Leinster V Saracens 16/10/10 17:45 Wembley Stadium (Sky Sports 1)

andrewdcs

Sorry but I can't find any team sheets yet, but will update this avo.

Going along to this, (only up the road) sad BOD won't make it but really looking forward to it.
Even without him I think we've a chance of beating them (!) which would knock them out, losing BP would be no shame, Saracens could have (should have) beaten Clermont.


Christophe Berdos is in the ring, really like him as a ref (apart from not giving a certain red in a certain Lions game

LeeroyJones

Gavin Cummiskey in the Irish Times Report
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1015/1224281154965.html

RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP: LEO CULLEN will not start for Leinster tomorrow against Saracens at Wembley Stadium but is expected to feature off the bench.

A final decision on Brian O’Driscoll’s availability has been put off until the release of the team-sheet this morning.

O’Driscoll has yet to train with the team since pulling up with a hamstring problem in last Saturday’s bonus-point win over Racing Metro 92 at the RDS Showgrounds. “He’s recovering really well, he’s been in rehab all week,” said assistant coach Richie Murphy. “He’s probably 50-50 whether he’ll make it at the weekend. When he came off, he alluded to the fact that it wasn’t as bad as it had been before. The scans have shown that to be the case. There is a chance he’ll be there at the weekend.”

Fergus McFadden appears to be front of the queue to come in as a straight swap for the Irish captain but, again, this is uncertain as new Leinster coach Joe Schmidt has used him primarily as an inside centre with Eoin O’Malley at 13 when O’Driscoll was still in preseason.

With Isa Nacewa and Shane Horgan seemingly fighting over the number 14 jersey, it is conceivable that one of these experienced players could be utilised in midfield alongside Gordon D’Arcy.

Either way, Murphy was adamant the uncertainty over O’Driscoll’s fitness 48 hours out from such an important away fixture is not a hindrance to Leinster’s preparations. “I don’t think it is that disruptive at all,” said Murphy. “Obviously we know what Brian brings but we are lucky in the situation that we have other players that are coming up behind him are at a very high level and will be able to slot in if needed.”

Regarding the possibility of O’Driscoll further damaging his hamstring, an injury that has been a recurring theme throughout his career, especially with a view to his availability to lead Ireland out against world champions South Africa on November 6th, Murphy added: “From our point of view, and what’s in the best interest for Brian and for Irish rugby, if there is a doubt over him tomorrow he will know himself. If there is a doubt he won’t be used.”

Naturally Saracens will be interested in what midfield partnership is announced before today’s ERC noon deadline as it is no secret that Leinster’s opposition tend to shape their defensive game plan around the man.

Yet to feature this season, Cullen’s lack of match fitness to go a full 80 minutes means Nathan Hines will be partnered by Devin Toner in the secondrow as the same eight that squared up to Racing are due to take the field.

In good news for both Leinster and Ireland, Jonny Sexton will be back on place-kicking duty despite a decent return from Nacewa when the outhalf was recuperating from a quad problem.

“He kicked today and will kick tomorrow. Because he hasn’t been kicking, we’ve been working on other aspects around his kicking, pre-kick routine and stuff like that,” explained Murphy, who was a decent place-kicker himself during his playing days for Greystones, Clontarf, Carlow and Old Belvedere and is Leinster’s specialist coach in this department.

“He wants to get kicking. It always feels a little funny when you’re not up there. We’ve all done the right thing by him, the extra couple of weeks were needed because a quad is a kicker’s injury. It will stand to him.”

Jamie Heaslip is expected to retain the captaincy while Cullen is benched, as the Lions number eight held off Shane Jennings for the honour last week having reminded coach Schmidt of his 100 per cent record as team leader.

andrewdcs

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Gavin Cummiskey in the Irish Times Report

Cheers, reading this makes me nervous that they'll chuck BOD in off the bench... which feels like a crazy descision despite his twitter stuff during the week.

irishbucsfan

andrewdcs wrote: »

Cheers, reading this makes me nervous that they'll chuck BOD in off the bench... which feels like a crazy descision despite his twitter stuff during the week.

