ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Leinster Sunday 3pm Sky Sports (Red Button)\FR2

CouchSmart

Round 3 of this years Heineken Cup about to get under way. Possibly the most important two weeks of Leinster season begins now and with a whole host of front liners out it's real back against the wall stuff.

Seems there's a full squad available bar the obvious omissions. Shocked that BOD might play a part this week but it seems there will be a decision made about him on Friday.

Preparations are underway for Leinster's Round 3 Heineken Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne in Stade Marcel Michelin (KO: 4pm)...





Isaac Boss, Jason Harris-Wright, Cian Healy and Jamie Heaslip are all in contention for selection after missing Leinster's 17-17 draw with the Scarlets on Friday night. Aside from the usual bumps and bruises there are no fresh injury concerns with the team expected to be announced on Friday lunchtime. Brian O'Driscoll's injury is being monitored on an ongoing basis and a decision on his availability will also be made on Friday.
Leinster won their opening two Heineken Cup clashes in October against Racing Métro-92 and Saracens and lie top of Pool 2.
In excess of 500 supporters are set to make the trip to France this weekend from around Europe. Ticket sales for the return fixture in the Aviva Stadium are approaching the 38,000 mark.

phog

Why via the red button surely this game is one of the prime games of the week-end or is this Sky's way of protecting their customer base? I take it UPC customers cant get the game via the red button????

CouchSmart

Clashes with London Irish v Toulon. Probably more English interest in that and that's the bigger market.

thomond2006

I really don't envy ye lads. We munstermen know all about Clermont.

They have been stuttering this season though. Maybe winning the Bouclier for the first time ever has changed the mindset of the team. There was so much pressure on them before.

Still, class outfit. Domingo, Ledesma, Bonnaire, Lauaki, Parra, James, Rougerie, Malzieu, Baby etc etc. A team packed with awesome players.

I think we'll see the same Leinster backline that faced the Scarlets.

Morf

Red button? That's a slap in the face for everyone paying full-price for sky sports on UPC.

I might just have to visit my uncle that afternoon.

Podge_irl

****! I need to watch this game in a pub in Stratford-Upon-Avon. I am not hopeful of my chances of finding one that will show this on the red button while the other game is on. Might be a lappy in the hotel job

danthefan

Don't think Leinster have ever lost to Clermont. We even won 23-20 over there in around 2003 or so.

Can't see us winning this one though.

sock puppet

I'd say we're going to be hockeyed. Same backline as last week if O'Driscoll doesn't make it?

irishbucsfan

Want to go to this. Have all travel arranged but tickets are proving far far harder to get hold of than I originally thought.

So, not in a good mood at all about that.

However, should be a cracking match.

Amazotheamazing

Clermont aren't having a great season, think Leinster will win both games.

outwest

leinster need to go into this game with a game plan of tryign to get a minimum of a bp.

if leinster let clermont get the bonus point win then the group is wide open, but if it goes 4 1 i think leinster will go thru in the group

thomond2006

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/pools/index.php

I think 4 points from the 2 games will be enough for Leinster.

Racing and Saracens will likely win their respective home games in their head to head and knock each other out of the running. It's very rare that a team with 2 losses wins the group (I recall Munster doing it in the 07/08 Pool of Death). If that situation comes to pass, you'd expect Leinster to beat both Sarries and Racing in Round 5 & 6.

CouchSmart

I'm quite confident going into this game tbh. Schmidt has a good insight into the players at Clermont and so should know what the weak aspects of their games are and be able to develop a game plan based on this.

I've been really impressed with the type of game we're playing so far this season, obviously there's still creases to be ironed out in the systems but overall so good so far.

Expecting (hoping) for a minimum 6 points over the next two rounds.

PhatPiggins

CouchSmart wrote: »

I'm quite confident going into this game tbh. Schmidt has a good insight into the players at Clermont and so should know what the weak aspects of their games are and be able to develop a game plan based on this.

I've been really impressed with the type of game we're playing so far this season, obviously there's still creases to be ironed out in the systems but overall so good so far.

Expecting (hoping) for a minimum 6 points over the next two rounds.

Yes he should be able to tell them exactly why they lost after the game

In my mind this game comes one week too early for Leinster. If the team that finished last weekend had another game under their belts I'd be more confident but they looked very sloppy in a few key area's. Clermont are too good a team not to be at 100% against. Come the home leg I'd fancy Leinster alright

danthefan

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Yes he should be able to tell them exactly why they lost after the game

In my mind this game comes one week too early for Leinster. If the team that finished last weekend had another game under their belts I'd be more confident but they looked very sloppy in a few key area's. Clermont are too good a team not to be at 100% against. Come the home leg I'd fancy Leinster alright

Healy, Heaslip, Jennings, Hines on from the start will make a big difference in the pack. Keep in mind Leinster didn't train at all last week on a 5 day turnaround from an international so the squad would have been very disjointed, where as assuming they sorted something out (use Lansdowne maybe?) they have a 9 day turnaround as a squad before the Clermont game. I don't think we'll win but I expect a better performance.

