Amlin 1/4 Wasps vs Leinster

First topic message reminder :

Morning all I thought I'd get the ball rolling on this one.

It's been a while since these two teams faced off, way back to 2009 where Wasps deservedly beat Leinster 19-12 on Leinster's road to their first ever HCup. This was in contrast to the 41-11 win Leinster achieved in October against the same opposition in Dublin.

Leinster were on a great run of form up until this Saturday when they were beaten by Ulster, they now lie in 3rd place in the Rabo league. They find themselves in an odd situation as they and their supporters would consider themselves Heineken Cup big timers and being in the lower tier of Europe I am sure ruffles a few feathers. They have some high profile absentees notably; O'Driscoll, Sexton and Reddan which constitutes a large amount of quality and experience that will not be present.

Wasps find themselves in 7th pace of the Aviva Premiership in the depths of a 4 game losing streak. Some close defeats to Northampton and Worcester compounded by a drubbing to London Irish and a first league home loss to Saracens. Not ideal. Some danger men have just returned from Six Nations duty names like Masi and Launchberry significantly strengthen the side.

So where will the game be decided?
Who will get ascendancy at the breakdown and set pieces?
Who are the danger men coming into this game?
What are the prospective teams?

10. Madigan 12. Sexton 13. Marshall

Can marshall play 13?

Dunno actually. Right

10. Madigan
12. Marshall
13. Fitzgerald?

Madigan success rate of 93% is really really good. It's only over 5 games I know, but keep that up and he's a world class kicker.

Over the past two seasons he's been the most prolific try scorer of any outhalf in any of the three leagues in Europe. Sexton to the bench.

For you guys, I hope Madigan keeps his feet on the ground. He could be a quality test 10/12.

I said it during the 6-N. Madigan to start every Leinster game from now on. He will be in charge next season, so give him every minute it takes for him to improve even more. The new Irish Coach must take him on the US tour. If Gatland doesnt snap him up that is.

DOD made the call on Madigan well over a year ago. He was right. We all knew he was an excellent prospect, but he is really starting to show off his skill set now.

The lad just gets better with every game.

Highlights for both sets of fans.
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/

Meanwhile... back at the HC, ASM Marchon. 36-9 at the minute.

would anyone know when the tickets for the semi are out?

Gibson wrote:I said it during the 6-N. Madigan to start every Leinster game from now on. He will be in charge next season, so give him every minute it takes for him to improve even more. The new Irish Coach must take him on the US tour. If Gatland doesnt snap him up that is.

DOD made the call on Madigan well over a year ago. He was right. We all knew he was an excellent prospect, but he is really starting to show off his skill set now.

The lad just gets better with every game.

Highlights for both sets of fans.
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv/

Meanwhile... back at the HC, ASM Marchon. 36-9 at the minute.

That is a very good point, he did and more than once. DOD

If he keeps Sexton out of the Leinster team (for the big games) then there is every chance that he could leap frog him for a Lions place.

I think Sexton will still travel for his experience – a Farrell/Madigan combo is a little too raw for my likening.

Although if 1/2P is taking the kicks….

Madigan's kicking is fine. His game management is the thing that needs work but he certainly offeres something that no other Lions qualified out half does.

I’m not saying Madigan is a bad place kicker but you really need someone who has a proven track record at the highest level. Not sure I’d want to go into a test relying on a guy with 2 caps to take the kicks!

RDW_Scotland wrote:I’m not saying Madigan is a bad place kicker but you really need someone who has a proven track record at the highest level. Not sure I’d want to go into a test relying on a guy with 2 caps to take the kicks!

Halfpenny will take the kicks so its a moot point anyway.

Madigan will be selected for the Lions and will light up the mid week matches. Its a no brainer at this point.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:would anyone know when the tickets for the semi are out?

On sale to season ticket holders from now until Wed, then on open sale from Thurs

Just bought mine this morning.

Had sold a ticket on the ticket exchange earlier in the year so got 14 notes off, not too shabby…

Mickado wrote:Just bought mine this morning.

Had sold a ticket on the ticket exchange earlier in the year so got 14 notes off, not too shabby…

If you had sold it "in the flesh" You would have 30 notes in your Ars€ pocket and those thieving swines would have none of it.

On a side note semi-relating to Madigan playing for the Lions, he would fit right into one of the Southern Franchises in terms of playing style.

I think it is fair to say that based on what we have seen recently, Sexton probably won't start his last game for Leinster, unless something changes

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:Just bought mine this morning.

Had sold a ticket on the ticket exchange earlier in the year so got 14 notes off, not too shabby…

If you had sold it "in the flesh" You would have 30 notes in your Ars€ pocket and those thieving swines would have none of it.

Quite right. Is there any viable alternative though? For the scale we would need to operate at? Ah, don't get me started. I just meant it was not too shabby because I forgot about the 14 notes in my account.

Pete, Madigan to start, Sextime to come on at the break.

Fire and Ice baby, Fire and Ice...

Spoiler: