[Match Thread] Leinster v Edinburgh 7.30

zAbbo · 12-09-2008 10:16am #1

First home game of the season for Leinster, and ticket sales around the 13,000 mark - a good turnout is expected

Coverage is on Setanta Sports (not Setanta Ireland) from 7pm

Leinster: Dempsey; Fitzgerald, O'Driscoll, Contepomi, Kearney; Sexton, Whitaker; McCormack, Jackman, Wright, Hogan, O'Kelly, Jowitt, Jennings, Heaslip.
Replacements: Healy, Fogarty, Toner, O'Brien, Keane, Horgan, Nacewa.

Edinburgh: Hugo Southwell; Mark Robertson, Calum MacRae, Nick De Luca, Chris Paterson, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain); Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Craig Hamilton, Ben Gissing, Matt Mustchin, Allister Hogg, Scott Newlands.
Replacements: Steve Lawrie, Gavin Kerr, Steve Turnbull, Andrew Kelly, Greig Laidlaw, David Blair, Andrew Turnbull.

Previews:
BBC
Irish Times
Scotsman

Yes Edinburgh are the bogey team, but injuries have meant a second string back row with Hogg switching to open side, which should see Jowitt, Jennings and Heaslip perform better than last week.

The backline has been rejigged, with Girv coming in at FB, and Fitzgerald and Kearney on the wings, such is the competition for places than Horgan and Nacewa make the bench.

Other changes see the return of Stan Wright, with McCormack switching sides of the scrum, and Trevor Horgan coming in at lock.

Looking forward to this myself, weather should hold up and the backline should see more ball than against Cardiff, so I predict a Leinster win, but you never know with Edinburgh...

Hansel · 12-09-2008 11:13am

I predict that you will hammer them this evening, thus causing much confidence going into the Heineken Cup fixtures, only to lose to them yet again.
Seriously though, Leinster should put Edinburgh away and be looking at a bonus point win. Edinburgh are short quite a few players, and were awful last week. If it weren't for rustiness in Munster, we'd have beaten them out the gate.

Sparky14 · 12-09-2008 4:51pm

Always hate to see Jowitt starting, I know hes only keeping place warm for elsom, just think hes such a limited player. Even so i'd expect a 10 point winning margin for Leinster.

[Jackass] · 12-09-2008 4:57pm

Sparky14 wrote: »

Always hate to see Jowitt starting, I know hes only keeping place warm for elsom, just think hes such a limited player. Even so i'd expect a 10 point winning margin for Leinster.

I'd more or less go along with that. No doubt O'Brien should be starting these games, realisticly, Jowitt has no future at the province and will never be anything more than a squad player.

Realisticly we should be getting a bonus point against these guys at home, but given the time of season I'd be happy to get the win by more than 7.

I think we've only lost once in 3 years at RDS (although it was only our fulltime ground from last season) so I'd like to see that continue.

ironingbored · 12-09-2008 6:20pm

Is this being streamed at all online?

Inquitus · 12-09-2008 6:24pm

Bookies have Leinster -10 and tbh thats about par mark for Leinster - win by 10 or more, well played, less than 10......more of a Cardiff like performance.

Inquitus · 12-09-2008 6:53pm

6-6

20

ironingbored · 12-09-2008 7:50pm

26-6 Two fitzgerald tries

Inquitus · 12-09-2008 7:55pm

I think it's a case of how ****e Edinburgh have been rather than anything stellar from Leinster, stronger tests ahead will let us know more about Leinster, but then the arrival of CJ, Elsom and the return of Cullen one would hope will make a huge difference.

Leinster are a side who really punish weakness, and that can lead one to read too much into some results imo.

ironingbored · 12-09-2008 8:04pm

40-6 Fitzgerald hatrick

[Jackass] · 12-09-2008 8:54pm

Just back from the game. It finished 52 - 6.

Good result. Some things still to work on from a Leinster perspective, but 3 important goals were achieved tonight.

1. Get the win
2. Get the bonus point.
3. Really drill Edinburgh into the ground and have them thinking about the HEC return leg on the bus home and wonder, do we have an alternative game plan that can overhall a 50 point difference.

I could nit pick on one or two things we didn't do right tonight and I could nit pick on the opposition, but truth being told, Edinburgh have emerged as a good team in recent years under Andy Robinson, beating the likes of Leicester and Leinster in HEC and unlucky not to beat Tolouse, yet they were well and truly pummelled tonight.

They can play better than that, and there were some individual errors on their part, but the most significant thing was how they weren't allowed play in the Leinster half and clinical we were on punishing them for everything they did do.

