Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

[Jackass] · 13-04-2010 1:13am #1

A thread on all current events of Leinster rugby!

Fixtures, Results, Player Form, Injuries, Team Selections, Transfers, Competitions, Up & Coming Players etc.

As it stands, Leinster are into the semi finals of the Heineken Cup and are playing away to Toulouse! It's a very tough encounter and is one we'd have to say will require another massive and famous performance such as the Quarter Final against the same team in 2006 or the Seim Final against Munster in 2009.

At the moment, injury concerns are Luke Fitzgerald, who's out until the end of the season, or towards the very end of the season at best, and Sean O'Brien, who will be out until next season.

Rob Kearney is currently out with a small injury, as with Johnny Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll, all of whom are being rested this week in the lead up to the Magners League clash with the Ospreys. All are expected to be fit for the semi-final clash.

FORWARDS: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Andrew Conway, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan

The Ospreys have named a full strength squad for the Ulster clash on Wednesday and having played at the weekend also, may see some of their stars rested for the trip to Dublin, which may hopefully see Leinster edge one step closer to top spot in the Magners League and home advantage for the play-off semi's and possibly final.

Shaune Beirne talked about Leinster aiming for a double and coming into the business end of the season, despite a couple of long term injury concerns and some walking wounded, Leinster look well placed to compete for both cups.

A massive game against Toulouse away and home wins v Ospreys & Edinburgh in the Magners League should see us compete in both finals!

Exciting times! Nervous times! But a great time to be a Leinster fan.

Discuss!

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 1:19am

I'd be about 95% sure at this point that Leinster will win the ML. Victory over Ospreys on Friday will more or less guarantee top spot and a home semi and final. Tough to see them being beaten from there.

Toulouse away will be a defining game for Leinster's season, but I think an ML title and a HEC semi will be a successful season.

Chieka is certainly leaving Leinster in a far better position then he found them in.

[Jackass] · 13-04-2010 1:20am

To get you in the mood for the Semi-Final Clash, here are some golden moments against Toulouse in the past that Leinster must look to do again in order to claim another victory over the European giants!

Arguably the greatest game in Heineken Cup history, also with arguably the best try in Heineken Cup history, by Denis Hickie.

And most recently, Leinsters victory over Toulouse in the RDS

castie · 13-04-2010 1:46am

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'd be about 95% sure at this point that Leinster will win the ML. Victory over Ospreys on Friday will more or less guarantee top spot and a home semi and final. Tough to see them being beaten from there.

Toulouse away will be a defining game for Leinster's season, but I think an ML title and a HEC semi will be a successful season.

Chieka is certainly leaving Leinster in a far better position then he found them in.

Home final as well?

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 1:54am

castie wrote: »

Home final as well?

Top qualified finalist gets a home final

castie · 13-04-2010 2:01am

Podge_irl wrote: »

Top qualified finalist gets a home final

Ah okay hadnt heard that. Assumed it would be a neutral venue.

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 2:03am

castie wrote: »

Ah okay hadnt heard that. Assumed it would be a neutral venue.

Not much point having a Leinster-Munster final in Murrayfield or a Glasgow-Edin final in Thomond/RDS though. Competition isn't at the level of the HEC were masses would travel for the final so this is pretty necessary.

There are no capacity requirements as far as I know, so the overwhelming likelihood is that the semi and final will be in the RDS. The only semi opponent I would have any concerns about would be Munster, and even then I'd make Leinster fairly decent favourites (famous last words I know).

castie · 13-04-2010 2:06am

Podge_irl wrote: »

Not much point having a Leinster-Munster final in Murrayfield or a Glasgow-Edin final in Thomond/RDS though. Competition isn't at the level of the HEC were masses would travel for the final so this is pretty necessary.

There are no capacity requirements as far as I know, so the overwhelming likelihood is that the semi and final will be in the RDS. The only semi opponent I would have any concerns about would be Munster, and even then I'd make Leinster fairly decent favourites (famous last words I know).

After the 2 league wins and the HEC win youd have to really.

Morf · 13-04-2010 2:16am

Where did you hear O'Brien was out until next season, Jackass?

I was under the impression he would be back in May sometime.

Ciaran-Irl · 13-04-2010 9:37am

The branch has said they would look at Croker for a Munster final.

toomevara · 13-04-2010 9:55am

What's the score with Sexton for the HEC Semi? According to RTE he may be a doubt for the game....

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0413/sexton_leinster.html

jack01986 · 13-04-2010 10:14am

My dad was in they gym yesterday nad he saw Kearney there with one of those boot things on his foot. He was doing all sort of exercises there. Have also heard he was out the night of the game as well.

jack01986 · 13-04-2010 10:26am

Luke got some serious steps as well.

