Leinster Vs. Cardiff @ the RDS, KO 6.30

WeeBushy

Teams have been announced:

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/3916.php

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: John Fogarty
3: CJ van der Linde
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Malcolm O’Kelly
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O’Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Bernard Jackman
17: Mike Ross
18: Nathan Hines
19: Stephen Keogh
20: Simon Keogh
21: Shaun Berne
22: Girvan Dempsey

CARDIFF BLUES:

15: Ben Blair
14: Richard Mustoe
13: Gareth Thomas
12: Gavin Evans
11: Chris Czekaj
10: Sam Norton Knight
9: Richie Rees

1: Darren Morris
2: Rhys Williams
3: Taufa'ao Filise
4: Deiniol Jones
5: Paul Tito CAPTAIN
6: Scott Morgan
7: Ben White
8: Xavier Rush

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Rhys James
17: Gary Powell
18: James Down
19: Josh Navidi
20: Darren Allinson
21: Ceri Sweeney
22: Dafydd James

REFEREE: James Jones (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Wilkinson (IRFU), Richard Kerr (IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Tom Tuohy (ARLB), 5th OFFICIAL: Brendan Conway (ARLB), TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

WeeBushy

I presume Kearney must be injured or unavailable...

Big match for Leinster, need to get things back on track after the performance against Ulster last week.

Podge_irl

Considering Berne is about as equally useless at fly half as Nacewa I would really much prefer to see McFadden on the bench (actually, I'd really like to see him start, but that's another issue). He looks set to be an excellent player, and Leinster can't afford to let some other team snap him up cause they're not giving him any game time. BOD is playing more games than I was expecting this season.

little173

Yeah, the irfu are treading a really fine line here with the overseas players. I think it can be judged better when we get further into the season when the larger squads are needed but I too would rather see some emerging irish players in the mix rather than average internationl ones. Munster have a similar problem with the jvd/mafi thing and where to play Earls and with Warwick the preferred 15. On BOD, I think he probably needs games now to get himself up to speed then my guess is he will used less as the season goes on for ML.

OldJay

little173 wrote: »

Yeah, the irfu are treading a really fine line here with the overseas players

There are four non-Irish qualified in a squad of 23 Leinster players there. Two starting and two on bench.
Compare that with other teams such as Cardiff who usually have more than the six in their teamsheet today or Leicester for example. I won't even point out the French or Italian teams.

Podge_irl

little173 wrote: »

Yeah, the irfu are treading a really fine line here with the overseas players.

I don't have an issue with the number of overseas players, or the concept of overseas players in general. I'd rather have Hines playing and have Wright available. My issue relates to the fact that I just think McFadden is better than Berne and needs more gametime. He excelled at the end of last season and in the CC, and it seems a bit odd that he's not even making the bench now.

ALH-06

Podge_irl wrote: »

Considering Berne is about as equally useless at fly half as Nacewa.

Yep that's right, write him off after one poor performance.

Podge_irl wrote: »

He looks set to be an excellent player, and Leinster can't afford to let some other team snap him up cause they're not giving him any game time. BOD is playing more games than I was expecting this season.

I agree with this - I'd like to see more of McFadden. But I'm sure BOD's selection came after very close consultation with Kidney and the Great One himself. He's looking razor-sharp at the moment (brilliant v Ulster) and will need to continue that form going into the AIs. Dropping him might disrupt that.

remus808

KO 6.30...........



TOMORROW.

[Jackass]

Great to see CJ starting at last!! Hopefully this is the begining of a long injury free run!!

Kearney has seen feck all rugby since the Lions, don't know what the story with him is, but hope all is good..would like to see him get a run at full back for a while and get his form back..on form I don't think I'd prefer any other player in the world at 15.

While obviously it's not great to see Jennings out, it's great to see McLoughlin and O'Brien both getting so much game time.

Other than that, agreed that I'd like to see more from McFadden, but I'd say he's happy enough...he's definitley a front line player, just has BO'D infront of him, but I think he'll be happy with the amount of game time he's getting at the moment.

premierstone

Justind wrote: »

There are four non-Irish qualified in a squad of 23 Leinster players there. Two starting and two on bench.
Compare that with other teams such as Cardiff who usually have more than the six in their teamsheet today or Leicester for example. I won't even point out the French or Italian teams.

