Leinster vs Connacht build up RDS Jan 1st tg4 17:00

connemara man

Leinster coming of a good win away to Munster will have the momentum as they welcome a Connacht team after a disappointing loss to Ulster in a tense match.

Will Leinster rest players with an eye on Europe? Even if they can't get out of the group a good showing in those matches will ease fans worries about the direction under Leo.

Connachts own European battle will need to be looked after as if this run of form continues it might be the only way into the champions cup. The lack of continuity in the team because of injuries is starting to show, and issues at OH once again are showing.

As all interpros it won't be a game to write home about but will be tense all the same

aimee1

connemara man wrote: »

Leinster coming of a good win away to Munster will have the momentum as they welcome a Connacht team after a disappointing loss to Ulster in a tense match.

Will Leinster rest players with an eye on Europe? Even if they can't get out of the group a good showing in those matches will ease fans worries about the direction under Leo.

Connachts own European battle will need to be looked after as if this run of form continues it might be the only way into the champions cup. The lack of continuity in the team because of injuries is starting to show, and issues at OH once again are showing.

As all interpros it won't be a game to write home about but will be tense all the same

I expect Leinster will put out a strong team. Non full strength but hope we see Molony, VDF, Ringrose, Furlong start. Would have been good to see Luke McGrath back too.

I dont think too many leinster fans are worried about a few performances in europe this season at this stage. Think there is an excellent opportunity to focus on the pro12 and give gametime to more fringe players and keep improving at the same time

wp_rathead

Isn't there an Ireland camp on the Sunday?
Both teams could be missing players for that

aimee1

wp_rathead wrote: »

Isn't there an Ireland camp on the Sunday?
Both teams could be missing players for that

match is on friday evening. Think Leinster will have a very strong side out one way or another

Leinster will show up and play their Europe games, but at no time now will anything be at the expense of the Pro12 which they will be ferociously competing.

I think Connacht are a good outfit and they always trouble Leinster.

But I honestly think they are in for a serious hiding this Friday.

irishbucsfan

It'll be a good opportunity for the exciting young Connacht talent to impress their future employers.

former total

We will have to rest some players, probably Toner, Heaslip, McGrath and Fitzgerald, but should still be a strong enough team.

thomond2006

5 day turnaround also so I expect at least 7-8 changes.

wp_rathead

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Leinster will show up and play their Europe games, but at no time now will anything be at the expense of the Pro12 which they will be ferociously competing.

I think Connacht are a good outfit and they always trouble Leinster.

But I honestly think they are in for a serious hiding this Friday.

Hmmm, we don't tend to get hidings these days - we shall see Friday

aimee1

thomond2006 wrote: »

5 day turnaround also so I expect at least 7-8 changes.

i dont think that necessarily weakens the team leinster can put out either.

VdF, Sexton, Moloney, Kearney x2, the alternate front row, Teo, Ruddock can all come in and the team doesn't get much weaker.

Do we know if Luke McGrath is anywhere near playing?

Zzippy

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It'll be a good opportunity for the exciting young Connacht talent to impress their future employers.

The Ireland coaches?

Also, you forgot to mention how long you want to be banned for...

its_phil

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It'll be a good opportunity for the exciting young Connacht talent to impress their future employers.

Ah yeah I suppose they could show Leinster where the try line is while they are at it.

Bridge93

Handicap of 9 points with Paddy Power for this

Zzippy

Bridge93 wrote: »

Handicap of 9 points with Paddy Power for this

They had Munster slight favourites on Sunday, right?

Stheno

Zzippy wrote: »

They had Munster slight favourites on Sunday, right?

Think they did, sometimes they get it wrong :pac:

sydthebeat

They had munster -5

I'd be holding off on a prediction until we get a better idea of weather conditions.

It could end up being a very low scoring game.

aimee1

sydthebeat wrote: »

They had munster -5

I'd be holding off on a prediction until we get a better idea of weather conditions.

It could end up being a very low scoring game.

Forecast is sh1te. Wind rain and cold on Friday is the current met eireann forecast.

Blackclaret

What kind of injury did young McGrath sustain? remember it happening and looked innocuous enough, had really brought a zip to the game prior to the incident.

errlloyd

Is Nick McCarthy any good. Is there a reason why none of us were calling for him to come on with ten minutes to go?

wp_rathead

Captain of the U20s last year - seemed decent player

molloyjh

errlloyd wrote: »

Is Nick McCarthy any good. Is there a reason why none of us were calling for him to come on with ten minutes to go?

He's been decent at the levels I've seen him at, but it's a big, big jump from that to a senior game. He did get a few minutes against Toulon.

Zzippy

sydthebeat wrote: »

They had munster -5

I'd be holding off on a prediction until we get a better idea of weather conditions.

It could end up being a very low scoring game.

I'd be holding off til we see the teams too!

b.gud

Pro12 build up video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4yZNqCWBIE

Blackclaret

Anyone remember Luke McGrath, took the full of Nick Williams substantial frame to the knee at RDS, lot of talk about Ringrose but this guy could really put his stamp on National setup in coming years especially if Murray goes south.

murtyd17

Just wondering are any other Leinster season ticket holders able to get the mobile tickets for the games in 2016 games. i cant see the games for 2016 when i log in?

