MATCH THREAD: ERCC - Castres v Leinster, Fri 20/1 19.45 Sky Sports/BeIN

Johngoose

The Leinster team named to play Castres:
Isa Nacewa (capt), Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O'Loughlin, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Devin Toner, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Mike McCarthy, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Rob Kearney.

Zzippy

Johngoose wrote: »

The Leinster team named to play Castres:
Isa Nacewa (capt), Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Rory O'Loughlin, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Tadhg Furlong, Ross Molony, Devin Toner, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Mike McCarthy, Dan Leavy, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Rob Kearney.

What, no betting queries?? :eek:

CMOTDibbler

Should we not be going directly to a match thread seeing as both teams have been announced and the match is tomorrow?

Johngoose

Zzippy wrote: »

What, no betting queries?? :eek:

No I won't bore people with those today. :-)

I haven't heard of most of the Castres players have to admit.

Hopeful for a win. Think the team is good enough and that's a decent bench we have imo.

Zzippy

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Should we not be going directly to a match thread seeing as both teams have been announced and the match is tomorrow?

If someone wants to do a post with both teams (hint, hint ) I'll change the thread title

CMOTDibbler

Johngoose wrote: »

No I won't bore people with those today. :-)

Well seeing as you have bored a lot of people in the past few weeks/months? perhaps as penance you could convert this to a match thread with all the nice tables and pictures and overviews that we've come to expect on these here boards.

Nalz

Buckley!

swiwi_

I think it's a good call to give Healy start.

What is up with the Leinster locking pecking order. First Nagle, then Triggs, now Moloney to replace Triggs.

Interesting that RK can't displace one of the other back 3 - it's the right decision and no slur on RK, that back 3 has been in great form.

Losty Dublin

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

Well seeing as you have bored a lot of people in the past few weeks/months? perhaps as penance you could convert this to a match thread with all the nice tables and pictures and overviews that we've come to expect on these here boards.

I agree. It will be good practice for the Six Nations previews.

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

If someone wants to do a post with both teams (hint, hint ) I'll change the thread title

You're welcome!

Zzippy

Deleted User wrote: »

You're welcome!

CMOTDibbler

Zzippy wrote: »

So it's officially the match thread now?

Bit of editing to be done there Zzippy

Zzippy doing the match thread, thanks Zzippy!

CMOTDibbler

I'd better do my bit. Here's the table:

Castres||Leinster

||

Pierre Berard|15|Isa Nacewa (1) (c)
Julien Caminati|14|Adam Byrne
Afusipa Taumoepeau|13|Garry Ringrose (3)
Florian Vialelle|12|Robbie Henshaw (24)
David Smith|11|Rory O'Loughlin
Julien Dumora|10|Jonny Sexton (63)
Antoine Dupont|9|Luke McGrath (1)
Antoine Tichit|1|Cian Healy (62)
Brice Mach (3)|2|Richardt Strauss (17)
Daniel Kotze (1)|3|Tadhg Furlong (11)
Victor Moreaux|4|Ross Molony
Rodrigo Capo Ortega (38) (c)|5|Devin Toner (42)
Yannick Caballero|6|Jack Conan (1)
Alexandre Bias|7|Josh van der Flier (5)
Steve Mafi (20)|8|Jamie Heaslip (91)
Jody Jenneker|16|James Tracy (1)
Mihaita Lazar (54)|17|Jack McGrath (36)
Damien Tussac (8)|18|Michael Bent (4)
Loic Jacquet (4)|19|Mike McCarthy (20)
Anthony Jelonch|20|Dan Leavy (1)
Julien Seron|21|Jamison Gibson-Park
Benjamin Urdapilleta (10)|22|Ross Byrne
Thomas Combezou|23|Rob Kearney (72)


Bit rough and ready, but better than nothing

Edit: Just added Neil's 'Wikipedia colour coding player assessment system'.

Neil3030

This game is going to make The Hunter vs Bambi's Mother seem like a fair fight. If Leinster don't win by a cricket, scratch that, Pacman score, I will demand the money back from my LEGITIMATE LEGAL STREAMING SOURCE.

