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

Ha, he goes and gets player of the match. I'd say he read this and it annoyed him. He was really excellent I thought, and I'd wanted Harry to start.

really enjoyed the atmosphere today, obviously the level of game helps but there were lots of kids there and there was a party atmosphere I think from it

Not sure he was player of the match. But that's besides the point.

He had a very good game, kicked most of his points, took a hell of a lot of punishment.

Maybe he banished a few deamons today and will kick on.

You'd imagine Harry and Sam will get a start each in south africa.

Can't Imagine too many who started today will make the trip down to south Africa.

Tame enough stuff really.

Just arrived home.

I can categorically say that feels like the most complete Leinster performance since the Toulouse game way back in 2011.

Very proud of that team this evening. We gave them absolutely nothing. Not a step back, not an inch conceded.

Just booked the final in London. There is nobody to beat us playing like that.

Absolutely. There was tonnes of this. Skelton was at it, pinning after ruck and elbows into face. Botia too. All game off the ball. Glad they are out. Negative sh+t when they don't need it. Just like Toulon, nothing behind a brief explosion while Leinster still fighting consistently for 20 years.

Just home now and had a quick look, the tv doesn’t catch what happened.

Looking forward to the media over the next week. Summation:

Media: can Leinster beat LAR? If not it will destroy them

Beat them in the group stage away from home

Media: can Leinster beat LAR. But in a game that matters (ask LAR if that loss at home cost them this year)? If not it will destroy them

Beat the reigning champions by 27 points.

Media: can Leinster win a European Cup? If not it will destroy them.

Northampton up next. They’ll be a big challenge. They have an excellent team and have scored some superb tries this year. Beating Munster away from home with 14 men and backing it up at home is nothing to be sniffed at.

I guess the lads head off to S.A tomorrow? We might have a very healthy looking squad traveling. J.O.B and Ringrose will surely travel. Ruddock and Deegan and Penny will be back. Sam P and HB will surely be on the plane. We might return with some points!!!

Does anyone feel there's much of a drop from VDF/Conners to Penny?

Challenge as I see it is you either need to leave a significant number of players behind or send nearly full strength to SA.

If you try to get a middle ground then you're splitting your starters for nearly three weeks leading up to semi. Not only is that a issue for cohesion but you end up with guys training for three weeks at home against a bunch of sub-academy players.

They're either going all or nothing here.

Feel they'll do the same as last year and leave a huge number home. One option they could try is to do the best of both worlds and treat it like a warm weather camp, having the starters over there training but only giving a few of them in need actual game time. Not sure if that is feasible though with space and cost.

You'd imagine Harry and Sam will get a start each in south africa.

Sam P and HB will surely be on the plane. We might return with some points!!!

I would be amazed if Harry Byrne goes anywhere near South Africa as they will need at least two fly halves for training in Dublin, and Frawley will surely train at full back instead with all the injuries to Keenan.

I imagine Prendergast and Tector will travel to SA, with Prendergast starting both games and Tector getting some minutes.

The way Larmour has been playing, the 14 jersey is his. JOB will have to work hard to get it back.

It's really great to see how he has improved so much after being out in the relative wilderness at one point.