Leinster-v-Racing Metro 92: RDS 09/10/10 1.30pm Sky Sports 1

LeeroyJones

No Starting XVs named yet. Still question marks over Sexton and Cullen.

Leinster Squad;
Forwards: Leo Cullen, Mariano Galarza, Jason Harris-Wright, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Shane Jennings, Sean O’Brien, Mike Ross, Dominic Ryan, Simon Shawe, Richardt Strauss, Devin Toner, Heinke Van Der Merwe

Backs: Isaac Boss, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton

Racing Metro 92 Squad;
Forwards : Battut, Brugnaut, Chabal, Cronje, Dellapé, Festuccia, Leo'o, Leroux, Lo Cicero, Nallet, Noirot, Orlandi,Qovu, Vaquin, Zimmermman.

Backs : Bergamasco, Bobo, Durand, Fillol, Lorée, Masi, Saubade, Steyn, VuliVuli.

Hernandez's absence becomes even more significant now that Wisniewski is also out. Positive news for Leinster.

PaddyPower odds:
Leinster 2/9, Draw 25/1, Racing Metro 92 3/1

!!!CMON LEINSTER!!!

BoarHunter

Gutted wisniewski won't make it

LeeroyJones

Who do you think will go 10 Boar? I was thinking Steyn myself, although someone on a French forum mentioned Fillol. Masi, if I remember correctly was tried there for Italy and it didn't go great for him!

BoarHunter

you have the right guess : Fillol or Steyn

outwest

this will be a good match, should be the same team that played munster apart from sexton

BoarHunter

Leinster will suffer up front i suppose but HCup is a different game and Racing will have to show a killer instinct in scoring at every opportunity otherwise they will be punished by leinster experience.

Podge_irl

RM at 3/1 seems worth a punt. Leinster have been playing some awful stuff lately.

thomond2006

Podge_irl wrote: »

RM at 3/1 seems worth a punt. Leinster have been playing some awful stuff lately.

Even with Hernandez and Wisniewski out, they still have Durand at 9, VuliVuli (Seru Rabeni Mark II) at centre and Frans Steyn somewhere.

TheOwl

My team.

1.Healy
2.Strauss
3.Ross
4.Hines
5.Toner
6.Ryan
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Nacewa
15.Kearney

16.Harris-Wright
17.van der Merwe
18.Shawe
19.Cullen
20.Jennings
21.Boss
22.Horgan
23.McFadden

Judgement Day

With Wisniewski out you've got to fancy Leinster for this one, bad and all as they have been playing, and by more than 9 at 10/11 looks good.

C'MON YOU BOYS IN BLUE!

Stev_o

Judgement Day wrote: »

With Wisniewski out you've got to fancy Leinster for this one, bad and all as they have been playing, and by more than 9 at 10/11 looks good.

C'MON YOU BOYS IN BLUE!

But they are both in blue! Aggggggggghhhhh

lologram

Francois Steyn is on Off The Ball right now talking about the match. Seems like a good guy, says CJ was instrumental in getting the likes of Richardt Strauss to consider a move to Leinster. Surprisingly honest on De Villiers and SARU as well. Refreshing to see someone tell it like is and not go into an interview with the aim of saying as little as possible.

irishbucsfan

TheOwl wrote: »

My team.

1.Healy
2.Strauss
3.Ross
4.Hines
5.Toner
6.Ryan
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Nacewa
15.Kearney

16.Harris-Wright
17.van der Merwe
18.Shawe
19.Cullen
20.Jennings
21.Boss
22.Horgan
23.McFadden

Ryan starting ahead of Jennings? Not going to happen. Jennings is one of the best players in the squad, as well as vice-captain. If Cullen can't start then Jennings will IMO.

I would think they'll move O'Brien to 6 and put Jennings back in his usual place.

[Jackass]

TheOwl wrote: »

My team.

1.Healy
2.Strauss
3.Ross
4.Hines
5.Toner
6.Ryan
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Nacewa
15.Kearney

16.Harris-Wright
17.van der Merwe
18.Shawe
19.Cullen
20.Jennings
21.Boss
22.Horgan
23.McFadden

I'd agree with that team, but as said, Jennings will be at 7, with O'Brien at 6 and Ryan on the bench. Cullen may start ahead of Toner too, depending on fitness. Lose head is a toss up too, but I'd go with Healy.

Excited about this game. Would love a win and no losing bp for racing..

