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Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

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    #3902
    typhoony
    Registered Users Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭typhoony


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    I would happily not have Leinster play Saracens. But I also think they will beat a lot of teams and I would rather play them in a QF in Lansdowne then in a final in Marseille.

    Good point, also I don't believe that all this debacle will motivate them, it has to have affected them mentally.


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    #3903
    stephen_n
    Registered Users Posts: 12,920 ✭✭✭✭stephen_n


    typhoony wrote: »
    Good point, also I don't believe that all this debacle will motivate them, it has to have affected them mentally.

    We’ll find out in a few hours.


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    #3904
    Faugheen
    Site Banned Posts: 12,341 ✭✭✭✭Faugheen


    On yesterday, I thought Luke McGrath had one of his best performances in a while for us. The responsibility of captain seems to suit him.


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    #3905
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 17,169 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    So it's probably Saracens for the QF. We've played some incredible rugby this season and blown away most sides we've played. But this will be our biggest test by far. Both sides will be only rebuilding after the Six Nations so it's hard to guess the outcome.


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    #3906
    Exclamation Marc
    Registered Users Posts: 11,988 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    Clegg wrote: »
    So it's probably Saracens for the QF. We've played some incredible rugby this season and blown away most sides we've played. But this will be our biggest test by far. Both sides will be only rebuilding after the Six Nations so it's hard to guess the outcome.

    And if it is Saracens, they'll certainly have a last stand mentality about them. I'd be confident for Leinster but will certainly be some test.


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    #3907
    Brewster
    Registered Users Posts: 3,093 ✭✭✭Brewster


    The same happened a few years when Leinster got Sarries at home having been number 1 seeds.....


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    #3908
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 17,169 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    Brewster wrote: »
    The same happened a few years when Leinster got Sarries at home having been number 1 seeds.....

    Different circumstances though. That Saracens squad was knackered having come off the Lions tour and we're in poor form all season. They were destroyed by Clermont away in the group stages and limped into the knockouts as the bottom seed. This season they're bottom seed only because they've rested players following the points deduction. That was when they still thought they had Premiership survival to think of. I can see them going balls to the walls to win the Champions Cup this year.


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    #3909
    Brewster
    Registered Users Posts: 3,093 ✭✭✭Brewster


    Clegg wrote: »
    Different circumstances though. That Saracens squad was knackered having come off the Lions tour and we're in poor form all season. They were destroyed by Clermont away in the group stages and limped into the knockouts as the bottom seed. This season they're bottom seed only because they've rested players following the points deduction. That was when they still thought they had Premiership survival to think of. I can see them going balls to the walls to win the Champions Cup this year.

    It’s the worst possible draw for Leinster, absolutely no doubt about this. Saracens, mightily riled, are probably the only team that could win in Dublin.


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    #3910
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,677 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    Gloucester ahead in Toulouse so far...


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    #3911
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,883 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Brewster wrote: »
    It’s the worst possible draw for Leinster, absolutely no doubt about this. Saracens, mightily riled, are probably the only team that could win in Dublin.

    If Saracens were going to qualify for the quarters it is a good draw for Leinster. Better this than the final.


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    #3912
    BonnieSituation
    Registered Users Posts: 19,065 ✭✭✭✭BonnieSituation


    I just don't want them in the competition full stop.


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    #3913
    Brewster
    Registered Users Posts: 3,093 ✭✭✭Brewster


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    If Saracens were going to qualify for the quarters it is a good draw for Leinster. Better this than the final.

    Fair point. No doubt about it.


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    #3914
    A-Train
    Registered Users Posts: 4,218 ✭✭✭A-Train


    I know to be the best you got to beat the best. Sarries are the only team I would fear coming to Dublin. Hopefully all the lads get through the 6 Nations, as we will need everyone fit and firing for it.


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    #3915
    Exclamation Marc
    Registered Users Posts: 11,988 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    If Saracens were going to qualify for the quarters it is a good draw for Leinster. Better this than the final.

    Very true. Better in Dublin than in Marseille.


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    #3916
    lawrencesummers
    Registered Users Posts: 8,580 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    Munster pushed the Sarries team all the way. Leinster will be Easily able to Get over the line.


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    #3917
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    lawrencesummers wrote: »
    Munster pushed the Sarries team all the way. Leinster will be Easily able to Get over the line.

    Entirely different circumstances.

