Leinster v Munster Semi final Build up thread

Was just chatting to Peter O'Mahony there, spotted him in Xtra Vision in Limerick.

I said, "Pete, I thought all the Xtravisions were closed down, mad this one is still open"

O'Mahony didn't seem amused, he said "Zeebs said it was still on the go, are you questioning my team mate?"

I was a bit taken aback, "No.. no.." I said, "I'm fairly into the auld films - what are you looking for?"

"It's not for me, it's for the lads on Friday" retorted POM.

"Ah right" I said, "What are they into?"

....

O'Mahony frowned - "So you are questioning my team mates?"

There was an awkward silence.




"Eh... do they like action movies?" I whimpered?

"They like movies about teamwork" replied POM without missing a beat.

"What about the A-Team, I said"

O'Mahony asked "And what's that about then?"

"It's not bad, It's about this lad Hannibal and he leads this military team that get framed and end up being prosecuted for a crime they didn...."

Peter became incensed....

"YOU MEAN THEY QUESTIONED HIS TEAM MATES?"

I backed away, fearful that he could pick me up and give me a Reggwedgie with one hand.

"I think you best leave" said PoM and I took heed of his advice.

As I made my way out the door the blue blood in my veins rushed to my head.

"Seriously though Peter, give the A-Team a go, I think the lads will like it - sure it's a bit like yourselves, aren't ye the Leinster A team these days....."

Henry Ford III

Is it true that the RDS will open at 11:30am on Saturday and that they will be showing the Royal wedding on the big screen before the Leinster vs Munster game...?

Kevski

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Is it true that the RDS will open at 11:30am on Saturday and that they will be showing the Royal wedding on the big screen before the Leinster vs Munster game...?

No, Mike Ross couldn’t handle watching her marry another man.

Clegg

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Is it true that the RDS will open at 11:30am on Saturday and that they will be showing the Royal wedding on the big screen before the Leinster vs Munster game...?

Yes, of course it is.

Henry Ford III

Excellent. They'll get a fine crowd in good and early in that case.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Was just chatting to Peter O'Mahony there, spotted him in Xtra Vision in Limerick.

I said, "Pete, I thought all the Xtravisions were closed down, mad this one is still open"

O'Mahony didn't seem amused, he said "Zeebs said it was still on the go, are you questioning my team mate?"

I was a bit taken aback, "No.. no.." I said, "I'm fairly into the auld films - what are you looking for?"

"It's not for me, it's for the lads on Friday" retorted POM.

"Ah right" I said, "What are they into?"

....

O'Mahony frowned - "So you are questioning my team mates?"

There was an awkward silence.




"Eh... do they like action movies?" I whimpered?

"They like movies about teamwork" replied POM without missing a beat.

"What about the A-Team, I said"

O'Mahony asked "And what's that about then?"

"It's not bad, It's about this lad Hannibal and he leads this military team that get framed and end up being prosecuted for a crime they didn...."

Peter became incensed....

"YOU MEAN THEY QUESTIONED HIS TEAM MATES?"

I backed away, fearful that he could pick me up and give me a Reggwedgie with one hand.

"I think you best leave" said PoM and I took heed of his advice.

As I made my way out the door the blue blood in my veins rushed to my head.

"Seriously though Peter, give the A-Team a go, I think the lads will like it - sure it's a bit like yourselves, aren't ye the Leinster A team these days....."

Subtle nod to your obnoxious D4 Ross O'Carroll-Kelly accent

Burkie1203

Carbery Larmour Ringrose Isa Lowe Byrne McGrath

Conan Jordi Ruddock toner Ryan furlong cronin McGrath

Cummiskey in the IT

prawnsambo

Kevski wrote: »

No, Mike Ross couldn’t handle watching her marry another man.

I feel this isn't getting the recognition it deserves.

Burkie1203

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Carbery Larmour Ringrose Isa Lowe Byrne McGrath

Conan Jordi Ruddock toner Ryan furlong cronin McGrath

Cummiskey in the IT

Jeepers I was pretty close.

Deleted User wrote: »

McGrath
Tracey
Furlong
Toner
Ryan
Ruddock
Leavy
Conan
McGrath
Carbery
Lowe
Nacewa
Ringrose
Larmour
Kearney

Bench
Healy
Cronin
Porter
Fardy
Murphy
McCarthy
Byrne
O'Loughlin


At a guess.

