Leinster v Connacht, RDS, Sat 27 March 4.30pm

smurphy29

Leinster squad to face Connacht...

FORWARDS: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Nathan Hines, Trevor Hogan, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Paul Ryan, Eoin Sheriff, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Andrew Conway, Girvan Dempsey, Chris Keane, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Michael Keating, Simon Keogh, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

REFEREE: Jerome Garces (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Simon McDowell (IRFU), Jude Quinn (IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: John Montayne (ARLB), 5th OFFICIAL: Gordon Murray (ARLB), TMO: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

So... good few lads back from international duty. Is Sexton allowed to start under the IRFU law thingies? If so I expect we'll see Sexon-Berne-McFadden in midfield. Fogarty and Dave Kearney return and Hines is named, but no sign of Locky and Horgan - let's hope both are ok for the big games coming up. A backrow of Hines-Jenno-Keogh looks entirely likely. And might we be getting another glimpse of Conway? Depends on whether they start one of the Kearney's on the wing with Girv at full back. A back three of Conway-R Kearney-Nacewa could be on the cards.

irishbucsfan

Team I could see out of that:

1. Wright
2. Jackman
3. CJ (Ross)
4. Cullen
5. MOK (Toner)
6. Hines
7. Jennings
8. Keogh
9. Reddan
10. Berne
11. Nacewa
12. McFadden
13. O'Malley
14. Keogh
15. Kearney (Edit: Probably will be Dempsey, given RKs involvement in the Irish team)

16. Strauss
17. Ross (CJ)
18. Toner (MOK)
19. Ryan (Ruddock)
20. POD
21. Sexton
22. M. Keating (selected ahead of Kearney the last day, iirc)

Would love to see someone else at Hooker if Cullen starts, Would love to see Ross start at TH.


This is a game Connacht could well be targeting so hopefully Leisnter will perform. It's a bit of a shadow squad though.

[Jackass]

I'd say sexy pants will deffo start.

Also think Paul Ryan might get a start at 7 with Jenno at 6, and think Conway will be in the 22.

More or less though, the same 13 or 14 players will start no matter what way you look at it....reasonably strong team who should have enough in the tank to win, but there's no should in interpro's i suppose...

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This is a game Connacht could well be targeting so hopefully Leisnter will perform.

I'm not sure about that, IMO the quarter final against Bourgoin in two weeks is the be all and end all for Connacht.

Connacht would need an extraordinary run of ML results to go above Ulster.

Depending on the Leinster XV, I'd go Leinster by 10-15 at least.

Zzippy

Gutted I'll be missing this one due to work. Connacht gave this one a good rattle last year and should have had at least a bonus point, if it wasn't for a forward pass that set up a Leinster try, and some dodgy refereeing.
According to this article Conway and Ruddock will be involved. Its great to see Cheika giving youth a chance and showing faith in the younger members of his squad. If I was a Leinster fan I'd be delighted with how some of them are repaying that faith, McFadden in particular. Sexton also involved, this will be a good opportunity for him to regain some confidence. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent, and I expect him to bounce back from the Scots game.
If Connacht can play like they did last week they'll make it difficult for Leinster, defence was superb and Keatley kicked very well out of hand. I would expect Leinster to win, but I'll be disappointed if its by more than a score. Having said that, Bradley may not be targeting this one, so it could just as easily be a capitulation and a hammering on the scoreboard.

Co45

"It's pretty likely that Conway and Ruddock will be involved (this weekend) and that's part of the culture that we're trying to build here," added Cheika. "We have been pretty happy with the young guys who have come up recently and players like Ian Madigan have shown real physicality which is pleasing"

Good man Cheika, great to hear!

billybigunz

€30 tix, hmmmm.

Co45

Not a chance we'll see it but...

1.Wright
2.Strauss
3.Ross
4.Cullen
5.Hines
6.Ruddock
7.Jennings
8.Keogh
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Conway
12.Berne
13.McFadden
14.Nacewa
15.Kearney

16.Jackman
17.CJ
18.Toner
19.Paul Ryan
20.O'Donahoe
21.O'Malley
22.Dempsey

conf101

billybigunz wrote: »

€30 tix, hmmmm.

Some €10 special offer tickets still available here:

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/1800442BC8764B81?artistid=952669&brand=ie_leinster

durkadurka

Lots of missing names.

Long term injured: luke fitz, SOB.

Short term injured: mcloughlin, shaggy, BOD,Darcy

Rested: Healy, Heaslip.

Should get a decent team out though.

Steyr

Will this be on TV?

thomond2006

I think it's on Setanta Sports 1.

siltirocker

The result will be down to Connacht starting XV, if lads like Nikora, Touhy, Campbell, etc start then it'll be like 25-30 points Leinster. On the other hand full strength Connacht XV in an interpro i reckon a 5-10 point Leinster win.

