Montpellier-Hérault Rugby vs Leinster Rugby, Stade de la Mosson, 12/11/2011, 1.30pm

totallegend

I don't have as much time on my hands as Thomond2006 to be writing awesome previews, but here's the Montpellier team for tomorrow

Source: http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/le-groupe-pour-leinster-12-11-2011-3377-303.html


La composition :


1.Naama Leleimalefaga - 2.Agustin Creevy - 3.Maximiliano Bustos - 4.Mickael De Marco - 5.Thibaut Privat - 6.Fulgence Ouedraogo (capitaine) - 7.Mamuka Gorgodze - 8.Masi Matadigo - 9.Benoit Paillaugue - 10.François Trinh-Duc - 11.Yoan Audrin - 12.Santiago Fernandez - 13.Geoffrey Doumayrou - 14.Timoci Nagusa - 15.Lucas Amorosino

Les remplaçants :

16.Rassie Van Vuuren - 17.Mikheil Nariashvili - 18.Giorgi Jgenti - 19.Drikus Hancke - 20.Rémy Martin - 21.Julien Tomas - 22.Paul Bosch - 23.Martin Bustos Moyano

wixfjord

totallegend wrote: »

I don't have as much time on my hands as Thomond2006 to be writing awesome previews, but here's the Montpellier team for tomorrow

Source: http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/le-groupe-pour-leinster-12-11-2011-3377-303.html


La composition :


1.Naama Leleimalefaga - 2.Agustin Creevy - 3.Maximiliano Bustos - 4.Mickael De Marco - 5.Thibaut Privat - 6.Fulgence Ouedraogo (capitaine) - 7.Mamuka Gorgodze - 8.Masi Matadigo - 9.Benoit Paillaugue - 10.François Trinh-Duc - 11.Yoan Audrin - 12.Santiago Fernandez - 13.Geoffrey Doumayrou - 14.Timoci Nagusa - 15.Lucas Amorosino

Les remplaçants :

16.Rassie Van Vuuren - 17.Mikheil Nariashvili - 18.Giorgi Jgenti - 19.Drikus Hancke - 20.Rémy Martin - 21.Julien Tomas - 22.Paul Bosch - 23.Martin Bustos Moyano

Well, that's a little interesting. Martin, Tomas, Bosch on the bench, Gorgodze at 7, that Gerogrian prop Shevilidze isnt there, and Amorosino at fullback.

Actually, no Figallo either?

Big Nelly

Was wondering why this thread wasnt started, anyway I hope for a good victory! I hope the weather is better than in Dublin today. Jesus with this rain if it was in RDS you might as well have sent the ducks out to play

Any sign of Leinster team?

durkadurka

I predict same as last week except VDM at loosehead. we'll find out at 12.

Kinger83

Big Nelly wrote: »

Any sign of Leinster team?

Team should be named at lunchtime.

wixfjord

Hagan, Sykes, Carr and Ryan not in squad anyway.

WeeBushy

Very annoyed Hagan isn't in the squad, presumably White is on the bench. He's not miles better (if he's better at all - haven't seen very much of him), so its just denying game time to Ireland's heir apparent to Ross. Boo.

Other than that, presumably Ruddock and KML (providing 2nd row cover) are on the bench if Ryan is playing for the As. I like KML playing the 5.5 role.

Also, with O'Connell playing for the As Healy is fit for at least the bench. All we be revealed soon, patience

vinny chase

WeeBushy wrote: »

Very annoyed Hagan isn't in the squad, presumably White is on the bench. He's not miles better (if he's better at all - haven't seen very much of him), so its just denying game time to Ireland's heir apparent to Ross. Boo.

Other than that, presumably Ruddock and KML (providing 2nd row cover) are on the bench if Ryan is playing for the As. I like KML playing the 5.5 role.

Yeah, I think the same about Jamie Hagan's exclusion. I was impressed by him numerous times last season at Connacht, and think it's more rugby he needs at this level, not less. He's not going to learn a whole pile in Esher.

wixfjord

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Fergus McFadden
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16; Sean Cronin
17: Jack McGrath
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Ian Madigan
23: Eoin O'Malley

durkadurka

Jesus.


Browne at 5????????????

justsomebloke

Browne instead of Toner? and Jennings on the bench?

wixfjord

Few serious head scratchers in there!

Backs as expected.

