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

Be nice to see Connors back, if he gets a decent run I think he'll be back in the Irish squad, after Josh he's our next best 7 but just having a mare with the injuries lately

Thinking back, Leavy was in some form 2018. Would VDF had this season if Leavy was still playing? Jeez, that's serious talent at openside!

2 years ago nobody gives of a chance when we kicked your ass at the RDS

but the next 3 comments after are way more ponderated then yours, and yeah it'll be tough, likely loss, but we'll give you a difficult night if we start well!

Okay, let’s introduce a few facts into this nonsense.

1. It was 3 years ago, not 2.
2. Connacht were given a good chance of an upset because Leinster fielded a very weak squad on the day, particularly in the outside backs, and Connacht were close to full strength. The back 3 had 2 19 year olds who haven’t exactly kicked on since then (Smith and O’Reilly).
3. Sexton went off injured after 25 mins and Leinster had no 10 cover. They brought on Turner for him and had Luke McGrath taking the place kicks.

Blade is decent but there is simply no way that Blade-Carty is even close to as good as JGP-Sexton. It’s a laughable suggestion. If they were as good as the starting 9 and 10 for the number 1 ranked test team in the world then they wouldn’t be playing for Connacht, no offence intended. Connacht aren’t exactly a top side.

Yep, both feet. Was a law change a couple of years ago on it. Refs were hot on it for a year or so, but they’ve all but stopped looking at it since.

If refs were hot on everything all the time, we’d see very little rugby. Directives change and so does to focus on certain aspects.

Wish world rugby would become hot on offside for once though.

Apologies. UR had it down as 2020, which is actually wrong. But Connacht are not stronger than they were in 2021. Connacht came 2nd in their conference that year. They are currently 12th in the league. That’s not better.

You said Blade-Carty is a match for JGP-Sexton. That’s just not true. Not even remotely.

Will Connors has only played 29 times for Leinster. That's mad! He's been involved for 6 years. I would like to see him get a run. Is he straight back in? Does he get over Penny?

I'm not too sure he will. I would ease him back in. I thought Leavy was rushed back in and he probably needed a little more time.

Besides, Penny is playing well. He's earned every minute he's played. Why dampen his efforts by jumping Connors back in. Maybe Connors can get onto the bench and work up a head of steam.

he is, he had great games or part of. This year not so much sadly

and table doesn't mean everything. I do think Connacht are stronger, more potential than in 2021. Didn't click for now. Hope so on sunday.

But again, without Boyle Thornbury and (maybe) A.Byrne, we're not 100%

And it's harder to beat even a 60% full-team of Leinster

Carty is average. He just isn't top level. There's plenty of reasons why he does not have many international caps, the most obvious being, he's not good enough. The reality is Sexton at 37 is better than Carty. Imagine if Sexton stuck around u til he's 40! Would Carty bypass him?

I'd prefer a very limited but, very consistent Ross Byrne.

I've always been skceptical toward Alex Wootton, weak defender who cost us a try vs Munster recently again (great attacking threat, and who knows he could have been Lowe profile, was weak there too). But no, I'm not blind-eye, Woots may be released, no issue.

Carty is having some mare this season, yes we call for competition at 10 (Hawshaw?). BUT he has moments of genius, and he's the kind of guys who can raise his standard very high, smart, some vision, huge qualities. Just say you will swallow your (legitimate) pride on Sunday if it happens. It doesn't mean it will, doesn't mean either I can't see Jack has had very bad games overall, not really with hands or defence, he was ok, but kicks (in open play or tee) matter for a 10. And he wasn't up to it. At all. Mentally. Let's see..

Leinster have played this very well, rested a lot of first teamers for Thomond and still got the win, so can now field a strong team for Connacht too. Send the second string to Ospreys and everyone is rested for Europe.

Healy Kelleher Alaalatoa

Ryan Molony

Doris Conan VDF

JGP Sexton

Dk Ngatai Osborne Larmour

JOB

I would hope Connacht come all guns blazing, they'll have had 9 days since the Ulster game, but I don't believe any XV they can field should be able to compete with that side.

Carty needs to find touch. He has to improve placekicking. Otherwise... he's not getting national call ups.