Leinster v Cardiff 07/04/2012 HC SS1 5.30

Big Nelly

teams just announced. Strong team as usual from Leinster. Big call at second row with Leo and Thorn in. Hopefully they have done some work since Osprey match where they didn't link up too well. D'Arcy in at 12, I have been one calling for McFadden at 12 but D'Arcy done well for Leinster all season and only seems to have bad form for Ireland.

Great to see BOD and Fitz back in the side. SOB comes back in at 7, was never a question if he would come back into team but I would rather him playing at 6. Maybe this is Ireland pushing for him to play 7. I think it hurts his game. White on bench instead of Hagen. Wonder why Hagen wasn't released for A game.

I predict a win. But for luck I am not going to say a big win because everyone is expecting Leinster to trash Cardiff.

Glad to see Parks playing. I think that is a plus for Leinster. Strange they are playing him when he is gone next season. This is cardiff's season in one match. They will go all out but many have come to Lansdowne against Leinster and got nothing and I expect the same. Good win. Come on lads

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Isa Nacewa
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Luke Fitzgerald
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Cian Healy
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Brad Thorn
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Heinke van der Merwe
18: Nathan White
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fergus McFadden

CARDIFF BLUES:

15: Leigh Halfpenny
14: Alex Cuthbert
13: Casey Laulala
12: Dafydd Hewitt
11: Tom James
10: Dan Parks
9: Lloyd Williams

1: Gethin Jenkins
2: Marc Breeze
3: Scott Andrews
4: Bradley Davies
5: James Down
6: Michael Paterson
7: Martyn Williams
8: Xavier Rush CAPTAIN

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Kristian Dacey
17: John Yapp
18: Sam Hobbs
19: Macauley Cook
20: Maama Molitika
21: Richie Rees
22: Ceri Sweeney
23: Gavin Evans

REFEREE: David Pearson (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Pascal Gauzere (FFR), David Changleng (SRU), 4th OFFICIAL: Tim Wigglesworth (RFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Roy Maybank (RFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

Quint2010

Yip thought Joe would go with Thorn and Cullen. Experienced, hard nosed competitors. Be interesting to see who jumps at 4 for Leinster as both Thorn and Cullen are primarily jump at 2. The other big call was in the back row. Prefer SOB at 6 personally but obviously Schmidt wants Locky for his line out skills. Looking at the Cardiff team-they have some good players and the game could be quite tight for an hour. But I expect us to pull away in the last twenty and win by 15.

chris85

I like Cullen and Thorn there, should be interesting to see but a point to note they have a combined age of 71. Very interesting.

The back three should be good to watch. Rob is on storming form, Isa is class as per usual and Fitz is getting some good form also.

Also thought Cronin may have got the nod at hooker but not to be. Props pretty much pick themself there.

Leinster win by 10.

Conas

It's crazy that's Jennings is dropped. He was immense last weekend. Other than that I'm happy with the selection.

Clegg

No Paul Tito for Cardiff? I didn't know he was an injury concern for Cardiff. Thats another big blow for them.

The more injuries Cardiff get, the more I worry about Leinster complacency. I'm a bit worried about this match tbh.

Big Nelly

Clegg wrote: »

No Paul Tito for Cardiff? I didn't know he was an injury concern for Cardiff. Thats another big blow for them.

The more injuries Cardiff get, the more I worry about Leinster complacency. I'm a bit worried about this match tbh.

Think Leinster got the kick up the ass they needed when losing to Osprey. Think Joe even mentioned that the unbeaten run was getting a life of its own.

Can't see BOD or Leo letting anyone be complacency and a capacity crowd in Aviva will drive the lads on...

Quint2010

Kick off is at 5.45 according to the match ticket

Big Nelly

Quint2010 wrote: »

Kick off is at 5.45 according to the match ticket

Coverage starts on SS1 at 5.30, hence SS1 5.30 in title:D

CatFromHue

Leinster out to -15 on PP now!

Cpt_Blackbeard

CatFromHue wrote: »

Leinster out to -15 on PP now!

It would be great for such a huge underdog to get the win, but I think Leinster will beat the spread. A huge performance to send out a warning call to the remaining teams is what is needed.