If Connacht have a strong(ish) start Keatley will be on fire like the two games last year (the one in the Galway probably being his best 80minutes of pro rugby so far) but imo this game will just be another notch on the impressive goal-kicking, try scoring Fergus McFadden's belt.

gavkm27

siltirocker wrote: »

The result will be down to Connacht starting XV, if lads like Nikora, Touhy, Campbell, etc start then it'll be like 25-30 points Leinster. On the other hand full strength Connacht XV in an interpro i reckon a 5-10 point Leinster win.

If Connacht have a strong(ish) start Keatley will be on fire like the two games last year (the one in the Galway probably being his best 80minutes of pro rugby so far) but imo this game will just be another notch on the impressive goal-kicking, try scoring Fergus McFadden's belt.

No word on Ta'auso? i hope they field strong team for this one,we need the bonus point at least

Ta'auso and Ray Ofisa are not being risked. It seems like John Muldoon will start even though he's a doubt. I really hope Bradley keeps changes to a minimum for this game and gives the likes of Keatley, Carr, Cronin etc. a chance to make a statement which he didn't give them away to Munster at Christmas. However, I expect a rake of changes and have a very bad feeling he'll start with Nikora at out half.:mad:

siltirocker

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Ta'auso and Ray Ofisa are not being risked. It seems like John Muldoon will start even though he's a doubt. I really hope Bradley keeps changes to a minimum for this game and gives the likes of Keatley, Carr, Cronin etc. a chance to make a statement which he didn't give them away to Munster at Christmas. However, I expect a rake of changes and have a very bad feeling he'll start with Nikora at out half.:mad:

Cause these performances seem to be the only one's most folk west or below the Shannon on these boards seem to rate them on.

thomond2006

http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/4916.php

Preview: Leinster v Connacht

Connacht have won just one of their last ten encounters with Leinster, and have not won in Dublin since a 26-23 victory at Donnybrook on 13 September 2002.

Leinster top the Magners League table and have not suffered a defeat in any competition since they visited Newport Gwent Dragons in the Magners League on 6 December. The Leinstermen continue to be formidable at the RDS with a dozen straight victories there in the Magners League.

Connacht secured a third victory of the Magners League season against the Dragons on St Patrick's Day, but have not won back to back matches in the competition since the opening two rounds in season 2006/07.

Referee: Jerome Garces (FFR). 1st League game.
Assistant Referees: S McDowell (IRFU), J Quinn (IRFU).
TMO: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)

thomond2006

Slightly OT but Leinster are increasing the capacity of the RDS for the HEC quarter final against Clermont to 20,000.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0325/1224267004507.html

Diom

siltirocker wrote: »

Cause these performances seem to be the only one's most folk west or below the Shannon on these boards seem to rate them on.

I think you mean EAST of the Shannon?


I cannot see Bradley fielding his strongest side. He might want to "protect" them from being beaten. Personally I would be looking to start The following back line:
Murphy
Keatley
Carr
Matthews
Griffen
O'Halloran
Duffy

I would also start Hagan.

To be honest, I really don't care about this game if we manage to beat Bourgoin.
That said if Bradley wants them to play at the required standard then this game will be a perfect test.

thomond2006

Connacht (squad v Leinster): Andrew Browne, Fionn Carr, Sean Cronin, Gavin Duffy, Adrian Flavin, Jamie Hagan, Ian Keatley, Keith Matthews, Mike McCarthy, Mike McComish, Robbie Morris, Frank Murphy, Troy Nathan, Miah Nikora, George Naoupu, Johnny O'Connor, Conor O'Loughlin, Michael Swift, Brian Tuohy, Bernie Upton, Brett Wilkinson, Aidan Wynne.

Ta'auso, Ofisa and Muldoon are injured.

outwest

muldoon is a huge loss.

but

wilko
croinin
hagen
upton
swift
mike
joc
naoupo
col
keatly
carr
mattews
wynne
troy
duffy

joc v jeenings will be some battle if their both picked

PhatPiggins

outwest wrote: »

muldoon is a huge loss.

but

wilko
croinin
hagen
upton
swift
mike
joc
naoupo
col
keatly
carr
mattews
wynne
troy
duffy

joc v jeenings will be some battle if their both picked

Is Hagen any good? I only saw him play once and he has potential

thomond2006

http://www.magnersleague.com/news/4928.php

Connacht:
15: Gavin Duffy (capt)
14: Brian Tuohy
13: Aidan Wynne
12: Keith Matthews
11: Fionn Carr
10: Miah Nikora

9: Frank Murphy
1: Brett Wilkinson
2: Adrian Flavin
3: Robbie Morris
4: Mike McCarthy
5: Bernie Upton
6: Mike McComish
7: Johnny O'Connor
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Jamie Hagan
18: Michael Swift
19: Andrew Browne
20: Conor O'Loughlin
21: Ian Keatley
22: Troy Nathan

LEINSTER:
15: Rob Kearney
14: Girvan Dempsey
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Shaun Berne
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Stan Wright
2: John Fogarty
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Malcolm O'Kelly
6: Rhys Ruddock
7: Shane Jennings
8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Bernard Jackman
17: CJ van der Linde
18: Devin Toner
19: Paul Ryan
20: Paul O'Donohoe
21: Eoin O'Malley
22: Simon Keogh

With Nikora at 10, Connacht are doomed.