My team would be:

Healy
Strauss
Ross
Hines
Cullen
SOB
Jennings
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
McFadden
D'Arcy
O'Malley
Horgan
Nacewa

PhatPiggins

I think we're pretty much saying the same thing there dan. You given valid reason to why they looked so disjointed but I'd reiterate that the game is still a week too early for Leinster for exactly the same reasons you've highlighted.

Podge_irl

Leinster get 5 points from the two games with Clermont getting 4/5 then I think we're through. Leinster get 4 then it's up for grabs (if Clermont get 6 in this scenario I'd be worried, but I think that's unlikely).

The Rooster

Think I'd go for Beirne-D'Arcy rather than D'Arcy-O'Malley.

LeeroyJones

I'd go for D'arcy-McFadden but Schmidt seems to see McFadden on the wing so this is unlikely.
However, as already pointed out, moving D'arcy out from 12 to accomodate Berne would compromise D'arcy's normal impact so that's not ideal.
As for O'Malley at 13, I just don't rate him high enough to take on Cleremont in their back yard. He's a great player to have for Magners League fixtures, but the Heineken Cup is a bridge too far in my opinion.

I think our gameplan will be to contain the match up front, thus deny Cleremont any chance of a try bonus and at worst case scenario we come away with a bonus point (not to say that we're going out to lose, but at worst case scenario Cleremont should come away with 4 points and ourselves with 1).

ALH-06

The Rooster wrote: »

Think I'd go for Beirne-D'Arcy rather than D'Arcy-O'Malley.

The problem is Beirne has had no game time recently.

But I do have concerns about O'Malley. He's a good player who looks to be coming on well, but he has never played anywhere close to this level ever. HC is a massive step up from ML and Clermont has possibly the best squad in the competition.

And if we play O'Malley, they'll definitely target him.

smurphy29

Ok, so you need the stupid red button to watch this game on sunday - which I don't have. Anyone any ideas of any fine watering holes will be showing it? Drumcondra / Glasnevin area but happy to take the trip to town / southside if required.

CouchSmart

The Ivy House in Drumcondra will have it on. I'd say most places will have it on and if not I'm sure they'd oblige if asked.

LeeroyJones

The trouble is that there is a significant number of people who would rather watch a Premiership League game over the local rugby team play in the European Cup!
Spurs are playing Chelsea on Sunday, so I would check in advance of going to a pub.

wixfjord

Woolshed for me. Not chancing anywhere else, they're sure to have it on.

wixfjord

Clermont have a few injury worries. Hmm interesting.

Clermont Auvergne’s hand could be significantly weakened by injuries to four key players ahead of their Heineken Cup Pool 2 meeting with Leinster at the Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin on Sunday.

The French side have concerns over Argentine hooker Mario Ledesma, lock Thibaut Privat (both knee), outhalf Brock James (ribs) and captain Aurelien Rougerie (thigh).

The latter, it appears, is the biggest concern for manager Vern Cotter.

No chance will be taken with the France international during the week in a bid to give him every chance of lining up in the centre against his former coach Joe Schmidt’s side.

James and Privat both aggravated their injuries in the 32-25 win over Toulouse at the weekend.

The South African this morning complained of an intercostal muscle strain, while Privat only managed an hour against Toulouse because of a persistent knee complaint.

Ledesma’s injury has already required surgery and he too is set to rest for the week before a decision on all four is made on Friday.

Clermont trail Leinster by four points ahead of back-to-back meetings with the 2009 champions this month.

Leinster will host the return leg at the Aviva Stadium on December 18th.

Otacon

The James injury may work against Leinster! :pac:

wixfjord

Otacon wrote: »

The James injury may work against Leinster! :pac:

Not with Lavea at reserve OH!

The Rooster

LeeroyJones wrote: »

However, as already pointed out, moving D'arcy out from 12 to accomodate Berne would compromise D'arcy's normal impact so that's not ideal.
As for O'Malley at 13, I just don't rate him high enough to take on Cleremont in their back yard.

A fair few people have said that about D'arcy alright.
Personally I don't think it would compromise Darce one iota, and could actually see him make an even bigger impact.

Agree about O'Malley.

PhatPiggins

Otacon wrote: »

The James injury may work against Leinster! :pac:

Maybe they'll bring in Chris Malone as a medical joker to complete the irony

thebaz

my back row would be

8 Jamie 7 O'Brien 6 Ruddock

or

8. Jamie 7 ryan 6 O'Brien

danthefan

smurphy29 wrote: »

Ok, so you need the stupid red button to watch this game on sunday - which I don't have. Anyone any ideas of any fine watering holes will be showing it? Drumcondra / Glasnevin area but happy to take the trip to town / southside if required.

