Edinburgh v Leinster

toomevara

BOD's named in the squad..is there a realistic chance he'll play?

dc69

toomevara wrote: »

BOD's named in the squad..is there a realistic chance he'll play?

doubt it.

[Jackass]

toomevara wrote:

BOD's named in the squad..is there a realistic chance he'll play?

Not really. It's a big squad and to be honest I'm more surprised there's no sign of D'Arcy.

But I don't think BO'D will be in any rush to get back this season. He's been battered for years on the pitch and I think the time he's had off this year will do his body the world of good.

I'd imagine he'll get a place on the bench if he's fit at all, then MAYBE (although I think it would be very unfair on probably Dempsey) he'd start against Dragons at home to lift the trophy then who knows what team will be out over there, suppose depends on how results go and if we've won it yet!!

FORWARDS: Cian Healy, Ollie le Roux, Brian Blaney, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Knoop, Stan Wright, Leo Cullen, Trevor Hogan, Malcolm O’Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Stephen Keogh, Keith Gleeson, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip

BACKS: Chris Keane, Chris Whitaker, Felipe Contepomi, Jonathan Sexton, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Michael Berne, Christian Warner, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin O’Malley, Gary Brown, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey

Podge_irl

Strong squad anyway, they're clearly taking this seriously until its mathematically wrapped up. I imagine much of the squad are desperate to actually beat Edinburgh over there for a change too.

I imagine BOD will want to get back to lift the trophy against the Dragons (though its slightly unfair on Cullen, but you can't deny BOD deserves to chance to lift some silverware for Leinster).

toomevara

Podge_irl wrote: »

.

I imagine BOD will want to get back to lift the trophy against the Dragons (though its slightly unfair on Cullen, but you can't deny BOD deserves to chance to lift some silverware for Leinster).

Absolutely, hope he makes it back in time to hoist the trophy, thoroughly deserved.

Looking forward to the Contepomi/Godman battle. Old Phil reckons he got the measure of El Dottore at the murrayfield game in December...should be intriguing. Think Edinburgh will be a tough nut to crack on their own turf...

[Jackass]

Podge_irl wrote:

I imagine BOD will want to get back to lift the trophy against the Dragons (though its slightly unfair on Cullen, but you can't deny BOD deserves to chance to lift some silverware for Leinster).

Yeah that's true, he does deserve it, but somebody will have to be left out, more than likely Dempsey (Kearney to FB, Fitzgerald to LW and BOD to 13) who has played all year and will miss out right at the end in the final games after such a brillian domestic season. BOD hasn't played since November, but would be good to see him back and no better man to lift the trophy as he has been imense for us over the years.

I also wouldn't complain if he only gets a 20 minute camio against Dragons at home as the extent of his involvment for the rest of the season and he will still be on the pitch to (hopefully) lift the trophy after that gamer, will give him a well earned break until next year.

We've coped so well without BOD and D'Arcy this season there will be unbelievable competition for places next season, with two from Kearney, Fitzgerald, Sexton, Contepomi, Horgan, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll and Dempsey to be non-starters. What a great head-ache for any coach to have!

Podge_irl

toomevara wrote: »

Looking forward to the Contepomi/Godman battle. Old Phil reckons he got the measure of El Dottore at the murrayfield game in December...should be intriguing. Think Edinburgh will be a tough nut to crack on their own turf...

Godman may have to make do with being beaten by Sexton

I really hope Contepomi is only used at OH in Sexton's absence in the future. He brings a stability to the team that's been missing since Holwell left while Contepomi can still influence the game from 12. Leaves something of a selection problem in midfield, but I can think of worse problems to have!

We've coped so well without BOD and D'Arcy this season there will be unbelievable competition for places next season, with two from Kearney, Fitzgerald, Sexton, Contepomi, Horgan, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll and Dempsey to be non-starters. What a great head-ache for any coach to have!

Its almost ridiculous. Not to mention the likes of Carr etc just waiting for their chance as well.

zAbbo

I hope he's not parachuted back in, and if possible give him 20mins.

I'd keep the same backline that started against Munster.

It's catch 22, BOD & D'Arcy need gametime to get match fitness, but on the other hand I think Leinster are capable of clinching the league without them having to start any of the remaining games, and it allows extra game time for Sexton at 10, and Fitzgerald at 13.

barnesd

Exact same 15 as last week, winning the game (which I know is definitely not a given but give ourselves the best chance) should wrap things up and then possibly bring in a few squad players for the remaining games.

