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Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

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  • Options
    #6962
    RedRaider0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭RedRaider0


    bilston wrote: »
    Where is Max Deegan these days?

    Injured...or house hunting in Belfast?

    Neither.


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    #6963
    Richie_Rich89
    Registered Users Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Richie_Rich89


    bilston wrote: »
    Where is Max Deegan these days?

    Injured...or house hunting in Belfast?

    They probably feel they have to have van der Flier in the XXIII at the moment because he was starting for Ireland recently and because he's the "fourth choice backrower" or somesuch.

    If Connors consolidates his position as the premier openside I can see Deegan moving on to the bench for the top XXIII due to his greater versatility.


  • Options
    #6964
    aloooof
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 10,221 Mod ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    Richie_Rich89 wrote: »
    They probably feel they have to have van der Flier in the XXIII at the moment because he was starting for Ireland recently and because he's the "fourth choice backrower" or somesuch.

    If Connors consolidates his position as the premier openside I can see Deegan moving on to the bench for the top XXIII due to his greater versatility.

    I think it's very possible this could just be a horses for courses selection (with Vunipola in mind) as opposed to Connors leapfrogging VdF. Both their performances have been excellent tho, to be fair to them.


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    #6965
    Richie_Rich89
    Registered Users Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Richie_Rich89


    aloooof wrote: »
    I think it's very possible this could just be a horses for courses selection (with Vunipola in mind) as opposed to Connors leapfrogging VdF. Both their performances have been excellent tho, to be fair to them.

    True. I was watching the highlights with Vunipola scoring off the back of the scrum last season. Connors is probably the best bet at stopping that. Does he succeed in stopping Vunipola short of the line in that scenario? It's a tough ask.

    Once they have Connors's offensive tackling in the team I can see coaches being loath to dispense with it.


  • Options
    #6966
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    OldRio wrote: »
    17 euro a month on Now TV. Sports extra.
    Or alternative means.

    €10 for a day pass, although €17 could be worth if for the remaining matches.

    Anyone know what matches does C4 have for the remaining fixtures? I've already got Sky Sports and Eir Sports as it is, and now with no pubs, I won't be watching them over some pints at my local.


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    #6967
    salmocab
    Registered Users Posts: 11,283 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    Hurrache wrote: »
    €10 for a day pass, although €17 could be worth if for the remaining matches.

    Anyone know what matches does C4 have for the remaining fixtures? I've already got Sky Sports and Eir Sports as it is, and now with no pubs, I won't be watching them over some pints at my local.

    Think I read semi next week is on c4


  • Options
    #6968
    Sheep Shagger
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    salmocab wrote: »
    Think I read semi next week is on c4

    Virgin Media One has the semi too should Leinster get through.


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    #6969
    kennedmc
    Registered Users Posts: 115 ✭✭kennedmc


    Richie_Rich89 wrote: »
    They probably feel they have to have van der Flier in the XXIII at the moment because he was starting for Ireland recently and because he's the "fourth choice backrower" or somesuch.

    If Connors consolidates his position as the premier openside I can see Deegan moving on to the bench for the top XXIII due to his greater versatility.

    Deegan's a good player but I think he's a notch below the others and going forward I can't see him getting much game time in our important matches.

    Reckon he could go to Connacht.


  • Options
    #6970
    ionadnapokot
    Registered Users Posts: 4,732 ✭✭✭ionadnapokot


    Only 6 Saracens players are playing in the same position from last years final.
    Significantly weaker team compared to 2019.
    Predict a 10-15 point win for Leinster at least

    2020|Position|2019
    Elliot Daly|
    15
    |Alex Goode
    Alex Lewington|
    14
    |Liam Williams
    Duncan Taylor|
    13
    |Alex Lozowski
    Brad Barritt (C)|
    12
    |Brad Barritt (C)
    Sean Maitland|
    11
    |Sean Maitland
    Alex Goode|
    10
    |Owen Farrell
    Richard Wigglesworth|
    9
    |Ben Spencer
    Mako Vunipola|
    1
    |Mako Vunipola
    Jamie George|
    2
    |Jamie George
    Vincent Koch|
    3
    |Titi Lamositele
    Maro Itoje|
    4
    |Will Skelton
    Tim Swinson|
    5
    |George Kruis
    Mike Rhodes|
    6
    |Maro Itoje
    Jackson Wray|
    7
    |Jackson Wray
    Billy Vunipola|
    8
    |Billy Vunipola
    |Replacements|
    Tom Woolstencroft|
    16
    |Joe Gray
    Richard Barrington|
    17
    |Richard Barrington
    Alec Clarey|
    18
    |Vincent Koch
    Callum Hunter-Hill|
    19
    |Nick Isiekwe
    Calum Clark|
    20
    |Schalk Burger
    Aled Davies|
    21
    |Richard Wigglesworth
    Manu Vunipola|
    22
    |Nick Tompkins
    Dom Morris|
    23
    |David Strettle


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    #6971
    pummice
    Registered Users Posts: 241 ✭✭pummice


    I dont have BTSport, anyone know if the highlights of the match are on TV tonight?