CMOTDibbler

Eight internationals against eighteen

The Castres ones are a real mixed bag. A few French, Romanian, German, Uruguyan, Argentinian and a Tongan. Eight French caps between the three French lads.

Good sign that plenty of the games this weekend still have impact outcomes between qualification spots still up for grabs, home quarter final spots and even home semi final spots adding to the importance of many fixtures.

Looking at the Leinster team we have a nice balance in the forwards and backs with plenty of carrying and pace and with Sexton pulling the strings I'm hopeful of what can be achieved.

irishbucsfan

Its really generous of Leinster to play this game on Friday night so that all the other fans of teams across Europe can get a chance to witness true rugby before making their various travels to watch their own sides. A masterstroke by the EPRC that shows a true understanding of what this sport should be about.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Its really generous of Leinster to play this game on Friday night so that all the other fans of teams across Europe can get a chance to witness true rugby before making their various travels to watch their own sides. A masterstroke by the EPRC that shows a true understanding of what this sport should be about.

Joking aside, after seeing what happened to Munster away to Leicester I'm loathe to count chickens just yet. I'll be delighted with a good injury free win though.

Going to try and get the kids to bed in time, will have a few bottles of nice beer (what are people drinking these days?) and going to but the feet up with a nice fire going.

Can't. Wait.

Winters

The line up in numbers..

17/23 Ireland capped players (74%)
18/23 Internationally capped players - added Isa (78%)

16/23 Players who have only ever played for Leinster (70%)
17/23 Leinster developed players - added Sexton (74%)
18/23 Ireland developed players - added Henshaw(78%)
21/23 Irish Eligible Players - Isa and JGP NIQ (91%)
23/23 Pure Leinstertainment (100%)

BoardsMember

Deleted User wrote: »

Joking aside, after seeing what happened to Munster away to Leicester I'm loathe to count chickens just yet. I'll be delighted with a good injury free win though.

Going to try and get the kids to bed in time, will have a few bottles of nice beer (what are people drinking these days?) and going to but the feet up with a nice fire going.

Can't. Wait.

By 7.45 on a Friday night? You might need Mary Poppins...

BoardsMember

BoardsMember wrote: »

By 7.45 on a Friday night? You might need Mary Poppins...

The fact that it's Friday doesn't really register with them as they get up the same time every day. Generally have them to bed most nights before 8!

kuang1

BoardsMember wrote: »

By 7.45 on a Friday night? You might need Mary Poppins...

Or accidentally high doses of calpol? For preventative purposes...savage bugs around this time of year.

@Venjur Wicklow Wolf's range of beers is something to behold. High up on my list these days.

(There are others but they're not Leinster developed.)

Lenister to score 6 tries tonight btw.

Buer

kuang1 wrote: »

Or accidentally high doses of calpol? For preventative purposes...savage bugs around this time of year.

I just lash them into the cot at 7pm and throw a few lengths of timber across the top of the cot. They're not strong enough to shove them off yet to climb out and the splinters on their fingers heal within a week.

sydthebeat

cant believe david smith has never been capped?

did he rule himself out of contention at a young age?

Yeah_Right

sydthebeat wrote: »

cant believe david smith has never been capped?

did he rule himself out of contention at a young age?

Played 7s for NZ.

sydthebeat

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Played 7s for NZ.

did that rule him out of selection in 15s for samoa?

Yeah_Right

sydthebeat wrote: »

did that rule him out of selection in 15s for samoa?

Yeah. Sevens ties a player.

I'm not sure but he may have also played NZ A or Junior All Blacks or whatever it is NZ calls their second team.

Hippo

Interesting post on LF.com highlighting the churn in the squad in the last 12 months. Here's the (now unrecognisable) 23 for the Wasps match in Round 6 last year:

15 Rob Kearney
14 Zane Kirchner
13 Luke Fitzgerald
12 Noel Reid
11 Dave Kearney
10 Johnny Sexton
9 Eoin Reddan
1 Jack McGrath
2 Sean Cronin
3 Martin moore
4 Devin Toner
5 Rhys Ruddock
6 Dominic Ryan
7 Jordi Murphy
8 Jamie Heaslip

16 Richardt Strauss 17 Peter Dooley 18 Michael Bent 19 Ross Malony 20 JVDF 21 Isaace Boss 22 Cathal Marsh 23 Ben Te'o[/quote]

CMOTDibbler

A quick rundown on the Castres team as many of them would be unknown.

