Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September

by **George Carlin** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 7:33

Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Leinst10

Edinburgh Rugby v Leinster Rugby
Friday 4 September 2015
KO: 19:35
Meggetland

Live on BBC Alba and TG4

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU, 61st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sam Grove-White, Mike Adamson (both SRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Kirk (SRU)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)

A. Head to Head

24 Played 24
9 Wins 15
15 Losses 9
0 Draws 0
53 Tries 70
33 Conversions 54
44 Penalties 58
2 Drop Goals 3
469 Points 641

B. Form

Fri 31 Oct 2014
Leinster Rugby 33 - 8 Edinburgh Rugby

Sat 16 May 2015
Edinburgh Rugby 23 - 36 Leinster Rugby

C. Teams

Edinburgh Rugby
Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Ken-st10

Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Ken-st10

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Chris Dean
12 Sam Beard
11 Damien Hoyland
10 Phil Burleigh
9 Nathan Fowles

1 Rory Sutherland
2 Neil Cochrane
3 John Andress
4 Anton Bresler
5 Ben Toolis
6 Cornell Du Preez
7 Roddy Grant (c)
8 Nasi Manu

16 George Turner
17 Allan Dell
18 Simon Berghan
19 Fraser McKenzie
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Greig Tonks
23 James Johnstone

Leinster Rugby
Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Brenda10

Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Brenda10

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Cathal Marsh
9. Luke McGrath

1. Michael Bent
2. Aaron Dundon
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ross Byrne
23. Garry Ringrose

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 7:43

Ah the joys of Pro 12 refs - we've got the gibbon. Rolling Eyes

Well Edinburgh have had a strong pre-season and will be starting the league campaign with a strong squad. This will be a real statement to turn over Leinster in the first game.

What kind of shape will Leinster be in?

Likely Edinburgh team:

Sutherland/Dell
Cochrane
Andress
Bresler
Toolis
Coman
Watson
Du Preez

Fowles
Tonks
Hoyland
Burleigh
Dean
Fife
Cuthbert

Should have enough to get the win I reckon - need to see what Leinster can turn out.

by EWT Spoons Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 8:50

That's a very strong team considering the World Cup is on. Mind you we've only lost a handful of players to the Scotland squad, so I guess that makes sense.

It’ll be interesting to see who Solly picks for this game.

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 8:54

I say that’s the probably team, but Shiells started both friendlies (not performing well) and Strauss must have some incriminating photos of Solomons (eww) because I bet he’ll be picked at 12.

It is probably more likely Solomons will put Burleigh at 10 and Tonks a Fullback, but I’d prefer a Tonks-Burleigh-Dean midfield.

by EWT Spoons Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 9:00

Ah cr*p I forgot about Struass. Yeah he's a probable shoe-in isn't he.

Sutherland needs to start ahead of Sheils, unless Solly is concerned about his long term future and doesn't want to play him too much too soon.

I'm not convinced by Burleigh at 10, he's had a couple of decent games at 10(one very good game) but he's a bit hit and miss. Like you I'd prefer him at 12 with Tonks at 10.

Any idea when the team's announced? Also I haven't checked, but pretty hopeful Leinster have been decimated by Ireland call ups, could really do with taking advantage whilst some of the teams have been weakened by the World cup.

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 9:07

Team will be announced on Thursday most likely.

Leinster are missing

Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss,Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Jamie Heaslip, Murphy, Sean O'Brien, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Madigan, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan .

Not sure who they are left with though.

by EWT Spoons Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 9:22

Cheers, looks like they have lost a few players.

by jimbopip Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 9:22

So, the Ladyboys Thirds up against a pretty much full strength MFL. Hmmm.

Are you going for the LBP then?

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 9:27

I wouldn't say full strength - we are missing our entire first choice front row, McInally, Gilchrist, Denton, Hidalgo-Clyne (the heartbeat of our team) and Matt Scott.

The latter being the most damaging given it will mean Strauss will probably play! Playing him is the equivalent of 5 first choice players missing.

We're no-where near as badly affected as Glasgow, but it certainly ain't our first team!

by jimbopip Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 10:28

You are so easy to wind up, RDW. Very Happy

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 10:31

I'm not wound up in the slightest, just enjoy correcting the many prejudiced inaccuracies that you come out with! Hug

by funnyExiledScot Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 10:35

RDW_Scotland wrote:I say that’s the probably team, but Shiells started both friendlies (not performing well) and Strauss must have some incriminating photos of Solomons (eww) because I bet he’ll be picked at 12.

It is probably more likely Solomons will put Burleigh at 10 and Tonks a Fullback, but I’d prefer a Tonks-Burleigh-Dean midfield.