Great to see Ross start ahead of Van Der Linde. It would be great if he could nail down the TH spot with the Summer Tour coming up.

As I suspected, Bradley is solely targeting the ACC.

I can only see a Leinster BP win.

smurphy29

Yep, Leinster should make mincemeat of that Connacht team. Sure, we're missing a few bodies ourselves but it's an experienced team, a creative midfield with McFadden given another chance to impress, and Isa Nacewa is on fire. Good chance for Jonny to re-settle himself, score a few kicks and maybe, just maybe Leinster will register their first try bonus of the season in the Magners. I thouht Conway might gt the 14 shirt but Cheiks has gone with Girve. And good to see Ross retained at tight-head - massive opportunity for him to earn a starting berth in the big games ahead.

Podge_irl

Shame Conway isn't getting some game time. Not sure Girv is the best winger Leinster could be putting out there tbh. Be interested to see the Sexton-Berne-McFadden midfield though.

edit: very happy Ross is starting as well. Would like to see if he can nail down the spot now. Been unimpressed with CJ. Have a feeling Wright will go straight in ahead of him at TH as soon as Healy is back though.

Sexton getting some kicking practice in before the Heino cup.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Sexton getting some kicking practice in before the Heino cup.

Be interesting to see what happens if his kicking is poor again. Will they let him work through it or get McFadden to start kicking. If McFadden was a regular in the team then I'd have him kicking every single time, as he is never short of excellent at it.

For the sake of continuity and with the Clermont game in mind, Cheika will probably let him take all the kicks. Then again if BOD is out, McFadden could slot in and would be a reliable backup kicker.

durkadurka

Conway probably pretty tired after U20 6n competition in fairness.

Very strong leinster team despite 8 missing players.

andrewdcs

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2010/0326/1224267134642.html

Great for Ruddock, oddly no mention of Conway?

outwest

that is why i cant wait for bradley to go, keatley and croinin on bench, tryo ahead of a useless winger.

troy has no friends on this but he has been playing very well,

Very happy for Ruddock.

Hope he puts in a big game.

Disappointed but understand Bradley's selections. Would love to see a proper Leinster v Connacht game, and would definitely relish seeing Keatley playing the top class rugby we've seen before.

siltirocker

What is Bradley like, haha!

Leinster will hammer Connacht. Look at Nikora's time on the pitch. Besides his debut he has never played longer than 50mins and has been subbed off before halftime three times, in his (i think) 7 appearances this season. When is the last time Touhy has even played a match? And what about Bibo????? 5 of Connacht bench should be starting, 1 dropped should be starting and 3 injured would've/should be starting. So we are looking at a sub par Connacht team to say the least. If Connacht play at all well, i can see Duffy being the reason for that.

Would like to see McFadden kicking as i think he is the best goal kicker in the land, but Sexton will need this for confidence and continuity (i.e HC).

Leinster by 30 points IMO. We'll see Keatley at half time, but it'll be too late for the men West of the Shannon.

thomond2006

If there's one reason I support the one year contract shenanigans in Connacht, it's the fact that journeyman like Nikora's stay at Connacht will be short lived.

Eric Elwood ftw.

outwest

to think people defend bradly

griifen and o halleron are better then the 2 players startin
hopefully elwood plays them next year.


key battle in the match is the backrow, we should attck sexton as much as possible,

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.magnersleague.com/news/4928.php

Connacht:
15: Gavin Duffy (capt)
14: Brian Tuohy
13: Aidan Wynne
12: Keith Matthews
11: Fionn Carr
10: Miah Nikora

9: Frank Murphy
1: Brett Wilkinson
2: Adrian Flavin
3: Robbie Morris
4: Mike McCarthy
5: Bernie Upton
6: Mike McComish
7: Johnny O'Connor
8. George Naoupu

Replacements:
16: Sean Cronin
17: Jamie Hagan
18: Michael Swift
19: Andrew Browne
20: Conor O'Loughlin
21: Ian Keatley
22: Troy Nathan

10: Miah Nikora. White flag from Bradley right there. The guy is absolutely useless.
No sign of Bibo, who had a cracking game last week. Tuohy has been as useless as Nikora, and Troy has been playing well so he should have got the nod there.
We will get steamrolled in the first half, if/when he brings on Keatley, Hagan, Cronin and Troy it will be a lot more competitive. Too late then...

