Leinster v Ospreys, 3 May 2013 - Build-up & match thread

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Leinster Rugby v Ospreys
Friday 3rd May 2013
KO 19:45
Royal Dublin Society

Live on TG4 and S4C

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 98th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

TEAMS:

Leinster
15: Rob Kearney
14: Andrew Conway
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Ian Madigan
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Jack McGrath
2: Sean Cronin
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Quinn Roux
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss
17: Cian Healy
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Dominic Ryan
21: John Cooney
22: Andrew Goodman
23: Brian O'Driscoll

Ospreys
15 Richard Fussell
14 Tom Habberfield
13 Ashley Beck
12 Ben John
11 Ross Jones
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun-Wyn Jones
5 James King
6 Justin Tipuric
7 Sam Lewis
8 Joe Bearman

16 Dimitri Arhip
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Cai Griffiths
19 Ian Evans
20 Morgan Allen
21 Matthew Morgan
22 Tom Isaacs
23 Jonathan Spratt

FORM:

Leinster

21/4/13 Zebre 22 - 41 Leinster
13/4/13 Munster 16 - 22 Leinster
30/3/13 Leinster 18 - 22 Ulster

Ospreys

19/4/13 Glasgow 35 - 17 Ospreys
13/4/13 Ospreys 28 - 3 Treviso
30/3/13 Blues 16 - 23 Ospreys

CURRENT STANDINGS:

1			Ulster Rugby												76
2			Leinster Rugby												73
3			Glasgow Warriors												72
4			Scarlets												66
5			Ospreys												62

FINAL DAY FIXTURES:

ALL games kick off at 19:45 UK time:

Connacht v Glasgow @ Sportsground
Edinburgh v Dragons @ Murrayfield
Leinster v Ospreys @ Royal Dublin Society
Scarlets v Treviso @ Parc y Scarlets
Ulster v Blues @ Ravenhill
Zebre v Munster @ Stadio XXV Aprile

RABO RULES FOR PLAY-OFFS:

Paragraph 3.5:

"If two or more Teams finish with the same number of league points, their placings will be determined by the following criteria in descending order:

• number of matches won;
• the difference between points for and points against;
• the number of tries scored;
• the most points scored;
• the difference between tries for and tries against;
• the fewest number of red cards received;
• the fewest number of yellow cards received."

OFFICIAL PREVIEW:
Leinster must win to ensure home advantage in the Play-Offs.

Leinster's only defeat in their last 14 contests in all competitions was 18-22 at home to Ulster in the RaboDirect PRO12 on 30th March. The Leinstermen have lost just once to a Welsh region in any competition this season: 10-19 at the Ospreys in round 8 of the PRO12.

Ospreys also must win to give themselves any chance of taking the 4th Play-Off spot away from the Scarlets. Ospreys five match unbeaten run in the PRO12 ended in the last round with their 17-35 reversal in Glasgow.

Leinster have won just one of their last seven contests with Ospreys: 15-10 at the RDS in January 2011.

All kinds of exciting permutations for the last game. Thought that I would start the thread now because I am in that sort of mood.

Some questions to kick us off:

1. Will Schmidt play Madigan or Sexton at 10?

2. Will there be any chance to the backline that scored 5 against Zebre?

3. What changes will be made the Spreys after their setback in Glasgow?

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Plenty of players rested. Not to confident now... Could be an away semi yet.

Ross is the only one rested AFAIK

McLaughlin, Heislip, Darce, Dave K all have knocks of one kind or another.

[Golden]

how long is Kearney jnr out for?

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Not sure. I thought he was just precautionary after the "shin A" incedent.

[SecretFly]

how long is Kearney jnr out for?

...for the count.................


sorry, sorry, silly backdated joke there.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Will we see him before next season???

[SecretFly]

I'd hope to see him in Texas and Canada......

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqhwwkT8fWQ

But for who?

I personally like substituting the words "We're gonna beat the Ospreys tonight, the Ospreys tonight, I know. Lord I know"

They have this habit of not knowing when they are beaten though.

[Mickado]

They are bollix's like that.

