Leinster v Scarlets - Preview Sat 3:30 Sky Sports Action

baas baa

Buer wrote: »

Honestly, I'd say this is a better team overall. We may not win the title but we've never had as good a team.

That's a tough one. I'd have to go with 11/12 side. Healy, Strauss, Nacewa, SOB, Heaslip and Kearney at the peak of their powers. Furlong, Ryan/Fardy and Henshaw are the only players in this side I'd say have a clear superiority over their counterparts from that era. With all fit this side probably has the better 23 though.

Tigerandahalf

Great atmosphere in the ground today. Leinster were just clinical. They'll be very hard to stop. That's a good Scarlets side.

Looking at Tadhg Beirne in the 2nd half he looked very tired, was always the last player to get back onside. Looks like he could do with a good rest.

Hopefully Munster do the business tomorrow.

Highlights are on tg4 player on saorview connect.

Burkie1203

Handsome Rob had a great day all round

https://twitter.com/boringkearney/status/987797216432672771?s=19

stephen_n

Still trying to decide if we were so good, we just didn’t give them a chance. Or if Scarlet’s failed to show up. Maybe the Irish thing in me, where I don’t like to get ahead of myself. I can think of bad moments in play, but can’t think of one bad performance today. We just seemed so comfortable, both with ball in hand and without. Even with all the injuries and the knock on effects, there aren’t really any weak links in the team. Despite the one knock on Ferg (many peoples choice for a weaklink) had a great game. We maybe suffered a little for the lack of pace out wide with him an Isa, but not to a worrying degree. Our pack is so good, even with all the big injuries in the back row, it most be the best pack in Europe. There is a genuine hunger in this team that’s very visible through out. I think Fardy deserved motm but then so did Henshaw and James Ryan. What a superb performance today.

Burkie1203

stephen_n wrote: »

Still trying to decide if we were so good, we just didn’t give them a chance. Or if Scarlet’s failed to show up. Maybe the Irish thing in me, where I don’t like to get ahead of myself. I can think of bad moments in play, but can’t think of one bad performance today. We just seemed so comfortable, both with ball in hand and without. Even with all the injuries and the knock on effects, there aren’t really any weak links in the team. Despite the one knock on Ferg (many peoples choice for a weaklink) had a great game. We maybe suffered a little for the lack of pace out wide with him an Isa, but not to a worrying degree. Our pack is so good, even with all the big injuries in the back row, it most be the best pack in Europe. There is a genuine hunger in this team that’s very visible through out. I think Fardy deserved motm but then so did Henshaw and James Ryan. What a superb performance today.

Think Leinster didn't let scarlets play. Kept them from getting into the touch-15m channel and Leinster didn't really compete at the breakdown on Scarlets ball. In 2nd half on numerous occasions scarlets would have 4 or 5 guys in the ruck and Leinster had 15 players on their feet.

stephen_n

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Think Leinster didn't let scarlets play. Kept them from getting into the touch-15m channel and Leinster didn't really compete at the breakdown on Scarlets ball. In 2nd half on numerous occasions scarlets would have 4 or 5 guys in the ruck and Leinster had 15 players on their feet.

Yeah I noticed that and it wasn’t till around the 60 min mark before Scarlets coped on and tried to attack through the ruck.

Tim Robbins

P.Walnuts wrote: »

Got serious grief in my block for getting pints

I stopped going to matches because people asking me to get up so they could get pints and take a piss annoyed the crap out of me. The really annoying thing is when they do it when the ball is in play. Why can't they wait for the ball to be out of play? Really annoying and delighted you got grief. If you are more interested in pints watch it in a pub.

stephen_n

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I stopped going to matches because people asking me to get up so they could get pints and take a piss annoyed the crap out of me. The really annoying thing is when they do it when the ball is in play. Why can't they wait for the ball to be out of play? Really annoying and delighted you got grief. If you are more interested in pints watch it in a pub.

In a less aggressive sense :pac: I just don’t get why people go to matches if they can’t last 40 mins without a pint. Would the pub not be a better bet?

P.Walnuts

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I stopped going to matches because people asking me to get up so they could get pints and take a piss annoyed the crap out of me. The really annoying thing is when they do it when the ball is in play. Why can't they wait for the ball to be out of play? Really annoying and delighted you got grief. If you are more interested in pints watch it in a pub.

You sound like great company

I paid good money for my seats and in no way am I going to apologise for having a pint and watching the game.

If you can't move your legs for 1 second every 40 minutes that's completely your problem and frankly pathetic

Burkie1203

P.Walnuts wrote: »

You sound like great company

I paid good money for my seats and in no way am I going to apologise for having a pint and watching the game.

