Leinster v Montpellier Match Build Up

Johngoose

Any news on players for both teams?It should be a solid win for Leinster provided their big guns are match fit.

.ak

Kearney should be back for Leinster and Cronin defo out. Other than that it's as you were.

Peregrine

Johngoose wrote: »

It should be a solid win for Leinster provided their big guns are match fit.

Ehh..I'm hopeful but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Buer

Peregrine wrote:

Ehh..I'm hopeful but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

It should be a solid win. As good as Montpellier are, we're clearly in the driving seat and, despite John Fogarty's claim this week, they've been pretty mediocre on the road this season.

The aim should be to win and deny them anything. A bonus point would be just that.

Rigor Mortis

Buer wrote: »

It should be a solid win. As good as Montpellier are, we're clearly in the driving seat and, despite John Fogarty's claim this week, they've been pretty mediocre on the road this season.

The aim should be to win and deny them anything. A bonus point would be just that.

If we win, its pretty much irrelevant what they get - except from the perspective of Ulster and Connacht. A bonus point for us would be far more important than denying them one.

vienne86

Our forwards should be able for their big animals, and hopefully Johnny will pull the strings nicely and run them ragged. I am confident we will win, but I think it will be a bit of a dog fight for the first 60 minutes. I just hope no one gets injured.

I'm not feeling the same way about this game as others on here are.

I think Montpellier are in good shape and whilst they haven't been good on the road they are a team that could open us up and have us chasing in desperation if we aren't completely focused.

Having Sean O'Brien available for this is a huge plus. Also wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Cian Healy start tomorrow.

I said before the away fixture that it was the first real test of the season for us. I stand by that, and we were fairly soundly beaten albeit not as far off the pace as the score before our final try would have indicated.

I think this game is in fact our most important of the season to date by some stretch. Any win would be huge and if Castres fall off against Northampton we could be looking at a comfortable home quarter (and results depending a lined up home semi also).

I'm possibly giving Montpellier too much credit here but I'll take a 1 point win (though my blood pressure won't appreciate it).

There is every chance Montpellier have ambitions in Europe this year.

molloyjh

It'll be interesting to see the squad for this one. Does Triggs start or do we go with a more physical lock like Maccer? It's also time for the weekly "which one of our seriously talented back rows will miss out" discussion. Will Conan be favoured over Leavy or does Leavy get the bench spot with a view to introducing his athletic ability in the final 20? What about Ruddock? Will he be in as back up lock again? If Rob is fit does he start? Does he even bench? And if he starts which of our impressive young wingers makes way for him?

The team I'd pick:

McGrath Tracy Furlong
Toner McCarthy
SOB Heaslip VDF

McGrath Sexton
Henshaw Ringrose
Nacewa Kearney Byrne

Strauss, Healy, Bent, Triggs, Leavy, JGP, Byrne, ROL

That team is good enough to be in the lead on 50 mins. If we start to use our bench then there's a hell of a lot of impact off it. With those guys we'll be able to lift the tempo going into the last 30 mins or so and kill off the game.

Bridge93

Altrad has said this is Montpellier's biggest game of the season.

Buer

Deleted User wrote:

Also wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Cian Healy start tomorrow.

I would be shocked.

Buer

Bridge93 wrote:

Altrad has said this is Montpellier's biggest game of the season.

Lip service, I would think. It's a big game for them and they'll give it a good go but they're in a scrap for a top two spot in the T14 which is going to be their priority after losing to Castres.

vienne86

Team announcement at 12?

molloyjh

vienne86 wrote: »

Team announcement at 12?

Yeah most likely.

Bridge93 wrote: »

Altrad has said this is Montpellier's biggest game of the season.

That's fine. We've had our guys talking about how big a game it is and how challenging it will be. We're not taking this one lightly at all. It's going to be one serious game I reckon.

thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

Lip service, I would think. It's a big game for them and they'll give it a good go but they're in a scrap for a top two spot in the T14 which is going to be their priority after losing to Castres.

Questions need to be asked if they don't go all in tomorrow. As it stands they are a runner-up qualfier and they will go 5-0 against Northampton in week 6.