If O'Driscoll doesn't start he shouldn't play. It's not like Cullen who's good to go but lacking match fitness, he's carrying the injury. So I think we'll either see him at 13 or not at all.

Podge_irl

LEINSTER:

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

1: Cian Healy
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: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Simon Shawe
19: Leo Cullen
20: Dominic Ryan
21: Isaac Boss
22: Fergus McFadden
23: Eoin O’Malley

Podge_irl

Bit of a kick in the face for McFadden but it's a good team and that backline could do very well indeed. Nice to see Healy getting a start too, Strauss is mixing up the ront row nicely.

LeeroyJones

SARACENS:

15: Alex Goode
14: David Strettle
13: Adam Powell
12: Brad Barritt
11: Chris Wyles
10: Derick Hougaard
9: Richard Wigglesworth

1: Deon Carstens
2: Schalk Brits
3: Carlos Nieto
4: Steve Borthwick CAPTAIN
5: Mouritz Botha
6: Jacques Burger
7: Andy Saull
8: Ernst Joubert

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jamie George
17: Matt Parr
18: Richard Skuse
19: Hayden Smith
20: Kelly Brown
21: Neil de Kock
22: Kameli Ratuvou
23: Noah Cato

Tim Robbins

Podge_irl wrote: »

Bit of a kick in the face for McFadden but it's a good team and that backline could do very well indeed. Nice to see Healy getting a start too, Strauss is mixing up the ront row nicely.

Definetly a kick in the face for McFadden.

thomond2006

McFadden should feel mightly pissed right now.

Fitzgerald at 13 will be interesting to say the least.

lologram

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Definetly a kick in the face for McFadden.

I was looking forward to seeing him start a game this big. Hopefully he'll get most of the second half by coming on for Horgan and Fitz shifting to the wing.

thebaz

delighted to see Fitzy in the centre - hopefully it works - i think this could be his real position


BTW anyway know whats happened to Conway this year ??

Beanmachine

thebaz wrote: »

delighted to see Fitzy in the centre - hopefully it works - i think this could be his real position


BTW anyway know whats happened to Conway this year ??

He ran 60metre's to score a try for Blackrock in the AIL last weekend so he's definetly not injured. Great to see Dominic Ryan getting so much action this year really think he could become an excellent player for leinster in the future.

Podge_irl

thebaz wrote: »

BTW anyway know whats happened to Conway this year ??

He's not good enough yet...

thomond2006 wrote:

McFadden should feel mightly pissed right now.

Be amazed if he stayed on after this season

Great team and am relieved they havent risked BOD. McFad may feel hard done by but I'm glad Schmidt has stuck Fitz in the centre. I'd like to see him get an extended run at 13. Great step, hands and turn of pace.

laugh

BOD is the water boy according to twitter.

jimmybeige

Ryan does seem to be getting a lot of games this year alright. What happened to Ruddock? He looked like he'd make an impact this year after getting the senior callup but they seem to prefer Ryan at Leinster these days.

stejkenny

McFadden is good but not as good as Luke; Over the moon to see Luke getting his game at 13 as this is a possible replacement for BOD; he has acceleration great hands and a good eye for an opening; all he needs is a bit of exposure in the position.

Fitzgerald's defence and strength will be tested with this one. Brad Barrit is a classic English centre/bosher and will run straight at him all game so we can expect some big collisions.

Good for Ireland to see what is possibly/definitely the International Front Row of Healy and Ross getting in there too.

The backrow is enuf said really, total quality.

