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

errlloyd · 18-05-2019 6:01pm

Ross Byrne never really takes a game by the neck. Other than the odd Crossfield kick he rarely creates something incredible. His goal kicking and touch kicking are only alright.

Even still he has a superb record of winning games. Absolutely superb.

sydthebeat · 18-05-2019 6:08pm

errlloyd wrote: »

Ross Byrne never really takes a game by the neck. Other than the odd Crossfield kick he rarely creates something incredible. His goal kicking and touch kicking are only alright.

Even still he has a superb record of winning games. Absolutely superb.

Agreed, my main gripe at half time was the way he didn't grab the game by the scruff....

He's better than he played today

Buer · 18-05-2019 6:11pm

His touch kicking is generally top class, I would have said. He never really dominates a game or impacts in the way that Sexton did when he entered though. But he never really has a bad showing either. He makes good decisions and passes well. He's also a very strong defender and a very composed player generally. I'm still happy enough with him as the heir apparent although it will be interesting to see how his brother fares.

Squatter · 18-05-2019 6:15pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

He Walked into the huddle at the end...

But still Dont expect him for next weekend

Me neither; such a shame for the big man.

He missed a Pro 14 final a couple of years ago when his father passed away the night before and it would be really unfortunate for him to miss another.

From a team perspective, we could really do with him next Saturday as he's one of our most consistently reliable 80 minute players who rarely if ever has a poor game.

Shefwedfan · 18-05-2019 9:09pm

Buer wrote: »

His touch kicking is generally top class, I would have said. He never really dominates a game or impacts in the way that Sexton did when he entered though. But he never really has a bad showing either. He makes good decisions and passes well. He's also a very strong defender and a very composed player generally. I'm still happy enough with him as the heir apparent although it will be interesting to see how his brother fares.

You have to remember he is only 24, still very young player. He is also surrounded by a team of internationals so he probably does sit back a little bit.

I would wait and see, he is still learning and no better man to teach him than Sexton and Contepomi.

He is a quality player, probably a little further ahead if you done a comparison to Sexton 24 and Byrne 24.....

Squidgy Black · 18-05-2019 9:18pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

You have to remember he is only 24, still very young player. He is also surrounded by a team of internationals so he probably does sit back a little bit.

I would wait and see, he is still learning and no better man to teach him than Sexton and Contepomi.

He is a quality player, probably a little further ahead if you done a comparison to Sexton 24 and Byrne 24.....

Sexton was 23 when he was the starting 10 in the Heineken Cup winning team in 2009, and was fighting with ROG for the starting shirt for Ireland that season. The following season of 2010/2011 he was talked about as the best outhalf in Europe, and don't forget it was 2011 when he lead the comeback against Northampton....

So in summary, Sexton was miles ahead of Byrne at 24.

Shefwedfan · 18-05-2019 9:39pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Sexton was 23 when he was the starting 10 in the Heineken Cup winning team in 2009, and was fighting with ROG for the starting shirt for Ireland that season. The following season of 2010/2011 he was talked about as the best outhalf in Europe, and don't forget it was 2011 when he lead the comeback against Northampton....

So in summary, Sexton was miles ahead of Byrne at 24.

Sexton (1985) Byrne (1995)

Sexton is 10 years and a few months older so the season would be 2008/2009 when sexton was 24

He was 24 in July 2009, Byrne was 24 in April this year

Your comparing the 2009/2010 season....

So is Sexton 2008/2009 miles better than Byrne?

crisco10 · 18-05-2019 11:33pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Sexton was 23 when he was the starting 10 in the Heineken Cup winning team in 2009, and was fighting with ROG for the starting shirt for Ireland that season. The following season of 2010/2011 he was talked about as the best outhalf in Europe, and don't forget it was 2011 when he lead the comeback against Northampton....

So in summary, Sexton was miles ahead of Byrne at 24.

Bit harsh there, sexton only started in 09 cos the first choice (felipe) was injured.

If sexton was injured, Byrne would have started last week.

Sextons growth curve from 24 to 26 or so was huge tho

swiwi_ · 19-05-2019 5:32am

Wesley Hissing Devil wrote: »

That was very pleasing.

What a difference VdF makes.

Reckon you should change your username to vantheman

ktulu123 · 19-05-2019 7:40am

How are people getting to the final? Flights are a disaster. Trying to get the mother over for it. Thankfully its just another drive down the road for me

Shefwedfan · 19-05-2019 7:52am

ktulu123 wrote: »

How are people getting to the final? Flights are a disaster. Trying to get the mother over for it. Thankfully its just another drive down the road for me

I would guess plenty of bus and boat will be set up

Burkie1203 · 19-05-2019 8:22am

Leo quoted on RTE website saying he doesn't believe Toner will miss RWC.