I can't remember the name off the top of my head but there's a pub just over the road from the Porterhouse in Glasnevin that shows the rugby. They'll definitely have it on.

thebaz wrote: »

my back row would be

8 Jamie 7 O'Brien 6 Ruddock

or

8. Jamie 7 ryan 6 O'Brien

No Jennings = fail. He's one of our most important players. I am absolutely baffled by the fact Leinster fans want him dropped.

smurphy29

Thanks guys.

Anyone suggesting Leinster should go into this game without Jennings in the backrow is mad.

thebaz

smurphy29 wrote: »

Thanks guys.

Anyone suggesting Leinster should go into this game without Jennings in the backrow is mad.

Jennings has been poor this year - Ryan has been better IMO, and Ruddock played well on Sat - O'Brien and Jamie are undroppable - so I'm mad

dave13

danthefan wrote: »

I can't remember the name off the top of my head but there's a pub just over the road from the Porterhouse in Glasnevin that shows the rugby. They'll definitely have it on.

This is Hedigans/The Brian Boru. Will usually show the rugby even if there is premiership on.

Maaa!

Any southside pubs might be showing? Kiely's?
Definitely can't leave out Jennings. Hes too experienced at this level and will be vital in slowing down Clermont ball. Ryan and Ruddock are big and strong but the lack of experience would tell against these boys. I still can't see us winning. They played well against Toulouse at the weekend. Have to hope the injuries mean Roug, Lades, Privat and James are all out. Even though they have strength in depth it would weaken their bench. We need every bit of luck we can get with Kearney, Fitz and BOD out. Not sure about the back line. We need someone very strong defensively on the wing to stop Malzieu. He is just awsome, so I think it has to be someone strong like McF.

LeeroyJones

thebaz wrote: »

Jennings has been poor this year - Ryan has been better IMO, and Ruddock played well on Sat - O'Brien and Jamie are undroppable - so I'm mad

Well, Jennings made the most number of tackles against Saracens and was up there or thereabouts against Racing also. He's proven at this level and in the absence of BOD, we could do without voluntarily dropping some experienced natural leaders.

SOB
Jennings
Heaslip

no question in my mind

ALH-06

The Rooster wrote: »

Personally I don't think it would compromise Darce one iota, and could actually see him make an even bigger impact

It's often been said that Darce would make a better 13 than a 12. If his career hadn't coincided with that of the greatest centre of the sport, it might even have been more successful...

smurphy29

On the Shane Jennings business: forgive me for putting on my Uncle Deccie hat for a minute because his form has been fairly patchy this season to say the least, and the two young tyros Ruddock and Ryan have been explosive at times. But... you don't go down to the bearpit of Clermont without your most experienced groundhog, even if he's occasionally a bit of a penalty magnet.

Maaa!

What about a southside pub to watch it in???? Anyone???

Maaa!

Maaa! wrote: »

What about a southside pub to watch it in???? Anyone???

I'll be watching it in the Leopardstown inn, although thats probably a bit too far out of town for most.

WeeBushy

Maaa! wrote: »

What about a southside pub to watch it in???? Anyone???

Jeez, relax

Kiely's will be showing it, the dropping well in milltown defo will, Colman's in rathgar usually shows rugby, the lep in also usually shows rugby. And if you head into town there will surely be a pub showing it. The porter house has rugby when its on iirc.

Mr.Applepie

Maaa! wrote: »

What about a southside pub to watch it in???? Anyone???

You answered your own question. Kielys will definitely have the game on.

GiftofGab

Can SOB play both 6 and 7?

irishbucsfan

GiftofGab wrote: »

Can SOB play both 6 and 7?

6, 7 and 8. With varying degrees of success.

GiftofGab

irishbucsfan wrote: »

6, 7 and 8. With varying degrees of success.

so is he does he play his best at 7?

irishbucsfan

GiftofGab wrote: »

so is he does he play his best at 7?

I would say he plays his best at 6. But then he hasn't had a good run at 7 due to Jennings' importance to the team.

thebaz

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I would say he plays his best at 6. But then he hasn't had a good run at 7 due to Jennings' importance to the team.

i thought he had his best game at 8 at weekend, not going disrupt Jamie , what height is SOB ?

irishbucsfan

thebaz wrote: »

i thought he had his best game at 8 at weekend, not going disrupt Jamie , what height is SOB ?

6'2" according to the website

bamboozle

GiftofGab wrote: »

so is he does he play his best at 7?

he's never disappointed at 6 7 or 8, his hands have improved greatly which was a hindrance to him playing at 7, i'd guess 6 or 8 would suit his physical attributes best but like a young david wallace he'll have to fit into the backrow where there's space cause he wont be dislodging Heaslip.

bamboozle

thebaz wrote: »

i thought he had his best game at 8 at weekend, not going disrupt Jamie , what height is SOB ?

6'1 foot max i'd say, He's not as tall as Heaslip who is no more than 6'2 despite his profiles saying he's 6'4.

The Rooster

Kick off for this match is 3PM Irish time

(title says "...1600 Sky Sports", but its 1600 French time).