Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread VIII: May the Fourth Star Be With You!

Rigor Mortis

awec wrote: »

Surely, surely Leinster could have fielded some of those blokes against Munster and rested them this week instead?

Going under strength to Thomond and taking a tank to a paintball fight tomorrow. It makes little sense.

The directive was apparently the two Christmas games. Had they offered two out of three games, i'd say we would have had a radically different approach. In that case tomorrow we would be playing Clontarf XV v Zebre.

awec

irishbucsfan wrote: »

But then you lose your momentum week on week by breaking things up before Europe.

Not sure how much momentum is really gained from a glorified training session at home to Zebre.

sydthebeat

awec wrote: »

Surely, surely Leinster could have fielded some of those blokes against Munster and rested them this week instead?

Going under strength to Thomond and taking a tank to a paintball fight tomorrow. It makes little sense.

Completely agreed, makes the thomond selection all the more insulting really.

however its obviously coming from an agreement from the clubs.
the interpros the week before the HC games had pros and cons.

now we have an italian team at home as cannon fodder for whats practicality our first 23??

Rigor Mortis

crisco10 wrote: »

just shows you how good Isa is when they have to pick that strong a team the one week he is rested to make up for his loss!!!

Last trip to Dublin for Zebre?? Did I miss something?

Strong rumours of the franchise moving to Rome

molloyjh

awec wrote: »

Not sure how much momentum is really gained from a glorified training session at home to Zebre.

Probably more than them not playing at all I'd imagine.

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Not sure how much momentum is really gained from a glorified training session at home to Zebre.

Quite a lot

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

I think it'll be a walk in the park but not the utter slaughter some imagine simply because we'll be in second gear and those lads are going to be thinking about the following week. I imagine we'll have a BP wrapped up by 50 minutes at most and then go through the motions and empty the bench.

I reckon around 33-6.

I'd be very disappointed with that scoreline myself. We put 8 tries on them in the same fixture last season. With this team we should be looking to do similar.

awec

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Quite a lot

Not sure I'd agree, Leinster would get a better workout on the training paddock playing against Leinster A.

Tomorrow you'll just be going through the motions, win at a canter and not really gain much from it. Personally I think you'd have got better momentum coming off two interpro wins and using Zebre as a final runabout before the important games.

errlloyd

awec wrote: »

Not sure I'd agree, Leinster would get a better workout on the training paddock playing against Leinster A.

Tomorrow you'll just be going through the motions, win at a canter and not really gain much from it. Personally I think you'd have got better momentum coming off two interpro wins and using Zebre as a final runabout before the important games.

I completely agree with this. I have no idea why this team wasn't sent to Thomond. Perhaps the only argument was we had that 5 day turn around before the Ulster match as well.

awec

errlloyd wrote: »

I completely agree with this. I have no idea why this team wasn't sent to Thomond. Perhaps the only argument was we had that 5 day turn around before the Ulster match as well.

Well I imagine the reason is the IRFU mandated that the interpros were to be used for resting players.

I doubt Cullen would have made these selections if he had free-reign.

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Not sure I'd agree, Leinster would get a better workout on the training paddock playing against Leinster A.

Tomorrow you'll just be going through the motions, win at a canter and not really gain much from it. Personally I think you'd have got better momentum coming off two interpro wins and using Zebre as a final runabout before the important games.

Well that's fine, but I would completely disagree. It's much easier to stay focused and confident when you're not breaking things up like that.

There's a reason that Leinster always schedule an interpro the last week before the first European game in October, rather than 2 weeks before.

errlloyd

Who is this Daniel Jones lad reffing?

awec

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well that's fine, but I would completely disagree. It's much easier to stay focused and confident when you're not breaking things up like that.

There's a reason that Leinster always schedule an interpro the last week before the first European game in October, rather than 2 weeks before.

Yea, but an interpro is a million miles from Zebre at home.

If Leinster had a decent team against them tomorrow I'd agree 100% with you.

Rigor Mortis

molloyjh wrote: »

I'd be very disappointed with that scoreline myself. We put 8 tries on them in the same fixture last season. With this team we should be looking to do similar.

I'd take 33, as long as there were no injuries and Sexton got a solid 50 minutes under his belt.

Naturally more would be nice, but priorities are a TBP and injury free.

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Yea, but an interpro is a million miles from Zebre at home.

If Leinster had a decent team against them tomorrow I'd agree 100% with you.

