Leinster v Munster Match Thread

[Jackass]

V

Saturdat 2nd October 2010
Aviva Stadium
Kick-Off 7.30pm
TV: TG4

The first of the ongoing epic derbys of Leinster v Munster resumes this season with Leinster entering the fixture chasing a record five victories in a row over their arch rivals.

The form book suggests Munster are the favourites in the first ever competetive rugby match to be played at the newly developed Aviva Stadium, having won all four of their opening Magners League fixtures and topping the Magners League table.

In stark contrast, Leinster have looked lethargic under new head-coach Joe Schmidt, managing only one win from their opening four Magners fixtures, including a defeat on the road in Italy, and loitering in unknown territory in the bottom half of the Magners League table.

Johnathan Sexton returns to the Leinster set-up, along with other injury concern Nathan Hines, to form a strong Leinster squad, barring long term injuries to captain Leo Cullen, talismatic front row Stan Wright and back-row Kevin McLoughlin. Ed O'Donoghue is also excluded after picking up a knock last week in Edinburgh.

Munster come into the fixture beaming with confidence, with convincing wins over league rivals Ospreys and a strong finish is Glasgow, to wrap up an impressive bonus point win.

Tony McGahan is yet to name his Munster squad for the historic clash, but is expected to continue in similar vein to the so far winning formula discovered this season, with new boy Murphy and the returning from injury Jones impressing in the back-line, along with a powerful pack that has shown no signs of being bullied as Munster have dominated the breakdown to date, which surely will be an area targeted in this clash.

Post will be updated with offical squads when named and starting teams.

Munster Squad: Wian Du Preez, Marcus Horan, Mike Sherry, Sean Henry, Damien Varley, John Hayes, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Peter O’Mahony, James Coughlan, Tomás O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Scott Deasy, Paul Warwick, Danny Barnes, Lifemi Mafi, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley.

Magners League Head to Head:

Leinster v Munster
Saturday 2nd October 2010, KO 19:30
Magners League Head to head

Leinster Overall Stats
Played 16
Wins 9
Losses 7
Draws 0
Tries 23
Conversions 16
Penalties 35
Drop Goals 1
Points 255
Avg. Age 26
Champions 2

Munster Overall Stats
Played 16
Wins 7
Losses 9
Draws 0
Tries 23
Conversions 13
Penalties 41
Drop Goals 2
Points 270
Avg. Age 27
Champions 2

wixfjord

Is there any indication that Sexton is back? Or is a decision to be made still?

JustinDee

wixfjord wrote: »

Is there any indication that Sexton is back? Or is a decision to be made still?

Thursday apparently.

durkadurka

I'm not happy with this. Where's my mod warning?

Otacon

durkadurka wrote: »

I'm not happy with this. Where's my mod warning?

It's implied at this stage.

No idea how this is going to go. It really depends on what Leinster team we see. If its the rudderless team we have seen so far this season, Munster may just rip them apart. If it isn't...

andrewdcs

Ooh I just love these games! Break my house down the centre, red half vs blue half throw in years of friendly rivalry and banter, the new Lansdowne and a feed of pints in the local and we have ourselves a Saturday.

This is either the start of Leinsters season or a stunning blow. Losing 4of5 (especially in the sleepwalking way of the games so far, last 10 minutes lads!) would be crippling.

Muster have been very very solid all round, Leinster desperately need Sexton to start and to shake the look of a team still thinking through the calls. No problem with talent / power / commitment they just look undercooked and under focussed to my mind.

Cannot wait.

Conas

It's very hard to see Leinster winning this one, then again we have beaten Munster four times in a row so there is every chance we can cancel out the bad form of late by winning.

Sexton will be needed badly for this one, but I don't expect him to come back and play amazing rugby. Munster may be unbeaten, but it's certainly not the strongest Munster team ever fielded not by a long way. Felix Jones, Doug Howlett and Niall Ronan are in a great run of form at the moment. It's going to be a very physical encounter. Munster by 7!!!

PhatPiggins

Part of me doesn't want Sexton to start so that we can hammer Leinster but I really want both teams to be as close to full strenght as possible.

Conas

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Part of me doesn't want Sexton to start so that we can hammer Leinster but I really want both teams to be as close to full strenght as possible.

I have a feeling it could be another big anti-climax of a match. Munster V Leinster all the fuzz for weeks...then bang......a one sided contest is what we get.

