Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

sydthebeat · 10-04-2021 10:12am

Liv Prickly Millipede wrote: »

Just looked at the team, it looks like it's about 10 players short of first choice, I think there's only 2 forwards who started against NH who are starting against Leinster. NH had Furbank at 10, Exeter had Harvey Skinner (who??).

Harvey skinner. Their reserve 10... Who is on the bench today... And has 16 appearances already this season for chiefs.

They weren't missing the colour of ten first teamers. hill, gray and LCD from the pack, slade from the backs is about it. Nowells been injured for ages.

They're simply not as good this year as last year. I'm confident of a 2 score win, but obviously this is gong to be a mammoth task and loads of things have to go right.

Garda Kenny · 10-04-2021 10:38am

sydthebeat wrote: »

Harvey skinner. Their reserve 10... Who is on the bench today... And has 16 appearances already this season for chiefs.

They weren't missing the colour of ten first teamers. hill and LCD from the pack, slade from the backs is about it. Nowells been injured for ages.

They're simply not as good this year as last year. I'm confident of a 2 score win, but obviously this is gong to be a mammoth task and loads of things have to go right.

My worry for us is team cohesion and a lot of players having not played together in these combinations before. I wonder where our tries come from. I can’t see the back line creating many great chances - question marks remain over O Laughlin and Larmours match sharpness for me. Do they link in well with the rest of the back line? I’m not so sure it all works well together.

I can see a couple of match ups going our way Lowe and Keenan but as a unit and inter linking I’m not sure the backs can step up and replicate pro 14 try creating chances.

Johnny will have to step up with Luke and create our chances today as i can’t see them coming elsewhere. Robbie will and always does create plays and make a difference but I see him being marked out of it today.

10-04-2021 12:01pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

Harvey skinner. Their reserve 10... Who is on the bench today... And has 16 appearances already this season for chiefs.

They weren't missing the colour of ten first teamers. hill, gray and LCD from the pack, slade from the backs is about it. Nowells been injured for ages.

They're simply not as good this year as last year. I'm confident of a 2 score win, but obviously this is gong to be a mammoth task and loads of things have to go right.

Look, I hope you're right but I'm not convinced at all.

Squidgy Black · 10-04-2021 1:44pm

Livestream for the second half of the A game, been very sloppy with a lot of handling errors https://youtu.be/cQsmehpcBHw

Clegg · 10-04-2021 2:09pm

There's a Leinster player on the ground who looks in a very bad way. Tried to stand up a few times but couldn't manage it. Holding on to his shoulder. Couldn't make out who it was.

Squidgy Black · 10-04-2021 2:20pm

Clegg wrote: »

There's a Leinster player on the ground who looks in a very bad way. Tried to stand up a few times but couldn't manage it. Holding on to his shoulder. Couldn't make out who it was.

Soroka

Squidgy Black · 10-04-2021 2:41pm

Finished up 38-27 to Connacht, not a bad result considering the amount of senior players in the Connacht side compared to a team with mostly sub-academy players and a few lads playing out of position.

Fair few points left on the board with missed conversions too so could've been closer.

Hopefully Soroka was just a stinger and won't be out for long

arsebiscuits1 · 10-04-2021 4:34pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Finished up 38-27 to Connacht, not a bad result considering the amount of senior players in the Connacht side compared to a team with mostly sub-academy players and a few lads playing out of position.

Fair few points left on the board with missed conversions too so could've been closer.

Hopefully Soroka was just a stinger and won't be out for long

There was patches of very good Leinster play. You could see how little rugby some of those fellas had and how little they played.

Pack were good. SOB stood out and Soroka showed a good mean streak even if he was indisciplined.

Ben Murphy notably better than Foley. Really not seeing anything from Foley to suggest he should be backed. Passing hasn't been good enough any time I've seen him.

Back 3 looked very lively too.

Absolute shocker from Corkery unfortunately. I know the wind is tough in the sportsground but none of his kicks were close. Missed touch and didn't really get his backline moving. Poor display from him.

Great to see Vakh back. I forgot how much of a unit he is. Looked the biggest fella on the pitch. Absolutely schooled his side of the scrum.

molloyjh · 10-04-2021 4:48pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

There was patches of very good Leinster play. You could see how little rugby some of those fellas had and how little they played.

Pack were good. SOB stood out and Soroka showed a good mean streak even if he was indisciplined.

Ben Murphy notably better than Foley. Really not seeing anything from Foley to suggest he should be backed. Passing hasn't been good enough any time I've seen him.

