[GerM]

Originally Posted by durkadurka

The ospreys did us in the scrum towards the end of the last game so I'd be worried if we lost vdm.

Wouldn't be as worried although it's obviously a slight concern. Ospreys mangled us in the scrum due to two injuries at tighthead and McGrath switching across. I've never seen him mangled like that at loose head.

Had heard SOB was struggling alright but thought/hoped it was just whispers. Big loss. He has improved immensely as breakdown player. Jennings is a capable player but I'd definitely be more confident with SOB on the field. VDM can deputise very capably if Healy is ruled out. If he can bring the intensity that he brought for 20 minutes against Ulster, I feel sorry for the Ospreys pack.

[prospect]

My cash is on a Leinster win with a 4pt H.Cap.

That is not meant to be in any disrespectful to Ospreys, who have beaten us twice this year, and beat us in this same fixture in the RDS before.


Leinster's attitude is right. Immediately after the HEC Final they were looking to this game. Even with the likes of S'OB and Healy (and Boss I think) not being available, I think they have huge momentum. Also, Sunday is their HEC homecoming party, and a loss on this game would pretty much piss in everyone's pints!

Also, lets not forget, the last Ospreys win was marred by a legal Leinster try being disallowed, and a Ospreys being awarded a try that shouldn't have been [not bitter]

[durkadurka]

Plus that conversion that hopped off the top of the post.
Although on subsequent replays i saw their try was good.

[tolosenc]

Originally Posted by durkadurka

Although on subsequent replays i saw their try was good.

The replays didn't show the blatantly forward pass then?

[durkadurka]

Can't remember - the grounding was ok though.

[durkadurka]

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan
1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Richardt Strauss
17: Cian Healy/Jack McGrath
18: Nathan White
19: Brad Thorn
20: Dominic Ryan
21: John Cooney
22: Ian Madigan
23: David Kearney
REFEREE: Romain Poite (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: George Clancy (IRFU), Neil Paterson (SRU), TMO: Giulio de Santis (FIR)

[emmet02]

gwan Toner! (will probably play the 80)

Hope Ryan gets 20 mins too.

[durkadurka]

Glad that Toner gets the start. He was hard done by the arrival of thorn.

Great looking team from 1 - 23. Healy still a possibility which is good.

[Fishooks12]

Anyone got the Ospreys team yet?

[durkadurka]

15 Richard Fussell
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Shane Williams
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Paul James
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Ryan Jones
7 Justin Tipuric
8 Joe Bearman

Replacements:
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Aaron Jarvis
19 James King
20 Tom Smith
21 Kahn Fotuali'i
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Tom Isaacs


The following players were not considered because of injury:
Tommy Bowe - Haematoma
Huw Bennett - Achilles
Will Price - ACL
Cai Griffiths - Arm
Ben John - Groin
Gareth Owen - ACL
Nikki Walker - ACL


Shane Williams Final final final final game or something.

[Thanos]

Great to see Toner and Cronin get a start and Ryan a place on the bench, hope he gets at least 20 mins. Would be nice to see Madigan get 20 or 30 minutes as well.

Strong team considering we have a few missing, role on Sunday

[errlloyd]

Will someone please write an article for some half rag Irish newspaper about how Leinster are so good they keep an All Black who won the world cup 9 months ago on the bench in a final. Please post as much of a condescending attack on NZ rugby as you can.

Jk obviously I love Thorn far more than I hate dodgy NZ Journos.

[desertcircus]

What a potential end to the season for Cooney. Wasn't even listed in the HC final programme as a Leinster player, and come 6pm Sunday he could be collecting a Rabo medal to go with his Heineken Cup one.

[profitius]

You see there the problem for the Ospreys next season. They're making a bit of progress for the first time in ages but beyond the first 15 their bench does look a little weak.

[Hype710]

Surprised Kahn isn't starting. Two quality 9s in fairness.