Shefwedfan · 19-05-2019 9:10am

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Leo quoted on RTE website saying he doesn't believe Toner will miss RWC.

Not been negative but I wouldn't expet him to say anything less

depending on what happened it will still be swelled up so it might take a few days before they know the extend.....

Fingers crossed in the meantime.....it would be a huge loss to Ireland but I would relaly feel for Toner if he misses the WC

Burkie1203 · 19-05-2019 9:13am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Not been negative but I wouldn't expet him to say anything less

depending on what happened it will still be swelled up so it might take a few days before they know the extend.....

Fingers crossed in the meantime.....it would be a huge loss to Ireland but I would relaly feel for Toner if he misses the WC

I think they would know straight away if it was more serious so think positive.

Think VDF needs to lend Dev his scrum cap. It seems to work wonders.

antietam1 · 19-05-2019 9:17am

KH25 wrote: »

To be fair, you were applying human standards to him. He’s not human.

Completely missed the match because of an exam, but i am enjoying some of the comments in the match thread :-D

You could get the full match on tg4 player, youtube later.

sullivlo · 19-05-2019 10:16am

ktulu123 wrote: »

How are people getting to the final? Flights are a disaster. Trying to get the mother over for it. Thankfully its just another drive down the road for me

I'm flying into Edinburgh and taking the train to Glasgow.

Exclamation Marc · 19-05-2019 11:44am

ktulu123 wrote: »

How are people getting to the final? Flights are a disaster. Trying to get the mother over for it. Thankfully its just another drive down the road for me

Using Joe Walsh Tours for a day trip!

KH25 · 19-05-2019 11:53am

antietam1 wrote: »

KH25 wrote: »

To be fair, you were applying human standards to him. He’s not human.

Completely missed the match because of an exam, but i am enjoying some of the comments in the match thread :-D

You could get the full match on tg4 player, youtube later.

Cheers for that!

Podge_irl · 19-05-2019 7:22pm

crisco10 wrote: »

Bit harsh there, sexton only started in 09 cos the first choice (felipe) was injured.

If sexton was injured, Byrne would have started last week.

Sextons growth curve from 24 to 26 or so was huge tho

It wasn’t that clear cut. There was an argument for sexton to start that semi anyway - made by myself amongst others here - though yeah it was a long shot. He was going to be first choice the following year either way though and he was key to Leinster winning the league the year before.

Byrne is good but people really under-rate how good sexton was

Shefwedfan · 19-05-2019 8:24pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

It wasn’t that clear cut. There was an argument for sexton to start that semi anyway - made by myself amongst others here - though yeah it was a long shot. He was going to be first choice the following year either way though and he was key to Leinster winning the league the year before.

Byrne is good but people really under-rate how good sexton was

It seems a lot of people “seen something in sexton” during 2009.

People love to knock Byrne but I prefer to think he has done exceptional well for his age. He has played a huge amount of minutes for Leinster this season, guided the team through the end of group stages and a qtr final in Heineken.

Carberry didn’t get a look in at 10 last year with Byrne till the irfu pulled rank and he started at end of season

I don’t think it needs to be a specific sexton v Byrne but I think people need to give Byrne a bit of a break....he has just turned 24, still very very young and at this stage he has huge experience

Podge_irl · 19-05-2019 8:57pm

24 isn't very young. He has not done "exceptionally" well by any stretch of the imagination. He is a good to very good fly half.

I don't think anyone is particularly ragging on Byrne are they? The chances of replacing Sexton with someone as good were infinitesimally low.

Squidgy Black · 19-05-2019 9:00pm

Nobody's saying Byrne is a bad player. They're saying he hasn't exactly grabbed big games by the scruff of the neck and shown that extra spark. Which is true, he doesn't take a game and change it.

But saying he was better than Sexton at that age is a ludicrous claim.

errlloyd · 19-05-2019 9:57pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Nobody's saying Byrne is a bad player. They're saying he hasn't exactly grabbed big games by the scruff of the neck and shown that extra spark. Which is true, he doesn't take a game and change it.

But saying he was better than Sexton at that age is a ludicrous claim.

I think the first person who said he doesn't grab games was me. And it was encased in a much bigger compliment, which is that he wins plenty.