[the-goon]

O's have named a strong team as well. Young, decent backs and a powerful pack. 3 lions and 1 to come off the bench.

Won't be easy

Ospreys: Richard Fussell; Tom Habberfield, Ashley Beck, Ben John, Ross Jones, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Duncan Jones, Scott Baldwin, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Justin Tipuric, Sam Lewis, Joe Bearman

Replacements: Dmitri Arhip, Ryan Bevington, Cai Griffiths, Ian Evans, Morgan Allen, Matthew Morgan, Tom Isaacs, Jonathan Spratt

[LeinsterFan4life]

I was impressed with Arhip the last time I seen him. Do you think the O's will keep him?

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Is Tipuric at 6?? Must say this surprises me. :/

Does look a very strong team, we'll be doing well to beat them with the team we have put out

[Breadvan]

Tips at 6 Must be tactical. Strongish team but unless we're really up for it, which Tandy does seem to do in these games, it'll be Leinster at a canter. Hope springs tho....

[LeinsterFan4life]

Any links to the munster game?

[thebandwagonsociety]

How much strapping can Healy put on the knee? I'd worry him lasting for Leinster let alone a Lions tour.


Can't see Boss. Looks like little McGrath on the bench and Cooney starts.

Is BOD the only guy who can pull off wearing leggings in warm ups.... In May!

[thebandwagonsociety]

Scratch that, no man can wear leggings in any warmup and not look a pret.

[Cari]

Can't see O's winning this one...but hey, I said that before last season's final

Evenin' All!

[LeinsterFan4life]

rumors are that Healy needs surgery after the lions. Could explain why he hasn't been at his brilliant best.

[thebandwagonsociety]

Heard that as well LF4L. Sexton has a far bit of strapping on his ankle as well. That would seriously kill the odds of a great lions campaign.

[thebandwagonsociety]

Luke gets the start. Big game for the kid.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Heard that as well LF4L. Sexton has a far bit of strapping on his ankle as well. That would seriously kill the odds of a great lions campaign.

Hope all is ok with the lads, we could really do with an injury free run now.

[thebandwagonsociety]

And Jordi on the bench instead of the Dominator

[thebandwagonsociety]

Heard that as well LF4L. Sexton has a far bit of strapping on his ankle as well. That would seriously kill the odds of a great lions campaign.

Hope all is ok with the lads, we could really do with an injury free run now.

We couldn't afford the bandages, Healy has used up them all.

[LeinsterFan4life]

And Jordi on the bench instead of the Dominator

Jordi is back!!!! thanks for the updates
Edit : dont tell me Dom is injured again

[LeinsterFan4life]

oh and BTW Zebre leading Munster 22-14!!

[SirJohnnyEnglish]

Any link to Munster?

[thebandwagonsociety]

Were all games not meant to start together

[LeinsterFan4life]

Jack Mcgrath for Ireland. Getting parity against Jones

[asoreleftshoulder]

Jeez O'Brien went through a ruck fairly hard there,he was lucky not to give away the penalty.

[Cari]

Class try from the O's there and Mr Sexton was hanging onto the scorer's back! At least he's not seriously injured, but I think Mr Sexton should come off now.

[asoreleftshoulder]

Ah I think he was just winded,the guy ran into his stomach head first.

[Breadvan]

Class try from the O's there and Sexytoes was hanging onto the scorer's back! At least he's not seriously injured, but I think Sexy should come off now.

Sexy, chilli, Rjo.... Enough already!

[Cari]

Ah I think he was just winded,the guy ran into his stomach head first.

Brought up his dinner.. I didn't see what he did...I'm still trying to watch two games at once.

[Cari]

Class try from the O's there and Sexytoes was hanging onto the scorer's back! At least he's not seriously injured, but I think Sexy should come off now.

Sexy, chilli, Rjo.... Enough already!

Oh I do beg your pardon old bean. The post has been corrected for you.

[Breadvan]

Yes. Mr to us meir serfs....

[Cari]

Conway looks like he's having a stormer!

[Breadvan]

Can't handle that Conway fella.... kick n

[LeinsterFan4life]

British lion? These commentators are hopeless

[LeinsterFan4life]

Seriously why does the commentator keep calling Healy a British lion?

