Is that a Mountain of Salt? Nope, it's the Leinster v Munster build up thread/love in

nerd69

Clegg wrote: »

The front five and back line are as expected, but that's a very interesting back row. Looks like an attempt to counter Munsters added power with our own big ball carriers. Could also be very useful as a dry run for Saracens.

Makes sense. I think we tried similar with Doris,cj,vdf to start the 6 nation's more physical back row seems to be the way to go at the moment

Richie_Rich89

Scottmactom wrote: »

Rumoured Leinster starting XV

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Porter
4. Baird
5. Fardy
6. Doris
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
9. McGrath
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. D. Kearney
15. Larmour

Quite a lot of carrying power in that pack. The obvious flaws are the lack of size in the second row and all the outside backs bar Lowe being quite limited and one-dimensional and lacking in playmaking ability.

Munster should have no trouble winning their own lineout ball anyway with 6'9'' Snyman playing.

CMcsporty

Why would you call Ringrose one dimensional?

Scottmactom

Scottmactom wrote: »

Rumoured Leinster starting XV

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Porter
4. Baird
5. Fardy
6. Doris
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
9. McGrath
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. D. Kearney
15. Larmour

Big vote of confidence in Porter and Baird but can't read too much into it either. I had thought of going 6 Doris 8 Conan in my team but wasn't sure given the intensity of this game and the length of Conan's absence.

That would be a great team to watch - loads of mobility and go forward. Ryle Nugent can loose it over Baird's long legs again.

croker99

When are the teams due to be announced?

Squidgy Black

croker99 wrote: »

When are the teams due to be announced?

Tomorrow

Full strength teams getting reported

Neil3030

What will Awec be grumpy about?

lawrencesummers

I can see this as being the first game of a run that culminates in a Double for Leinster, untouchable in the league before lockdown the consistency and coaching of such a quality settled squad is something none of the other opponents in league or cup can boast at the moment.

I would expect a 15-20 point victory here, and the start of a great run of games.

theboss80

The betting line before the teams are announced is Leinster -9pts

arsebiscuits1

CMcsporty wrote: »

Why would you call Ringrose one dimensional?

To try get a rise out of people.

Poor rich is getting lazier in his attempts

Poorside

lawrencesummers wrote: »

I would expect a 15-20 point victory here, and the start of a great run of games.

Can't see that, think we'll win by 8

Former Former

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Porter
4. Baird
5. Fardy
6. Doris
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
9. McGrath
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. D. Kearney
15. Larmour

6-2 split on the bench; very interesting - response to the bulk of the Munster lads?

Cronin, E Byrne, Bent, Toner, Connors, JGP, R Byrne, Deegan

Clegg

No outside backs cover is very interesting.

Looks like we're concerned with the power game Munsters new signings bring.

irishbucsfan

No outside back on the bench?

Clegg

Delighted to see Baird start btw. He's a potentially test level talent and needs all the game time he can get. Just 21 so he has s lot of scope to improve.

No Furlong in the squad either. Hopefully nothing serious.

Podge_irl

Leinster by 59

Clegg

That's a very dynamic Leinster pack. Fardy and Healy the elder statesmen there but they still cover the ground well.

Hugely exciting backrow as well. Conan and Doris is as strong a ball carrying pairing as I can think of. But they don't have a problem doing the dirty work either.

rayd3

Arno must have been devo at not getting into the team this week.

yerrahbah

Former Former wrote: »

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Porter
4. Baird
5. Fardy
6. Doris
7. Van Der Flier
8. Conan
9. McGrath
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. D. Kearney
15. Larmour

6-2 split on the bench; very interesting - response to the bulk of the Munster lads?

Cronin, E Byrne, Bent, Toner, Connors, JGP, R Byrne, Deegan

I know Munster have had a 6-2 split a few times this year, Have Leinster?

What happens if Lowe were to get injured?
Larmour to the wing, Henshaw to Fullback, Byrne to the centre?

Tomtom364

Former Former wrote: »

6-2 split on the bench; very interesting - response to the bulk of the Munster lads?

What Bulk, JVG Has decided to go with the lighter options of Holland & O'Donnell in the back 5 and to a lesser extent Cronin in the front row, wouldn't be less bulk but he sure dosn't carry as hard as killer.

The key issue for Munster against Leinster/Sarries etc was not having the power to impose their gameplan. This looks like it could be more of the same.

The only area to me where it looks like Munster could get an upperhand with power is through the Midfield with DdA & Farrell, very excited to see what they can achieve.

Rockbeast2

yerrahbah wrote: »

I know Munster have had a 6-2 split a few times this year, Have Leinster?

What happens if Lowe were to get injured?
Larmour to the wing, Henshaw to Fullback, Byrne to the centre?

It's a strange one. I'm not a fan of 3 positional changes for one injury.

I would have thought Frawley covering 10/12/15 instead of Byrne if going with a 6/2 split.

yerrahbah

Seeing the teams, you'd have to have Leinster as favourites, Didn't expect them to as strong as they have

Podge_irl

Rockbeast2 wrote: »

It's a strange one. I'm not a fan of 3 positional changes for one injury.

I would have thought Frawley covering 10/12/15 instead of Byrne if going with a 6/2 split.

I suspect JGP might find himself out on the wing if anything happened in the back 3?

Rockbeast2

Podge_irl wrote: »

I suspect JGP might find himself out on the wing if anything happened in the back 3?

TBH I wouldn't be surprised to see a change at 22 or 23 before KO.

thomond2006

It's difficult to read much into the teamsheets. We haven't seen anyone play for months so a lot probably comes down to testing combinations and form in training.

lawrencesummers

rayd3 wrote: »

Arno must have been devo at not getting into the team this week.

Kinda hard for any player no matter how good they are To get into a team that isn’t playing at the weekend.

aloooof

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Kinda hard for any player no matter how good they are To get into a team that isn’t playing at the weekend.

Precisely. It's a reference to a Gavin Cummiskey article during the week, who suggested he could be included in the Munster team.

Clegg

Clegg wrote: »

No outside backs cover is very interesting.

Looks like we're concerned with the power game Munsters new signings bring.

You could likely stick Baird on the wing...!