Also thought the ref ws poor and Fitzgerald just proves again he is not a man that can be left out of that team, not since the emergence of O'Driscoll has a player so young made such a massive impact.

RuggieBear · 12-09-2008 9:09pm

thought ref was poor too. let too much cynical infringing occur.

don't think leinster played that well tbh. we were gifted a number of tries.

toomevara · 12-09-2008 9:24pm

Nice win for Leinster, some lovely flowing rugby, but degenerated into a a training run in the second...a weakened edinburgh team, exceptionally frail defensively with no obvious cohesion or pattern...imo, scoreline flattered to deceive a smidgeon...

RuggieBear · 12-09-2008 9:31pm

nacewa was very lucky not to seriously injure one of the scots with that spear tackle. no need for it.

zAbbo · 12-09-2008 9:41pm

Sparky14 wrote: »

Always hate to see Jowitt starting, I know hes only keeping place warm for elsom, just think hes such a limited player. Even so i'd expect a 10 point winning margin for Leinster.

Word is he's really been putting in the effort in the pre-season, and I thought he was OK tonight, in fairness he has one of the best blindsides in front of him once Rocky lands, and a player like Jowitt is important to the squad.

I don't "hate" to see any player line out for Leinster, I'll cheer them on regardless. We have competition is the backs, and we'll have that competition in the back row once Elsom arrives.

RuggieBear wrote: »

nacewa was very lucky not to seriously injure one of the scots with that spear tackle. no need for it.

Yup, when I saw it live I thought he drilled him downwards, the replay confirmed it.

On a positive note, and it may be because I'm well oiled, but I thought that 14,500 bums on seats is very good for an opening night, and the pre-match build up was very good.

Again Big Mal looks to be continuing his Indian Summer.

Stev_o · 12-09-2008 10:13pm

Ref's Scottish isnt he?? They just have in and out brutal ref's.

Jackz · 12-09-2008 10:44pm

^Welsh I thought I read somewhere.

Luke's first try was fantastic to watch on the line of the passing and a great finish.

BOD's tackling was a bit ropey at times.

I was pleased they didn't concede one at the end.

??? · 13-09-2008 12:16am

Anyone no where I might find a video of the match? Damn work!!!

Jilm · 13-09-2008 1:54am

??? wrote: »

Anyone no where I might find a video of the match? Damn work!!!

It should be repeated at some point on Setanta Ireland if you have it.

JWAD · 13-09-2008 8:26am

RuggieBear wrote: »

nacewa was very lucky not to seriously injure one of the scots with that spear tackle. no need for it.

Should have gone to the bin for that. Good player. No David Holwell but his versatility makes him valuable for when the intl season is in full swing.

There is some hot competition for the backline on the national squad at the moment. Horgan played well too when he came onfield. Girv safe as ever and links in the line expertly. Fitz and Kearney red-hot. O'Driscoll is definitely up for it this season and when inside centre he adds the dimension of a second opensider. When he slips outside, he takes the pressure off the inside channel as opposition dedicates a lot of attention to him.

I feel the criticisms of Jowitt are way OTT. He's a defensive blindside. Puts the tackles in, tidies rucks and wins lineout ball. He's not there as a link. He is vital as cover.
Still think Gleeson is sorely missed at the breakdown. Not impressed with Jennings deckplay.
There are still two Irish props less than required starting in the Magners League. Not good.

On another note and over in Ulster, Rory Best playing very well in the two games I've seen him in. Would edge out Jackman for hooker or bench hooker at the moment.

toomevara · 13-09-2008 8:31am

JWAD wrote: »

I feel the criticisms of Jowitt are way OTT. He's a defensive blindside. Puts the tackles in, tidies rucks and wins lineout ball. He's not there as a link. He is vital as cover.

+1, totally unfair and unrealistic criticism...his biggest sin is he's unflashy and unshowy, performs a vital and unsung role (often thanklessly) for Leinster. I've been consistently impressed with him...

NotWormBoy · 13-09-2008 9:38am

RuggieBear wrote: »

nacewa was very lucky not to seriously injure one of the scots with that spear tackle. no need for it.

When I saw it live I though "dodgy but maybe he didn't mean it" - I left my glasses at home - I haven't seen a replay of it though... Was it that bad?

madds · 13-09-2008 9:56am

NotWormBoy wrote: »

When I saw it live I though "dodgy but maybe he didn't mean it" - I left my glasses at home - I haven't seen a replay of it though... Was it that bad?

