HEC: Leinster vs Asm Clermont

padser · 14-12-2012 10:05AM #1

Cant believe there is not yet a match thread for leinsters biggest game of the season!

Super nervous and can't wait for tomo!!!

I think Leinster will do it by 3 to 5 points....

Leinster Rugby wrote:

The Leinster team to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in Saturday's Heineken Cup Round 4 clash in the Aviva Stadium (KO: 3.40pm) has been named...

Heinke van der Merwe has recovered from injury and the Springbok prop is one of two changes to the front row alongside Ireland international hooker Richardt Strauss. They line up alongside Mike Ross, with skipper Leo Cullen continuing his second row partnership with Damian Browne.
Shane Jennings, a second half replacement in Clermont last weekend, starts in the back-row alongside fellow Ireland internationals Sean O'Brien and number eight Jamie Heaslip.

Eoin Reddan partners Jonathan Sexton in the only change to the backline which started last weekend's game, which means that Andrew Goodman will continue his midfield partnership with Gordon D'Arcy.

David Kearney has recovered from injury to take his place amongst a replacements bench which features several Ireland internationals.

There are now over 48,000 tickets sold for Saturday's game which is a new Irish Pool record. All remaining tickets for Leinster v Clermont are available to purchase ONLINE HERE, from Ticketmaster outlets Nationwide and from the Spar Shop and Leinster Rugby Store in Donnybrook. Tickets can be purchased at the stadium from 12pm on Saturday and the Box Office will be located in the Clyde Court Hotel on Lansdowne Road.

In addition to Sky Sports who will show the game live on Saturday, the Official Leinster Supporters Club (OLSC) can confirm the following international broadcast arrangements for those supporters around the world.

UK & Ireland - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 3.40pm Saturday
Asia - Live on Eurosport Asia from 11.40pm Saturday
New Zealand - Live on The Rugby Channel from 4.35am Sunday
South Africa - Live on Super Sport 1 from 5.35pm Saturday
Australia - Delayed on Setanta Australia from 10.20am Sunday
Canada - Delayed on Sportsnet World from 2pm Saturday
USA - Delayed on Fox Soccer Plus from 6pm ET Saturday and live on www.foxsoccer2go.com from 10.30am ET Saturday

Our bases in London (Porterhouse Covent Garden), Dubai (McGettigans) and Christchurch (Monza Sports Bar) will all be showing the game live. Our bases in New York (Madhatter Saloon) and Sydney (The Gaelic Club) are showing the game delayed at 6pm Saturday and 10.20am Sunday respectively.

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: David Kearney
23: Andrew Conway

REFEREE: Wayne Barnes (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: JP Doyle (RFU), Paul Dix (RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ken Henley-Willis (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

keith16 · 14-12-2012 10:07AM

Clermont will be absolutely gunning for Leinster....can't see past a Clermont win.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 10:07AM

padser wrote: »

Cant believe there is not yet a match thread for leinsters biggest game of the season!

Super nervous and can't wait for tomo!!!

I think Leinster will do it by 3 to 5 points....

Usually the thread explodes when team is announced. Everyone is too nervous atm :pac:

GerM · 14-12-2012 10:10AM

Leinster by 12. Clermont hate Leinster and seem to play well within themselves when faced with them. That's in no small part due to Leinster's breakdown work but I'd be surprised if they came to a full Lansdowne and got a win. Deny them the LBP and this group is heating up again.

padser · 14-12-2012 10:11AM

ssaye wrote: »

Usually the thread explodes when team is announced. Everyone is too nervous atm :pac:

I assume midday today?

.ak · 14-12-2012 10:11AM

I'm fairly confident (as you can be against Clermont, that is). I think we'll have the upper hand in terms of possession. Hopefully the lads can turn it into points. Great news that DK and EOM are fit, hopefully see them on the bench.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 10:15AM

.ak wrote: »

I'm fairly confident (as you can be against Clermont, that is). I think we'll have the upper hand in terms of possession. Hopefully the lads can turn it into points. Great news that DK and EOM are fit, hopefully see them on the bench.

