RaboP12 (Round 1): Scarlets vs Leinster k/o - 18:30 Sat, 1 September 2012 (Parc y Scarlets)

First topic message reminder :

We are into the final countdown to the start of the season. A home win, a heavy away loss, and a tight away draw against Gloucester, Saints and Sale is a mixed bag of warm up games. Once teams are out, I'll throw them in here.

Leinster Team
15: Isa Nacewa
14: Andrew Conway
13: Brendan Macken
12: Noel Reid
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8: Leo Auva'a

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Martin Moore
19: Tom Denton
20: Jordi Murphy
21: John personey
22: Collie O'Shea
23: Darren Hudson

Scarlets team v Leinster Saturday 1st September 2012, Parc y Scarlets kick off 18.30.

15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Andy Fenby
10 Aled Thomas, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 George Earle, 5 Richard Kelly, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 Rob McCusker (capt)

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Phil John, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Kieran Murphy, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Jonathan Davies

Players unavailable through injury are Dale Ford, Gareth Owen, Morgan Stoddart, Emyr Phillips, Jake Ball, Joel Galley and Rob Evans.

Sheesh. Pot was right. An uber-drubbing. Men v boys. Although our boys are learning on the job. Need to learn faster. We'll need them to this year.

Usual season start for us. Massively impressed with the ruthlessness of Scarlets.

This is what happens when you give the Scarlets backs quick ball and 50%+ of it...

Lovely, lovely play by Scarlets for another North try. Completely deserved. Leinster backline robbed in midfield and defence into attack in seconds.

Best rugby of the Pro12 this weekend by a long shot. Though the Quins match earlier today gets my vote overall.

This is embarrassing,Schmidt out













Only joking

A Leinster side 30 pts down. It can only improve from here on in lads.

Id watch Scarlets play all day. Love the way they approach the game. Like us - when we have a few of our key players back.

The Leinster defence are just dragging sideways and still getting stepped around with ease. Fionn Carr is not up to it.

Portnoy wrote:Boss, Strauss, Hagan, Carr, van der Merwe, Ryan, Browne, Nacewa all subbed.

Eight subs according to ESPN. http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2012-13/rugby/match/166984.html

Something tells me that Schmidt ain't taking this game seriously.

Schmidt always uses all of the subs

Gibson wrote:A Leinster side 30 pts down. It can only improve from here on in lads.

Id watch Scarlets play all day. Love the way they approach the game. Like us - when we have a few of our key players back.

How would you rate the calibre of this Leinster side, Gibbo?

Pot Hale wrote:The Leinster defence are just dragging sideways and still getting stepped around with ease. Fionn Carr is not up to it.

Carr is great in attack but his defence is awful. He needs to improve it quick.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:This is embarrassing,Schmidt out













Only joking

Sore,
Sure we'll see where we are in May. I know where we'll be. But these cold starts are a worry. Even given all the adversity. No Leinster side should be dismantled like this.

Will they get one in?

Schmidt is a master of utilizing his squad, within the strict confines set by the IRFU. Like last year, ultimately I suspect we'll make up for dropping four points in a tough away opener in Wales.

But experience against tough teams is invaluable for youngsters. Maybe the willingness to expose our academy boys to this opposition is one of the reasons we've been developing better players than the English or French clubs?

And they do. Madigan deserved that. Quick thinking, good awareness, quick feet. And that's it. 45-20.

Well done to Scarlets. Leinster.... well let's hope a few more of the team get better for next week.

Gibson wrote:

Sore,
Sure we'll see where we are in May. I know where we'll be. But these cold starts are a worry. Even given all the adversity. No Leinster side should be dismantled like this.

Ah yeah I won't be hitting the panic button just yet but I'm disappointed with how we let it turn into a rout.

Still it was interesting to see how often we used the maul from attacking lineouts,I wonder will that become a feature of our play this year?

Gibson wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:This is embarrassing,Schmidt out













Only joking

Sore,
Sure we'll see where we are in May. I know where we'll be. But these cold starts are a worry. Even given all the adversity. No Leinster side should be dismantled like this.