I expect/hope Leinster can sneak a a slight win/losing bonus point and Munster to take an easy home win from a weakened Toulon side with 1 and 1/2 eyes on domestic games coming up next week against Toulouse and Stade.

thebaz

jimmybeige wrote: »

Ryan does seem to be getting a lot of games this year alright. What happened to Ruddock? He looked like he'd make an impact this year after getting the senior callup but they seem to prefer Ryan at Leinster these days.

there both good - but ryan has something special - i saw him a couple of years ago as a schoolboy and he stood out then - he started the year as 7 , but i believe he is very physically strong so moved to 6 seamlessy

padser

stejkenny wrote: »

McFadden is good but not as good as Luke

True but irrelevant.

The choice wasn't between McFadden / Fitz

It was between McFadden at 13 with Fitz on the wing OR Fitz at 13 with Horgan on the wing.

Personally I would have gone with Mcfadden, since I think he is a better player than Horgan

bamboozle

padser wrote: »

True but irrelevant.

The choice wasn't between McFadden / Fitz

It was between McFadden at 13 with Fitz on the wing OR Fitz at 13 with Horgan on the wing.

Personally I would have gone with Mcfadden, since I think he is a better player than Horgan

agreed, i'd rather see mcfadden on pitch ahead of horgan, bit worried about Luke's hand's/passing in the centre, no doubt he's got the feet and pace but his passing has let him down previously.

bamboozle

padser wrote: »

True but irrelevant.

The choice wasn't between McFadden / Fitz

It was between McFadden at 13 with Fitz on the wing OR Fitz at 13 with Horgan on the wing.

Personally I would have gone with Mcfadden, since I think he is a better player than Horgan

agreed, i'd rather see mcfadden on pitch ahead of horgan, bit worried about Luke's hand's/passing in the centre, no doubt he's got the feet and pace but his passing has let him down previously.

hope it wont become a slug fest between the 2 packs

Tim Robbins

bamboozle wrote: »

agreed, i'd rather see mcfadden on pitch ahead of horgan, bit worried about Luke's hand's/passing in the centre, no doubt he's got the feet and pace but his passing has let him down previously.

hope it wont become a slug fest between the 2 packs

hands, feet, pace, stepping are all important skills. But I think it's really the lines you are used to running that matter here. When you play second centre, you are running certain types of lines that are completly different when playing on the wing.

Centre involves hitting the line hard and fast, trying to suck players in to make space for the next player. You need to know what's going on both sides of you and in front and behind you.

Winger you are trying to take them on the outside or just cut back in. You don't really need to side step. Robinson wasn't much use at centre when he played there. Someone like Stirling Mortlock who rarely steps would be much more effective. Side stepping is just handy in certain situations just like being big is is handy in certain situations.

I am not saying Fitz can't play center I just think that moving from wing to center isn't that easy. I would have gone with macca. He definetely deserves his start. He runs good lines and need more experience at higher levels.

molloyjh

thebaz wrote: »

delighted to see Fitzy in the centre - hopefully it works - i think this could be his real position


BTW anyway know whats happened to Conway this year ??

jimmybeige wrote: »

Ryan does seem to be getting a lot of games this year alright. What happened to Ruddock? He looked like he'd make an impact this year after getting the senior callup but they seem to prefer Ryan at Leinster these days.

Conway and Ruddock have been named in the B&I squad for Sunday. I'd say we'll see them in the senior side next season.

padser wrote: »

True but irrelevant.

The choice wasn't between McFadden / Fitz

It was between McFadden at 13 with Fitz on the wing OR Fitz at 13 with Horgan on the wing.

Personally I would have gone with Mcfadden, since I think he is a better player than Horgan

Yeah I would probably favour Fitzy at 11, Isa at 14 and McFadden at 13 given what I've seen so far this season myself. I'd be interested to see how Shaggy does though. People have written him off before and he's come back.

thomond2006

Podge_irl wrote: »

Be amazed if he stayed on after this season

Jesus send him down here, we'll take him.

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jesus send him down here, we'll take him.