Agreed on both fronts. Tonks - Burleigh - Dean would make a great combination, but Solomons just can't see Strauss for what he is; an impediment to progress.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 10:37

RDW_Scotland wrote:I wouldn't say full strength - we are missing our entire first choice front row, McInally, Gilchrist, Denton, Hidalgo-Clyne (the heartbeat of our team) and Matt Scott.

The latter being the most damaging given it will mean Strauss will probably play! Playing him is the equivalent of 5 first choice players missing.

We're no-where near as badly affected as Glasgow, but it certainly ain't our first team!

So what you're saying is that Edinburgh have more depth of quality than Glasgow? That is certainly true. Bresler on his own could man shame a lock combination of Low and Harley.

by Stewie15 Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 11:27

With the guys missing at the world cup and the couple of injuries like Ruddock, Moore etc i'd imagine we are looking at a possible Leinster team of something like this:

Bent
Dundon
Hagan
McCarthy
Denton
McLaughlin
Ryan
Conan
Boss
Marsh
McFadden
D'Arcy
Te'o
Fanning
Nacewa

Byrne
Dooley
Burke-Flynn
Beirne
vd Flier
McGrath
Reid
Kelleher

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 11:34

Is that team any good? I don't recognise a few names

by Stewie15 Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 11:42

Well it's not bad considering there are 16 guys gone to the world cup. We're down to our third choice front row (4th choice TH) but there are a number of players there with Ireland caps: Bent, Hagan, McCarthy, McLaughlin, Ryan, Conan, Boss, McFadden, D'arcy.

Hard really to predict how they'll play with it being Leo's competitive debut as Head coach. Bench will definitely be an issue compared to what we are used to!

Which names do you not recognise?

by funnyExiledScot Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 11:44

I don't recognise that front row at all. Unfortunately with our first choice front row away, I fear we won't be able to capitalise much on that at all. I recognise all their backs with the exception of Marsh and Fanning.

Leinster are always hard to beat and you just know they'll do the basics well, and be strong at the breakdown. The key for us will be through the forwards, and to be as physical and nasty as possible, win the collisions and make it hard for Leinster to build momentum. That's very much what Solomons has focused on and we've become quite good at it. I expect their backs will be slicker than ours, but with Burleigh, Hoyland and Fife we have a clever operator and some gas out wide. Hopefully Tonks will come straight in as well.

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 11:45

How has the Leinster pre season gone?

by Stewie15 Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 12:03

Bent arrived off the plane from NZ a few years ago and went straight into the Ireland team! After his debut he had a tough time adapting in Leinster but he played quite well last season at LH. Covers both sides but I wouldn't be confident in him at TH. Dundon is a good solid 3rd choice hooker that does the basics well, nothing flashy but won't less us down. Hagan is just a short term stop gap. It's his 3rd stint at leinster and has 1 Ireland cap. He's off to super 15 after the world cup. Has some good days and some bad days, not a great scrummager and can have days where he's a penalty magnet!

Marsh is a young OH and Fanning has stepped up from AIL level. Did well last year when we were missing lots during intl. Limited but decent player.

Won against Ulster 24-21 and Mosely 68-0. Didn't see either game so not sure on the performances.

by **George Carlin** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 12:13

https://www.606v2.com/t60323-welcome-to-the-new-aviva-pro-12-season-your-help-needed

by funnyExiledScot Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 13:44

Stewie15 wrote:Bent arrived off the plane from NZ a few years ago and went straight into the Ireland team! After his debut he had a tough time adapting in Leinster but he played quite well last season at LH. Covers both sides but I wouldn't be confident in him at TH. Dundon is a good solid 3rd choice hooker that does the basics well, nothing flashy but won't less us down. Hagan is just a short term stop gap. It's his 3rd stint at leinster and has 1 Ireland cap. He's off to super 15 after the world cup. Has some good days and some bad days, not a great scrummager and can have days where he's a penalty magnet!

Marsh is a young OH and Fanning has stepped up from AIL level. Did well last year when we were missing lots during intl. Limited but decent player.

Won against Ulster 24-21 and Mosely 68-0. Didn't see either game so not sure on the performances.

Thanks for the info. 68 is usually the total number of points Edinburgh score in a season, so you've not had too bad a pre-season by all accounts. We beat Ulster comfortably in our final pre-season fixture, so perhaps this one will be close.

by Nematode Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 16:27

The Edinburgh team should be quite good:

Sutherland
Cochrane
??
Toolis
Bresler
Du Preez
Grant
Manu

Fowles/Kennedy (injured?)
Tonks
Helu
Allen
Beard
Hoyland
Cuthbert/Brown

Lots of new faces though so it might not be the most cohesive performance.

