Build Up: Wasps v Leinster 24-1-15, KO 13:00 Ricoh Arena, BT

Big Nelly

Unfortunately with 1 match to go in the group stage, Leinster are the only Irish team left with a chance to get into the Qtr's in Champions Cup.

Both Muster and Ulster had difficult groups and have failed to progress so it is up to Leinster to fly the Irish flag or the unthinkable might happen. No Irish team in Qtr's. This would not be good. Just listen to the Brian Moore Full Contact podcast to see why!!!

Leinster had the benefit of been in an easier group but have had a dodgy spell of form. Castres also have not helped matters, after a decent showing against Leinster at home, once they lost v Leinster they totally gave up on the group and have been handing out bonus points to whoever wants them.

This has brought Wasps back roaring into contention when everyone thought they where out of it after a home defeat against Quins.

So the winner takes all match is the answer. Wasp(minus the London) have just moved to the Ricoh Arena and have had some good results so far. They will be up for this game. They also showed against Leinster in the RDS they are not an easy team to play against.

The announcements of the teams will be interesting. Will Healy be back? will Gopperth play at 10 against the team he is moving to next summer? Will Madigan play 12? where will Darcy play? if playing at all???

I know I can't wait

Leinster look like having a good support flying in so should be great atmosphere.....

Big Nelly

Big Nelly wrote: »

will Gopperth play at 10 against the team he is moving to next summer?

I was wondering about this myself. I don't doubt the guy will give it everything and will be hunting the win, but if he ends up having a bad game he could well be a pariah with the fans for the rest of the season.

.ak

I reckon if anything he'll want to impress even more so. Is Goode still going to be with Wasps? He could be fighting for 1st place here.

durkadurka

As I understand it Goode is returning to the 1970's at the end of the season.

Big Nelly

Results so far at the Ricoh for Wasps

21/12/2014 London Irish Ricoh Arena 48 - 16 Aviva Premiership
04/01/2015 Sale Sharks Ricoh Arena 41 - 16 Aviva Premiership

And for a bit of fun Leicester Tigers put the following advertisement outside the Ricoh
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-30814066

Big Nelly

.ak wrote: »

I reckon if anything he'll want to impress even more so. Is Goode still going to be with Wasps? He could be fighting for 1st place here.

There was talk of a coaching offer to him....don't think they have confirmed.

It was also mentioned him playing at Full back for them....

ktulu123

Can't wait for it now, nervous already! It's a really hard one to call at this stage, both teams in much better form compared to when they last met. Be interesting to see if Leinster make many changes, I suspect largely the same 15 with possibly changes to the bench.

All I know is, I am going to lose my voice this weekend shouting these lads on!

Buer

If I had to pick the 23 right now, I'd go for:

Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald, Madigan, DK, Gopperth, Reddan, Heaslip, Jennings, Murphy, Toner, McCarthy, Moore, Strauss, Bent

Cronin, Hagan/Healy, Furlong, Douglas, Conan, McGrath, D'Arcy, Fanning

All on the basis that Jennings is fit and ready. If he isn't, Ryan to the bench and Conan into the team with Murphy shifting over to 7. Strauss to start for me for his better breakdown and scrum work. Cronin to come in with a chip on his shoulder with 30 minutes left.

.ak

Buer wrote: »

If I had to pick the 23 right now, I'd go for:

Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Gopperth, Reddan, Heaslip, Jennings, Murphy, Toner, McCarthy, Moore, Strauss, Bent

Cronin, Hagan/Healy, Furlong, Douglas, Conan, McGrath, D'Arcy, Fanning

All on the basis that Jennings is fit and ready. If he isn't, Ryan to the bench and Conan into the team with Murphy shifting over to 7. Strauss to start for me for his better breakdown and scrum work. Cronin to come in with a chip on his shoulder with 30 minutes left.