Watched it on Setanta late last night and it didn't look great tbh. Reggie in commentary said that it was a SH trait to try and turn the man in the tackle. Didn't see any Edinburgh players remonstrate with the ref or have a go at Nacewa which is normally a good indication that there was no malice intended.

Wasn't impressed with his kicking - he mis-judged a number of his up and unders, but his tackling and passing were top notch. Felt that Contepomi was under-used in the first half which I hope is not going to become the norm.

Really looking fwd to the Munster match now. There sure will be some competition for places when Darcy is fit again.

Stev_o · 13-09-2008 12:01pm

Does Reggie's commentary annoying the hell out of anyone here? I mean god if your going to be a commentator try and be neutral not 100% biased and talk complete BS wrecks my head.

??? · 13-09-2008 12:13pm

Jilm wrote: »

It should be repeated at some point on Setanta Ireland if you have it.

Nope. Any other ideas???

[Jackass] · 13-09-2008 2:20pm

Stev_o wrote: »

Does Reggie's commentary annoying the hell out of anyone here? I mean god if your going to be a commentator try and be neutral not 100% biased and talk complete BS wrecks my head.

Not at all, I like it

But it's the same for Munster, commentary is completely biased, you probably just notice it as much if you're a Munster fan.

Although I was reading an Edinburgh forum yesterday, I sometimes forget Setanta isn't an Irish channel and that they have to watch it too, and they were disgusted with Reggie and the build up it was so one sided (only talk of Edinburgh was what are Leinster going to do with them)

Stev_o · 13-09-2008 2:24pm

[Jackass] wrote: »

Not at all, I like it

But it's the same for Munster, commentary is completely biased, you probably just notice it as much if you're a Munster fan.

Although I was reading an Edinburgh forum yesterday, I sometimes forget Setanta isn't an Irish channel and that they have to watch it too, and they were disgusted with Reggie and the build up it was so one sided (only talk of Edinburgh was what are Leinster going to do with them)

No im not =/ Like take example the Cardiff commentary were the 2nd commentator (havent got a clue who his name is) was completely neutral and pointing out both sides mistakes and what they should do to change the game etc I just hate hearing commentary thats just so one sided and is complete BS half the time.

wixfjord · 13-09-2008 2:59pm

I agree. Also forgot that its broadcast to scotland! If I was an edinburgh fan id be pretty pissed off. Even the s4c coverage before games (cant tell you about during games i dont speak welsh

) has lots of interviews and things on the other team. Setanta is a joke imo. Some of the worst ive heard is the guy on rte1 when munster are playing. Cant rem the name. Even against an irish team and especially leinster, he is very very biased! Does my head in.
Back ot good win for leinster tonight. Still a lot to do though edinbrgh away will be a very different kettle of fish. Im hoping for a big season tho /tempting fate

suppafly · 13-09-2008 3:35pm

wixfjord wrote: »

Back ot good win for leinster tonight. Still a lot to do though edinbrgh away will be a very different kettle of fish. Im hoping for a big season tho /tempting fate

I din't think it should be really. I really don't like how leinster fans keep going on about edinburgh. They r not a very good side and ye should not have much problems finishing them off up there too.

Crash · 13-09-2008 4:07pm

The reason we keep going on about them is because there has never really been a reason that we SHOULDNT put them away up there. Doesnt mean it still doesnt cause us problems! :P

John_C · 13-09-2008 4:09pm

suppafly wrote: »

I din't think it should be really. I really don't like how leinster fans keep going on about edinburgh. They r not a very good side and ye should not have much problems finishing them off up there too.

They finished 4th in the League last year and beat both Leinster and Leicester in europe. They're not brilliant but they're not cannon fodder for the bigger teams either.

Inquitus · 13-09-2008 5:18pm

John_C wrote: »

They finished 4th in the League last year and beat both Leinster and Leicester in europe. They're not brilliant but they're not cannon fodder for the bigger teams either.

Aye but they have no strength in depth and are ravaged by injuries atm, so they are cannon fodder for the big teams in their current state.

[Jackass] · 13-09-2008 5:20pm

And they were also unlucky not to beat Tolouse in Edinburgh last season, and held on to run the defending European Champions to within 5 there last weekend.

Absolutely agree under Robinson, Edinburgh are a decent team. If they had managed to hold on for the win over Tolouse in Edinburgh last season they would have finished in a pool of Leinster, Leicester and Tolouse level on points with everyone. Not many teams in Europe could get that close against that opposition.

Agree with you though Inquitus, they only made one change to their team for the Leinster game from the Munster game, but they have a serious amount of players out at the moment.