucsfan

stephen_n wrote: »

I'm assuming you're being obtuse but what I meant is a kick straight up the middle of the pitch, that's long but doesn't give the chasers any chance to contest it.

Oh right. But what you mean here is a kick that was supposed to be contestable but was badly executed, right? Because obviously not every kick in field is supposed to be contestable. Even contestable which are pushed too long are more profitable at times than kicks in range of your chasers, that's why the tactic has become so popular.

Buer

shuffol wrote: »

What's the breakdown of Teo's starts been? Has he featured predominantly at 13?

In terms of starts, he has featured only at 13.

CatFromHue

Bath to <insert pun here>

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I worry about where we're going to win this game. We're not going to do it out wide. You also have to imagine we're not going to be able to dominate possession and go through 10 phase possessions, we've seen Gopperth falling to marshall the team in possession to often to expect that, especially against a Mike Ford side. I was hoping at the beginning of this season that he'd be capable of it, but I've given up on that dream now.

If Te'o starts, which I hope he does, he'll really help our backline get going so I wouldn't rule out us scoring tries out wide.

I don't think he's played in the first choice team either so just with him SOB, Cronin, and Healy our running game is far better than any team we've put out all season.

stephen_n

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Oh right. But what you mean here is a kick that was supposed to be contestable but was badly executed, right? Because obviously not every kick in field is supposed to be contestable. Even contestable which are pushed too long are more profitable at times than kicks in range of your chasers, that's why the tactic has become so popular.

Well kicking long beyond defenders as a tactic for territory is one thing, kicking long and inviting defending teams to run back at you isn't quite the same thing. Yes it's poor execution but it's consistantly poor execution by both Madigan and Goperth over the last 18 months, that we can't afford on Saturday if we are to win.

Buer

So Kane Douglas ruled out which ensures it will be a Toner and McCarthy combination. Tom Denton on the bench, I presume.

.ak

Buer wrote: »

So Kane Douglas ruled out which ensures it will be a Toner and McCarthy combination. Tom Denton on the bench, I presume.

What's wrong with him?

sydthebeat

.ak wrote: »

What's wrong with him?

hamstring injury thats affecting his back also

total former

Bath to <insert pun here>

Buer wrote: »

So Kane Douglas ruled out which ensures it will be a Toner and McCarthy combination. Tom Denton on the bench, I presume.

Denton has improved this season, but if he had to come on early it would be an enormous step up from anything he's done to date.

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

Don't think Burgess will start.

T'eo actually been playing better than him, ironically.

Neither are at that level but both are absolute specimens and I don't think MOC has many options in terms of getting over the gain line right now. Having T'eo AND Fitzgerald on the field together makes a lot of sense in that regard.

We've finally gotten Healy and SOB on the field together again for the first time in a long time. Getting over the gain line should not be an issue. We need to have the backs capable of capitalising on it when we do. Therefore Fitz absolutely should start at 13.

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

We've finally gotten Healy and SOB on the field together again for the first time in a long time. Getting over the gain line should not be an issue. We need to have the backs capable of capitalising on it when we do. Therefore Fitz absolutely should start at 13.

Why absolutely at 13? I actually like the idea of Fitz at 11 because he is so good at getting involved in play coming off the wing that I think having him there and Te'o at 13 gives us more options in midfield than starting Fitz at 13. Although I think they're good options either way.

I think maybe Fitz has made up his mind on specialising at 11 now ahead of the World Cup as well, so maybe giving him a run there might be best for everyone.

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Why absolutely at 13? I actually like the idea of Fitz at 11 because he is so good at getting involved in play coming off the wing that I think having him there and Te'o at 13 gives us more options in midfield than starting Fitz at 13. Although I think they're good options either way.

I think maybe Fitz has made up his mind on specialising at 11 now ahead of the World Cup as well, so maybe giving him a run there might be best for everyone.

My biggest worries about Te'o for this would be his defence and his rucking ability. Fitz has shown he is more than capable in both areas. And while Te'o can run good lines, get over the gain line and offload so can a few of our forwards. I'd rather see us use those guys in tight a lot in the first 60. In fact the more I think about it the more I'd like to see Strauss start and Cronin on the bench with a view to playing 10 man to start and bring in the likes of Cronin, Reddan and Te'o when their pack starts to tire. In the mean time have Mads and Fitzy running lines off the likes of Healy and SOB in the first half if it's on. And if it's not I'd rather see Fitzy hitting the rucks than Te'o.

