Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread X: [****]

Richie_Rich89 · 21-03-2019 2:44pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

wow, leinster gone from +8 to +1 after teams announced.

Murphy possibly underpowered for the row and fault lines running through centre partnership.

Middle five good though, so who knows?

Richie_Rich89 · 21-03-2019 2:49pm

Former Former wrote: »

Ah stop. Just stop.

McGrath is the second best loosehead Ireland have ever had, and has been locked in battle for five years with the best loosehead we've ever had, and he's been pretty close all that time. He's played at every level of the game, from the Pro14 to the World Cup and Lions tests and he's never been found wanting.

He's in a serious slump for whatever reason but Ed Byrne is not a quarter of the player.

There are goldfish with acquired brain injury that have longer memories than some people here.

Dunno about that. Popplewell started all three Lions Tests in 1993.

21-03-2019 2:50pm

Not a mention of Frawley at fullback? Has he played there before?

troyzer · 21-03-2019 2:53pm

Former Former wrote: »

Yeah, McGrath is in a slump. I'm not saying he should be picked regardless of form or fitness or whatever else is eating him.

But being in a slump does not make you a bad player. The last six years of being a test-quality prop don't go out the window. For me at least.

When did I say he was a bad player? McGrath WAS a great player and hasn't been for a while. Byrne is the better player. That may be temporary, it may not. But Byrne has been routinely picked ahead of McGrath for a months now because he's better.

Deleted User wrote: »

Not a mention of Frawley at fullback? Has he played there before?

I don't know if he's started there but he's been moved to fullback a few times. Did he play there against Connacht?

Dubinusa · 21-03-2019 2:54pm

Think it's a fairly average side. Murphy at lock is bizarre?
Tomane straight back in, at 12? I reckon he's behind C.O.B at this stage?
Frawley is good for a look at fb? He's certainly a good athlete.
Ferg back too, would have thought A.B would need a game.
Jack must be struggling still. At this rate I think he's most likely leaving!
Luke back! Hope he gets a good run.
I think we will struggle, we have a few lads returning and they may be rusty.

aloooof · 21-03-2019 2:56pm

troyzer wrote: »

Ed Byrne was being picked ahead of him months ago. And deservedly so, Byrne is the better player. I'd be shocked if he wasn't brought into Ireland camp for Six Nations 2020.

troyzer wrote: »

We'll agree to disagree then. I'd be picking Ed Byrne over him any day of the week. At least at the moment.

Byrne may be playing better but McGrath is the better player. There's a world of difference between those 2 positions.

arsebiscuits1 · 21-03-2019 3:32pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Not a mention of Frawley at fullback? Has he played there before?

Yeah a few times. First start there though

Squidgy Black · 21-03-2019 3:33pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Not a mention of Frawley at fullback? Has he played there before?

Covered there a couple of times, most notably against Connacht, but this is his first start at 15.

arsebiscuits1 · 21-03-2019 3:35pm

salmocab wrote: »

Seems odd alright, I’d be starting to worry he’ll be getting a pain with lack of game time.

The only players with more minutes than him are Ruddock, Fardy, ROL, JGP and Adam Byrne.

While I want him playing more he knows the deal with the foreign player ruling. But he also knows that it expires at the end of this season. I am sure he can hang on

salmocab · 21-03-2019 3:40pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

The only players with more minutes than him are Ruddock, Fardy, ROL, JGP and Adam Byrne.

While I want him playing more he knows the deal with the foreign player ruling. But he also knows that it expires at the end of this season. I am sure he can hang on

The minutes aren’t generally in the big games to be fair, he’s missed out on a few of them.

troyzer · 21-03-2019 3:46pm

Former Former wrote: »

Ah stop. Just stop.

McGrath is the second best loosehead Ireland have ever had, and has been locked in battle for five years with the best loosehead we've ever had, and he's been pretty close all that time. He's played at every level of the game, from the Pro14 to the World Cup and Lions tests and he's never been found wanting.

He's in a serious slump for whatever reason but Ed Byrne is not a quarter of the player.

There are goldfish with acquired brain injury that have longer memories than some people here.

I just noticed you edited the comment with a snarky insult.

It has nothing to do with memory. I know how class McGrath was. Ed Byrne is better now which is all that mattters when selecting a team. Whether or not that's just temporary remains to be seen. We don't know if it's a slump.

All of this applies to Seán O'Brien as well. Dan Leavy is nowhere near as good as 2017 Seán O'Brien but he's the better player right now.

arsebiscuits1 · 21-03-2019 3:53pm

salmocab wrote: »

The minutes aren’t generally in the big games to be fair, he’s missed out on a few of them.

Everyone has missed a fair few. Rotation will always happen.

But lack of game time or time in big games is a misnomer.

He's played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champions cup games.

Fardy has also played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champs cup games

JGP has also played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champs cup games

molloyjh · 21-03-2019 4:04pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Everyone has missed a fair few. Rotation will always happen.

But lack of game time or time in big games is a misnomer.

He's played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champions cup games.

Fardy has also played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champs cup games

JGP has also played in 3 Interpros and 4 Champs cup games

And Lowe was suspended for 2 of those HEC games too wasn’t he?

Shefwedfan · 21-03-2019 4:39pm

McGrath married a woman who's father is a raging Munster fan.....

