Leinster v Munster Semi final Build up thread

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah I heard there were a good few changes so predicted that would be one, but am still surprised as he had a lot of managed time during the 6N.

Looking at that predicted team, I find it hard to believe that all of those changes are about fatigue and managing minutes, I think if it was a Champions cup final this weekend it would be a different 23.

It would, but then we wouldn't have played the same 23 last week. Last week was a real bruiser of a game. Managing guys, especially when you've the faith in their replacements, makes total sense off the back of that. Especially when you consider those guys who started last week have the match plus the celebrations to get over.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Jack O’Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Ciaran Parker, Gerbrandt Grobler, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Darren Sweetnam.

No Chris Cloete. Pity.

Just one change from the Edinburgh game. John Ryan returns from injury to start with Stephen Archer out for the season.

I can’t see your backrow there, oh wait no, that will be tomorrow.

So are Sexton, Kearney, Leavy injured or rested?

stephen_n wrote: »

I can’t see your backrow there, oh wait no, that will be tomorrow.

Bravo sir, bravo.

Just a quick note, I was having a look at the minutes racked up by various people. Devon Toner has played around 1800 minutes this season, 1266 for Leinster and 409 for Ireland. I am not sure anyone else in that Leinster 23 is over 1500 total, so some amount of work he's done for us.

Oooohhhhh, this is getting interesting now. Looking at those squads I think Leinster shade it up front on paper anyway. Our midfield is probably better, with the back 3 being a tough one to call. But Leinster have the better bench. Again on paper. If our heads are right and our recovery from the weekend was good then we should win this. The only concerns I'd have with the starting XV would be how fit Rhys is and how Ross Byrne performs after a few tough weeks in the last month.

Munster have a good front row, a workmanlike second row and a talented but unbalanced back row. It's a pack that could deliver a performance, but also one that this Leinster pack should be able to get on top of. Especially at home. JJH hasn't really shown very much at 10 to date and Munsters centres simply aren't as good as Leinsters. The back 3 is where Munster look their most dangerous and where they could gain an edge. But our back 3 are no slouches either. Possibly some defensive or positioning issues in there, but the attacking threat is pretty obvious. Leinsters impact on the bench up front is pretty huge. Porter vs Parker, Fardy vs Grobler and Deegan vs Copeland are all clear wins for Leinster IMO.

It all comes down to the off-paper stuff though. If Leinsters heads aren't in it then it could be a tough day. Munster won't be short of intent or motivation. We just need to make sure we aren't either. Match them there and I think we win it.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Keet up against Larmour is a fascinating matchup.

The hot steppers???? :cool:

Thats a lot of somewhat leaky outside backs on the pitch for Leinster all at once, and more on the bench.

Im not damning them all, but if Benetton and Connacht could do what they did, Earls, Zebo and Murray will lick their lips.

I wouldnt have rested Robert Kearney.

molloyjh wrote: »

...The only concerns I'd have with the starting XV would be how fit Rhys is and how Ross Byrne performs after a few tough weeks in the last month.
...

Byrne has struggled recently alright, but behind that good pack and Luke McGrath he should get better service. The pack has been poor recently and JGP is very inconsistent, but tomorrow should be better.

JGP has been playing quite well behind the first choice pack lately I think.

25 messages are you serious

Larbre34 wrote: »

Thats a lot of somewhat leaky outside backs on the pitch for Leinster all at once, and more on the bench.

Im not damning them all, but if Benetton and Connacht could do what they did, Earls, Zebo and Murray will lick their lips.

I wouldnt have rested Robert Kearney.

Huge game for JJH. If we [Munster] can get parity at the breakdown, we should be looking to get the ball wide to attack that Leinster back three. Not knocking them, they're amazing players, but I think it's fair to say they'd be more lauded for their attacking play than their defensive abilities.