15. Pierre Bérard who's playing fullback is more usually a winger. He's new to Castres this season having played for Monty since 2010, only getting 37 caps. He's 25 and has no representative appearances of any kind.

14. Julien Caminati is 31 and has worked is way up from Nice in Fédérale 1 to Castres last season having had a very brief spell with Toulon. Prior to that he was with Brive in the T14 and Pro D2 and Grenoble for a couple of seasons. He's collected more than a few yellow cards (8 in the T14 alone) and a red. He hasn't scored a try this season but scored 5 last season. He seems to take place kicks for them as well.

13. Afusipa Taumoepeau is Australian and 26. He started out with the Brumbies but got very little gametime in three and a bit seasons whereupon he switched to Melbourne and then Pau the following season. This is his first season with Castres and he's scored two tries for them so far.

12. Florian Vialelle is 23 and is in his second season with Castres, previously being with Albi in the ProD2. He scored two tries last season and has only 11 starts so far.

11. David Smith is from Samoa and is 30. He played in New Zealand for five seasons with the Hurricanes, Blues and Western Force. He moved to Toulon in 2011 and played for them for 4 seasons before joining Castres last season. He's a nailed on starter for them and has scored 3 tries this season. Very experienced and one to watch.

10. Julien Dumora is 28 and spent a lot of his formative years in ProD2 with Pau and Lyon with a brief stint in Toulon. He joined Castres two seasons ago and hasn't played much in the last two seasons with only 17 starts. He had two good seasons with Lyon which is probably why Castres picked him up.

9. Antoine Dupont is 20 but has played a lot of rugby in his short career so far. He joined Castres in 2014 from Auch in the ProD2 where he never played. He's signed for Toulouse next season and has 8 starts this season, scoring two tries. A bit of a dark horse but could be very good.

21. Julien Seron is 33 and has been a journeyman in the T14 for most of his career outside a foray into the ProD2 when Narbonne got relegated in 2007, climbing his way back to the T14 via Bordeaux and then dropping back to ProD2 with Carcassonne before Castres picked him up last season. He's had no starts this season so far and 4 off the bench.

22. Benjamin Urdapilleta is Argentinian and 30 going on 31. He came to Castres last season via Oyonnax and formerly Harlequins. He didn't get much work with 'Quins, but was nailed on for Oyonnax and it looks much the same for Castres. Has scored 3 tries this season and kicked a lot of points. Would be an experienced and canny player.

23. Thomas Combezou is 28 and another experienced player. He's a centre by trade and has a pretty good CV starting with Clermont for 3 seasons, 2 seasons with La Rochelle, then another 3 with Monty before switching to Castres two seasons ago. A fairly prolific try scorer with 5 or 6 per season, he's had 13 starts this season so far with 4 tries scored. One to watch when he comes off the bench.

That's it for the dancers, next week I'll cover the piano shifters.

David Smith is only 30!

Thanks though lot of players there I know nothing about.

CMOTDibbler

Florence Eager Ufo wrote: »

David Smith is only 30!

Thanks though lot of players there I know nothing about.

Cheers for that. Source is a French site, so what do they know

Interesting that even the French lads have no obvious ties to Castres.

Greyian

Winters wrote: »

The line up in numbers..

17/23 Ireland capped players (74%)
18/23 Internationally capped players - added Isa (78%)

16/23 Players who have only ever played for Leinster (70%)
17/23 Leinster developed players - added Sexton (74%)
18/23 Ireland developed players - added Henshaw(78%)
21/23 Irish Eligible Players - Isa and JGP NIQ (91%)
23/23 Pure Leinstertainment (100%)

I was trying to figure out why you weren't including Sexton in the 'Players who have only ever played for Leinster' category.

Evidently I've completely suppressed the memories of the MOC years.

Winters

Greyian wrote: »

Evidently I've completely suppressed the memories of the MOC years.

You and most Leinster supporters. MOC too probably.