Any reason you'd have Murphy at 6 over Conan?

dub_skav

Buer wrote: »

If I had to pick the 23 right now, I'd go for:

Kearney, McFadden, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Gopperth, Reddan, Heaslip, Jennings, Murphy, Toner, McCarthy, Moore, Strauss, Bent

Cronin, Hagan/Healy, Furlong, Douglas, Conan, McGrath, D'Arcy, Fanning

All on the basis that Jennings is fit and ready. If he isn't, Ryan to the bench and Conan into the team with Murphy shifting over to 7. Strauss to start for me for his better breakdown and scrum work. Cronin to come in with a chip on his shoulder with 30 minutes left.

Clever, don't even name a left winger, then when Dave appears on the inside shoulder it's even more of a surprise.

durkadurka

dub_skav wrote: »

Clever, don't even name a left winger, then when Dave appears on the inside shoulder it's even more of a surprise.

Nah he's going without a full back

Buer

.ak wrote: »

Any reason you'd have Murphy at 6 over Conan?

I think Conan is a great No. 8 in the making and a decent flanker. He was much better at the weekend after Heaslip went off when he moved to 8. However, Murphy was prevalent throughout at flanker and much more so than Conan in the first half when it was a real contest.

Neither area great breakdown workers but Murphy is a little better. Also, in the loose, he was busier, linking play, carrying and offloading well (Reddan's try being a good example).

He looks like he's coming back into form now and, if that's the case, then Murphy as a flanker ahead of Conan definitely for me.

Buer

dub_skav wrote: »

Clever, don't even name a left winger, then when Dave appears on the inside shoulder it's even more of a surprise.

D'oh. Edited now and I've lost my precious, precious thanks.

total former

Coventry Wasps

Paddy Power have this as a scratch game (no handicap, both teams @ 10/11 for the win, 19/1 for the draw).

Somewhat more reassuringly, they are offering odds of 1/16 for Leinster to qualify for the QFs.

thomond2006

This should be a cracker.

Larbre34

Coventry Wasps

The back row that started against Castres deserve another crack, they have the dynamism to get at that classy Wasps back row, and with Toner proving a much improved play maker they should stick with it.

I just hope a few guys settle into the game a bit quicker than last week or we could be chasing the game, Reddan comes to mind. If our back three get some momentum going Wasps will be overcome.

dub_skav

Buer wrote: »

D'oh. Edited now and I've lost my precious, precious thanks.

I nabbed those precious thanks instead :pac:

Pudsy33

Coventry Wasps

Probably gonna miss this scheduled to play myself at the same time. Hopefully the branch sort something.

sydthebeat

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Probably gonna miss this scheduled to play myself at the same time. Hopefully the branch sort something.

u19s game?

dub_skav

It really is a poxy time for a game. Especially one of such significance....and it's on BT.

Really looking forward to it though, glad to see the Heineken cup continues to throw up exciting round 6 matches, even in its new guise.

sydthebeat

glad i took up the setanta 9.99 per month for 3 months deal.....

great games all weekend

Sangre

Has any pub been designated for the travelling Leinster fans yet? Didn't see it on leinsterfans.

.ak

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Probably gonna miss this scheduled to play myself at the same time. Hopefully the branch sort something.

Doubt I'll be able to run on this broken toe this week so I'm gonna enjoy a few liquid beverages indoors by a fire whilst watching the game. But I'll be thinking of you, in the rain in Lakelands....

Big Nelly

I forgot to add poll so if one of the mods could add please :-)

.ak

Big Nelly wrote: »

I forgot to add poll so if one of the mods could add please :-)

What options do you want:

How excited are you about this build up?

• Extremely
• Very
• Mildly
• Not at all
• Where's coventry

Pudsy33

Coventry Wasps

sydthebeat wrote: »

u19s game?

Nah, division 10 I think we are. Tereuure vs Marys at 1pm sat

sydthebeat

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Nah, division 10 I think we are. Tereuure vs Marys at 1pm sat

horrible scheduling!

Misses: (2 months ago) Have we anything on the weekend of the 24th Jan?
Me: Nope, don't think so
Misses: How about the Saturday for the Christening
Me: Yup, grand.
Misses: Let's make it 1:00 to give your lot time to get down
Me: Yup, grand
Misses: (last week) Have you given your lot directions for next week?
Me: Directions for what?
Misses: The Christening?
Me: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Pudsy33

Coventry Wasps

sydthebeat wrote: »

horrible scheduling!