Podge_irl

I'd like Knoop to get some gametime with Wright going back to loosehead, as they seemed to do well til Knoop got injured. Maybe start Keogh and Hogan as well, but no changes beyond that and I don't think any of them (bar Hogan maybe) would weaken the team.

Sundy

Play the same team as last week and wrap the title up as soon as possible. Dont leave anything to chance

cruiserweight

Team has been announced

15: Girvan Dempsey
14: Luke Fitzgerald
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Felipe Contepomi
11: Rob Kearney
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Chris Whitaker

1: Ollie le Roux
2: Bernard Jackman
3: Stan Wright
4: Leo Cullen
5: Trevor Hogan
6: Stephen Keogh
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS FROM: Brian Blaney, Stephen Knoop, Malcolm O’Kelly, Cameron Jowitt, Keith Gleeson, Chris Keane, Christian Warner, Michael Berne, Gary Brown

toomevara

BOD in! Surprised...but has a lovely balanced look to it.

hoppo254

Ive been very impressed with Sexton this season , very cool under pressure. Gives a great option of Felipe moving to centre to cover Darcy while injured.

Also Fitzgerald did very well in the position against Munster

[Jackass]

Horgan is "Ill" aperantly, so has been dropped from the squad altogether. Also seems Cheika is looking at options for next season with Keogh at 6 and Hogan in too.

Looking forward to this one. Welcome back BO'D!

Phaetonman

****ing Setanta are showing the big match between Connacht and Dragons instead of this. Another jaunt to the pub then it is.

barnesd

Phaetonman wrote: »

****ing Setanta are showing the big match between Connacht and Dragons instead of this. Another jaunt to the pub then it is.

If you don't mind waiting they're showing delayed coverage of Leinster, starting right after that match.

dc69

Phaetonman wrote: »

****ing Setanta are showing the big match between Connacht and Dragons instead of this. Another jaunt to the pub then it is.

Just to tell people that it is on setanta 2,if they have it.

Also has anyone noticed that bbc wales/scotland and the welsh channel S4C show the magners league,surely rte should show it aswell.

[Jackass]

I know it's stupid.

I remember a while back they shunted Connacht Vs Leinster (Full Interpro game) onto Setanta 2 in favour of Ulster Vs LLanelli and the following night didn't show the Cardiff Vs Munster game live at all, as Cavan Vs Dublin GAA Football League game was on and they only had delayed coverage after, which is a bit stupid I thought.

I do think Setanta seems in general to lean towards Ulster as a favourite provence for some reason, I think they get Setanta Ireland ahead of Munster tomorrow.

But I do think at this stage of the season, seeing as Leinster may win the title on Friday night (unofficially, as a bonus point win would mean the only way we could lose the title would be if we lost all our remaining games without a bonus point and Munster win all their remaining games with a bonus point and also for them to have a better points differnce than us - basically an unlikely scenario) it should be the main game.

They should try and use their common sense really when picking which games are shown on which channell as the majority only have Setanta Ireland.

€-vox all teh way!

cgarvey

Setanta Ireland is a free/teaser channel. Setanta just want to entice you to sign up to their subscription service. It's only natural that they don't show all their cards for free (why would they?). If you wants the actions you gotta pays the price!

Podge_irl

Setanta Ireland is free to a large majority of the Leinster fanbase, so it is not unreasonably that they shift Leinster games to the other Setanta chanels in an effort to get people to suscribe. I don't like it, but it makes business sense for them.

Also, if Leinster get a bonus point win in Edinburgh then the title is theirs as the first deciding criterium is number of wins and Leinster have an unassailable lead there (and the most Munster can do is draw along with Leinster on points if they get a bonus point win), so a 5 point win will seal it for Leinster.

[Jackass]

Ah fair point actually, you're right. For some reason I thought Munster would finish on the same amount of games won in that scenario, but they'd only manage 12.

wixfjord

Id be of the opinion that this game is nearly as big as the munster game. A win here over an okay edinburgh side (and one that holds an indian sign over us) would show a bit of maturity in a leinster side known for its lack same. It would also all but wrap up the magners and give the team a lot to take forward. A couple of signings and Leinster could be serious contenders for HC next season. I must say Ive been impressed by the likes of sexton wright le roux and whitaker lately, players who would have been percieved weak links have stepped up and imo these players deserve a magners league medal as much of not more than the likes of bod horgan etc. As i said big game in Leinsters professional history imo anyone else feel this way?

remus808

hoppo254 wrote: »

Ive been very impressed with Sexton this season , very cool under pressure. Gives a great option of Felipe moving to centre to cover Darcy while injured.

