HC: Leinster

First topic message reminder :

On the evidence of their games so far they aren't missing BOD so far but will they still be the force they have been, I think they will be very hard to beat. They wont have problems in their group so home quarter easily, the only team they have to avoid before the final is Toulose.

G wrote:PS Im Boyne..... I just locked myself out...

Am sure the mods can help?

The big question - why G and not B

He's a fraud!

Tell him Paddy Wallace is better than McFadden and see what happens! The real Boyne would never stand for that!

AsBo, I like to reinvent myself sometimes too so no biggie.

RS- sometimes there is no right or wong answer. Its something to do with cheese graters and salad bowls I think...

roddersm wrote:He's a fraud!

Tell him Paddy Wallace is better than McFadden and see what happens! The real Boyne would never stand for that!

%^&%$&*@%$&*)Q^&(_#^#&(%^_#Q%^#*_^*#%_^#%^(_Q*^#%^_#^%Q##%^#(_%^_#

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*&%(#&^(^q%(^#$(%^_q#%^#_%_#^%_(#^%(_#^%(*^#(_%^(_#^%_#^_(%^#_(%^#_

Welcome back Boyne!

red_stag wrote:Leinster are definitely one of the favourites for the tournament.

But people are very quick to forget their game against Montpellier.

Clermont and Toulouse will be difficult opponents but Leinster are near the top too.

Forget what? It was a good result against last years top 14 finalist away from home and probably Leinsters main rivals in the group.

leinsterbaby wrote:Forget what?

Read the rest of the conversation we iron out that discussion. Dont see the point in going over old ground.

It was a good result but at the same time Leinster are capable of getting beaten by a number of teams.

Wonder what our Pro 12 team will look like now after 3 hard games on the bounce.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:It was a good result but at the same time Leinster are capable of getting beaten by a number of teams.

Wonder what our Pro 12 team will look like now after 3 hard games on the bounce.

All teams are capable of being beaten on any day in the HCup - that's what makes this a great competition to watch. Very few games are a guaranteed win, especially after the group stage. Most important thing at the minute is not to shoot yourself in the foot (a la Saints after 2 games), have taken 4-5 points from your home game and picked up something on your first road game.

I will be curious about the Pro12 team for Treviso this coming weekend. Cronin and Strauss were sharing time a good bit so hopefully all good there. Nacewa has no internationals wearing him down so he should be fine. Reddan and Boss shared time so again should be fresh enough.
Cullen will need a rest, bringing in Browne perhaps. Might do the same for SOB and even Heaslip giving Jennings the start and either Ruddock on at 8 and D Ryan on the bench. Madigan could start to give Sexton a rest. Centres are anyones guess, back 3 might not change 1 person but could depend on what happens in the centre.
Against Treviso, away, I'd only be looking for a LBP if I'm honest, especially if the pack go without Cullen, Heaslip and Ross.

Time to try Sexton-McFadden-O'Malley?

This would be the team I’d hope starts against Treviso

Healy – needs gametime
Strauss – rotating from Cronin last week
White – has looked pretty decent so far
Browne – Toner has a good few games behind him
Cullen – has only played the last 3 games
McLaughlin
Jennings
Heaslip – getting back to his peak, needs more gametime
Reddan
Madigan
Carr – Fitzgerald is the only one to start every game this season
McFadden – hopefully back to fitness
O’Malley
D. Kearney
Nacewa

Cronin
Ross
VDM
Cullen
O’Brien
Boss
Sexton
R. Kearney


The following week we play Cardiff at home, which is the night before Wales play Australia so hopefully they'll have a thread bare squad.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Time to try Sexton-McFadden-O'Malley?

If not now then when. Has to be.

Yeah it makes sense no matter how you look at it.

red_stag wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Time to try Sexton-McFadden-O'Malley?

If not now then when. Has to be.

Has this combination never played together before?

O'Malley and McFadden have defo played together before not sure if they have started with Sexton at one stage or not though. Good question!

Is Ryan fit again, I know he got injured in an A game a bit back?

I may put Toner on the bench Mick instead of Cullen twice but overall I like that team!! Haha!

Also, COnway has been tearing it up for the last 2/3 weeks with the A team and I don't think he will/can be kept out of the 23 for games like this in the pro 12 for much longer.

Sexton, McFadden & O Malley played together in the HC away to ASM. Last year. O Malley had an inspirational game that day at 13. McFadden at 11. Although not in the centre together, they caused the Clermont galaticos no end of trouble. In defence and attack. O Malley showed he had the right stuff that day, under incredible pressure and the LBP gave us what we came for. And without BOD.

I was at the game, turned to my ASM mate and said that these 2 will be Leinsters centre-pairing before long. I see no reason to change my mind now. Maybe Fitzgerald will have a say. But I really think the wing is his best position. Horgan will probably retire next year, so there will be that huge gap to fill. Conway I think. We'll see.

I think we must try it continuously in the PRO12. Let it nurture and grow, then move the Unit into the HC. BOD & Darcy replaced and Leinsters future secure for another 7/8 years.