Cian Healy to dominate with 2 tries again, whats that now, 3 against Clermont and a fair few is HEC over the years.

padser · 14-12-2012 10:15AM

.ak wrote: »

I'm fairly confident (as you can be against Clermont, that is). I think we'll have the upper hand in terms of possession. Hopefully the lads can turn it into points. Great news that DK and EOM are fit, hopefully see them on the bench.

Could you really see eom on the bench given his lack of match time? What if someone gets injured in the first 5 mins? No way could he play 75......

.ak · 14-12-2012 10:26AM

padser wrote: »

Could you really see eom on the bench given his lack of match time? What if someone gets injured in the first 5 mins? No way could he play 75......

For some reason I'd trust an unfit EOM over Carr or Conway if that were to happen... Besides if someone in the backline was injured DK would come in first, with Ferg, Madigan and Isa all being able to play centre if required.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 10:29AM

Weather horrible in Dublin at the moment heavy rain, to clear tomorrow so dry for the match which should suit both teams.

This is a very good indicator of rainfall - only predicts 48 hours and updates every 6 hours so quite accurate.

http://mathsci.ucd.ie/met/mcc-rain-d2.html

.ak · 14-12-2012 10:31AM

I think the damage may be done today, no way will the pitch be dry or firm tomorrow with this shyte today.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 10:38AM

.ak wrote: »

I think the damage may be done today, no way will the pitch be dry or firm tomorrow with this shyte today.

The rain should clear by 5pm today and the cold dry + the underground heating in the AVIVA and staff working it will be fine imo

Hype710 · 14-12-2012 10:42AM

It's interesting that EOM is back. He could go on to the bench and if he's not needed then could start in the B & I on Sunday.

totallegend · 14-12-2012 10:59AM

.ak wrote: »

I think the damage may be done today, no way will the pitch be dry or firm tomorrow with this shyte today.

Pitch has been in shyte all season, it won't take much rain to turn it into a quagmire. Giggedy.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 11:00AM

totallegend wrote: »

Pitch has been in shyte all season, it won't take much rain to turn it into a quagmire. Giggedy.

Your actually right. It has been crap.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 11:43AM

http://www.asm-rugby.com/121214-compo-asm.html

James may be out for Skrela

Scioch · 14-12-2012 11:43AM

Last week if the lineout had of functioned anyway decent we'd have won that game, the amount of possession we through away in their half with lineouts was unreal. Get that right and go at them like we did last week and it will be 2010 all over again.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 11:47AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM03ZzEyTYo

.ak · 14-12-2012 11:50AM

I think James is rightfully the number one OH.. big bonus for us if Skrela starts imo.

totallegend · 14-12-2012 11:56AM

Would be very happy to see Skrela starting.

Interesting as well that Debaty gets demoted to the bench after the Clermont scrum failed to generate any sort of platform last week.

.ak · 14-12-2012 11:59AM

EOM is starting the A game this weekend, so will not feature against Clermont.

EDIT: So does Carr, so that means the 22 jersey goes to DK?

irishbucsfan · 14-12-2012 11:59AM

totallegend wrote: »

Would be very happy to see Skrela starting.

Interesting as well that Debaty gets demoted to the bench after the Clermont scrum failed to generate any sort of platform last week.

He wasn't great last week.

As an aside, any team playing Leinster at the moment should be putting a strong scrummaging LH on the bench, even if it means a weaker scrummager starting. Leinster aren't showing any interest in taking Ross off and VDM showed that a fresh strong scrummager can give him real trouble after 60 minutes. If you have someone who can give you parity for the 60 minutes before that it's a strong way of winning the scrums in the 4th quarter.

.ak · 14-12-2012 12:00PM

Also Rhys and Ryan on the A game, so I presume Jordi gets the 20 shirt.

totallegend · 14-12-2012 12:01PM

.ak wrote: »

EOM is starting the A game this weekend, so will not feature against Clermont.

EDIT: So does Carr, so that means the 22 jersey goes to DK?