Surprised no Kearney or Cronin. Hope we aren't resting anyone, too important a fixture.

Clegg

That's a good Leinster starting 15. Would rather have Fardy starting though. Been our best player this season.

Trojan

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Carbery Larmour Ringrose Isa Lowe Byrne McGrath

Conan Jordi Ruddock toner Ryan furlong cronin McGrath

Cummiskey in the IT

There are several ways to order a team that I'll tolerate, but this one is just a pain in the ass to read.

(Burkie, I appreciate the posting of the team nevertheless)

wavehopper1

Kevski wrote: »

No, Mike Ross couldn’t handle watching her marry another man.

Okay, I'll probably regret this but...I need an explanation cos I don't get it...

Burkie1203

Trojan wrote: »

There are several ways to order a team that I'll tolerate, but this one is just a pain in the ass to read.

(Burkie, I appreciate the posting of the team nevertheless)

Carbery and Ringrose at prop. Jack McGrath at 15. Furlong at outside centre.

Ruddock at 10. If he goes well he is off to Ulster.

salmocab

wavehopper1 wrote: »

Okay, I'll probably regret this but...I need an explanation cos I don't get it...

You will regret this knowledge, in the show Suits her boyfriend is Mike Ross.

salmocab

Trojan wrote: »

There are several ways to order a team that I'll tolerate, but this one is just a pain in the ass to read.

(Burkie, I appreciate the posting of the team nevertheless)

1-15 or 15-9,1-8 are the acceptable ways

impr0v

Is anyone else still waiting for posted tickets for this?

Exclamation Marc

impr0v wrote: »

Is anyone else still waiting for posted tickets for this?

No I got mine last week. I'd call TM if you haven't got them.

Kevski

impr0v wrote: »

Is anyone else still waiting for posted tickets for this?

Mine only arrived this morning, was getting a bit concerned!

P_1

TM appear to be having a fulfillment problem at the moment. Friend of mine had a massive panic waiting on tickets for the Stones gig last night

pickarooney

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Jeepers I was pretty close.



Surprised no Kearney or Cronin. Hope we aren't resting anyone, too important a fixture.

You predicted Tracy, quoted the team with Cronin and are surprised there's no Cronin... you've officially started trolling yourself!

Buer

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Carbery Larmour Ringrose Isa Lowe Byrne McGrath

Conan Jordi Ruddock toner Ryan furlong cronin McGrath

Cummiskey in the IT

I'd be pretty happy with that team. Critical that we get someone with experience alongside Byrne to take some of the pressure off him and Nacewa is ideal given they've lined out alongside one another already 6 of 7 times this season.

I'd be a little concerned about the back row. Ruddock literally has 15 minutes of rugby in 5 months. He's going to be rusty and won't have any match fitness whatsoever. Murphy is not at Leavy's level at 7 and by all accounts enjoyed his celebrations this week. There's a lot on Conan who should be chomping at the bit.

That's where Munster will surely be aiming to get the upper hand in terms of physicality particularly with Fardy missing.

Hopefully the RDS angle and bench can see Leinster home but I think this is a one score game either way.

Shefwedfan

Kevski wrote: »

No, Mike Ross couldn’t handle watching her marry another man.

This has to win post of the century!!!!

It has so many layers to it:p

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

I'd be pretty happy with that team. Critical that we get someone with experience alongside Byrne to take some of the pressure off him and Nacewa is ideal given they've lined out alongside one another already 6 of 7 times this season.

I'd be a little concerned about the back row. Ruddock literally has 15 minutes of rugby in 5 months. He's going to be rusty and won't have any match fitness whatsoever. Murphy is not at Leavy's level at 7 and by all accounts enjoyed his celebrations this week. There's a lot on Conan who should be chomping at the bit.

That's where Munster will surely be aiming to get the upper hand in terms of physicality particularly with Fardy missing.

Hopefully the RDS angle and bench can see Leinster home but I think this is a one score game either way.