Just because Zebre aren't as good doesn't mean you don't a whole host of those benefits. Some of the benefits would be even greater than a (traditionally awful quality) interpro, for example the confidence of being able to move the ball about.

awec

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Just because Zebre aren't as good doesn't mean you don't a whole host of those benefits. Some of the benefits would be even greater than a (traditionally awful quality) interpro, for example the confidence of being able to move the ball about.

We'll agree to disagree!

I'm getting diplomatic in my old age.

molloyjh

awec wrote: »

Yea, but an interpro is a million miles from Zebre at home.

If Leinster had a decent team against them tomorrow I'd agree 100% with you.

But the prep done during the week and all that isn't a million miles off. It's not ideal and the best answer wouldn't be to change the selections, but change the fixtures. Have the Munster game as it was with full teams. Play Zebre on NYE and then play Ulster this weekend with full teams. Better for the fans and better prep for Europe.

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

I'd take 33, as long as there were no injuries and Sexton got a solid 50 minutes under his belt.

Naturally more would be nice, but priorities are a TBP and injury free.

We've dropped a few bonus points this season already, be it TBPs or LBPs. We need to get our tries scored up in case it comes to that at the end of the season. We won't have a better opportunity than this.

awec

I don't think it'll be as little as 33 points to be honest. Leinster could bust 60 no sweat.

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

But the prep done during the week and all that isn't a million miles off. It's not ideal and the best answer wouldn't be to change the selections, but change the fixtures. Have the Munster game as it was with full teams. Play Zebre on NYE and then play Ulster this weekend with full teams. Better for the fans and better prep for Europe.

The IRFU will never let that happen. Unfortunately for us and unfortunately for the Pro 12 in its attempts to be taken seriously.

Buer

awec wrote: »

Yea, but an interpro is a million miles from Zebre at home.

If Leinster had a decent team against them tomorrow I'd agree 100% with you.

Nothing to do with the standard of opposition. It'll be a run out for the team together in a live environment. It's more about playing alongside one another than whoever is lining up opposite them.

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The IRFU will never let that happen. Unfortunately for us and unfortunately for the Pro 12 in its attempts to be taken seriously.

Well if that is the case then, as much as I've defended them on other issues, they are completely wrong not to. I'd love to know what the logic is. Guaranteeing each province 4/5 points over the 2 weeks? Capitalising on the season that's in it to get crowd numbers up?

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

Well if that is the case then, as much as I've defended them on other issues, they are completely wrong not to. I'd love to know what the logic is. Guaranteeing each province 4/5 points over the 2 weeks? Capitalising on the season that's in it to get crowd numbers up?

I don't think it's anything like that. I think it's because interpros at full strength are the most intense fixtures and lead to the most injuries, like BOD/Fitzgerald v Munster. By limiting those fixtures they're taking a big source of risk off their radar every year.

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well that's fine, but I would completely disagree. It's much easier to stay focused and confident when you're not breaking things up like that.

There's a reason that Leinster always schedule an interpro the last week before the first European game in October, rather than 2 weeks before.

I didn't realise that Leinster were in charge of fixture scheduling.......You live and learn.:D:D:D:D

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I don't think it's anything like that. I think it's because interpros at full strength are the most intense fixtures and lead to the most injuries, like BOD/Fitzgerald v Munster. By limiting those fixtures they're taking a big source of risk off their radar every year.

But it's just 1 game. The others tend to be full strength, or very close to it. I can't imagine they're limiting the risk that much are they?

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

I didn't realise that Leinster were in charge of fixture scheduling.......You live and learn.:D:D:D:D

We're the Dublin mafia

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

But it's just 1 game. The others tend to be full strength, or very close to it. I can't imagine they're limiting the risk that much are they?

It's more than 1 game when you suddenly have the provinces sending their stronger team in alternate games. If those games are problematic in terms of keeping guys fit (I've never seen statistics) then I can see the reasoning but it's incredibly short-sighted.

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

We're the Dublin mafia

Apparently ospreys do the same. They are the Taffia.;);)

thomond2006

Bar a supporter boycott of the interpros nothing will change regarding the schedule.

leakyboots

Jaysis that's a very strong side to be sending out v Zebre, should put 50+ points up on them if Leinster are in the mood

stephen_n

Buer wrote: »

I think it'll be a walk in the park but not the utter slaughter some imagine simply because we'll be in second gear and those lads are going to be thinking about the following week. I imagine we'll have a BP wrapped up by 50 minutes at most and then go through the motions and empty the bench.

I reckon around 33-6.

and look at the bench! probably easily worth another 2 or 3 tries.

After last weeks lacklustre performance, I would be expecting a higher level of intensity with Europe in mind next week.

irishbucsfan

stephen_n wrote: »

and look at the bench! probably easily worth another 2 or 3 tries.

