Leinster vs La Rochelle

A-Train

How long is advantage??? Must have been at least a minute.

Leinster not great at all here.

Squidgy Black

Leyds is absolutely comical

AbusesToilets

La Rochelle have been fairly comfortable on top the last 10mins or so. Their defense is really smothering

fitz

What a pass from Lowe, shame about the follow up.

crisco10

So close.

A-Train

Ah just hold on the pass.

fitz

Harsh, given some of what LAR have gotten away with a rucks the last few minutes.

AbusesToilets

That was a touch inconsistent of a call there. Unfortunate, good build up beforehand

crisco10

Lar phase play is pretty strong. Somewhat surprised they haven't got closer to a try. But have shown willing to take the 3 I suppose.

Eod100

Decent half. Much better than yesterday's match so far.

UAEguy2020

The game is there for Leinster but this is sadly the typical Irish performance, we make the most of the chances we get and anytime we get into the opposition half we get turned over far too easily. That wouldn’t be a huge issue if we were squeaky clean defensively but when you are considering such cheap penalties and make hard work out fo every attack to score you aren’t a scary team to play against.

swiwi_

Phew this is tight. LAR discipline shocking at the start but with some possession they look dangerous.

Carling is reffing well imo.

If LAR score first after the break this will be nail biting.

Pity Larmour didn’t find McGrath with his pass, could well have been a try.

sydthebeat

Tight game.

Some of Leinsters pens have been thick.

Not sure the tactic of using ringrose to crash up is paying dividends.

AdamD

That last holding on call was crazy short

La Rochelle seem to be making ground easier than Leinster

aloooof

Enjoyable game, this. La Rochelle the happier of the 2 going in at HT, you'd imagine. Flashes of quality back play from both teams, whoever can make one stick might edge it.

sydthebeat

AdamD wrote: »

That last holding on call was crazy short

It was for ringrose not controlling himself at the ruck... He flew in off his feet.

It wasn't for holding on

swiwi_

Dylan Leyds is having a mare. It’s wing play 101 that you dont catch a ball in a sunny day by staring into the sun. Turn sideways.

yosser hughes

My impression is that is that LaRochelle have had to work a lot harder for their points. Some players look tired already.
I'm hoping fitness will be a factor.

Clegg

We've been ok. Started off very well but after 10 minutes it seems like we dipped our level and our ability to go through many phases fizzled out. We've defended generally decently.

Need to actually keep hold of the ball and stretch La Rochelle's massive pack. Not sure we'll win this as La Rochelle finished that half extremely well which is something we always try to do and pull away on the scoreboard.

The opening 20 mins if the second half will be huge.

molloyjh

Does anyone know what happened to Ruddock? It was so annoying that French TV would show us Baird getting ready to come on but give us no clue as to who he was replacing, let alone why.

So far I reckon LAR have been the better side. Some early ill discipline hurt them but they've been on top since. We're struggling to get any decent front foot against a really powerful pack and a very good defensive set up. We've had some joy down the wings but are struggling to get it out there.

KaneToad

swiwi_ wrote: »

Phew this is tight. LAR discipline shocking at the start but with some possession they look dangerous.

Carling is reffing well imo.

If LAR score first after the break this will be nail biting.

Pity Larmour didn’t find McGrath with his pass, could well have been a try.

A fraction higher on the pass and McGrath would have had a chance at converting. It's a game of inches.

swiwi_

molloyjh wrote: »

Does anyone know what happened to Ruddock? It was so annoying that French TV would show us Baird getting ready to come on but give us no clue as to who he was replacing, let alone why.

So far I reckon LAR have been the better side. Some early ill discipline hurt them but they've been on top since. We're struggling to get any decent front foot against a really powerful pack and a very good defensive set up. We've had some joy down the wings but are struggling to get it out there.

According to French tv a leg issue.

KaneToad

molloyjh wrote: »

Does anyone know what happened to Ruddock? It was so annoying that French TV would show us Baird getting ready to come on but give us no clue as to who he was replacing, let alone why.

So far I reckon LAR have been the better side. Some early ill discipline hurt them but they've been on top since. We're struggling to get any decent front foot against a really powerful pack and a very good defensive set up. We've had some joy down the wings but are struggling to get it out there.

Then they seemed to show a slo mo of Ruddock watching a penalty being slotted over the post....after he was off??

Maybe I'm mistaken, it could have been Toner - I think they share a barber.

AbusesToilets

swiwi_ wrote: »

According to French tv a leg issue.

Balls, he's a massive loss. Especially if it means Tonwr has to go the distance

locum-motion

Is it permitted to ask for a link where one can watch the match?

crisco10

8f baird held that...try time.

Eod100

Ruddock off for calf injury

AbusesToilets

That was so close....

Podge_irl

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Balls, he's a massive loss. Especially if it means Tonwr has to go the distance

It doesn't. Fardy is on the bench

AbusesToilets

Healy has quietly been having a great game. Had some strong carries and done his opposite in the scrum a few times

Edit: as I type it lol