Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread VII: The Fan-base Awakens

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think for these guys their motivation is entirely linked to the fact they're not first choice. There's two real groups here, the academy/development guys and the more established fringe guys.

The development/academy guys like Dooley/Tracy/Moloney/Leavy/McGrath/Marsh/Ringrose will be motivated by trying to shine as much as possible throughout this period to establish themselves for when the internationals return. As far as they're concerned the return of the internationals after the 6 Nations might be the end of their season. I don't think the opposition will change that, I'd expect them to go all out over the next few weeks.

The other group I'm more concerned about. Guys like Ryan/Murphy/McFadden. These guys have had the gauntlet thrown down this year and a few of them have lost ground. I'm hoping they'll recognise the threat of the guys coming up behind them and really push themselves hard to re-establish themselves.

Yeah totally agree with above, would like to see Kelleher thrown into the mix as well, bit less about him this season saw him switch to full back at B&I game and really liked him hopefully he gets an oppurtunity with Isa injured as well

Deleted User wrote: »

The way I see it is we're competitive postionally in the league and these guys should be looking to push on from where we are.

There are a couple that wouldn't be miles off a call up also which should be a spur of some degree.

As you correctly pointed out though, we're lacking form in a few positions which may or may not prove problematic over the coming two months.

I wouldn't be worried about motivation at all, just ability at this level. That said I'm not too worried about the 6 Nations period overall. We have Zebre up on the 12th next in the RDS. We'll have a few lads back from injury and probably a few guys back from Ireland camp for game time. We should be able to get a few results in February. It's just this one game that could be an issue.

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Yeah totally agree with above, would like to see Kelleher thrown into the mix as well, bit less about him this season saw him switch to full back at B&I game and really liked him hopefully he gets an oppurtunity with Isa injured as well

I was watching Kelleher closely on Friday in Donnybrook and was not at all impressed I'm afraid. Took his try well with a good change of pace but was a constant issue defensively. He seemed quite passive a lot of the time and that came across not just in his tackling but also in his kick chase as well. While he was facing a big unit on his wing and was always likely to come off second best I just never felt he was happy with the contact side of things at all.

former total wrote: »

I think Ryan has vastly improved in the last two months, no concerns about him.

McFadden has had a good season too - he was actually name-checked by Joe today as being in the mix for Ireland when his suspension is up...

Murphy - not so much. I feel bad for him being constantly moved around the back row, he'll probably be at 8 again this weekend, but he's a shadow of what he was six months ago.

I feel for Murphy as he has lacked a lot of game time this season. I do wonder has the Argentina game combined with the lack of game time at Leinster hit his confidence badly.

Quint2010 wrote: »

How did Harrison Brewer play in the A game on Friday?

I thought he did well. Seemed that bit more able for the size and physicality that Rotherham brought compared to the other backs. His footwork seemed good as well. I don't remember any particular stand out moments from him other than a few times thinking he was going to get planted but didn't, either by riding the tackle well or stepping out of it. The ball seemed to move fairly comfortably through the midfield so that's a positive. Rotherham had really good line speed throughout and put us under huge pressure in that regard so if he was going to struggle I'd say we'd have seen it there.

All that has to come with the proviso that I'm not too familiar with the players and unless I could see the number on the jersey (or the lack of a number as was the case with Brewer) I wasn't always 100% sure who I was watching, except off first phase and I knew who was where.

vienne86 wrote: »

Pity Isa is out of action as we could do with him to galvanise these youngsters. Hard to see who will be captain - Fer maybe?

Would be surprised if its not him.

Dom Ryan has captained Leinster before.

errlloyd wrote: »

Luke McGrath could be a good man to captain this team. Not that Fergus is a bad captain, just McGrath has done it at various levels, and he's in hot form.

Harrison Brewer was that young lad that boards posters here were talking about when he was playing JCT right? What age is he, 20? Same age as Ringrose?

Yes, same age as Ringrose roughly. Massive hype and really does not look like he's fulfilling it from everything I've seen

molloyjh wrote: »

I was watching Kelleher closely on Friday in Donnybrook and was not at all impressed I'm afraid. Took his try well with a good change of pace but was a constant issue defensively. He seemed quite passive a lot of the time and that came across not just in his tackling but also in his kick chase as well. While he was facing a big unit on his wing and was always likely to come off second best I just never felt he was happy with the contact side of things at all.

Kelleher seemed to be flying last year and I thought he would have a break thru season this year but not happening, do you think Dardis is ahead of him?

Did Michael Keating look any good by any chance? Always liked him.

Just noticed Darren Hudson joined Mosely today, shame it's not working out for him at Bristol and shame he didn't move across before Leinster played them!

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Did Michael Keating look any good by any chance? Always liked him.

Just noticed Darren Hudson joined Mosely today, shame it's not working out for him at Bristol and shame he didn't move across before Leinster played them!

I didn't actually realise that there were Irish lads in the Rotherham line-up until after the game so I wasn't paying that much attention to them I'm afraid. Rotherham were playing a pretty straight forward game. Run hard and straight at your man. Both wingers bounced our wings numerous times, but that was partly due to our drift defence that just allowed them to build up a head of steam when they got on the ball. I don't remember any stand out moments from their back three really, although they did seem to have our back line fairly well marshalled as there were times I felt we had overlaps that they seemed to cover better than I'd expected.

former total wrote: »

Noooooooooo!

I presume the players released this weekend will be the ones not playing for Ireland next weekend, except maybe Henshaw or Payne who have had so little game time.

I'd hope one of Strauss/Cronin, VDF, maybe Madigan and either Luke or Dave to be available for Leinster.

Ruddock has played plenty of rugby and will be involved for Ireland (I reckon) so won't be released.

Yeah I reckon Cronin, VDF, Mads and probably Luke will get released back. In fact we might get Luke and Dave back depending on how Joe views Luke, i.e. as a wing or centre. It'd be nice if we got Maccer back for 40 mins but I doubt that will happen. It's mad to think that out of 7 senior locks only 2 are fit. And it's a similar story at TH (4 senior players with only 1 fit).

I wonder will Furlong be released for game time. He's only gotten around 50 mins per game in 3 games over the last 6 weeks. And given that he'll likely be at least second choice maybe Joe thinks he could use the time?

former total wrote: »

Dooley Tracy Bent
Molony Triggs
Ryan Murphy Leavy
McGrath Marsh
McFadden Te'o Ringrose Adam Byrne
Zane

Luke McGrath as captain. Triggs back. Only Strauss and Mads released. It'll be interesting to see how Adam Byrne goes.