I hope the quality is better than the previous Magners League matches too, which have been a disgrace to NH rugby.

andrewdcs

Conas wrote: »

I have a feeling it could be another big anti-climax of a match. Munster V Leinster all the fuzz for weeks...then bang......a one sided contest is what we get.

I hope the quality is better than the previous Magners League matches too, which have been a disgrace to NH rugby.

Agree on the quality generally.

Rust or new refereeing practices?
Magners league really deserves a big game from these two.

Connaught have really impressed in the two games of theirs I've seen, but more from an excitement / flair point of view than high quality games. They've thrown away a lot of points (like Leinster) Munster seem to have their mettle from the go.

Conas

andrewdcs wrote: »

Agree on the quality generally.

Rust or new refereeing practices?
Magners league really deserves a big game from these two.

Connaught have really impressed in the two games of theirs I've seen, but more from an excitement / flair point of view than high quality games. They've thrown away a lot of points (like Leinster) Munster seem to have their mettle from the go.

No we really have to stop blaming the referees, I mean the handling and passing has been woeful you can't blame the ref for that. It's the basic skills of rugby. There seems to be an awful lack of passion too especially from Leinster, the defence has also been very poor, yet again you can't blame the ref for all that. The rules are the same for the NH and SH teams but we seem to be struggling to adapt especially at the breakdown, there is no excuses though. These guys are professionals.

I think Connaught are doing very well and they still have their captain John Muldoon to come back. They are very strong, so are Ulster. I think Leinster will pick themselves up, I hope they don't leave it late though.

thomond2006

@Jackass

Time to lay our reputation on the line again methinks!

It's 2-1 to yourself on my last count and with Leinster in such ****e form I think it's time to square up the score!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showp...&postcount=340

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showp...&postcount=334

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65226811&postcount=732

If Munster win you must post:

These being the words of a disillusioned Leinster fan:

What can I say? Munster are the superior province. They once again showed that they have more heart and desire than Leinster lyke.

Only a team as arrogant as Leinster could let go one of the best head coaches and the best defence coach in Europe and still believe that they could be greater than everyone else with some random journeymen in charge.

It pains me that I have been born with blue blood in my veins, oh how I wish I was a real man.

My scoring days are over now that all the hot women on boards realise I'm from a backwards province like Leinster. Even Connacht are higher in the league than us lyke! Oh My God!!!

I just soooooooo wanna be from Munster.

If Munster win you must also change your sig to the version below until Munster vs Leinster at Thomond Park in April:

Leinster Rugby
Magners League Champions 2002
Magners League Champions 2008
Heineken Cup Champions 2009
BUT STILL NOTHING COMPARED TO MIGHTY MUNSTER!

I await your favourable reply.

Blut2

Paddypower has neither team favourites with both at Scratch at the moment, wonder how much that'll drift as the week goes on. I think if Sexton isnt in the Leinster team Munster will have to be the firm favourites come Saturday.

Conas

Blut2 wrote: »

Paddypower has neither team favourites with both at Scratch at the moment, wonder how much that'll drift as the week goes on. I think if Sexton isnt in the Leinster team Munster will have to be the firm favourites come Saturday.

But Leinster are playing at home, and in rugby terms that is a massive advantage. If Sexton is playing you'll find Leinster will be favourite, and since they have beaten them 4 times in a row that's another reason to back Leinster.

CoDy1

Conas wrote: »

But Leinster are playing at home, and in rugby terms that is a massive advantage. If Sexton is playing you'll find Leinster will be favourite, and since they have beaten them 4 times in a row that's another reason to back Leinster.

which means Munster will be great value come friday..and will be worth a decent punt regardless.

Conas

CoDy1 wrote: »

which means Munster will be great value come friday..and will be worth a decent punt regardless.

Exactly I'd expect them to win if you take everything into consideration. But they could very easily bottle it!!! given the four beatings in a row.

Otacon

Wait, Conas, how many times have Leinster beaten Munster in a row now?

:pac:

murphym7

Conas wrote: »

But Leinster are playing at home, and in rugby terms that is a massive advantage. If Sexton is playing you'll find Leinster will be favourite, and since they have beaten them 4 times in a row that's another reason to back Leinster.

I don't think there is going to be much of a home advantage really - apart from Leo the Lion running around the sidelines a bit.

Saying that though, I am fairly fearfull of Leinster on Saturday - I have Munster picked to win but Leinster after a bad start to the season with a lot to prove. I don't think it is going to be one sided by either team - very close with 3 points between them.

thomond2006

I definitely think 10/11 is great odds for Munster, as ye say that could change by Friday.

thomond2006

Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a 29 man squad for the Magners League clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (7.30pm).