I think the figures take on an extra meaning after Lancaster's observation of the Leinster culture at the recent supporters Q&A.

Zzippy

kuang1 wrote: »

Or accidentally high doses of calpol? For preventative purposes...savage bugs around this time of year.

Buer wrote: »

I just lash them into the cot at 7pm and throw a few lengths of timber across the top of the cot. They're not strong enough to shove them off yet to climb out and the splinters on their fingers heal within a week.

CMOTDibbler

So following on from my last post, here are the piano shifters:

1. Antoine Tichit is 27 and is in his second season with Castres having spent 7 seasons with Oyonnax. He seems to be a key player for them having had 12 starts this season and has even scored a try!. Has picked up the odd YC, but nothing out of the ordinary for a prop.

2. Brice Mach is 30 and hasn't started much for Castres this season. He could have been injured because he had 16 last season. He manages to score a couple of tries every season and has been with Castres since 2011 having come through Beziers, Montauban and Agen. Could be a bit of a Sean Cronin.

3. Daniel Kotze is 29 and originally a Saffer but now French qualified with 1 cap. This is his first season with Castres, having spent five with Clermont and two with Aurillac after arriving from a season with the Cheetahs. A guaranteed starterand a massive lump at 126Kg, he's got very few YCs and clearly knows his job. He doesn't score tries, just shifts big pianos.

4. Victor Moreaux is 23 and has been with Castres from the start. This season is a bit of a breakthrough for him, having got 8 starts so far and scored a try. He's another big unit, weighing in at 123Kg and standing 6' 6".

5. Rodrigo Capo Ortega is 36 and Uruguayan. He's been around the block more than once but has been with Castres all his professional career. Despite his age, he's still getting as many starts as ever and manages to score a couple of tries a season too. Not as big as his partner in the row, but he's the very definition of a gnarly, experienced and evergreen lock in the mould of Hines or Shaw.

6. Yannick Caballero is 33 and another Castres stalwart. He started with them in 2004 and then spent four seasons with Montauban before rejoining Castres eight years ago. He may be heading into his twilight years, having just 3 starts this season. He's also got a bit of a penchant for YCs and has an impressive collection of 13 + 1 red. He seems to prefer them to scoring tries.

7. Alexandre Bias is 35 and in his second season (on his second go-round) with Castres. He started his career with Bourgoin (remember them?), moved to Castres for five seasons, then Brive for one, Monty for three and back to Castres. The mileage doesn't seem to be catching up with him as he has 13 appearances this season (8 starts). Also likes YCs and not immune to scoring the odd try or two every season.

8. Steve Mafi (no relation to Lifeimi ) is 27 and Tongan/Australian. He strated his career with Leicester where he played for four seasons, returning to Australia for a couple of seasons with Force. He joined Castres this season and has 14 appearances including 8 starts. Has scored two tries this season so far. Could well be a danger man.

16. Jody Jenneker is 32 and South African. He moved to France from Currie Cup side Valke having spent a couple of seasons with Natal and formerly Sharks. He spent four seasons with Oyonnax before moving to Castres this season. Another pretty mobile guy who's scored four tries this season (his usual season tally) and a usual starter for them. Is obviously in competition with Caballero as to who can collect the most YCs in a career. Is currently in the lead with 16 + 1 red.

17. Mihaita Lazaris 30 and a Romanian international with 54 caps. Started his career with Bucharest for 4 seasons before moving to ProD2 side Provence. Castres picked him up in 2012 and he's been there ever since. One of those players who's always in the squad, either on the bench or starting. He does like his yellow card, but is not in the same league as the other two.

18. Damien Tussac is 29 and of that very rare species of German internationals plying their trade in the upper echelons of pro rugby. He started his career with Toulon where he remained on the fringes for four seasons before joining Leeds and Montauban for a couple of seasons each. This is his first season with Castres and he's been on the team sheet more often than not. A big lump at 128Kg.

19. Loic Jacquet is 31 and has 4 caps for France between 06 and 08. Standing 6' 5", he's no colossus in the row, but having played with Clermont for 12 seasons before joining Castres this season, he's vastly experienced. Another regular on the team sheet.