Yeah, I'm hoping the RDS factor will give us the boost. It'll be Isa and Jordis last game there (in blue at least). Hopefully that'll see them right. The front 5 is more than good enough and I wouldn't be overly concerned about not being able to poach too much ball as long as we can hold onto our own. That pack should be able to do that.

The back 3 could be lethal if we can get them the ball. Larmour had a very quiet game last week and the other 2 lads should be looking to make an impression too. With leaders in that team like Rhys and Isa we should have our heads right too hopefully.

This is Munsters season in a game, and I'm sure they'd have been pretty pissed watching us lift the trophy at the weekend. They'll be well, well up for this one. We can't afford to be off the boil at all. That starting XV has it in them to win it. Would be interesting to see the bench though too.

prawnsambo

Munster have seen how to stop us playing. Whether they can emulate Racing at the breakdown is the question. And also if they'd be given the same leeway. Also Racing were clever about it and didn't do it all the time, so there was an element of misdirection there. But I'd be damned sure Munster will try to slow the ball down and defend like demons. An early score would be ideal for us.

pc7

What's Stuart Berry like as a ref? not ringing any bells with me.

sydthebeat

pc7 wrote: »

What's Stuart Berry like as a ref? not ringing any bells with me.

Kak

Former Former

pc7 wrote: »

What's Stuart Berry like as a ref? not ringing any bells with me.

South African guy. Don't know anything about him except that's he's going to ride Leinster and hand the game to Munster. Something something offside line something breakdown ALL DAY LONG

bennyl10

pc7 wrote: »

What's Stuart Berry like as a ref? not ringing any bells with me.

Anytime I've seen him this year he's not been the greatest..

Doesn't have much of a notion of what a maul is and his breakdown interpretation is sloppy at best..

pc7

cool thanks, not exactly a ringing endorsement for free flowing rugby so!

molloyjh

Former Former wrote: »

South African guy. Don't know anything about him except that's he's going to ride Leinster and hand the game to Munster. Something something offside line something breakdown ALL DAY LONG

IN THE SIDE!!!!!!

* Some terrace fans may get this one......

pickarooney

pickarooney wrote: »

You predicted Tracy, quoted the team with Cronin and are surprised there's no Cronin... you've officially started trolling yourself!

Yeah I heard there were a good few changes so predicted that would be one, but am still surprised as he had a lot of managed time during the 6N.

Looking at that predicted team, I find it hard to believe that all of those changes are about fatigue and managing minutes, I think if it was a Champions cup final this weekend it would be a different 23.

molloyjh

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah I heard there were a good few changes so predicted that would be one, but am still surprised as he had a lot of managed time during the 6N.

Looking at that predicted team, I find it hard to believe that all of those changes are about fatigue and managing minutes, I think if it was a Champions cup final this weekend it would be a different 23.

It would, but then we wouldn't have played the same 23 last week. Last week was a real bruiser of a game. Managing guys, especially when you've the faith in their replacements, makes total sense off the back of that. Especially when you consider those guys who started last week have the match plus the celebrations to get over.

thomond2006

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Ciaran Parker, Gerbrandt Grobler, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.

No Chris Cloete. Pity.

Just one change from the Edinburgh game. John Ryan returns from injury to start with Stephen Archer out for the season.

stephen_n

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Ciaran Parker, Gerbrandt Grobler, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.

No Chris Cloete. Pity.

Just one change from the Edinburgh game. John Ryan returns from injury to start with Stephen Archer out for the season.

I can’t see your backrow there, oh wait no, that will be tomorrow.

thomond2006

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Joey Carbery (35)
14. Jordan Larmour (20)
13. Garry Ringrose (48)
12. Isa Nacewa (183) CAPTAIN
11. James Lowe (11)
10. Ross Byrne (48)
9. Luke McGrath (93)
1. Jack McGrath (131)
2. Seán Cronin (151)
3. Tadhg Furlong (82)
4. Devin Toner (216)
5. James Ryan (13)
6. Rhys Ruddock (140)
7. Jordi Murphy (105)
8. Jack Conan (72)

16. James Tracy (64)
17. Cian Healy (189)
18. Andrew Porter (28)
19. Scott Fardy (20)
20. Max Deegan (20)
21. Nick McCarthy (26)
22. Rory O’Loughlin (40)
23. Barry Daly (26)

errlloyd

So are Sexton, Kearney, Leavy injured or rested?