While I agree with you Justind that 4 is by no means excessive, its not really comparing like with like when using english or french teams as a comparison, considering Ireland only has three/four elite teams to share out all their homegrown talent whereas England and France have 14 teams in their elite competitons

RugbyFanatic

premierstone wrote: »

While I agree with you Justind that 4 is by no means excessive, its not really comparing like with like when using english or french teams as a comparison, considering Ireland only has three/four elite teams to share out all their homegrown talent whereas England and France have 14 teams in their elite competitons

Heres the break down generally of NIQ in teams starting 23

Munster (6)
Ulster (5)
Connacht (4)
Leinster (4)

I really dont think thats an awful lot really. 17-19 of the 23 are Irish

WeeBushy

ALH-06 wrote: »

Yep that's right, write him off after one poor performance.

Not one performance, he's been useless in every game he's played this season.

Podge_irl

ALH-06 wrote: »

Yep that's right, write him off after one poor performance.

He's had two poor performances at fly half and in neither did he show any indication that he is capable of playing there. He's a decent 12, but he's no better at fly half than Nacewa and isn't worth the bench spot to cover there.

Other than that, agreed that I'd like to see more from McFadden, but I'd say he's happy enough...he's definitley a front line player, just has BO'D infront of him, but I think he'll be happy with the amount of game time he's getting at the moment.

Really? He's basically dropped out of the 22 since the Lions came back. I don't see how he could be happy with that.

WeeBushy

Podge_irl wrote: »

He's had two poor performances at fly half and in neither did he show any indication that he is capable of playing there. He's a decent 12, but he's no better at fly half than Nacewa and isn't worth the bench spot to cover there.

I thought he was pretty useless in his three performances in the centre as well. He was signed as out half cover (with the added bonus of being able to play centre) so its very disappointing how he's turned out so far. I agree, dunno why he's on the bench.

McFadden for outhalf possibly? Good kicking, passing, awareness...

Gelio

ALH-06 wrote: »

Yep that's right, write him off after one poor performance.

But he deserves to be written off. He's not a 10 and I can't understand why MC keeps trying to play him there. We've finally got an Irish top quality 10 and we're not starting him

Podge_irl

WeeBushy wrote: »

McFadden for outhalf possibly? Good kicking, passing, awareness...

I've heard that mooted before, but I don't know. I'd be comfortable enough with both him and Nacewa on the pitch though (well, as comfortable as possible given the other options).

Crash

Kearney apparently took a minor knock in training that kept him out. was in the Irish Times

Podge_irl

ajeffares wrote: »

But he deserves to be written off. He's not a 10 and I can't understand why MC keeps trying to play him there. We've finally got an Irish top quality 10 and we're not starting him

Sexton is only allowed play so many games a season. Besides, we need to have a viable alternative in case something happens to Sexton. If we started Sexton in every game and he then got injured like Conters in a HEC semi or something we'd be screwed (although its looking like we would be anyway).

andrewdcs

I think Nacewa has what it takes for the 10 spot if needs be. Really unsure of what Berne has to offer over him. Agree on McFadden being on the pitch being good cover for pots.

Can't Kearney kick goals to a decent level? Gotta work on those penalty shoot outs. Cian Healy for 10!

WeeBushy

andrewdcs wrote: »

I think Nacewa has what it takes for the 10 spot if needs be. Really unsure of what Berne has to offer over him. Agree on McFadden being on the pitch being good cover for pots.

Can't Kearney kick goals to a decent level? Gotta work on those penalty shoot outs. Cian Healy for 10!

Yeah Kearney can. Taken a few for Leinster over the years. Got that massive boot on him which obviously helps.

Healy for 10? Wright for 10!

Podge_irl

andrewdcs wrote: »

Can't Kearney kick goals to a decent level? Gotta work on those penalty shoot outs. Cian Healy for 10!

He's taken a few pot shots at senior level, but he's never been overly convincing. McFadden is an excellent goal-kicker though.

What games coming up could we potentially see McFadden/Nacewa playing at 10? Are there any games on the horizon where we could try either of them out? It'd be nice to know if we have any cover.

