HEC Leinster V Scarlets, Sat 12th Jan, RDS 6pm, Sky Sports 1

justsomebloke

For once it is actually going to be Cometh the hour, cometh the man

If anyone does a preview I will stick it here

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15: Rob Kearney|15: Liam Williams
14: Isa Nacewa|14: Andy Fenby
13: Fergus McFadden|13: Gareth Maule
12: Gordon D'Arcy|12: Scott Williams
11: Luke Fitzgerald|11: Kristian Phillips
10: Jonathan Sexton|10: Aled Thomas
9: Isaac Boss|9: Tavis Knoyle
1: Cian Healy|1: Phil John
2: Sean Cronin|2: Ken Owens
3: Mike Ross|3: Jacobie Adriaanse
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN|4: George Earle
5: Devin Toner|5: Richard Kelly
6: Sean O'Brien|6: Rob McCusker CAPTAIN
7: Shane Jennings|7: Josh Turnbull
8: Jamie Heaslip|8: Kieran Murphy
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16: Aaron Dundon|16: Matthew Rees
17: Heinke van der Merwe|17: Rhodri Jones
18: Michael Bent|18: Samson Lee
19: Tom Denton|19: Johan Synman
20: Rhys Ruddock|20: Sione Timani
21: Eoin Reddan|21: Gareth Davies
22: Ian Madigan|22: Jonathan Davies
23: Brian O'Driscoll|23: Adam Warren

REFEREE: Jerome Garces (FFR), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Sébastien Cloute, Alexandre Ruiz (both FFR), 4th OFFICIAL: Barry O'Keefe (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Brian Montayne (IRFU), TMO: Jean Claude Levrier (FFR)

durkadurka

I'll be upset if we don't have three tries by half time.

.ak

justsomebloke wrote: »

If anyone does a preview I will stick it here

:eek: I love your work....

awec

We battered them a few weeks ago, can't see past a Leinster BP win here.

.ak

durkadurka wrote: »

I'll be upset if we don't have three tries by half time.

I dunno, I'd be happy if we smash them upfront for 30 minutes then hit the after burners. I hope no one starts looking at the clock and keep the patience going...

Quint2010

durkadurka wrote: »

I'll be upset if we don't have three tries by half time.

Yeah if we get the BP early we need to keep the foot on the gas. 4 tries is the minimum we need from this game.

Fishooks13

Unless BOD is injured I really can't see the point in resting him. Especially considering how little McFadden and Darcy will complement each other in the center.

In saying that I'd still expect Leinster to win handy and get the WPB.

Big game for Devin Toner, time to lay down a marker. It'd be nice to see a big performance from Healy after he's shown us he may be human after all in the last few weeks.

CatFromHue

SCARLETS v Leinster 12 Jan
Liam Williams, Andy Fenby, Gareth Maule, Scott Williams, Kristian Phillips, Aled Thomas, Tavis Knoyle
Phil John, Ken Owens, Jacobie Adriaanse, George Earle, Richard Kelly, Rob McCusker CAPTAIN, Josh Turnbull, Kieran Murphy

SCARLETS v Leinster 1 September
L Williams; G North, G Maule, S Williams, A Fenby; A Thomas, T Knoyle;
R Jones, K Owens, D Manu, G Earle, R Kelly, A Shingler, J Turnbull, R McCusker

North in the backs, the two props, and Shingler in the back row are the changes from the Lanelli team that beat us in the first Rabo game of the season.

Only Nacewa in the backs and Toner and Jennings in the pack remain from the Leinster team.

thomond2006

North not in the 23 and Davies on the bench means Scarlets' potency in attack is very weakened. I don't think they will score many tries.

ssaye

thomond2006 wrote: »

North not in the 23 and Davies on the bench means Scarlets' potency in attack is very weakened. I don't think they will score many tries.

Mocker gods be gone :pac:

[Jackass]

The mocker Gods know that I don't tempt them, I just state fair opinion, so please don't punish me mocker Gods, but I think Leinster will put 8 or 9 tries past this lot!

It's just set up that way. Our team coming back to strength, Heineken Cup life on the line, need buckets of tries, Scarlets down to bare bones.

Hopefully, a blood bath. We've got serious backs on the bench to put them to the sword second half also.

.ak

8 or 9 tries is wishful thinking JA. If the team clicks, who knows, but we only put 7 on that woeful, woeful Cardiff side....

[Jackass]

Well I'd take 7 or 8! This Scarlets team is heavily weakened.

ssaye

ERC Rugby ‏@ercrugby #ERCStats: @jamieheaslip has completed the most tackles - missing none boasting 100% success by making 50 in 4 #HeinekenCup apps

justsomebloke

going to be an interesting game. I know people have been saying that we shouldn't be going for shots at penalties but I would be against this until around the 60 minute mark.

Truthfully I think we need to be looking at 6-7 tries tomorrow at least and we aren't going to do this unless we break Scarlets. If we start kicking for the corners instead of taking points and not getting a return it will only help to incentivise Scarlets to stay in the game.