McGahan supervised his squad's session in the pouring rain in Cork Institute of Technology this morning and afterwards at the media briefing in McCarthy's Tennis Village expressed his unconcern when asked if the predicted wet weather for Saturday's game would have any effect.

"Not at all, whatever the conditions both sides will adapt, it'll be the same for them. Obviously, we'd like a dry sod, I'm sure supporters would too. But it's not as though either ourselves or Leinster are not used to playing in the wet."

Munster Squad:
Wian Du Preez, Marcus Horan, Mike Sherry, Sean Henry, Damien Varley, John Hayes, Darragh Hurley, Tony Buckley, Billy Holland, Donnacha Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Alan Quinlan, David Wallace, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy, Peter O’Mahony, James Coughlan,

Tomás O’Leary, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Scott Deasy, Paul Warwick, Danny Barnes, Lifemi Mafi, Johne Murphy, Sam Tuitupou, Doug Howlett, Denis Hurley.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7991.php

Finally we'll know for sure who Munster's first choice XV is! (Excluding the injuries)

It's a big squad so hard to ascertain the starting lineup from it. I'd go for:

Du Preez
Varley
Buckley
DOC
Ryan
Quinlan
Wallace
Leamy
TOL
ROG
Murphy
Tuitupou
Mafi
Howlett
Warwick

Sherry
Horan
Hayes
MOD
Ronan
Stringer
Deasy
Hurley

CiaranMT

thomond2006 wrote: »

Finally we'll know for sure who Munster's first choice XV is! (Excluding the injuries)

It's a big squad so hard to ascertain the starting lineup from it. I'd go for:

Du Preez
Varley
Buckley
DOC
Ryan
Quinlan
Wallace
Leamy
TOL
ROG
Murphy
Tuitupou
Mafi
Howlett
Warwick

Sherry
Horan
Hayes
MOD
Ronan
Stringer
Deasy
Hurley

Can't argue with that.

andrewdcs

Conas wrote: »

No we really have to stop blaming the referees, I mean the handling and passing has been woeful you can't blame the ref for that. It's the basic skills of rugby. There seems to be an awful lack of passion too especially from Leinster, the defence has also been very poor, yet again you can't blame the ref for all that. The rules are the same for the NH and SH teams but we seem to be struggling to adapt especially at the breakdown, there is no excuses though. These guys are professionals.

I think Connaught are doing very well and they still have their captain John Muldoon to come back. They are very strong, so are Ulster. I think Leinster will pick themselves up, I hope they don't leave it late though.

Agree on Ulster and Connaught showing the way so far (tho with 4/4 Munster don't look to have left 2nd gear! ominous) Scarlets looked v good in the extended highlights (though, it was extended hightlights! last 3 games too.

Comment on refs is more about the flow / pace of breakdown and being consistent across the league. True pros should have it all sorted at this stage. Always a bug bear so wont slaughter it again, but... Same team can play a totally different game if a ref is slower on penalising breakdown interference as the plan was not to commit, say, the extra flanker so all the calls change based on what way a ref might see it. <puts down worn out drum sticks>


I think those odds are going to be snapped up by Munster fans (and the more morally ambiguous Leinster fans!! I'd see Munster by 7 but obv. would love to be wrong (again)

profitius

Conas wrote: »

I have a feeling it could be another big anti-climax of a match. Munster V Leinster all the fuzz for weeks...then bang......a one sided contest is what we get.

I hope the quality is better than the previous Magners League matches too, which have been a disgrace to NH rugby.

I thought the standard of the weekends matches were good. Fewer handling errors and some good rugby. Connacht and Ulster decided to kick more but it was still a good game.

TheTMO

Otacon wrote: »

Wait, Conas, how many times have Leinster beaten Munster in a row now?

:pac:

4

TIMES

IN

A

ROW

I think, Conas can correct me on that

Bogsnorkler

Jeez, ye boys need to let this sibling rivalry go at this stage, tis just another game like!

CoDy1

Bogsnorkler wrote: »

Jeez, ye boys need to let this sibling rivalry go at this stage, tis just another game like!

Stuff like that is harmless in fairness and I'm sure Munster supporters like myself can take it in jest like it was meant. Adds a bit to the banter and 'tis true after all!!

