Match Thread: Leinster v Northampton, 03/05/25

there were 6k at Munsters 1st Heineken cup game in Nov 1995. The Leinster Lions had 4k at their first home game.

Makes sense actually. But bizarrely the ref 100% said it was because the ball hit the flag post...

I think the ref got that wrong

Here here. A super result for Northampton. Showed a real ability to learn from loosing big matches and come back a year later with a plan and win against the odds.

Leinster yet again make all the wrong decisions at the end of the game. Clueless cup rugby. 5 stars further and further away.

Congratulations to Northampton. A famous win that will hopefully propel them to the title and good luck to them.

One of the few certainties in these crazy times is that Leinster will once again bottle it and sh*t the bed when it really matters. Considering the resources this club has compared to other Irish sides their record over the last number of years is inexcusable.

I don't know what it will take to turn this shower of perennial underachieving losers into a winning team. I thought the addition of the Barrett, Snyman and a world cup winning coach would finally do it, but it seems even that is not enough. Just like the Irish team at world cups, when the pressure is on they mentally collapse. They are serial bottlers and the biggest underachievers in world rugby. The only Irish winner today is Crowley, because Prendergast has been found out. Big time. He should not be anywhere near a Lions team. The other loser today was Nienaber. Incredible to think just a couple of weeks ago, the rugby world was oohing and ahhing at Leinster not conceding a single point in over 160 minutes of rugby. Where was that much vaunted defensive system today? Northampton tore it to shreds. Lancaster will no doubt have a smirk on his face after watching that shambles.

Finally Cullen is a fraud. A total fraud. I have been a Leinster fan for decades, but I will no longer support this team as long as he is being paid to lead it. I don't give a damn if he comes back with a URC title this year, that would only paper over the cracks. He just is not up to it at this level. I don't know what the solution is, but the culture of a side comes from the top and the buck stops with him. He cannot escape responsibility for this sh*t show. He has failed over and over again and needs to be shown the door.

Given the age profile of key players our side like JGP, I can only see a period of significant decline ahead. The coaching ticket have p*ssed away a golden generation of players. What a waste.

Ball was touching the corner flag when grounded, was the reason for no try was how I took it.

In response to fullstop

Are you at least charging Munster rent?

Nah, I understand not wanting Ross Byrne to have a go at that one.

Another year another crushing disappointment. Once again when I looked at the team selected I was worried we hadn't selected our best starting team and had perhaps underestimated the challenge. Unfortunately, the common denominator now is Leo Cullen and I expect he'll step aside now.

Beaten by the better team to be fair, and full credit to Northampton for some incredible attacking rugby.

No starting Barrett was a monumental **** up.