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

It’s really just a sign of how poor Glasgow were at the point in time. They had been pretty decent most of the season. But they fell off a cliff in the last 3 months losing 7 of their last 10 games across all competitions.

They got to the playoffs because they had been pretty good before then, but 6 of their 8 losses in the league came in the last 3 months. They ended on the same number of wins and losses as Ospreys but with 4 more BPs. In the last 3 months they managed 3 BPs and 11 points in total. Ospreys managed 20 points in that time. So their form pre-March was what got them into the play-offs. Their form since March is what got them the draw vs Leinster and ultimately the hiding they ended up with.

Yeah, Lowe got a shin injury against Toulouse, Keenan has had a broken hand for a few weeks.

Starting to get a bit nervous about this game. Especially as we're missing two of our usual starting back 3. Lowe and Keenan give so much assurance in their fielding of the ball. A season ago it was an area of weakness, but JOB/Lowe/Keenan are an excellent unit under the high ball.

The Bulls are a Jake White side who'll play high pressure, collision heavy, territory based rugby. They'll probably kick the leather off the ball to put pressure on Larmour and ROL. Not sure they'll be able to cope as well as the players who are missing would.

It's a good enough opportunity for RB. He is facing a physical team and he has got to play well. Missing the lads we are is tough but, JOB is a fine replacement for Keenan. I think fb is his best position.

McCarthy gets in for physical presence I assume. The Bulls will be keen to get stuck in and bring the physicality! This match will be a much tougher outing than last week.

Are you trying to say that the Bulls are the same caliber as La Rochelle. Or do you just like to conveniently ignore reality to suit your negative viewpoint.

No

Watch what McCarthy does for the maul tries in the highlights of the Munster and Glasgow games. He's so strong.

RB the glaring weak link in team for me . Would love to see Frawley there.

I think the argument is that as good as he is mid season, he's often not great when the heat is on, as was evident the other week.

Ross is a steady hand but not exactly lightning quick and pretty predicable. Frawley however, is never shy a break, kicks well from hand or can pass it on if needs be. He's a player that keeps defenses guessing. You don't get that variety from RB, and if the forwards aren't punching holes for him he often gets found out pretty quickly.

Wherenow for Ruddock and Deegan? Hardly positive signs if Baird is being picked ahead of them.

Keenan pictured training in captains run which is surprising

Yep that's what I said alright