Leinster vs Connacht build up RDS Jan 1st tg4 17:00

Triumvirate

Connacht wanting to play expansively. Not sure that's very wise in these conditions. The wind and slippery ball is slowing down the moves and Leinster are getting to hit them behind the gain line.

vienne86

Ringrose!!!!!

Triumvirate

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

3 points not a great return from leinster from such a dominant position in the first 15.

Not really but I doubt either side will top 15 points here so any score will be significant.

its_phil

Triumvirate wrote: »

Connacht wanting to play expansively. Not sure that's very wise in these conditions. The wind and slippery ball is slowing down the moves and Leinster are getting to hit them behind the gain line.

Disagree. Kill as much ball and dominate possesion against the wind. They've done it before and it has worked.

Triumvirate

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

When was the last time we had any sort of a backs move when camped on the opposition 5 ? Its like junior level stuff, no other thought in their heads outside of having a big forward try to smash through 2 or 3 players from a yard away . No inventivness at all.

Have you seen the weather conditions? No way they should be trying anything inventive or slinging the ball wide.

errlloyd

Should he have passed?

Triumvirate

its_phil wrote: »

Disagree. Kill as much ball and dominate possesion against the wind. They've done it before and it has worked.

But they're not dominating possession? They've actually lost possession a couple of times trying to play like this. They've done it very successfully in the past by hanging onto it and keeping it tight.

vienne86

That was a bit reckless by White. Connacht need to be careful.

Triumvirate

Not the first time White has been reckless. Swinging arm in the ruck. Penalty definite and, again, a little lucky not to see yellow.

Ffs what a pathetic penalty to give away.

I've no time for ppl with short tempers who do needless stuff.

Funk It

Nathan White was silly but extremely lucky there.

Connacht are being foolish. Just hope we can stay within touch to use the conditions in the second half.

theoneeyedman

Triumvirate wrote: »

Not the first time White has been reckless. Swinging arm in the ruck. Penalty definite and, again, a little lucky not to see yellow.

Meh, saw McCarthy with a lot of sly late hits himself recently, he was also swinging the boot very loosely in that ruck.

vienne86

Great maul from McCarthy and Toner.......pity it didn't come to anything in the end.

corny

Thats scandalous. Lacey missed joining from the side at the maul and the tackler made no attempt to roll for the Connacht penalty.

Inspector Coptoor

Nice turnover.

Van der Flier looking very comfortable at the back of the maul.

McCarthy really up for this and antagonising his old team mates and slowing down ball

its_phil

Quality from Masterson. Same quality all season.

Triumvirate

Great defence from Connacht pack. They need to keep the ball though.

Inspector Coptoor

Great to see Heenan back.

Two very good young 7s on the pitch.

errlloyd

Jonny knocked out?

clsmooth

errlloyd wrote: »

Jonny knocked out?

Looked like it to me

ArmchairQB

Finger in the eye

Funk It

Connacht really need to start getting the ball out of the scrum a bit faster. Has been causing issues.

Triumvirate

Much smarter from Carty with the low, skidding kick.

clsmooth

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Finger in the eye

Seemed to get a finger as well but didn't seem to move once he went to ground

ArmchairQB

clsmooth wrote: »

Seemed to get a finger as well but didn't seem to move once he went to ground

Wasn't knocked out though

vienne86

Reddan being inventive!

Del.Monte

vienne86 wrote: »

Reddan being inventive!

Best player for Leinster by a mile.

vienne86

Del.Monte wrote: »

Best player for Leinster by a mile.

McCarthy having a good game too IMO.

vienne86

OMG - Leinster lucky not to give away a try there!

Soaked but loving the game so far

Triumvirate

Mad passage. Players cannot hang onto the ball at all. Think it should have been a scrum instead of line out, there.

Connacht will be delighted to get in with this score.

DGRulz

Had flashes of the Wasps game just there!

vienne86

I think Mike McCarthy wants to score a try today!

corny

What a hit from McCarthy. Says something when he's your quickest chaser.

Triumvirate

Lam has to change tactics at half time. That has to be a half dozen turnovers out wide. Connacht have every chance to win this. Set piece aside, their pack are having a really good game.

A-Train

Great hit by McCarthy

vienne86

Connacht will be very happy to have only conceded 3 in the first half.

Inspector Coptoor

Connacht are still so frustrating to watch.

Doing so many things right and losing 80m with silly decisions and inability to claim a line out in the opposition 22.

After 15 minutes I thought the writ I was on the wall and that leinster were gonna score a few tries.

Connacht defence stood firm and they could have scored themselves.

Leinster went out of the game in the last 15 mins of 1st half except for their Defence.

Game is there for Connacht to win if they can execute

ClanofLams

Great halftime Scoreline, it's there for Connacht now. Pack having a massive game, Masterson especially. Need to get lineouts sorted though.

swiwi_

Absorbing game. For Connacht Masterton at 8 has caught the eye, also some nice carries from Muldowney I think it is. For Leinster, Reddan has been generally decent, and McCarthy prominent.

Connacht will be delighted going in only 0-3 down against the wind.

b.gud

Happy to see that my worries about Heenan being off the pace were wrong he's looked good so far

vienne86

For such woeful conditions, it is a very good match.

Quint2010

Thought Connacht defence was superb first half. They should win this now.

oneofakind32

The battle on the floor has been awesome. I think Connacht have been slightly better in that aspect.

Connacht have got to take advantage of tis wind and turn the screw on Leinster like Leinster did to Connacht at the start of the first half. We have 2 drop goal options on the pitch(Carty and Ronaldon) and another on the bench(AJ). They could be the yet regret not taking there kicks early on.

errlloyd

Utter shyte to be at tbh

KevinMunster12

anyone who wants english commentary listen here http://www.liveradio.ie/stations/rte-radio-1
its about 5 seconds behind the tv so you will need to pause the sky box to sync up.

Triumvirate

Strauss is having a very understated, efficient game. Throwing a great line out in woeful conditions and won a couple of penalties at the breakdown.

vienne86

Very few left in the north stand......fair play to anyone who went. First time I've ever cried off because of weather.:(

vienne86

Ringrose again! Bloody KO - dammit anyway.

case885

Plenty focks there from Ringrose