Browne starting at 5 is obviously for his experience of France. Don't see why he'd be ahead of Toner though.

Locky starting at 6 to give us an extra tailgunner.

Healy injured as the Indo were reporting yesterday, Heinke will have his work cut out.

wixfjord

Can see the logic for Browne.
Their lineout is supposedly poor, and Leinster are assuming they'll take us on in a close in battle.
Haven't seen much of Browne, but he's sure experienced in this part of the world.

Hype710

Leinster going for the biggest pack possible with the inclusion of Browne and McLaughlin. White is obviously viewed as a superior scrummager to Hagan.

In Joe we trust.

Burgo

Toner pick up a knock in training or something? Don't see why he'd be behind Browne.

Hippo

The task is looking tougher by the minute. Whatever about missing Drico, it's Hines and Shaggy we'll miss more tomorrow.

totallegend

justsomebloke wrote: »

Browne instead of Toner? and Jennings on the bench?

More physicality to counter the ball-carrying threat of Gorgodze maybe; Browne is a big, strong unit, but then the lineout loses something in Toner's absence, hence the presence of Kev McL. That's one possible take on it anyway. I'd still have preferred to see Jennings in there.

thomond2006

Browne ahead of Sykes and Toner?!

wixfjord

thomond2006 wrote: »

Browne ahead of Sykes and Toner?!

Physicality and experience in France.
Their lineout is supposedly bad, and they've a monster pack.

Big Nelly

Wanted to see Toner play but I am not the man to pick the team!!! Lets get it on!!!

vinny chase

Yeah, not the most surprising when you think about it. The writing was on the wall that Locky would be included because of his chat to the press during the week about the work they'd been doing on preparing to shut down Gorgodze. At the time when I was reading it I was thinking, 'Bit strange him saying this as he likely won't be starting', but just goes to show.

Browne included because they obviously expect this to be a good old fashioned gnarly, dogged forwards battle to begin with. Including Locky somewhat compensates for the lineout deficiencies of excluding big Dev.

Back line as expected. Would have liked to have seen Dave Kearney included on the bench ahead of EO'M.

.ak

Any word why Ryan isn't on the squad? Interesting to see KML playing at 6 after talking about trying to improve his role in the second row. Looks like we're going for mobility down the blindside?

wixfjord

.ak wrote: »

Any word why Ryan isn't on the squad? Interesting to see KML playing at 6 after talking about trying to improve his role in the second row. Looks like we're going for mobility down the blindside?

Ryan? He's playing for the As.
Don't see how he'd fit in there really.
The experience of Jennings to come on could be vital.

wixfjord

Also, we've got beast on beast action at 7!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDTmdDhGO50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBPe-QvwD7g

I predict that worlds will collapse in on themselves.

WeeBushy

Just checked the leinster website and Browne weighs just shy of 20 stone :eek: Bring it on Gorgodze!

.ak

vinny chase wrote: »

Back line as expected. Would have liked to have seen Dave Kearney included on the bench ahead of EO'M.

Do you think EOM's on the bench because they're still a little unsure of the starting centres? i.e; to have the ability to bring on one of the other contestants for the 13 shirt and experiment if we have an opportunity to close the game out? Rather than having D. Kearns on the bench who is possibly more versatile?

WeeBushy

If Kearney was on the bench you'd have to play Fitz/Nacewa at 13 if McF gets injured, neither of which have played there in a long time.

With O'Malley on the bench, if a centre gets injured he slots in, and if a back three gets injured he comes on and McF pushes out to the wing.

O'Malley gives us the most options from the bench, and every position is adequately covered.

totallegend

.ak wrote: »

Do you think EOM's on the bench because they're still a little unsure of the starting centres? i.e; to have the ability to bring on one of the other contestants for the 13 shirt and experiment if we have an opportunity to close the game out? Rather than having D. Kearns on the bench who is possibly more versatile?

EOM has more big game experience, plus with McF, Luke and Isa on the pitch, every position in the backline is covered twice over.

vinny chase

.ak wrote: »

Do you think EOM's on the bench because they're still a little unsure of the starting centres? i.e; to have the ability to bring on one of the other contestants for the 13 shirt and experiment if we have an opportunity to close the game out? Rather than having D. Kearns on the bench who is possibly more versatile?

yeah, I you're right. But I'd have liked to have Kearney on the bench, with Luke Fitz moved to centre if necessary.