My name is Mud

Bradley Davies returns to the scene of the crime

My name is Mud

CatFromHue wrote: »

Leinster out to -15 on PP now!

Dopey question,

I put on a bet with the workmates and got Leinster at -13, but it's not on the bet receipt. All it has is 'handicap betting'... I did the bet online

Anybody else get this problem?

[Jackass]

Big Nelly wrote: »

Think Leinster got the kick up the ass they needed when losing to Osprey. Think Joe even mentioned that the unbeaten run was getting a life of its own.

Can't see BOD or Leo letting anyone be complacency and a capacity crowd in Aviva will drive the lads on...

100% agree. Considering we beat Munster and have all but secured top spot now, that loss to Ospreys and the manner of the defeat is the best thing that could have happened to us. Get's the "unbeaten" tag off our back, we lost at home, and in a game we probably should have won.

A real wake up call and reminder of defeat, and you need to work really hard as things wont always go your way in a game, so never expect anything.

A good refresher lesson in the fait that lies with the rugby Gods.

I think this game will be a lot closer than the bookies and many fans make out. And I hope it's not a walkover. I do think we'll win, but I think Cardiff will fight every step of the way. If they have a good first 20 and even are ahead at the end of the first quarter, belief will seriously grow in their side, and that could become dangerous, as this is a cup final for them, nothing else to play for this season, completely written off, it's do or die, and you might as well give every last ounce of energy in this one, because if they lose, that's it for another season, so they wont be leaving anything out there on the pitch, and I think they will play this like it's the final and really go for it.

Only a fool would write them off.

thomond2006

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17637083

Cardiff are still defending the Gavin Henson decision. Bad bad sign.

CatFromHue

I'm not sure what to say about this game. We've a stronger side than when we beat them in Cardiff in January whereas there's the same if not weaker.

They're in a bad run at the moment I think it's a LLLWL. From what I remember of posting of before they've played 9 games against teams in the top 6 of the Rabo and have only won one of them. They came through the weakest pool in the HEC. They've lost Warburton, Roberts, and Henson. Of the players playing for them tomorrow Parks, Lualala, Jenkins are moving on next season, I'm not sure what Molitika or Williams are doing. Frankly they're a club in a lot of difficulty.

We on the other hand have just welcomed back BOD and Cullen and now have Thorn as well in the mix.

I'm trying not to be over confident but I think we could run up 40 or so points tomorrow.

tolosenc

Looking at the starting line ups, we're better to comfortably better than them in 14 of 15 positions. Cuthbert is a better winger than Nacewa, but Nacewa is an infinitely superior footballer.

Again, the quality on the bench should see a 12 point lead at 60 mins start pushing towards 30 by the end of the game.

Hopefully we have it over early so that Madigan can get some game time.

tolosenc

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It would be great for such a huge underdog to get the win, but I think Leinster will beat the spread. A huge performance to send out a warning call to the remaining teams is what is needed.

:rolleyes:

My name is Mud wrote: »

Bradley Davies returns to the scene of the crime

Has anyone asked Donncha Ryan if he'd like a run out? :P

totallegend

There's a piece in the Examiner this morning about Leo Cullen reminding everyone about the Perpignan game in 2003. I was there that day, didn't occur to me that we might lose it but nothing is ever certain in rugby.

That said, I don't expect this Leinster team to go into melt down like that one did.

wicklowwonder

totallegend wrote: »

There's a piece in the Examiner this morning about Leo Cullen reminding everyone about the Perpignan game in 2003. I was there that day, didn't occur to me that we might lose it but nothing is ever certain in rugby.

That said, I don't expect this Leinster team to go into melt down like that one did.

I think after Toulouse in the Aviva and then that final last year we know this team doesn't do meltdown. I am confident but I think if we beat the handicap it will only be in the last 20/25 mins. I reckon it will be tight till then with Cardiff keeping it tight. Listen anything could go yellow/red card, injuries to Ross and White.... So you just never know but we have the talent, the experience, hopefully hunger will follow! Can't wait for the Aviva later!

.ak

Dan Parks.

ktulu123

Getting nervous now. Cant wait for kick off

Fishooks12

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It would be great for such a huge underdog to get the win, but I think Leinster will beat the spread. A huge performance to send out a warning call to the remaining teams is what is needed.