Also Fitzgerald did very well in the position against Munster

Tbh I'd have Sexton and Felipe at 10 and 12 before Felipe and D'arcy at 10 and 12.. Has worked much better.

Would've liked to see Fitzgerald getting more game-time at 13, but with Felipe Darce and BOD around, probably wont get any proper time there for another season or two, if ever.

Also: LEO CULLEN CAPTAIN.....controversial!

RuggieBear

awful game so far.

juvenal

Final Edinburgh 15 Leinster 13

Contepomi hit the left post with a 35m penalty which was last kick of the game.

bleg

15-13 full time contepomi misses a last minute penaly

RuggieBear

didn't deserve to win. we were so ****.

juvenal

Poor game alright;

On a brighter note, a great win for Connacht in Rodney Parade;

Dragons 11 Connacht 13

Stev_o

I know Godmann was terrible last year for Scotland but why god is he not their 1st or 2nd choice now? He's the best man available to them at the moment

RuggieBear

think all the wet weather games have disguised how poorly our backs have been playing recently. They looked utterly inept at times this evening.Crying out for Gaffney to spruce it up a little.

Better win the ****ing thing next week now.

Stev_o

RuggieBear wrote: »

think all the wet weather games have disguised how poorly our backs have been playing recently. They looked utterly inept at times this evening.Crying out for Gaffney to spruce it up a little.

Better win the ****ing thing next week now.

Aye their mental toughness also looks fairly poor under a aggressive defence such as Edinburghs how many times were passes miss aimed because the defence was running up making hits. I mean in the first half Edinburgh gained ground in defence on a number of occasions

Stev_o

Watching the late version of Setanta and yet again BOD is out done by De Luca man he must hate him

Funkstard

The booing from the Edinburgh fans for Contempomi's kick was disgraceful. Also, why were Leinster wearing alternative jerseys and not Edinburgh?

Podge_irl

Well that was crap.

rockman15

Leinster Goals For Next Year: Win Heineken Cup....Win in F**KING MURRAYFIELD

its not as if they are playing toulouse or london irish here

Diamondmaker

It does alow us wrap it up at home though.

We would expect to beat the Dragons at home any given Sunday...

The earlier KO means I can stay up and watch it too a bit easier

One interesting thing this season about Leinster is that we have scored a lot less tries. Last season and most seasons previous we topped the BP stakes up at 9-11 over the years, always the Scarlets similar.

Whereas this year we are at 5 BPs and 2 o them are losing, Scarlets again are on 10 but even further off the pace.

Seems the sexy Leinster of old policy of "you score and we will score more" has proven flawed, all be it as enjoyable as it was! However the more mature, controlled and god forbid I say it, *Munster influenced strangling of games, has already yielded an actual ( touch wood ) result !

* On an aside how come so many Munster fans referred to the Leinsyter game as a poor game, when Munster win games this was it is Mighty, awesome, controlled and stragling. When thye loseto this game plan it is a poor game:rolleyes:

anonymous_joe

Because when Munster win we tell them it was boring too.

Swings and roundabouts.

Anyway, was an awful performance, other than a few brief periods. It didn't really deserve a result, but it would have been nice.

bren2002

There is a part of me that is kind of glad we didn't win tonight (am I about to get flamed!?) I'm quite looking forward to winning the league at home against the Dragons. There'll be a cracking atmosphere in the RDS for it and I think it might have been diluted if we'd already won.

dc69

I was nearly brought to tears at the state of our running game.I always loved the fact that we played lovely running rugby and I loved the mentality,you can score but we will score more lol

It was a disgrace tonight.Contepomi realy is a very selfish player,I know he can be a genius and is not solely to blame but it pisses me off that he is so reluctant to pass.

tonight it was like the fowards worked together and the backs were like individuals,no team mentality.

Diamondmaker

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Because when Munster win we tell them it was boring too.

Oh I agree with you but the thig is it is not the brand of rugby Leinster fans have grown to love so we tend to call the Mnster game boring, however wheninflicted agianst the Munster fans who "love" this type of game the game was boring....