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

10: Miah Nikora. White flag from Bradley right there. The guy is absolutely useless.
No sign of Bibo, who had a cracking game last week. Tuohy has been as useless as Nikora, and Troy has been playing well so he should have got the nod there.
We will get steamrolled in the first half, if/when he brings on Keatley, Hagan, Cronin and Troy it will be a lot more competitive. Too late then...

you do realise why he's happy to lose this game right?

The Magner's League is pretty much no longer in anyway important for Connacht this year.

They have Europe to look at still

Co45

outwest wrote: »

key battle in the match is the backrow, we should attck sexton as much as possible,

If thats going to be Connachts game plan then they won't have a chance. Whatever about Sextons kicking form currently he is absolutely solid defensively.

Stev_o

Co45 wrote: »

If thats going to be Connachts game plan then they won't have a chance. Whatever about Sextons kicking form currently he is absolutely solid defensively.

Constantly a guy who at the moment will be short on confidence makes sense, they ll will try to force Sexton to do too much and thus make mistakes.

irishbucsfan

Would've been nice to see Cronin and Hagan in the front frow. The battle in the forwards will be very interesting, especially as Connacht's back row is the only place on the pitch where they're arguably better than Leinster.

Co45

Stev_o wrote: »

Constantly a guy who at the moment will be short on confidence makes sense, they ll will try to force Sexton to do too much and thus make mistakes.

So being low on confidence about his kicking will suddenly make him miss tackles? I very much doubt it to be honest.

irishbucsfan

Co45 wrote: »

So being low on confidence about his kicking will suddenly make him miss tackles? I very much doubt it to be honest.

Well if he's low on confidence he might play poorly, but I can't see that happening.

Think we'll hopefully see the pre 6-Nations Johnny. Which would mean theres no need for McFadden's kicking.

Digifriendly

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Would've been nice to see Cronin and Hagan in the front frow. The battle in the forwards will be very interesting, especially as Connacht's back row is the only place on the pitch where they're arguably better than Leinster.

Arguably being the operative word. Without John Muldoon who has been one of their most consistent performers over last few seasons I would say Leinster might just shade the backrow battle but will be interesting to see nonetheless.

Pity we don't get to see Cronin get a decent run too.

I think the future is very bright for this lad

Co45

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Would've been nice to see Cronin and Hagan in the front frow. The battle in the forwards will be very interesting, especially as Connacht's back row is the only place on the pitch where they're arguably better than Leinster.

Good lord.
Connachts backrow is nowhere close to Leinsters! what an outlandish statement.

seanin4711

leinster +30
half time-full time
end of story!:(

outwest

co45,

ruddock v mike. mike had a geeat start to the season and ruddock is untested at this level.
joc v jennings. jennigns shades it but if joc is on his game will be a torn in the side al game.
naopo v keogh. naopo is in great form. keogh has played few games at this level, keogh has played a few games,

so how is the leinster backrow so much better then connacht.

at your point with on targeting sexton is foolish, if a player is low on concidence u target him

Zzippy

Deleted User wrote: »

you do realise why he's happy to lose this game right?

The Magner's League is pretty much no longer in anyway important for Connacht this year.

They have Europe to look at still

The European game is 2 weeks away. We should be treating this game as one where players are playing for their place in the CC quarter final, and getting some confidence ahead of same. A full Connacht team could definitely beat the Leinster team thats picked for this game. I would rather have our players going into the CC game on a winning run, or at least not being hammered. I didn't see ROG being rested for Munster tonight...

danthefan

Imo Bradley has made some disgraceful calls there, I hate to say things like this but the sooner he's out of Irish rugby (in a coaching capacity at least) the better.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

Imo Bradley has made some disgraceful calls there, I hate to say things like this but the sooner he's out of Irish rugby (in a coaching capacity at least) the better.

As disgraceful as Cheika playing an under 20's team away to the Dragons?

Co45

outwest wrote: »

co45,

ruddock v mike. mike had a geeat start to the season and ruddock is untested at this level.
joc v jennings. jennigns shades it but if joc is on his game will be a torn in the side al game.
naopo v keogh. naopo is in great form. keogh has played few games at this level, keogh has played a few games,

so how is the leinster backrow so much better then connacht.

at your point with on targeting sexton is foolish, if a player is low on concidence u target him

Well I actually thought he meant Leinsters full strength backrow but :
Jennings does not just shade JOC, he far surpases him and Keogh is in amazing form currently if you haven't noticed. I reckon Ruddock will do brilliantly as well.