It is probably not clear what I meant over a text forum, but what I was actually saying is "even though I can't put my finger on what Ross Byrne is doing well, he is definitely doing something very well".

Shefwedfan · 19-05-2019 10:14pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Nobody's saying Byrne is a bad player. They're saying he hasn't exactly grabbed big games by the scruff of the neck and shown that extra spark. Which is true, he doesn't take a game and change it.

But saying he was better than Sexton at that age is a ludicrous claim.

Based on the 2009 season and Sexton was getting dropped out of match day squad regularly as they preferred Isa/Contepomi.

Sexton's view: he admits now, “impatient” and “stroppy” in his early twenties. “I was always the eighth‑choice back for Leinster and I always needed one injury to get in,” he said.

After the 2009 game he went up the ranking very quickly....if you stuck both players side by side at 24. Forget all Sexton has done since. Really is it a ludicrous claim?

PS. I said slightly......maybe I should have same similar. I doubt much between them

Dubinusa · 19-05-2019 10:34pm

Byrne is a very good 10, imo. Will he be test quality? I don't know, but he is doing a good job and I think can go further.
I don't see the game breaking qualities of Carty or Carbury. But, he does his job and his tackling is very good. I think he could be a similar player to ROG.

degsie · 19-05-2019 11:09pm

Anybody here enter the Rugby Roulette and got their ticket allocation yet?

Sheep Shagger · 20-05-2019 8:03am

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Using Joe Walsh Tours for a day trip!

€500 - rather you than me.

Took a gamble on flights in Feb and got a flight into Edinburgh on Saturday morning and home on Saturday night from Glasgow for €45, Megabus between Edinburgh airport and Glasgow is £10

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 9:46am

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

€500 - rather you than me.

Took a gamble on flights in Feb and got a flight into Edinburgh on Saturday morning and home on Saturday night from Glasgow for €45, Megabus between Edinburgh airport and Glasgow is £10

Have had three out of the last five weekends as sporting weekends away so wanted in and out on the same day and it was the cheapest choice for a day trip for this weekend that was available on Saturday evening when I needed to book. Don't really mind the cost as I can do without another full weekend away

Podge_irl · 20-05-2019 9:46am

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Based on the 2009 season and Sexton was getting dropped out of match day squad regularly as they preferred Isa/Contepomi.

Sexton was in more matchday squads in 08/09 then he was in 09/10. He was absolutely not "regularly" getting dropped out of matchday squads.

He started the season as the first choice 10 and lost it after the head-to-head games against Castres. He played a game or two for Mary's in January but during and after the 6N was clearly the back-up 10.

DelBoy Trotter · 20-05-2019 10:07am

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

€500 - rather you than me.

Agreed. I would have been interested if it was a reasonable price, but that is madness in my opinion

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 10:10am

DelBoy Trotter wrote: »

Agreed. I would have been interested if it was a reasonable price, but that is madness in my opinion

I have the money so am happy to pay it. Plus I have a sick family member that I can't afford to spend a night out of the country from so it worked for me, without me having to fret over the finer points.

degsie · 20-05-2019 10:30am

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

I have the money so am happy to pay it. Plus I have a sick family member that I can't afford to spend a night out of the country from so it worked for me, without me having to fret over the finer points.

Go the whole Hogg and treat yourself to the hospatility package...

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby/EDP/Event/Index/2750

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 10:42am

degsie wrote: »

Go the whole Hogg and treat yourself to the hospatility package...

https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby/EDP/Event/Index/2750

Why would I do that?

Good pun though.

20-05-2019 10:56am

Looks like there should be a good crowd there anyway, most of the stadium sold out. It's a terrible look for these games to have big patches of empty seats.

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 12:19pm

Dev unsurprisingly ruled out on the final. Further assessment on the knee injury this week.

Burkie1203 · 20-05-2019 12:30pm

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Dev unsurprisingly ruled out on the final. Further assessment on the knee injury this week.

Fardy and Ryan
Ruddock to cover 2nd row?

AbusesToilets · 20-05-2019 12:31pm

Is Molony injured at the moment?

troyzer · 20-05-2019 12:36pm

I don't think Molony is injured. He was with the squad in Newcastle and he was warming up on Saturday.

My team for the final:

1. Healy.
2. Cronin.
3. Furlong.
4. Fardy.
5. Ryan.
6. Ruddock.
7. VdF.
8. Conan.
9. McGrath.
10. Sexton.
11. Lowe.
12. Henshaw.
13. Ringrose.
14. Larmour.
15. Kearney.
16. Byrne.
17. Tracy.
18. Porter.
19. Molony.
20. O'Brien.
21. McCarthy.
22. Byrne.
23. O'Loughlin.