And McGrath so presumably VDM back

ssaye · 14-12-2012 12:06PM

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchcentre/10751.php

CIAN ON THE BENCH !!!!!!
LEINSTER:
15: Ian Madigan
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: David Kearney
23: Andrew Conway
REFEREE: Wayne Barnes (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: JP Doyle (RFU), Paul Dix (RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ken Henley-Willis (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

justsomebloke · 14-12-2012 12:07PM

I see we are sticking with the curve ball front row pick then joe

ssaye · 14-12-2012 12:08PM

justsomebloke wrote: »

I see we are sticking with the curve ball front row pick then joe

You can never ever second guess him.

Tox56 · 14-12-2012 12:08PM

Healy to cause mayhem on 50 minutes

Quint2010 · 14-12-2012 12:09PM

Can only think Schmidts plan is to keep it tight for an hour and then unleash Healy, Cronin and Dave Kearney in the last 20. He's done this before with Healy.

totallegend · 14-12-2012 12:09PM

Jesus, did not see that coming. VdM straight back from injury and straight into the team? MASSIVE call by Joe, unless Healy is carrying a knock

Think Jennings is the right call.

.ak · 14-12-2012 12:10PM

Great to see HvDM back. Well, that's as strong a 23 as we can get, a few percent stronger than last week. No excuses now...

ssaye · 14-12-2012 12:12PM

Quint2010 wrote: »

Can only think Schmidts plan is to keep it tight for an hour and then unleash Healy, Cronin and Dave Kearney in the last 20. He's done this before with Healy.

My nerves will be gone if its a one score game after 60 mins. And I dont see us pulling away with those 3 off the bench. They would be keeping it tight in my opinion. I hope we try to rack up a score, kick every 3 pointer for the hour and defend late.

Quint2010 · 14-12-2012 12:13PM

ssaye wrote: »

My nerves will be gone if its a one score game after 60 mins. And I dont see us pulling away with those 3 off the bench. They would be keeping it tight in my opinion. I hope we try to rack up a score, kick every 3 pointer for the hour and defend late.

Yeah maybe-I would have thought those three players would inject pace into the game but you could be right

Tim Robbins · 14-12-2012 12:32PM

Quint2010 wrote: »

Yeah maybe-I would have thought those three players would inject pace into the game but you could be right

Is VDM really the second best as loosely? He did make the tour after all?

ssaye · 14-12-2012 12:34PM

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Is VDM really the second best as loosely? He did make the tour after all?

I think Cian is a little better than hvdm but its like 9/10 8.999/10, excellent "replacement"

totallegend · 14-12-2012 12:34PM

.ak wrote: »

Great to see HvDM back. Well, that's as strong a 23 as we can get, a few percent stronger than last week. No excuses now...

A very strong 23, VDM and Kearney being back in the mix gives us far more scope to change things up.

Also, massively significant that it's Carr trotting out for the A team on Sunday and Conway running with the big dogs. He probably won't get a run unless there are injuries but still...

ssaye · 14-12-2012 12:35PM

totallegend wrote: »

A very strong 23, VDM and Kearney being back in the mix gives us far more scope to change things up.

Also, massively significant that it's Carr trotting out for the A team on Sunday and Conway running with the big dogs. He probably won't get a run unless there are injuries but still...

Carr will not be resigned next season, I think we can safely say

errlloyd · 14-12-2012 12:39PM

Nothing makes me happier than squad rotation, instead of 15 heroes I have 30.

Tim Robbins · 14-12-2012 12:46PM

errlloyd wrote: »

Nothing makes me happier than squad rotation, instead of 15 heroes I have 30.

Certaintly would not see this with Declan and Eddie.

cormacjones · 14-12-2012 12:49PM

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Certaintly would not see this with Declan and Eddie.

This is getting tiresome.

clsmooth · 14-12-2012 12:55PM

cormacjones wrote: »

This is getting tiresome.

But true.

Happy with that line up. In Joe we trust, normally I'd prefer to see Healy start but he did play 80mins last week in a bruising encounter. Springing him from the bench will really up the ante. Very attacking line up with Redden and Jennings. We can then further speed things up with Cronin and Healy.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 02:03PM

Just wondering regarding the doubtfuls players when naming a team.

