Dragons vs Leinster, Sun 27th March 2.30pm, RTE/S4C

CouchSmart

Amongst those set to be included in the panel for Sunday’s game in Newport are Leinster skipper Leo Cullen while Eoin Reddan and Jonathan Sexton could also feature. Any decision on their availability will be made at Friday’s team announcement. Both Sexton and Devin Toner’s next appearances will be their 50th for the province in the league.

Shane Jennings (ankle) and Shaun Berne (Achilles) remain doubtful due to injury.

Fergus McFadden could be in the frame, while Stan Wright continued his rehabilitation during the province’s ‘A’ interprovincial friendly game in Connacht last weekend.

It is hoped, meanwhile, that Shane Horgan (knee) who has missed the last two months through injury will also be available for selection. Andrew Conway (ankle) is rated as doubtful for this weekend’s game.

With players such as Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley, Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan all in the mix, the Leinster management expect to be able to call on a squad mixed with youth and experience for the first of two successive away ties in the Magners League before the Heineken Cup quarter final on April 9th.

Isa Nacewa’s 142 points to date in the Magners League puts him in joint third place in this year’s standing, while he joins Horgan and David Kearney as the province’s joint top try-scorers in the league with four to date.

http://leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/7804.php

Team to be announced tomorrow at noon. Really hoping Horgan is back involved. Considering the players involved with Munster and Ulster this weekend we should have a few internationals back too. It really is an important game, as are all our remaining games now, only 5 left to cement our place in the play offs.

My team:

15. Nacewa
14. Horgan
13. Fitzgerald
12. McFadden
11. Kearney
10. McKinley/Madigan
9. Boss

1. Heinke
2. Strauss
3. Wright
4. Cullen
5. Toner
6. McLoughlin
7. Ryan
8. Ruddock

16. Harris-Wright
17. McGrath
18. Shawe
19. Hines
20. Keogh/P. Ryan
21. Reddan
22. Sexton
23. O'Malley

I reckon we should have enough to get a good win this weekend and truth be told, I'm hoping for a bonus point win.

Preview: Newport Gwent Dragons v Leinster
The last seven encounters between the two teams have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Leinster's most recent win at Rodney Parade was 23-22 on 13 April 2007.
Newport Gwent Dragons are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions, but all those encounters were played away from home. At Rodney Parade the Dragons have won four in a row in the Magners League, since Scarlets defeated them there on 24 September.

Leinster's only loss in their last ten games in all competitions was 3-11 at Cardiff Blues in the Magners League on 19 February. The Leinstermen are yet to win in Wales this season.

Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU, 35th League game)
Assistant Referees: David Bodilly, Simon Harris (both WRU).
TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU).

Live on S4/C and RTE Sport.
http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/7394.php

Fitzgerald at 11 or bench or 12 for me. We need to be careful with him.
Fitz 11, McFadden 12 O'Malley 13 suits me just fine.

I absolutely love our "B" back row.

ambid

Deleted User wrote: »

Fitzgerald at 11 or bench or 12 for me. We need to be careful with him.
Fitz 11, McFadden 12 O'Malley 13 suits me just fine.

I absolutely love our "B" back row.

Spot on. Fitz at 11 where he is comfortable. O'Malley at 13 where he has been terrific so far this year.

Also I hope we start with Sexton to start off strong and bring on McKinley when we hopefully have a lead so he can steer us home.

Tough on D Kearney to drop him to the bench as he's been great in the past couple of months.

And yes the back row is awesome.

CouchSmart

Deleted User wrote: »

Fitzgerald at 11 or bench or 12 for me. We need to be careful with him.
Fitz 11, McFadden 12 O'Malley 13 suits me just fine.

Fitzgerald is just a personal choice, I reckon it's where his future lies.

I absolutely love our "B" back row.

It really is a great back-up. A perfect example of the kind of depth Leinster are building.

CouchSmart

ambid wrote: »

Spot on. Fitz at 11 where he is comfortable.