I know the Nacewa experiment didn't work last time, but I think that was long before he found his feet at Leinster, and has been on great form for a long time now. It could work, and only one way to find out!

Gelio

Podge_irl wrote: »

Sexton is only allowed play so many games a season. Besides, we need to have a viable alternative in case something happens to Sexton. If we started Sexton in every game and he then got injured like Conters in a HEC semi or something we'd be screwed (although its looking like we would be anyway).

But he did play against Ulster despite not starting. I can't understand that

Podge_irl

ajeffares wrote: »

But he did play against Ulster despite not starting. I can't understand that

AFAIK its the number of starts, not the number of performances that count. But it seems to be something of a moveable feast. There is no way Leinster could go into a game without Sexton at least on the bench, he's the only recognised outhalf we have (which is worrying in and of itself).

Gelio

Podge_irl wrote: »

AFAIK its the number of starts, not the number of performances that count. But it seems to be something of a moveable feast. There is no way Leinster could go into a game without Sexton at least on the bench, he's the only recognised outhalf we have (which is worrying in and of itself).

Oh right, I thought it was just appearances. I half accept it now. Still disapointed though, I really like watching JS and the trip to Ulster wasn't short:D

streings

Podge_irl wrote: »

AFAIK its the number of starts, not the number of performances that count.

I believe you are half right. The Lions players were allowed start 5 of the first 9 magners games, and come on once from the bench, whereas regular internationals could start 6 times and come on from the bench only once aswell. At least thats what i remember reading in the irish times a while ago :cool:

Podge_irl

streings wrote: »

I believe you are half right. The Lions players were allowed start 5 of the first 9 magners games, and come on once from the bench, whereas regular internationals could start 6 times and come on from the bench only once aswell. At least thats what i remember reading in the irish times a while ago :cool:

Yeah, I read the same, but Sexton has started 7 and come on in 1 already, so will have started 8 come Saturday despite the fact he's almost guaranteed to be in the Irish 22 for the AIs.

streings

Podge_irl wrote: »

Yeah, I read the same, but Sexton has started 7 and come on in 1 already, so will have started 8 come Saturday despite the fact he's almost guaranteed to be in the Irish 22 for the AIs.

True that but I think because he hasn't been in the 22 yet he is not considered part of the 30 (give or take) players who these rules apply to, although I presume theyll apply to him later in the season

danthefan

Podge_irl wrote: »

Yeah, I read the same, but Sexton has started 7 and come on in 1 already, so will have started 8 come Saturday despite the fact he's almost guaranteed to be in the Irish 22 for the AIs.

Sexton has only started 6 games this season, 7th tomorrow.

Podge_irl

danthefan wrote: »

Sexton has only started 6 games this season, 7th tomorrow.

Oh yeah, turns out I can't count for ****.

DBraithwaite

Podge_irl wrote: »

Yeah, I read the same, but Sexton has started 7 and come on in 1 already, so will have started 8 come Saturday despite the fact he's almost guaranteed to be in the Irish 22 for the AIs.

He should be starting. O' Gara is living on past reputations :mad:

Gelio

DBraithwaite wrote: »

He should be starting. O' Gara is living on past reputations :mad:

Your not allowed to say that out loud :rolleyes:

ongarite

try leinster. Great run by fitzgerald which led to try by horgan.

corny

Great length of the field try for Leinster. 10-0.

Sexton has to start for Ireland!

wicklowdub

Super high kick there from Sexton, just a metre short or it was a try.

ongarite

yellow for heaslip. What he get it for?

NickNolte

ongarite wrote: »

yellow for heaslip. What he get it for?

Killing the ball at the ruck.

redmca

Is there any live streaming on line ???

castie

check the stream thread

corny

Cardiff are competing well at the breakdown but the referee is allowing a free for all in there.

wixfjord

Just watched the full game there on setanta, and it was quite apt it was on Halloween because what a horror. I think that was one of the worst games I have ever seen. Two bad teams who tried hard not to beat each other. Leinster for the first 10-15 looked like world beaters, and then like an AIL team.

I was villified earlier in the year on this forum for criticising referees, but he really was a joke. The breakdown was a free for all, and basically anything went.