20. Anthony Jelonch is another 20 year old in the squad. This is his first season anywhere and he's appeared 13 times so far with 8 starts (including 3 ERCC) and two tries to his name. At 111Kg and 6' 4, he's a big unit for his age. Clearly a promising youngster.

That's it folks. Please don't expect this all the time, I was intrigued with the selection and wanted to dive a bit deeper.

Of course I've set a standard and will expect a similar approach in the next match thread

Dravokivich

Zzippy wrote: »

http://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/wp-content/uploads/sites/29639/2015/10/taking-notes.jpg

You can also bottle feed them in their sleep so they don't wake during the night.

#matchthreadfordaddies

Yeah_Right

Dravokivich wrote: »

You can also bottle feed them in their sleep so they don't wake during the night.

#matchthreadfordaddies

Someone should let Awec know about this thread. He will probably need some of these parenting tips soon.

Yeah_Right

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Someone should let Awec know about this thread. He will probably need some of these parenting tips soon.

At least he is already used to getting pooped on...!

kuang1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

At least he is already used to getting pooped on...!

#littlesh1ts

CMOTDibbler

So following on from my analysis of their squad, here's how I see it.

There doesn't look like much mobility in their pack bar at hooker, loosehead and number eight. Some of them are ageing and others are a bit green. Being Castres and French, you would expect them to use the maul a lot. However Toner and Conan especially could mess with their lineout and they mightn't make too much headway there.

Behiind the pack there's a journeyman OH and a very young and inexperienced (although promising) SH. On that basis you'd expect Sexton and McGrath to be far more assured and in control there. The centre partnership is largely untried and has a mix of youth and experience although there's more than a touch of the journeyman there as well. I see no issues there for us.

In the back three only David Smith appears to present any real threat, but in his last two seasons has only scored as many tries as Jack Conan. Not great numbers for a winger. He's not a big lad either at 5' 8" and 91Kg. Advantage Leinster here I suspect.

The only real threat comes from the bench. There are a bunch of experienced guys there and a couple of 'break glass in case of emergency' options as well. Leinster would need to have the game pretty much wrapped up by the time they come on and leave them nothing to play for.

Neil3030

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Someone should let Awec know about this thread. He will probably need some of these parenting tips soon.

I can't wait to have kids. Think of the weird **** you'll get away with. Like, I so badly want to write a letter to Stuart Lancaster, expressing how much he completes me, and begging him never to leave me. If I do that, instant restraining order. BUT, if my 4 year old paints some bull**** Leinster flag with, "PLEES STAY STOORT", it stops seeming so strange....

jaansu

You could do that anyway and just say it's you 4 year old. How is Stoort going to know?

Dravokivich

Neil3030 wrote: »

I can't wait to have kids. Think of the weird **** you'll get away with. Like, I so badly want to write a letter to Stuart Lancaster, expressing how much he completes me, and begging him never to leave me. If I do that, instant restraining order. BUT, if my 4 year old paints some bull**** Leinster flag with, "PLEES STAY STOORT", it stops seeming so strange....

And when they let go of the helium balloons to hit the ceiling expecting Daddy to grab the string an pull'em down.

No buddy, line out practice. You're jumping.

CMOTDibbler

I think I've wandered onto the parenting forum by mistake.

There's a match on tonight lads

Neil3030

CMOTDibbler wrote: »

I think I've wandered onto the parenting forum by mistake.

Dravokivich wrote: »

And when they let go of the helium balloons to hit the ceiling expecting Daddy to grab the string an pull'em down.

No buddy, line out practice. You're jumping.

Wandered into a parenting MASTERCLASS more like!

<frantically scribbles down notes>

Who is the form parent though??

Neil3030

Florence Eager Ufo wrote: »

Who is the form parent though??

Drakovich

aled

really impressed with Leo Cullens selection for tonight. Had thought he would try and fit Rob Kearney into the team. But he didn't. He picked the best players. Kudos to you Leo. Joe Schmidt may not appreciate the team selection but I figure Leo got it bang on. As for who will win the game, that's a toughie. Did I read that Castres has won last 7 home games. It certainly will be a solid indicator about how good this Leinster team is.