Not to be over critical, of him, or argumentative, with you, but Fitz was pretty shocking at 11 before the 6 Nations. I'm confident Schmidt can get him back to his best and even improve him!

trackguy

CouchSmart wrote: »

Not to be over critical, of him, or argumentative, with you, but Fitz was pretty shocking at 11 before the 6 Nations. I'm confident Schmidt can get him back to his best and even improve him!

I know this has probably been discussed before but does Fitz not have potential at 12? I know Leinster aren't short in that area by any means but I'd love to see him in the position (particularly with a long term view for Ireland also).

What do people think? Is this an option for Fitz?

ambid

CouchSmart wrote: »

Not to be over critical, of him, or argumentative, with you, but Fitz was pretty shocking at 11 before the 6 Nations. I'm confident Schmidt can get him back to his best and even improve him!

Actually yeah, you're right. Fitz has been poor at 11. I'm actually hoping McFadden starts there against Munster and Tigers. McFadden is the guy in form.

Fitz will get it back as he's a class act, but he's way off at the minute.

durkadurka

He's not that bad at all. He had his wobbles but i'd put him at 11 which I think is his best position.

He's definitely a class act that we need to invest in getting back to his best.

CouchSmart

trackguy wrote: »

I know this has probably been discussed before but does Fitz not have potential at 12? I know Leinster aren't short in that area by any means but I'd love to see him in the position (particularly with a long term view for Ireland also).

What do people think? Is this an option for Fitz?

As far as I'm concerned he's definitely a centre. He played half of the season Leinster won the HC playing 12 and even got capped there that Autumn. I think his skill set is more suited to 13 personally but he still has a lot to learn. Also, this season he was started at 13 for the Sarries away game ahead of both McFadden and O'Malley so Schmidt might see him there too. Great future ahead of him anyway.

CouchSmart

DRAGONS: Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Adam Hughes, Tom Riley, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey, Wayne Evans, Phil Price, Lloyd Burns, Dan Way, Luke Charteris CAPTAIN, Adam Jones, Joe Bearman, Lewis Evans, Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Steve Jones, Hugh Gustafson, Ben Castle, Adam Brown, Gavin Thomas, Matthew Pewtner, Matthew Jones, Jon Evans

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Stan Wright
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Simon Shawe
19: Nathan Hines
20: Jamie Heaslip
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Dave Kearney

REFEREE: Andy Macpherson (SRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: David Bodilly, Simon Harris (both WRU), TMO: Tony Rowlands (WRU)

WeeBushy

Whose Aaron Dundon?

Very much like the team. Glad to see Fitz back on the wing, hope he can refind his confidence and form, and happy to see Horgan back fit.

Dundon has played once or twice this season, he's grand, does his job. Don't think he's at the level of most around him, but he hasn't been "shown up" at all really.

Just shows how stretched we were at hooker this year with Jackman and Fogs retiring.

ambid

Deleted User wrote: »

Dundon has played once or twice this season, he's grand, does his job. Don't think he's at the level of most around him, but he hasn't been "shown up" at all really.

Just shows how stretched we were at hooker this year with Jackman and Fogs retiring.

Anyone know is JHW injured?

WeeBushy

Deleted User wrote: »

Dundon has played once or twice this season, he's grand, does his job. Don't think he's at the level of most around him, but he hasn't been "shown up" at all really.

Just shows how stretched we were at hooker this year with Jackman and Fogs retiring.

Does he have a contract? He's not in the leinster squad on the website. Cronin can't arrive quick enough.

captivo

Where's Clint - has he gone?

CouchSmart

ambid wrote: »

Anyone know is JHW injured?

There's not been any mention of it. Himself and Strauss are the only hookers in the HC squad so perhaps he's being let play for his club to keep up game-time rather than sitting on the bench? It's been a strange season for him, with only Strauss available I expected to see a lot of him but we just haven't. He's taken at least two bad bangs on the head, might have something to do with it?

CouchSmart

captivo wrote: »

Where's Clint - has he gone?

Gone to a South African team.

