MATCH THREAD: Leinster vs Edinburgh, RDS Fri 29th 19:35, TG4/BBCAlba

molloyjh

TIME TO GET REAL

After getting maximum return from their opening 3 games, Leinster fell to a surprising and heavy defeat away to the Cheetahs last week. The South African side had a rocky start to the competition but laid down a bit of a marker with their performance. They won't be also-rans. At least not at home. For Leinster it has put the opening 3 games into a bit of perspective. All against poor opposition and not all glowing performances. However this is a side that has made a habit of starting the season slowly. With players being integrated back into the squad at different times, injuries, pregnancies and players returning from long lay offs cohesion is not exactly something Leinster have had in abundance. 15 from a possible 20 is a good return for the Boys in Blue, at least historically speaking anyway.

Their opponents tonight, Edinburgh, started their season well with a win away to Cardiff on the opening day and a TBP win at home to the Dragons. However they have since lost at home to Treviso and away to Scarlets. Richard Cockerill hasn't selected his strongest side to travel to Dublin either, presumably looking to target maximum points from the visit of Zebre next week. If he feels he needs to rest guys now to get that then maybe Edinburgh are in a tougher spot than their results so far would suggest. They certainly can't lose both their home games against Italian opposition though, that's for sure.

Leinster have 4 of their 5 Lions returning to the fold for tonights game. And while that will lead to less cohesion it should also mean a higher standard being set on the pitch. Their pack is leagues better than the one Edinburgh are sending over and with first choice half backs in place Leinster should have more than enough to seal the victory. The outside backs might not inspire huge confidence right now, Rory O'Loughlin hasn't had the best start to the season while Dave Kearney seems to be struggling to find form after returning from injury, but there should still be enough firepower there to get the result.

Expect some rustiness and errors though. Players rarely start their season on their best form. What we see may not be overly pretty, and if Leinster were smart they'd be focusing on their forwards today. But I'd be disappointed if the margin wasn't in double figures.

Leinster by 15.

|

01. Jack McGrath|01. Darryl Marfo
02. Sean Cronin|02. Stuart McInally
03. Tadgh Furlong|03. Simon Berghan
04. Devin Toner|04. Fraser McKenzie
05. Scott Fardy|05. Grant Gilchrist
06. Rhys Ruddock|06. Jamie Ritchie
07. Jordi Murphy|07. Hamish Watson
08. Sean O'Brien|08. Cornell du Preez
|
09. Luke McGrath|09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
10. Jonathan Sexton|10. Jason Tovey
11. Dave Kearney|11. Dougie Fife
12. Noel Reid|12. Phil Burleigh
13. Rory O'Loughlin|13. James Johnstone
14. Fergus McFadden|14. Tom Brown
15. Joey Carbery|15. Glenn Bryce
|
16. Bryan Byrne|16. Neil Cochrane
17. Ed Byrne|17. Murray McCallum
18. Andrew Porter|18. Kevin Bryce
19. Ross Molony|19. Anton Bresler
20. Max Deegan|20. John Hardie
21. Jamison Gibson-Park|21. Nathan Fowles
22. Ross Byrne|22. Blair Kinghorn
23. Jordan Larmour|23. Robbie Fruean

vienne86

molloyjh wrote: »

TIME TO GET REAL

After getting maximum return from their opening 3 games, Leinster fell to a surprising and heavy defeat away to the Cheetahs last week. The South African side had a rocky start to the competition but laid down a bit of a marker with their performance. They won't be also-rans. At least not at home. For Leinster it has put the opening 3 games into a bit of perspective. All against poor opposition and not all glowing performances. However this is a side that has made a habit of starting the season slowly. With players being integrated back into the squad at different times, injuries, pregnancies and players returning from long lay offs cohesion is not exactly something Leinster have had in abundance. 15 from a possible 20 is a good return for the Boys in Blue, at least historically speaking anyway.

Their opponents tonight, Edinburgh, started their season well with a win away to Cardiff on the opening day and a TBP win at home to the Dragons. However they have since lost at home to Treviso and away to Scarlets. Richard Cockerill hasn't selected his strongest side to travel to Dublin either, presumably looking to target maximum points from the visit of Zebre next week. If he feels he needs to rest guys now to get that then maybe Edinburgh are in a tougher spot than their results so far would suggest. They certainly can't lose both their home games against Italian opposition though, that's for sure.

Leinster have 4 of their 5 Lions returning to the fold for tonights game. And while that will lead to less cohesion it should also mean a higher standard being set on the pitch. Their pack is leagues better than the one Edinburgh are sending over and with first choice half backs in place Leinster should have more than enough to seal the victory. The outside backs might not inspire huge confidence right now, Rory O'Loughlin hasn't had the best start to the season while Dave Kearney seems to be struggling to find form after returning from injury, but there should still be enough firepower there to get the result.

Expect some rustiness and errors though. Players rarely start their season on their best form. What we see may not be overly pretty, and if Leinster were smart they'd be focusing on their forwards today. But I'd be disappointed if the margin wasn't in double figures.

Leinster by 15.

|

01. Jack McGrath|01. Darryl Marfo
02. Sean Cronin|02. Stuart McInally
03. Tadgh Furlong|03. Simon Berghan
04. Devin Toner|04. Fraser McKenzie
05. Scott Fardy|05. Grant Gilchrist
06. Rhys Ruddock|06. Jamie Ritchie
07. Jordi Murphy|07. Hamish Watson
08. Sean O'Brien|08. Cornell du Preez
|
09. Luke McGrath|09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
10. Jonathan Sexton|10. Jason Tovey
11. Dave Kearney|11. Dougie Fife
12. Noel Reid|12. Phil Burleigh
13. Rory O'Loughlin|13. James Johnstone
14. Fergus McFadden|14. Tom Brown
15. Joey Carbery|15. Glenn Bryce
|
16. Bryan Byrne|16. Neil Cochrane
17. Ed Byrne|17. Murray McCallum
18. Andrew Porter|18. Kevin Bryce
19. Ross Molony|19. Anton Bresler
20. Max Deegan|20. John Hardie
21. Jamison Gibson-Park|21. Nathan Fowles
22. Ross Byrne|22. Blair Kinghorn
23. Jordan Larmour|23. Robbie Fruean

Nice write up, Molloy. I will be very disappointed if we don't come away with the TBP tonight.