Agreed, madness. Even the usual 2 30pm ko wouldnt be great. The only saving grace is that Mary's is close by so maybe the clubs can come to an arrangement.

.ak

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Agreed, madness. Even the usual 2 30pm ko wouldnt be great. The only saving grace is that Mary's is close by so maybe the clubs can come to an arrangement.

We had to play in Kilkenny/Normans on Saturday in div11, so gave us no time to make it back in time. Branch be crazy yo.

Pudsy33

Coventry Wasps

.ak wrote: »

We had to play in Kilkenny/Normans on Saturday in div11, so gave us no time to make it back in time. Branch be crazy yo.

Exact same with us, except we were playing Kilkenny rfc! I've never seen a team shower and change as fast.

.ak

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Exact same with us, except we were playing Kilkenny rfc! I've never seen a team shower and change as fast.

Ha. We'd have been like that if it we had showers... or a changing room...

Myself and one of the lads just drove back to Dublin, managed to catch the first half in the car on the phone but had to give my ticket away.

Atleast this is an away game, you can just record it and catch it when you get home.

Mr.Applepie

Coventry Wasps

Deleted User wrote: »

Misses: (2 months ago) Have we anything on the weekend of the 24th Jan?
Me: Nope, don't think so
Misses: How about the Saturday for the Christening
Me: Yup, grand.
Misses: Let's make it 1:00 to give your lot time to get down
Me: Yup, grand
Misses: (last week) Have you given your lot directions for next week?
Me: Directions for what?
Misses: The Christening?
Me: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Now is a good as time as any to stand up for your principles and go pagan!

Larbre34

Coventry Wasps

Deleted User wrote: »

Misses: (2 months ago) Have we anything on the weekend of the 24th Jan?
Me: Nope, don't think so
Misses: How about the Saturday for the Christening
Me: Yup, grand.
Misses: Let's make it 1:00 to give your lot time to get down
Me: Yup, grand
Misses: (last week) Have you given your lot directions for next week?
Me: Directions for what?
Misses: The Christening?
Me: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

You're looking awful pale there Venjur, are you sure you dont have a dose of something medieval that could be harmful to priests, infants and relatives?

I prescribe couch rest and a christening between Paddys Day and Easter...

Buer

dub_skav wrote: »

I nabbed those precious thanks instead :pac:

Have one more, ya dirty rat!

Larbre34

Coventry Wasps

Sangre wrote: »

Has any pub been designated for the travelling Leinster fans yet? Didn't see it on leinsterfans.

Been wondering myself. The problem is the Ricoh is in a business park 20 mins bus ride from Coventry centre.

There is a pre-match bash hosted by Wasps in the adjoining Jaguar exhibition space, where they will be showing the other Cup games after ours, but you can bet the cost of pints will be a ride.

OLSC guide will be due out later today.

vienne86

Coventry Wasps

Larbre34 wrote: »

Been wondering myself. The problem is the Ricoh is in a business park 20 mins bus ride from Coventry centre.

There is a pre-match bash hosted by Wasps in the adjoining Jaguar exhibition space, where they will be showing the other Cup games after ours, but you can bet the cost of pints will be a ride.

OLSC guide will be due out later today.

I hadn't realise the Ricoh was out in a business park......that sounds soulless. We'll be going by car, so it'll make things easy for us, but it doesn't make for a good atmosphere for travelling fans in general.

Larbre34

Coventry Wasps

vienne86 wrote: »

I hadn't realise the Ricoh was out in a business park......that sounds soulless. We'll be going by car, so it'll make things easy for us, but it doesn't make for a good atmosphere for travelling fans in general.

Yeah one thing there is plenty of is parking.

It is soulless Id say, but so are many modern stadiums in England and France, the more away games I get to the more it makes me appreciate what the RDS has going for it.

vienne86

Coventry Wasps

Anyone got a handle on the weather forecast for Coventry on Saturday?

