Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XII (The Byrne Supremacy)

Interested Observer · 20-05-2022 12:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089184#Comment_119089184

Feels like reading too much into it imo. Ala'alatoa was never going to be involved today given last weekend, Clarkson is starting, we're running out of THs at that point surely? Who else would be on the bench?

pickarooney · 20-05-2022 12:27pm

Abdaladze

20-05-2022 12:34pm

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molloyjh · 20-05-2022 12:34pm

We really need our pack to front up. It’s a marginally better pack than we played in SA but Cronin in particular hasn’t played any rugby in ages. He played 12 mins against Connacht 2 months ago! If our pack can hold their own and give the half backs a chance then it might be competitive. But that half back pairing behind a beaten pack will struggle badly. Hopefully the heart and effort we saw in SA is there again tomorrow. They’ll need it.

RichieRich_89 · 20-05-2022 12:38pm

Hmmm, don't like Baird at 6. And I'm not sure about Larmour at fullback and whether Cronin ahead of McKee is justified.

Faugheen · 20-05-2022 12:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089184#Comment_119089184

I’d say it’s a break glass scenario. Vakh isn’t in the squad at all and I would imagine it’s to hold him in reserve.

RichieRich_89 · 20-05-2022 12:48pm

With the Healy thing they could also be thinking about the matches to come in the URC. Maybe one last big effort from Furlong in the European Final is likely to see him need a rest after that. So they need to find out which of Clarkson or Healy is a better deputy for Ala'alatoa. They have dependable cover on the other side in the form of Byrne and Dooley.

Dubinusa · 20-05-2022 12:57pm

Don't think a win is in the cards. I think Russell should be at fb with Larmour on the wing. Should be interesting to see Baird at blindside. Delighted to see HB getting a start. I'm hoping he has a decent outing. I reckon Munster will win fairly comfortably but, a lbp wouldn't be bad.

Clegg · 20-05-2022 1:01pm

I didn't think Leinster would beat Munster at Thomond last month, but they did relatively easily. I'd give us a decent chance of winning if everything clicks and Munster don't respond. The back five of the pack and midfield looks very good on paper.

Munster have the stronger 23 for this game, actually need to win it, and in fairness to them, they've played much better rugby since their loss to us last month. I think they'll probably win, but Leinster should hopefully have enough about them to get a losing bonus point. The performances of the B team in South Africa last month were far better than I thought they'd be. Hoping for the same tomorrow.

Quin_Dub · 20-05-2022 1:18pm

A "Performance" is what is required in this game , the result (and scoreline) is largely irrelevant.

A BP may or may not be indicative of the team producing a performance , but what you want is to be able to look at the game afterwards and know that the players were competitive and that some of the younger guys stood up and showed their potential - Osbourne vs. Farrell for example.

A repeat of the Rainbow cup is what you don't want, it just breaks the momentum into the next few weeks.

pickarooney · 20-05-2022 1:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089290#Comment_119089290

How does it work when they travel for matches? Like when Nyakane pulled up in training last week they had a spare TH with them. Would they have cover for every position outside the 23? So assuming Furlong is out, Ala'alaoa and Clarkson are in the 23 and Vakh is brought to France in case of any last-minute injuries? Basically one TH has to sit out this weekend completely to allow for injuries in this match, the CC final and last minute training incidents?

bluedex · 20-05-2022 2:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089551#Comment_119089551

Pretty much yes. The "24th man" is actually a number of players covering specialised positions AFAIK. E.g. prop, OH, SH

Faugheen · 20-05-2022 2:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119089551#Comment_119089551

Yeah they would bring a number of players in specialised positions. Usually front row cover, a lock/back-row, a 9 and a back or two (depending on the 10 cover).

For example, JGP, McGrath and Foley will likely travel as 9s. At 10 you could have Sexton and R. Byrne but if Frawley travels then they might not need to bring H. Byrne.

I’m of the opinion that Ed Byrne is going as cover for Porter/Healy and Ala’alatoa and Vakh are the tightheads. If one of Ala’alatoa and Vakh go down while I’m France then you could see Healy as the designated tighthead replacement without the need of bringing another body.

I’m sure I’ve made a dogs dinner of that so I hope it’s in some way understandable.

Former Former Former · 20-05-2022 2:44pm

If Alaalatoa gets injured pre-game, I would imagine Porter would move over to TH and Healy would start at LH.

Interested Observer · 20-05-2022 5:02pm

La Rochelle have made wholesale changes for their match this weekend as well. Only a handful of starters there who played Racing. I don't know their entire squad but no Antonio, Rhule, West, Sinzelle, Leyds, Alldritt, Priso and obviously TKB got injured.

https://twitter.com/staderochelais/status/1527674598740967431

TRC10 · 20-05-2022 5:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119090762#Comment_119090762

They'll still somehow have been "tired" if we win

Interested Observer · 20-05-2022 5:07pm

Interesting they are having 35 y/o Victor Vito play a load of high intensity rugby without a break. He's still absolutely class but you'd think he could do with a break, he's the guts of a decade older than Alldritt. He's retiring I think so maybe wants to play as much as he can.

salmocab · 20-05-2022 5:45pm

I wouldn’t be too downbeat on the chances of winning tomorrow, Munster without a few players and the Leinster lads will certainly want to throw down markers. I think they might pull a tight win.

Interested Observer · 21-05-2022 8:34am

I know it's not going to affect the team at all but I'm getting very uncomfortable with the narrative around the final next week. Every bit of media I've listened to or read over the past week have basically said Leinster are an unstoppable juggernaut who should win easily. It's just not really how finals work, and La Rochelle beat Leinster comfortably last season.

RichieRich_89 · 21-05-2022 8:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092786#Comment_119092786

Shades of the build up to the last World Cup Final?

La Rochelle have a lot of the ingredients that usually are important in a final - big scrum, good at the breakdown, stifling defence. Goal kicking maybe they fall down in.

Dubinusa · 21-05-2022 1:53pm

There's no juggernaut! An off day and Leinster are fucked! The scrum already is known as a liability. Sexton will be targeted and they'll run down his channel all day. La Rochelle will keep it tight in the forwards and hope to make ground with their size.

Leinster will attempt to have Antonio and his big mates gasping for air early and often. It's pace of play that will win it for Leinster. Leinster are very fit and very skillful, they'll exploit La Rochelle with speed. I expect ROG will have someone in the backfield to assist the fb. Leinster made huge inroads last week kicking into space.

Dubinusa · 21-05-2022 1:55pm

I'm looking with interest to see how Foley goes today. I'm hopeful he can be a good solid player. I'll be at work. So if anyone knows wher I can watch the full match!

C'mon Leinster!

Exclamation Marc · 21-05-2022 1:58pm

Unfortunately can't make tonight's game so happy to give the pair of tickets to a frequent Boardsie who wants them. They're on the half way line in the premium section. Free to a good home.

RichieRich_89 · 21-05-2022 2:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119093594#Comment_119093594

Mmmm, my thoughts too. Thinking back to that heavy defeat in the Rainbow Cup, I think Foley is a significant upgrade on Hugh O'Sullivan, who started that day.

Interested Observer · 21-05-2022 2:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119093594#Comment_119093594

There's basically always a deal on NowTV. I the BT pack (which includes premier sport) just before Xmas for a tenner a month, when I went to cancel last week they offered me 3 more months for free. When the renewal comes up again in August I'll cancel again and either take whatever they offer or wait for the next deal to come, which are really frequent.