My bet is he is putting poison into McGraths daily soup and this is affecting him, then when he moves suddenly Munster will come in and nab him

it is a devious plan....we have to put a stop to it.....

Clegg · 21-03-2019 6:11pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

The only players with more minutes than him are Ruddock, Fardy, ROL, JGP and Adam Byrne.

While I want him playing more he knows the deal with the foreign player ruling. But he also knows that it expires at the end of this season. I am sure he can hang on

There'll be lots of top clubs looking at Lowe when his contract expires next year. He's a proven performer in the league and Europe. Hopefully the lure of test rugby, the pay bump that goes with it, will be enough to stop him signing for clubs with bigger cheque books.

Shefwedfan · 21-03-2019 6:36pm

Clegg wrote: »

There'll be lots of top clubs looking at Lowe when his contract expires next year. He's a proven performer in the league and Europe. Hopefully the lure of test rugby, the pay bump that goes with it, will be enough to stop him signing for clubs with bigger cheque books.

He was clear he signed for Leinster for money, he could potentially have a shorter career than any other player so he needs to make money

Even with Irish money it wont match a English/French club

Squidgy Black · 21-03-2019 6:47pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

He was clear he signed for Leinster for money, he could potentially have a shorter career than any other player so he needs to make money

Even with Irish money it wont match a English/French club

Or he could also stay in Ireland on a nice wedge of cash and not be absolutely flogged like he would be in England/France and avail of proper player welfare structures.

Richie_Rich89 · 21-03-2019 7:01pm

The silver lining if Lowe did leave would be more gametime opening up on the left wing for O'Loughlin and Daly in the biggest games. They're both more than good enough.

Clegg · 21-03-2019 7:15pm

Richie_Rich89 wrote: »

The silver lining if Lowe did leave would be more gametime opening up on the left wing for O'Loughlin and Daly in the biggest games. They're both more than good enough.

Lowe is far better than either though.

troyzer · 21-03-2019 7:49pm

Clegg wrote: »

Lowe is far better than either though.

If Lowe was playing the way he does now in New Zealand, he'd be making a serious push for the All Blacks World Cup squad.

It's night and day between him and the likes of Daly.

accensi0n · 22-03-2019 12:31am

troyzer wrote: »

If Lowe was playing the way he does now in New Zealand, he'd be making a serious push for the All Blacks World Cup squad.

It's night and day between him and the likes of Daly.

But Lowe doesn't play now.

durthacht · 22-03-2019 1:49am

Former Former wrote: »

Ah stop. Just stop.

McGrath is the second best loosehead Ireland have ever had, and has been locked in battle for five years with the best loosehead we've ever had, and he's been pretty close all that time. He's played at every level of the game, from the Pro14 to the World Cup and Lions tests and he's never been found wanting.

He's in a serious slump for whatever reason but Ed Byrne is not a quarter of the player.

There are goldfish with acquired brain injury that have longer memories than some people here.

I dunno. Phillip Orr had a brilliant tache and belly back in the 80s. That's what a proper prop should be.

Clegg · 22-03-2019 12:33pm

Ross Byrne has dropped out of the team and Ciaran Frawley will move to 10. Jimmy O'Brien will now start at 15 and Gavin Mullin comes into the 23.

Rigor Mortis · 22-03-2019 12:38pm

Either Byrne is injured or Sexton is and he is being minded for Ulster

D14Rugby · 22-03-2019 12:57pm

durthacht wrote: »

I dunno. Phillip Orr had a brilliant tache and belly back in the 80s. That's what a proper prop should be.

These new modern fans forgetting what being a prop is all about. Bet Phil could down a pint quicker than either of them too no bother.

Exclamation Marc · 22-03-2019 1:21pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

Either Byrne is injured or Sexton is and he is being minded for Ulster

Sexton was never in contention for playing today, injury or otherwise.

Former Former · 22-03-2019 1:36pm

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Sexton was never in contention for playing today, injury or otherwise.

He means that Sexton could be injured and that Byrne is being minded for Ulster.

The tweet from Leinster says that "Ross Byrne has been pulled from the team" which is an odd choice of words.

Rigor Mortis · 22-03-2019 1:39pm

Former Former wrote: »

He means that Sexton could be injured and that Byrne is being minded for Ulster.

The tweet from Leinster says that "Ross Byrne has been pulled from the team" which is an odd choice of words.

What he said.

Great opportunity for Frawley to start against some serious opposition.

Exclamation Marc · 22-03-2019 1:44pm

Rigor Mortis wrote: »

What he said.

Great opportunity for Frawley to start against some serious opposition.

Ah apologies for the misread, I understand.

It's certainly possible, wasn't Byrne left on the bench unused against Ulster earlier in the season from a Pro14 game exactly for this purpose?

Either way, great to see Frawley at 10.

22-03-2019 1:44pm

Former Former wrote: »

Ah stop. Just stop.

McGrath is the second best loosehead Ireland have ever had, and has been locked in battle for five years with the best loosehead we've ever had, and he's been pretty close all that time. He's played at every level of the game, from the Pro14 to the World Cup and Lions tests and he's never been found wanting.

He's in a serious slump for whatever reason but Ed Byrne is not a quarter of the player.

There are goldfish with acquired brain injury that have longer memories than some people here.

Yet he's considering going to Ulster as he's not getting gametime. He's not half the player he once was. Class is permanent and all that but apparently not for McGrath for some time now.

Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread X: [****]

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