If you can't move your legs for 1 second every 40 minutes that's completely your problem and frankly pathetic

It ain't 1 second every 40. Munster game in October was a procession. Every 2 or 3 minutes

P.Walnuts

stephen_n wrote: »

In a less aggressive sense :pac: I just don’t get why people go to matches if they can’t last 40 mins without a pint. Would the pub not be a better bet?

Given the fact that they sold out of lager today at HT, i think you might be in the minority.

P.Walnuts

Burkie1203 wrote: »

It ain't 1 second every 40. Munster game in October was a procession. Every 2 or 3 minutes

I can only speak for myself, one pint per half. Hardly a travesty

stephen_n

P.Walnuts wrote: »

If you can't move your legs for 1 second every 40 minutes that's completely your problem and frankly pathetic

See clearly you’re missing the problem here, it’s not the having to stand up, which in itself can be annoying if it’s in the middle of a phase of play. It’s the row in front of you standing up and blocking your view, 4,5 or 6 times a half. Some of us are there to watch the rugby, if you’re more interested in the beer, the pubs the place for you, simples.

P.Walnuts

stephen_n wrote: »

See clearly you’re missing the problem here, it’s not the having to stand up, which in itself can be annoying if it’s in the middle of a phase of play. It’s the row in front of you standing up and blocking your view, 4,5 or 6 times a half. Some of us are there to watch the rugby, if you’re more interested in the beer, the pubs the place for you, simples.

There are plenty of stoppages in play when it's completely feasible to get up and get a drink without putting out other fans.

stephen_n

P.Walnuts wrote: »

There are plenty of stoppages in play when it's completely feasible to get up and get a drink without putting out other fans.

Yep that’s true but that ain’t what happens, thus why so many get annoyed with it.

stephen_n

stephen_n wrote: »

Still trying to decide if we were so good, we just didn’t give them a chance. Or if Scarlet’s failed to show up. Maybe the Irish thing in me, where I don’t like to get ahead of myself. I can think of bad moments in play, but can’t think of one bad performance today. We just seemed so comfortable, both with ball in hand and without. Even with all the injuries and the knock on effects, there aren’t really any weak links in the team. Despite the one knock on Ferg (many peoples choice for a weaklink) had a great game. We maybe suffered a little for the lack of pace out wide with him an Isa, but not to a worrying degree. Our pack is so good, even with all the big injuries in the back row, it most be the best pack in Europe. There is a genuine hunger in this team that’s very visible through out. I think Fardy deserved motm but then so did Henshaw and James Ryan. What a superb performance today.

Early on, not within the opening 10 minutes but early on there were a run of physical exchanges and Leinster came out on top of all of them. We set out our stall early and Scarlets having been matched and outmuscled lost their impetus. The only reason it took more than a quarter is that we allowed ourselves to be sucked into a succession of line outs and scrums in the opening 15 or so.

I reckon you could watch the match back and pick out the point with good accuracy where the Scarlets pack wilted and started giving twice the ground per collision that they had been.

It's a credit to them that they kept working until around 65 minutes. They never lost sight of the competitiveness of the fixture even though they were no longer competing on an equal footing from around 20 minutes on wards.

I felt before the game that the Leinster pack would be the difference and if we had good possession in the first half and reflected that on the scoreboard that it would take a special effort from the Scarlets in the last 20 to bring the game back to some respectability.

Instead Leinster in true 6 nations fashion opened the half with another dominant score.

It was a physical and entertaining game but the truth of it is that Scarlets were bullied off the park.

razorblunt

Jesus, Scott Quinnell was insufferable in the buildup.

Steve

stephen_n wrote: »

See clearly you’re missing the problem here, it’s not the having to stand up, which in itself can be annoying if it’s in the middle of a phase of play. It’s the row in front of you standing up and blocking your view, 4,5 or 6 times a half. Some of us are there to watch the rugby, if you’re more interested in the beer, the pubs the place for you, simples.

P.Walnuts wrote: »

There are plenty of stoppages in play when it's completely feasible to get up and get a drink without putting out other fans.

Guys, this is not relevant to the match thread so maybe move on or start a new thread about the subject.

Steve

Didn't see the match myself, followed it on UR, (very ill family member which has priority), great result for the boys and delighted for them!

JP Liz V1

Great result for Sexton and the team

Skid X

That James Ryan "never lost a professional game" stat wrecks my head.

I know it's true, but it hardly seems plausible.

Long may it continue, obviously.

