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

Good man Vakh

In the 4 weeks before this game Sheehan played 113 minutes. 80 vs Munster 33 vs Gloucester and 2 weeks off.

He is getting rest.

Ross Byrne should be comfortably second choice for Ireland. He won’t be but he is really should be starting if Sexton isn’t there.

Byrne, Ryan and McCarthy made a big difference when they came on.

Leinster have definitely simplified their game this season. There aren't as many wrap around passes and things are more direct. It's done with the purpose of toughening up our players I guess. It's probably the right strategy, but makes for some turgid displays at times.

I’m sorry but what Sheehan is doing out on the pitch is not normal.

Most Hookers play 65 mins max.

Hes a freak.

Now I completely agree if you are talking about a back. Which is what my whole point was about

e.g. Carbery and Ireland need him playing (&ideally Crowley)

Good win, Ospreys were well up for that. Even though our attack wasn't where it should be, it was pretty relentless and wore them down.

Scrum kept them in it as well as a hungry defense. Conan had a big game and Ross Byrne made a difference off the bench. Happy to get the win in another tight game

Carbery has been playing, and will play the next two weeks. Not sure what the problem is?

For back ups? They're fine, not every player has to be Porter or Furlong

As what? Theyre fine for what they are now. 2nd choice. wont start major games.

If Carbery can’t play because he needs a rest - he doesn’t - then Crowley should have played.

And vice versa

Sheehan needs an extended break. Badly.

Sheehan is the starting hooker for Ireland. He’s a forward. Manage his minutes.

Carbery is an outhalf. He’s not the starting outhalf (*Sexton broken face) for Ireland. He doesn’t need his minutes managed.

Crowley is an outhalf. See above AND he is playing out of position. He needs minutes there. So play him at outhalf as often as you can.

We were minced. But still managed to win. Some lads won like the review. Foley was poor and HB not at the races. Healy and Ala'Alatoa were hosed. Completed toyed with in the scrum. To be fair, I doubt Porter would have fared well either.

Very poor outing. Conan came good late after a poor 50 minutes. Rhys was poor too. Osborne had a mare, imo. He really was off the pace. I thought Larmour was decent along with Ngati. Ospreys bossed the exchanges and looked very comfortable defending.

With such a poor scrum, it's amazing that we stole the win. James Ryan and Ross Byrne were excellent. Good learning experience for Deeny, who went ok. This match will stand to him. Very willing ball carrier and he's pretty skillful too.

HB really needs minutes on the field. I don't know if he will get many next week. The 6nations is not doable for him. The rest of the season he should just try to get into a rhythm and find some form.

Leinster handling was quite poor. A couple of poor knock ons and some passes that were fairly high. The coaching team will like the result, but not the play. Poorest effort since the Euro final, imo.

Hard to disagree with pretty much all of that assessment. Mark of champions is to have a shocker and get over the line. The Monday review will not be pretty mind, and rightfully so.

At this stage, Ross should be getting the ten jersey when available. He needs to be handed the baton for European games where Sexton is unavailable. He looks much improved on last year which is great.

It was also good to see better returns from line-out this week although the scrum was munched at times so can't win em all.

I think Ospreys were unlucky to lose. Referee was very picky to our benefit at times and on another day, that's a LBP loss for us in my books.

Agreed that Healy and Ala'alatoa had a rough game but they've had many great games these season and today was just one of those days. It's bewildering to see some fans (not you) call for their heads after one bad run out.

While I was disappointed with HB, I feel minutes on the field will help him. He's undercooked and probably lacking confidence.

I think Foley is one to worry about. That's 2 starts that I recall where he was abysmal. Very poor doesn't describe it. I don't know what the answer is? Is he capable? Nick McCarthy was noticeably better. Which isn't saying a lot.

Today marked the 1st time that Osborne had a poor outing. Hopefully it's just a blip.

Larmour is making inroads with his rucking. He seems to be involved way more than I can remember. He's really putting himself about.

VDF made a bullocks of Ospreys ruck at about 75 minutes. Total demolition and shithousery. He really destroyed what looked like a good attacking platform.

Line out was fine? Is it Kelleher? Or a Connacht that good?