Heineken Cup: Ospreys V Leinster, Liberty Stadium, Saturday 12th October, 18:00

.ak

|
R Fussell| R Kearney
B John | F McFadden
A Bishop | B Macken
A Beck | G D'Arcy
E Walker | D Kearney
D Biggar | J Gopperth
T Tebaldi | I Boss
D Jones | C Healy
R Hibbard | S Cronin
A Jones | M Ross
AW Jones | D Toner
J King | M McCarthy
R Jones | K McLoughlin
J Tupuric | S O'Brien
J Bearman | J Heaslip
Replacements | Replacements
S Baldwin | Aaron Dundon
R Bevington | J McGrath
A Jarvis | M Moore
T Ardron | Q Roux
S Lewis| R Ruddock
T Habberfield | E Reddan
M Morgan | I Madigan
J Hassler | L Fitzgerald


REFEREE: Wayne Barnes (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Tim Wigglesworth, Paul Dix (both RFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

Write up by Swiwi
Leinster kick off their 2013 HEC campaign with an away fixture to their perennial nemesis the Ospreys. This pool is likely to prove very tight with the bulked up Northampton and Castres (especially away) also shaping as tough fixtures, and Leinster would love to get away to a winning start, especially after the disappointment of last week's loss to Munster.

Most Leinster fans on this forum seem in general agreement with the team selection, in particular the choice of Boss & Gopperth to start, but if things go to plan (or if they don't), I expect to see Reddan & Madigan introduced around the 50-60 minute mark, where Madigan's superior running game in particular could be useful against a tiring defence.

It's in the pack, though, where Leinster most need to lift their game. Ospreys count 4 recent Lions in their starting forwards, and even if Adam Jones is a one-trick pony, his one-trick of scrumming at TH is a pretty good one. McLoughlin, SOB & Heaslip need to ensure quick ruck ball on attack, and a competitive breakdown on defence, especially with Justin Tipuric starting.

In the backs, much of the focus will go on veteran Darcy and spring chicken Macken, the former off-colour last week, and the latter attempting to fill the enormous shoes of BOD, and stake an early claim for eventual Irish honours in that position. I'm glad Macken has been given the nod.

In terms of the bench, look for McGrath & Moore to add impact, especially after the eye-catching cameo of Munster's James Cronin last week. Deputy TH & LH for Ireland are very much open for grabs. Luke Fitz is also a very useful sub to bring on.

Prediction: A very closely-fought game seems in store, heart says Leinster, head says Ospreys, but if Leinster can click, then they are well comfortable of a solid victory.

durkadurka

I'd give me left ball for a 9-6 win.

I don't have high hopes though

Rightwing

Absolutely vital match for both sides. A win for leinster will probably see them get out of the group. A loss and it will be a struggle.

its_phil

I see a losing BP for Leinster. Also fancy Eli Walker to have a stormer. Gonna be a real battle. Can't wait

phog

Ulster beat Ospreys last week so it's shouldn't be a huge ask for Leinster if they play with the intensity they're known for. If they play like they did in Thomond Park last week an away win might be difficult for them. The thing about Ospreys is they're full of promise but haven't really delivered. They're pribably the one Rabo team who have beaten Leinster more often than any of the others.

P_1

CatFromHue

Last season in the HEC:

Ospreys 38 -17 Treviso
Ospreys 17 - 6 Toulouse
Ospreys (they only got 2 out of 7 kicks at goal) 15 - 15 Leicester

11/12
Ospreys 28 -21 Biarritz
Ospreys 13 - 16 Saracens
Ospreys 44 - 17 Treviso

10/11
Ospreys 27 - 16 London Irish
Ospreys 19 - 15 Munster
Ospreys 29 - 17 Toulon

09/10
Ospreys 25 -24 Clermont
Ospreys 45 - 19 Viadana
Ospreys 17 - 12 Leicester

Only 1 loss at home in the last 4 seasons in the HEC is a very impressive record, especially against many of the teams they played.

awec

Very tough game for Leinster, really don't know what way to call this.

.ak

durkadurka wrote: »

I'd give me left ball for a 9-6 win.

I don't have high hopes though

Didn't you already give that for the Bordeaux game?

Rightwing

awec wrote: »

Very tough game for Leinster, really don't know what way to call this.

Looking at it from an Osprey's viewpoint, this is the keygame. Castres look very beatable, they've nothing to fear with Northampton, get a result here and they are right in the mix.

mr. pleasant

I have a bad feeling for this game and the group stage of the HC. Think I've seen about 10-15 min rugby in the entire season so far that reminded me of the team of the last three years. Would love to be proven wrong, but I think too many key players (+Joe) have left/are injured.

