MATCH THREAD: Leinster vs Trevis; RDS 08th May 2015 19:35; TG4

molloyjh

There Ain't No Dead Rubber Here!

So for the first time since the introduction of the play-offs in the league Leinster won't make either the semi-finals or the final. A lot has been said over the past few months about where Leinster are but at this stage all that's left to play for is a place in the Champions Cup and the need to hold onto 5th place in order to ensure as kind a draw as possible in the pool stages of that competition next year. And pride. At least 1 Leinster stalwart will be in the RDS tomorrow for a farewell appearance, even if that doesn't occur on the field. Shane Jennings has been a huge part to Leinsters success over the last number of years and will be yet another leader that the squad is losing to retirement. While he is suffering from concussion symptoms and so is not in the squad he is expected to be there on the day to say his goodbyes to the supporters. Gordon D'Arcy too may be bidding his farewell depending on whether he gets called up for the RWC or not. If it is to be his last time in blue then he needs to make do with an appearance off the bench. He has been a part of the squad for nearly 2 decades and has given so much for the cause. Hopefully both will get the send off they deserve from the supporters and the players on the field.

As for the game it is crucial that Leinster at least get the win. A TBP would put them in a good position going into the final week, and could even be enough to guarantee 5th depending on other results. In the same fixture last year Leinster ran in over 60 points against an incredibly poor Treviso side who simply didn't show up in any way. However last week, against Munster in Cork, Treviso put up a spirited resistence and only lost by 11. They have a Champions Cup place on the line too and will not turn in a performance like last season as a result.

Leinster must make do without the likes of Healy, Cronin and Fitzgerald as they are rested/operted on with a view to ensuring their fitness come the RWC. Still Leinster have named a very strong side containing 13 interntaionals in the starting line-up, 10 of whom have 6 Nations medals from either this year or last. While their form hasn't been good this season there is just far too much quality in this side to be beaten by Treviso. An increibly strong pack should lay the foundations for a decent win. And while Gopperth has gotten plenty of flak from certain quarters you can be sure the guy, who has the most line breaks of anyone in the league, will cause Treviso problems. The big question for me becomes about whether he'll have the support runners on his shoulder to make the most of the line breaks. From this perspective I'd have preferred D'Arcy start, who Gopperth has linked up with well a few times in those kinds of situations.

Another call that looks somewhat odd is the preference of Reddan at 9 ahead of Boss. Reddans form in the last few weeks has been poor and Boss has definitely been the better of the two. I would imagine O'Connor is looking to bring the game to Treviso early and go after the TBP. We have seen in the past that this approach has cost us so hopefully they have learned from this. Win the game first. Get the TBP second.

It's hard to get excited about this game for obvious reasons, but it is a very important one for Leinster. And it's days like these that the team needs the fans. A good win won't cover anything up or change how the season will be viewed, but it will make life easier in Europe next season and it will be a fitting goodbye to 2 of Leinsters true legends. If for no other reason that to wish these guys well get down to the RDS and make some noise.

COME ON LEINSTER!

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1. Jack McGrath|1. Matteo Zanusso
2. Richardt Strauss|2. Davide Giazzon
3. Mike Ross|3. Rupert Harden
4. Devin Toner|4. Marco Fuser
5. Mike McCarthy|5. Corniel Van Zyl CAPTAIN
6. Jordi Murphy|6. Paul Derbyshire
7. Sean O'Brien|7. Nicola Cattina
8. Jamie Heaslip CAPTAIN|8. Mat Luamanu
|
9. Eoin Reddan|9. Edoardo Gori
10. Jimmy Gopperth|10. Sam Christie
11. Dave Kearney|11. Ludovico Nitoglia
12. Ian Madigan|12. Enrico Bacchin
13. Ben Te'o|13. Luca Morisi
14. Zane Kirchner|14. Andrea Pratichetti
15. Rob Kearney|15. Jayden Hayward
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16. Aaron Dundon|16. Albert Anae
17. Michael Bent|17. Romulo Acosta
18. Tadhg Furlong|18. Salesi Manu
19. Tom Denton|19. Meyer Swanepoel
20. Jack Conan|20. Francesco Minto
21. Isaac Boss|21. Marco Lazzaroni
22. Gordon D'Arcy|22. Angelo Esposito
23. Darragh Fanning |23. James Ambrosini

sydthebeat

The Unthinkable

at -24 the bookies think it will be a whitewash, but ive seen nothing from leinster this season to indicate that thats possible or probable. terviso have enough on the line to make this game competitive

leinster by 10

total former

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

Treviso have performed far above expectations in their last few matches, they've been in the mix for the first 60-70 minutes before losing it late on.

