Leinster -v- Edinburgh. Oct 30th 6.05pm RDS. Live on RTE 2 and BBC Alba

LeeroyJones

Leinster Line-up
15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Eoin O’Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Andrew Conway
10: Ian Madigan
9: Paul O’Donohoe

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Clint Newland/Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Nathan Hines
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Stephen Keogh

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Jack McGrath
18: Simon Shawe
19: Devin Toner
20: Rhys Ruddock
21: Isaac Boss
22: Shaun Berne
23: David Kearney

Edinburgh Line-up
15: Chris Paterson
14: Jim Thompson
13: Alex Grove
12: John Houston
11: Tim Visser
10: Alex Blair
9: Mike Blair

1: Allan Jacobsen
2: Ross Ford
3: Geoff Cross
4: Scott MacLeod
5: Fraser McKenzie
6: Netani Talei
7: Ross Rennie
8: Roddy Grant CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Andrew Kelly
17: Kyle Traynor
18: David Young
19: Esteban Lozada
20: Scott Newlands
21: Greig Laidlaw
22: David Bishop
23: Mark Robertson

REFEREE: Carlo Damasco (FIR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Leo Colgan, Jude Quinn (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Dudley Phillips (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Glenn Sheridan (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

lologram

That's more or less Edinburgh's first team. I don't like how this one might end up.

Pleasantly surprised by the return of Shaun Berne though. I didn't read anywhere that he was this close to a return, came a bit out of the blue. Good to have him back, we've been lacking a proper replacement 10. Madigan just doesn't have the game management yet.

I'm interested by "Clint Newland/Mike Ross", does that mean they're pending him possibly getting released by the Ireland squad?

danthefan

Ross and Toner were released late in the week, Schmidt stated anyone in that situation couldn't be guaranteed a game at the weekend as they wouldn't be involved in the preparations, which is fair enough imo.

lologram

Yeah that's fair enough alright. I'm hoping Newland isn't bringing his fondness for throwing punches with him, Leinster don't need to get in a habit of picking up yellow cards.

Second and Back Rows look decent.

funky penguin

Lot of positives for us....

Nacewa at Full-back, Horgan is an experienced head to have in the backs, and the centre partnership (while incredibly young) is not a first off. Great to see Conway getting a start.

The half-backs are definitely our biggest weakness.....but our pack is far from inexperienced. If they can out-muscle Edinburgh and give POD and Madigan a decent platform we should be able to get something out of this.

Also....there is Boss and Berne on the bench.

Ste_D

lologram wrote: »

Pleasantly surprised by the return of Shaun Berne .... Good to have him back, we've been lacking a proper replacement 10. Madigan just doesn't have the game management yet.

To be fair, he's good cover for 12 but he's no 10. Absolutely no kicking game.

Looks like a decent Leinster side despite the loss of so many key players, although looking at Edinburgh they are clearly here thinking they can take all 4 points. Should be a good game.

anonymous_joe

Big game for POD, haven't seen any sign of him really so far.

Hopefully Newland turns out well too.

CIARAN_BOYLE

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Big game for POD, haven't seen any sign of him really so far.

Hard to get a game behind redden and boss

chris85

Could line up considering the Irish setup running at the moment for next weeks AI's kicking off.

I am interested to see Madigan at 10 again. Hes done well so far and a bit more game time will be good for him as think he has potential. Would be good to have permanent 10 cover as not really there at moment.

Also will be interesting with Newland in there. Should be a strong scrum i reckon.

Good team overall.

P.S. I just won free tickets to the game so even better for me.

basillarkin

funky penguin wrote: »

Lot of positives for us....

Nacewa at Full-back, Horgan is an experienced head to have in the backs, and the centre partnership (while incredibly young) is not a first off. Great to see Conway getting a start.

The half-backs are definitely our biggest weakness.....but our pack is far from inexperienced. If they can out-muscle Edinburgh and give POD and Madigan a decent platform we should be able to get something out of this.

