Leinster V Edinburgh. 25th Jan. 13:00

toomevara

Just seen the Edinburgh squad. No Blair, Cairns or Southwell. All being rested. Omission of Blair in particular inexplicable...Don't know what Robinson is playing at but it can only be good for Leinster.

Noopti

He said it is partly down to national team interests, resting Blair anyway. He did the same last year I think also.

He is not going to risk the Scotland captain getting injured in a game that has no consequences for Edinburgh, but for which the opposing team will surely come out guns blazing (in theory )

RuggieBear

we're doomed.:(

Noopti

RuggieBear wrote: »

If Nacewa starts at 10, we're doomed.:(

You seem to have ommitted the beginning of your sentence!

Paulw

I think Leinster certainly have the team and ability to do the job. They also very much want to do it.

But, they need to up their game, and start playing to their strengths and abilities.

I'm not giving up hope .... yet.

Noopti

Paulw wrote: »

I think Leinster certainly have the team and ability to do the job. They also very much want to do it.

But, they need to up their game, and start playing to their strengths and abilities.

I'm not giving up hope .... yet.

Neither am I, but you always have that niggling feeling of doubt with Leinster. I still think they will trash Edinburgh though. They will get the bonus point and the victory.

It also wouldn't surprise me to see BOD playing the game of his life and resulting in people calling for him to retain the Irish captaincy!

Paulw

Noopti wrote: »

It also wouldn't surprise me to see BOD playing the game of his life and resulting in people calling for him to retain the Irish captaincy!

That's the thing. They have the ability to do just that, and even run away with the game.

Noopti

Paulw wrote: »

That's the thing. They have the ability to do just that, and even run away with the game.

That true, but then play someone like Calvisano and lose. :P

bamboozle

Noopti wrote: »

You seem to have ommitted the beginning of your sentence!

in fairness why play nacewa at ten if you're going to instruct him to kick the ball, he's a running outhalf, not a kicker, if you want an outhalf to hoof the ball pick sexton, at least if you select nacewa play to his strenghts which would be to get a back line running....

Noopti

bamboozle wrote: »

in fairness why play nacewa at ten if you're going to instruct him to kick the ball, he's a running outhalf, not a kicker, if you want an outhalf to hoof the ball pick sexton, at least if you select nacewa play to his strenghts which would be to get a back line running....

That would only work though with a quicker SH. Whitaker is too slow to get the backline running, so Leinster are better off playing deeper with a kicking outhalf when Whitaker is no 9.

Amazotheamazing

Leinster will walk this game, bonus point victory and the hype will start all over again.

toomevara

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Leinster will walk this game, bonus point victory and the hype will start all over again.

Simply cannot see Leinster loosing this one. Hope to see a tight, solid performance and leave the bonus point to sort itself out. A sound win at the RDS will do wonders.

mickyt

Alot of pessimistic folks in here today as always good to see. Personally I believe that although they know they are pretty poor lately.. (was at the wasps game) I do think that they will pull it out of the big at the weekend. I will be cheering them on as always hoping that some magic clicks and we trounce them.

Certainly the Scots team doesn't look any great shakes. I believe there is a few debuts there to. so lets put it to them early on and we should be ok.

RugbyFanatic

I just know were going to see more or less the same team. I have lost any faith in Cheikas team selecting ability.

I am not even going to select a team I want to see because it simply wont happen.

And I also have a funny feeling things are going to go horribly wrong (But then again I had vey good feelings about Ireland vs NZ and Leinster vs Wasps!)

Podge_irl

The Leinster team to face Edinburgh in Sunday's Heineken Cup Pool 2 clash at the RDS (KO: 1pm) has been named...Match Approaches Sell Out...
Visit this link for exclusive previews from Leinster TV with Rob Kearney and Shane Jennings:

Bank of Ireland Leinster Player of the Month Rob Kearney is named in a backline that shows no changes from the side that started in Twickenham last weekend. In the pack, Trevor Hogan partners Devin Toner in the second row, with Cian Healy starting at prop.

Over 17,000 tickets have now been sold for Leinster’s final Heineken Cup pool clash against Edinburgh this Sunday. Tickets are on sale on www.leinsterrugby.ie and from the usual outlets in Donnybrook and can also be purchased from Ticketmaster outlets Nationwide.

Supporters are advised to take public transport due to a number of other events taking place at the RDS. There will be a 'Family Day' from 11.30am on Sunday which will include the Canterbury Roadshow, bouncing castle and face-painting. There will also be a live performance by the Harrington brothers of ‘Molly Malone 2009’ prior to kick off.

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Felipe Contepomi
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Isa Nacewa
9: Chris Whitaker CAPTAIN

1: Cian Healy
2: Bernard Jackman
3: Stan Wright
4: Trevor Hogan
5: Devin Toner
6: Rocky Elsom
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: John Fogarty
17: Ollie le Roux
18: Stephen Keogh
19: Sean O’Brien
20: Chris Keane
21: Gordon D’Arcy
22: Girvan Dempsey

What exactly is it that Cheika sees in Nacewa at 10 that the rest of the world fails to see?