That said; Joey Schmidt hasn't let us down yet! I bow to his superior knowledge!

Hype710

totallegend wrote: »

EOM has more big game experience, plus with McF, Luke and Isa on the pitch, every position in the backline is covered twice over.

Plus the fact that EOM is an established member of the squad and seems to be valued highly amongst players and management, despite an inauspicious start to the season.

vinny chase

Hype710 wrote: »

Plus the fact that EOM is an established member of the squad and seems to be valued highly amongst players and management, despite an inauspicious start to the season.

EO'M's performance in the losing bonus point effort against Clermont last season was one of the highlights of the season for me. Thought he was excellent that day. Would have loved to have seen him kick on a bit since though!

CIARAN_BOYLE

I was thinking Browne is a big lump and not a great lineout operator but does anyone think he could be an excellent lineout lifter. Would it be viable to have two lifting units throwing Cullen and McLaughlin into the air on opposition ball?

LeeroyJones

I'm encouraged at seeing Jack McGrath on the bench. He seems to have been on the fringes for ages now but I've been hoping this season would be the season we'd see him get the Heineken Cup step up in terms of appearances.

iroced

totallegend wrote: »

[...] but here's the Montpellier team for tomorrow

Source: http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/le-groupe-pour-leinster-12-11-2011-3377-303.html


La composition :


1.Naama Leleimalefaga - 2.Agustin Creevy - 3.Maximiliano Bustos - 4.Mickael De Marco - 5.Thibaut Privat - 6.Fulgence Ouedraogo (capitaine) - 7.Mamuka Gorgodze - 8.Masi Matadigo - 9.Benoit Paillaugue - 10.François Trinh-Duc - 11.Yoan Audrin - 12.Santiago Fernandez - 13.Geoffrey Doumayrou - 14.Timoci Nagusa - 15.Lucas Amorosino

Les remplaçants :

16.Rassie Van Vuuren - 17.Mikheil Nariashvili - 18.Giorgi Jgenti - 19.Drikus Hancke - 20.Rémy Martin - 21.Julien Tomas - 22.Paul Bosch - 23.Martin Bustos Moyano

Bustos Moyano on the bench so that's our best kicker on the side.
And hopefully Privat behaves himself as he has a secret love for yellow cards...
On a more positive note, we have a solid bench.

Hope we can put on a good performance whatever the result to "really" start our season!

CIARAN_BOYLE

If things are comfortable early in the second half (I know its not likely) I would love to see McGrath get 30 minutes.

He needs a chance to see if he can claim the second choice LH shirt before VDM is offered a new contract.

WeeBushy

LeeroyJones wrote: »

I'm encouraged at seeing Jack McGrath on the bench. He seems to have been on the fringes for ages now but I've been hoping this season would be the season we'd see him get the Heineken Cup step up in terms of appearances.

Well he is only there because of an injury to Healy. But in saying that, it is good to see him get opportunities and its one I hope he grabs with both hands. Although I don't really see him getting on unless there's an injury to VDM.

LeeroyJones

WeeBushy wrote: »

Well he is only there because of an injury to Healy.

True, but in the past it would have been Stan Wright slotting in there. Schmidt knew of Wrights departure well in advance last year and obviously made the decision that McGrath can step up as opposed to sign another versatile prop.

From one prop to another, is there any reason Hagan has been left out at the expense of White. He's on the "A" team which is very disappointing IMO.

vinny chase

LeeroyJones wrote: »

True, but in the past it would have been Stan Wright slotting in there. Schmidt knew of Wrights departure well in advance last year and obviously made the decision that McGrath can step up as opposed to sign another versatile prop.

From one prop to another, is there any reason Hagan has been left out at the expense of Browne. He's on the "A" team which is very disappointing IMO.

He's at the expense of another 'colour' White!

I dunno, obviously a judgement call from Joey. Hagan didn't have a good outing last week in the palindrome I suppose.

CIARAN_BOYLE

LeeroyJones wrote: »

True, but in the past it would have been Stan Wright slotting in there. Schmidt knew of Wrights departure well in advance last year and obviously made the decision that McGrath can step up as opposed to sign another versatile prop.

From one prop to another, is there any reason Hagan has been left out at the expense of Browne. He's on the "A" team which is very disappointing IMO.

Are you talking about Hagan as a 2nd row? I never knew he was so versatile?

You mean white right? I agree disappointing.

[Jackass]

*sigh* O'Brien moved to 7.

