HEC SF: Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster; Sunday 29 April, KO 1600(CET); Live Sky Sports

Tox56 · 26-04-2012 3:06pm

conf101 wrote: »

I wonder would a lot of people have said the very same thing about Sexton in '09?

That actually came into my head while I was writing it, but it's more that Sexton is too good to lose, than Madigan is too bad to come on.

durkadurka · 26-04-2012 3:07pm

Ii wasn't as worried about sexton then. He was a lot more 'seasoned' by then, had played a good few HEC games, had been a big part of the league winning magners team the season before.
I watched him start against Toulouse in 08 I think for example.

Madigan has only really come through this year.

d-gal · 26-04-2012 4:25pm

Tox56 wrote: »

d-gal wrote: »

Parra replacement outhalf.
The bench is just so bloody big and physical, its scary and I just think that crazy home vocal support adds to it. If its an open game Leinster have a great chance due to more flair and dynamism of the bench.
But it should be all about who is on top in the forwards

Having 7 Heineken Cup winners on your bench is significant. There is also a mix of experience with Boss, Jennings, VdM, and McFadden, combined with the youth and flair of Cronin, Toner, Madigan.

Although, I don't know how confident I would be seeing Madigan coming on before the game is won.

I'd have plenty of confidence in Madigan, think he is a big game player

Legion2008 · 26-04-2012 4:30pm

can someone fix the typo in the title .... it's bugging me ....

When are the teams announced?

profitius · 26-04-2012 4:36pm

People are talking about the size of the Clermont pack. Its big alright, typical for a French team. The bigger the pack the less mobile it is generally. If Leinster play at their high tempo most big packs will struggle to keep up.

The main problem for Leinster (and what turned me off backing them) is the clown with the whistle. He tends to favour the home team.

totallegend · 26-04-2012 4:41pm

GerM wrote: »

Their recognised back up outhalf is playing at 9. Any issue, Parra has more than enough experience to slot in there.

Would agree that there's no difference in the benches. Most would argue that Leinster even have the upper hand in that department. A lot more big game experience on the predicted Leinster bench.

Yeah, but if the argument is that Clermont have a better bench, if the respective out-halves get injured, a Reddan-Madigan axis is a lot better than a Rado-Parra combo.

Leinster bench is well ahead in terms of experience, the only edge Clermont have is in ball-carrying, bringing Paulo and Kotze off the game against a tiring Leinster team and punching holes in the defensive line could cause problems.

Quint2010 · 26-04-2012 4:46pm

profitius wrote: »

People are talking about the size of the Clermont pack. Its big alright, typical for a French team. The bigger the pack the less mobile it is generally. If Leinster play at their high tempo most big packs will struggle to keep up.

The main problem for Leinster (and what turned me off backing them) is the clown with the whistle. He tends to favour the home team.

On that-to what extent does each team have access to the referee before the game? And what way does an away team normally play this with the ref prior to the game?

Tox56 · 26-04-2012 5:16pm

totallegend wrote: »

Yeah, but if the argument is that Clermont have a better bench, if the respective out-halves get injured, a Reddan-Madigan axis is a lot better than a Rado-Parra combo.

Leinster bench is well ahead in terms of experience, the only edge Clermont have is in ball-carrying, bringing Paulo and Kotze off the game against a tiring Leinster team and punching holes in the defensive line could cause problems.

In fairness, that's what Cronin was born to do.

molloyjh · 26-04-2012 5:20pm

Great article from Quinny yesterday.....

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0425/1224315146927.html

LEIN · 26-04-2012 7:59pm

.ak wrote: »

One thing is for sure, the noise levels will be something else. The Clermont fans will be at their usual best, and we [the Leinster fans] will be making noise whenever they are not, so it'll be pure noise for 80 minutes!

Not if the Leinster team can silence them early.

irishbucsfan · 26-04-2012 8:02pm

DD9090 wrote: »

Not if the Leinster team can silence them early.

That's what we thought we'd done in CF

mikedragon32 · 26-04-2012 8:59pm

Legion2008 wrote: »

can someone fix the typo in the title .... it's bugging me ....

I'm on it!

.ak · 26-04-2012 9:26pm

mikedragon32 wrote: »

I'm on it!

Also, as most people here will be viewing from Ireland, maybe the title should read 15:00 GMT

mikedragon32 · 26-04-2012 10:35pm

.ak wrote: »

Also, as most people here will be viewing from Ireland, maybe the title should read 15:00 GMT

Even us props can subtract an hour from CET!

durkadurka · 26-04-2012 11:38pm

It's BST anyway, not GMT!

Podge_irl · 27-04-2012 6:43am

Off to airport now. Can't wait.