There is nothing to worry about gibbo except for dom ryan's injury. We have to warm into things.

Pot Hale wrote:

Gibson wrote:A Leinster side 30 pts down. It can only improve from here on in lads.

Id watch Scarlets play all day. Love the way they approach the game. Like us - when we have a few of our key players back.

How would you rate the calibre of this Leinster side, Gibbo?

Pot,
Most of them won the PRO12 proper last year, in fairness. It will come. Fluency I mean. I think our pre-season prep really has to be looked at. This is the 3rd year in a row we've had problems with it.

Man Madigan. Show yer pride lad.

Reid and Carr are not Leinster Way players. That much I know. They will be sent somewhere else. Need O Malley and Fitz back. Need Denton in to replace Browne.

Conway needs to step it up and show his early promise also. Macken too. Its early days. Im not panicing. This is BAU.

Again, well played Scarlets. Tanks for de shaagin.

Gibson wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

Gibson wrote:A Leinster side 30 pts down. It can only improve from here on in lads.

Id watch Scarlets play all day. Love the way they approach the game. Like us - when we have a few of our key players back.

How would you rate the calibre of this Leinster side, Gibbo?

Pot,
Most of them won the PRO12 proper last year, in fairness. It will come. Fluency I mean. I think our pre-season prep really has to be looked at. This is the 3rd year in a row we've had problems with it.

Man Madigan. Show yer pride lad.

Reid and Carr are not Leinster Way players. That much I know. They will be sent somewhere else. Need O Malley and Fitz back. Need Denton in to replace Browne.

Conway needs to step it up and show his early promise also. Macken too. Its early days. Im not panicing. This is BAU.

Again, well played Scarlets. Tanks for de shaagin.

Agreed on Carr. He's a flake. And Conway and Macken have been treading water for over 12 months. Mebbe more game time?

And I'd call that an old-fashioned Welsh rogering - there wasn't even time for a thank you.

Liam Williams really is a hot prospect. What a player.

Well done Easterbunny. You have the bragging rights on yer bro tonight. And ye have really enhanced the Scarlets ethos. Run em ragged. Respect.

The 4th Scarlets try was beauty.

Indeed I could imagine Guy hiding in the dressing rooms jacks after that one.

Liam Williams 100% deserving of MOTM, best game of Sanjay's budding career

Fenby had an excellent game and Scott Williams/North also stood out in the backline. The offloading was beautiful.

The back row were awesome, who needs Ben Morgan?

Off the bench Timani impressed me and I was pleased to see Samson Lee putting in a lot of work in his first senior game. He seemed to be everywhere making a tackle.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Portnoy wrote:Boss, Strauss, Hagan, Carr, van der Merwe, Ryan, Browne, Nacewa all subbed.

Eight subs according to ESPN. http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2012-13/rugby/match/166984.html

Something tells me that Schmidt ain't taking this game seriously.

Schmidt always uses all of the subs

Portnoy,
Schmidt will roast them after that. He takes the whole season seriously, uses a lot of players to ready and utilise them for the run-in. He's a Master at it. He has a lot to deal with, when most of his team are being IRFU managed. 11 of them. And with 7 other players injured, we are using our Acadmey to the full. I dont mind that. It will stand to them.

Still should have done better there. Our defensive structure was like rice-paper. I feel sorry for those boys in training next week. Almost.

Suffer ye little schiits.

But didn't he sub off his strongest players Gibbo?

That's why I listed them. OK The Scarlets also cleared the bench.

However it does nothing but to add grist to the Franglo Mill.

Knowsit17 wrote:Liam Williams 100% deserving of MOTM, best game of Sanjay's budding career

Fenby had an excellent game and Scott Williams/North also stood out in the backline. The offloading was beautiful.

The back row were awesome, who needs Ben Morgan?

Off the bench Timani impressed me and I was pleased to see Samson Lee putting in a lot of work in his first senior game. He seemed to be everywhere making a tackle.

+1.

Tavis Knowle was a hungry young lad. Really got them going. North is showing he is the real deal. They are playing as a fluid unit. And its great to watch. Just not against us.

And now ye have strength up-front, to give those exciting backs some space to run and play... watch out PRO12. Watch out Europe.

