Leinster V Brive, RDS, Sat 16th. 18:00. SS1.

Cuchulain

Leinster squad:

Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright, Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

I think anything less than a bonus point win will disappoint alot of people. Other than Fitz that looks like the strongest Leinster squad Ive seen in a while.

Stev_o

Depending on the squad Brive send over i think they could nick this one. Leinster haven't playing a competetive game in what 2/3 weeks now?

Cuchulain

Stev_o wrote: »

Depending on the squad Brive send over i think they could nick this one. Leinster haven't playing a competetive game in what 2/3 weeks now?

Yeah but that could mean that Leinster will be very fresh and eager. Id say Jennings and Sexton are chomping at the bit to get a starting place.

Stev_o

Cuchulain wrote: »

Yeah but that could mean that Leinster will be very fresh and eager. Id say Jennings and Sexton are chomping at the bit to get a starting place.

Surely it would be the opposite of fresh, they ll be rust without having played a competetive match in so long. Which preperation would you prefer playing no matches for 2 weeks straight or beating the French Champions at home?

Sangre

Stev_o wrote: »

Depending on the squad Brive send over i think they could nick this one. Leinster haven't playing a competetive game in what 2/3 weeks now?

We have to wait and see but I won't be suprised if they send over a 2nd string squad. They're currently fighting out for a top 6 spot in the T14 (and HC qualification) and are out of this competition. If so, anything other than a bonus point is a failure.

Even without game time I couldn't see Brive taking this at RDS, no matter what squad they send.

Cuchulain

Stev_o wrote: »

Surely it would be the opposite of fresh, they ll be rust without having played a competetive match in so long. Which preperation would you prefer playing no matches for 2 weeks straight or beating the French Champions at home?

Well there are two schools of though on this. One saying a break means players are fresh and eager whilst the other saying that a break inhibits continuity and promotes rustiness.

I think that 2 weeks without a game wouldnt mean that the players would be rusty (also considering they were training every day) however if the break was much longer then rustiness could set it. I suppose we will know more around 8pm Saturday night.

I also find it difficult to see how Brive can get anything from this game.

castie

Id agree with that.
Anything less than a bonus point will be a bad result having to play the final game away from home against LI.

smurphy29

Notions of Brive nicking a win look far-fetched. Second-tier French sides are notoriously poor travellers at the best of times, let alone when they're without a point from their first four matches. And Brive have been dreck in the tournament so far, it's difficult to imagine them suddenly toppling Leinster in the RDS. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they sent over their reserve side.

Two weeks sans match is hardly the end of the world. The boys will be fresh, and raring to go. Few selection posers in this. SOB or Jennings? Methinks Cheika'll plump for Jennings with a view to getting a forward he regards as one of his most important players game time ahead of the trip to London. Jonny should get the nod at 10, and van der Linde is fit I'd expect him to line out at tight-head.

Cuchulain

Yes Openside is the big debate. He will probably go for this team.

Healy
Fogarty
VDL
Cullen
Hines
McLaughlin
Jennings
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
Nasewa
Darcy
BOD
Horgan
Kearney

Looks like the Brive supporters dont fancy their chances either

PhatPiggins

Cuchulain wrote: »

Well there are two schools of though on this. One saying a break means players are fresh and eager whilst the other saying that a break inhibits continuity and promotes rustiness.

I think that 2 weeks without a game wouldnt mean that the players would be rusty (also considering they were training every day) however if the break was much longer then rustiness could set it. I suppose we will know more around 8pm Saturday night.

I also find it difficult to see how Brive can get anything from this game.

I have yet to see the "fresh and eager" theory work especially when its an entire team inactive.

Two weeks is probably short enough not to make any real difference though

buck65

Brive and the Scarlets are poor sides. Thus should be a BP win. Lucky sods ye got an easy group again:rolleyes:
Wtf have Munster to do to get such a group, or Ulster for that matter? Getting a bit jittery about the Saints game in a week!

Legion2008

I'd be confident enough of a win, the bonus point might prove tricky depending on the conditions, this is where Leinster could be in for a frustrating evening, I think the forecast for saturday is rain and a bit of wind so it could be tough.

Brive might have nothing to play for, but then they have nothing to lose .... and if they send over a second string team these guys will be gunning for places in the first team.

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Brive and the Scarlets are poor sides. Thus should be a BP win. Lucky sods ye got an easy group again:rolleyes:
Wtf have Munster to do to get such a group, or Ulster for that matter? Getting a bit jittery about the Saints game in a week!