Back 3 looked very lively too.

Absolute shocker from Corkery unfortunately. I know the wind is tough in the sportsground but none of his kicks were close. Missed touch and didn't really get his backline moving. Poor display from him.

Great to see Vakh back. I forgot how much of a unit he is. Looked the biggest fella on the pitch. Absolutely schooled his side of the scrum.

How did the centres go?

Exclamation Marc · 10-04-2021 7:33pm

Well that was f*cking delightful. What a win. We go on!

the baby bull elephant · 10-04-2021 7:38pm

Between today and the Munster game I think Kelleher has only been involved in one lost lineout? Great to see with him still being all impact in the loose.

dublin49 · 10-04-2021 7:39pm

I THINK Conan is brillant,power and footwork ,top class.Might be a Lion yet

Squidgy Black · 10-04-2021 7:44pm

dublin49 wrote: »

I THINK Conan is brillant,power and footwork ,top class.Might be a Lion yet

He outplayed Sam Simmonds by a mile today, and the English media haven't stopped hammering on about him being a likely tourist the past few months

Clegg · 10-04-2021 7:48pm

Huge game for some young Irish forwards today. Kelleher was excellent at the scrum, lineout, breakdown and in the carry. Baird stole two lineouts in the 30 minutes he was on. One in the Exeter 22 which led to a Leinster try and another in our 22 which prevented an Exeter try. Future is bright.

Thought VDF and Henshaw were the best players in the pitch today.

Sangre · 10-04-2021 7:56pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

He outplayed Sam Simmonds by a mile today, and the English media haven't stopped hammering on about him being a likely tourist the past few months

Thought he was awesome today. His run from the base of the scrum in the last few minutes was a critical piece of play.

Fairly sure he nabbed a try with a trademark stretch but they never went back and checked it. Anyone else notice that?

10-04-2021 8:11pm

That was so good. I was a doubter but never been so happy to be wrong. Now bring on the Frenchies.

sydthebeat · 10-04-2021 8:21pm

First ten minutes had me cacking it but pretty much from then, bar about another 10 mins after half time, we looked the superior team that I thought we would be going into the game.

They exploited our midfield defense perfectly by deep pull backs and rapid speed... but I think we got to grips with that eventually. Best thing was our defense against their power game. Ruddock fardy healy and Dev all immense the.

VDF could have been motm for me, I thought he was on fire and maybe his best ever game for us.... Though I won't begrudge Robbie of his award.

Special mention for Ross Byrne. Off the bench and played like a seasoned Pro.

Big Dev doing 70 as well, give that man at least another year.

salmocab · 10-04-2021 8:35pm

Am I right in saying there no game next week, then Munster followed by the semi the week after?

Dave_The_Sheep · 10-04-2021 8:43pm

What's the prognosis on Ringrose? We missed him today.

Squidgy Black · 10-04-2021 8:47pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

What's the prognosis on Ringrose? We missed him today.

Was syndesmosis I think, so was anywhere from 4-6 weeks but can be a bitch to recover from. He hasn't been back training yet so I'd say if there's no update in the next week or so it could be a case that they'll look at surgery

AbusesToilets · 10-04-2021 9:04pm

Any chance of Frawley being fit forr the semi?

10-04-2021 10:02pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Any chance of Frawley being fit forr the semi?

It's 2 or 3 weeks away so you'd hope him, Ryan, Doris would all be back. Maybe even Ringrose.

Buer · 10-04-2021 10:05pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Any chance of Frawley being fit forr the semi?

Even if he is, I don't see him in the 23. Can't see them breaking up the centre partnership for him or dropping DK from the squad.

ROL ain't a world beater but didn't take a backwards step today. They also won't want to start from scratch with another partnership.

kuang1 · 10-04-2021 10:06pm

Well done today Leinster.
Brilliant watch for this Munster/semi-neutral fan.

2 serious heavyweights going at it relentlessly that was. Happy for ye that ye came out on top. Ye'll take some stopping now.
Fair play.

AbusesToilets · 10-04-2021 10:08pm

Buer wrote: »

Even if he is, I don't see him in the 23. Can't see them breaking up the centre partnership for him or dropping DK from the squad.

ROL ain't a world beater but didn't take a backwards step today. They also won't want to start from scratch with another partnership.