After last weeks lacklustre performance, I would be expecting a higher level of intensity with Europe in mind next week.

It depends how early JGP and Ross Byrne come on for me. They haven't seemed to be on the same page so far so if they both come on early (and you'd have to assume Sexton will be off fairly early) then we may not score so easily.

stephen_n

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It depends how early JGP and Ross Byrne come on for me. They haven't seemed to be on the same page so far so if they both come on early (and you'd have to assume Sexton will be off fairly early) then we may not score so easily.

I would assume the nature of the game will suit JGP's skill set. No they haven't really clicked yet, but in the last two games, JGP has seemed to be in kick everything mode. I'd hope we will be looking to speed things up in the last 30 of this game. If most of the substitutions are made between the 50th and 60th minute, the last 20 should be settled enough and could yield tries.

irishbucsfan

stephen_n wrote: »

I would assume the nature of the game will suit JGP's skill set. No they haven't really clicked yet, but in the last two games, JGP has seemed to be in kick everything mode. I'd hope we will be looking to speed things up in the last 30 of this game. If most of the substitutions are made between the 50th and 60th minute, the last 20 should be settled enough and could yield tries.

They've been in "kick-everything" mode because that's the game that suits Byrne most as a starter. If they want to speed things up then that suits JGP but will require Byrne playing close to the line. Henshaw makes things much easier for both though.

Shefwedfan

How many times have Sexton-Henshaw-Ringrose actually played together? That alone is worth the entry fee

stephen_n

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They've been in "kick-everything" mode because that's the game that suits Byrne most as a starter. If they want to speed things up then that suits JGP but will require Byrne playing close to the line. Henshaw makes things much easier for both though.

Could be Reid on and standing as first receiver by that stage. JGP has been kicking (poorly) mostly in defensive positions. I somehow don't see us doing too much of that.

That team is unrelentingly filthy. Wouldn't be surprised if this is a season record score.

Not quite the battle you want the week before hosting Montpellier but at the same time there are many factors:

First team to get a run out and get combinations working and fluency in the various pods
Get the crowd at fever pitch with a high scoring performance with the hope that noise levels start high and stay high next week
Get Sexton game time to find his rhythm in game where our pack should be well on top
Build confidence for some of the lower cap guys who have broken through

molloyjh

Deleted User wrote: »

That team is unrelentingly filthy.

Stheno

Heaslip has agreed a new deal until 2020

awec

Stheno wrote: »

Heaslip has agreed a new deal until 2020

Where did you see that? (Leinster site is useless)

Stheno

Stheno wrote: »

Heaslip has agreed a new deal until 2020

That will see him into retirement. Good to see him commit the rest of his career to his home province. A payday in France would have been nice but sets am example for the squad.

Neil3030

Stheno wrote: »

Heaslip has agreed a new deal until 2020

Oh wow, let me just check the Leinster website for the official story...

Stheno

awec wrote: »

Where did you see that? (Leinster site is useless)

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jamie-heaslip-agrees-new-leinster-deal-until-2020-1.2926712

Irish Times - contract agreed by all parties but not yet signed

Peregrine

Hang on. I'm still trying to load the Leinster page.

awec

It's not on the leinster site, the irish site, the leinster twitter, the irish twitter or Heaslip's twitter.

Or am I blind?

irishbucsfan

It'll be announced on the far less awful irishrugby.ie when it's official, thankfully.

Shefwedfan

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jamie-heaslip-agrees-new-leinster-deal-until-2020-1.2926712

Not signed so not sure why they would put up story

awec

Stheno wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/jamie-heaslip-agrees-new-leinster-deal-until-2020-1.2926712

Irish Times - contract agreed by all parties but not yet signed

ooooooh Stheno you shneeaak, announcing it like that when it's only on the irish times... :pac:

thomond2006

Perhaps it took a three year deal to keep him, well done to Heaslip in any case.
I'm intrigued to see how this affects Jack Conan. He'll be almost 28 by the time Heaslip's contract is up.

Neil3030

On Stuart Lancaster being linked to the recently vacant Leicester Tigers director of rugby role – following the dismissal of Richard Cockerill – and the Connacht job, Cullen said: “It’s a difficult question to answer. Yeah, Stuart has gone well. We are having discussions all the time. It is all ongoing. We will see. I’m sure you guys will be first to know if we have anything to announce.”

Seems as though Leinster are at least discussing long-term plans with Lancaster too.

molloyjh

Neil3030 wrote: »

Seems as though Leinster are at least discussing long-term plans with Lancaster too.

I would like to thank this post multiple times.....