Harlequins v Leinster 7th Dec; 1515 - Live on BT Sport 2

former legend

Harlequins
15. Mike Brown; 14. Marland Yarde, 13. Matt Hopper, 12. George Lowe, 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma; 10. Nick Evans, 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler (c), 2. Dave Ward, 3. Will Collier, 4. Charlie Matthews, 5. George Robson, 6. Luke Wallace, 7. Chris Robshaw, 8. Nick Easter

16. Joe Gray, 17. Mark Lambert, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Sam Twomey, 20. Jack Clifford, 21. Karl Dickson, 22. Tim Swiel, 23. Tom Casson

Leinster Rugby
15. Rob Kearney; 14. Darragh Fanning, 13. Gordon D'Arcy, 12. Ian Madigan, 11. Luke Fitzgerald; 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Eoin Reddan; 1. Jack McGrath, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Jordi Murphy, 8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
16. Bryan Byrne, 17. Michael Bent, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Isaac Boss, 22. Noel Reid, 23. Zane Kirchner

So, the first meeting of Leinster and Harlequins since the infamous "bloodgate" match of 2009...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uhh2ZS-kT0

One of only two games this weekend in which both sides are unbeaten, the next two weekends look set to decide the outcome of pool 2 and define the season for both these teams. Neither has been setting their domestic league on fire, with Quins currently languishing in 9th position in the Premiership.

No major surprises in either selection. Matt O'Connor's hands are tied once more by injuries to key players, the casualties this week are Richardt Strauss, Dave Kearney, Dominic Ryan and Fergus McFadden, while question marks hang over Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald and Kane Douglas. Don't be surprised to see a late change on Sunday.
One name that might raise eyebrows is journeyman Darragh Fanning, preferred to Springbok Zane Kirchner; in truth it's no more than Fanning's form deserves with Kirchner paying the price for some lacklustre displays in recent weeks. Fanning continues his astonishing record of playing every minute of the season so far.

Like Leinster, Quins will be hoping their returning internationals can give them a boost from last weekend; a 25-6 hosing by Bath is not ideal preparation for a European tie so they'll be looking for a big contribution from Yarde, Robshaw, Brown and Marler. Considering Brown, Marler and Robshaw started all four England tests, there may be a question mark over how much they have left in the tank for this week. Question marks exist over the form of Kiwi out-half Nick Evans, for a long time Evans has been one of the best in Europe but at 34 and with a significant injury record, the years might finally be catching up to him. As ever, they will look to Danny Care for their creative spark, Leinster fans will be hoping that his inconsistency sees him have an off day on Sunday. With Yarde, Tikoirotuma and Brown in the back three, as well as Hopper at 13, Quins have plenty of attacking threat; this may not be the best game in which to kick long repeatedly.

So, on to Leinster. We won't rehash the results vs form argument again, but Matt O'Connor has made it very clear that the result is his highest priority this weekend. What is also clear that Leinster need to up their game from recent performances; the return of the internationals should help. In fact, the pack contains only one survivor from the Ospreys game, Jordi Murphy, and behind the pack, D'Arcy, Fitzgerald and Rob Kearney start, so it really is a completely different (and much superior) team this week. The big question is, how will that affect the game? Will Matt O'Connor give his team licence to keep the ball in hand and take more risks?

With an all-international pack, Leinster should have the edge up front; Bath had Quins in all sorts of trouble last week and while the two props from that game now drop to the bench, McGrath and Ross should have the edge, Quins will be hoping for a big game from captain Marler, perhaps better known for his work in the loose than in the scrum. Luke Wallace is a very dynamic six, Robshaw will get through a ton of work and Easter still has his moments, so the backrow will be a fascinating battle.

Neither team has the benefit of stunning domestic form or continuity of players; the last meeting between these two sides was a battle of attrition, this might well be the same. In that case, Leinster should have the experience and grunt to see it out; this is a team who haven't lost in England in six years.

Paddy Power reckon Leinster are 2-point favourites on the handicap; I think that sounds about right and they have enough to eke out a result and put a stranglehold on the pool.

Jerome Garces takes charge.

Taco Corp

Looking forward to the Ross v Marler head to head. Ross coming back from injury but has the internationals under his belt which is huge and Marler coming back from a tough month away. Did Maler play all four?

molloyjh

And now for my world class rebuttal.....


I've got nothing. I agree with all of the above. With the slight exception that I think we might see a reaction from our lads to the comments during the week and it could lead us to a slightly more convincing win. I'm going with Leinster by 8-10 points.

Bet you didn't see that coming!

stephen_n

Leinster by 5 though this game could easily go either way! I hope Goperth and fanning both have good games, or this place will be avoided for a few days.

vienne86

Leinster SHOULD win this. But they'll need to be patient and disciplined. I'm nervous enough, particularly when I see the likes of Luke named, but am not at all sure he will start. Any sort of an ole win, and I'll be happy out.

Quietest Match Thread in living memory.

COYBIB

former legend

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Quietest Match Thread in living memory.

That's because the OP was so comprehensively awesome, it left nothing to say.

ssaye2

What's the weather like there

.ak

Ideally we'd like both teams to take points off each other right? So Castres to win their home game?

P_1

Any ideas on where a daycent pub to catch this one on the Northside would be?

armchaircoach

[ quote=".;93343848"]Ideally we'd like both teams to take points off each other right? So Castres to win their home game?[/quote]

the way things are going it looks like we might get the worst possible Outcome. with the teams splitting the points 5 3

.ak

P_1 wrote: »

Any ideas on where a daycent pub to catch this one on the Northside would be?