It won't be 5 though;)

outwest

4 times in a row,
to bad that it the next game that importent, what done is done, but il gladly love to see u have 5 times in row come saturday.

realisticaly leinster lose on saturday, then their chances of them getting to the top 4 are slim. especially with connacht in the sportsground their next leauge game :D:D:D:D

TheTMO

outwest wrote: »

4 times in a row,
to bad that it the next game that improtent, what done is done, but il gladly love to see u have 5 times in row come saturday.

SARZY

TheTMO wrote: »

4

TIMES

IN

A

ROW

I think, Conas can correct me on that[/QUOTE

So had Kilkenny but the Tipp lads sorted that. Some more of that coming yere way on Saturday.

maddness

Conas wrote: »

But Leinster are playing at home

Yeah and no Munster fans live in Dublin and might just make it to the game. Playing in Lansdowne is like as much at home for Munster as it is for Leinster these days.

maddness

Im a a big Leinster fan but really cant see beyond a Munster win on Saturday. The last 4 wins mean nothing this weekend.

TitoPuente

I'd be surprised if Munster didn't feel partially at home in Lansdowne. Should they qualify for a home playoff in the HEC, it'll probably be played there.

Going on what I've seen this season, Leinster have it all to play for on Saturday. I'd love to see a 5-in-a-row winning streak but I'm having difficulty imagining it. If Sexton is back and manages to hit the ground running and the rest of the squad fire on all cylinders then we have a chance.

Bogsnorkler

Does 5 wins in a row against Munster mean something in itself?

I know winning on Saturday will be big for Leinster and kick start their season, but beating Munster 5 in a row is meaningless, more of a statistically anomaly more than anything else!

TitoPuente

Bogsnorkler wrote: »

Does 5 wins in a row against Munster mean something in itself?

I know winning on Saturday will be big for Leinster and kick start their season, but beating Munster 5 in a row is meaningless, more of a statistically anomaly more than anything else!

Agreed. Beating Munster (or being beaten by Munster) doesn't really have the same meaning for me anymore. Less in the Magners League. Both teams have proven that they can compete, and win, at the highest levels of European Rugby so jeers of "Ladyboys" or slagging each other off for being "crap" or "overrated" are meaningless at this point.

If Munster lose on Saturday, they're still on a reasonable run of form. If Leinster lose, especially if they lose badly, questions will need to be asked. For Leinster, this is more of an issue with ongoing form rather than who they're playing. Hell, if we see an awesome performance from both teams on Saturday and Munster just sneak it, it would even be a reprieve for Leinster.

Here's to a monster match

thomond2006

The Munster Leinster Magners fixture means a lot to me.

Whether the rivalry and sometimes unfriendly banter is right or wrong, the matches are always fiercely competitive and the fans at the ground buy into that too and create a spine tingling atmosphere. That's why I'm gutted that I won't be at Munster vs Leinster at Thomond this year, having gone in 2009 and 2010.

Also, full strength sides are generally picked so you are seeing the cream of the crop in Ireland face each other.

I wouldn't consider beating Munster/Leinster 5 times in a row meaningless at all. I think it's a fantastic achievement because those victories aren't gained easily.

TitoPuente

thomond2006 wrote: »

I wouldn't consider beating Munster/Leinster 5 times in a row meaningless at all. I think it's a fantastic achievement because those victories aren't gained easily.

As a Leinster fan, yes, it would be nice. Although what would it mean in relative terms exactly? Both teams have proven themselves as worthy European champions to date. Let's say Leinster win on Saturday. Will that change the fact that they've had a really poor season so far? Will it mean that Munster haven't had a reasonably good season so far? Not really. It'll just mean what it means - as a single match. Like any other. If Leinster were playing Ospreys on Saturday, a win would be just as favourable in relative terms - tribal bragging rights aside.

If Munster win on Saturday, you may well hear chants of "ladyboy" on certain forums afterwards. Forgetting the fact that we're more current European champions than Munster and won the previous 4 matches (one 30-nil). If we win on Saturday, we might hear our supporters bragging about "5 in a row", "Munster's season isn't going as well as they think", blah, blah, blah. Ultimately Leinster and Munster have to prove themselves over the course of the whole season. Not against each other but against everyone else. This game is just a drop in the ocean so let's not lose sight of the bigger picture for both squads.

May the best team win!

[Jackass]

A win for Munster would be a fantastic result, and could effectively end Leinsters hopes of play-offs / home semi. Munster would be miles ahead on the table.

Plus, it would be an away win against one of their biggest league rivals.

Munster have a lot more to gain from this.