Also....there is Boss and Berne on the bench.

does anyone know what clubs the half backs are from? even with there lack of experience, Leinster should be good enough to win at home.They are -7 with most firms.

irishbucsfan

Very worried by this. POD really regressed last season and is so hesitant that it will take a hugely dominant performance from the forwards to ensure any possession for the back to capitalise on.

Madigan looks like a good prospect, I'm delighted it's him at 10 and not Nacewa. Still would've preferred to see Boss start (although can understand the decision).

Forwards are strong but the Half Backs will probably lack the authority and control to use them. Home advantage will hopefully stand largely in our favour, although I'd expect a low turnout

Ste_D

I think Madigan plays for Rock. Not too sure about O'Donoghoe.

smurphy29

basillarkin - POD is Clontarf - indeed, Tarf fans spend a lot of time talking him up to anyone who will listen. And Madigan is the latest off the Blackrock conveyer belt.

andrewdcs

Really looking forward to this, great getting chances to see academy etc. coming through.

Was it same fixture last season (or season before?) they got thrashed though?
That pack really should be able to keep Edinburgh honest, make it a contest.

PhatPiggins

Is Ian McKinley going to play rugby this season?

basillarkin

smurphy29 wrote: »

basillarkin - POD is Clontarf - indeed, Tarf fans spend a lot of time talking him up to anyone who will listen. And Madigan is the latest off the Blackrock conveyer belt.

Thanks for that.

thomond2006

I fancy Edinburgh to get a losing BP.

LeeroyJones

thomond2006 wrote: »

I fancy Edinburgh to get a losing BP.

and by default we could get the losing BP... always a tricky one against Edinburgh.
I trust out pack to contain and perhaps even dominate proceedings up front however I am quite wary with Madigan at 10. I assume McFadden or Nacewa will be on kicking duties

Taco Corp

Hope the young guys coming into the side can step up. Although the likes of Horgan needs to have a good game, didn't look too good last week

danthefan

Surley wrote: »

Hope the young guys coming into the side can step up. Although the likes of Horgan needs to have a good game, didn't look too good last week

Horgan? Against Connacht? He was excellent!

Taco Corp

danthefan wrote: »

Horgan? Against Connacht? He was excellent!

I don't think anyone was excellent last week.

[Jackass]

O'Donohue has massive potential at 9, captained Belvo to the senior cup, has captained Clontarf and was instrimental in their march to the AIL final a season or two ago, has captained the Leinster A team and also the under-21 team that won the grand slam.

Great reader of the game, good box kicking game and good in defense. Similar in style to O'Leary, who's very good when on form.

I'm surprised we were allowed keep him when we signed Boss, but Willis going to Connacht and Piennar to Ulster saved it really, but it'll be tough to hold on to him if he doesn't get much game time this season.

I thought McKinley was ahead of Madigan for the 10 slot coming into the season, don't think he's injured, so I presume Madigan has just leap frogged him.

Another big prospect and delighted to see him getting the game time. Still long way off being the finished article, but hopefully his performances this season can see him cement the back-up 10 jersey behind Sexton for next season.

Excited to see this game, a lot of good talent on show, just hope it all comes together on the day.

Most excited to see Conway, really want to see him burst onto the scene, and games like this are his oppertunity.

Podge_irl

[Jackass] wrote: »

I thought McKinley was ahead of Madigan for the 10 slot coming into the season, don't think he's injured, so I presume Madigan has just leap frogged him.

Pretty sure McKinley has only just started to come back from his eye injury.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Hopefully Madigan can play a like he did against Cardiff where he had a solid performance

Scambuster

I predict 42-6 for Leinster.

wixfjord

Worried about this tbh.
Good Edinburgh team out which I'd be worried about if we had a full team, the fact we have POD (whom I can't understand the hype about yet anyway) and Madigan (whom I don't reckon is a 10) at half back could be critical.

Will need a big game from the front 5 and it's hopefully a chance for us to make amends for Murrayfield.