This was their team against Bordeaux last weekend:

MIKHEIL NARIASHVILI
SHALVA MAMUKASHVILI
DAVIT KUBRIASHVILI
PAUL WILLEMSE
NICOLAAS VAN RENSBURG
FULGENCE OUEDRAOGO (CAP.)
AKAPUSI QERA
PIERRE SPIES

NIC WHITE
FRANÇOIS STEYN
NEMANI NADOLO
JOE TOMANE
VINCENT MARTIN
JIM NAGUSA
JESSE MOGG

Bench:
ROMAIN RUFFENACH
GRÉGORY FICHTEN
KONSTANTINE MIKAUTADZE
ANTOINE BATTUT
TOMAS O'LEARY
BEN BOTICA
HENRI IMMELMAN
JANNIE DU PLESSIS

errlloyd

Has T'OL been any good for them this season? If Jesse Mogg could be as much of a liability for 80 minutes as he was for 20 in the away game I'd be a happy man.

wp_rathead

errlloyd wrote: »

Has T'OL been any good for them this season? If Jesse Mogg could be as much of a liability for 80 minutes as he was for 20 in the away game I'd be a happy man.

O'Leary got injured 30mins into his debut, did he knee until Xmas was initial reports iirc, not sure if he has played since

irishbucsfan

wp_rathead wrote: »

O'Leary got injured 30mins into his debut, did he knee until Xmas was initial reports iirc, not sure if he has played since

He was on the bench last weekend, team above

wp_rathead

Seems to have 3 caps according to http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-3470.html

gamma001

LEINSTER: (Leinster caps in brackets)

15. Isa Nacewa CAPTAIN (162)
14. Adam Byrne (12)
13. Garry Ringrose (33)
12. Robbie Henshaw (7)
11. Rory O’Loughlin (12)
10. Johnny Sexton (131)
9. Luke McGrath (63)
1. Jack McGrath (105)
2. James Tracy (30)
3. Tadhg Furlong (60)
4. Devin Toner (191)
5. Hayden Triggs (22)
6. Jack Conan (40)
7. Josh van der Flier (35)
8. Jamie Heaslip (227)

16. Richardt Strauss (136)
17. Cian Healy (165)
18. Michael Bent (75)
19. Ross Molony (32)
20. Dan Leavy (27)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (16)
22. Ross Byrne (12)
23. Rob Kearney (183)

No SOB?

molloyjh

No SOB!

McGrath Tracy Furlong
Toner Triggs
Conan Heaslip VDF

McGrath Sexton
Henshaw Ringrose
ROL Nacewa A Byrne

Strauss, Healy, Bent, Molony, Leavy, JGP, R Byrne, R Kearney

Peregrine

Kearney on the bench. Huh. You don't see that often.

I hope SOB isn't injured.

molloyjh

So no SOB is the obvious one. He must have picked up another injury. But Molony on the bench is a big call too.

errlloyd

Fair play to Leo, backing the youngsters and putting Rob on the bench. Lets hope it pays off.

scott1974

Where the f@ck is O'Brien

molloyjh

Yeah I'm hearing SOB is injured.

Bridge93

Why must the two most naturally talented Irish players of this crop be so injury prone. Like Ferris before them

LostArt

molloyjh wrote: »

Yeah I'm hearing SOB is injured.

He def is, no idea how badly though

Buer

Massive vote of confidence in the wingers.

SOB crocked again?! Maybe he's the one we should be looking to talk into moving to Ulster...35 starts in the last 5 seasons.

Very interesting bench. Doesn't look too strong on first look. I can't see too many of them getting on early.

irishbucsfan

Can't wait for it. Can't wait to see the young'uns tear Montpellier apart. 60 point victory assured.