Steve

Steve wrote: »

Didn't see the match myself, followed it on UR, (very ill family member which has priority), great result for the boys and delighted for them!

It was a terrific result, a complete performance and an excellent display of rugby.

I hope your family member is doing ok and getting the best care, best wishes.

pickarooney

Any chance of seeing the full match on YouTube?

durthacht

Steve wrote: »

Didn't see the match myself, followed it on UR, (very ill family member which has priority), great result for the boys and delighted for them!

Sorry to hear that. I hope your family member recovers. Best of luck to you all.

Weepsie

Jaysus that was good. Finally back home. Beaten Exeter, Montpellier, and Glasgow, each top of their respective leagues, Saracens and Scarletts, European and Pro14 champs, all while looking quite comfortable.

It's a super talented group of players. It was very like the England v Ireland game. Very nervous as a fan going on, bit they were in control all game.

Had seats behind the commentary so was able to see more than normal. Kearney was barking orders at players and setting up the defence constantly. He's not flashy, but he's effective and consistent.

there wasn't a bad performance there and considering the missing players too that should terrify any team.

Neil3030

Mark McCaffrey is suggesting on Twitter that teams in the Champions Cup should be restricted to one player per school, to help develop the game in more schools around Ireland.

I'm joking

irishbucsfan

prawnsambo wrote: »

Extraordinary player. It's hard to imagine that he's got more to learn. Was U20 captain, so it's probably in his future.

I think a few of the Michael's teachers have money on him to captain the Lions, they put it on when he was a student there.

Burkie1203

razorblunt wrote: »

Jesus, Scott Quinnell was insufferable in the buildup.

I like him. He is just a rugby fan in a suit on tv. And to be fair after the game he was spot on too. About Scarlets and Leinster.

Pivac was also pure class.

vienne86

Steve wrote: »

Didn't see the match myself, followed it on UR, (very ill family member which has priority), great result for the boys and delighted for them!

It was a great performance all right, and the big win was fully deserved. Really sorry to hear about your family member's illness, and wish you all the best.

Buer

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Looking at Tadhg Beirne in the 2nd half he looked very tired, was always the last player to get back onside. Looks like he could do with a good rest.

I thought he looked tired from early on. He fell off the tackle that allowed Ryan to go again for his try. He's already about to hit 2,000 minutes for the season. He needs a break. There's been a clear decrease in his influence in recent appearances compared to a couple of months ago.

swiwi_

Is it sacrilege to say I was little bit bored by the end, the game was so one-sided

I hope the final is a little more close if I'm honest.

pc7

Had hoped to do day trip but not a chance with the prices. Can’t see anything in UR yet, will it be sky or bt? Have sky but if bt can you buy one game access

Burkie1203

pc7 wrote: »

Had hoped to do day trip but not a chance with the prices. Can’t see anything in UR yet, will it be sky or bt? Have sky but if bt can you buy one game access

Both channels show the final am fairly sure of that

Just finished watching SF again. Jordi is going to be a huge loss next season.

prawnsambo

Jonny Sexton's post match interview. Starts with him talking about Larmour trying to get past 10 Scarlets on the short side.

Henshaw is a special player lads.

Kauto

Buer wrote: »

I thought he looked tired from early on. He fell off the tackle that allowed Ryan to go again for his try. He's already about to hit 2,000 minutes for the season. He needs a break. There's been a clear decrease in his influence in recent appearances compared to a couple of months ago.

He was getting sick in d bin at half time when the camera panned to the dressing room.

prawnsambo

Kauto wrote: »

He was getting sick in d bin at half time when the camera panned to the dressing room.

Could have been a bit dehydrated and then took on too much fluid too quickly. It was warm out there yesterday.

Highlights - enjoy!

Leinster 70% possession in the first half.

Squatter

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Looking at Tadhg Beirne in the 2nd half he looked very tired, was always the last player to get back onside. Looks like he could do with a good rest.

Hopefully Munster do the business tomorrow.

Agreed. But it is widely rumoured that Tadhg will be on tour with Ireland during the summer, although maybe Joe won't give him much game time.


I've nothing against Munster, but personally I'd prefer a European Final against a team from outside the Pro 14.

The final when we stuffed Ulster in 2012 was a bit of an anti-climax, and the media in the rest of Europe didn't give it as much coverage as it deserved. And much the same happened in the 2010 final in Paris when Toulouse beat Biarritz.

The 2005 final between Toulouse and SF Paris in Murrayfield was a bit less parochial, probably because Trevor B was playing, as well and the post-match entertainment of seeing the hapless Guy Noves arrested by the Scottish police!

bilston

Skid X wrote: »

That James Ryan "never lost a professional game" stat wrecks my head.