We got an Italian team this year, easy group by comparison to the previous three years.

buck65

I agree in one sense, they are Italian but someone forgot to tell them they are meant to lay down and get hammered! They beat Perpignan and made it hard for Saints twice!
Certainly they are no worse than Brive or Scarlets. True the past 2 years have been savage groups Clermont twice, Wasps, Sale.
Saying that Leinster have had Wasps and Irish too. I'm just jealous.

GiftofGab

Any tickets left for this match or is it sold out?

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

I agree in one sense, they are Italian but someone forgot to tell them they are meant to lay down and get hammered! They beat Perpignan and made it hard for Saints twice!
Certainly they are no worse than Brive or Scarlets. True the past 2 years have been savage groups Clermont twice, Wasps, Sale.
Saying that Leinster have had Wasps and Irish too. I'm just jealous.

The one with Leicester,Cardiff and Bourgoin in 2007 was nt a cake walk either.

ALH-06

Legion2008 wrote: »

the bonus point might prove tricky depending on the conditions, this is where Leinster could be in for a frustrating evening, I think the forecast for saturday is rain and a bit of wind so it could be tough.

Brive might have nothing to play for, but then they have nothing to lose .... and if they send over a second string team these guys will be gunning for places in the first team.

Two good points. At this stage in the HC I'd be happier seeing Leinster slug it out in miserable conditions and win by 5 points against fiery, competitive opposition than see them waltz to a 6 or 7 try demolishing of a rubbish team.

Though the latter would be more entertaining and I definitely wouldn't complain...

sock puppet

buck65 wrote: »

Brive and the Scarlets are poor sides. Thus should be a BP win. Lucky sods ye got an easy group again:rolleyes:
Wtf have Munster to do to get such a group, or Ulster for that matter? Getting a bit jittery about the Saints game in a week!

To be fair Ulster's group this year is pretty weak.

Has the Brive squad been announced yet? If so, are their frontliners rested?

Judgement Day

Brive are a joke and should be beaten off the park. Lying 9th in the French Top 14 England B have nothing that should worry Leinster but they did have a massive (17-15) victory against bottom of the table Albi last weekend. Nothing less than a cricket score will suffice!

danthefan

buck65 wrote: »

Brive and the Scarlets are poor sides. Thus should be a BP win. Lucky sods ye got an easy group again:rolleyes:
Wtf have Munster to do to get such a group, or Ulster for that matter? Getting a bit jittery about the Saints game in a week!

The only difference between our group and the Munster group are Brive and Perpignan. Scarlets are obviously better than Treviso and LI would be similar to Northampton. It just so happens Brive hammered Perpignan the other weekend, 29-9 I think it was. Perpignan are not having a particularly good season.

As for Ulster, they're third seeds or something. What can they expect?

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

The only difference between our group and the Munster group are Brive and Perpignan. Scarlets are obviously better than Treviso and LI would be similar to Northampton. It just so happens Brive hammered Perpignan the other weekend, 29-9 I think it was. Perpignan are not having a particularly good season.

As for Ulster, they're third seeds or something. What can they expect?

Connacht could have beaten Brive away the way they played.

Munsters win in Perpignan was/is the performance of the HC season. There is absolutely no comparison between Brive and Perpignan.

danthefan

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Connacht could have beaten Brive away the way they played.

Munsters win in Perpignan was/is the performance of the HC season. There is absolutely no comparison between Brive and Perpignan.

Then what's your explanation for Brive beating Perpignan 29-9? If Munster beat Perpignan it's the performance of the season, Brive beat them but they're a joke? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

Then what's your explanation for Brive beating Perpignan 29-9? If Munster beat Perpignan it's the performance of the season, Brive beat them but they're a joke? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

You obviously watch a lot of T14 dan , so you'll know how big home advantage is. Also take a look at the team Perpignan fielded for the Brive game.

smog

GiftofGab wrote: »

Any tickets left for this match or is it sold out?

Tickets for North stand and anglesea available via ticketmaster or spar in Donnybrook

wixfjord

buck65 wrote: »

I agree in one sense, they are Italian but someone forgot to tell them they are meant to lay down and get hammered! They beat Perpignan and made it hard for Saints twice!
Certainly they are no worse than Brive or Scarlets. True the past 2 years have been savage groups Clermont twice, Wasps, Sale.
Saying that Leinster have had Wasps and Irish too. I'm just jealous.

And Leicester and Tolouse in the one year, and havent had an Italian team in years. Munster had Montabaun, arguably the worst French team in the comp last year remember! Northampton finished 8th in the GP last season!

Judgement Day wrote: »

Brive are a joke and should be beaten off the park. Lying 9th in the French Top 14 England B have nothing that should worry Leinster but they did have a massive (17-15) victory against bottom of the table Albi last weekend. Nothing less than a cricket score will suffice!

