Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Jeez, the injuries are coming at the wrong time.

Although I thought Ngatai's season was done last week .. probably a week too soon for him.

I'm not sure we win without one of VDF or Baird in the side. We need that extra bit of physicality they bring, especially against a team the size of Toulouse.

With no Sexton, Lowe or van der Flier I'm feeling very pessimistic about this one. All three were absolutely instrumental in beating Toulouse at this stage last season, the three best players on the pitch by a stretch as far as I remember. The current Toulouse are a lot fresher than they were when we played them after their 100 minute game vs Munster.

As good as Jimmy O'Brien is, he's just not at Lowe's level. O'Brien played in this game at 14 last season, but from my memory didn't particularly stand out. Compare that to Lowe who scored two tries, carried for 105 meters and kicked to perfection. Our fourth try, scored by Keenan, was setup after a gut busting run and strong carry from Lowe down the right.

Sexton had the game of the season that afternoon too. He was man of the match, directly assisting three tries. He had a lovely inside pass for Lowe's first try, dummy and line break with an excellent deep pass to van der Flier to score for the second one, and a long arcing pass over the entire Toulouse defence to allow Lowe to walk in for his second and our third. He also kicked 100% of his kicks for 15 points. Ross will kick the kicks, but we'll need someone else to step in at first receiver to run the back line. Annoyingly, that person is usually Lowe or van der Flier. We've used Larmour there a little bit this season, but he's just not very effective due to his size.

Similarly, van der Flier was everywhere in that game, including on the score sheet with a strong finish through three defenders. Penny is a step down for sure (anyone would be a step down), but despite van der Flier's World Player of the Year accolade and good form, I think he's the gap we can fill the most effectively with Penny / Connors / Doris or whoever we decide to pick at 7.

As important as those players are, I don't think it is enough to swing the balance against us given our home advantage.

Its quite important to slow down Toulouse's on front foot so no VDF or Baird is as blow. I'd almost be tempted to play Connors but that would be a big ask given he was in SA.

Kolisi won't be available for the Sharks when we play them. Suffered a serious knee injury last weekend. Etzebeth is already out for them as well.

Who else in the league would put that score on the same Leinster team, even considierng the chaotic prep and injuries? Not many.

Conway was breaking into the Leinster 23 and was playing 80 in 2 finals in 2013 ahead of Dave Kearney. Fast forward a couple of years and he’s playing Wolfhound games when Dave is starting for Ireland. 

I'm sorry but this isn't accurate. Dave Kearney was firmly ahead of Conway until the O'Connell incident pretty much ended his season.

Conway was behind Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald and Nacewa (who was contracted for another season). Obviously Nacewa ended up leaving early, and Fitzgerald and DK went on to have major injury issues, but at the time of the decision it was a no-brainer for Conway.

Why is the focus on Conway? There's lot's of players who have left or cut. Beirne? Cooney?

Conway made the right decision at that time for himself. He's done well.

Now, why didn't Munster sign Nick McCarthy to a lifetime contract? Lol