A win for Leinster pulls us back into contention and hopefully gets the ball rolling on the season at last..

anonymous_joe

[Jackass] wrote: »

A win for Munster would be a fantastic result, and could effectively end Leinsters hopes of play-offs / home semi. Munster would be miles ahead on the table.

Plus, it would be an away win against one of their biggest league rivals.

Munster have a lot more to gain from this.

A win for Leinster pulls us back into contention and hopefully gets the ball rolling on the season at last..

Part of the problem here is that Leinster have fcuked up every game they could so far.

Now some people will say these games weren't important (I disagree) but the next bunch of games most assuredly are.

There's going to be even more pressure on these guys, many of whom look confused at best. Playing Munster is unwelcome just because it's a distraction. We've no game plan to be distracted from either, which is the problem.

In short, I'm not even bricking it, because all I want at this stage is signs of a workable game plan. I've lost hope of results until we see that.

Teferi

I absolutely love Leinster v Munster games. The atmosphere in the stadium is always electric and both teams play their hearts out. Can't wait to see it.

Unfortunately, I can only see Leinster getting whomped.

Podge_irl

Leinster v. Munster is still Leinster v. Munster and always will be. It's a giant game no matter what the circumstances. It's a huge game in Leinster's season on top of that as they desperately need to win it to get their league tilt back on track. I'm not sure it will ever be a nothing game though.

(5 in a row would be lovely after all )

phog

Teferi wrote: »

I absolutely love Leinster v Munster games. The atmosphere in the stadium is always electric and both teams play their hearts out. Can't wait to see it.

Unfortunately, I can only see Leinster getting whomped.

Where is the evidence that Leinster will be whipped? While Munster have won their 4 opening games they have conceeded soft tries and at times spilt ball that a team like Leinster would punish. I'm a Munster fan and will be heading up but would not be overly confident of a win.

In the overall scheme of things, this is just another pool game for Munster and a week before two H/Cup games where we are without POC, Fla and Earls, so we're not sure how McGahan will view this game, whereas, Leinster will surely want to get back on winning ways. The big question for Leinster will they rush Sexton back early and take a chance that he will be match fit and wont do further damage or leave him on the bench (if fit) and give him 30 mins or so.

Both teams will surely be looking ahead to the H/Cup games too, I know there will be inter pro rivalry but that will count for nothing next May.

smurphy29

I can't recall so little bullishness from both sets of fans on this forum before a Leinster v Munster match-up! Us Leinster fans are naturally fearful after our shocking start, while the 4-in-a-row record seems to have left Munster fans dreading another defeat. Everyone seems to want the underdog status for this one.

Anyway, not much to add from me, but just to reiterate that so long as we see some fight and semblance of game plan from Leinster, it will be something. Hines, O'Brien and Heaslip being restored to the pack is essential, and Sexton is massively important. Perhaps his value has been over-hyped in his absence, but it has been keenly felt, especially as the occasionally maligned but actually pretty good Shaun Brne has been out in tandem.

Think we're looking at Kearney, Isa, BOD, Darce, Fitz, Sexton, Boss, vd Merwe / Healy, Strauss, Ross, Hines, Toner, O'Brien, Jennings, Heaslip.

TheTMO

smurphy29 wrote: »

Think we're looking at Kearney, Isa, BOD, Darce, Fitz, Sexton, Boss, vd Merwe / Healy, Strauss, Ross, Hines, Toner, O'Brien, Jennings, Heaslip.

My problem is that a lot of those key players havent played much and probably Leinster's main key player (Sexton) hasn't played at all! And thats not even taking into account how poor the team has been performing so far.

If Leinster win this with Munster's current form it will be nothing short of a miracle.

Blobby George

Any rational analysis of the current plight of both teams would leave only one conclusion. Munster by at least 20 points imo. Leinster are a spent 'force'. Cheika saw the writing was on the wall and got out a t the right time. I feel bad for Joe Schmidt in all this.

irishbucsfan

Blobby George wrote: »

Any rational analysis of the current plight of both teams would leave only one conclusion. Munster by at least 20 points imo. Leinster are a spent 'force'. Cheika saw the writing was on the wall and got out a t the right time. I feel bad for Joe Schmidt in all this.

Rubbish. Leinster have a younger average age, more prospects coming through, etc. Don't see at all how they are a "spent force" in comparison to Munster, or any team in the world for that matter.