Goway out of that. Theyre hardly viadana now.

PhatPiggins

wixfjord wrote: »

And Leicester and Tolouse in the one year, and havent had an Italian team in years. Munster had Montabaun, arguably the worst French team in the comp last year remember! Northampton finished 8th in the GP last season!


Goway out of that. Theyre hardly viadana now.

Thats the beauty of the HC there are very few soft teams and in reality no easy groups.

2040

I can't understand how this fallacy persists. Having a poor team in your group means nothing. The other three teams get to play them and beat them too. Look at the group viadana is in for example. Ospreys put 60 points over them or something crazy but if they lose to Clermont their tournament is over.

Bukman13

2040 wrote: »

I can't understand how this fallacy persists. Having a poor team in your group means nothing. The other three teams get to play them and beat them too. Look at the group viadana is in for example. Ospreys put 60 points over them or something crazy but if they lose to Clermont their tournament is over.

The only advantage to having a poor (Italian) team in your group is that if you happen to finish 2nd you are more likely to get one of the runner up spots, as you more or less Guaranteed 9-10 pts. Where as against any other team you will have a tough away game regardless meaning you will probably only get a max of 6 pts.

As for the game, I think Lenister will be too strong for Brive, but the important thing is getting the BP win.

A BP win on Saturday could see Lenister into the quarters, if both Northampton and Sale Lose. Thus taking all the pressure off the London Irish game.

irishbucsfan

buck65 wrote: »

Brive and the Scarlets are poor sides. Thus should be a BP win. Lucky sods ye got an easy group again:rolleyes:
Wtf have Munster to do to get such a group, or Ulster for that matter? Getting a bit jittery about the Saints game in a week!

Talking rubbish there.

2 seasons ago we were drawn with Leicester, Toulouse and Edinburgh. That was a rock-hard group. Leinster's successes have nothing to do with luck at the moment.

buck65

Perpignan have not conceded a try this season at home in the Top14 league. Munster scored four there. BTW.
Bucsfan, I really think over the years Leinster have had easier groups than Munster and underachieved in the HCup. You can pick out some years to prove me wrong but to think Edinburgh have been a bogey team of Leinsters really says it all. Today regardless of the strength of the group Leinster will come out because they have gotten their act together and are probably the strongest team in UK or Ireland.
As I said I would love an easier group now and then so don't get too het up.

wixfjord

buck65 wrote: »

Perpignan have not conceded a try this season at home in the Top14 league. Munster scored four there. BTW.
Bucsfan, I really think over the years Leinster have had easier groups than Munster and underachieved in the HCup. You can pick out some years to prove me wrong but to think Edinburgh have been a bogey team of Leinsters really says it all. Today regardless of the strength of the group Leinster will come out because they have gotten their act together and are probably the strongest team in UK or Ireland.
As I said I would love an easier group now and then so don't get too het up.

But shur Munster 'triumph over adversity anyway' so its better for them to get a hard group isnt it?

Anyway back to matters at hand. Id like to see Jennings start this game and SOB come on at ht, but id probably prefer SOB at 6 and Jennings at 7 for the trip to Twickers. Wouldnt start VDL if hes any way unfit and id give him half and hour at the end. Mark my words if Brive send over any way of a strong team this will be no cakewalk, and the first 20 mins will be very important. Noone Flutey Perry and Goode are an axis which can do damage and will relish spoiling Leinsters party if selected. Anyone who is saying a BP is a foregone conclusion is wrong, look at Munster Montabaun last season, the fact that Leinster havent played since Xmas is a big factor.

Size=everything

wixfjord wrote: »

But shur Munster 'triumph over adversity anyway' so its better for them to get a hard group isnt it?

Anyway back to matters at hand. Id like to see Jennings start this game and SOB come on at ht, but id probably prefer SOB at 6 and Jennings at 7 for the trip to Twickers. Wouldnt start VDL if hes any way unfit and id give him half and hour at the end. Mark my words if Brive send over any way of a strong team this will be no cakewalk, and the first 20 mins will be very important. Noone Flutey Perry and Goode are an axis which can do damage and will relish spoiling Leinsters party if selected. Anyone who is saying a BP is a foregone conclusion is wrong, look at Munster Montabaun last season, the fact that Leinster havent played since Xmas is a big factor.

Agreed it might be a tricky one as rustiness, players coming back from injury and a Brive team with nothing to lose could certainly skew things.

danthefan

Jennings on the bench for me. I'm positive Cheika will start Jennings in the next 2 but there's no way SOB deserves to be dropped for Brive.

crisco10

wixfjord wrote: »

But shur Munster 'triumph over adversity anyway' so its better for them to get a hard group isnt it?