Larbre34

Coventry Wasps

vienne86 wrote: »

Anyone got a handle on the weather forecast for Coventry on Saturday?

6 or 7 C, mostly dry, few light showers at worst.

ssaye2

From LF

No new players have been registered with ERC.

awec

Madigan better get through this unscathed.

vienne86

Coventry Wasps

ssaye2 wrote: »

From LF

No new players have been registered with ERC.

Damn. But still, I'm glad neither Healy nor SOB are being rushed back.

Buer

Larbre34 wrote: »

There is a pre-match bash hosted by Wasps in the adjoining Jaguar exhibition space, where they will be showing the other Cup games after ours, but you can bet the cost of pints will be a ride.

F*cking hell.

My wife will kill me but I do enjoy a good pint.

Morf

No table?

Big Nelly OUT!

P_1

So no gags about folk being gifted tickets to this one being ostracized yet?

Noopti

Coventry Wasps

Anyone listen to the Madigan interview on Off the Ball? Was pretty interesting. But what most interested me was when he said that in the past 3 weeks the coaching staff have been encouraging the players to be more confident in going wide, and making those passes which they otherwise weren't trying due to a lack of confidence.

Definitely backs up the idea that there has been a shift in mindset since "that" Munster game, and it has coincided with the improvements we have seen game on game.

Regarding the Wasps game, I think the most important aspect for this game is, by far, the breakdown. If we show lots of (controlled) aggression at the breakdown we can really really nullify them. Tough to be aggressive at the breakdown and also keep the penalty count down, but if we can do this we will win. I have no doubt. We would deny them the quick ball they need to get their attacking threat going, while at the same time speed up our own ball - which we all know is something Leinster thrives on.

Should be a cracker!

Buer

I've faith in us keeping the penalty count down. I believe our discipline to be the one area that has been excellent throughout the tournament to date. Our ability to adapt to the referee and keep on the right side of him has been very impressive.

We have conceded 45 penalties in our 5 games to date (that's 9 per game for you mathematicians) which is very tight. If you factor in the fact that we have struggled significantly in the scrum which has led to a large number of penalties, then we're really kept our noses clean.

I'm always a little dubious about Garces but we have good experience playing under his eye, which Wasps do not. No stupid play and keep aggression levels and accuracy at the breakdown high. Hopefully they'll bite and end up giving away the odd penalty there.

wowy

Did anybody order tickets directly from wasps (as part of their 20% sale)? If so, have they arrived? I'm flying out tomorrow and still no sign of them.....

wowy

wowy wrote: »

Did anybody order tickets directly from wasps (as part of their 20% sale)? If so, have they arrived? I'm flying out tomorrow and still no sign of them.....

yup, but I'm in England. They arrived yesterday though. Today's post or tomorrow for you I'd imagine.

Failing that, in worst case scenario, the box offices are usually pretty decent if you've got the Credit Card you bought the tickets with, and can show that you travelled before they've been delivered (boarding pass or whatever).

Only thing in that worst case scenario is I'd be getting to the Ricoh early, like 10am early to be getting into the box office and then back out!

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

I've faith in us keeping the penalty count down. I believe our discipline to be the one area that has been excellent throughout the tournament to date. Our ability to adapt to the referee and keep on the right side of him has been very impressive.

We have conceded 45 penalties in our 5 games to date (that's 9 per game for you mathematicians) which is very tight. If you factor in the fact that we have struggled significantly in the scrum which has led to a large number of penalties, then we're really kept our noses clean.

I'm always a little dubious about Garces but we have good experience playing under his eye, which Wasps do not. No stupid play and keep aggression levels and accuracy at the breakdown high. Hopefully they'll bite and end up giving away the odd penalty there.

That's actually an excellent point. Remember in the 6 Nations when Joe was talking about trying to keep the penalties in single figures and was getting praised for doing so for the most part? It's been a big enough feature to our game at Leinster recently too.

I'd be happy enough if we can do a good job of turning this into a dogfight with Mads accuracy from the tee being the winning of it.