TarfHead · 13-04-2010 11:44am

[Jackass] wrote: »

Arguably the greatest game in Heineken Cup history

A response to that assertion deserves a thread of it's own

!

shawpower · 13-04-2010 12:41pm

Injury news in today's Indo. http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/bad-break-2135348.html

Sexton - Major doubt for semi final. Unlikely to make it with only 18 days to go and a 3-4 week recovery period.
Kearney (ankle ligaments)- Out for Ospreys game, but probably okay for semi.
Drico (knee) - Out for Ospreys game, but probably okay for semi.
Horgan - Didn't train but should be fine for Ospreys.
D'Arcy - Didn't train but should be fine for Ospreys.
Sean O'Brien - Race against time to be fit for Semi's. Won't get played if he doesn't play in the game v Glasgow the week before.

Didn't realise SOB was so close to a return. Might make the ML semi and then either final if we get that far. Good"injury" news at last.

funky penguin · 13-04-2010 5:07pm

I hope they don't rush him. Nothing worse than seeing a semi-fit player on the pitch, with match rust to boot.

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 5:20pm

shawpower wrote: »

[*]Sexton - Major doubt for semi final. Unlikely to make it with only 18 days to go and a 3-4 week recovery period.
[*]Sean O'Brien - Race against time to be fit for Semi's. Won't get played if he doesn't play in the game v Glasgow the week before.
[/LIST]

Bollocks to the first point, though I didn't realise SOB was so close to being back so that's great. If he's fit for the semi then fantastic, as Leinster really miss him, but if not then a few good performances at the end of the ML should see him on the summer tour.

McFadden has to start against Toulouse if Sexton is out. Leinster will need to take every point going and I wouldn't trust either Berne or Nacewa to do that.

PhatPiggins · 13-04-2010 6:14pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

Bollocks to the first point, though I didn't realise SOB was so close to being back so that's great. If he's fit for the semi then fantastic, as Leinster really miss him, but if not then a few good performances at the end of the ML should see him on the summer tour.

McFadden has to start against Toulouse if Sexton is out. Leinster will need to take every point going and I wouldn't trust either Berne or Nacewa to do that.

Drop D'Arcy? Not an easy decision to make and I cant see Cheika making it.

I agree with you BTW

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 6:17pm

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Drop D'Arcy? Not an easy decision to make and I cant see Cheika making it.

I agree with you BTW

Well if Kearney doesn't make it you could move Nacewa to full back and put McFadden on the wing, or drop Horgan for McFadden (he wasn't great against Clermont anyway). It would probably require McFadden to get game time at wing over the next couple games though, and considering BOD is out its far more likely he'll find himself in the centre.

It's a tough one, but Clermont themselves showed what can happen when you can't kick goals.

durkadurka · 13-04-2010 6:21pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well if Kearney doesn't make it you could move Nacewa to full back and put McFadden on the wing, or drop Horgan for McFadden (he wasn't great against Clermont anyway). It would probably require McFadden to get game time at wing over the next couple games though, and considering BOD is out its far more likely he'll find himself in the centre.

It's a tough one, but Clermont themselves showed what can happen when you can't kick goals.

Yep we totally need a top class kicker for this. We're not gonna be running in tries under the posts.

nosco · 13-04-2010 6:35pm

durkadurka wrote: »

Yep we totally need a top class kicker for this. We're not gonna be running in tries under the posts.

god help us if mcfadden is our no. 1 kicker in the semi. Can do a job but certainly not a top class kicker.

Podge_irl · 13-04-2010 6:37pm

nosco wrote: »

god help us if mcfadden is our no. 1 kicker in the semi. Can do a job but certainly not a top class kicker.

McFadden is Leinster's best kicker (including Sexton).

durkadurka · 13-04-2010 6:39pm

Theres nobody else is there? Berne didn't impress me, to say the least, when i saw him a few times this year.

nosco · 13-04-2010 9:38pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

McFadden is Leinster's best kicker (including Sexton).

wrong. He's an average stand in kicker, no more.

Tim Robbins · 13-04-2010 10:21pm

nosco wrote: »

wrong. He's an average stand in kicker, no more.

McFadden is a quality kicker.

LeeroyJones · 14-04-2010 12:58am

I'd be confident in McFadden kicking the relatively basic ones with ease, but as for kicks from the touchlines or from distance I would definitely want Sexton in there to take them.

Podge_irl · 14-04-2010 2:52am

Perhaps it's just me, but if McFadden and Sexton were both regulars in the Leinster team I would have McFadden kicking the dead ball every single time. I would like anyone to point out to me one single game in which McFadden has been less than excellent from the tee.

