Leinster vs. Connacht, leg the second (Aviva, Friday 14th April Stupid 5.30pm, BT Sport One)

Dave_The_Sheep

F*ck, I hate the new Boards.ie. More than I hate the kick off time tomorrow, and that's pretty sh*t.

Anyway, Luke Pearce (RFU) takes charge. Leinster replace three, JGP who is free to play (there'll be some uproar if there's a Connacht red for a high tackle in this game) after his citing was dismissed, and Porter and Kelleher return to the front row. Connacht's only change is Blade for Marmion, if I'm reading that right.

I would say that after last week's - I won't quite say scare but - tight scoreline, there'll be a bit less Leinster piss-taking in the thread buildup, but I am also 100% Venjur won't let us down there.

Dave_The_Sheep

15th April. Motherf*cker. There's always something.

Akrasia

Who's stupid idea was 5:30 kick off for a knockout European inter Pro?

At least I'm working from home so I can manage the commute in time to turn it on, but seriously

jimdemp

Connacht pretty much have a 1 off game in a neutral venue to get into the next round, anything can happen. I think the Aviva and time of year will suit their playing style much better then a windy home game. They looked amazing against ulster there

Podge_irl

Its not a neutral venue and they start with a deficit.

TRC10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118929262#Comment_118929262

Ah leave him, he's doing his best

circos

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118928067#Comment_118928067

Yeah its def gonna affect attendance. Had to take a half day annual leave to get to the game. Never had good friday off.

SqueakyKneecap

I know very few (myself included) Connacht supporters that can make the trip up. Even an 8pm KO and you'd probably be talking thousands of additional supporters making the trek. But supporters mean nothing to BT Sport clearly.

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118930426#Comment_118930426

Irish Times says 30,000+ tickets sold. If that's accurate, then it would be at the upper end of expectations for this match.

Dave_The_Sheep

Not in Ireland no. They only give a **** about England.

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118930697#Comment_118930697

Well in fairness that’s just simple maths.

Strumms

5.30 is weird, you think the majority of those prepared to watch on tv would be in work till 5.30 / 6.00. So be missing the majority of the first half with travel time home.

Live Italian football which they are probably contracted to show on later so maybe that’s influenced it.

Jump_In_Jack

I think maybe because it's a public holiday today in the UK that might be why they wanted to spread out the starting times today and wanted the earlier kickoff.

freyners

If Connacht were to pull this off, the front five and the four replacements there are going to need the game of their lives. At minimum we need parity in set pieces. We have a backline that can cause problems if given quality possession.

If Connacht could get the tie back to level by halftime and avoid the Leinster tendency to pull away in the third quarter this could get very interesting.

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118928067#Comment_118928067

On Morning Ireland Des Cahill said the 5.30 kick of was "because it's Good Friday" but that didn't make much sense to me.

Intriguingly, the Lunnon-Irish V Castres game also kicks off at 5.30 this afternoon! So perhaps the Irish Cattlick Church still has a seat on the EPRC Board!

Clegg

I imagine Connacht will look to start like a house on fire ala last week. If Leinster manage their way through that opening 10-15 minutes onslaught they should be fine.

I'm hoping for a relatively comfortably victory. But Connacht, unlike Munster, don't seem to have any fear I'm playing us. Can see this being a very close game.

Venjur

Looks like attendance is going to be down this evening - major traffic issue on the main road out of Galway

BrokenMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118931297#Comment_118931297

It's just our new front row heading up.

roverjoyce

Leinster 1/40 to win & Connacht 18/1 and 23 points favourites

Shows the state of Rugby in Ireland, how can the IRFU say the systems are working,

until the talent pool at academy is distributed it will always be this way

Clegg

One area where I think Leinster might have something up their sleeve is the driving maul. From what I remember of the Munster game and last week, they didn't really use it. It was mostly ball off the top into a set up backs move.

Wonder if we'll look to keep things tight and grind Connacht down before going for their throat?

arsebiscuits1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118931577#Comment_118931577

While Connachts maul D has improved this season (it really had to it was so awful)

They're still a bit vulnerable there

Zzippy

Couldn't travel, can't get to pub and no BT at home. Galway Bay FM it is...

Clegg

Dreadful start.

Nobody there to clear Prendergast out.

ElisaAtWar

A wee bit excited about this one. Super conditions. Hopefully it be a right dinger of a game

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118931592#Comment_118931592

Ten euro for a month of Now TV

Clegg

Jerseys clashing again.

Thought they would've learned after last week.

awec

They really need to introduce better rules about kit clashes.

This is daft.

Clegg

Tbh I wouldn't have an issue if Keenan was yellowed for that.

awec

Keenan is very lucky with how he landed or he’d be gone.

Venjur

The jersey situation if fupping stupid.

Clegg

Another crap start.

Exactly like last week and what we should have been trying to avoid.