Former Former

errlloyd wrote: »

So are Sexton, Kearney, Leavy injured or rested?

Injured, rested, rested

Peregrine

thomond2006 wrote: »

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Joey Carbery (35)
14. Jordan Larmour (20)
13. Garry Ringrose (48)
12. Isa Nacewa (183) CAPTAIN
11. James Lowe (11)
10. Ross Byrne (48)
9. Luke McGrath (93)
1. Jack McGrath (131)
2. Seán Cronin (151)
3. Tadhg Furlong (82)
4. Devin Toner (216)
5. James Ryan (13)
6. Rhys Ruddock (140)
7. Jordi Murphy (105)
8. Jack Conan (72)

16. James Tracy (64)
17. Cian Healy (189)
18. Andrew Porter (28)
19. Scott Fardy (20)
20. Max Deegan (20)
21. Nick McCarthy (26)
22. Rory O’Loughlin (40)
23. Barry Daly (26)

Lowe, Ringrose, Larmour and Carbery. If the pack can get on top and Byrne gets that backline going...oh, boy.

irishbucsfan

errlloyd wrote: »

So are Sexton, Kearney, Leavy injured or rested?

Rested

molloyjh

stephen_n wrote: »

I can’t see your backrow there, oh wait no, that will be tomorrow.

Bravo sir, bravo.

durthacht

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rested

Sexton is injured right?

Former Former

durthacht wrote: »

Sexton is injured right?

I'd say that for a Pro14 semi-final, he's injured.



If it was the European final tomorrow, he'd be playing

irishbucsfan

Former Former wrote: »

I'd say that for a Pro14 semi-final, he's injured.



If it was the European final tomorrow, he'd be playing

If Ireland did not have three tests next month, he would not be injured

errlloyd

Just a quick note, I was having a look at the minutes racked up by various people. Devon Toner has played around 1800 minutes this season, 1266 for Leinster and 409 for Ireland. I am not sure anyone else in that Leinster 23 is over 1500 total, so some amount of work he's done for us.

Rigor Mortis

errlloyd wrote: »

Just a quick note, I was having a look at the minutes racked up by various people. Devon Toner has played around 1800 minutes this season, 1266 for Leinster and 409 for Ireland. I am not sure anyone else in that Leinster 23 is over 1500 total, so some amount of work he's done for us.

Taking into account stride length, that is enough Devon to make it to Mars and back.

molloyjh

Oooohhhhh, this is getting interesting now. Looking at those squads I think Leinster shade it up front on paper anyway. Our midfield is probably better, with the back 3 being a tough one to call. But Leinster have the better bench. Again on paper. If our heads are right and our recovery from the weekend was good then we should win this. The only concerns I'd have with the starting XV would be how fit Rhys is and how Ross Byrne performs after a few tough weeks in the last month.

Munster have a good front row, a workmanlike second row and a talented but unbalanced back row. It's a pack that could deliver a performance, but also one that this Leinster pack should be able to get on top of. Especially at home. JJH hasn't really shown very much at 10 to date and Munsters centres simply aren't as good as Leinsters. The back 3 is where Munster look their most dangerous and where they could gain an edge. But our back 3 are no slouches either. Possibly some defensive or positioning issues in there, but the attacking threat is pretty obvious. Leinsters impact on the bench up front is pretty huge. Porter vs Parker, Fardy vs Grobler and Deegan vs Copeland are all clear wins for Leinster IMO.

It all comes down to the off-paper stuff though. If Leinsters heads aren't in it then it could be a tough day. Munster won't be short of intent or motivation. We just need to make sure we aren't either. Match them there and I think we win it.

thomond2006

Keet up against Larmour is a fascinating matchup.

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Keet up against Larmour is a fascinating matchup.

The hot steppers???? :cool:

budhabob

molloyjh wrote: »

The hot steppers???? :cool:

They'll just keep stepping each other and it'll end up looking like a glitch in the Matrix.

Larbre34

Thats a lot of somewhat leaky outside backs on the pitch for Leinster all at once, and more on the bench.

Im not damning them all, but if Benetton and Connacht could do what they did, Earls, Zebo and Murray will lick their lips.

I wouldnt have rested Robert Kearney.