Cheika left because he'd been there for 5 years and he knew he couldn't bring them any further forward. The big loss in it all was Kurt McQuilkin, and while the team shifts across from his aggresive rush defense to whichever Schmidt wants them to play there will be a transition period. A lot of people are questioning whether Schmidt is right for the job, but I remember 2 years ago people were questioning another SH Head Coach that Leinster had pulled from relative obscurity (in terms of Head Coaching). He went on to become the best foreign coach the country had ever seen. With time, and with the great talent at his finger tips, Schmidt can easilly follow in Cheika's footsteps


As for this weekend, my confidence in Leinster is totally dependent on whether or not we see Boss/Sexton in the starting team. Even if they do play, they've never played together before, so Leinster really have it all to do. Anything can happen on the day though, as we saw in Croker

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rubbish. Leinster have a younger average age, more prospects coming through, etc. Don't see at all how they are a "spent force" in comparison to Munster, or any team in the world for that matter.

Cheika left because he'd been there for 5 years and he knew he couldn't bring them any further forward. The big loss in it all was Kurt McQuilkin, and while the team shifts across from his aggresive rush defense to whichever Schmidt wants them to play there will be a transition period. A lot of people are questioning whether Schmidt is right for the job, but I remember 2 years ago people were questioning another SH Head Coach that Leinster had pulled from relative obscurity (in terms of Head Coaching). He went on to become the best foreign coach the country had ever seen. With time, and with the great talent at his finger tips, Schmidt can easilly follow in Cheika's footsteps


As for this weekend, my confidence in Leinster is totally dependent on whether or not we see Boss/Sexton in the starting team. Even if they do play, they've never played together before, so Leinster really have it all to do. Anything can happen on the day though, as we saw in Croker

Yes and no with all Cheika's greatness and a superb team he only managed one H/Cup win, not a great result for manager or team.

ALH-06

Blobby George wrote: »

Any rational analysis of the current plight of both teams would leave only one conclusion. Munster by at least 20 points imo. Leinster are a spent 'force'. Cheika saw the writing was on the wall and got out a t the right time. I feel bad for Joe Schmidt in all this.

Calling Leinster a 'spent force', with the crop of young players they have coming through the ranks, is both ludicrous and laughable. A mere glance at any Leinster (and indeed Ireland) player statistics would prove this, at every age level.

Back to common sense, I can't see Leinster beating their southern rivals on current form. Unfortunately for some, this fixture appears to have come far too early for Schmidt. But I'm looking forward to what should be an awesome, tightly-contested match nonetheless.

thehighground

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rubbish. Leinster have a younger average age, more prospects coming through, etc. Don't see at all how they are a "spent force" in comparison to Munster, or any team in the world for that matter.

According to Jackass's first post, the average age of Leinster is 26 and Munster is 27 - and thats with having two veterans (Quinny & the Bull) in the squad.

btw, I'd argue that Warran Gatland is the most successful foreign Irish coach bearing in mind the resources he had at Connacht, how he turned around the Ireland side and then his success with Wasps & Wales.

Cheika came across as completely intolerant of any messing and gave Leinster that hard edge that Leinster needed. Schmidt might be a great backs coach, but I've a funny feeling he isn't hard/demanding enough.

Edit: Boss & Sexton have played together in the Churchill Cup/Ireland A.

irishbucsfan

phog wrote: »

Yes and no with all Cheika's greatness and a superb team he only managed one H/Cup win, not a great result for manager or team.

Not just one Heineken Cup win. One Heineken Cup, 2 Magners League wins. That's successful for any team in the ML, especially considering the way Leinster were playing when he came in.

thehighground

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Not just one Heineken Cup win. One Heineken Cup, 2 Magners League wins. That's successful for any team in the ML, especially considering the way Leinster were playing when he came in.

Cheika has only had one Magners win. (The other Leinster win was 02-03).

Leinster made QFs of the Heineken Cup the year before Cheika came in and as far as i can remember they were playing some nice rugby as well.

TheTMO

phog wrote: »

Yes and no with all Cheika's greatness and a superb team he only managed one H/Cup win, not a great result for manager or team.

The Leinster team were extremely young in the beginning of Cheikas era. Look at the backbone of the Leinster team : Cian Healy, O'Brien, Heaslip, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Kearney most of these players weren't even playing in the beginning. When these players came of age we started to see Leinster improving in 2008 ML Champions, 2009 European Champions, 2010 Semi final of HC and Final of ML. It took him 3 years but he took a very young squad and made them domestic and european champions and in his final two years he managed to beat his bitter rivals 4 times in a row. If ou honesty think Cheika's reign wasn't a great result then you are quite frankly, insane.