Dunno about that. Haven't been impressed by ROL at all, think he's been relatively poor

Podge_irl · 10-04-2021 10:12pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Dunno about that. Haven't been impressed by ROL at all, think he's been relatively poor

I wasn't impressed by him either, but the team was clearly lacking some coordination/fluidity in the first 20 minutes. They'll be fairly keen to keep the same squad together I would imagine.

Of course if Ringrose makes it back he is straight in.

All_in_Flynn · 10-04-2021 11:16pm

I can’t remember the last time we’ve played as well as that. I thought it was a fantastic performance.

What has happened to VDF? His carrying has improved so much. Has there been much chat about it on here? It might just be my eyes playing tricks but he looks heavier. He was my clear motm.

Was also very impressed by Keenan again. Bar his missed tackle for the opening try he was pretty much flawless. He’s deceptively strong in contact too. Some find. Reminds me so much of Ben Smith.

Very happy for Ross Byrne. Excellent performance. I think that performance will stand to him.

Not sure how much longer you can keep the muzzle on Baird. He looks to me like he should be starting now. Bit of a freak athlete. Ireland doesn’t produce many of his type.

KaneToad · 10-04-2021 11:21pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

First ten minutes had me cacking it but pretty much from then, bar about another 10 mins after half time, we looked the superior team that I thought we would be going into the game.

They exploited our midfield defense perfectly by deep pull backs and rapid speed... but I think we got to grips with that eventually. Best thing was our defense against their power game. Ruddock fardy healy and Dev all immense the.

VDF could have been motm for me, I thought he was on fire and maybe his best ever game for us.... Though I won't begrudge Robbie of his award.

Special mention for Ross Byrne. Off the bench and played like a seasoned Pro.

Big Dev doing 70 as well, give that man at least another year.

He is a seasoned pro!

dublin49 · 10-04-2021 11:23pm

Lowe made some good ground especially in first half,

KH25 · 10-04-2021 11:56pm

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Dunno about that. Haven't been impressed by ROL at all, think he's been relatively poor

I thought he grew into the game. Definitely started poorly, but he improved and kept working hard. It was a shame to see his try chalked off!

molloyjh · 10-04-2021 11:57pm

Was I the only one disappointed with Fardy today? I felt he was quite mixed and if there ever really was a call to be made between keeping him or Dev (I don't think there was) then its probably a done deal now. It's unfortunate as Fardy has been a great signing for us overall.

Buenavistam · 11-04-2021 12:22am

VdF's performance today was excellent IMO... Every time there seems to be a challenge to his position as Leinster(even Ireland?) 7 he seems to raise his level of performance to new heights. If he hadn't have been the successor to Sean O'brien (impossible boots to fill) I wonder would he have even more status... There is serious competition in this position but every time he seems to raise his game yet rarely gets the plaudits he deserves I feel.

Teferi · 11-04-2021 1:14am

molloyjh wrote: »

Was I the only one disappointed with Fardy today? I felt he was quite mixed and if there ever really was a call to be made between keeping him or Dev (I don't think there was) then its probably a done deal now. It's unfortunate as Fardy has been a great signing for us overall.

Yeah, I think Fardy might be done at this level tbh. His performances have been tailing off a bit over this season. A cracking signing for Leinster but I think time is catching up with him.

Dave_The_Sheep · 11-04-2021 2:06am

Clipped this from the game. Conan enjoying that last scrum against Exeter.

FrannoFan · 11-04-2021 6:21am

molloyjh wrote: »

Was I the only one disappointed with Fardy today? I felt he was quite mixed and if there ever really was a call to be made between keeping him or Dev (I don't think there was) then its probably a done deal now. It's unfortunate as Fardy has been a great signing for us overall.

Yea. Fardy not what he was. Early free kick was needless at lineout set platform for first trump
Baird was meant to start v Toulon and can see why

hahashake · 11-04-2021 6:51am

Hypothetical: Imagine all back rowers were completely fit and in the best form. Who do you pick?

FrannoFan · 11-04-2021 7:03am

hahashake wrote: »

Hypothetical: Imagine all back rowers were completely fit and in the best form. Who do you pick?

Leavy, Conan, Dorris

Dubinusa · 11-04-2021 7:26am

Ruddock, Vdf, Conan

hahashake · 11-04-2021 7:27am

I figured there will probably be plenty of different answers. Which is a blessing and a curse.

Former Former Former · 11-04-2021 8:11am

hahashake wrote: »

I figured there will probably be plenty of different answers. Which is a blessing and a curse.

Definitely not a curse. We had six senior back rows injured yesterday and were still able to field a unit that significantly out-performed Exeter.