WeeBushy

WeeBushy wrote: »

Does he have a contract? He's not in the leinster squad on the website. Cronin can't arrive quick enough.

nope, don't think he's contracted. AIL player asked to make up the numbers afaik

WeeBushy

CouchSmart wrote: »

There's not been any mention of it. Himself and Strauss are the only hookers in the HC squad so perhaps he's being let play for his club to keep up game-time rather than sitting on the bench? It's been a strange season for him, with only Strauss available I expected to see a lot of him but we just haven't. He's taken at least two bad bangs on the head, might have something to do with it?

Kind of similar to POD last season where he was back up to Reddan, but was rarely used off the bench. It's a pity as he has looked good when he has appeared. With Cronin arriving next season he's surely going to be used even less. Still very young though, especially for a front row player so he has plenty of time.

totallegend

CouchSmart wrote: »

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Shane Horgan
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Stan Wright
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Simon Shawe
19: Nathan Hines
20: Jamie Heaslip
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Dave Kearney

Think this is the right selection all round really, probably the right thing to bring Sexton back in to get him working with the backs again. A very strong 15 considering the absentees.

Leinster to win, let's all pray for no injuries at nos. 2 and 10.

almighty1

totallegend wrote: »

Leinster to win, let's all pray for no injuries at nos. 2 and 10.

and 15.

CouchSmart

It's definitely a strong enough team to get a bonus point. I hate being over confident but the starting XV are strong enough to win and with Hines, Heaslip and Reddan on the bench we should be able to pull away when they come on.

bamboozle

WeeBushy wrote: »

Does he have a contract? He's not in the leinster squad on the website. Cronin can't arrive quick enough.

Dundon is Clontarf's hooker in the AIL, top try scorer in Division 1B, Clontarf's lineout has been a thing of beauty over the last few seasons with him there, class act at AIL level.

Harris-wright in injured.

bamboozle

CouchSmart wrote: »

There's not been any mention of it. Himself and Strauss are the only hookers in the HC squad so perhaps he's being let play for his club to keep up game-time rather than sitting on the bench? It's been a strange season for him, with only Strauss available I expected to see a lot of him but we just haven't. He's taken at least two bad bangs on the head, might have something to do with it?

JHW is injured, he's played very little club rugby this season as has POD.

Blut2

Good enough team and some good strength on the bench too (apart from the already discussed issues at hooker) - Heaslip, Hines and Reddan coming off the bench at the 60min mark should hopefully make a big impact on the game.

accensi0n

McKinley injured?

He looked far better than Madigan in his last two games.

ambid

accensi0n wrote: »

McKinley injured?

He looked far better than Madigan in his last two games.

I'm surprised by this too. In the A game recently McKinley was at 13 with Madigan at 10. I wonder if that means Madigan is Joe's preferred guy as back up? I'd like to see more of McKinley.

Teej

accensi0n wrote: »

McKinley injured?

He looked far better than Madigan in his last two games.

Had presumed it was down to Madigan being on the HC squad but just saw that McKinley (& Dundon) have been added.

profitius

Dragons plan on "roughing up" Leinster.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/newport-gwent-dragons/2011/03/26/dragons-plan-to-rough-up-leinster-aristocrats-91466-28405543/

Good luck with that

wixfjord

profitius wrote: »

Dragons plan on "roughing up" Leinster.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/newport-gwent-dragons/2011/03/26/dragons-plan-to-rough-up-leinster-aristocrats-91466-28405543/

Hmm, not too many teams have managed that in the last 3 years.
Clermont, Munster, Leicester included.

CouchSmart

Don't forget the clocks are going forward. Game will be starting at 1:30pm, if you don't change your clock!

phog

wixfjord wrote: »

Hmm, not too many teams have managed that in the last 3 years.
Clermont, Munster, Leicester included.

It seems that Leinster get beaten by the poorer team like Glasgow, Treviso and Connacht.

irishbucsfan

phog wrote: »

It seems that Leinster get beaten by the poorer team like Glasgow, Treviso and Connacht.

What does that have to do with our forwards not being outmuscled?