Donnielighto · 27-04-2012 7:38am

Get us back into the Heineken boys (Connacht supporter)

justsomebloke · 27-04-2012 8:49am

Podge_irl wrote: »

Off to airport now. Can't wait.

Bring back some of the commemoration pint glasses if you can

.ak · 27-04-2012 10:03am

justsomebloke wrote: »

Bring back some of the commemoration pint glasses if you can

Gonna try and grab a few of those myself! Flying out tonight, gonna go down town to look for some cheap bodhrans... Any recommendations?

Podge_irl · 27-04-2012 10:20am

What commemoration pint glasses are these?

Gracelessly Tom · 27-04-2012 10:22am

.ak wrote: »

Gonna try and grab a few of those myself! Flying out tonight, gonna go down town to look for some cheap bodhrans... Any recommendations?

Carrolls would surely be your best bet?

There's a small shop on Talbot or North Earl street which sells all that diddly-I stuff. Don't know the name of it but if you know the street it's next to a camping and outdoor shop.

On the first flight out tomorrow morning, can't wait for 4pm Sunday!!

What's all this about commemorative pint glasses?

lemansky · 27-04-2012 10:24am

Podge_irl wrote: »

What commemoration pint glasses are these?

542891_10150984661284638_196189359637_13052372_568434856_n.jpg

They will be pouring your sauce into those in The Connemara!

durkadurka · 27-04-2012 10:27am

90 minutes to team announcement. Anyone foresee any changes to the team from Cardiff game? I don't anyhow unless there's an injury we've not heard of.

27-04-2012 10:29am

lemansky wrote: »

They will be pouring your sauce into those in The Connemara!

want

Podge_irl · 27-04-2012 10:30am

lemansky wrote: »

They will be pouring your sauce into those in The Connemara!

Excellent, they look great. Will try to liberate some!

Teferi · 27-04-2012 10:31am

If somebody snakes one for me I'd only be delighted to compensate them.

Burgo · 27-04-2012 11:05am

Teferi wrote: »

If somebody snakes one for me I'd only be delighted to compensate them.

Yeah any spare's I'll be more than happy the pay for one!

ssaye · 27-04-2012 11:09am

Clermont just been named here
http://www.asm-rugby.com/120427-compo.html

http://forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21366&start=260

Burgo wrote: »

Yeah any spare's I'll be more than happy the pay for one!

Someone on LF just said its QF lineup with Boss instead of Reddan so that would be
LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen
5: Brad Thorn
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

Epic forwards battle the key

I do like the Jennings 7 Obrien 6 option - who doesn't so expect it later on as per usual - Locky for his line outs which ours have been below standard since "changing the calls" I imagine the last few games

Cmon Leinster

[Jackass] · 27-04-2012 11:12am

Podge_irl wrote: »

Off to airport now. Can't wait.

Ah it's well for some! Make a nice weekend away out of it!

Fair play!

Do us proud over there for those who can't make Bordeaux. As a part of the siege of the stoop, I feel I will this time be missing out on one of the all time greatest Leinster supporter performances!

Gracelessly Tom · 27-04-2012 11:12am

Podge_irl wrote: »

Excellent, they look great. Will try to liberate some!

I was at a tournament in the Pyrennes last summer and they had similar mugs but with a band around them to hang from your neck, the ultimate in lazy drinking apparatus!

They charged 50 cent deposit to make sure they got them back. Needless to say none of us got our deposits back!

spank_inferno · 27-04-2012 11:15am

Why would Boss be in instead of Reddan?

I think tempo can break Cleremont, & Reddan delivers that.

ssaye · 27-04-2012 11:17am

spank_inferno wrote: »

Why would Boss be in instead of Reddan?

I think tempo can break Cleremont, & Reddan delivers that.

I agree - just going on the post - he does have a better impact of the bench but maybe physicality and a few pop ups to on runners ala Nacewa's try a few weeks ago can punish lateral defences

ray jay · 27-04-2012 11:25am

Matt Williams was saying on the Breakdown that Clermont don't tend to commit too many to the ruck so it's very hard to stretch their defense so he reckons Leinster should just try to punch holes around the fringes of the ruck.

Podge_irl · 27-04-2012 11:25am

[Jackass] wrote: »

Ah it's well for some! Make a nice weekend away out of it! Fair play!

Do us proud over there for those who can't make Bordeaux. As a part of the siege of the stoop, I feel I will this time be missing out on one of the all time greatest Leinster supporter performances!

I was at the Stoop as well. Absolute epic experience.

Tox56 · 27-04-2012 11:31am

Boss being in with an otherwise unchanged team (should that be the case) would be an obvious nod to speed up the game in the last 20-30 minutes, which I personally think is the right call.