If we someone end up being 3-4 tries up come the 70 minute mark I think we should be throwing caution to the wind to try and get another couple of tries on the board. Yes we may concede some tries but having tries on the board for the table at point will be more useful the aggregate score

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

8 or 9 tries is wishful thinking JA. If the team clicks, who knows, but we only put 7 on that woeful, woeful Cardiff side....

Did we not get 9? Pretty sure there were 12 tries that day. 9 for us and 3 for them.

awec

justsomebloke wrote: »

going to be an interesting game. I know people have been saying that we shouldn't be going for shots at penalties but I would be against this until around the 60 minute mark.

Truthfully I think we need to be looking at 6-7 tries tomorrow at least and we aren't going to do this unless we break Scarlets. If we start kicking for the corners instead of taking points and not getting a return it will only help to incentivise Scarlets to stay in the game.

If we someone end up being 3-4 tries up come the 70 minute mark I think we should be throwing caution to the wind to try and get another couple of tries on the board. Yes we may concede some tries but having tries on the board for the table at point will be more useful the aggregate score

Take the points when it is obvious to take the points IMO.

You have more chance of scoring tries near the end if the Scarlets are already dead and buried.

Fishooks13

ssaye wrote: »

ERC Rugby ‏@ercrugby #ERCStats: @jamieheaslip has completed the most tackles - missing none boasting 100% success by making 50 in 4 #HeinekenCup apps

And some people would try and tell you he's not playing well :rolleyes:

CatFromHue

I'd be happy with a repeat of the game in the 09/10 season

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchcentre/4192.php

39-7 with Leinster scoring 7 tries

CIARAN_BOYLE

justsomebloke wrote: »

going to be an interesting game. I know people have been saying that we shouldn't be going for shots at penalties but I would be against this until around the 60 minute mark.

Personally I would start going for the corner when there is a 25 point gap.

I'd also tell Johnny to speed up his kicking routine. He has one of the longest kicking routines at the moment.

.ak

molloyjh wrote: »

Did we not get 9? Pretty sure there were 12 tries that day. 9 for us and 3 for them.

My bad, 9 is correct. Still, don't expect Scarlets to be that bad.

.ak

Fishooks13 wrote: »

And some people would try and tell you he's not playing well :rolleyes:

Well maybe if he'd stop all that show-pony tackling and actually started scoring some 60m tries like a proper 8 should they'd get off his back!

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Well maybe if he'd stop all that show-pony tackling and actually started scoring some 60m tries like a proper 8 should they'd get off his back!

He needs to rip off CJ Saviour.

Gracelessly Tom

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Personally I would start going for the corner when there is a 25 point gap.

I'd also tell Johnny to speed up his kicking routine. He has one of the longest kicking routines at the moment.

Once the TBP is secure, and the game is as well, I'd imagine they'll start to drop kick any conversions to save time and push for more tries.

leftleg

How old is Phil John?? he looks ancient

molloyjh

leftleg wrote: »

How old is Phil John?? he looks ancient

He's only 29!

ssaye

molloyjh wrote: »

He's only 29!

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/people.php?player=86539&includeref=dynamic

31
Phil John
DOB 25th Apr 1981

molloyjh

ssaye wrote: »

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/people.php?player=86539&includeref=dynamic

31
Phil John
DOB 25th Apr 1981

I'd better get on to Drico so. That rugby app of his says 1983.

leftleg

ssaye wrote: »

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/people.php?player=86539&includeref=dynamic

31
Phil John
DOB 25th Apr 1981

lol unfortunate to look 39 when your only 29!!

PhatPiggins

Where have all the forwards gone? Thats a fairly pants bench for leinster from 16-20.

molloyjh

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Where have all the forwards gone? Thats a fairly pants bench for leinster from 16-20.

Strauss, Browne, Roux and McLaughlin all injured. Hoping Leo is up for 80 mins.

In fairness though VDM is no slouch, Dundon has been very solid this season and Bent is an Irish international (;)). Ruddock has been in decent form this season too and against this Scarlets team I wouldn't be overly worried about any of those guys playing 20 minutes.

Podge_irl

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Where have all the forwards gone? Thats a fairly pants bench for leinster from 16-20.

Well VdM is the only first choice bench player there and he's certainly not pants, and Ruddock has his moments. The rest are somewhat underwhelming alright. Shouldn't matter against Scarlets, though I'd really like to see McLoughlin back for next week.

irishbucsfan

leftleg wrote: »

lol unfortunate to look 39 when your only 29!!

In fairness, risteard is younger and looks ancient!

CIARAN_BOYLE

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well VdM is the only first choice bench player there and he's certainly not pants, and Ruddock has his moments. The rest are somewhat underwhelming alright. Shouldn't matter against Scarlets, though I'd really like to see McLoughlin back for next week.