I'm afraid he's apparently pinky promised my sisters that he'll stay at Leinster. I mean that's as good as a signed contract, at least in their eyes! :P

bamboozle

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jesus send him down here, we'll take him.

i wouldnt be suprised to see any of the following at munster next season

McLaughlin, McFadden, Keatley, Cronin, Carr...

jimmybeige

bamboozle wrote: »

i wouldnt be suprised to see any of the following at munster next season

McLaughlin, McFadden, Keatley, Cronin, Carr...

Is McLaughlin injured? He's had a hard time with injuries if he is. Haven't heard any talk of him.

irishbucsfan

jimmybeige wrote: »

Is McLaughlin injured? He's had a hard time with injuries if he is. Haven't heard any talk of him.

Injured since the end of last year.

durkadurka

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jesus send him down here, we'll take him.

you've got loads of centres. They're just all suspended that's all!!

danthefan

Why would McLaughlin move to Munster? He was first choice at Leinster before getting injured.

LeeroyJones

danthefan wrote: »

Why would McLaughlin move to Munster? He was first choice at Leinster before getting injured.

First choice when SOB was injured.
McLaughlin's case is similar to that of McFadden. Both are good enough for this level but are unfortunate to find themselves competing with some top players. We are in a good position when we produce players of such quality and still can't get into our XV. I would not, however, stand in their way if they wanted to move for first team rugby.
Today's selection is a big statement from Schmidt, unless he sees McFadden as only a 12.

thebaz

LeeroyJones wrote: »

First choice when SOB was injured.
McLaughlin's case is similar to that of McFadden. Both are good enough for this level but are unfortunate to find themselves competing with some top players. .

with injuries we need backup for back row - there's always someone injured - i would think McLoughlin, SOB and Jenning are the 3 senior players - with Ryan and Ruddock in reserve - i think SOB is a better open side - not sure he is big enough for 6 - McLaughlin lacks the dynamism of Heaslip or SOB but is a very intelligent player and strong - great we have such depth, not forgetting Heaslip :-)

Gelio

Should be:
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitz
12 Darce
13 f mc F
14 Nacewa
15 Kearney

Can't stand Horgan right now

Podge_irl

LeeroyJones wrote: »

First choice when SOB was injured.

Eh...no. Kev was undoubtedly Leinster's first choice 6 until he got injured. SOB was having to fight it out with Jennings.

irishbucsfan

LeeroyJones wrote: »

First choice when SOB was injured.
McLaughlin's case is similar to that of McFadden. Both are good enough for this level but are unfortunate to find themselves competing with some top players. We are in a good position when we produce players of such quality and still can't get into our XV. I would not, however, stand in their way if they wanted to move for first team rugby.
Today's selection is a big statement from Schmidt, unless he sees McFadden as only a 12.

Think you'll find SOB was fit and on the bench, with KMcL, Jennings and Heaslip starting.

ongarite

hope to see a few of the travelling leinster fans in the greenman pub before the game. Cmon Leinster!

achtungbarry

Sitting beside ongarite soaking up the atmosphere (and many beers) in the Greenman pub. Huge Leinster support here.

laugh

Cheer leaders I like it.

pappyodaniel

Best of luck to Leinster today. Wembley looks like such an amazing stadium for a rugby match.

chupacabra

Red posts? Madness...

ongarite

whos the kanye look alike trying to warm up the crowd?

chirodoody

looks quite atmospheric despite a half full wembley
hope the blue army can make themselves heard
CMON LEINSTER

outwest

good reslut would be a point for leinster. great result would leinster getting 2 bps. but leinster know that a win today and their favs to go through the group.

chirodoody

Sounds like WWF on the tanoy - wtf?!

Smurf1971

Came in late....is BOD named among the replacements?

chupacabra

Uh.... Whats with the lack of a gap between the packs pree engage?

laugh

Did the ref back saracens, stop getting in the way of defense.

chirodoody

Good early phases - scrum, lineout, ruck all seem stable

chirodoody

Gr8 start 3:0 Leinster

ongarite

good try to saracens. Missed the conversion.

chirodoody

try saracens - well taken out wide
unconverted