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

Former Former · 11-12-2019 5:39pm

Instant personality test:

Are there thousands of empty seats or are there tens of thousands of occupied seats?

sydthebeat · 11-12-2019 6:18pm

http://leinsterrugby.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=0bb4aec1710521c12ee76289d9440817.407&

40K tickets already sold

Uriel. · 11-12-2019 6:55pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

The Christmas game is used by a huge group of non-committed rugby fans. Probably a nice term.

I remember sitting in stadium, wrapped up like Michelen man and a lady sitting beside me in a skirt/top and a small jacket. Needless to say she lasted about 10-20 mins and was gone. Never to return.

You will also have a huge Christmas party crowd that use it as the start off of the night. So yes trips to the toilets are a high percentage.

The die hard fans will moan. Leinster and IRFU don't care as they roll around in the money. Not just from the tickets, but also from the bar. I have used the premium seats the last few years and the bar can be busier than the pubs after the game. Some people dont even bother walking from the bar as they have a great view of the tv :-)

And the "die hard fans" get benefit from the revenue generated as it is reinvested in the teams/clubs. Commercial success if every bit important as anything else when it comes to success of rugby in Ireland.

jacothelad · 11-12-2019 8:59pm

Former Former wrote: »

Instant personality test:

Are there thousands of empty seats or are there tens of thousands of occupied seats?

Schrodinger's Seating. Both are true......:D

Shefwedfan · 11-12-2019 10:15pm

Uriel. wrote: »

And the "die hard fans" get benefit from the revenue generated as it is reinvested in the teams/clubs. Commercial success if every bit important as anything else when it comes to success of rugby in Ireland.

Please note I’m not complaining, standardly it’s a bonus win for Leinster and a bit of a laugh had by all

As you said lots of revenue generated which filters down into the game

Squidgy Black · 11-12-2019 11:59pm

Devin Toner interviewed on the rugby pod, credited Lancaster with being a major factor in our defense over the last couple of years, I know we've heard the likes of Sexton etc reference the work he's done with the backs, but just thought it was interesting to hear how he's having a big effect on both sides of the ball.

mystic86 · 12-12-2019 1:06am

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone who has a link to the Leinster Season Ticket Holder Pre-sale for Leinster v Munster (https://www.ticketmaster.ie/guinness-pro14-leinster-rugby-v-munster-rugby-dublin-18-04-2020/event/18005785859F3D60) would mind PM'ing me the link please?

Many thanks

Beechwoodspark · 12-12-2019 9:55am

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Devin Toner interviewed on the rugby pod, credited Lancaster with being a major factor in our defense over the last couple of years, I know we've heard the likes of Sexton etc reference the work he's done with the backs, but just thought it was interesting to hear how he's having a big effect on both sides of the ball.

Is this a dedicated Leinster podcast? Must look it up. I fly through the off the ball, 42, irish times, left wing etc so always good to have another one on the list.

sydthebeat · 12-12-2019 9:59am

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Is this a dedicated Leinster podcast? Must look it up. I fly through the off the ball, 42, irish times, left wing etc so always good to have another one on the list.

Its "the rugby pod " with Andy goode, Jim Hamilton and Andy roe.

It can be very funny sometimes.... England based so mainly premiership.. But it's definitely one I listen to all the time.

Another is the eggchasers, if you're looking to add to your list.

Squidgy Black · 12-12-2019 9:59am

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Is this a dedicated Leinster podcast? Must look it up. I fly through the off the ball, 42, irish times, left wing etc so always good to have another one on the list.

Nah it's Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton

arsebiscuits1 · 12-12-2019 11:05am

sydthebeat wrote: »

have leinster actually even sold out a christmas pool game in the aviva?

as was mentioned previously, our lowest christmas attendance in the aviva was against saints... they simply are not a big draw... the occasion is more of a draw than the opposition.

look at the attendances over the last 8 years

2011 bath 46k
2012 clermont 49k
2013 saints 47k
2014 quins 38.5K
2015 Toulon 45K
2016 saints 38.5K
2017 exeter 40K
2018 bath 40K

so its quite steady.... no sell outs.

anything over 40k at this will be seen as a success.. and i expect it to be in the high 40's

Anything over 30,000ish and you start turning a profit in the Aviva. It's a very nice money spinner for Leinster.

You do have to factor in the effectiveness of reducing ticket prices. Will the attendances actually increase? I'd be pretty surprised if Leinster hadn't done the maths and the marketing analytics to determine that the ticket pricing structure they have is conducive to a steady and predictable profit

... even someone soft in the head like me can see that :pac:

arsebiscuits1 · 12-12-2019 11:06am

sydthebeat wrote: »

Its "the rugby pod " with Andy goode, Jim Hamilton and Andy roe.

It can be very funny sometimes.... England based so mainly premiership.. But it's definitely one I listen to all the time.