Bent would be considered first choice bench player too

Podge_irl

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Bent would be considered first choice bench player too

Ah, indeed he is. Jury is still out on him anyway though he's no worse than Hagan. What I wouldn't give to still have White.

.ak

TBH tighthead imo isn't the cause of our scrum inconsistency. For me our scrum is a prime example why you can't get a decent shove on without a decent tighthead lock.

P.Walnuts

Like the look of the team apart from the center combo.

Pack looks nice and dynamic, and I must say I prefer SOB at 6, think the backrow balance is quite good. I'd expect McLaughlin to play at 6 next week (if fit) though, Schmidt seems to start him at 6 in away games HC games, much like Boss at SH.

molloyjh

Just how much of a pain in the arse will our back row be at the break down!? Want to see us turning over ball a good bit given the line ups now, and take advantage quickly. Really looking forward to it now!

decisions

Really looking forward to the game now.

awec

Have Leinster backed at -19. Do me a favour.

CatFromHue

awec wrote: »

Have Leinster backed at -19. Do me a favour.

Cue Sexton kicking the ball dead in the 80th min with Leinster winning by 19.

Damn you Pienaar! :pac::pac:

Fishooks13

I really can't wait for this.

P_1

.ak wrote: »

TBH tighthead imo isn't the cause of our scrum inconsistency. For me our scrum is a prime example why you can't get a decent shove on without a decent tighthead lock.

True, remember how awesome our scrum was last season with Thorn packing in behind Ross.

Higher

If Leinster don't get 5 they're out.

I don't want to see any kicks at goal until the 4 tries are secured. Thats not arrogance thats survival.

P_1

Higher wrote: »

If Leinster don't get 5 they're out.

I don't want to see any kicks at goal until the 4 tries are secured. Thats not arrogance thats survival.

True, an aggressive/ruthless gameplan is needed from the start here, slightly concerned as we haven't seemed to have had one yet this this season.

clsmooth

Higher wrote: »

If Leinster don't get 5 they're out.

I don't want to see any kicks at goal until the 4 tries are secured. Thats not arrogance thats survival.

That's ridiculous. You have the win the game first and then run the tries in. That's like saying you want to see every ball spun out to the wing, you have to earn that right first. If we turn down every kick, and fail to score from the attacking positions we'll be in, Scarlets will take a lot of heart from it and be a tougher nut crack. Sensible rugby for first 30 and hopefully we'll be in a position to push for the tries then.

matthew8

clsmooth wrote: »

That's ridiculous. You have the win the game first and then run the tries in. That's like saying you want to see every ball spun out to the wing, you have to earn that right first. If we turn down every kick, and fail to score from the attacking positions we'll be in, Scarlets will take a lot of heart from it and be a tougher nut crack. Sensible rugby for first 30 and hopefully we'll be in a position to push for the tries then.

Well, you look at Toulon. They showed absolutely no respect to Cardiff, went 8-0 down, never took any kicks, but that didn't change the fact that Cardiff are a bad side and they scored 7 tries on them.

Higher

clsmooth wrote: »

That's ridiculous. You have the win the game first and then run the tries in. That's like saying you want to see every ball spun out to the wing, you have to earn that right first. If we turn down every kick, and fail to score from the attacking positions we'll be in, Scarlets will take a lot of heart from it and be a tougher nut crack. Sensible rugby for first 30 and hopefully we'll be in a position to push for the tries then.

Nope, every kickable position means there is potential for an attacking lineout in the Scarlets 22 instead. We simply have to take that option. We need four tries, not just a win. Take every try scoring opportunity IMO.

clsmooth

Higher wrote: »

Nope, every kickable position means there is potential for an attacking lineout in the Scarlets 22 instead. We simply have to take that option. We need four tries, not just a win. Take every try scoring opportunity IMO.

One or two of them don't come off, crowd starts getting on the teams back, players get frustrated. It's a dangerous game, remember we didn't exactly hammer them in Llaneli so we need to respect them. I wouldn't want the players to be thinking like that, assuming that we are going to win, and wondering how many tries we can get opens the door to complacency.

Do the basics well and the tries will take care of themselves. Don't force it early doors. Second half by all means, but first half win the game.

.ak

Think it was jsb that pointed out we need to put the hurt on them before they'll open up. In fairness that's always been our way - take every point, be in penalty or try, and turn that screw. Only then will we get the 5.

What's made leinster the team they are today is a professional ethos. Turning down kicks isn't part of that ethos imo. The AB's wouldn't do it.

Higher

.ak wrote: »

Think it was jsb that pointed out we need to put the hurt on them before they'll open up. In fairness that's always been our way - take every point, be in penalty or try, and turn that screw. Only then will we get the 5.

What's made leinster the team they are today is a professional ethos. Turning down kicks isn't part of that ethos imo. The AB's wouldn't do it.

When have the ABs ever needed to score a minimum of 4 tries in a game in order to qualify for a tournament??