Leinster Vs Bath 15th Dec 17:30 BT Sport 2

Clegg

Deleted User wrote: »

Clegg wrote: »

Have to say lads, Bath's forwards have gotten the better in the tight exchanges quite a bit.

Bath have a big pack and they are playing ultra physical rugby.

They are playing that way, because that's the only way they can play - and Leinster are running rings around them.

You're right, but that doesn't excuse Leinster's relatively poor work at the breakdown all the same.

Clegg

Clegg wrote: »

You're right, but that doesn't excuse Leinster's relatively poor work at the breakdown all the same.

Yeah we somewhat came off second best but then again those 4 first half tries all came from quick, aggressive gainline ball and then just moving the ball through the hands. We were looking to clear the breakdown before there was a contest and with the accuracy of our carrying it worked very well. It did mean that if the initial tackler(s) were able to get any kind of a hand on the ball for a half second they had a chance of getting over and completing the steal.

It was the same tactic as last week, I think the two noticeable differences this week were our meters gained in the tackle and Bath's line speed wasn't quite what it was in the Rec. Just that inch either way and it's a very different game.

Leinster adapted more in the week to Bath than vice versa. Sexton was a lot more solid this week also and having not kicked wide at all last week he does it this week to great effect. Adam Byrne had a good game, to come from playing A-rugby earlier in the season to putting that performance in against Bath is a statement. He did have a hand in one of their try's, he was in a position to go low and stop the drive but he didn't impact the carry at much at all.

Burkie1203

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yeah we somewhat came off second best but then again those 4 first half tries all came from quick, aggressive gainline ball and then just moving the ball through the hands. We were looking to clear the breakdown before there was a contest and with the accuracy of our carrying it worked very well. It did mean that if the initial tackler(s) were able to get any kind of a hand on the ball for a half second they had a chance of getting over and completing the steal.

It was the same tactic as last week, I think the two noticeable differences this week were our meters gained in the tackle and Bath's line speed wasn't quite what it was in the Rec. Just that inch either way and it's a very different game.

Leinster adapted more in the week to Bath than vice versa. Sexton was a lot more solid this week also and having not kicked wide at all last week he does it this week to great effect. Adam Byrne had a good game, to come from playing A-rugby earlier in the season to putting that performance in against Bath is a statement. He did have a hand in one of their try's, he was in a position to go low and stop the drive but he didn't impact the carry at much at all.

Think Leinster were able to move further away from the breakdown with the better conditions in the first half which meant Bath weren't as effective. It gave Leinster much quicker ball to work with and an extra second or two

Last 20-25 was poor as Leinster went through motions and Bath just gave up. No obvious injuries either.

Faugheen

I thought Adam Byrne was excellent to be honest. Strong in the air and a nuisance throughout.

kravmaga

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The crowd seems small with the weather

I was there in the Upper south stand, Aviva was nearly full, great atmosphere

Burkie1203

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Think Leinster were able to move further away from the breakdown with the better conditions in the first half which meant Bath weren't as effective. It gave Leinster much quicker ball to work with and an extra second or two

Last 20-25 was poor as Leinster went through motions and Bath just gave up. No obvious injuries either.

The subs started very early as well and while it was a strong bench you just lose a bit of cohesion.

Leinster needed the BP and it was in the bag by half time. Decent going as far as I'm concerned.

cameramonkey

Faugheen wrote: »

I thought Adam Byrne was excellent to be honest. Strong in the air and a nuisance throughout.

He is a big lad but looks a bit slow in all out speed.

Faugheen

Faugheen wrote: »

I thought Adam Byrne was excellent to be honest. Strong in the air and a nuisance throughout.

I was at the match so you miss a good bit but I thought all our backs were pretty good. Reid shouldn't ever start in front of ROL again and I really hope Byrne can deliver on the promise he was showing about 2 seasons back. Larmour was very good as well, he's just lethal in situations like the 2nd try. If he doesn't score himself he'll set someone else up instead.

I don't think the forwards are at the pitch they hit last year, think they've another gear they can hit.

Dave_The_Sheep

kravmaga wrote: »

I was there in the Upper south stand, Aviva was nearly full, great atmosphere

Not even close to nearly full. Not even close to close to nearly full.

There were a ****load of empty seats.

Atmosphere was ... so so. Good at times, poor at others. Far from great.

Digifriendly

Attendance was just over 40,000 according to ECC website.

Burkie1203

Digifriendly wrote: »

Attendance was just over 40,000 according to ECC website.

Weather probably caused a few thousand with tickets to no show and guess very few walk ups on the night

prawnsambo

Devin Toner made a whopping 20 tackles, missing none. Next to him was Dan Leavy who made 13 and missed 1. JvdF was surprisingly quiet with just 7 and missing 1. In carries, Jack Conan led the pack with 41m from 10. James Ryan made 31 from 14. Obviously, the most metres was made by Larmour with 98.