Et voila.

P.S. I hope they use it v Blues on 2nd Dec in the PRO12 Going to that one.

Believe.

Mickado wrote:This would be the team I’d hope starts against Treviso

Healy – needs gametime
Strauss – rotating from Cronin last week
White – has looked pretty decent so far
Browne – Toner has a good few games behind him
Cullen – has only played the last 3 games
McLaughlin
Jennings
Heaslip – getting back to his peak, needs more gametime
Reddan
Madigan
Carr – Fitzgerald is the only one to start every game this season
McFadden – hopefully back to fitness
O’Malley
D. Kearney
Nacewa

Cronin
Ross
VDM
Cullen
O’Brien
Boss
Sexton
R. Kearney


The following week we play Cardiff at home, which is the night before Wales play Australia so hopefully they'll have a thread bare squad.

+XV.

Specially Leo getting 2 gos. You cant have enough Leos in the 23. I like that selection.

BOD out is Leinsters and Irelands gain for me. I thought he was a bit on the wane in his last few games and whether he's still a part of the Ireland team in the next year or two is questionable. I think Leinster look good, I reckon they can get the double over Bath in December, Glasgow could pinch it just about at home but will have to keep improving. They lost badly at the RDS but don't think that there will be another case of that.

Morgannwg wrote:BOD out is Leinsters and Irelands gain for me. I thought he was a bit on the wane in his last few games and whether he's still a part of the Ireland team in the next year or two is questionable. I think Leinster look good, I reckon they can get the double over Bath in December, Glasgow could pinch it just about at home but will have to keep improving. They lost badly at the RDS but don't think that there will be another case of that.

Morg,
I agree that Glasgow will be an entirely different game. We could easily lose it. Same deal in Bath.

Its all about focus for us - as always. I just hope we have learned many a past lesson.

No room for Mr Cocky Basterd in the HC. He normally ends up on his orse.

Every game is a individual battle. Every point gleaned - is gold, come the Pool reckoning. There will be shocks in every Pool. Guaranteed.

Phhhokin love this comp. Het is anders. Ja.

Thanks lads, i meant to but Browne on the bench!

Pete, i heard Conway picked up a knock against Melrose at the weekend. I also heard he had a cracking game though. Ryan is believed to be out for 4 to 6 weeks with an ankle injury.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Time to try Sexton-McFadden-O'Malley?

I agree McFadden is a 12 and a bloody good one, O'Malley is a 13 with the flair and the dance moves, handy cause his brother manages Krystal nightclub.

If Leinster are to lose either match to Bath they would have to be well off their game. I watched Bath v MP again and their scrum was very poor. They just edged that game and you would not see Leinster doing the same at home against MP. Leinster just have that clinical edge.

Of course Bath could win but , for me, not on current form.

Of course Bath could win but , for me, not on current form.

Thats the thing. We havent seen many teams on form so far...

I really think any one of Leinster, Toulouse, Leicester and perhaps a Welsh team (take your pick) could do it this year.

Leicester haven't a hope because I think only first in that group will qualify and that will be Clermont. Form teams are Toulouse, Clermont, Scarlets, Leinster and Munster, Ospreys, Sarries and Quins as wild cards. Though Quins will not win their group so will have to play away.

I fancy Cardiff to do well. The've been knocking on the door a couple of times and seem to have something extra this year after the WC. Although it remains to be seen whether they have enough to go all the way.

Could be the year a Welsh team finally does it....

G wrote:

Of course Bath could win but , for me, not on current form.

Thats the thing. We havent seen many teams on form so far...

I really think any one of Leinster, Toulouse, Leicester and perhaps a Welsh team (take your pick) could do it this year.

Have you watched Leiscester? They didn't manage a bonus point against aironi and if we weren't so inept in our back play we'd have taken them at Welford rd. They've two games against Clermont to play and if they get anything at Ravenhill I'll eat my hat.

If not an Irish team then I'd like to see a Welsh side do it. It's long overdue.
Although some of their fans can be a bit insufferable, but I suppose everyone has a few of them.

mankiaow wrote:If not an Irish team then I'd like to see a Welsh side do it. It's long overdue.
Although some of their fans can be a bit insufferable, but I suppose everyone has a few of them.

Yea agree if not an Irish team then one of the Welsh. . .or Quins

I want a French team to win if Leinster don't win because let's face it apart from Toulouse there has only ever been one other French winner, Brive back in 1956.

I like Clermont, let them win. I hope Scarlets make it to the semis and Edinburgh the quarters at least because they both are playing sexy rugger.

red_stag wrote:

mankiaow wrote:If not an Irish team then I'd like to see a Welsh side do it. It's long overdue.
Although some of their fans can be a bit insufferable, but I suppose everyone has a few of them.

Yea agree if not an Irish team then one of the Welsh. . .or Quins

Ha i want a welsh team or quins aswell,

Isnt it mad, that most people like quins, cause they show a bit of humility, while northampton in the same position last year and all they were was cocky and arrogant and nobody likes them.