This won't be a cakewalk and anyone who thinks it will be needs to tone down their expectations.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

sydthebeat wrote: »

at -24 the bookies think it will be a whitewash, but ive seen nothing from leinster this season to indicate that thats possible or probable. terviso have enough on the line to make this game competitive

leinster by 10

Hard to say. Munster only beating them by 11 isn't a great indicator for us, but we're as strong as we've been all season in the league squad wise.I can actually see us squeezing the TBP late on and winning by 10-15, but then wouldn't be surprised to see us do a number on them either.

Larbre34

The Unthinkable

4 points will do. If this XXIII can't achieve 4 points against Treviso, they should all take a hard look at themselves. It will be a very wet night and heavy underfoot so I'm thinking 17-8.

thomond2006

Leinster vs Treviso
Zebre vs Connacht

---

Cardiff vs Zebre
Treviso vs Scarlets

Treviso are on 18 and Zebre are on 15. Both have 3 wins.

Looking at those fixtures Treviso will not phone it in tomorrow. You'd give Zebre a decent chance at home to Connacht and Cardiff's season is over so there's always a chance Zebre could surprise them over there if Cardiff aren't interested. Scarlets are going for 6th so have everything to play for at Treviso.

matthew8

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

Leinster by 30.

Swiwi.

With all the discussion about music on the off-topic thread, I keep thinking "Who the f*ck is Trevis?"

thomond2006

On the unthinkable poll option, could you change it to "The unthinkable and a Munster fan dying of laughter on the Anglesea Terrace".

.ak

Swiwi. wrote: »

With all the discussion about music on the off-topic thread, I keep thinking "Who the f*ck is Trevis?"

Regular Poster in Copy&Paste Blunder! :eek:

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

On the unthinkable poll option, could you change it to "The unthinkable and a Munster fan dying of laughter on the Anglesea Terrace".

Oh you'll be dying alright....

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Oh you'll be dying alright....

While I'm getting pushed around on the terrace, you'll do what...throw your prawn sandwich at me from the stand?

Swiwi.

.ak wrote: »

Regular Poster in Copy&Paste Blunder! :eek:

I hold Molloy to the highest standards. Shattered really, still reeling from the shock. Table remains pure class though.

aimee1

Leinster by 18-20 and a TBP if the scrum and lineout is up to scratch.

dub_skav

Noo

vienne86

The Unthinkable

It looks like it won't be a night for running in tries, so I can't see us getting the BP. But this is a big game for Treviso and that is a good team they're bringing. I'd say Leinster by 10.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

Swiwi. wrote: »

I hold Molloy to the highest standards. Shattered really, still reeling from the shock. Table remains pure class though.

Aw look I think I was probably a bit inaccurate at key moments. It's a real competitive environment and I try really hard to deliver on those expectations. But I've got a belief that I can go out there and write any match thread. And I think if you look at the table and the logos you'll see there's quality there. It didn't come together fully in the end and I'm disappointed about that. But I'll look at the things that went wrong today and try and set them right ahead of next week.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

While I'm getting pushed around on the terrace, you'll do what...throw your prawn sandwich at me from the stand?

No.

I'll offer a free flat white coffee voucher to the first person to RKO you.

Something in me would like to see the repercussions of a loss.

Media meltdown etc.

But no.

errlloyd

It's kind of a shame both Italian derby's are during the middle of the season instead of leaving one till the end, it could end up being like a final for them.

Although I am not too critical of the pro12 structure, I think they're doing pretty well right now at making this league tick the boxes. Gets better every year.

total former

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

molloyjh wrote: »

Aw look I think I was probably a bit inaccurate at key moments. It's a real competitive environment and I try really hard to deliver on those expectations. But I've got a belief that I can go out there and write any match thread. And I think if you look at the table and the logos you'll see there's quality there. It didn't come together fully in the end and I'm disappointed about that. But I'll look at the things that went wrong today and try and set them right ahead of next week.

Typical. I've held off calling for molloyjh's head for as long as I can, I really believe in giving people a fair go, but enough is enough, he's clearly not up to it. I can't see things improving next season either, especially with the World Cup coming up.

#molloyjhout

Larbre34

The Unthinkable

total former wrote: »

Typical. I've held off calling for molloyjh's head for as long as I can, I really believe in giving people a fair go, but enough is enough, he's clearly not up to it. I can't see things improving next season either, especially with the World Cup coming up.

#molloyjhout

We might as well hold on to him for another season, there isn't a quality alternative available in World Cup year, plus we'd have to pay him off.

#thinice

Dravokivich

Well what has molloyjh ever done for us? Sure he gave us tables, logos and set the highest of standards of quality and in depth match threads offering enumberous points of discussion from an unbiased perspective, while clearly showing his true colours. But other than all that, what has he truly done for us?

#PeoplesFrontOfRugby

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

Larbre34 wrote: »

We might as well hold on to him for another season, there isn't a quality alternative available in World Cup year, plus we'd have to pay him off.

#thinice

I'm ok with a pay off.......

sydthebeat

The Unthinkable

Dravokivich wrote: »

Well what has molloyjh ever done for us? Sure he gave us tables, logos and set the highest of standards of quality and in depth match threads offering enumberous points of discussion from an unbiased perspective, while clearly showing his true colours. But other than all that, what has he truly done for us?