Snickers Man

A point to note is that if Leinster don't get a bonus point and Wasps do they're out. And Wasps must know that if they do get a bonus point then they will almost certainly qualify as one of the top two runners up, even if Leinster get a bonus point.

There are only two other groups in which a runner up has the mathematical possibility of getting 21 or more points, and in one case (the group with Bath and Toulouse) it would require Bath to earn two bonus points while losing. That is so rare as to be almost discountable.

Even 20 pts might just be enough to finish as one of the best runners up but that gets a bit more dodgy. There are three other groups where that good happen and it's not so mathematically unlikely.

But you can be sure Wasps will be giving it their all for the bonus point as they will have everything to play for.

Podge_irl

Snickers Man wrote: »

A point to note is that if Leinster don't get a bonus point and Wasps do they're out.

As you say, it might be possible to qualify on 20 points, though somewhat unlikely. Thankfully its a weakened Edinburgh team, but then again its still ****ing Edinburgh.

anonymous_joe

Hmmm.

I hope we've broken the Edinburgh duck, I really do. Let's just hope for a professional performance.

Noopti

Nacewa at 10. ffs :mad:

I really rate Nacewa, but not as 10. Put him on the wing.

Climate Expert

Bat **** crazy prediction time!!!

Leinster to top the group AND get a home QF.

yogidc26

Noopti wrote: »

Nacewa at 10. ffs :mad:

I really rate Nacewa, but not as 10. Put him on the wing.

+1

Why o why is D’Arcy not starting you could put him at 14 and drop Horgan
he was crap last weekend

Noopti

yogidc26 wrote: »

+1

Why o why is D’Arcy not starting you could put him at 14 and drop Horgan
he was crap last weekend

Exactly, put D'Arcy and Nacewa on the wings, Fitz and BOD in the centre and Contempomi at 10.


And retire Whitaker... :P

Noopti

Noopti wrote: »

Exactly, put D'Arcy and Nacewa on the wings, Fitz and BOD in the centre and Contempomi at 10.


And retire Whitaker... :P

Reverse Fitz and Darcy and you're onto a winner

Noopti

Deleted User wrote: »

Reverse Fitz and Darcy and you're onto a winner

Yeah, good point. See Fitz developing more as a wing as centre

bamboozle

fitz doesnt have it to be a quality 12, at 13 he would be good, but unfortunately a 12 these days needs to have good hands, a good boot and be able to break the gain line, fitz's passing has really let him down recently in the centre, whereas on the wing he was magical last weekend.
we need to give D'arcy time before putting him back into centre.

also if we need 4 try's nacewa and felipe are what's needed at 10 & 12.

Podge_irl

bamboozle wrote: »

also if we need 4 try's nacewa and felipe are what's needed at 10 & 12.

That would be 4 more tries then we've scored in the last two games with them playing in those positions.

Stev_o

Edinburgh should be for the taking with no Blair, Cairns or Southwell but that said they could really raise their performance and Leinster back is weak.

sock puppet

Snickers Man wrote: »

A point to note is that if Leinster don't get a bonus point and Wasps do they're out. And Wasps must know that if they do get a bonus point then they will almost certainly qualify as one of the top two runners up, even if Leinster get a bonus point.

There are only two other groups in which a runner up has the mathematical possibility of getting 21 or more points, and in one case (the group with Bath and Toulouse) it would require Bath to earn two bonus points while losing. That is so rare as to be almost discountable.

Even 20 pts might just be enough to finish as one of the best runners up but that gets a bit more dodgy. There are three other groups where that good happen and it's not so mathematically unlikely.

But you can be sure Wasps will be giving it their all for the bonus point as they will have everything to play for.

True but I just can't see Wasps getting a bonus point win. They're still not in the best form. A win should be enough.

[Jackass]

Based Cheikas recent selction policy and logic, I would like to see:

1. Bernard Jackman
2. Gordon D'Arcy
3. Chris Whitaker
4. Brian O'Driscoll
5. Alan Gaffney
6. Simon Keogh
7. Girvan Dempsey
8. Chris Keane

9. Ollie Le Roux
10. Isa Nacewa
11. Trevor Hogan
12. Cian Healy
13. Devon Toner
14. Shane Jennings
15. Rob Kearney (cause only a fool would play him anywhere other than 15.) :cool:

DonkeyPokerTour

[Jackass] wrote: »

Based Cheikas recent selction policy and logic, I would like to see:

9. Ollie Le Roux

I think this may be an improvement over Whitaker!

Diamondmaker

Ok the usual......any good streams up for this later ?

