Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

The worst part of that few phases of play was how Leinster got sent backwards in the maul. They got manhandled back 5 meters.

pollock went for the ball, didn’t get it, it could as easily have been a peno against McCarthy as he didn’t release, pollock went to ground away from the ball, needed to roll away, but the saints lock had got there in the meantime.

I don’t see much wrong with it

Well the most important thing is not overthinking. The decision you'd make in any tight game during the season is the decision you make in that situation.

You've prepated to play that way so you do the same thing. L

So if Leinster go for the line during the regular season then the right decision was made, if they go for the posts then it was the wrong decision.

I agree entirely, tbh.

From a coaches perspective, you don't want to be completely prescriptive so there's always going to be an element of empowering the players to make on-field judgement calls, as they'll often have a better feel in the moment for whether they should go down the line or take the 3.

But for me, there's way more a case for that earlier in the game. With 4 minutes to go in a 3-point knock-out game, there's only one decision, imo. Those kind of scenarios should even be decided before the game, imo.

It speaks to a lack of situational preparation. How have they not discussed these scenarios, and planned for them? Especially given the experiences of the previous finals

Did I not read somewhere that Barrett's game time is restricted when both Henshaw & Ringrose fit?

Buying into the finishers idea. Outsmarting themselves

Looks like Doris will be out for the rest of the season. Big blow - really he shouldnt be needed this weekend against Zebre but it will be difficult in the knock outs without him

off the Ball with BOD. A few points that stick. Piling the blame on the coaches is inappropriate yes they deserve some but the players need to perform on the big stage and they didn’t on this occasion again . Lions 3rd 10, Ford, Farrell & Smith ahead of Sam. But from an irish perspective it would be great for him to experience the tour as you learn so much. Finally, Best thing to happen Crowleys career was Saturday performance, but that didn’t follow through to the Lions debate where he didn’t get a look in.

Similar things have happened in Leinster losses before, bad decisions and a lack of leadership have stalked their underperformance for years while coaches and captains have talked about learnings directly afterwards. It keeps happening and coaches refuse to take responsibility. The selections fiasco is inexplicable other than maybe something nienbar thinks is a great idea because it has worked for SA, though the comparison doesn't hold up. Anyway, he is as masterful a bluffer as Leo.

This pundit just happens to be our best ever player arguably and still very much in the loop & informed

Speaks to SPs pace too, was that a back row closing on him?

Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman made some good points on the Rugby Weekly extra podcast today. Both agree that Leinster lost the game in their own heads before it even kicked off. They don't agree on why it happened but the defensive alignment issues and lack of line speed points towards a lack of mental clarity. It could be down to selection being known early in the week which led to a sense of misplaced confidence.

Kinsella also made the point that some years ago Leinster lost any sort of enjoyment in rugby. They focus too much on the Champions Cup, put all this pressure on themselves and crack under it. Both pundits agreed that a URC victory is a must. It brings a winning feeling back into the organisation after too long without one. And it's a stepping stone to a Champions Cup. Knowing you can win a final again beings some clarity and eases some pressure in those big Champions Cup knock outs.

They both have no idea what happened with selection. Boyle should have been in the 22 instead of Healy and Barrett should have started. They don't say it outright, but a lot of the blame for that loss is on Cullen.

Because backrowers are never fast? 🙄

Ah, I'd expect a ten too beat a br in a footrace over 50 meters. They should be one of the fittest players on the field.