James is either
A injured
B mind games

What is the max number of players you can name the day before the match

Could Clermont have said 3 of their players are 50/50 or would they just use replacements from the bench and bench the doubtful starters or "call up" members from the extended HEC squad.

1 Prop is 50/50
1 Backrow 50/50
1 Outhalf 50/50

and then to go one step further, if either team couldn't field a starting 15 (sickness or what ever is it a walkover in HEC)

GerM · 14-12-2012 02:15PM

Clermont have obviously realised their deficiencies in the tackle area from last week and are trying to tighten things up there. With that though, they sacrifice a good line out jumper in Lapandry. It puts a lot more pressure on Bonnaire who is the only real line out specialist in their side now.

I see plenty of impact off the bench for Leinster. Boss, Healy, Cronin and Dave Kearney all to come in. We know exactly what we're going to see again. Boss lifting the pace around the fringes with powerful runners off his shoulder. I think we're going to try and move the ball a lot more tomorrow. SOB has another week under his belt now. I reckon we'll see him taking the ball in midfield and looking to suck in the defensive line with a big carry and Jenno on his shoulder for the ruck ball. Pull them out of position a little bit and then go. Can see us going through several phases and then putting width at pace.

Think our set piece is going to have to be rock solid too to execute the plan which could be part of the reason VDM gets the nod. There's going to be significantly more creativity from us. I think we'll see a bit of sleight of hand off the base of the scrum.

totallegend · 14-12-2012 02:43PM

GerM wrote: »

Clermont have obviously realised their deficiencies in the tackle area from last week and are trying to tighten things up there. With that though, they sacrifice a good line out jumper in Lapandry. It puts a lot more pressure on Bonnaire who is the only real line out specialist in their side now.

Bardy is a lot more 'competitive' at the tackle and breakdown than Lapandry alright, but maybe too much so, I think he's going to concede penalties tomorrow. His conduct in the closing seconds of last year's SF was pretty shocking so I hope Cullen gets the chance to bury him in a tackle at some stage tomorrow.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 03:04PM

leinsterrugby: RT @aaronmcallorum: There are now over 48,000 tickets sold for the @leinsterrugby V @ASMOfficiel game which is a new Irish pool record #Hcup #rugbyunited

Podge_irl · 14-12-2012 04:35PM

Right lads (and lassies), the plan is to go out tonight to congregate with the Clermont fans. I'll be limited to just the game tomorrow so want to make the most of the mad bastards while I can.

Any of you have any idea where the best area to head to would be?

errlloyd · 14-12-2012 04:40PM

Actually that's a good point, does their official supporters club have a pub / a few pubs nominated?

Edit: According to a forum topic, they seem to be hanging out in Gogarty's mainly? ****ing exams.

Grimebox · 14-12-2012 04:44PM

Every tourist in the History of Dublin passes through Temple Bar at some stage. Only if you can put up with €6.50 for a Guinness

errlloyd · 14-12-2012 04:51PM

Grimebox wrote: »

Every tourist in the History of Dublin passes through Temple Bar at some stage. Only if you can put up with €6.50 for a Guinness

You pay for the photo, for the band and for the guarantee that the barman will at least pretend to be pretending to smile.

They'll be in that part of town now anyway.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 04:56PM

errlloyd wrote: »

You pay for the photo, for the band and for the guarantee that the barman will at least pretend to be pretending to smile.

They'll be in that part of town now anyway.

Stags and Hens only sign for Temple Bar. That is the only group that should be herded and kept in there, both foreign and domestic. Rip off Hell Hole.

ssaye · 14-12-2012 04:59PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Right lads (and lassies), the plan is to go out tonight to congregate with the Clermont fans. I'll be limited to just the game tomorrow so want to make the most of the mad bastards while I can.

Any of you have any idea where the best area to head to would be?

Enjoy

There supporters site has a thread, Temple Bar seems the first port of call - THREAD IS CALLED - around the match scroll down

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cybervulcans.net%2Fforum%2F&act=url

HEC: Leinster vs Asm Clermont

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