Depends what kinda atmosphere you want, but the big ones would be woodshed, living room, t.p smiths, the oval

.ak

armchaircoach wrote: »

ak. wrote: »

Ideally we'd like both teams to take points off each other right? So Castres to win their home game?

the way things are going it looks like we might get the worst possible Outcome. with the teams splitting the points 5 3

Right so we want the tries to stop too...

thomond2006

There's been a late change to the team, confirmed by Leinster on twitter.

























Noel Reid and Zane Kirchner swap numbers. :pac:

Clegg

Castres are a rabble tbh.

Fact we struggled so badly against them is not a good reflection on the state of the Leinster side.

ssaye2

No change to Leinster 23 in terms of personnel but Zane wears 22, Noel 23.

Tox56

ssaye2 wrote: »

No change to Leinster 23 in terms of personnel but Zane wears 22, Noel 23.

Fitzgerald lives!!!

Now to survive the warm-up. We can do this Luke

Journeyman_1

Reid and Zane is a really odd switch to make. Maybe Kirchner really dislikes 23

P_1

.ak wrote: »

Depends what kinda atmosphere you want, but the big ones would be woodshed, living room, t.p smiths, the oval

Ah in a lazy mood, a small river on the laptop shall do me :cool:

wp_rathead

Eerily quiet in here lads

Clegg

Leinster's away game against Wasps just got a lot tougher.

.ak

Yeah can't see castres winning now. Really makes our away games difficult now.

ger993

wprathead wrote: »

Eerily quiet in here lads

the legacy of matt o'connor is this disinterest by the casual rugby fan

Buer

Not really. Wasps lose away to Quins as expected and they've nothing to play for against us, possibly.

.ak

Buer wrote: »

Not really. Wasps lose away to Quins as expected and they've nothing to play for against us, possibly.

Here's hoping.

locum-motion

I can't keep up; is it against the rules to ask for streams these days?

former legend

locum-motion wrote: »

I can't keep up; is it against the rules to ask for streams these days?

Yes.

vienne86

thomond2006 wrote: »

There's been a late change to the team, confirmed by Leinster on twitter.

























Noel Reid and Zane Kirchner swap numbers. :pac:

Ah Thomond, don't do that!

former legend

Clegg wrote: »

Castres are a rabble tbh.

Fact we struggled so badly against them is not a good reflection on the state of the Leinster side.

Not really. Quins struggled to put Castres away at the Stoop, then Castres had an effective if limited game plan against us.

They then rested a heap of players for this match so one suspects their heart wasn't really in it.

locum-motion

locum-motion wrote: »

I can't keep up; is it against the rules to ask for streams these days?

former legend wrote: »

Yes.

Thanks!

former legend

Luke McGrath warming up. Just there for cover?

errlloyd

"Eoin reddan is the only man to have won two Heineken cups with different clubs" - Craig Doyle

That's wrong right?

errlloyd

former legend wrote: »

Luke McGrath warming up. Just there for cover?

With Fitzgerald and Kearney in the starting line-up I'd be surprised if we haven't brought a whole other back line to cover late withdrawals

former legend

errlloyd wrote: »

"Eoin reddan is the only man to have won two Heineken cups with different clubs" - Craig Doyle

That's wrong right?

Cedric Heymans, Michalak

MattD

errlloyd wrote: »

"Eoin reddan is the only man to have won two Heineken cups with different clubs" - Craig Doyle

That's wrong right?

Leo at the very least, surely? Maybe who's still in the game?

Edit: oops, he lost that final...

TheGoldenAges

Just wondering, would anyone like COS to be Head Coach for Leinster in the future?

.ak

MattD wrote: »

Leo at the very least, surely? Maybe who's still in the game?

Leo won the Premiership before coming to Leinster, not the Hcup.

Quint2010

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

Just wondering, would anyone like COS to be Head Coach for Leinster in the future?

Yes. Conor O'Shea would.

.ak

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

Just wondering, would anyone like COS to be Head Coach for Leinster in the future?

Not sure. He speaks well, but isn't head coach there so I'm not really sure of his qualifications. I think I'd prefer him involved in the national team, he seems to have an eye for finer details of the game as a whole, he could be a great asset to the IRFU.

errlloyd

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

Just wondering, would anyone like COS to be Head Coach for Leinster in the future?

Just saying one day I'd be happy for him to coach in Ireland. Him and Girve on a former fullback coaching ticket, how much would that team love the high ball.

.ak

Quint2010 wrote: »

Yes. Conor O'Shea would.

Would he? Seems to be happy over there and is well liked by the RFU. Probably one of the few in the PRL that sees eye to eye with the RFU.

vienne86

errlloyd wrote: »

Just saying one day I'd be happy for him to coach in Ireland. Him and Girve on a former fullback coaching ticket, how much would that team love the high ball.

Dream team, but way into the future. I love what Girv has done with the A team.

errlloyd

vienne86 wrote: »

Dream team, but way into the future. I love what Girv has done with the A team.

He's done an excellent job, I loved him as a player too, absolute gent

Swan Curry

Fitzgerald still starting according to BT, that has to be a good omen. Come on Leinster!

Journeyman_1

WooooooooOOOOOOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Im excited now, let's go Leintser!!!!!

funtime93

Anyone got a link?? Cheers

vienne86

God I'm nervous!

Kanrith

C'mon Leinster!

.ak

Me nervus.

Kanrith

Nice kick off.

vienne86

Passes going all over the place.