As far as I am concerned he is both a more natural kicker of the ball and a better one than Sexton.

[Jackass] · 14-04-2010 3:56am

Have to say, Sextons kicking as a whole has really impressed me, but he has had some bad blips, but he's getting there and could well end up being a consistant 85% kicker. He was over 90% for a good chunk of the season.

McFadden is a superb kicker though. He's probably better than Sexton. Nice to have the option though, and he'll more than likely be regular Leinster after the world cup. Can't stress enough though, his future is at 12.

frankie2shoes · 14-04-2010 7:05am

There's a lot of negativity floating around about the current situation at Leinster. I don't think our performances have been great since christmas, and yet we're 4 points clear at the top of the magner's with a game in hand, and are through to the semi's of the HEC. not bad for a team not firing on all cylinders!!!
Our injury concerns are a HUGE worry i agree, but at least we're in with a chance!!
This draw has been terrible for leinster. first clermont now toulouse. who's blody next? the all blacks?:eek:

curts82 · 14-04-2010 7:28am

frankie2shoes wrote: »

This draw has been terrible for leinster. first clermont now toulouse. who's blody next? the all blacks?:eek:

Worse than the All blacks..........Munster

sarah_lennon · 14-04-2010 9:17am

nosco wrote: »

wrong. He's an average stand in kicker, no more.

not true

funky penguin · 14-04-2010 9:20am

curts82 wrote: »

Worse than the All blacks..........Munster

Here's hoping!

14-04-2010 9:37am

Lads, Sexton has had what, not even 4 bad games with the boot, and people are worried? The lads got gonads, he kicked 6/7 last week, and the one he missed wasn't by a whole lot.

McFadden is certainly a better kicker than him, but that does not reflect poorly on Sexton, as McFadden is incredibly assured and excels from the tee.

Gracelessly Tom · 14-04-2010 9:46am

I don't think it's possible to compare the two in terms of kicking at the moment. Jonno has been outstanding bar a recent blip, does no-one remember Croke Park last year?? Or Edinburgh, Fiji, South Africa.......

McFadden has yet to kick under the same pressure in the really big games, if he does, and as a Leinster fan I hope he handles it, then people can say he's the best kicker.

Good stats in a few magners league games does not a kicker make.....

Tim Robbins · 14-04-2010 10:02am

I think a pertinent question is Van Der Linde or Healy. I think Van Der Linde has been outstanding in the last few games especially at clearing out rucks.

14-04-2010 10:36am

True, I actually liked the way we used the props last weekend. With CJ off after 40, healy on, and Stan swapping. Mike Ross then on to finish out the game for Stan.

Thing is, Stan is (and has been) our best prop for 2 seasons now, and himself and CJ or himself and Ross would be a far better (scrummaging) FR than himself and healy.

I think that Cheika will get them all on the pitch over the course of the game, and its just a question of who starts and who finishes? I think a big scrum is needed in first half, and then fresh scrum for the end.

irishbucsfan · 14-04-2010 10:59am

McFadden has been fantastic every time I've seen him kick.

For the people who are claiming he's not a good kicker, which performance in particular makes you think that?

If Sexton isn't fit, I'll have very little confidence in our ability to win the game. I'd say we'd be forced to drop Horgan and move D'Arcy to the wing to make way for McFadden at center, that way everyone would be playing a position they're familiar with.

shawpower · 14-04-2010 1:02pm

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I think a pertinent question is Van Der Linde or Healy. I think Van Der Linde has been outstanding in the last few games especially at clearing out rucks.

I think not only does CJ have to start, he has to get 60-70 minutes played as well. Going off at half time isn't good enough. I know he missed all last season, so maybe still struggling a little with fitness, but him and Stan are better scrummagers than Stan & Ciano.

Hippo · 14-04-2010 1:13pm

Apparently CJ picked up a knock in the first half v Clermont, hence only 40 mins.

Mr.Applepie · 14-04-2010 1:45pm

Hippo wrote: »

Apparently CJ picked up a knock in the first half v Clermont, hence only 40 mins.

Your joking me? He should come with a "Fragile: Handle with Care" sticker on his back!

Hippo · 14-04-2010 2:46pm

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

Your joking me? He should come with a "Fragile: Handle with Care" sticker on his back!

I know, I'm not even going to say that it was by all accounts a toe injury. A different one.

PhatPiggins · 14-04-2010 4:01pm

Deleted User wrote: »

True, I actually liked the way we used the props last weekend. With CJ off after 40, healy on, and Stan swapping. Mike Ross then on to finish out the game for Stan.