Former Former

Montpellier at full strength:

15. Joffrey Michel; 14. Timoci Nagusa, 13. Vincent Martin, 12. Joseph Tomane, 11. Nemani Nadolo; 10. Frans Steyn, 9. Nic White; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Shalva Mamukashvili, 3. Jannie Du Plessis, 4. Paul Willemse, 5. Konstantine Mikautadze, 6. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Pierre Spies
16. Charles Geli, 17. Yvan Watremez, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Antoine Battut, 20. Kelian Galletier, 21. Tomas O'Leary, 22. Henry Immelman, 23. Jesse Mogg

CMOTDibbler

Jack Conan getting another start and VdF back too. I don't remember SOB having any issues in the Zebre game, but it could have happened in training I suppose.

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

Massive vote of confidence in the wingers.

SOB crocked again?! Maybe he's the one we should be looking to talk into moving to Ulster...35 starts in the last 5 seasons.

Very interesting bench. Doesn't look too strong on first look. I can't see too many of them getting on early.

Yeah I'm not as confident as I was. There isn't the same impact from the bench as I'd have liked. It's a big game for Triggs to show that he can mix it up with the more physical pack and our wingers are going to have their hands full defensively too.

sydthebeat

we can pressure their line outs but we're going to be under sever pressure at scrum time. Wiliamse is a monster lump of a lad in the second row.
Hoping for a dry night on friday!

CMOTDibbler

molloyjh wrote: »

Yeah I'm not as confident as I was. There isn't the same impact from the bench as I'd have liked. It's a big game for Triggs to show that he can mix it up with the more physical pack and our wingers are going to have their hands full defensively too.

To be fair, JGP and Ross Byrne are automatic picks. Strauss, Healy and Bent would be automatic too. Molony is really the only obvious change from Maccer, but Kearney and Leavy should have an impact.

thomond2006

Former Former wrote: »

Montpellier at full strength:

15. Joffrey Michel; 14. Timoci Nagusa, 13. Vincent Martin, 12. Joseph Tomane, 11. Nemani Nadolo; 10. Frans Steyn, 9. Nic White; 1. Mikheil Nariashvili, 2. Shalva Mamukashvili, 3. Jannie Du Plessis, 4. Paul Willemse, 5. Konstantine Mikautadze, 6. Fulgence Ouedraogo, 7. Akapusi Qera, 8. Pierre Spies
16. Charles Geli, 17. Yvan Watremez, 18. Davit Kubriashvili, 19. Antoine Battut, 20. Kelian Galletier, 21. Tomas O'Leary, 22. Henry Immelman, 23. Jesse Mogg

While I don't think French clubs need as many French players as Irish teams need Irish players, 7 out of 23? Ah here.

Note: Paillague would make 8 but he's injured.

vienne86

SOB gone again......feckit anyway. Delighted to see the choice of wingers. Thought McCarthy's grunt would be useful in the second row. But happy with the team.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

While I don't think French clubs need as many French players as Irish teams need Irish players, 7 out of 23? Ah here.

Note: Paillague would make 8 but he's injured.

So 14 teams playing 8 French players every weekend would be 112

If all 4 Irish teams played 23 Irish players every weekend it would be 92

It's still leaving them in a stronger numerical position than us.

That's not considering them losing local support by not playing locals. Also the much more relevant fact the overseas players generally play in key positions (like 9, 10 and tighthead, as Montpellier show).

Clegg

I hope SoB hasn't suffered a serious injury. I remember a recent interview where he said he'd have to seriously consider retirement if he suffered another one.

molloyjh

Clegg wrote: »

I hope SoB hasn't suffered a serious injury. I remember a recent interview where he said he'd have to seriously consider retirement if he suffered another one.

Rumour on LF is that its nothing serious. Fingers crossed.

vienne86

molloyjh wrote: »

Rumour on LF is that its nothing serious. Fingers crossed.

Please please please!

sydthebeat

so the forecast is for a dry clear night but very very cold....

1c but real feel -6c with a biting breeze

ItsChecoTime

Think SOB got a knock against Zebre. He was down clutching his stomach/ribs for a bit but played on. Could be that

Edit: Apparently a tightness in his calf

Buer

We need to come out of the blocks fast. Regardless of the side Montpellier are sending, they have lost 2 of their opening 4 games including both away games.