I think it's the perfect time to be getting Racing with the injuries they've got and being at home I think we'll be too strong for them. Quietly confident.

thebaz

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Jennings is one of the best players in the squad, as well as vice-captain.

best player in squad ????

he's light years behind O'Driscoll, Heaslip, Sexton etc.

very over rated player ,will probably start but not on merit for me, anyway

wixfjord

Jennings is usually very very important to the team, but has been poor of late.
Wouldnt displace Ryan for me, based on both his Seanies performance last week, but would have him on the bench.

LeeroyJones

RACING METRO 92 STARTING XV
1. Lo Cicero
2. Noirot
3. Orlandi
4. Nallet (capt)
5. Qovu
6. Leo'o
7. Cronje
8. Chabal

9. Durand
10. Fillol
11. Saubade
12. Masi
13. Vulivuli
14. Bobo
15. Steyn

wixfjord

Nothing to be afraid of there really bar a bulky pack.

thomond2006

wixfjord wrote: »

Nothing to be afraid of there really bar a bulky pack.

Gotta watch out for VuliVuli at 13, he's an absolute tank. Seen him score tries by bashing through 3/4 players. BOD and D'Arcy will have their hands full with him IMO.

irishbucsfan

thebaz wrote: »

best player in squad ????

he's light years behind O'Driscoll, Heaslip, Sexton etc.

very over rated player ,will probably start but not on merit for me, anyway

Rubbish, always been a role model to me. Not many 7s in the ML are nearly as influential off the ball as Jennings (Martyn Williams at his peak or Ofisa on form last year being the exceptions). We're very lucky to have him

I'd love to hear one of the players reaction to the idea that Jennings is a "very over rated player"

LeeroyJones

Finally!!!

Leinster Starting XV
15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O’Driscoll
12: Gordon D’Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke Van Der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Nathan Hines
5: Devin Toner
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Cian Healy
18: Simon Shawe
19: Mariano Galarza
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Fergus McFadden
23: Shane Horgan

unfortunately Cullen hasn't passed the fitness test, but aside from that I am delighted with that XV

Hippo

Team announced:

LEINSTER:

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

1: Heinke Van Der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Nathan Hines
5: Devin Toner
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Cian Healy
18: Simon Shawe
19: Mariano Galarza
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Fergus McFadden
23: Shane Horgan

REFEREE: David Pearson (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Rob Debney, Stuart Terheege (both RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Peter Dennehy (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ken Henley-Willis (Leinster Rugby Referees)

wixfjord

Yip happy with that. Hopefully Reddan speeds the ball up and has none of his regular brain farts. I think that's how we can win this, by really attacking them and speeding everything up.

padser

Talking points for me are

1) Cian Healy demoted - marginal but not good news for Ireland (obviously he will still get gametime, but a foreign objective coach obviously rates him behind VDM)
2) Redden takes Boss's place from last week - again marginal I think, in light of TOL's injury makes Redden likely first choice for Ireland in the AI's. I'v been disappointed with both Boss and Redden (in fairness along with most of the rest of the Leinster team) so far this reason
3) D Ryan - seems to have completely overtaken Ruddock - interesting as I had Ruddock pegged for a breakthrough this season, looks like Ryan instead

Overall great to see Sexton back - hope he is fit.

If Leinster are to have any chance of progressing - it goes without saying that a home win vs Metro is a must, our HC season could be over 27 hours from now. Fingers crossed it isn't

irishbucsfan

wixfjord wrote: »

Yip happy with that. Hopefully Reddan speeds the ball up and has none of his regular brain farts. I think that's how we can win this, by really attacking them and speeding everything up.

It would be great if we could see Reddan improve his control of the game and stupid mistakes. Then we'd be set.

Until then I'm totally unconvinced, he runs down so many blind alleys and costs far too much possession. Hopefully this weekend he'll be encouraged by the injury to TOL and realise the Irish jersey will be given to whoever performs best in the blue of Leinster.

wixfjord

Remember Reddan's first game in the HEC last season? Still have nightmares about it, never been so angry with a player, was getting serious looks in Slatterys.

[Jackass]

That's pretty much full strength with the exception of Cullen, arguably McLoughlin as well, but it's in good shape for this match.

Sexton did very well against Munster last weekend and was the difference on the day, so I've no doubt he'll be fully up to speed this week and was even benched as a precaution last weekend.

The Boss / Reddan scenario is baffling - they both do so well off the bench, but seem to struggle when starting. Personaly, I'd have Boss ahead of Reddan on form this season, but Reddan did very well last weekend compared to Boss, so probably the right call.

Ryan can feel hard done by to be on the bench, which is a massive statement about a player who's still academy and didn't get promoted to senior team this season - in terms of squad at least, but I think it's fair to assume Schmidt has over ruled that, and rightfully so.

It's going to be a tough game, but hopefull we can do the business on the day!!