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    #6972
    kennedmc
    Registered Users Posts: 115 ✭✭kennedmc


    Hurrache wrote: »
    €10 for a day pass, although €17 could be worth if for the remaining matches.

    Anyone know what matches does C4 have for the remaining fixtures? I've already got Sky Sports and Eir Sports as it is, and now with no pubs, I won't be watching them over some pints at my local.


    Sorry for you the silly question but can just I sign up to now tv for free and pay a tenner to watch match?

    Also is there a limitation of screen casting it with Apple TV etc. thanks


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    #6973
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    You just sign up for the pass and away you go. I'm holding out as long as possible to see if I can find alternative means but ultimately I'll get the pass I'd say.
    Dunno about Apple TV, but it supports Chromecast.
    Edit, Apple TV is on it
    https://help.nowtv.com/ie/article/what-devices-can-i-use-to-watch-now-tv[) Url]
    pummice wrote: »
    I dont have BTSport, anyone know if the highlights of the match are on TV tonight?

    I've looked everywhere and there doesn't seem to be any on 'normal' TV.


  • Options
    #6974
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Here's the remaining fixtures and tv coverage.
    The semi final, it was mentioned Virgin get the one involving Leinster if they get through.
    And the final, who gets that?
    [Url] https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/matches/live-tv-matches/[/Url]


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    #6975
    Sheep Shagger
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 6,216 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sheep Shagger


    Hurrache wrote: »
    Here's the remaining fixtures and tv coverage.
    The semi final, it was mentioned Virgin get the one involving Leinster if they get through.
    And the final, who gets that?
    [Url] https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/matches/live-tv-matches/[/Url]

    Pretty sure in previous years the final was on all broadcasters simultaneously?


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    #6976
    Richie_Rich89
    Registered Users Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Richie_Rich89


    kennedmc wrote: »
    Deegan's a good player but I think he's a notch below the others and going forward I can't see him getting much game time in our important matches.

    Reckon he could go to Connacht.

    I reckon Deegan could be in quite a good place moving forward, despite current appearances. Doris being moved to blindside is a welcome development from his perspective, and Conan has been rather injury-prone over the years. It wouldn't take very much for things to open up for him. I see him superseding van der Flier as the sub backrower next season because he's more of an impact player ball in hand and is more versatile.

    Connacht have Boyle and Papali'i for no. 8.


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    #6977
    StackSteevens
    Closed Accounts Posts: 873 ✭✭✭StackSteevens


    Exclamation Marc wrote: »
    If Leinster can get to the semi final, it will be shown FTA on Virgin Media which is great news.

    It's only great news if neither Toland nor Mark Robson are commentating for Virgin! :p

    (Which reminds me that Robbo will probably doing the Toulouse - Ulster game tomorrow, Gawd help us.)


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    #6978
    RedRaider0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 45 ✭RedRaider0


    Deegans turned down many moves already, he has over 60 caps at 23. He is a relatively late developer physically and in 2 years time he could easily be 1st choice number 8 if Doris stays at 6.


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    #6979
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,670 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    Well that was harrowing. Whilst I think Saracens got away with murder, particularly on borderline high hits, they were well deserving of the victory. Their scrum dominance and defence for 50 minutes was the winning of the game for them.

    Also, I think this game might be the ending of a few Leinster forwards as top level operators. Toner couldn't hack the physicality and Cronin, even though he's just back from injury, isn't getting any younger and failed to make an impact. Perhaps Healy as well.

    We actually may have let that game slip away from us too. After Larmour's try you could tell that Saracens were fatiguing and with 17 minutes left on the clock there was still plenty of time to get another score. But yet another turnover on an attacking lineout maul killed us.


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    #6980
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Thoughts on Robin McBryde?

    Lineout has been poor. Our Maul was shocking and our scrum fell apart. I find it hard to believe that there weren't silly buggers at scrum time but I feel that our forwards as a ball playing group of forwards are best in class but the set piece has looked disjointed and innefective.

    Given that it cost us the game today - has this been a good coaching appointment for Leinster?


