MATCH THREAD: Leinster vs Harlequins, Sat 13th Dec 2014 19:45, Aviva, BT2

molloyjh

Make Or Break

It's been a tough few weeks for Leinster. After a disappointing result in Treviso, a disappointing performance in the RDS and another disappointing result in London Matt O'Connor and his charges are under pressure to start turning things around. This time last year they produced a magnificent win away to Northampton only to come away from the home tie with nothing. Last week they managed a LBP in the Stoop against the Aviva Premierships 9th placed side. In fairness to the Quins they produced a very solid performance across the park against Leinster and were deserved winners. But the talk from the Leinster camp this week has been all about righting the wrongs of the last few weeks and putting in a performance that this side is capable of.

Injuries still plague selection decisions though with Healy, Strauss, Moore, Sean O'Brien, Jennings, D'Arcy, Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden and Ben Te'o among the absentees. That's the guts of a very strong team right there. Yet such is Leinsters strength in depth that they are still able to field a starting XV with 11 internationals. These guys need to stand up and be counted this weekend and Leinster need to really lay down a marker. Maybe not one that says they are tournament contenders, but at least one that says they aren't a side anyone wants to face in the knock-outs.

Given the injuries there really is very little room for debate on the selection. The same front row takes to the field with Mike Ross hoping that either Marler isn't fully fit after last week or that he's figured the guy out. A change in the second row sees Douglas replace McCarthy in the starting line-up and the Australian second row will need to show that he is international class. While he's been decent we need more than decent from him. Jordi Murphy is dropped from the side completely as Dominic Ryan returns to the squad. Neither are true openside flankers and Leinster are missing that at ruck time to a degree, but Ryan is currently in better form than Murphy who is only just back from injury. The back rows job is made somewhat easier by the fact that Quins won't have Robshaw available but they'll still need to keep Easter out of the game after a fine performance from him last week.

At half back Gopperth remains where he is but Boss has come in for Reddan, possibly because of Reddans shoulder injury from last week. Outside them Madigan and Luke Fitz make up the centre partnership. In that midfield Leinster have three guys who can step and break the line (Gopperth, Madigan and Fitzgerald) and we saw how effective Gopperth was at that last week. In the back three Leinster have brought Kirchner in to the right wing while moving Fanning over to the left wing and Rob Kearney will retain the full-back shirt. All three are very good at coming in-field and hitting the line when required. Combined with the breaking threat in midfield there are definitely tries in this back line if they can link up properly this week.

Quins back line is for all intents and purposes unchanged, with Evans injured and Swiel starting in his place. The young South African played 70 minutes there last week after Evans went off injured so it's the same back line Leinster spent most of the game facing in the Stoop. Last week they didn't look that threatening over the 80 with their pack being the main source of strength for them. With only the one change to the pack due to Robshaws injury Leinster should know exactly what they are facing this week.

O'Connor has called for a TBP win this weekend from his side and while on paper they have the ability to deliver that the combinations aren't all that settled, specifically in the backs. Add to that the sides form and try scoring record in the competition so far and it's actually hard to see them getting 4 tries tomorrow. If they click though it could be a very good day at the office. Personally I reckon we'll see Leinster win and deny Quins the LBP, and that will see us come out on top of the back to back games.

The lads are going to need to hear the fans when they come out on to the field. They'll need the boost as much as we do as supporters. So for anyone going to the game, get in your seats early and get behind them. We can turn this season around and there's no better time to do it than a European game in the Aviva.

COME ON LEINSTER!

|

01. Jack McGrath|01. Joe Marler CAPTAIN
02. Sean Cronin|02. Dave Ward
03. Mike Ross|03. Will Collier
04. Devin Toner|04. Charlie Matthews
05. Kane Douglas|05. George Robson
06. Rhys Ruddock|06. Luke Wallace
07. Dominic Ryan|07. Jack Clifford
08. Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN|08. Nick Easter
|
09. Isaac Boss|09. Danny Care
10. Jimmy Gopperth|10. Tim Swiel
11. Darragh Fanning|11. Aseli Tikoirotuma
12. Ian Madigan|12. George Lowe
13. Luke Fitzgerald|13. Matt Hopper
14. Zane Kirchner|14. Marland Yarde
15. Rob Kearney|15. Mike Brown
|
16. Bryan Byrne|16. Joe Gray
17. Michael Bent|17. Mark Lambert
18. Tadhg Furlong|18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Mike McCarthy|19. Sam Twomey
20. Jack Conan|20. Joe Trayfoot
21. Eoin Reddan|21. Karl Dickson
22.Noel Reid|22. Tom Casson
23. Mick McGrath|23. Ross Chisholm

errlloyd

Swiel missed something hilarious like 6 tackles last week, now with no Robshaw he has less cover. We have to be sending cronin, Heaslip and probably Kearney down that channel all day.