    I expect it to be a game played at full test intensity with Sarries entire season riding on it. Leinster will need to play their best rugby of the last two years to win.

    McCall is going to be prepping for that game starting today.


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    #3918
    The Rape of Lucretia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭The Rape of Lucretia


    Clegg wrote: »
    This season they're bottom seed only because they've rested players following the points deduction. That was when they still thought they had Premiership survival to think of. I can see them going balls to the walls to win the Champions Cup this year.

    They are still basically the best team in Europe. And a EC win, unlike their now tainted Premierships, will still be a genuine win. So they will go for it like no tomorrow. Last hurrah before the scattering.


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    #3919
    ongarite
    Registered Users Posts: 8,247 ✭✭✭ongarite


    Would Vunipola be back for broken arm in time for QF?


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    #3920
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,677 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    ongarite wrote: »
    Would Vunipola be back for broken arm in time for QF?

    He had surgery last time and was out for 3 months. So depends. He's broken the same arm before, so potentially could be a long rehab if they want to make sure it's right.


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    #3921
    lawrencesummers
    Registered Users Posts: 8,580 ✭✭✭lawrencesummers


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Entirely different circumstances.

    I expect it to be a game played at full test intensity with Sarries entire season riding on it. Leinster will need to play their best rugby of the last two years to win.

    McCall is going to be prepping for that game starting today.

    Home advantage, a packed aviva and Sarries probably without Billy V. Leinster should win by 10 easily.


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    #3922
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    lawrencesummers wrote: »
    Leinster should win by 10 easily.

    I appreciate your confidence but I don't think there is anything to separate the two teams at all. If Sarries are further destabilised before the quarter final then things might change but at the moment I'd have it fairly evens.


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    #3923
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,883 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I appreciate your confidence but I don't think there is anything to separate the two teams at all. If Sarries are further destabilised before the quarter final then things might change but at the moment I'd have it fairly evens.

    They are even teams. At home Leinster will be 3-5 point favourites I Would think.


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    #3924
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users Posts: 10,438 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    Delighted with the draw personally. All set up for another epic run similar to our last win. Beating the best teams. Hoping we get Toulouse at home, if we get to the semi. They're playing some cracking rugby, and it would be perfect to beat them on the way to being the first team to get a fifth star.


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    #3925
    LostArt
    Registered Users Posts: 1,813 ✭✭✭LostArt


    At home and with Billy probably out I think we'll beat them as long as we play to our capabilities.
    I would bin off that SA tour and send the u20s though.


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    #3926
    RobbieRuns
    Registered Users Posts: 1,274 ✭✭✭RobbieRuns


    Personally looking forward to seeing Leinster play the last eight, four and then the final. Will be shouting for them. The Pro 14 is actually poor fare in all honesty for a team of Leinsters ability. This is the stage and level for them. Proper test against top english and french sides is what they need.


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    #3927
    Interested Observer
    Registered Users Posts: 13,105 ✭✭✭✭Interested Observer


    The QFs are about 10 weeks away I think so surely Billy will be back by then, a broken arm shouldn't take that long to heal if it's a clean enough break.


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    #3928
    prawnsambo
    Registered Users Posts: 13,375 ✭✭✭✭prawnsambo


    Interested Observer wrote: »
    The QFs are about 10 weeks away I think so surely Billy will be back by then, a broken arm shouldn't take that long to heal if it's a clean enough break.
    The big problem for Billy is that this is now his fourth break in about two and a half years. He's done one arm twice and the other once. Depends on which one he's broken this time, because a third on the same arm could be a protracted recovery. Afaik, he's got plates in both of them, so it's probably surgery as well.


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    #3929
    LostArt
    Registered Users Posts: 1,813 ✭✭✭LostArt


    Interested Observer wrote: »
    The QFs are about 10 weeks away I think so surely Billy will be back by then, a broken arm shouldn't take that long to heal if it's a clean enough break.
    pretty sure he has plates in both arms so it's not completely straightforward


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    #3930
    awec
    Administrators Posts: 53,796 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Saracens would IMO beat Leinster in a final, so getting the chance to knock them out in a home QF is good.


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    #3931
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 26,883 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    awec wrote: »
    Saracens would IMO beat Leinster in a final, so getting the chance to knock them out in a home QF is good.

    I reject the specific premise - I think a final would be 50/50. But I think a home QF will be 70/30 so I'll take it.


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