Most clean breaks were Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose and Jack Conan with two apiece.

salmocab

Lowe must be some serious pain to play against. It seems every week he does something cheeky or clever and all with a big grin on his face.

prawnsambo

prawnsambo wrote: »

Devin Toner made a whopping 20 tackles, missing none. Next to him was Dan Leavy who made 13 and missed 1. JvdF was surprisingly quiet with just 7 and missing 1. In carries, Jack Conan led the pack with 41m from 10. James Ryan made 31 from 14. Obviously, the most metres was made by Larmour with 98.

Most clean breaks were Adam Byrne, Garry Ringrose and Jack Conan with two apiece.

VdF came off after about 43 mins.

prawnsambo

Kristopher Big Tackle wrote: »

VdF came off after about 43 mins.

I know that. But that's still not up to his usual standard. If he'd doubled his tackle count, he'd still have been well behind Toner.

prawnsambo

prawnsambo wrote: »

I know that. But that's still not up to his usual standard. If he'd doubled his tackle count, he'd still have been well behind Toner.

7 tackles in a half where Leinster had 60% possession is fine. There was no problem with his work rate.

Faugheen

prawnsambo wrote: »

I know that. But that's still not up to his usual standard. If he'd doubled his tackle count, he'd still have been well behind Toner.

7 tackles in the 16 mins (roughly) Leinster didn't have possession in the first half is 1 every 2 mins. That's excellent work rate and up there with his usual numbers.

Anyone know why he was taken off so early in the second half, btw?

Ruddock put in some great work when he came on actually. One instance where he chased down a grubber kick and dived at the ball to keep possession.

salmocab

Faugheen wrote: »

7 tackles in the 16 mins (roughly) Leinster didn't have possession in the first half is 1 every 2 mins. That's excellent work rate and up there with his usual numbers.

Anyone know why he was taken off so early in the second half, btw?

Ruddock put in some great work when he came on actually. One instance where he chased down a grubber kick and dived at the ball to keep possession.

He didn’t seem to have any issue when he went off,I’d say it was a plan that all going well him and Ruddock got a half each.

Podge_irl

salmocab wrote: »

He didn’t seem to have any issue when he went off,I’d say it was a plan that all going well him and Ruddock got a half each.

Surely you'd just swap at the half so. A planned substitution at 43 minutes doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

irishbucsfan

Podge_irl wrote: »

Surely you'd just swap at the half so. A planned substitution at 43 minutes doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

If Ruddock was in the dressing room at half time it'd give him a chance to get warm

prawnsambo

Kristopher Big Tackle wrote: »

7 tackles in a half where Leinster had 60% possession is fine. There was no problem with his work rate.

Fair enough. Just thought he was quieter than usual in his last two outings. He's generally never out-tackled by any of his team mates, but he has been in the last two matches, albeit marginally.

Faugheen

prawnsambo wrote: »

Fair enough. Just thought he was quieter than usual in his last two outings. He's generally never out-tackled by any of his team mates, but he has been in the last two matches, albeit marginally.

I think some people (not just you) are being a bit harsh on him because he's not putting up the freak numbers he was at the start of the season.

Last week the back-row as a whole weren't great, and his numbers don't look the best, but you have to remember there was at least one try-saving tackle he had to make in that game.

He's still going really well, in my opinion.

prawnsambo

Faugheen wrote: »

I think some people (not just you) are being a bit harsh on him because he's not putting up the freak numbers he was at the start of the season.

Last week the back-row as a whole weren't great, and his numbers don't look the best, but you have to remember there was at least one try-saving tackle he had to make in that game.

He's still going really well, in my opinion.

Ah, I'm not having a go at him. One of my favourite players for Leinster and Ireland. More a bit concerned if he's carrying an injury that's limiting his game a bit. The fact he went off so early was part of my thinking on that.

Shefwedfan

The likes of VDF etc will all get a nice Christmas break now....any of those little niggles will clear up so they are ready for the big games in Jan and onto the 6 nations......

It's time for the kids to get a run out again.

Dubinusa

I agree. Some rotation needed to rest players. Next week Connacht most likely will be full strength as the rested lads over the past 2 weeks. I think we'll see a big turnover for that match.

stephen_n

Dubinusa wrote: »

I agree. Some rotation needed to rest players. Next week Connacht most likely will be full strength as the rested lads over the past 2 weeks. I think we'll see a big turnover for that match.