Another is the eggchasers, if you're looking to add to your list.

I do enjoy the Rugby Pod but sometimes the episodes just don't have content that interests me.

Jim and Andy are hilarious together though

Shefwedfan · 12-12-2019 11:09am

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Anything over 30,000ish and you start turning a profit in the Aviva. It's a very nice money spinner for Leinster.

You do have to factor in the effectiveness of reducing ticket prices. Will the attendances actually increase? I'd be pretty surprised if Leinster hadn't done the maths and the marketing analytics to determine that the ticket pricing structure they have is conducive to a steady and predictable profit

... even someone soft in the head like me can see that :pac:

I think the 10 tickets was a good idea....it would get the game into the news and would push additional fans to the stadium....

I would expect if they are not running it, which I havent seen this year, they had no need to bump up the crowd.

Also it is not always the more people the more money. As the crowd grows the overheads also do in terms of Garda/stewards etc. So maybe it is a case for these games a circa 40k crowd is the best return for Leinster.

They have been running these games now for a good few years so they must have the maths done. I know for the initial phase they seem to advertise alot and then it drops off alot.

sydthebeat · 12-12-2019 11:44am

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

You do have to factor in the effectiveness of reducing ticket prices.

there was the €10 tickets available to the public... also there will be 1000s of kids and parents there from various leinster clubs through the One Province initiative which has cheap tickets too.

im going up with my wife and kid.
Ticket, bus from midlands and McDonalds all included in €20

There are also still tickets available @ €25

so there are a wide range of people and pockets allowed for.

errlloyd · 12-12-2019 12:01pm

To be fair, the pricing is also probably right around the ideal point in Cost Volume Profit terms.

If it ends up at around 42 thousand it is 80% full. So assuming there are some variable costs per ticket you'd probably have to be guaranteed a sell out for it to be worth giving even a 10% discount.

kingofthekong · 12-12-2019 12:20pm

Former Former wrote: »

Would be very harsh to drop/rotate Doris now. Likewise Porter.

Would expect Tracy and R Byrne to replace Kelleher and Sexton, otherwise unchanged - assuming Ryan passes RTP. I imagine it's too soon for Cronin to start.

They made a mistake...should never have tried to take ryan out, he may have been injured but everytime he is wounded and not killed he comes back harder to kill .....

James Ryan 2.0 incoming new and improved

kingofthekong · 12-12-2019 12:21pm

Its such a James Ryan thing to get injured literally in the process of shooting out of the line trying to kill someone,

it was when he shot out and tried to annihilate Harrison and just got his head in the wrong spot

kingofthekong · 12-12-2019 12:50pm

I want to see Porter get the nod, I really want the Tadhg from couple years ago throwing all blacks on their head and taking 3 tacklers with him people carry,

Maybe having that competition for his place could bring him back

sydthebeat · 12-12-2019 12:56pm

kingofthekong wrote: »

I want to see Porter get the nod, I really want the Tadhg from couple years ago throwing all blacks on their head and taking 3 tacklers with him people carry,

Maybe having that competition for his place could bring him back

when an irresistible force object meets an unmovable object....... Tadhg wins.

Dubinusa · 12-12-2019 4:47pm

I just rewatched some matches from earlier this season.
I think Treacy has really kicked on. He's playing very well and he looks like he's slimmed down. The game v Connacht he was great. His carrying was brilliant, seemed to crash over the gainline every time. His tackling was superb too. Anyone else notice?
I suppose with Kellerher getting the plaudits and playing so well, he slips under the radar. It's great to see him in such good form.
Another lad who is very impressive is Josh Murphy. He has a complete game at 6 imo. Carrie's hard, tacles well and has a big engine. He could be a fantastic player in a couple of years.

Shefwedfan · 12-12-2019 5:07pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

I just rewatched some matches from earlier this season.
I think Treacy has really kicked on. He's playing very well and he looks like he's slimmed down. The game v Connacht he was great. His carrying was brilliant, seemed to crash over the gainline every time. His tackling was superb too. Anyone else notice?
I suppose with Kellerher getting the plaudits and playing so well, he slips under the radar. It's great to see him in such good form.
Another lad who is very impressive is Josh Murphy. He has a complete game at 6 imo. Carrie's hard, tacles well and has a big engine. He could be a fantastic player in a couple of years.

BOD talked about Treacy before. He was a player you wouldnt pick out in the academy and most people thought he wouldnt make it. He was just one of those pigheaded players who kept going and has ended up with irish caps. Never the most talented player but a determined one

troyzer · 13-12-2019 11:57am

I told myself I wasn't going to go to Marseilles this year.

Flights and tickets booked yesterday.

Rugby is bankrupting me. I went to three Six Nations games this year, the Wasps away game, Newcastle and the World Cup. I'm also going to the Italy game and over to Paris for our Grand Slam win. I'll probably manage to pick up Scotland and Wales tickets as well.