Leinnnnnnnnnnnsssssttttttteeeeerrrrrrrrrrrr

Anyone else wake up half thinking the match was today!

total former

Bath to <insert pun here>

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Anyone else wake up half thinking the match was today!

Learned my lesson after settling down to watch the Connacht game last night...

thirteen.

Bath Rugby team to face Leinster

15 Anthony Watson
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Matt Banahan
10 George Ford
9 Micky Young
1 Paul James
2 Rob Webber
3 Kane Palma-Newport
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Dave Attwood
6 Carl Fearns
7 Francois Louw
8 Leroy Houston

Replacements

16 Ross Batty
17 Nick Auterac
18 Max Lahiff
19 Matt Garvey
20 Alafoti Faosiliva
21 Peter Stringer
22 Sam Burgess
23 Tom Homer

http://www.bathrugby.com/news/match-news/team-news-internationals-return-for-quarter-final-clash

thomond2006

15. Rob Kearney; 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Ben Te'o, 12. Ian Madigan, 11. Luke Fitzgerald; 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Sean O'Brien, 8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
16. Richardt Strauss, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Martin Moore, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Dominic Ryan, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Gordon D'Arcy, 23. Zane Kirchner

From EPCR website

Good to see T'eo starting!

Quint2010

Think Te'o starting is a mistake. His defence simply isn't good enough.

molloyjh

Quint2010 wrote: »

Think Te'o starting is a mistake. His defence simply isn't good enough.

Agreed. Eastmond and Joseph could make hay there.

ssaye2

Is banahan still decent out wide or just huge. Ford kicking to him could be tricky.
Stringer still at highest level fair play.
Leinster by 7 scrum and forwards a bit better overall

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

15. Rob Kearney; 14. Fergus McFadden, 13. Ben Te'o, 12. Ian Madigan, 11. Luke Fitzgerald; 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Isaac Boss; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Jordi Murphy, 7. Sean O'Brien, 8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
16. Richardt Strauss, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Martin Moore, 19. Tom Denton, 20. Dominic Ryan, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Gordon D'Arcy, 23. Zane Kirchner

From EPCR website

Good to see T'eo starting!

Ryan and Kirchner are lucky boys to be included IMO. Neither have exactly shone lately. Dave Kearney must be pissed.

awec

A Boss / Gopperth combo is well dodgy too.

Depends on which Boss and which Gopperth turns up, if they don't both bring their A game Leinster are dead in the water.

dregin

Bath to <insert pun here>

Predictable enough. Big drop-off in the second row to Denton. Boss to keep momentum going from last week, hopefully! If we don't get hit by injury in the backs, I reckon we'll be grand. Kirchner has a point to prove and I think he'll make a good impact off the bench.

ktulu123

Great team, probably would of had Luke at 13 & Dave on the wing but it seems he has gone for arguably are most dangerous & potent attacking team. Hopefully they all gel together now. Nervously looking forward to it! COME ON LEINSTER!!!

Leslie91

Is Douglas injured? surprised to see him excluded.

EDIT: just learned that he has not recovered in time but should be ok for next week Pro12 game.

total former

Bath to <insert pun here>

I'm happy with that team, only quibble would be Kirchner ahead of DK but not a big deal. I don't like Madigan at 12 but it was always going to happen. Boss deserves the start, he's been in good form since Christmas.

Ryan ahead of both Jennings and Conan is also a bit of a surprise, he had a great start to the season but has dropped off a bit. It probably means we've seen the last of Jennings in a big game, which is a shame.

Re: Bath, their only choice to make was whether Burgess would start, I thought they would pick him, but it certainly makes for a different dynamic with Eastmond and Joseph in the midfield. Slight eyebrow-raiser in that they have no recognised reserve outhalf either on the bench or in the starting XV, I suppose Homer would do it, he's a very good goal-kicker but I don't know if he's ever played 10?

Can't F**KING wait for this now. COME ON LEINSTER

Larbre34

Unfortunately, the quibbles are a big deal, if we need a sub pressed into service early we will be in big bother.

Concerned about McCarthy, Boss, Gopperth and Te'o and in the event, Kirchner. O'Brien and Healy wont help much in a George Ford field day on a mild calm day and a perfect track.

My heart wants Leinster to win but my head tells me Bath have more in their arsenal.