Ill probably just resubscribe to Setanta unless there is likley to be a very very good stream.

Any ideas ?

thanks all, it ll be a late one for me, go Leinster !

doh. yeah I forgot Setanta dont show the ERC !

phog

What sort of team have Castres out against Wasps? Edinburgh have done a favour to Leinster by naming a less than 1st choice team, Wasps can't be too happy, I've no great sympathy as you should win your own games and depend on others to do the business for you.

ktulu123

Does anyone know if the castre v wasps game is being broadcast anywhere?

remus808

phog wrote: »

What sort of team have Castres out against Wasps? Edinburgh have done a favour to Leinster by naming a less than 1st choice team, Wasps can't be too happy, I've no great sympathy as you should win your own games and depend on others to do the business for you.

Castres have very close to their full-strength team out I believe. Masoe (great player), Nallet and Tillous-Borde are all starting.

Mind you, the game is in doubt due to weather conditions.

[Jackass]

Have been looking at the most likely sequence of events today to predict the Quaters, and this is what I came up with. (makes for interesting reading.)

Games still to be played: (for potential qualifiers)

Munster v Montauban - Munster (no bonus)
Leinster v Edinburgh - Leinster (bonus point)
Wasps v Castres - Wasps (bonus point)
Bath v Tolouse - Bath (no bonus)

This would leave the group ranking as:
Cardiff 27
Bath 23
Munster 22
Harlequins 22
Leicester 21
Leinster 21
Wasps 21
Ospreys 20

Which would lead to a quarter final of:
Cardiff v Ospreys
Bath v Wasps
Munster v Leinster
Harlequins v Leicester

I think it's on...those to me are the most likely set of results.

HOWEVER - if Munster get a try bonus they will leap frog Bath, who will then play Leinster and Munster will play Wasps.

ALSO - If Tolouse win, the draw would be: (assuming other results come in)
Cardiff v Ospreys
Munster v Wasps
Harlequins v Leinster
Tolouse v Leicester

So for Leinster, if we do it, it would be either Bath, Harlequins or Munster away. A bonus point at home to Castres back then would mean we would get a home QF with a BP win today

For Munster, the most likely draw is either Leinster or Wasps at home.

toomevara

Webster out with back-spasm, more good news for Leinster.

yeraulone

any live feeds about?

sock puppet

Link

yeraulone

sock puppet wrote: »

Link

legend

Noopti

What are Leinster doing at the breakdown??? No support, or whatever support does arrive ends up infringing. Whitaker seems to have gotten even slower.

sock puppet

Castres have taken the lead according to the commentators:D

sock puppet

9-3 to Leinster
12-3 to Castres

DonkeyPokerTour

Anyone calling for Murphy or Dempsey to play at full back for Ireland needs to watch a repeat of the first half of this match. Rob Kearney has easily been the best player on the pitch! Absolutely Immense!

Stev_o

DonkeyPokerTour wrote: »

Anyone calling for Murphy or Dempsey to play at full back for Ireland needs to watch a repeat of the first half of this match. Rob Kearney has easily been the best player on the pitch! Absolutely Immense!

In fairness he is under no pressure to catch any of those high balls. Still he's Leinster's only attacking weapon at the moment really cutting Edinburgh to shreds in his counter attacks

Diamondmaker

excellent stream , cheers.

This is gonna be a nail bighter, Leinster may just open up...a few good signs so far but a few unfortunate errors at the death.

RugbyFanatic

Kearney has been absolutely superb. If he can keep performing like that the Lions 15 shirt is going to be his.

Luke Fitzgerald showing some amazing hands during the Kearney break he truly is a class player.

O'Driscoll's been very good despite that knock on. Made an excellent break that reminded me of the good 'ol days

Nacewa is being told to run and is playing much superior at outhalf.

Toner not having his best game though nor is Horgan


We should be two tries up if it wasn't for some simple mistakes.

But Kearney seems to be inspiring the whole team


Edit : Forgot about Heaslip hes been great.

RugbyFanatic

Stev_o wrote: »

In fairness he is under no pressure to catch any of those high balls. Still he's Leinster's only attacking weapon at the moment really cutting Edinburgh to shreds in his counter attacks

Don't even try undermine his performance. He has been world class today. No in fairness comments about it.

Stev_o

RugbyFanatic wrote: »

Don't even try undermine his performance. He has been world class today. No in fairness comments about it.

WTF? Its a observation and its clearly true its not undermining him at all he's still shredding the defence but he isnt under any pressure at all under those high balls he's being given time to think and assess. Calm the hell down man

sock puppet

Agh just barely forward. They're really failing to put Edinburgh away.

anonymous_joe

Best performance from Leinster I've seen in ages. (It would be the weekend after I spent all my money getting to London for the Wasps game. ><)

Really need to see better finishing though...

sock puppet

That's about the fifth scoring chance they haven't taken this game.