Anyway back to matters at hand. Id like to see Jennings start this game and SOB come on at ht, but id probably prefer SOB at 6 and Jennings at 7 for the trip to Twickers. Wouldnt start VDL if hes any way unfit and id give him half and hour at the end. Mark my words if Brive send over any way of a strong team this will be no cakewalk, and the first 20 mins will be very important. Noone Flutey Perry and Goode are an axis which can do damage and will relish spoiling Leinsters party if selected. Anyone who is saying a BP is a foregone conclusion is wrong, look at Munster Montabaun last season, the fact that Leinster havent played since Xmas is a big factor.

I can see where your coming from but I think that would leave us a little short in the lineout which would be a disaster against LI...

ON this weeks match, I think it could be Castres last season all over again. Although I expect Brive to be better than Castres. Hopefully the weather isn't too wet/cold. A good dry track would obviously help our cause!

Size=everything

crisco10 wrote: »

I can see where your coming from but I think that would leave us a little short in the lineout which would be a disaster against LI...

Also how could anyone drop McLaughlin when he is playing as he is currently.

wixfjord

Size=everything wrote: »

Also how could anyone drop McLaughlin when he is playing as he is currently.

I havent seen as much from McLaughlin in the last few games as I did at the start of the year, and SOB is the form player in our back row atm. If Jennings is to come in it would have to be Locky to be dropped for me. I see whats being said about the lineout, but the threat of Steffan Armitage on the ground is bigger for me plus Fogartys throwing has greatly improved since the LI game.

danthefan

Cheika said he won't be playing SOB and Jennings against Brive. McLaughlin isn't getting dropped.

wixfjord

danthefan wrote: »

Cheika said he won't be playing SOB and Jennings against Brive. McLaughlin isn't getting dropped.

I was referring to the Irish game.

conf101

Quick question about the RDS. Can anyone remember if the big screen is in the North or South stands. I can never remember even though I've been in both of them. Cheers

dave13

North stand

irishbucsfan

Ares wrote: »

North stand

North-West corner of the stadium

conf101

Ares wrote: »

North stand

Cheers

thehighground

danthefan wrote: »

Then what's your explanation for Brive beating Perpignan 29-9? If Munster beat Perpignan it's the performance of the season, Brive beat them but they're a joke? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Perpignam shell-shocked after the defeat by Munster. Perp are back on track again - hammered Racing Metro (31-12). Brive had a close shave at the weekend against Albi (the bottom of the Top 14) winning 15-17. Albi have won just 3 games (out of 18) in the Top 14 this season.

Definately bonus point win for Leinster.

danthefan

thehighground wrote: »

Perpignam shell-shocked after the defeat by Munster.

I'm convinced :rolleyes:

Brive had a close shave at the weekend against Albi (the bottom of the Top 14) winning 15-17. Albi have won just 3 games (out of 18) in the Top 14 this season.

Game was played in snow, it was never going to be a high scoring affair. Any win on the road in the T14 is doing alright.

There are only 8 points between Perpignan and Brive in the T14. Not a whole lot.

Really hoping Scarlets can do us a favour.

danthefan

Deleted User wrote: »

Really hoping Scarlets can do us a favour.

Not beyond possibility. Game is on Sunday though so LI will know exactly what they have to do, if we get the BP then I'd imagine they'll up their game.

Judgement Day

Deleted User wrote: »

Really hoping Scarlets can do us a favour.

ALH-06

danthefan wrote: »

There are only 8 points between Perpignan and Brive in the T14. Not a whole lot.

Which is exactly what they'll be concentrating on at this point in the season.

They'll roll over in the RDS because:

A) The French are notoriously bad travellers.

Brive have no remaining interest in the HC.

C) They must concentrate on finishing in the top 6 of the T14 in order to qualify for next year's HC - this will be their priority now at the business end of the domestic season. As such, the team they send against Leinster will in no way resemble their strongest side.

danthefan

danthefan wrote: »

Not beyond possibility. Game is on Sunday though so LI will know exactly what they have to do, if we get the BP then I'd imagine they'll up their game.

After the way we steam rolled them in Llanelli I wouldnt be surprised if LI did the same.
Doubtful but not impossible

ALH-06

Deleted User wrote: »

Really hoping Scarlets can do us a favour.

Yeah there's been little talk of this match. Really looking forward to it - Should be a cracker seeing as Scarlets won the first fixture. The result is in no way a foregone conclusion, should be very interesting!

sock puppet

Deleted User wrote: »

Really hoping Scarlets can do us a favour.

Me too. It could happen. They sent their first team to Leinster when they really should have fielded a B team considering their position in the Magners League. So they obviously want some success in the competition.