Reddan and Cronin coming on to add some pace and Jennings to help provide some clean ball for them to work on.

I think this approach leaves more margin for error, we could afford to be behind going into the last half-hour (although preferably not..).

ssaye · 27-04-2012 11:33am

Tox56 wrote: »

Boss being in with an otherwise unchanged team (should that be the case) would be an obvious nod to speed up the game in the last 20-30 minutes, which I personally think is the right call.

Reddan and Cronin coming on to add some pace and Jennings to help provide some clean ball for them to work on.

I think this approach leaves more margin for error, we could afford to be behind going into the last half-hour (although preferably not..).

Thats true - The point maybe moot just waiting on confirmation of starting 15. Shaking thinking about the game:pac:

Tox56 · 27-04-2012 11:38am

Also, winding up Cudmore should be the focus of some attention..

totallegend · 27-04-2012 11:57am

Just FYI, Clermont team is as expected.
http://www.asm-rugby.com/120427-compo.html

Bardy makes the bench

totallegend · 27-04-2012 12:03pm

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Brad Thorn
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fergus McFadden

Big call going with Boss, not sure I agree with it.

ssaye · 27-04-2012 12:03pm

totallegend wrote: »

Just FYI, Clermont team is as expected.
http://www.asm-rugby.com/120427-compo.html

Bardy makes the bench

Playing that Jennings Obrien combo, wonder was it a last minute change?

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Brad Thorn
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fergus McFadden

justsomebloke · 27-04-2012 12:05pm

totallegend wrote: »

Just FYI, Clermont team is as expected.
http://www.asm-rugby.com/120427-compo.html

Bardy makes the bench

seriously what a feckin line up!:(.

Quint2010 · 27-04-2012 12:06pm

ssaye wrote: »

Playing that Jennings Obrien combo, wonder was it a last minute change?

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Brad Thorn
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fergus McFadden

Wow-big call in the back row. McLaughlin unlucky to miss out. Not sure I get that selection to be honest-Jennings to speed the game up but Boss to slow it down?..Hmmm

ssaye · 27-04-2012 12:08pm

Quint2010 wrote: »

Wow-big call in the back row. McLaughlin unlucky to miss out. Not sure I get that selection to be honest-Jennings to speed the game up but Boss to slow it down?..Hmmm

Obrien to ball carry 2011 style

.ak · 27-04-2012 12:10pm

Very surprised to see Locky on the bench and not starting. If they picked Boss for the physical aspect, why not start Locky who's a far more abrassive back row option than Jennings who's fairly light but niggily? Unless there was a sort of injury?

Well, in Joe we trust.

WeeBushy · 27-04-2012 12:10pm

I am excited to see O'Brien back in the 6 shirt. While I think he's been doing a great job at 7, 6 is ultimately his best position.

WeeBushy · 27-04-2012 12:11pm

.ak wrote: »

Very surprised to see Locky on the bench and not starting. If they picked Boss for the physical aspect, why not start Locky who's a far more abrassive back row option than Jennings who's fairly light but niggily? Unless there was a sort of injury?

Well, in Joe we trust.

Amen

ssaye · 27-04-2012 12:12pm

.ak wrote: »

Very surprised to see Locky on the bench and not starting. If they picked Boss for the physical aspect, why not start Locky who's a far more abrassive back row option than Jennings who's fairly light but niggily? Unless there was a sort of injury?

Well, in Joe we trust.

To compete against Lapandry and steal >50%, tight tight game

clsmooth · 27-04-2012 12:16pm

.ak wrote: »

Very surprised to see Locky on the bench and not starting. If they picked Boss for the physical aspect, why not start Locky who's a far more abrassive back row option than Jennings who's fairly light but niggily? Unless there was a sort of injury?

Well, in Joe we trust.

Jennings experience gets him the nod i reckon. Natural leaders in Cullen, Thorn, Jennings, Sexton and BOD through the team

Tox56 · 27-04-2012 12:18pm

Jennings was excellent v Munster, and as said above his leadership should help.

Mr.Applepie · 27-04-2012 12:18pm

Quint2010 wrote: »

Wow-big call in the back row. McLaughlin unlucky to miss out. Not sure I get that selection to be honest-Jennings to speed the game up but Boss to slow it down?..Hmmm

Jennings frees up SOB to run more ball. What Boss is very good at is getting our forwards on to the ball at pace to punch holes. I'd say we'll be attacking around the fringes.

I don't think Boss is slower per say, he just tends to use forward grunt more.

HEC SF: Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster; Sunday 29 April, KO 1600(CET); Live Sky Sports

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