Thing is, Stan is (and has been) our best prop for 2 seasons now, and himself and CJ or himself and Ross would be a far better (scrummaging) FR than himself and healy.

I think that Cheika will get them all on the pitch over the course of the game, and its just a question of who starts and who finishes? I think a big scrum is needed in first half, and then fresh scrum for the end.

Except that Wright is a far better LH and was handed his ass when he switched over for CJ. Asking a guy to play both sides of the scrum at that level is a bit much. If Ross isn't good enough for a straight swap with CJ then he shouldn't be on the bench. I understand that Cheika wanted to get Healy on the pitch but for me Wright has been playing far to well to be moving him around.

PhatPiggins · 14-04-2010 4:03pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well if Kearney doesn't make it you could move Nacewa to full back and put McFadden on the wing, or drop Horgan for McFadden (he wasn't great against Clermont anyway). It would probably require McFadden to get game time at wing over the next couple games though, and considering BOD is out its far more likely he'll find himself in the centre.

It's a tough one, but Clermont themselves showed what can happen when you can't kick goals.

A virgin winger against the Toulouse back 3 :eek: may the force be with him.

Nilther · 14-04-2010 6:51pm

Fergus McFadden is a fine stand in kicker. Dunno where people are getting it that he's better than Sexton though. The expectation on Sexton over McF is huge. I don't imagine McF would be any better than Berne at kicking in the Semi.

McF had a poor game here which got us knocked out of the B&I cup. Not a big deal but still shows he's not flawless.

http://leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/4447.php

Blut2 · 14-04-2010 7:42pm

This might be a terribly stupid question but given McFadden's competency with the boot why isnt he tried out at 10 more often? All the talk in this thread is of moving him to the wing if Sexton's out, why not 10? I havnt seen enough of him in big games to rate him fully but is it a lack of distribution skills or whats the common consensus on why he cant play 10?

Podge_irl · 14-04-2010 8:07pm

Blut2 wrote: »

This might be a terribly stupid question but given McFadden's competency with the boot why isnt he tried out at 10 more often? All the talk in this thread is of moving him to the wing if Sexton's out, why not 10? I havnt seen enough of him in big games to rate him fully but is it a lack of distribution skills or whats the common consensus on why he cant play 10?

Because ability to kick from the tee has nothing to do with ability to play at 10?

anonymous_joe · 14-04-2010 8:28pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

Because ability to kick from the tee has nothing to do with ability to play at 10?

Long and the short of it. The kicker does not have to be the 10 at all.

An out-half is usually the first receiver of the ball from a ruck or a scrum. His job is to decide what to do, whether to pass, run or kick. Moreover, he's probably (unless French) sorting out the attack's alignment as well which will decide how an attack works.

None of that really requires an ability to be a place kicker, though it does suggest a need to be an adequate field-kicker at least.

Blut2 · 14-04-2010 11:29pm

Well yeah, I know its not the only reason someone plays at 10 but given the suggestions of McFadden playing on the wing made in this thread and the worries about his weakness in that position I wondered why nobody had mentioned the possibility of him playing at 10. So is it infact a lack of distribution skills on his part or what is the common consensus on why he cant play 10 (as nice and all as the discussion of the role of the 10 is I was more curious about its specific aspects relating to McFadden!)?

Podge_irl · 14-04-2010 11:51pm

Blut2 wrote: »

Well yeah, I know its not the only reason someone plays at 10 but given the suggestions of McFadden playing on the wing made in this thread and the worries about his weakness in that position I wondered why nobody had mentioned the possibility of him playing at 10. So is it infact a lack of distribution skills on his part or what is the common consensus on why he cant play 10 (as nice and all as the discussion of the role of the 10 is I was more curious about its specific aspects relating to McFadden!)?

It's not a reason someone plays at 10 at all.

It's not necessarily that he can't play at 10, I'm sure if he tried it for a season he might eventually bed in there. It's hard to know without him giving it a shot, but ultimately he just isn't a 10 and you certainly wouldn't slot him in there at this stage of the season. He's only really in the process of developing into a 12 from an out and out 13. His strengths are his lines of running, acceleration and support play.

Transitioning from centre to wing is a hell of a smaller deal than moving into the fly half role. If he wasn't a goal kicker no one would even be suggesting trying him at 10.

thomond2006 · 15-04-2010 7:39am

http://ruggamatrix.heavensgame.com/main/archives/1018

Rocky Elsom is on Ruggamatrix this week.

toomevara · 15-04-2010 1:00pm

BOD is to be on the Craig Doyle show this week.

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0415/tonightwithcraigdoyle.html

Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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