#PeoplesFrontOfRugby

Well, all molloyjh can do is to create the environment for the match threads to thrive and progress. He has spent a long time to get to a level to be able to deliver a performance, and those making noises outside the environment are not considered by those inside. So many facets go into creating this environment and its a testament to him, as a man, to pick himself up from this disappointment and continue to strive to get better. Some of the expectations are unrealistic given the parameters in which hes working, but he understands that the dynamics of thread writing are challenging, but deep down, theres a winning mentality in his environment so this incident is unsatisfactory.

irishbucsfan

I've heard that molloyjh doesn't take match threads very seriously compared to his predecessors. Maybe that explains his lack of accuracy. He's also fond of a drink and actually survives on malibu cola bottles, so who knows what his state of mind could be.




In other news I'm home for the weekend and I'm thinking of heading along to this. Not sure yet but it'd be nice, might wait and see how the weather looks.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He's also fond of a drink

Helps me laugh, helps me cry one might say.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

survives on malibu cola bottles

I do like the odd curry chip in fairness. It's all about a balanced diet.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

In other news I'm home for the weekend and I'm thinking of heading along to this. Not sure yet but it'd be nice, might wait and see how the weather looks.

Looking at the short range forecast it seems the worst of the rain will be gone by 7pm. The RDS does seem to be a place where rain and matches very rarely go hand in hand anymore so I'm hopeful it'll be ok for the game itself. That said it would be very Irish for it to actually happen in May rather than earlier in the season.

http://www.met.ie/forecasts/short-range.asp

total former

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

It's going to be bucketing at 6pm anyway...

sydthebeat

The Unthinkable

thats 2mm / hr ......

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

That's not the hourly one I was looking at.

awec

Can someone interpret the charts? Bad rain?

.ak

awec wrote: »

Can someone interpret the charts? Bad rain?

Mostly sunny with highs of 32c.

T-shirt it up awec!

Larbre34

The Unthinkable

awec wrote: »

Can someone interpret the charts? Bad rain?

The worst of the rain gone by 6pm, cool and damp with drizzle for the match, possibly dry by the end.

irishbucsfan

awec wrote: »

Can someone interpret the charts? Bad rain?

There'll be several gits of bad weather, but no more severe than soft porn

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

Eh, looking at the forecast there now it's moved on beyond 6pm. It doesn't look good folks. It will likely be steadily raining for the full 80.

thomond2006

It's horrible around Ballsbridge now.

irishbucsfan

Yeah good luck with that...

awec

How rubbish.

Dave_The_Sheep

Tenner off upgrades on season tickets, apparently. "Stay out of the rain at tonight's game!"

awec

How much is the Anglesea for the average league game? Is it still like 40 or 50 quid or something?

dregin

awec wrote: »

How much is the Anglesea for the average league game? Is it still like 40 or 50 quid or something?

50 for section B.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Yeah good luck with that...

Fair weather fan....tut, tut......

stephen_n

The Unthinkable

Can't see this being anything other than a slugfest with this weather, maybe a couple of tries through the forwards, even given the strength of our team there's no way this is going to be a romp.

.ak

I can't make it tonight. So if anyone wants my coveted seat for free PM me. First served etc.

EDIT: Gone

.ak

It's also covered.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

The forecast now seems to suggest the second half will be dry......

stephen_n

The Unthinkable

molloyjh wrote: »

The forecast now seems to suggest the second half will be dry......

Even if it stops raining the ball is still going to be slippy and the ground too wet for a running game.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

stephen_n wrote: »

Even if it stops raining the ball is still going to be slippy and the ground too wet for a running game.

I was thinking more in terms of the supporters than the game tbh. The weather has already done a lot of the damage it could do anyway. I've been keeping an eye on the forecast all day and the bulk of the bad weather has been slowly moving further north every time they refresh it. If that continues the rain might miss us completely.

stephen_n

The Unthinkable

molloyjh wrote: »

I was thinking more in terms of the supporters than the game tbh. The weather has already done a lot of the damage it could do anyway. I've been keeping an eye on the forecast all day and the bulk of the bad weather has been slowly moving further north every time they refresh it. If that continues the rain might miss us completely.

Oh you mean the uncovered fans, forgot about them

Well it's still manky in Ballymount that's for sure.

molloyjh

Leinster fail to get the TBP and nervously look to Edinburgh away

stephen_n wrote: »

Oh you mean the uncovered fans, forgot about them

Well it's still manky in Ballymount that's for sure.

Well it seems the rain will ease off a good bit between now and the match anyway. We might have some light rain for the first half but that's about all. As a terrace dweller who religiously stands down the front these things are important. We're used to being forgotten about, don't worry.

awec

If this wasn't the last game I'm not even sure I'd bother.