One think that I don't believe in from Schmidts selection policy, is the need for this "physical pack".

He did the exact same thing in Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final last season, and it wasn't until Jennings came on as a ball winner at 7 and O'Brien was freed up at 6 that the pack actually got on top.

As much as I like McLoughlin, he's behind Ryan in my book for a back-row place, who is hugely physical for a 7 in his own right, and I may even have him behind Ruddock at this stage too.

Now, if he had kept Jennings or put Ryan at 7 and McLoughlin at 5, then I would have been happy and he would have gotten that physical edge that perhaps Toner doesn't bring, but this selection stinks of bulk over talent, and that's not how we should be looking to approach this game.

A lot more worried now than I was before, and I was worried before.

Healy is a massive loss, as seen against Munster when Van Der Merwe came on (7 man scrum aside), but on the plus side, really really hope McGrath gets to cut his teeth at this level, if even only for 10 - 15 minutes.

I'd also swap McFadden and Fitzgerald around, centres look fairly flat with McFadden and D'Arcy, Fitzgerald would bring a better spark and he's better defensively than McFadden which we will need in the centre.

Finally, I'm not over the moon with O'Malley getting the 23 jersey ahead of the likes of D. Kearney or Carr who I think would bring more of an impact off the bench.

BUT, having said all of this, I've learnt in the past that no man is worthy of questioning Joe Schmidt, and on that basis, I'm just going to get behind the team (as always) and trust his judgement.

Massive massive game though. A win would set us up for a very strong group performance, a loss with a losing bonus would be acceptable, but would put us under pressure to get the win in Glasgow and the rec, a loss without a BP would be game on from Montpellier and Bath's point of view and we'd be under pressure from the off.

They've a good back-line, but still hoping against hope that they'll have one eye on the T14, but no question the worst opener we could have gotten in the group. Would prefer Bath away right now and the back to back against Montpellier.

Anyway, excited and nervous in equal measures!!

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

vinny chase

[Jackass] wrote: »

*sigh* O'Brien moved to 7.

One think that I don't believe in from Schmidts selection policy, is the need for this "physical pack".

He did the exact same thing in Cardiff for the Heineken Cup final last season, and it wasn't until Jennings came on as a ball winner at 7 and O'Brien was freed up at 6 that the pack actually got on top.

As much as I like McLoughlin, he's behind Ryan in my book for a back-row place, who is hugely physical for a 7 in his own right, and I may even have him behind Ruddock at this stage too.

Now, if he had kept Jennings or put Ryan at 7 and McLoughlin at 5, then I would have been happy and he would have gotten that physical edge that perhaps Toner doesn't bring, but this selection stinks of bulk over talent, and that's not how we should be looking to approach this game.

A lot more worried now than I was before, and I was worried before.

Healy is a massive loss, as seen against Munster when Van Der Merwe came on (7 man scrum aside), but on the plus side, really really hope McGrath gets to cut his teeth at this level, if even only for 10 - 15 minutes.

I'd also swap McFadden and Fitzgerald around, centres look fairly flat with McFadden and D'Arcy, Fitzgerald would bring a better spark and he's better defensively than McFadden which we will need in the centre.

Finally, I'm not over the moon with O'Malley getting the 23 jersey ahead of the likes of D. Kearney or Carr who I think would bring more of an impact off the bench.

BUT, having said all of this, I've learnt in the past that no man is worthy of questioning Joe Schmidt, and on that basis, I'm just going to get behind the team (as always) and trust his judgement.

Massive massive game though. A win would set us up for a very strong group performance, a loss with a losing bonus would be acceptable, but would put us under pressure to get the win in Glasgow and the rec, a loss without a BP would be game on from Montpellier and Bath's point of view and we'd be under pressure from the off.

They've a good back-line, but still hoping against hope that they'll have one eye on the T14, but no question the worst opener we could have gotten in the group. Would prefer Bath away right now and the back to back against Montpellier.

Anyway, excited and nervous in equal measures!!

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

I dunno if I agree.

I don't think Locky is the athlete that Rhys or Dom Ryan are, but I think he's a smarter player than both at this stage in his development, and I think he's a better line out option too. I think Joe is picking horses for courses, and I find it hard to query the suggestion. Hoping to take them on up front initially, we are away from home after all, and then when they're worn down a little more, stretch them by introducing Shane Jennings.