Quins fans were also put through the mill after the whole bloodgate thing which was harsh on them. and anyone who was at the stoop that day will only have good things to say about them, very humble in defeat and wishing us well against Munster.

I’d want any of Quins, Clermont or Scarlets to win if an Irish team doesn’t do it.

Makes perfect sense to me D24.

People can be disliked for a number of reasons. In 2008 I think Munster went from being a very popular team to a very disliked team.

Its incredible to think only 1 French team has won the Heineken Cup in the last 14 years. In that same time 3 different Irish teams have been champions.

When it isn't my own team (or another Irish side), I tend to throw my support the underdog (always like to see the upset), the team that is trying to overcome adversity (back story is great, just think x factor!), the more freeflowing attacking side (usually in that order).

Saints would be favourites for most fixtures (or people wouldn't be too surprised if they won) so that doesn't highlight them on the above list. While they can have some great attacking plays, the team is based on a pack that wants to bully its opposition (as all packs should strive to) and with the favourite tag in a lot of games, I don't find myself shouting for them as much as other sides.

Quins would fall into the underdog category, at time show good freeflowing and took the bloodgate punishment on the chin and have fought back well from it. A lot of good qualities.

Leicester are my favourite team outside Ireland. I was in Edinburgh(as I'm sure many of you were) and I found their fans to be fantastic. Very knowledgable and gracious in defeat. Now that Mssrs Johnson and Back have departed, of course.

They like their pints too!

The Northampton fans really won me over after the game in Thomond. Depsute losing as they did they were very gracious. Most of them said that they were never coming back to Thomond again after three visits and three defeats.

If an Irish team didn't win I'd like the Scarlets to win it, if not them Edinburgh and if not them Clermont

Sorry i dont mean any slight on any of the fans, northampton fans seem like a passionate bunch and i'd say id enjoy a pint with alot of them.

Ah its no slight. I felt the same way about Saints myself.

Sometimes, when your team is doing well, you can be forgiven for being a bit overconfident, it's hard not to be. The word 'arrogance is bandied about a bit too much. When teams win the odd game and suddenly they are worldbeaters, that's what gets my goat. It's a pity there aren't any French posters here...it would be interesting to get they're take on the varoius games and how they see things.

Maybe I could log on to the L'Equipe site and use Google translate. Don't think that would work too well!

The French are extemely paranoid about biased "anglo-saxon" referees.

Feckless Rogue wrote:The French are extemely paranoid about biased "anglo-saxon" referees.

You can understand that, to an extent.

Now we have to deal with the Welsh phobia with Franco-Hibernian refs!

northampton fans are a very nice bunch of people. Great fun in Cardiff and took defeat so well. I would have taken a week to get over it if Leinster lost a 19 point lead in such fashion

great thread this, mickado making his spare room available red stag for his Christmas shopping trip. lots of bro-mance here. warms the heart on a dark november day. Ah the 8th of December

love the christmas rugby games. cannot wait for Bath at home. Absolute session planned. Christmas party the night before. Will be in a heap but a few hot whiskeys and many pre drinks will have me right.

Bro-mance!! Hahahhaa!!!

I heard the expression "man date" the other week and nearly died!!!

........of course now, when I go to the stadium with my mate, I am on a man date...

My wife is getting great milage out of it!!

I'm just in a good mood. I live in Thailand so I don't get to interact too often(7hrs ahead). I'm sipping a few cold ones trying to get my 1year old daughter to sleep.

The things I miss about home are: family, friends and rugby, in that order, but it's a close run thing. One great thing about living here(apart from the obvious) is the rugby coverage. I get to see all the HC games, Super 14, AP and many SH games, club and international. Just don't have the time.

I haven't been to the new Landsdowne(is everyone calling it the Aviva now?), but I would give an important part of my anatomy to go to any of the Leinster/Ireland matches there and a few scoops in any one of my favourite watering holes.

But life has it's compensations, of to the beach in the morning!

whassup G homie- You heading down to the low rises for a re up

If you do not watch the Wire you will think i have lost my marbles.

man date - haha. bromance is from some MTV show.

Fairplay Mankiaow seems like you have it made! Well nearly.

mankiaow wrote:I'm just in a good mood. I live in Thailand so I don't get to interact too often(7hrs ahead). I'm sipping a few cold ones trying to get my 1year old daughter to sleep.

The things I miss about home are: family, friends and rugby, in that order, but it's a close run thing. One great thing about living here(apart from the obvious) is the rugby coverage. I get to see all the HC games, Super 14, AP and many SH games, club and international. Just don't have the time.

I haven't been to the new Landsdowne(is everyone calling it the Aviva now?), but I would give an important part of my anatomy to go to any of the Leinster/Ireland matches there and a few scoops in any one of my favourite watering holes.

But life has it's compensations, of to the beach in the morning!

Sounds like a tough life mate! Great that you get all the coverage though.

I call it the "bed-pan" the "palindrome" or just Lansdowne, never the other thing...