Credwch.

Portnoy wrote:But didn't he sub off his strongest players Gibbo?

That's why I listed them. OK The Scarlets also cleared the bench.

However it does nothing but to add grist to the Franglo Mill.

Feic de FraAnglo mill. This is our league and we dominate the rest of Europe from it. As well as developing our (all PRO12 teams) own players. As well as helping the Italians grow. Its win-win-win. Catch us if ye can, ye inward-looking lot. Learn from it, instead of trying to knock it down.

So happy good start to the season, loving the offloading by the forwards and backs

Well said Gibson, It always makes me laugh when people say "Ohh look how weak the Rabo is, Leinster are playing their '2nd side'" Ignoring the fact that that Leinster side is so strong it would beat most England/French (and Welsh/Scottish) sides, and the fact that developing your own players and strengthening your squad is what EVERY successful team should be aiming to do.

Cheers Gibbo

Not a first-choice Leinster and even if it was I'd only expect them to improve as the season progresses. They are shaky out the blocks but do get across the finish-line at light-speed. Ask Saints and Ulster

I'll still take this, can only beat what's in front of you.

I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

Awesome result for the start of the season, was very impressed with how our locks performed in the scrum and lineout, and how well our backrow worked together.

There's so many times in the past we should have beaten the Irish teams and haven't, so it's nice to show some clinicality and keep the pressure on and not let them back in. To score 7 tries was just icing.

Though of course we'll face a much stronger Leinster later in the season, hopefully the Scarlets should be stronger as well

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

I suppose Treviso haven't improved at all

As a Scarlets fan, I was very happy with both the result, and the performance. Great start to the season, and good to see Simon Easterby start off with a win. Liam Williams had a superb game, and I thought the forwards held their own pretty well. Onwards and upwards boyos!

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

I suppose Treviso haven't improved at all

But still a poor HEC side Smirnoff. And roll on a multi-divisional NH 4Ns (h/a) structure and a tougher Amlin I'd suggest if you want European development.

does anyone know what the attendance was? I was hoping for 12k+ but seemed to be around the 7/8k mark from the TV which is disappointing, though I suppose I can't say anything as I (really gutted) missed it so my missus could drag me around potential wedding venues

Portnoy wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

I suppose Treviso haven't improved at all

But still a poor HEC side Smirnoff. And roll on a multi-divisional NH 4Ns (h/a) structure and a tougher Amlin I'd suggest if you want European development.

I get you - France, England and 2 other teams on rotation in the 6Ns (to make it more interesting for Franglo audiences, and 'fairer' for France/England) and a stronger Amlin, basically meaning dump most of the Celtic teams into the Amlin, so the Franglo teams have a 2/3s chance of winning the HEC (rather than the one out of 2 chance they have now)

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

Zebre will take years of growing-pains. They are at start-up phase. Give them space. But NO one wants to play Treviso at home, in the PRO12, or HC. NO one.

Ask the PRO12 Champs. I think that says it all. The PRO12 is growing exponentinally , from the Celtic League we had only 3/4 years back. Its bedding-in nicely. It is blatantly obvious and I will protect it, like a complete and utter bhugger - against all-comers.

Great game on with Edinburgh v New Munster. Two other teams rebuilding and growing.

I love the PRO12.

Yup it's great with 2 strong Scottish sides, the 3 Irish sides and Connacht are a B@st@rd of a side to play Away, all the Welsh derbies and then Trevisio are becoming a very difficult team to play home or away. It's great, and even better it's improving all the time with no sign of stagnation.

Munster playing sexshy rugby. Man.

I dont think I can quite take this in.

Penney has em running with the ball! Must feel so weird for some of those older lads, after all the past indoctrination. The new kids on the block are loving it.

Great stuff Munster, we might get an open game against ye yet. 1st in a 100 years.

I have to get tickets for that game. Yup.

Well you're on the wrong thread I think Gibbo, and some of that is bollix Have always been able to do it and have shown it in games their ability to do so. Just didn't do it too often.