And to cap it all off Fred Cogley the worst commentator in the world was doint Setantas coverage.

In the last 10 minutes he:
called Stephen Keogh Nathan Hines
called Sean O Brien Cian Healy
called Horgan Sexton
said Sextons kick was over when it was wide
and
said "he shows a lovely pair of legs"
and this was amongst many other things in the course of the game.

I mean ffs how did this man get a job?

Happy Halloween rugby forum!

Podge_irl

wixfjord wrote: »

I mean ffs how did this man get a job?

His son owns Setanta doesn't he?

Decided to skip watching the second half, as I figured it would just be more of the same. Leinster are always like this when up against "weak" teams (having nightmares of the Borders game from a few years ago). Some of the moves they ran were sublime, but it just kept falling apart without them scoring. They were a bit all over the place and needed some structure. Ah well, a win is a win.

sickpuppy

Was a bit of a mess all right Shaggy seems in fine form and Sexton when he breaks really looks dangerous looking forward too seeing him in a green shirt soon.

Gelio

Sexton played well I thought. It's tough to see from the stands so I won't comment on C.H. getting MOTM. Not a great game, opening 10 was very good. After that well . . .

NickNolte

ajeffares wrote: »

Sexton played well I thought. It's tough to see from the stands so I won't comment on C.H. getting MOTM.

Healey got MOTM? I'm a fan but, on tonight's performance, it's not deserved. He had a below average game by his usual standards. The MOTM must just awarded arbitrarily.

NotWormBoy

wixfjord wrote: »

I was villified earlier in the year on this forum for criticising referees, but he really was a joke. The breakdown was a free for all, and basically anything went.

Not to mention that shocker of a call regarding the 22 dropout that should have been a 5 metre scrum. Not a happy crowd at that stage, or any time after that. Even the end of the LI game had nothing on the booing after that call. Any 50/50 call after that that went against was hammered by the crowd. And there were many.

After being at the game, I caught most of it on Setanta in the pub afterwards and Jesus, the breakdown was as much of a shambles as it seemed from the stand. Players coming in from the side, not rolling away... all there on a regular basis. Terrible performance from the ref. I'm not saying he cost Leinster the bonus point, because we managed that ourselves without any help with the handling error count and misplaced passes, etc...

We left a fair amount of points out on the field during that game.

Fitzy played really well though, thought if anyone (not that anyone really did) deserved the MoM award it was him. Healy had an ok game, nothing to warrant the award though. Highlights include BOD's pass to a blue off a quick throw and subsequent dragging him back into touch with Horgan (who was also excellent throughout) for a line-out on basically the exact same position. Back row played well enough as a unit.

Best part though was a competition between two Leinster fans in the South stand as to who could make "Leeeeeeeinsteeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" last the longest in as loud a call as possible... Might say a lot for the game itself though.

Gelio

Anyone hear the group singing away in a manger?
Funny
I remember hearing that before at a Leinster match, but can't remember which one.

DBraithwaite

ajeffares wrote: »

Your not allowed to say that out loud :rolleyes:

SAys Who????

phog

wixfjord wrote: »

I was villified earlier in the year on this forum for criticising referees, but he really was a joke. The breakdown was a free for all, and basically anything went.

James Jones, the ref yeah he must surely be up there as being one of the worst refs in the ML.

Haven't seen the game but thought this was a 5 pointer for Leinster when I saw the Cardfiff team being named so it must have been a sub-standard performance by Leinster.

Paulw

Cheika said he was very disappointed that Leinster didn't clear the ruck better and protect the ball. He they didn't play the ref better to protect the ball.

Cardiff certainly played the ref and did a lot more than they should have been allowed to.

That 22 dropout that should have been a 5m scrum was comical. The ref was too far behind the play to see and the linesman wasn't paying attention.

But, a win is a win.

chupacabra

Yeah, commentator was a joke, i mean.. how the hell could he confuse Reddan with Hines?? And he kept calling Norton-Knight Knighton-right... ridiculous.

And the officials, oh jesus don't get me started, was i the only one that saw Blair's first scored penalty drop short? Even on the replay, which i have watched over and over, it clearly drops in front of the crossbar.