I’d imagine we’ll go strong at home and send the kids to Munster

salmocab

stephen_n wrote: »

I’d imagine we’ll go strong at home and send the kids to Munster

Poor Munster

stephen_n

salmocab wrote: »

Poor Munster

Worked last year :pac:

Shefwedfan

stephen_n wrote: »

I’d imagine we’ll go strong at home and send the kids to Munster

Before, during and after the game the kids have to listen to the same question:


"Any chance you want to play for Munster" :P

stephen_n

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Before, during and after the game the kids have to listen to the same question:


"Any chance you want to play for Munster" :P

January sales

Early in the match the commentators were talking about lack of depth in mid field, they basically said 12 was the one position where they had no one to replace Henshaw etc. BOD agreed and I felt at the time it was a bit mean spirited to O'Loughlin albeit not unfair necessarily, but saying little at all positive about the guy. Not going to be easy as a young centre in Ireland hearing that kind of feedback from Drico.

I kinda thought the MOTM was probably as a result of that being pointed out to the commentators. O'Loughlin was very good, don't get me wrong but there were a few who were more influential on the game.

Bath should be sick to concede a try like James Lowe's at this level - he wasn't even obvious about it, had to go and retrieve the ball and still no one was paying attention. He really does plays at a different tempo and his rugby IQ is sky high. He's constantly live to any opportunity within the rules to eek out further advantage, and it's no surprise that he spotted Bath completely switched off.

Steve

Deleted User wrote: »

Early in the match the commentators were talking about lack of depth in mid field, they basically said 12 was the one position where they had no one to replace Henshaw etc. BOD agreed and I felt at the time it was a bit mean spirited to O'Loughlin albeit not unfair necessarily, but saying little at all positive about the guy. Not going to be easy as a young centre in Ireland hearing that kind of feedback from Drico.

I kinda thought the MOTM was probably as a result of that being pointed out to the commentators. O'Loughlin was very good, don't get me wrong but there were a few who were more influential on the game.

Bath should be sick to concede a try like James Lowe's at this level - he wasn't even obvious about it, had to go and retrieve the ball and still no one was paying attention. He really does plays at a different tempo and his rugby IQ is sky high. He's constantly live to any opportunity within the rules to eek out further advantage, and it's no surprise that he spotted Bath completely switched off.

I don't think JL even believed it himself, he got that ball, paused as if to say 'wait, what, is this really happening??' and then ran...

Fair play to him, it was a great play.


Also loved the bit in the first half where Joe was spotted and put up on the screens!!

Shefwedfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Bath should be sick to concede a try like James Lowe's at this level - he wasn't even obvious about it, had to go and retrieve the ball and still no one was paying attention. He really does plays at a different tempo and his rugby IQ is sky high. He's constantly live to any opportunity within the rules to eek out further advantage, and it's no surprise that he spotted Bath completely switched off.

It was an opportunistic try, Madigan used to do it all the time, scored a few if I remember

ROG got one against SA one time as well?



Players switch off, even I had switched off :P

arsebiscuits1

Deleted User wrote: »

Early in the match the commentators were talking about lack of depth in mid field, they basically said 12 was the one position where they had no one to replace Henshaw etc. BOD agreed and I felt at the time it was a bit mean spirited to O'Loughlin albeit not unfair necessarily, but saying little at all positive about the guy. Not going to be easy as a young centre in Ireland hearing that kind of feedback from Drico.

I kinda thought the MOTM was probably as a result of that being pointed out to the commentators. O'Loughlin was very good, don't get me wrong but there were a few who were more influential on the game.

Bath should be sick to concede a try like James Lowe's at this level - he wasn't even obvious about it, had to go and retrieve the ball and still no one was paying attention. He really does plays at a different tempo and his rugby IQ is sky high. He's constantly live to any opportunity within the rules to eek out further advantage, and it's no surprise that he spotted Bath completely switched off.

I'm never going to begrudge a player MOTM. Fair play to ROL for getting it. Delighted for the chap and I'm sure it means a lot to him.

I though James Ryan was head and shoulders on his own though. He is just a monster and he clearly went out with a point to prove after the pack struggled physically last week. Smashed lads behind the gainline and got serious front foot ball.

That James Lowe try was gas ha. I look at him sprinting to the mark thinking "it's normally the 9s job to do the cheeky fake kick to keep the opposition interested"

Followed by "oh there he goes he's tapped it"

Followed by laughter. Only player on the pitch crazy enough to try it.

arsebiscuits1

Shefwedfan wrote: »

It was an opportunistic try, Madigan used to do it all the time, scored a few if I remember

ROG got one against SA one time as well?



Players switch off, even I had switched off :P

Mads did it against Ulster when faking a kick to the corner. He got very lucky though. He was able to roll over and dot down because Pienaar had stopped him. Any other player and he wouldn't have scored. As I recall that was a tight game too.

The ROG one against South Africa was controversial because the ref had just given out to their captain about discipline and told him to go talk to his players. While he was doing that, ROG tapped and went. Probably shouldn't have stood.