On a side note, absolutely thrilled to see that Heaslip has taken over the captaincy, even in the presence of Jennings. Heaslip is a Lions captain of the future, and delighted to see he is being called upon to lead Leinster, and may possibly captain Ireland after the world cup.

After Cullen and O'Driscoll, he's the best leader in the squad.

Judgement Day

Great to see Reddan starting (whatever about him being ahead of Peter Stringer for the AIs) and barring divine intervention Leinster are going to run away with this one - don't care what the experts say. Shaping up to be a great weekend of rugby but I don't know how to find somewhere to watch Leinster/Racing Metro and and Toulon/Ospreys at the same time. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Mr.Applepie

[Jackass] wrote: »

On a side note, absolutely thrilled to see that Heaslip has taken over the captaincy, even in the presence of Jennings. Heaslip is a Lions captain of the future, and delighted to see he is being called upon to lead Leinster, and may possibly captain Ireland after the world cup.

After Cullen and O'Driscoll, he's the best leader in the squad.

I think it's only fair. He's been the only player to show any kind of leadership so far this season. One can dream that by given the vice captaincy (if permanent) that he'll up his game again

thomond2006

Healy dropped is very bad for Ireland.

Leinster win for me.

cgarvey

Leinster|v|Racing Metro 92
Rob Kearney|15|Francois Steyn
Isa Nacewa|14|Sereli Bobo
Brian O'Driscoll|13|Albert VuliVuli
Gordon D'Arcy|12|Andrea Masi
Luke Fitzgerald|11|Julien Saubade
Jonathan Sexton|10|Jerome Fillol
Eoin Reddan|9|Nicolas Durand
| |
Heinke van der Merwe|1|Sebastien Chabal
Richardt Strauss|2|Jacques Cronje
Mike Ross|3|John Leo'o
Nathan Hines|4|Jone Qovu Nailiko
Devin Toner|5|Lionel Nallet
Sean O'Brien|6|Juan Pablo Orlandi
Shane Jennings|7|Benjamin Noirot
Jamie Heaslip (c)|8|Andrea Lo Cicero
| |
Jason Harris-Wright|16|Carlo Festuccia
Cian Healy|17|Scott Zimmermann
Simon Shawe|18|Julien Brugnaut
Mariano Galarza|19|Santiago Dellape
Dominic Ryan|20|Mathieu Loree
Isaac Boss|21|Mirco Bergamasco
Fergus McFadden|22|Remi Vaquiin
Shane Horgan|23|Antoine Batut

David900

cgarvey wrote: »

Leinster|v|Racing Metro 92
Rob Kearney|15|Francois Steyn
Isa Nacewa|14|Sereli Bobo
Brian O'Driscoll|13|Albert VuliVuli
Gordon D'Arcy|12|Andrea Masi
Luke Fitzgerald|11|Julien Saubade
Jonathan Sexton|10|Jerome Fillol
Eoin Reddan|9|Nicolas Durand
| |
Heinke van der Merwe|1|Sebastien Chabal
Richardt Strauss|2|Jacques Cronje
Mike Ross|3|John Leo'o
Nathan Hines|4|Jone Qovu Nailiko
Devin Toner|5|Lionel Nallet
Sean O'Brien|6|Juan Pablo Orlandi
Shane Jennings|7|Benjamin Noirot
Jamie Heaslip (c)|8|Andrea Lo Cicero
| |
Jason Harris-Wright|16|Carlo Festuccia
Cian Healy|17|Scott Zimmermann
Simon Shawe|18|Julien Brugnaut
Mariano Galarza|19|Santiago Dellape
Dominic Ryan|20|Mathieu Loree
Isaac Boss|21|Mirco Bergamasco
Fergus McFadden|22|Remi Vaquiin
Shane Horgan|23|Antoine Batut

I wonder how effective Chabel will be at number one?

thebaz

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rubbish, always been a role model to me. Not many 7s in the ML are nearly as influential off the ball as Jennings (Martyn Williams at his peak or Ofisa on form last year being the exceptions). We're very lucky to have him

I'd love to hear one of the players reaction to the idea that Jennings is a "very over rated player"

thats your opinion - in my opinion he is a very average 7 (for this standard) - he was very poor last time out - Wallace for instance is a much better 7 as is Sean O'brien

irishbucsfan

thebaz wrote: »

thats your opinion - in my opinion he is a very average 7 (for this standard) - he was very poor last time out - Wallace for instance is a much better 7 as is Sean O'brien

Any chance that the knock to the head that kept him out against Munster might have influenced that game at all?

He's been the best player on the pitch on many occasions over the past 2 seasons for us. Sean O'Brien clearly isn't the better 7 if he's playing 6 tomorrow.

thebaz

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Any chance that the knock to the head that kept him out against Munster might have influenced that game at all?