Digifriendly

Blackclaret wrote: »

Anyone remember Luke McGrath, took the full of Nick Williams substantial frame to the knee at RDS, lot of talk about Ringrose but this guy could really put his stamp on National setup in coming years especially if Murray goes south.

What do you mean by 'Murray goes south'?

Hagz

France?

thomond2006

If his performances go downhill is how I took it.

Blackclaret

Yeah , I meant France, can't really see him completely going to the dogs, has Munster over a barrel though and would surely slot in dowm South or across the water. McGrath is a more conventional fh though, think he would be starting for Leinster if available.

errlloyd

Are they leaving teams a bit late for this? Game is in less than 48 hours :P

The Lost Sheep

errlloyd wrote: »

Are they leaving teams a bit late for this? Game is in less than 48 hours :P

Theyre not. If they name them tomorrow its not really an issue. Leinster name theirs at midday...

Stheno

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Theyre not. If they name them tomorrow its not really an issue. Leinster name theirs at midday...

Squad callups delaying team announcement?

ClanofLams

It's fairly standard no? Midday Thursday for Friday evening k.o

The Lost Sheep

Stheno wrote: »

Squad callups delaying team announcement?

What call ups would delay it? And midday Thursday for Friday game fairly standard....

vienne86

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

What call ups would delay it? And midday Thursday for Friday game fairly standard....

Absolutely. I'd like the annoucement sooner, because I might be out! But lunchtime the day before is normal.

There's no delay in the team being named, for a Friday game it's always midday on the Thursday.

Big game for Leinster this. How do Connacht look in terms of their injuries now?

aimee1

Zander Plain Mouthpiece wrote: »

There's no delay in the team being named, for a Friday game it's always midday on the Thursday.

Big game for Leinster this. How do Connacht look in terms of their injuries now?

connacht still have a long-ish list. Frontliners too like Henshaw, Buckley and a few others. Think Leinster will name a strong team

Clegg

Luke McGrath back.

Te'o at 12 and Ringrose at 13.

ssaye2

LEINSTER:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ben Te'o
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Marty Moore
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jordi Murphy

16. James Tracy
17. Peter Dooley
18. Michael Bent
19. Ross Molony
20. Sean O'Brien
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Zane Kirchner

wp_rathead

15 Tiernan O’Halloran
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Matt Healy
10 Jack Carty
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Finlay Bealham
2 Tom McCartney
3 Nathan White
4 Aly Muldowney
5 Andrew Browne
6 John Muldoon (captain)
7 Jake Heenan
8 Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Ultan Dillane
20 Sean O’Brien
21 Ian Porter
22 AJ MacGinty
23 Rory Parata



HOLY FUXK HEENAN!!!

molloyjh

Wow. Loving that Leinster team.

aimee1

ssaye2 wrote: »

LEINSTER:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Ben Te'o
11. Dave Kearney
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Luke McGrath
1. Jack McGrath
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Marty Moore
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jordi Murphy

16. James Tracy
17. Peter Dooley
18. Michael Bent
19. Ross Molony
20. Sean O'Brien
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Zane Kirchner

Thats a very strong lineup. Strong bench too.

hogandrew

Teo at 12 and Ringrose at 13 is a surprise to me. Really looking forward to seeing how that works out

aimee1

hogandrew wrote: »

Teo at 12 and Ringrose at 13 is a surprise to me. Really looking forward to seeing how that works out

Sexton - Teo - Ringrose. Huge potential to get Ringrose into space out wide there.

wp_rathead

That's a very strong Leinster side
Aki Vs Ringrose is gonna be fascinating

Great to see Tom back at hooker!!

hogandrew

aimee1 wrote: »

Sexton - Teo - Ringrose. Huge potential to get Ringrose into space out wide there.

Ye I did get the feeling last week that he could have had a bigger impact out wide if Sexton was playing.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Like the look of that Leinster squad.

freyners

Lots of tasty match ups there. Marmion v mcgrath. Ronaldson/aki vs te'o/ringrose. White and Moore is a potential battle for a starting shirt if ross has a set back

But heenan back. All kinds of gravy for us

Zzippy

Heenan back! Delighted to see him fit again, he's had a long road back.
Strong team from Leinster, some change from when they would pick a mixed bag for the Connacht game and still be confident of a win. With our injuries I expect a good win for Leinster, hopefully we can keep it tight and pick up a LBP.
Is Fitz injured? If I was a Leinster fan I'd rather see him and Ringrose together with Teo leaving, but as a Connacht fan I'm glad he's not playing after last year when he went very well. I'd be less worried about Teo than Fitz.

aimee1

Zzippy wrote: »

Is Fitz injured? If I was a Leinster fan I'd rather see him and Ringrose together with Teo leaving, but as a Connacht fan I'm glad he's not playing after last year when he went very well. I'd be less worried about Teo than Fitz.

Fitz rested I would guess, he has played a fair bit lately. Last 3 games were Toulon x 2 and Munster.