Shefwedfan

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Mads did it against Ulster when faking a kick to the corner. He got very lucky though. He was able to roll over and dot down because Pienaar had stopped him. Any other player and he wouldn't have scored. As I recall that was a tight game too.

The ROG one against South Africa was controversial because the ref had just given out to their captain about discipline and told him to go talk to his players. While he was doing that, ROG tapped and went. Probably shouldn't have stood.

The best was Robbie Keane standing behind the goal keeper till he dropped the ball, then ran around and took it off him and scored

dregin

Deleted User wrote: »

Early in the match the commentators were talking about lack of depth in mid field, they basically said 12 was the one position where they had no one to replace Henshaw etc. BOD agreed and I felt at the time it was a bit mean spirited to O'Loughlin albeit not unfair necessarily, but saying little at all positive about the guy. Not going to be easy as a young centre in Ireland hearing that kind of feedback from Drico.

I kinda thought the MOTM was probably as a result of that being pointed out to the commentators. O'Loughlin was very good, don't get me wrong but there were a few who were more influential on the game.

Bath should be sick to concede a try like James Lowe's at this level - he wasn't even obvious about it, had to go and retrieve the ball and still no one was paying attention. He really does plays at a different tempo and his rugby IQ is sky high. He's constantly live to any opportunity within the rules to eek out further advantage, and it's no surprise that he spotted Bath completely switched off.

I don't know if I'm being paranoid, but BOD really seems to go out of his way to say as little positive about Leinster as possible when commentating for BT.

dregin

dregin wrote: »

I don't know if I'm being paranoid, but BOD really seems to go out of his way to say as little positive about Leinster as possible when commentating for BT.

I don't think your paranoid, I think he's just saying it at a frequency only you can hear.

Shefwedfan

dregin wrote: »

I don't know if I'm being paranoid, but BOD really seems to go out of his way to say as little positive about Leinster as possible when commentating for BT.

I can't find it now...

Someone mentioned to BOD on Twitter he wasn't very positive towards Leinster


He replied saying the week before he had complaints about been too positive towards Leinster....

I dont think he will ever win that battle:P

Clegg

BoD is very measured in his praise. Maybe he wants to keep that air of impartiality. I prefer that to the out and out cheer leading the English commentators do for Aviva Premiership sides.

Shefwedfan

Clegg wrote: »

BoD is very measured in his praise. Maybe he wants to keep that air of impartiality. I prefer that to the out and out cheer leading the English commentators do for Aviva Premiership sides.

The Wasps game was a joke, as they tried to make excuses for why Wasps where absolutely brutal

swiwi_

Clegg wrote: »

BoD is very measured in his praise. Maybe he wants to keep that air of impartiality. I prefer that to the out and out cheer leading the English commentators do for Aviva Premiership sides.

Unfortunately I just can’t stand his voice. It’s like a castrated cat. He also doesn’t say too much that is amazingly insightful.

I could listen to Warburton all day, by far and away the best former player pundit. Even if he was a total prick back in the day, Healy was decent enough in combination with Warburton yesterday I thought.

Burkie1203

swiwi_ wrote: »

Unfortunately I just can’t stand his voice. It’s like a castrated cat. He also doesn’t say too much that is amazingly insightful.

I could listen to Warburton all day, by far and away the best former player pundit. Even if he was a total prick back in the day, Healy was decent enough in combination with Warburton yesterday I thought.

Healey can't be great or awful. No in between

Elvisjuice

swiwi_ wrote: »

Unfortunately I just can’t stand his voice. It’s like a castrated cat. He also doesn’t say too much that is amazingly insightful.

I could listen to Warburton all day, by far and away the best former player pundit. Even if he was a total prick back in the day, Healy was decent enough in combination with Warburton yesterday I thought.

Healy is awful was one sided pundit around

Dubinusa

Finally, got to watch it. Vast improvement over last week.
Gotta say, I thought Conan was immense. His control at the base of the scrum was fantastic. He was my motm.
I thought Larmour went well and created stuff outta nothing. AB was very good and really adds another dimension to the attacking game.
The entire team was excellent and the gameplan was executed brilliantly.
Changing the points of attack and the kicking was really top notch.
Still, 3 big tilts coming up. Some of the lads could really use a break.
I thought we were slow getting the subs on. Sexton and Ringrose could have gone off earlier imo. Toner too, could have been removed earlier.
I reckon we'll see at least 6 changes this coming week.

troyzer

Elvisjuice wrote: »

Healy is awful was one sided pundit around

Liam Toland during that Munster game in October was just insufferable.

Elvisjuice

troyzer wrote: »

Liam Toland during that Munster game in October was just insufferable.

yep