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    #6981
    kingofthekong
    Registered Users Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭kingofthekong


    Sick of Irish, Munster and Leinster packs getting thoroughly bent over and bullied by Sarries and England for the guts of 2 years. Irish rugby has no answer to their pack and won’t for a good few years. Tough to watch but pretty predictable at this stage


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    #6982
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,605 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Thoughts on Robin McBryde?

    Lineout has been poor. Our Maul was shocking and our scrum fell apart. I find it hard to believe that there weren't silly buggers at scrum time but I feel that our forwards as a ball playing group of forwards are best in class but the set piece has looked disjointed and innefective.

    Given that it cost us the game today - has this been a good coaching appointment for Leinster?

    Set piece was one of the most pivotal parts the last couple seasons, giving us a platform to launch off of and there's been a complete collapse since the restart in both.

    Looks like there's been a complete change in calls or strategy that just haven't worked out.

    On another note, JGP has to be ahead of McGrath for the starting shirt at this point.


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    #6983
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,670 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    [Deleted User] wrote: »
    Thoughts on Robin McBryde?

    Lineout has been poor. Our Maul was shocking and our scrum fell apart. I find it hard to believe that there weren't silly buggers at scrum time but I feel that our forwards as a ball playing group of forwards are best in class but the set piece has looked disjointed and innefective.

    Given that it cost us the game today - has this been a good coaching appointment for Leinster?

    I'm sure I read on Planet Rugby that Welsh fans were thankful he'd left their set up. Their forward play was very inconsistent during his tenure and set piece routinely terrible. Essentially when they were good they were great, but if things went wrong they fell to pieces.


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    #6984
    Exclamation Marc
    Registered Users Posts: 11,289 ✭✭✭✭Exclamation Marc


    Would Scott Fardy have made a difference today?

    His ferocity and presence wouldn't have gone amiss today.


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    #6985
    Dwarf.Shortage
    Registered Users Posts: 1,256 ✭✭✭Dwarf.Shortage


    Not to knee jerk react or anything but are there any promising scrummaging looseheads in the academy?

    Healy isn't getting younger and Byrne isn't a scrummaging loosehead. Two international level THs with loads of years left, I'm not saying Healy is finished but we could do with someone coming behind him who's international level.

    Don't know that I'm a huge fan of the re-flip Porter idea.


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    #6986
    AbusesToilets
    Registered Users Posts: 9,957 ✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    Saracens had to do very little to defeat the maul too. They only had about 4 or 5 players in, yet managed to stop it dead every time.


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    #6987
    kingofthekong
    Registered Users Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭kingofthekong


    Exclamation Marc wrote: »
    Would Scott Fardy have made a difference today?

    His ferocity and presence wouldn't have gone amiss today.

    Think Bairds impact more than justifies his inclusion, perhaps for Toner


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    #6988
    Richie_Rich89
    Registered Users Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Richie_Rich89


    Shows the importance of a scrum coach who can get his eight to perform when it really matters. Even though Leinster were comprehensively beaten by Toulon in the quarters in 2014 the scrum was rock solid. Feek was a gem of a coach.

    Leinster potentially win that game fairly comfortably if they get parity in the scrum. Saracens didn't have anything else in attack apart from the move Good scored off. It was just box kicks all the time like Munster. The tackling from Leinster was really good and stopped Saracens getting momentum.


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    #6989
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users Posts: 21,605 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    Dwarf.Shortage wrote: »
    Not to knee jerk react or anything but are there any promising scrummaging looseheads in the academy?

    Healy isn't getting younger and Byrne isn't a scrummaging loosehead. Two international level THs with loads of years left, I'm not saying Healy is finished but we could do with someone coming behind him who's International level.

    Milne is a decent prospect but too early to tell. Charlie Ward in the sub academy is probably a bit too short at 5'9. Other than that there's no real standouts.


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    #6990
    realhorrorshow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,865 ✭✭✭realhorrorshow


    Squidgy Black wrote: »
    Milne is a decent prospect but too early to tell. Charlie Ward in the sub academy is probably a bit too short at 5'9. Other than that there's no real standouts.

    Charlie Ward is in the Connacht academy now.


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    #6991
    Clegg
    Registered Users Posts: 16,670 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    Ryan put in a very similar performance to the one against England last March. Very physical and aggressive and our best forward by far. But still outclassed by Itoje and dominated in the opening 25 minutes.

    I'll forever love Toner and everything he's fine for Leinster, but it's clear that he doesn't have the physicality to take in the top sides, and when the lineout and maul is malfunctioning he doesn't offer enough.

    Baird was very impressive when he came on. Brought an extra physicality that Leinster missed in that first half. Think it's time for him to start alongside Ryan in the biggest games.


This discussion has been closed.
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