molloyjh

errlloyd wrote: »

Swiel missed something hilarious like 6 tackles last week, now with no Robshaw he has less cover. We have to be sending cronin, Heaslip and probably Kearney down that channel all day.

I didn't realise his stats were that bad. Huge opportunities for our runners and midfield to take advantage so.

Swiwi.

Class preview, cheers for taking time Molloy. Now, if only I had a job evidently as cushy as yours...

molloyjh

Swiwi. wrote: »

Class preview, cheers for taking time Molloy. Now, if only I had a job evidently as cushy as yours...

Check the time Swiwi. Lunch break for us office types is great. Especially when you're anti-social like me.

thomond2006

Madigan and Fitzgerald in the centre. Noice.

yosser hughes

thomond2006 wrote: »

Madigan and Fitzgerald in the centre. Noice.

Yes! I'm excited by this. Hopefully it works and works well. I think Fitz could be the answer at 13 I kind of thought he would be groomed for that slot anyway. I suppose because of injury it hasn't really happened for him. howevwer a fully fit Fitz, given time, could be great there.

matthew8

Anything less than denying Quins a LBP should be viewed as a failure tbh. They really need that if they want to win the pool as Quins will have the tiebreaker if they don't (tries in matches between the two sides). I think Leinster will manage it though as long as they don't throw another bloody intercept.

Clegg

Madigan and Fitzgerald is good on paper but it's still an outhalf and a wing playing in the centres. It's also undermined by the axis of average at 9 and 10. Pack looks strong though. It's the one area where I think we had the better of Quins last week and with Robshaw out we should hopefully be dominant.

.ak

Yeah, the only way Madigan and Fitz will impress is if things get loose. Hopefully we can force that but having the pack getting on the front foot, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

vienne86

matthew8 wrote: »

Anything less than denying Quins a LBP should be viewed as a failure tbh. They really need that if they want to win the pool as Quins will have the tiebreaker if they don't (tries in matches between the two sides). I think Leinster will manage it though as long as they don't throw another bloody intercept.

......and please God, no injuries, especially at centre.

Bridge93

Your man Swiel really did have a shocker. his kicking from hand was appalling, his kicking from the tee was bad and he missed 6 tackles.
Makes Quins performance all the more impressive.

CatFromHue

Bridge93 wrote: »

Your man Swiel really did have a shocker. his kicking from hand was appalling, his kicking from the tee was bad and he missed 6 tackles.
Makes Quins performance all the more impressive.

I was reading about him on Wikipedia and seemingly he's, as you can guess, not very experienced at all and only 21 too.

He's only over there as injury cover since the middle of October and will go home in Jan/Feb

Taco Corp

Have Madigan and Fitz ever started a game at center together?

matthew8

His (Swiel) goal kicking performance last week was typical of his Sharks days. His kicks could actually go anywhere.

errlloyd

Also why is this on BT as well, I thought they only had first pick on English home games. I can't believe Sky wouldn't grab this one.

Quint2010

matthew8 wrote: »

His (Swiel) goal kicking performance last week was typical of his Sharks days. His kicks could actually go anywhere.

I'm in the upper west. I'll take cover so..

stephen_n

I'll settle for a win, denying them a LBP would be a bonus at this stage and a TBP equivalent to winning the lotto.

Journeyman_1

Feck, just realised this isn't on sky. I'm out tomorrow evening and was hoping to record and watch later. Will anywhere have extended highlights or the full game up?

Swiwi.

molloyjh wrote: »

Check the time Swiwi. Lunch break for us office types is great. Especially when you're anti-social like me.

Sorry, molloy, I know I gave my word not to upload that photo you sent me of you proudly wearing your Leinster tie...

molloyjh

Swiwi. wrote: »

Sorry, molloy, I know I gave my word not to upload that photo you sent me of you proudly wearing your Leinster tie...