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 16:39

Nematode wrote:The Edinburgh team should be quite good:

Sutherland
Cochrane
??
Toolis
Bresler
Du Preez
Grant
Manu

Fowles/Kennedy (injured?)
Tonks
Helu
Allen
Beard
Hoyland
Cuthbert/Brown

Lots of new faces though so it might not be the most cohesive performance.

Jeezo Nematode, keep up!

Andress will be tighthead
Manu only started training a few weeks ago so I’d be surprised if he is given a start – he looked very unfit last week
Helu is away with Tonga
Allen picked up a long term injury in training
You’ve forgotten Burleigh and Dean!

by funnyExiledScot Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 16:52

I'm going to be interested in seeing Helu for Tonga at the World Cup. I recall seeing him once at Wasps and he looked typically direct and abrasive. Not sure about his pace.

Real shame that Allen is out, although Dean and Beard should be fine covering the 13 jersey. That now said, Solomons will probably stick Burleigh at 13 to have Strauss at 12 and Tonks at 10, which will of course be an error.

by Nematode Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 16:52

[quote="RDW_Scotland"][quote="Nematode"]The Edinburgh team should be quite good:

Jeezo Nematode, keep up!

Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Picard-facepalm-o

Edinburgh v Leinster, 4 September Picard-facepalm-o

It's been a while... I was even putting Strauss down at 12 originally Doh

by InjuredYetAgain Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 21:38

Is Allen donald ducked already?! Is he just trying to beat the inevitable rush into the treatment room once hostilities start in earnest?
Leinster's backs look good on paper at least so I think we will be relying on our forwards to starve them off possession. Do that and we could be in with a good shout here

by **RDW** Wed 2 Sep 2015 - 21:52

Anyone going to the game? Meggetland is a right pain to get to on an early Friday evening.

Saying that, I've just seen that Edinburgh's next game against the Ospreys will be 6pm kick off on a Friday - apparently to not clash with an ABs game that kicks off at half 8. Surely 6:45pm would have been a reasonable compromise??

by justified sinner Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 6:49

I'll be at the game, expecting a decent Edinburgh performance. Meggetland isn't that tough to get to for me, 10, 27 or 45 stop pretty much outside and the Kilted Pig is decent for a pint beforehand. Getting back into town afterwards can be a bit of a pain though.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 7:20

justified sinner wrote:I'll be at the game, expecting a decent Edinburgh performance. Meggetland isn't that tough to get to for me, 10, 27 or 45 stop pretty much outside and the Kilted Pig is decent for a pint beforehand. Getting back into town afterwards can be a bit of a pain though.

Apparently at the last Edinburgh game at Meggetland there were massive queues for the busses home - make sure you get out early!

by funnyExiledScot Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 10:40

I'm going to skip this one purely because it's at Meggetland. Too much of a faff for me and it's also on Alba.

I'll try to scramble to the Ospreys game for 6pm, but more likely my first game of the season will be the Ulster match.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 11:50

Edinburgh team - very pleased with this!

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Chris Dean
12 Sam Beard
11 Damien Hoyland
10 Phil Burleigh
9 Nathan Fowles

1 Rory Sutherland
2 Neil Cochrane
3 John Andress
4 Anton Bresler
5 Ben Toolis
6 Cornell Du Preez
7 Roddy Grant (c)
8 Nasi Manu

Substitutes
16 George Turner
17 Allan Dell
18 Simon Berghan
19 Fraser McKenzie
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sean Kennedy
22 Greig Tonks
23 James Johnstone

by funnyExiledScot Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 11:58

Absolutely delighted with that selection. Solomons to replace Cotter??

The only quibble I'd have is whether Manu is really ready for 80 minutes, in which case I'd probably rather have Bradbury, a direct replacement number 8, on the bench instead of Watson. A minor point, as Watson could come on a 7, Grant shift to 6 and Du Preez take over at 8. Not a biggie.

The backline looks good, and delighted to see Hoyland on the wing with Johnstone on the bench. Finally some young Scottish talent getting a run out, plus Chris Dean at 13 of course. Beard is a bit on the light side for a 12, but he's a skillful operator and I think he'll do just fine.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:02

Agree on Manu – that’s a big surprise and we’ll be lucky if he lasts an hour without being knackered. I’m assuming Coman and Struass are injured – strange to make Coman captain then not pick him! Strauss is usually on the bench too if he’s not picked.