But that's ok, I can live with a year or two of rebuilding. I don't expect any huge results.

CatFromHue

Looking forward to seeing how Macken gets on, hopefully D'arcy has remembered his passing skills this week and they give the ball to Macken.

We're without a couple of players but that's still a very strong Leinster team

ConFurioso

+1 on Macken. This is a huge chance for him. Can't wait for this game now.

Rightwing

I want an Irish team to win possibly the last H cup. Munster shot ourselves in the foot, so I'll be firmly behind Ulster/Leinster, if no Irish team, I'd like Ospreys to win it.

rudiger2.0

Anybody watching the Castres- Northampton game. Hartley just scored an great try. Amazing pick up and finish. Not sure what result is best for Leinster. A draw could be on the cards.

Very difficult game today but we've seen before that 'la H' can kick start our season so here's hoping.

Leinster +2

Bogota

I reckon Leinster will lose this. Ospreys away is a tough proposition but without Cullen, Strauss, BOD and Jennings its looking very bleak.

jamiedav2011

Almost time for some blue fcukin magic. Come on lads, huge game this.

LEIN

I don't have a great feeling about this match. However, that's the feeling I always get against the Ospreys, be it in any competition, home or away.....

P_1

[Kidneyism] Shur all we can do is our best [\Kidneyism]

Swiwi.

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Almost time for some blue fcukin magic. Come on lads, huge game this.

Let's hope Leinster play better than you spell

Nevertheless if the lads come off the pitch totally shagged...but with a victory under their belts I'll be happy.

awec

Does the leinster twitter account usually do live updates?

LEIN

Yes.

thomond2006

A Leinster backline without Sexton, BOD and Nacewa. Serious loss in quality.

jamiedav2011

Swiwi. wrote: »

Let's hope Leinster play better than you spell

Nevertheless if the lads come off the pitch totally shagged...but with a victory under their belts I'll be happy.

Spell it right and gets hit by the swearing thing, so it's a work around. Smart alec!

Artful_Badger

Come on goys !!!

Just copped I'm drinking worthingtons.... what have I done...

jamiedav2011

Jesus Ross, lazy.

ongarite

3-0 to Ospreys

Kanrith

Oh I forgot it was Wayne Barnes

KERSPLAT!

Losing ground with each phase there

KERSPLAT!

Back line standing still, wtf!?

ongarite

Yikes, Ospreys looking far more dangerous. Should be 6-0 now.

thomond2006

Great dummy by Duncan Jones!

Swiwi.

More numbers needed at the breakdown from Leinster IMO.

A-Train

Leinser look completely rudderless and lacking any gameplan

ScissorPaperRock

Princess Petulia Pissy Pants wrote: »

Back line standing still, wtf!?

Yeah they were all standing very deep back there

Kanrith

That didn't look forward

Irlandczyk

A-Train wrote: »

Leinser look completely rudderless and lacking any gameplan

Only 10 minutes in now, but I agree. We've had a nasty habit of giving away stupid penalties this season so far... I really hope this 6-0 is not an indicator of what is to come over the next 70 or so minutes...

neilmulvey

ospreys in front of kicker a few times missed by Barnes

Tox56

Swiwi. wrote: »

More numbers needed at the breakdown from Leinster IMO.

It's been the same all season, badly badly missing BOD, Jennings, Strauss and a fully fit SOB + Heaslip. They're by far our best players at the breakdown, we've no threat without them, massive responsibility on the last 2 to find form

jamiedav2011

Hope we don't see Macken get caught out in terms of tackling style. Bit high so far.

irishbucsfan

Haha ridiculously harsh there! Good man Wayne

Clearlier

Princess Petulia Pissy Pants wrote: »

Back line standing still, wtf!?

Of the little I've seen of him play for Leinster this year I've noticed that Gopperth tends to take the ball more or less standing. We got used to Sexton taking it when he was already running. It's feasible to play this way but the outside backs have to adjust and it creates quite a different style.

jamiedav2011

WTF is with all the garryowens, Gopperth is a hoor for them.

Shocker from RK.

Burgo

Lots of poor aimless kicking.

Alpha Dog 1

Not great for Irish rugby that gopperth starts while madigan watches from the bench.

Vullet93

McLoughlin's been poor in defence, really uncharacteristic, 3 missed tackles already

corny

'13 bleu' Wayne practising the French again!

P_1

Not a great start. To be honest a losing bonus point wouldn't be the worst result here

jamiedav2011

Oh ****, things go from bad to worse.

thomond2006

P_1 wrote: »

Not a great start. To be honest a losing bonus point wouldn't be the worst result here

Castres away will be tricky, I think you'll need to win this tbh.