Well played sir, well played.

BoardsMember

Woke up feeling very positive. We're going to win by 18+ points. Will be 6 or 8 up at half time. TBP by 70 mins. C'Mon Leinster

sydthebeat

If we come out of these two hands 5 and 4 ill be happy.

5 points against castres and four against wasps then please.

Beaner1

I'm going to put a few quid on Quins.
Holy ****. The odds are crazy, 7.6 for Quins to win on betfair.

Zzippy

Folks, no discussion of illegal streams please. Posts will be deleted and infractions issued if it continues

vienne86

errlloyd wrote: »

Also why is this on BT as well, I thought they only had first pick on English home games. I can't believe Sky wouldn't grab this one.

I think BT have first call on games involving English clubs either home or away. Bad for us being in a pool with two English clubs. Total pain.

Muligatawney

Does anyone know any Irish pubs in Camden that will be showing this? Still no internet in the new flat.

ktulu123

My dog is ready for the match!

vienne86

ktulu123 wrote: »

My dog is ready for the match!

Always liked that jersey!

CatFromHue

Muligatawney wrote: »

Does anyone know any Irish pubs in Camden that will be showing this? Still no internet in the new flat.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/supporters/olsc_abroad.php

Check out that page as there's a list of pubs abroad that usually show games.

brownacid

Muligatawney wrote: »

Does anyone know any Irish pubs in Camden that will be showing this? Still no internet in the new flat.

Head down to Covent garden to philomenas, generally a decent crowd for Leinster games, think it's the official Leinster supporters club pub. The Guinness is decent too and cheap enough at around d 4 quid a pint

If you're not willing to venture that far south, Quinn's in Camden might show it.

errlloyd

vienne86 wrote: »

Always liked that jersey!

Ah the unicorn jizz, never got the love it deserved.

ktulu123

vienne86 wrote: »

Always liked that jersey!

It's not bad, but it was the only one I had that fit the huge chap :P

Heading in soon for pints. Fairly nervous now, expecting a huge performance from the team today. No reason to expect it, I just do. Would be happy with a win & deny them a losing bp.

COME ON LEINSTER!!!

awec

So not arsed for this game whatsoever. Been looking at my ticket all day wondering if I can even be bothered.

ssaye2

C'mon enjoy your evening all

former legend

Heading in now. Not sure what to expect but I'll nail my balls to the wall and say bonus point win for Leinster.

I think it was Jon Bon Jovi who once said:
"Keep the faith, keep the faith, right now we gotta keep the faith".

Indeed.

zagmund

*not a request for illegal streaming* - can anyone point me at *legal* radio coverage? I've can't find any reference to radio coverage anywhere.

z

Neil3030

ktulu123 wrote: »

My dog is ready for the match!

Now THAT'S a dog!

Hagz

I'll tell you what you can expect. Some fabulous hairstyles from Ian Madigan and Jimmy Gopperth. Looks like Gopperth has shaved the sides of his head and left the back long, whilst Madigan has been wearing a hat to training and in front of the media for the big reveal. And thank be to god Luke Fitzgerald has gone and got a proper haircut as well.

Hair.

awec

The Leinster PA guy is back...

"come on! Lets hear it for Leinster as they run around the pitch".

LuckyGent88

Actually expect I pretty good performance from leinster here. Players really need to show up today.
Excited to see the centre partnership as well. Reckon they could cause plenty of problems.
With leinsters need for a win and Quins missing 2 of there biggest players and an untested fly half, I can see nothing but a 10+ point victory for Leinster.

phog

The game is on BT Sport :-(

Hate this dual broadcaster lark.

Beaner1

Looks fairly sparse.

awec

Wtf is this Santa nonsense they are doing now?

Oh, the big man is here!

thelad95

How many tickets were sold? There can't be more than ~30000 there?

Taco Corp

15 seconds before the first Leinster knock on

funtime93

An error inside 20 seconds

LuckyGent88

Shocking kick

Max Carr

phog wrote: »

The game is on BT Sport :-(

Hate this dual broadcaster lark.

Ya. Getting rid of sky sports cos of this nonsense.

Kanrith

Good defence there.

Max Carr

Good updates with scores appreciated lads.