But I honestly don't know what the best combo is. I don't know if any single player would be guaranteed a starting spot if everyone was fit.

deckie66 · 11-04-2021 8:20am

As Leinster can only play a french club from here on there are big questions as to venues because of new quarantine rules.

If Leinester drawn at home then the match will have to move, probably to a neutral venue - UK?

If drawn away they can travel and play but face 12 days at the Crowne Plaza on return !

salmocab · 11-04-2021 8:22am

Former Former Former wrote: »

Definitely not a curse. We had six senior back rows injured yesterday and were still able to field a unit that significantly out-performed Exeter.

I’ve said a few times on the Ireland thread that the balance is not right in the back row, it was less than the sum of its parts. I think a big reason Munster struggle against us despite really good back rowers is they never dominate Leinster back row. Leinster seem to be able to change up the back row constantly and still be nearly always the better back row on the pitch. The speed the game is played at means back rows are really important and a team with a dominant back row will always be in pole position.

salmocab · 11-04-2021 8:26am

deckie66 wrote: »

As Leinster can only play a french club from here on there are big questions as to venues because of new quarantine rules.

If Leinester drawn at home then the match will have to move, probably to a neutral venue - UK?

If drawn away they can travel and play but face 12 days at the Crowne Plaza on return !

Does professional sport not have exemptions for this stuff?

hahashake · 11-04-2021 8:33am

The curse is purely hypothetical at the moment. That world class guys get no game time but still want to/deserve to play as a starter somewhere. Even if it means going to France. But with a carousel of injuries that situation is avoided.

deckie66 · 11-04-2021 8:37am

salmocab wrote: »

Does professional sport not have exemptions for this stuff?

Not for countries for which quarantine is required

11-04-2021 9:01am

salmocab wrote: »

I’ve said a few times on the Ireland thread that the balance is not right in the back row, it was less than the sum of its parts. I think a big reason Munster struggle against us despite really good back rowers is they never dominate Leinster back row. Leinster seem to be able to change up the back row constantly and still be nearly always the better back row on the pitch. The speed the game is played at means back rows are really important and a team with a dominant back row will always be in pole position.

Going to say it in the safety of this thread, you need a back row that has a rounded set of skills and when Stander gets shut down (as Leinster would have done regularly) he will still work hard but just doesn't offer much else. I honestly think his retirement is going to help Ireland.

/controversial opinion

For Leinster with everyone fit I don't think there's a right answer tbh. There's probably going to be a full back row who don't make the 23 that would perform just as well as the starters. I think we all reckoned Doris was one of the first names down but how do you leave out Conan playing like this?

Burkie1203 · 11-04-2021 9:10am

salmocab wrote: »

I’ve said a few times on the Ireland thread that the balance is not right in the back row, it was less than the sum of its parts. I think a big reason Munster struggle against us despite really good back rowers is they never dominate Leinster back row. Leinster seem to be able to change up the back row constantly and still be nearly always the better back row on the pitch. The speed the game is played at means back rows are really important and a team with a dominant back row will always be in pole position.

BoD said something a few years ago on OTB about defending at 13. That some teams posed far more questions then others and made decision making far easier for defenders. Think its similar here. Last RWC QF final. NZ players shouting 8 8 8 8 8 as they identified Stander was lining up to carry and they had a plan. Hold him up, maul, Turnover, scrum, Try.

Look at the recent Scotland game. When Furlong went disco dancing and passed to Stander, he just shovelled the ball wide aimlessly. Conan, Doris, VDF, Ruddock etc would have attacked the space, drawn the man and passed accurately.

Exclamation Marc · 11-04-2021 10:00am

salmocab wrote: »

Does professional sport not have exemptions for this stuff?

Yes it does, if Sport Ireland grant it.

KaneToad · 11-04-2021 10:04am

hahashake wrote: »

I figured there will probably be plenty of different answers. Which is a blessing and a curse.

Ruddock
Conan
Leavy
Dorris
Connors
VdF
Deegan
Penney
(Dr) Murphy

An embarrassment of riches. Surely they can't all be accommodated, or can they?

errlloyd · 11-04-2021 10:07am

KaneToad wrote: »

Ruddock
Conan
Leavy (injured)
Dorris
Connors (injured)
VdF
Deegan (injured)
Penney (injured)
(Dr) Murphy (injured)

An embarrassment of riches. Surely they can't all be accommodated, or can they?

We picked our only three contracted fit back rowers this weekend. So really the talk should be how to get more.

Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

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