He's been the best player on the pitch on many occasions over the past 2 seasons for us. Sean O'Brien clearly isn't the better 7 if he's playing 6 tomorrow.

jesus man people are allowed have opinions - i think o'brien is a better 7 - just cause my opinion differs from yours - doesnt mean its rubbish

danthefan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rubbish, always been a role model to me. Not many 7s in the ML are nearly as influential off the ball as Jennings (Martyn Williams at his peak or Ofisa on form last year being the exceptions). We're very lucky to have him

I'd love to hear one of the players reaction to the idea that Jennings is a "very over rated player"

Totally agree. Jennings is incredibly important to Leinster.

TitoPuente

Have to agree about Jennings. Possibly underrated? His contribution to the Leinster pack and the additional beef and moxy he provided was instrumental in the Heineken Cup campaign of 2009.

I think Leinster are going to throw the kitchen sink into tomorrows game. A convincing bonus point battering of the Top 14 leaders might silence a few critics.

[Jackass]

Jennings has been the best 7 in Ireland over the last 2 or 3 seasons. He's played Wallace / Ronan off the field nearly every time he's faced them in that time frame too. He's a massive player for Leinster and the best ball winning 7 in Ireland without a doubt. Not the ball carrying hard hitting 7 like O'Brien or Wallace though, more of a technical player.

Massive player for Leinster and exact same situation as Gleeson, by being the best 7 in the country and getting little or no representation for Ireland.

At the moment though, his form is poor, and I like the big back-row of O'Brien, Ryan & Heaslip, but Jennings on form walks into the Leinster team and should walk into the Irish team.

Beanmachine

I always forget that Jennings is still only 29 years old seems like he has been around for donkeys years now. Plenty of time left for him to get more International recognition. Such a quality and important player for Leinster i find it strange that some people don't rate him.

irishbucsfan

thebaz wrote: »

jesus man people are allowed have opinions - i think o'brien is a better 7 - just cause my opinion differs from yours - doesnt mean its rubbish

That's fair enough. Didn't mean to completely disregard your opinion, I apologise.

I play 7 and I've always said that if I could "steal" the abilities of any professional player in Ireland it would be Shane Jennings (or Ray Ofisa). I suppose he's one of my favourite players so maybe I'm a little OTT in my support of him.

To be a little more clear, I feel that Shane Jennings is the far more rounded back row player. His ability off the ball is unparalleled amongst Irish rugby players and he rarely makes mistakes on the ball. The only area of the game I feel SOB is better than him is in his ball carrying. SOB's workrate pales in comparison.

That's not to say that by the time SOB is Jennings age he will have matched Jennings in those areas.

durkadurka

Off to the match now. Will post a drunken review later.

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!!

LeeroyJones

Prediction;
Leinster by 5 if...
...our backline can contain Racing's evident attacking threat
...remain disciplined, Racing could potentially take 3 points from any penalty in the Leinster half
...we don't give Steyn opportunities to counter/long drop goals

Should we tick these boxes, I trust we have the firepower and goalkicking ability to get over the line!

ALLEZ LES BLEUS.... (les bleus irlandais!)

chris85

As long as we can contain their backline on attack we should be ok. Should be some great battles upfront.

thehighground

irishbucsfan wrote: »

That's fair enough. Didn't mean to completely disregard your opinion, I apologise.

I play 7 and I've always said that if I could "steal" the abilities of any professional player in Ireland it would be Shane Jennings (or Ray Ofisa). I suppose he's one of my favourite players so maybe I'm a little OTT in my support of him.

To be a little more clear, I feel that Shane Jennings is the far more rounded back row player. His ability off the ball is unparalleled amongst Irish rugby players and he rarely makes mistakes on the ball. The only area of the game I feel SOB is better than him is in his ball carrying. SOB's workrate pales in comparison.

That's not to say that by the time SOB is Jennings age he will have matched Jennings in those areas.

Out of interest would you have had Jennings ahead of Gleeson?

My impression of Jennings is that he seems to lack fitness/pace and the reason why he didn't really make it as an international. He can also go missing a bit/inconsistant.

lawrencesummers

metro BP win

wixfjord

Really looking forward to this one. Parity up front is crucial, as someone said on LF, there will be a collective sharp intake of breath before the first scrum!

COME ON YEW BOYS IN BLUE!!

thomond2006

Yay, Frankie Sheahan!

P_1

Who the hell is this jobber on the commentary?

thomond2006

What a hit.

hurleronditch

Live feed anyone?

thomond2006

Nacewa scores, 3-0.