Jesus that Leinster match was like a heavyweight boxer fighting a lightweight. With the team Joe sent out, i wasnt really expectng a win but I didnt think the lose was gonna be that bad, Fair play to Munster they are doing well, with some players missing too, this could be a year for everyone to look out for the red machine. mind you as i write Visser just scored, nervous times for munster fans.

Hard luck Glasgow

Great result tonight Scarlets.

Haven't seen the game as im away but it sounds very impressive indeed.

Good win for Scarlets - Leinster can at least look forward to their big guns coming back, it wasn't a terrible performance given how many academy guys they had out. Hope Schmidt isn't too hard on them

Artful_Dodger wrote:Good win for Scarlets - Leinster can at least look forward to their big guns coming back, it wasn't a terrible performance given how many academy guys they had out. Hope Schmidt isn't too hard on them

I dont think he will be too hard on them, he seems to pick an under strength team every opener of the competition, mind you they have never been beaten that badly in an opener with him in charge.

I thought it was a terrible performance from Leinster Artful. I'd be expecting much more from some of those players at this stage. Especially in defence. The tackling was poor and some players should be dropped.

I've heard in interviews with the likes of Shaggy that Schmidt is merciless in pointing out the mistakes of individual players in front of all their team mates. Whether they're supposed stars or not. A fair few players will be getting a roasting I think.

That said, at least we know Leinster have a tradition of wobbly starts to the season and a tradition of bouncing back and going on a role all the way to the end of the season.

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

I suppose Treviso haven't improved at all

But still a poor HEC side Smirnoff. And roll on a multi-divisional NH 4Ns (h/a) structure and a tougher Amlin I'd suggest if you want European development.

I get you - France, England and 2 other teams on rotation in the 6Ns (to make it more interesting for Franglo audiences, and 'fairer' for France/England) and a stronger Amlin, basically meaning dump most of the Celtic teams into the Amlin, so the Franglo teams have a 2/3s chance of winning the HEC (rather than the one out of 2 chance they have now)

Nailed!

One of the good things about the results from a Scarlets POV, as well as how clinical they were, is that they'll still have Dale Ford, Gareth Owen, Morgan Stoddart, Emyr Phillips, Jake Ball, Joel Galley and Rob Evans, Vallejos, Adriaanse, Syman & D Thomas to come back - obviously nothing in comparison to Leinster, but it's nice to know we seem to be developing some strength in depth and will have more options further into the season

Yeah, lets hope theres another Heino Cup and possibly a Rabo this year, Feckless Rogue, and then all players eligable for the Lions from Leinster are picked

Gibson wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Portnoy wrote:I'm not convinced about the Italians growing Gibs. We're not going to agree are we?

Hopefully we'll clash at some time in the HEC.

I suppose Treviso haven't improved at all

But still a poor HEC side Smirnoff. And roll on a multi-divisional NH 4Ns (h/a) structure and a tougher Amlin I'd suggest if you want European development.

I get you - France, England and 2 other teams on rotation in the 6Ns (to make it more interesting for Franglo audiences, and 'fairer' for France/England) and a stronger Amlin, basically meaning dump most of the Celtic teams into the Amlin, so the Franglo teams have a 2/3s chance of winning the HEC (rather than the one out of 2 chance they have now)

Nailed!

Well put Smirnoff..! Ha ha ha

Feckless Rogue wrote:I thought it was a terrible performance from Leinster Artful. I'd be expecting much more from some of those players at this stage. Especially in defence. The tackling was poor and some players should be dropped.

I've heard in interviews with the likes of Shaggy that Schmidt is merciless in pointing out the mistakes of individual players in front of all their team mates. Whether they're supposed stars or not. A fair few players will be getting a roasting I think.

That said, at least we know Leinster have a tradition of wobbly starts to the season and a tradition of bouncing back and going on a role all the way to the end of the season.

Id agree. Schmidt & Co. will lay into them. Nice guy on TV, but he is known to be a hard task-master. We should have played better and prevented that deluge. Those players out there were wearing the Leinster shirt. I expect more. I'm not happy with Joe's pre-season prep record. Its not up to scratch. Even including all the adversity in team selection.

We are Leinster. This is not good enough.