Don't think it was ever on the cards too to start Luke in the centre for this one.

I think we'll win it, by 4-5 points.

Quint2010

I think Leinster will come with the mindset of trying to get a losing bp and beating Montpellier on the head to head.

Is this game on the box by the way?

CatFromHue

I think Leinster will be playing and aiming to win.

Montpellier are in their first ever Heineken Cup and are struggling in the Top 14, they've only one win this season so far!

smurphy29

Quint2010 wrote: »

I think Leinster will come with the mindset of trying to get a losing bp and beating Montpellier on the head to head.

Is this game on the box by the way?

Absolutely not. That's the great thing about Joe, he sends his team out with a positive mindset. Even away to Clermont last year, where nobody wins, and with a raft of injuries, the team tried to win the game. Leinster will be looking for four points tomorrow, no doubt about that.

Oh yeah, and it's on Sky Sports.

wixfjord

Quint2010 wrote: »

I think Leinster will come with the mindset of trying to get a losing bp and beating Montpellier on the head to head.

Is this game on the box by the way?

What are you talking about?!!

The HEC champions against a bottom of the table French team missing a few regulars, and we'll be "trying to get a LBP"?!
Bookies have Leinster 5 point favourites, now we may end up with a LBP, but we certainly won't be targeting it!

irishbucsfan

Having a French speaker could give us an advantage in the lineout, plus Browne has been solid so far.


I reckon the defensive lineout will line up something like Ross, Cullen, Browne KmcL, VDM, Heaslip. That's an excellent lineout!

Plus, tended to rotate the "seconds" into the team at away games last year (VDM, Boss) so this is true to form for His Schmidtyness.

Bring on the game!

vinny chase

wixfjord wrote: »

What are you talking about?!!

The HEC champions against a bottom of the table French team missing a few regulars, and we'll be "trying to get a LBP"?!
Bookies have Leinster 5 point favourites, now we may end up with a LBP, but we certainly won't be targeting it!

Absolute 100% agreement.

Don't think it's even in the mindset of these players, and certainly not of guys like Joe Schmidt and Jono Gibbes.

Cormic

Interesting team selection in the forwards. I have not seem much of Browne so I cannot comment.

My comment is on SOB to 7. I think this is a bit of a hangover from the world cup where he was moved there to make way for Man Mountain Ferris (TM). I believe that 7 is his least favourite position on the back three.

Why move him there when we have Jennings available as a specialist 7?

vinny chase

Cormic wrote: »

Interesting team selection in the forwards. I have not seem much of Browne so I cannot comment.

My comment is on SOB to 7. I think this is a bit of a hangover from the world cup where he was moved there to make way for Man Mountain Ferris (TM). I believe that 7 is his least favourite position on the back three.

Why move him there when we have Jennings available as a specialist 7?

As is stated elsewhere, I think it's simply to focus on a slightly more beefed up pack. Historically, you get no easy battles up front in the South of France, so really it's bringing in Locky for Shane Jennings. Didn't work spectacularly in the first forty of the HEC final, but don't think that was entirely Locky's fault either.

totallegend

vinny chase wrote: »

As is stated elsewhere, I think it's simply to focus on a slightly more beefed up pack. Historically, you get no easy battles up front in the South of France, so really it's bringing in Locky for Shane Jennings. Didn't work spectacularly in the first forty of the HEC final, but don't think that was entirely Locky's fault either.

No, it wasn't, he played well that day I thought, made a couple of carries which is an aspect of his game that he doesn't get huge credit for. But think back to the quarter-final, we destroyed Leicester at line-out time and Kev was a big part of that.
In some ways, Browne is similar to Hines, i.e. a big lump who doesn't contribute that much to the lineout, but if he can make half the impact on the team that Hines did, he'll be doing OK.

vinny chase

totallegend wrote: »

No, it wasn't, he played well that day I thought, made a couple of carries which is an aspect of his game that he doesn't get huge credit for. But think back to the quarter-final, we destroyed Leicester at line-out time and Kev was a big part of that.
In some ways, Browne is similar to Hines, i.e. a big lump who doesn't contribute that much to the lineout, but if he can make half the impact on the team that Hines did, he'll be doing OK.

Yeah I'd agree. Bit more 'dog' about the pack when you have Browne and McLaughlin there as opposed to Toner and Jennings. These are the lads I'd be sending out to face Gorgodze and co. too fwiw.