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 12:52pm

troyzer wrote: »

I don't think Molony is injured. He was with the squad in Newcastle and he was warming up on Saturday.

My team for the final:

1. Healy.
2. Cronin.
3. Furlong.
4. Fardy.
5. Ryan.
6. Ruddock.
7. VdF.
8. Conan.
9. McGrath.
10. Sexton.
11. Lowe.
12. Henshaw.
13. Ringrose.
14. Larmour.
15. Kearney.
16. Byrne.
17. Tracy.
18. Porter.
19. Molony.
20. O'Brien.
21. McCarthy.
22. Byrne.
23. O'Loughlin.

Can't argue with that.

Only variation might be D. Kearney in at 14 with Larmour at 15 if Rob is unavailable.

Squidgy Black · 20-05-2019 12:58pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Is Molony injured at the moment?

He's been recovering from a back injury, I'm not sure if he's back to full fitness yet but I guess we'll only find out with the next injury update.

Clegg · 20-05-2019 1:02pm

If Molony's out we'll probably see Ruddock starting at 6 but also being there for lock cover. Doris and Deegan as bench options at 19 & 20.

Exclamation Marc · 20-05-2019 1:18pm

Yeah Molony is fit judging by the full injury update after the part on Dev;

"Josh van der Flier will be available after coming through his return from a groin injury with no issues.

There is no further injury update on Joe Tomane (hamstring), Barry Daly (collarbone), Mick Kearney (shoulder), Dan Leavy (knee) and Adam Byrne (quad)."

ktulu123 · 20-05-2019 1:34pm

Wesley Hissing Devil wrote: »

Looks like there should be a good crowd there anyway, most of the stadium sold out. It's a terrible look for these games to have big patches of empty seats.

I'm not sure there will be many of us there. There are still alot, if not most of the Leinster allocation available. With the state of the flights and cost to get over, its ruling a lot of people out.

Sheep Shagger · 20-05-2019 1:39pm

Same day flights went up with FR earlier for €230 odd, you can still fly to Edinburgh and out home from Glasgow.

Former Former · 20-05-2019 2:14pm

There seems to be some confusion as to whether Rob Kearney is fit or not. He was initially supposed to be fine but I've seen some contradictory reports. Anyway, if he's fit he'll come back in; Dave played well on Saturday but not well enough to keep Rob out IMO.

Healy Cronin Furlong
Fardy Toner
Ruddock Conan VDF
McGrath Sexton
Lowe Henshaw Ringrose Larmour/DK
RK/Larmour

Byrne Byrne Porter Deegan SOB McCarthy Byrne O'Loughlin

Good team, if they have the energy for it. Glasgow will be well rested after a week off and then a gentle massage from Ulster.

molloyjh · 20-05-2019 2:18pm

The time of the game makes same day very difficult. You wont be out of the stadium until at least 9, so you have to fly out of Glasgow where there are limited options. None of which are cheap. Supporters have already shelled out for at least 3 knock out games as well as in many cases a pricey trip to the HEC final. The money simply isn't there for many to fund another big game.

From my perspective, with a young kid and a wife who loves the game as much as I do we'd need to do an overnighter for it to be worthwhile. But we've our anniversary next week so cant be leaving the little one for 2 weekends in a row like that. So it's a day trip or nothing. Just checked return flights. €558 pp. That's just crazy money and theres no way we're spending over €1,000 just to get to Glasgow, nevermind the game itself.

Clegg · 20-05-2019 3:49pm

Nigel Owens will referee the Pro 14 final. Tbh I'm not happy with that. Makes some awfully odd decisions these days.

Shefwedfan · 20-05-2019 3:56pm

Clegg wrote: »

Nigel Owens will referee the Pro 14 final. Tbh I'm not happy with that. Makes some awfully odd decisions these days.

If he decides that Glasgow remind him of Treviso then it will be good for us....

If not it could be bad.....

dregin · 20-05-2019 4:46pm

Clegg wrote: »

Nigel Owens will referee the Pro 14 final. Tbh I'm not happy with that. Makes some awfully odd decisions these days.

Backed up by Adamson and Lacey, I'd not be too confident in any of the decision making judging by their performances of last weekend.

20-05-2019 5:03pm

Kearney is off to France next season apparently

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

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