[Cari]

Come on O's - get LBP - the Scarlets are getting a drubbing.

27-17

ooh aah Dan Biggar, say ooh aah Dan Biggar!

[Cari]

This is so annoying...the scores are perfect for O's to squeeze into the final four and they buggger it up again. Once again they bottle the bonus points.

[Breadvan]

Harsh on Bottling it. Just not good enough and Leinster are helluva side..

[asoreleftshoulder]

This game shows exactly why I'm so excited about Joe Schmidt coaching Ireland.The way he identifies a weakness in the opposition and gets the team to ruthlessly exploit it is unreal.All our tries came from kicks down the right hand touchline (even the 2nd one where we won the lineout after a great kick from Madigan) and we had several other lovely little dinks and chips that gained us ground,this isn't a tactic we normally use.

[Gibson]

Ireland's future is so exciting now, Sore. Lots of young talent and a WC coach on a mission. Love it man.

Joe said he is growing in confidence. Ja. What will he be like when he really lets it go?

I reckon we have a lot more to see from this man.

Believe like phook.

Shane Jennings for Captain of Ireland.

[George Carlin]

Gib my son, the stage is set, so.

See you at the RDS for the semi. Should be the game of the season between statistically the two form attacking sides in the league and we owe you lads a spanking at the RDS.

[Gibson]

Georgie, it is so. Id had wished it to be the Final, mo chara. But hey.

Ye lot are hoppin and confident. Its game on man. Big time. Don't spoil our partaay.

I'm concerned to be Frank. Id rather be Mary-Hen.

And now, for a wee bit of Glasgae philosophy...

My Guru.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7VoFiagfs

Its going to be huge. Should have been the Final.

[thebandwagonsociety]

The game yesterday showed why there's faith in having McGrath as Healy's back up. A great display in the tight against a class TH tbh. He just needs to cut out the silly knock ons that spoil his open play.

Roux obviously makes a great impact in the scrum, but he cannot tackle to save his life. Lame arms every time and consistently falls off tackles or else gets flat footed in the defensive line. Gibbes has his work cut out there.

If Conway stays fit, Munster will have a gem of a player.

Between Bent and Hagan I think we've ended up letting the wrong player.

Leinster had the tactics spot on. Ospreys never adapted properly during the game. Don't bother keeping the ball in close to let their tight five impact the game, just get outside the rush defense and kick in behind, put them on the back foot.

Open play fielding by the Leinster back 3, particularly Kearney and Conway was very excellent and their positioning was spot on almost the entire game. Usually a strong ploy by ospreys against us to kick deep and into the corners to bring up that defensive line but Leinster were well drilled and ready for it.

Great to see a team adapt their play and not just bring a single Plan A to the field. Hopefully Joe has the nerve at Test level to keep that approach. If he does then the players will start playing with more confidence and intent.

[asoreleftshoulder]

Yeah I though both McGraths were excellent but especially the big boy.Jones had him in a bit of trouble late in the first half but he turned it around and was on top during the 2nd half.

There was a great moment where the cameras showed Jones after he was subbed off,he just went over to the sideline and collapsed on his arse like a bag of spuds,he was knackered.In fairness McGrath looked fairly shattered as the game wore on too but for a young LH to put in that sort of display againts the most likely Lions TH is very encouraging.

[VinceWLB]

McGrath is an excellent scrummager, will probably ends up Ireland best scrummaging loosehead, yes better than Healy.

I still remember in last year final, against all odds, he won a penalty against the same Adam Jones after a very long scrummaging session.

[LeinsterFan4life]

I'm glad you can say sometjing good about Roux because the guy is a huge dissapointment. Why is he always just jogging around? The guy needs to up his workrate badly. Lets just hope its because he is just back from injury.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Its not just McGrath's scrummaging that is impressive, its also his open play. His work rate is huge (hense why he was so tired). He carried well throughout the whole game and is also always getting stuck into rucks.

No worries about this guy next year now with Heinke gone. Hopefully now we can bring through O'Connell next season too.

[Sponsored content]