Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

Clegg

Cronin picked up a knee injury last weekend. Penny hurt his neck against Connacht.

Frawley and Lowe are back in training.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1348632316021796864?s=09

crisco10

Clegg wrote: »

Murray Kinsella tweeted about VDF as well. Think he's beginning to get overlooked in blue and green. Think he has a more rounded game than Connors still.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1348599011251531777?s=09

His tackling was superb (As we have come to expect), but like others I was impressed with his passing. One off his left hand in the 2nd half near the subs bench was an absolute peach.

Sangre

Clegg wrote: »

Murray Kinsella tweeted about VDF as well. Think he's beginning to get overlooked in blue and green. Think he has a more rounded game than Connors still.

I know this wasn't the point of your post but I am slightly lost as to why Connors has jumped ahead of so many players for Leinster/Ireland. Not sure I see what the coaches see yet.

molloyjh

Sangre wrote: »

I know this wasn't the point of your post but I am slightly lost as to why Connors has jumped ahead of so many players for Leinster/Ireland. Not sure I see what the coaches see yet.

Workrate. The guy is a machine in defence and has shown some good link play at times. And he doesn't stop. He's shown a level of consistency across all levels too. He's not particularly flash, but he is just so reliable.

Former Former Former

Connors is a very good player but has never hit the levels of peak VDF.

VDF was really off the boil when we came back from lockdown and deserved to lose his spot, but his last few appearances have been much improved, I thought he had a fantastic game against Ulster.

OneLungDavy

Sangre wrote: »

I know this wasn't the point of your post but I am slightly lost as to why Connors has jumped ahead of so many players for Leinster/Ireland. Not sure I see what the coaches see yet.

Mainly because he's a collision winner in defence, which is something Ireland specifically have missed for a while now. In all my years watching rugby I can't remember a better tackler in Ireland, his technique and timing is perfection.

Exclamation Marc

Heineken Cup has been suspended. Hopefully we can get some interpros in their place.

Sheep Shagger

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Heineken Cup has been suspended. Hopefully we can get some interpros in their place.

Can see elite sport here being scrapped with the growing numbers of COVID cases.

Sangre

molloyjh wrote: »

Workrate. The guy is a machine in defence and has shown some good link play at times. And he doesn't stop. He's shown a level of consistency across all levels too. He's not particularly flash, but he is just so reliable.

I do see that but to me that alone shouldn't have him where he is now given the backrow talent in the country. You've essentially described him as a grafter which is usually what you'd describe a player because all the other options are a bit. eh, crap. Who knows, maybe as players return to form he will drop down the pecking order.

Don't get me wrong, he is clearly very good and is consistently picked so I suspect I am selling him short.

cameramonkey

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Can see elite sport here being scrapped with the growing numbers of COVID cases.

Cases are going down.

arsebiscuits1

cameramonkey wrote: »

Cases are going down.

No, cases have stabilised.

Which is better than it was but they've stabilised at the highest rate of any country globally.

But I digress. This isn't the covid forum. And I'd prefer to keep it that way.

Leinster are great

Dubinusa

I thought VDF was brilliant this past weekend. MOTM for me. And yes, I rate him over Connors.
Ryan was fantastic too. He's developing a nice edge and is really becoming a leader. I think the more carries he gets the better he and those around him are. One thing that's come to my attention is he seems to be giving away penalties. More so than I can recall.
RB surprised me. Very good shift. Larmour was good and I think he's better suited to the wing. Keenan was outstanding.
All in all Leinster looked good. Healy again looked empty carrying the ball. He made little gain and Ulster handled him easily.
Very good match. Great result.

FACECUTTR

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Can see elite sport here being scrapped with the growing numbers of COVID cases.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. GPs in a county with large numbers that borders dublin reporting less referrals since last Wednesday. It will take another week and a half for that to show in the numbers. I know it's only 1 county but its promising news.

degsie

Good to see James Lowe back in the mix

Clegg

https://twitter.com/westernforce/status/1348888041885106178?s=09

ionadnapokot

He looks better in Green!

salmocab

Like anyone that’s played any sport at any level I strongly suspect he joined for the free gear.

ionadnapokot

salmocab wrote: »

Like anyone that’s played any sport at any level I strongly suspect he joined for the free gear.

No sponsor on the gear either. I like.

I love that stick he's holding

dub_skav

salmocab wrote: »

Like anyone that’s played any sport at any level I strongly suspect he joined for the free gear.

All the way to Australia, 2 week in quarantine.

Sorry, who makes your gear......

salmocab

dub_skav wrote: »

All the way to Australia, 2 week in quarantine.

Sorry, who makes your gear......

Now I happen to know for a fact you’d do that just for a white T-shirt with a tooheys logo

bayern

If I was any older pro in ireland i'd see if they were interested, get away from this mess and over to Australia..

ionadnapokot

bayern wrote: »

If I was any older pro in ireland i'd see if they were interested, get away from this mess and over to Australia..

Cough..Sexton..Cough Cough

thomond2006

I think James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Garry Ringrose have achieved all they are going to achieve and should leave Leinster.

ionadnapokot

Dont forget Furlong

dregin

salmocab wrote: »

Like anyone that’s played any sport at any level I strongly suspect he joined for the free gear.

Down to the O'Neill's factory shop on the Long Mile Road for all your cheap Ozzy rugby gear needs. Picked up a lovely Brumbie's top for 20 quid there in the before times.

Clegg

Ruddock has now won every Leinster Player of the Month this season. Best player in the country right now.

https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/1348966598082703368?s=09

Burkie1203

https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/1348953625423392769?s=19

Clegg

Interesting.

This weekend was supposed to be a Champions Cup one. Wonder would the provinces be allowed field a full strength side?

thomond2006

Clegg wrote: »

Interesting.

This weekend was supposed to be a Champions Cup one. Wonder would the provinces be allowed field a full strength side?

Why wouldn't they be allowed field full strength sides is the question. The top internationals have had two weeks off.

Exclamation Marc

thomond2006 wrote: »

Why wouldn't they be allowed field full strength sides is the question. The top internationals have had two weeks off.

And the Six Nations may end up postponed so no value at all in holding anyone back.