I think it would be great for 50% of the semi finalists to be Irish personally

pappyodaniel

What's a good site for streaming this match?
Is twomint showing this?

WeeBushy

pappyodaniel wrote: »

What's a good site for streaming this match?
Is twomint showing this?

We ain't allowed talk about match streaming no more... Thank you Mr. Sherlock.

ScareGilly

Big Nelly wrote: »

REFEREE: David Pearson (RFU)

Sh*t...

Sangre

Can I still buy tickets on ticketmaster or do I need to try and buy one down there?

Big Nelly

Sangre wrote: »

Can I still buy tickets on ticketmaster or do I need to try and buy one down there?

Buy them online and collect at the box office in stadium....only 800 left according to Leinster this morning

Sangre

Tried to but it won't let me unfortunately. Might have missed cut-off for collection.

totallegend

Leinsterrugby.ie wrote:

Ticket sales for this evening's game have passed the 50,000 mark and there are tickets still available from Spar (Donnybrook) and from Ticketmaster van at the D4 Berkeley Court Hotel from 3pm today, if not sold out prior.

There you go

Clegg

Heading out to Lansdowne for the match now.

Nervous as ****e. C'mon Leinster!!

pappyodaniel

WeeBushy wrote: »

We ain't allowed talk about match streaming no more... Thank you Mr. Sherlock.

I know, I was hoping someone might PM me a link.

WeeBushy

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I know, I was hoping someone might PM me a link.

Nice

cork exile in london

WeeBushy wrote: »

Nice

pm me a link to pretty please someone

sparky12345678

a link would also be nice... being stuck in italy for Easter i need something!

Fishooks12

One thing Leinster need to be wary of is the Cuthbert threat

He was my player of the 6 nations and I believe he's more consistent and mature than North

Can't see Sweeney getting as much out of him as Preistland though

ScissorPaperRock

Is the match only being shown on Sky Sports?

WeeBushy

ScissorPaperRoc wrote: »

Is the match only being shown on Sky Sports?

Yup. Highlights on TG4 at 21.20 tonight.

thomond2006

Yes, Sky have exclusive rights.

Big Nelly

thomond2006 wrote: »

Yes, Sky have exclusive rights.

Yes, only reason I pay for Sky Sports.....

totallegend

Big Nelly wrote: »

thomond2006 wrote: »

Yes, Sky have exclusive rights.

Yes, only reason I pay for Sky Sports.....

And "Tight Lines" of course. Two lads talking about fishing? Riveting stuff.

Big Nelly

Watching the Edinburgh match, getting me more nervous, I thought Edinburgh and Cardiff would both get whipped today!!!

Big Nelly

I have no nails left on my hands now with the build up to this game, never this bad because I am always at games and having a few beers now. But had to stay home and watching on TV.....it is horrible......especially with the favorite just getting beaten in first match

dougieruggie

Tolouse slayed by Edinburgh.

I would have given Cardiff more of a chance to overturn Leinster than Edinburgh to overturn Tolouse.

Worrying times indeed. This Cardiff Blues side could galvanize around the recent events.

LEIN

Atmosphere building very nicely around Lansdown now.

C'Mon LEINSTER!!!

Hennybug

cork exile in london wrote: »

pm me a link to pretty please someone

Me too please

Teferi

Looking forward to cheering Shaggy into retirement.

Funkstard

Watching this on my laptop, anyone I can PM for some...advice?

AnonymousPrime

Funkstard wrote: »

Watching this on my laptop, anyone I can PM for some...advice?

And can you PM me

Coburger

WeeBushy wrote: »

Yup. Highlights on TG4 at 21.20 tonight.

Hey, TG4 usually show the full game from tart to finish which is pretty cool. Come on Leinster.

Did anyone read that Stuart Barnes mentioned that if Cardiff win then (in his opinion) it'll be the biggest upset in the H Cup - not too sure about that but I hope the Leinster lads aren't going to be complacent (don't think Joe will let them though)

yosser hughes

My usual source for watching this appears to be taking the weekend off. Any advice out there? Please PM me if you have. Thanks

Big Nelly

Good interview with BOD on Sky......