I can't remember the last time the Leinster pack were beaten up

CouchSmart

Mentioned on another thread, tomorrow's game now really is a must win and with the league being so tight it needs to come with a bonus point. Weather seems decent for tomorrow, nice and dry which should suit us, hopefully we put them to the sword.

durkadurka

Id take any win. I don't expect a bp. Dragons are pretty solid at home as far as I know

CouchSmart

durkadurka wrote: »

Id take any win. I don't expect a bp. Dragons are pretty solid at home as far as I know

They've only played 6 home games this season so far - an amazing stat in itself - they've won 5 of them. Won't be easy.

http://www.magnersleague.com/teams/dragons/fixtures.php

durkadurka

Lies damned lies and statistics! They have yet to Play the teams in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the league. They did beat munster at home though .

the fixture list is shyte though if dragons are almost all at home and Cardiff almose all away for the rest of the season.

CIARAN_BOYLE

durkadurka wrote: »

Lies damned lies and statistics! They have yet to Play the teams in 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the league. They did beat munster at home though .

the fixture list is shyte though if dragons are almost all at home and Cardiff almose all away for the rest of the season.

They don't try to split it up fairly.

They try to meet various interests when writing the fixture list. For Example Leinster and Munster get to pick a meeting before the first european weekend and before the first knock-out weekend to meet.

PhatPiggins

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What does that have to do with our forwards not being outmuscled?

I can't remember the last time the Leinster pack were beaten up

Nothing but he might have inadvertently hit on a point regarding losing to lesser lights like Newport. While top notch against the best teams it wouldn't be stretching it to say that Leinster sometimes lose their focus against the average ML teams.

Considering what's at stake I don't see that happening tomorrow though

durkadurka

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

They don't try to split it up fairly.

They try to meet various interests when writing the fixture list. For Example Leinster and Munster get to pick a meeting before the first european weekend and before the first knock-out weekend to meet.

I Think you can do that and still have a decent mix. Leinster were shocking in September but they were also away most of the time. Then they were at home for most of the 6n which helped when they had weakened squads.

Fans also want the games the be more evenly spread.

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

What does that have to do with our forwards not being outmuscled?

I can't remember the last time the Leinster pack were beaten up

I was just pointing out that beating the best teams in Europe is all fine and dandy but the weakers ones can trip you up too and as Dragons would be seen as one of the weaker teams I thought I throw it in here.

Peter Bills on the H/C semi-final last year

Mayday, mayday" – the cry of distress reverberated through Leinster's ranks in sodden Toulouse on the first day of May. Not even a frantic afternoon of scrambling defence could keep the Heineken Cup in the Dubliners' hands. Toulouse reached the final by means of superior forward power and they also had the greater power in the loose, setting up decisive second-half tries for two backs, Yannick Jauzion and David Skrela.

CouchSmart

phog wrote: »

I was just pointing out that beating the best teams in Europe is all fine and dandy but the weakers ones can trip you up too and as Dragons would be seen as one of the weaker teams I thought I throw it in here.

Peter Bills on the H/C semi-final last year

I think it's the same thing most top teams in any sport suffer from, in that the lesser teams raise their game to try to get one over on a 'big' team. I know Alex Ferguson is a firm believer in this. Still no excuse but overall I think we do OK, in the mix for a play off and still in the HEC indicates we're doing something right getting up for all games.

wixfjord

POD in for Reddan on the bench lads?
Wonder what that's about?

ambid

Wow. Can't believe Tovey missed that. :eek:

tolosenc

Were the Dragons fan just singing La Marseillaise?!

ambid

tolosenc wrote: »

Were the Dragons fan just singing La Marseillaise?!

Yeah they appear to be. Weird.

ongarite

Anyone on NET2 getting some weird sound issues.
Its like some words are being repeated twice.

wixfjord

Try Dragons.
Seriously weird game.

B0X

Excellent try to be fair.

ongarite

Great rugby.
Super break from Fitz and then tackle and turbo mode for a try by Dragons.