If Munster had hammered us by amazing back play and 60m back line breaks do yuo think a single Leinster fan would have the audcity to say it was a poor game.....any way...just cos a few of my Munster mates at home are communicating this attitude to me...

I also agree that the RDS game next week will be a proper tense event now, knowing that going to Wales needing a result, would be serious high pressure and by no means a fore gone conclusion.
The tension should and will add to the atmos and if we win, should certainly release to make for a good day.
I always expected us to win something the season I was away...better to have won and missed the day than not at all I suppose...:rolleyes:

At least my Da is enjoying the free ride on my tickets....:pac:

Podge_irl

Diamondmaker wrote: »

I also agree that the RDS game next week will be a proper tense event now, knowing that going to Wales needing a result, would be serious high pressure and by no means a fore gone conclusion.

I haven't checked yet so I could be talking crap, but is there a chance that we could wrap it up before the Dragons game due to other results? That would be mildly anticlimactic.

Scottie99

Funkstard wrote: »

The booing from the Edinburgh fans for Contempomi's kick was disgraceful. Also, why were Leinster wearing alternative jerseys and not Edinburgh?

I think most fans would boo if it was the last kick of the game to win a match!

Zzippy

Funkstard wrote: »

The booing from the Edinburgh fans for Contempomi's kick was disgraceful.

Agreed

Also, why were Leinster wearing alternative jerseys and not Edinburgh?

Umm, they were the away team?

John_C

Podge_irl wrote: »

I haven't checked yet so I could be talking crap, but is there a chance that we could wrap it up before the Dragons game due to other results? That would be mildly anticlimactic.

One of the lads in the pub last night said that if Munster loose with no bonus point and Cardiff loose with or without one, Leinster have won the title.

Stev_o

Scottie99 wrote: »

I think most fans would boo if it was the last kick of the game to win a match!

I think it was more to do with the reason the penalty was given, Nigel Owens got it wrong saying it was turned over illegally when it clearly wasnt and the Edinburgh fans thought they were being screwed over.

The Mighty Ken

Funkstard wrote: »

Also, why were Leinster wearing alternative jerseys and not Edinburgh?

ROFLMFAO.

[Jackass]

Shocking game, was really disapointed with how much we tried to froce the game out wide. O'Driscoll didn't look fit and was very rusty.

Sexton had a good game, but why oh why oh why did it take an Edinburgh try late on to wake us up, then when we got one back, why did we not take the drop goal option when we had about three or four phases of possesion on the Edinburgh 22 in front of the posts, before losing the ball, getting it back and missing a peno :rolleyes:

I'm not too freaked about the league, I still think we're in great shape, 2 shots at the Dragons to win a game, no bonus required and still depends on how other results go if we can even still be caught, so there's still no real pressure on us, but I think after our run of form we should really have concentrated on wrapping up the last 3 games with wins, put the Edinburgh hex to bed after what it did to us this season and carry our form into next season and be in better shape.

Just a shame to see us lose our concentration in the game as we started the way we finsihed against Munster and ate them alive up front, but just let our controll slip.

Roll on Dragons in 2 weeks

[Edit] Speaking of other results. O'Connell withdrawn from Munster team prior to kick off in Ospreys game due to leg injury. Precationary only apperantly. O'Callaghan steps in off bench, O'Driscoll takes captain role. Nothing too serious by the sounds of it.

Podge_irl

If Leinster get Edinburgh in the HEC again next year I may cry.

themont85

Zzippy wrote: »

Umm, they were the away team?

The Mighty Ken wrote: »

ROFLMFAO.

Eh I think he's asking the question because in rugby traditionally the home team wears their away strip if there is a clash and the away their normal one unlike in soccer, jesus folks we all must be new found rugby supporters if we didn't know that;)

I don't know why Leinster were in their alternate. Maybe they've decided to chuck the tradition and go more like soccer. Same with coming onto the pitch together at the world cup, a bit to much like soccer if you ask me.

Diamondmaker

themont85 wrote: »

Eh I think he's asking the question because in rugby traditionally the home team wears their away strip if there is a clash and the away their normal one unlike in soccer, jesus folks we all must be new found rugby supporters if we didn't know that;)

I don't know why Leinster were in their alternate. QUOTE]

I would not be surprised if Edinburgh forced is into the away to gain some form of subtle edge, thye really are a bogey team righdown the penalt hitting the post from a kick Phil had been slotting all year....