Cannot wait to see Conway play.
Also I've been very impressed with O Malley so far this season reminds me a bit of Luke Fitz without a left foot. Not sure he's big enough for centre mind.

durkadurka

Scambuster wrote: »

I predict 42-6 for Leinster.

Have you seen the teamsheet?

wixfjord

Bit of bitterness in the panel. Victor keeping those Southerners honest and proper order!

Risteard

What was O'Brien going on about the schools?

thomond2006

Victor has jinxed the result!

PhatPiggins

wixfjord wrote: »

Worried about this tbh.
Good Edinburgh team out which I'd be worried about if we had a full team, the fact we have POD (whom I can't understand the hype about yet anyway) and Madigan (whom I don't reckon is a 10) at half back could be critical.

Will need a big game from the front 5 and it's hopefully a chance for us to make amends for Murrayfield.

Cannot wait to see Conway play.
Also I've been very impressed with O Malley so far this season reminds me a bit of Luke Fitz without a left foot. Not sure he's big enough for centre mind.

Conway good luck to him but its been a lot of hype and no substance so far

Yes, yes I know he's only a kid but I think we should keep expectation within realism

wixfjord

Risteard wrote: »

What was O'Brien going on about the schools?

Not sure what he meant at all? "Which I gather is a fee paying school on the southside of Dublin"
Wouldnt be the first time he's had a bad word to say about Leinster but haven't a clue what he was pointing towards.

wixfjord

I really really cannot see how the bookies have Edinburgh +7 for this
By far the more settled team, with a great front row and half backs who are miles more experienced than ours, and a kicker who won't miss.
Sure home advantage and all that, but the RDS wont exactly be a bear pit tonight.

thomond2006

wixfjord wrote: »

Not sure what he meant at all? "Which I gather is a fee paying school on the southside of Dublin"
Wouldnt be the first time he's had a bad word to say about Leinster but haven't a clue what he was pointing towards.

Twas strange alright.

Edinburgh +7 sounds really good. I'd say the odds are based on Leinster's brilliant home record.

wixfjord

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Conway good luck to him but its been a lot of hype and no substance so far

Yes, yes I know he's only a kid but I think we should keep expectation within realism

Indeed, he's only made one run and one tackle in anger in the ML basically!
Will be very interesting tonight. Is he on Vissers wing?

wixfjord

Anyone find the music on RTE Magners League coverage very strange?!
Sky have big booming music and slow mos of everything and anything, we have generic guitar music that could be from an elevator!

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Twas strange alright.

Edinburgh +7 sounds really good. I'd say the odds are based on Leinster's brilliant home record.

And Edinburgh's terrible away one

wixfjord

Again O Brien says to Hook "thank you for that parochial interjection"

wixfjord

Ah its Alex not David Blair starting at 10.

thomond2006

Nice kick from Nacewa, lively stuff so far.

3-0 Leinster

Nice run from Conway there!

Risteard

Some gas there.

Username37

What a break from Conway! He has to be the fastest player in Ireland right now.

thomond2006

Dominic Ryan chip kick ftw.

What a try from Visser, sublime. Great vision from Mike Blair!

Paterson fails to convert from the touchline.

3-5, 10 minutes gone.

Risteard

What is it about Visser that he just scores nearly every match?

wixfjord

Last ruck before that try looked very dodge!
Visser anytime tryscorer is always a good bet.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

What is it about Visser that he just scores nearly every match?

Just seems to be in the right place in the right time all the time!

sickpuppy

Wtf was Ryan at in the 22 kicking away possession beyond stupid.

wixfjord

POD's pass is not good enough for this level imo.

thomond2006

Nice play by Edinburgh. 5m scrum for them now.

CIARAN_BOYLE

wixfjord wrote: »

POD's pass is not good enough for this level imo.

and he is too fond of kicking it away as well.

That said he hasn't had the chance to get the experience he needs. I think he honestly needs to go away (possibly england) to find a team that will give him a regular game for a season.

Leinster A and AIL isn't enough for him and if he doesn't make the break soon I don't think he will

thomond2006

Paterson kicks a simple penalty goal.

6-8, 24 minutes gone.