Help.

Shefwedfan · 13-12-2019 12:08pm

troyzer wrote: »

I told myself I wasn't going to go to Marseilles this year.

Flights and tickets booked yesterday.

Rugby is bankrupting me. I went to three Six Nations games this year, the Wasps away game, Newcastle and the World Cup. I'm also going to the Italy game and over to Paris for our Grand Slam win. I'll probably manage to pick up Scotland and Wales tickets as well.

Help.

I am going to do similar. Missed the last few HC after going to them all for years, even when Leinster not playing

Need to get a lads weekend at rugby in France again :-)

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 12:13pm

Leinster ‘A’ (senior caps in brackets)

15. Michael Silvester
14. Josh O’Connor(u19)
13. Gavin Mullin (2)
12. Tommy O’Brien
11. Andrew Smith(u20)
10. Tim Corkery(u19)
9. Cormac Foley
1. Michael Milne (5)
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Jack Aungier (2)
4. Brian Deeny(u20)
5. Óisín Dowling (5)
6. Mark Hernan(u20)
7. Scott Penny (9) CAPTAIN
8. Ronan Watters

16. John McKee(u20)
17. Charlie Ward(u20)
18. Roman Salanoa
19. Cian Prendergast(u20)
20. Alex Soroka(u19)
21. Paddy Patterson (3)
22. David Fitzgibbon(u20)
23. Luis Faria(u20)

Very little senior representation here suggests the wider squad will see a lot of game time over the interpros

kingofthekong · 13-12-2019 12:37pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Leinster ‘A’ (senior caps in brackets)

15. Michael Silvester
14. Josh O’Connor(u19)
13. Gavin Mullin (2)
12. Tommy O’Brien
11. Andrew Smith(u20)
10. Tim Corkery(u19)
9. Cormac Foley
1. Michael Milne (5)
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Jack Aungier (2)
4. Brian Deeny(u20)
5. Óisín Dowling (5)
6. Mark Hernan(u20)
7. Scott Penny (9) CAPTAIN
8. Ronan Watters

16. John McKee(u20)
17. Charlie Ward(u20)
18. Roman Salanoa
19. Cian Prendergast(u20)
20. Alex Soroka(u19)
21. Paddy Patterson (3)
22. David Fitzgibbon(u20)
23. Luis Faria(u20)

Very little senior representation here suggests the wider squad will see a lot of game time over the interpros

Over 100 less 1st team caps then the Munster team , great chance for some of them to impress

13-12-2019 12:58pm

Tracy, Byrne, Furlong, McGrath, Fardy (for Toner) all starting. As you were otherwise. Only saw that annoying video they put on Twitter hence no copy & paste.

Clegg · 13-12-2019 1:00pm

15. Jordan Larmour (42)
14. Dave Kearney (142)
13. Garry Ringrose (68)
12. Robbie Henshaw (40)
11. James Lowe (37)
10. Ross Byrne (80)
9. Luke McGrath (117)
1. Cian Healy (212)
2. James Tracy (102)
3. Tadhg Furlong (104)
4. Scott Fardy (51) CAPTAIN
5. James Ryan (34)
6. Rhys Ruddock (165)
7. Josh van der Flier (76)
8. Calean Doris (24)

16. Bryan Byrne (44)
17. Ed Byrne (49)
18. Andrew Porter (57)
19. Devin Toner (240)
20. Max Deegan (55)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (80)
22. Ciarán Frawley (16)
23. Rob Kearney (213)

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 1:15pm

Not that it matters hugely but suprised to see Fardy captain over Ruddock. I thought Ruddock was the official vice captain

13-12-2019 1:21pm

Badly need Adam Byrne back to complete the Byrne Ultimatum

crisco10 · 13-12-2019 1:22pm

Northampton team:
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Matt Proctor
12 Andrew Symons
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Connor Tupai

1 Francois van Wyk
2 Michael van Vuuren
3 Paul Hill
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Alex Coles
6 Tom Wood (c)
7 Jamie Gibson
8 Lewis Ludlam

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Ehren Painter
19 Lewis Bean
20 JJ Tonks
21 James Mitchell
22 James Grayson
23 Fraser Dingwall

sydthebeat · 13-12-2019 1:23pm

Leinster gone from -19 to -23 after teams named.

Leinster backs should be able to terrorise that saints back 3

pickarooney · 13-12-2019 1:25pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I am going to do similar. Missed the last few HC after going to them all for years, even when Leinster not playing

Need to get a lads weekend at rugby in France again :-)

Wonder could I convince my missus to host it

Clegg · 13-12-2019 1:29pm

No Hutchinson in the side makes Northampton much weaker. He's a quality centre.