Molloy "Just doing a table" JH with a fine match thread.

Leinster by 20

irishbucsfan

Molloy delivers again.

Much better individual than that chap who promised to eat a bollock and never did.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Molloy delivers again.

Much better individual than that chap who promised to eat a bollock and never did.

sydthebeat

Current spread is -24, so leinster by 15 is quite conservative. I wouldnt be surprised if its double that by the end of the 80.

Interested to see how Reid and O Loughlin go against burleigh and johnstone.

Buer

I'd expect a lot of rust from Leinster. A comfortable win but I don't expect the obliteration that some do.

molloyjh

Yeah, I think we will see a bit of rust and as I said the outside backs don't scream tries galore. Edinburgh are good for 10-15 points too I think.

awec

Leinster by 40+ points.

Former Former

According to Leinster's twitter, it's 371 days since Jordi's last appearance at the RDS. Wow.

thomond2006

Potential trap game for Leinster. Edinburgh were competitive at the Scarlets up to Rizzo's red card.

Winters

The Leinster squad v Edinburgh in numbers:

16/23 Ireland capped players (70%)
17/23 Internationally capped players - added Fardy (74%)
19/23 Players who have only ever played for Leinster (83%)
20/23 Leinster developed players - added Sexton (87%)
21/23 Ireland developed players - added Cronin (91%)

Winters

Winters wrote: »

The Leinster squad v Edinburgh in numbers:

16/23 Ireland capped players (70%)
17/23 Internationally capped players - added Fardy (74%)
19/23 Players who have only ever played for Leinster (83%)
20/23 Leinster developed players - added Sexton (87%)
21/23 Ireland developed players - added Cronin (91%)

I really like these posts. Have only one thanks to give.

Sean O'Brien looks bunched after finishing warm up!

Clegg

Hoping for a good performance from the seasonal debutants, but expecting a lot of rust.

DGRulz

Wheres Máire Treasa?

Adam Byrne did an extended warm up with one of the physios. Must be carrying a knock.

Buer

First up tackling is very poor. Midfield looks very porous.

Buer

Referee very quick to put the arm out. Need to adjust and take advantage of it.

Buer

Reid and ROL are chasing shadows. Complete liabilities in defence so far.

Clegg

This is shocking stuff

awec

Leinster midfield are empty shirts.

awec

Great decision IMO

Scythica

Cue the ref bashing in 3..2...1..

LuckyGent88

Bang on the right decision

pickarooney

Idiotic explanation. Completely Kearney's fault yet a penalty against Edinburgh??

Hooks Golf Handicap

Anyway to watch this legally with English commentary. Used to be a red button on S4C to change from Welsh

Todd Toddington III

pickarooney wrote: »

Idiotic explanation. Completely Kearney's fault yet a penalty against Edinburgh??

I was waiting and expecting him to say penalty Edinburgh for striking with the knee!

guapos

7 v 6 Murphy try

mfceiling

Good reffing there...bit of handbags, cop on lads and play on.

Buer

No glass of warm milk could be as effective at putting me to sleep as this game is.

Clegg

Ah Jonny.

That pass was so telegraphed.

A-Train

Terrible from Johnny, terrible performance so far.

Buer

Poor. No idea why Sexton is captain either with guys like Ruddock on the field. Odd decision.

Clegg

Ah Jaysus.

Never should've dropped that.

chupacabra

Unlucky

pickarooney

Why do they need more than one angle? Clear as day from the first one.

Buer

Can't come away from those moments without a score. Would be interested in seeing it again though. Fardy's left hand possibly remained in contact all the way.

dublinman1990

Any of you guys watching the game on BBC Alba do you have the red button working on it? I can't get mine to work unfortunately while on FTA Satellite.

Buer

pickarooney wrote: »

Why do they need more than one angle? Clear as day from the first one.

It's not. Fardy's hand remained with the ball. Appeared a complete drop on first showing but definitely needed a few looks.

Buer

4 penalties inside 10m of the line and no warning?

Should have taken points.

EDIT: Stupid Carbery.

dublinman1990

Nice try from Carberry there!

guapos

Penalty try coming?

mfceiling

Poor stuff so far. Hopefully the 2nd half is better.

Clegg

Edinburgh are very up for this game but Leinster are have played some puke rugby too.

shaungil

Ah lovely footwork don't have to always bash it.

Clegg

That wasn't an easy try to take either. Some very good footwork and body placement from Carbery.

A-Train

Good to finish the half with a try, Edinburgh better in that half and seem a lot more up for it.

Are Leinster rubbish or are Edinburgh good?

Buer

Clegg wrote: »

Edinburgh are very up for this game but Leinster are have played some puke rugby too.

Never gonna be pretty the first game back for a host of guys. Motivationally, it will be difficult for them to get in the mindset for it too given the last game those 5 lads played.

We're completely toothless in the three quarters. Desperately need one of Henshaw or Ringrose back. I'd have little faith in starting ROL at 13 in Europe right now.

Clegg

TG4 need better ad placement.

This is UCD territory guys. None of this UL ****e