Beard is quite physical even though he’s not huge – hopefully he’ll do a good job so Strauss goes even further down the pecking order. Saying that, he is up against D'Arcy who isnt' a monster either.

by madmaccas Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:11

Leinster have named a pretty handy team:

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Cathal Marsh
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Aaron Dundon
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ross Byrne
23. Garry Ringrose

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:16

madmaccas wrote:Leinster have named a pretty handy team:

15. Isa Nacewa
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Cathal Marsh
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Aaron Dundon
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Kevin McLaughlin CAPTAIN
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ross Byrne
23. Garry Ringrose

It is a handy team but handy probably describes it best – I’d be disappointed if we lost this and it is definitely a game we need to win if we seriously have Top 6 ambitions.

There won’t be a better time to play Leinster!.

by EWT Spoons Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:20

Pretty happy with that Edinburgh team. I had to read through it a couple of times just to make sure I hadn't missed Strauss, but it seems he's actually not involved.

Wish I could make the game, but the wife has rashly decided she's out that night and apparently our 4 year old can't look after herself.

Ah well Alba is it then.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:21

EWT Spoons wrote:Pretty happy with that Edinburgh team. I had to read through it a couple of times just to make sure I hadn't missed Strauss, but it seems he's actually not involved.

Wish I could make the game, but the wife has rashly decided she's out that night and apparently our 4 year old can't look after herself.

Ah well Alba is it then.

Parents these days are far too over protective!

by Nematode Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:31

Good team, but some interesting omissions. Coman & Strauss are Solomon's favourite players so to not feature in the 23 is strange. Something makes me feel this 23 is not 100% of AS's choosing.

I also thought Tonks might get the nod at 10 with Burleigh at 12 - perhaps Tonks is carrying a small knock?

by madmaccas Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 12:32

EWT Spoons wrote:Ah well Alba is it then.

I quite like Alba, it sounds like they're speaking in tongues, so I feel like I'm watching rugby and going to church at the same time.

by **George Carlin** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 13:00

Very good team from the artisan olive oil purchasers.

You really need to take down an understrength Leinster team.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 15:11

George Carlin wrote:Very good team from the artisan olive oil purchasers.

You really need to take down an understrength Leinster team.

Oh we will. No problem. I'm 100% confident. Honestly. Not a single teeny weeny doubt in my mind. Not one. 5 points in the bag....for one team.

by **George Carlin** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 15:16

My pick of the exfoliaator foetuses for this season is Chris Dean. He got a lot of very positive press in pre-season and is described as something of a force a nature. A bit like Nick De Luca, but without the crapness.

Looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Hopefully Dougie Fife can also continue his historic form of being utter pants for Scotland but a perfectly serviceable try scorer for his club.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 15:24

George Carlin wrote:My pick of the exfoliaator foetuses for this season is Chris Dean. He got a lot of very positive press in pre-season and is described as something of a force a nature. A bit like Nick De Luca, but without the crapness.

Looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Hopefully Dougie Fife can also continue his historic form of being utter pants for Scotland but a perfectly serviceable try scorer for his club.

We've not seen as much hyperbole expressed for a player that has had so little gametime since the Messiah - hopefully Dean proves himself to be Messiah V2.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 15:56

I've already decided that Chris Dean is better than Mark Bennett.

by **George Carlin** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 16:29

funnyExiledScot wrote:I've already decided that Chris Dean is better than Mark Bennett.

by asoreleftshoulder Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 16:33

Looking forward to seeing what Cullen brings to the table.He's making all the right noises and it's great to see Luke McGrath,Marsh and Leavy getting starts while Ringrose and Ross Byrne might get a run from the bench.

If we see some good quick tempo rugby played then I don't mind about the result,I just want to see a performance.

by thebandwagonsociety Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 17:04

Totally agree with you. Picking little McGrath and Leavy are huge improvements on the approach taken last season.

Ringrose has really shone in the under-age levels. Have to reel in my expectations for the kid and give him time.

Agree with you on the result front. Cullen will get some lee-way from the fans once we can see youth and a high-tempo style being blooded.

Great to see Isa on a pro12 teamsheet again.

by asoreleftshoulder Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 17:28

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Totally agree with you. Picking little McGrath and Leavy are huge improvements on the approach taken last season.

Ringrose has really shone in the under-age levels. Have to reel in my expectations for the kid and give him time.

Agree with you on the result front. Cullen will get some lee-way from the fans once we can see youth and a high-tempo style being blooded.

Great to see Isa on a pro12 teamsheet again.

How did I forget to mention that,will be great to see the man strut his stuff again.

by **RDW** Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 17:29

Reckon he'll still have it? How old is he now?

by asoreleftshoulder Thu 3 Sep 2015 - 17:40

He's 33,( Christ he's 6 months younger than me and has just come out of retirement.That's ruined my day) anyway he's just fresh off a break so hopefully he hasn' lost too much.His pace is bound to have dropped a bit but he never relied on it completely so I'd be confident his brain will keep him playing at a high level.

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