If we get 10 points ahead in the first 30 minutes, I reckon they'll start thinking about a hot whiskey after the game.

Our front five are big boys. Both locks and props are a minimum of 118kg. We shouldn't be bullied by their pack tomorrow but discipline and ball retention are critical. Their front five don't have the engines of guys like Toner and McGrath. If we make them defend for long periods, they'll feel the pace.

Clegg

No Ruddock either. Incredible that we can be without SoB and Ruddock yet still have another great player to call on in Conan. And Dan Leavy still can't get into the starting side despite pulling up trees this season.

leakyboots

Match Facts
This will be the fourth meeting between the clubs with honours even so far - one win each and a draw.
Leinster have won 20 of their last 22 home games against TOP 14 opposition in the competition. RC Toulon (2015) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (2012) are the only French sides to have tasted success in Dublin in that time.
Montpellier have lost their last seven away games in the tournament.
If Pool 4 leaders, Leinster, manage to win, they will be guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.
Isa Nacewa has scored the joint most points in the Champions Cup this season (67, level with Owen Farrell of Saracens) and has scored more tries than any other player (5).
Leinster's Josh van der Flier and Montpellier's Paul Willemse have each won six turnovers this season, and Willemse has recorded his six in just 163 minutes of action.
The three-time champions are the only side with a 100% scrum success rate (26/26).
Leinster have conceded a competition low 28 penalties to date this season.
Of the 149 players to make 20+ carries this season, Nemani Nadolo has the best average gain rate - 10.2 metres per carry.
Leinster are one of two teams (Clermont are the other) with more than one player to play every minute of the four rounds this season: Jamie Heaslip and Robbie Henshaw.
Montpellier have the lowest place kicking success rate this season (61%).
The last time Leinster defeated Montpellier at the RDS (Round 6, 2012), they went on to win the tournament.
Johnny Sexton needs five points to reach 500 for the tournament.

sydthebeat

Buer wrote: »

Our front five are big boys. Both locks and props are a minimum of 118kg.

taking kgs for montpellier from wiki and kgs for leinster from the leinster website....

montpellier front five = 608 kgs
leinster front five = 583 kgs

its actually in the second row where we give up all the bulk... 25 kgs in total there.

They are big lads too, and yes i agree we need to run them around the pitch, and i trust sexton explicitly to move us around as we need to.
If were leading on 60 minutes ill be happy enough

Trojan

Anyone else concerned about hooker? It's a big game for Tracy.

Buer

Trojan wrote: »

Anyone else concerned about hooker? It's a big game for Tracy.

I'd be quite concerned with the set piece. Some of his throws were so wobbly last week they were closer to travelling sideways when they reached the target.

Throw to the front repeatedly if we must. Mix up the line outs with some creative moves like last week. If our line out goes to pieces, we're in trouble. It's an easy way for them to gain a foothold and territory.

stephen_n

Trojan wrote: »

Anyone else concerned about hooker? It's a big game for Tracy.

Tracy has been consistently good this season, is a strong srummager and maybe not as good as Cronin in the loose (not many are) but is pretty handy. Apart from a couple of games where his throwing wasn't 100% we have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Our forwards handled the collisions with Montpellier the last day but our backs definitely couldn't live with them on a few occasions. As has been said, Sexton moving these guys around and being ruthless with our possession should take the wind out of them. Carbery deputised very well in the second round but didn't have enough in his deck to get us out of trouble of a few occasions. Sexton is also another physical player in midfield for us and should help us defensively when we need it.

As for hooker, Tracy will be fine. Cronin's dynamism is a nice thing to have, but Tracy in the loose is a fine player and in the discussion for Ireland at the moment. It's a loss, but I'm were ok here despite this.

If we are dominant for 30 minutes and create a gap on the scoreboard I think we'll be fine. If it's close at all from 60 minutes on I'd be worried personally.

FellasFellas

I'd be wary of Nagusa and Nadolo getting serious change out wide. Both massive men and Byrne hasn't looked massively assured in defence yet this season. Looking like possibly a Leinster win by a small margin.