Squidgy Black · 13-12-2019 1:31pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Not that it matters hugely but suprised to see Fardy captain over Ruddock. I thought Ruddock was the official vice captain

While Johnny, Luke and Rhys were away at the RWC they put a senior leadership group in place, Scott Fardy, Ross Molony, Ed Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park and Fergus McFadden all rotated leadership duties.

I'd say it's just a follow on from that, and they've kept it in place.

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 1:45pm

As with last week the 2 packs are worlds apart.

Not quite men v boys but I can't see Northampton competing with that pack for the entire game

Shefwedfan · 13-12-2019 1:46pm

I find the Rob Kearney on the bench a strange one. He is not like a utility player. It's 15 or nothing

Frawley as the back up 10 I guess as well? I thought maybe H Byrne would get 10 mins off the bench in Aviva

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 1:48pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I find the Rob Kearney on the bench a strange one. He is not like a utility player. It's 15 or nothing

Frawley as the back up 10 I guess as well? I thought maybe H Byrne would get 10 mins off the bench in Aviva

Frawley is clearly ahead of Harry at the moment in the coaches eyes.

He travelled last week to Northampton as the 24th man

Shefwedfan · 13-12-2019 1:53pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Frawley is clearly ahead of Harry at the moment in the coaches eyes.

He travelled last week to Northampton as the 24th man

Oh I know, but it would be nice for H Byrne....it is Christmas after all.

I am maybe a small but over confident with this game :P

Squidgy Black · 13-12-2019 1:54pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I find the Rob Kearney on the bench a strange one. He is not like a utility player. It's 15 or nothing

Frawley as the back up 10 I guess as well? I thought maybe H Byrne would get 10 mins off the bench in Aviva

Larmour can cover wing and centre, Ringrose can cover wing, Frawley can cover 10 and 12, we have a fair bit of flexibility in our backline as it is so having a specialist on the bench in the 23 shirt isn't a big deal.

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 1:55pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Larmour can cover wing and centre, Ringrose can cover wing, Frawley can cover 10 and 12, we have a fair bit of flexibility in our backline as it is so having a specialist on the bench in the 23 shirt isn't a big deal.

Not forgetting Henshaws deity-like presence at fullback if required :pac:

whatawaster · 13-12-2019 1:55pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Oh I know, but it would be nice for H Byrne....it is Christmas after all.

I am maybe a small but over confident with this game :P

I’m sure it will be nice for Frawley as well!

arsebiscuits1 · 13-12-2019 1:56pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Oh I know, but it would be nice for H Byrne....it is Christmas after all.

I am maybe a small but over confident with this game :P

Northampton well able to spring a surprise but honestly I can't see this one being close...

Stout Warrior · 13-12-2019 2:21pm

I'll be interested to see how the 10,12,13 axis operates in this game with the 6 Nations in mind.

Byrne really needs to put down a marker.

Hopefully we can see a bit of go forward wide ball created.

Faugheen · 13-12-2019 2:51pm

Stout Warrior wrote: »

I'll be interested to see how the 10,12,13 axis operates in this game with the 6 Nations in mind.

Byrne really needs to put down a marker.

Hopefully we can see a bit of go forward wide ball created.

He always puts down a marker. I don’t think there’s ever been a game in Europe where we missed Sexton. Have full faith he’ll do the same tomorrow.

vienne86 · 13-12-2019 2:54pm

I would have started JGP rather than McGrath, but happy with the team.

Former Former · 13-12-2019 3:07pm

All three of Porter, Toner and JGP can feel very hard done by to be dropped/rotated after their performances last week.

durthacht · 13-12-2019 3:07pm

Faugheen wrote: »

He always puts down a marker. I don’t think there’s ever been a game in Europe where we missed Sexton. Have full faith he’ll do the same tomorrow.

I had exactly the same reaction initially, but I suspect the poster meant to put down a marker in the mind of the Irish coaches who have had less faith in him than the Leinster coaches.

With Sexton injured, Carbery only slowly recovering, and Carty having lost form - Byrne could well establish himself as starting 10 in the Six Nations ahead of a Carbery trying to get back to fitness.

Faugheen · 13-12-2019 3:12pm

Former Former wrote: »

All three of Porter, Toner and JGP can feel very hard done by to be dropped/rotated after their performances last week.

It’s pure squad rotation as far as I can see. Horses for courses etc.

It’s not a bad complaint to have. McGrath, JGP, Toner, Fardy, Porter and Furlong are all getting plenty of minutes and we don’t look any weaker no matter who is in or out.

13-12-2019 3:27pm

Has Byrne ever actually lost a European match he's started in?

Former Former · 13-12-2019 3:35pm

Faugheen wrote: »

It’s pure squad rotation as far as I can see. Horses for courses etc.

Absolutely, but I doubt that's any consolation to the lads being benched.

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

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