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

I would be surprised if they brought McKee or Harry Byrne as they will need them for Toulouse, so I imagine they will want them training with the first team for the next three weeks to be aware of the game plan. Maybe the same with Larmour and/or Deegan.

Lasisi could travel as another TH and the soon to be departed Sean O'Brien as back row, which could free Ruddock to cover Second Row.

I hope Frawley travels as he needs game time if he is to have a chance to make Farrel's world cup squad as a utility back.

Max O'Reilly as Full Back is the only other one I can think of who might travel, and he could free up Larmour to stay in Dublin.

It's going to be a tough couple of games.

They'll just have to suck it up........😁😁

Makes sense to me him staying home. Potential injury in sa.

Not worth the risk IMHO.

I think it will be a fallow selection. Is this the moment to see what Frawley can do at outhalf? It's a fine opportunity for him to show his playmaking skills. Boyle will get an opportunity too. Clarkson should also be dumped into the deep end. Let's see where he is against a big monstrosity of a pack.

The result means nothing. There's no need to play anyone near the 1st 23, except Frawley. I'd give Brownlee the start also. If Soroka is healthy he goes right in alongside Deeny. With the altitude, humidity and the heat, a loss is on the cards. No harm in using these last too matches to get the nippers into the melee. Why not.

The semi final is confirmed for Saturday the 29th of April. Hopefully we'll have a few injury returns by then.

I think Toulouse would have a better chance against La Rochelle than Leinster would. Toulouse keep the ball alive more than Leinster do, so La Rochelle's steals on the deck wouldn't come into play as much.

I wonder if there's any chance of McCarthy being back for the Final if Leinster get there. His power and handling ability could be very useful against La Rochelle. I think he's a more potent player than Jenkins.

McCarthy was mentioned as out for upto 2 months on 27 February.

Leinster have definitely upped their physicality this season. James Ryan in particular is developing into that hard nosed bruiser we require. The signing of Jenkins has also improved our set piece game.

Leinster are playing more direct, I think, in anticipation of the challenges they'll face in the later stages of the CC and URC. If we lose, we lose. But I don't think it'll be down to a lack of physicality.

My only worry is the injury to Ryan Baird. He has been a big player this season. He brings speed and physicality to blindside flanker that Doris had last season, while also allowing the latter to move to his favoured position. We could really do with him being fit for the Toulouse game, although that seems unlikely.

Think Leinster will win it myself. Two very tough tests ahead but we can beat anyone, especially at home.

Not sending H.Byrne to SA for fear of him getting injured seems a bit pointless when the alternative is him not starting a game for 5 weeks come the Toulouse game. If Ross got injured and Harry had to start/come on early against Toulouse, he'd be extremely short of match sharpness.

Harry would have started 4 games over the course of 13 weeks, surely he needs at least another start to be considered a realistic option. If Frawley played in SA, did well and came back unscathed, he'd nearly be a better option as backup 10 at that stage. Harry needs to play the first game, bring him back after it.

Heard that James Henry and Ciaran Dyson are being brought from the academy.

Skelton out maybe for the semi. Huge loss. After him I can't see anyone more physical than us?

I know toulouse.

While I agree but yet disagree to a certain extent, LAR are a serious team. They'll be in the final.

Against toulouse we need possession. Keep it away from their crazy fast players. Tire them out, make the forwards run. Easier said than done, but I'm confident of a final.

Toulouse handling out the backs to the edges was pretty good in fairness