I know it's true, but it hardly seems plausible.

Long may it continue, obviously.

Mauro Itoje was in a similar position not so long ago...

stephen_n

swiwi_ wrote: »

Is it sacrilege to say I was little bit bored by the end, the game was so one-sided

I hope the final is a little more close if I'm honest.

Killed the atmospher a bit in the stadium too, but from a nerves perspective, it saves heart attack’s for fans. Not great for the neutrals though, a bit like watching NZ

foxyladyxx

swiwi_ wrote: »

Is it sacrilege to say I was little bit bored by the end, the game was so one-sided

I hope the final is a little more close if I'm honest.

No I was happy as it was.. They were very clinical and professional. A joy to behold!

Scarlets got a consolation try but I was so proud of our Leinster lads. They were simply unbeatable on the day.

I saw where the Welsh were calling the players arrogant.. I suppose if you are well beaten one has to demean the opposition in some way.

They are simply a team who has got used to winning.

Faugheen

bilston wrote: »

Skid X wrote: »

That James Ryan "never lost a professional game" stat wrecks my head.

I know it's true, but it hardly seems plausible.

Long may it continue, obviously.

Mauro Itoje was in a similar position not so long ago...

Itoje has been playing rugby almost non-stop since his breakthrough.

James Ryan has only played 20 games, and is on the road to a central contract which will only further manage his minutes.

The problem with Itoje now is that he looks shattered. I'd hope that Ryan can kick on and not go through a similar slump.

Buer

Interesting to see the perception from the Scarlets forum is that they cannot compete with Leinster's financial power. Rare to see the provinces viewed in such a manner.

sydthebeat

Buer wrote: »

Interesting to see the perception from the Scarlets forum is that they cannot compete with Leinster's financial power. Rare to see the provinces viewed in such a manner.

Yeah it was weird seeing that.
I remember leinster still disclosing yearly losses up to 2010 I think.

They (scarlets fans) also seemed to imply its our financial clout and ability to pay big wages that is the reason for our success.

While we certainly aren't on the bread line, I would have put our playing population, club and school academy route, and quality of regional and youth amateur coaching as much more significant factors in our success.

Fardy and Lowe are the only big two wage bills leinster have surely? Most of the other senior players are either central contracted, in their twilight or are up and coming....

pickarooney

Maybe they don't have comparable finances at school level to provide the facilities the Leinster players are used to from school age?

Where is this Scarlets forum?

Zzippy

sydthebeat wrote: »

Yeah it was weird seeing that.
I remember leinster still disclosing yearly losses up to 2010 I think.

They (scarlets fans) also seemed to imply its our financial clout and ability to pay big wages that is the reason for our success.

While we certainly aren't on the bread line, I would have put our playing population, club and school academy route, and quality of regional and youth amateur coaching as much more significant factors in our success.

Fardy and Lowe are the only big two wage bills leinster have surely? Most of the other senior players are either central contracted, in their twilight or are up and coming....

This is part of the problem Welsh fans have - they see the Irish provinces as well funded by IRFU - does it really matter where the money comes from, the players are still playing for Leinster? Whereas their teams (except Dragons for the moment) are privately funded with limited support from WRU. Some people on twitter have big shoulder chips about it and are constantly agitating to leave Pro14 and join the English league setup. Faraway hills are green.

stephen_n

Zzippy wrote: »

This is part of the problem Welsh fans have - they see the Irish provinces as well funded by IRFU - does it really matter where the money comes from, the players are still playing for Leinster? Whereas their teams (except Dragons for the moment) are privately funded with limited support from WRU. Some people on twitter have big shoulder chips about it and are constantly agitating to leave Pro14 and join the English league setup. Faraway hills are green.

Scarlets are probably the only Welsh club that would survive in an English/Welsh league. It’s funny as at one stage the Welsh were the big spenders of the Celtic league. Are the WRU not part paying the wages of the internationals? Is that not how 1/2p is playing for Scarlets?

prawnsambo

Zzippy wrote: »

This is part of the problem Welsh fans have - they see the Irish provinces as well funded by IRFU - does it really matter where the money comes from, the players are still playing for Leinster? Whereas their teams (except Dragons for the moment) are privately funded with limited support from WRU. Some people on twitter have big shoulder chips about it and are constantly agitating to leave Pro14 and join the English league setup. Faraway hills are green.

Not sure how they can think that playing in the premiership would bridge the perceived financial divide. They'd be much more the poor relations then. If that were even true.