Leinster 2012/2013

[munstershane]

Do Leinster have a player joining them in the next few weeks or did I dream that?

[Bash]

Leinster could be in trouble next week, Sky have pointed out their "luck" at the breakdown with the ref :P

yeah with quinny who was on the receiving end of sky sports tricks only sitting beside them too

[Bosco]

Do Leinster have a player joining them in the next few weeks or did I dream that?

They better for your sake, dreaming of Leinster is in breach of the MRSC constitution. Punishable by stoning

[munstershane]

They better for your sake, dreaming of Leinster is in breach of the MRSC constitution. Punishable by stoning

That made me laugh a particularly difficult thing to achieve since about 3:30pm today.

[NotreDameRFC]

Do Leinster have a player joining them in the next few weeks or did I dream that?

the have 2 coming....bent ...ex Wellington prop and goodman from somewhere in nz...ten/12 i think

[Valencia]

Leinster aren't the same team though & they were the team that Knocked them out in the last few years. That Leinster pack won't win a European cup. They badly need 2 second rows.

I thought that last season then they went and signed Brad Thorn. They don't miss to much up there do our lady friends. They'll have O'Brien's bulk back too

[Aussiedub]

Still have room for another NIQ signing as well as Bent/Goodman to arrive in next week or 2......Hopefully Kearney etc will be back soon

[busby]

Didn't see this game (abroad this year so will probably only catch the Munster matches) but Leinster are due a bit of lull. Even in 2010 they were only put out away to Toulouse.

If they're to push on this year i think they need to freshen up the centre partnership and the second row. The don't exactly need Brad Thorn to sort their problems in the 2nd row, just one or two good solid pro's. Enough dynamism in the back and front row for the more sexy stuff.

I know they're injured, but you also imagine that Ruddock and Ryan should start pushing past Jennings and McL at this stage if they're as good as they're supposed to be.

[outside inside]

English clubs start well in the HC every year except following a WC , they have the pre-season matches plus 6 league games without Int interference to find their best teams , settle the game plan and gel combinations . Irish teams start the HC undercooked every year and that is before you factor in injuries . Ulster have been marginally less effected by both injuries and Int restrictions and have been quicker to get a settled side so have started the best in both HC & Rabbo .They have had the Spence tragedy to come to terms so to be where they are in both competitions is a testament to the character in their squad . The early advantage of the English sides typically ends after round 3 and the Irish sides finish the the last three rounds very strong .

[The Outlaw]

English clubs start well in the HC every year except following a WC , they have the pre-season matches plus 6 league games without Int interference to find their best teams , settle the game plan and gel combinations . Irish teams start the HC undercooked every year and that is before you factor in injuries . Ulster have been marginally less effected by both injuries and Int restrictions and have been quicker to get a settled side so have started the best in both HC & Rabbo .They have had the Spence tragedy to come to terms so to be where they are in both competitions is a testament to the character in their squad . The early advantage of the English sides typically ends after round 3 and the Irish sides finish the the last three rounds very strong .

The thing is the draw will help the english sides. Quins have a handy group so they will definitely top that group.

I think Saracens will top Munster's group unless Munster can find their form and (team).

So I think those two will make the last 8 regardless of pre-season work

[Old Dog]

Good win for our A team in the B & I last night. They beat Leeds Carnegie 47 - 18, scoring 7 tries by 7 different players. (Mike Ford's younger son was at fly half for Leeds - his older son looks a fine prospect at Leicester.)

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/10485.php

[ackbar]

Leinster have been on the decline since the 2011 knockout stages. Didn't come close to reaching that level of play last year, winning mostly on memory and determination. It's clearly time for a player refresh but naturally that won't happen until the current team gets knocked out this year.
Hopefully by the time Schmidt leaves in two years we'll be well on our way to developing a powerful new team.
There's obviously bucketloads of talent in the Leinster academy but they need time to step up to the next level. A handful of magners league games at the start of the season is not enough to develop.

[taz]

Let folks write off Leinster at their peril,get the posse of the injured back and they will be bloody formidable this season. Lock is the one area I think they are somwewhat lacking.

[Upfront_1979]

absolutely. we have a few issues but mostly whats needed is to get our first team playing together for a while. SOB will make a massive difference when hes back as well.

[Sketchy]

absolutely. we have a few issues but mostly whats needed is to get our first team playing together for a while. SOB will make a massive difference when hes back as well.

Waiting on one player, i.e. SOB, to turn you into a force to be reckoned with is dodgy territory. Godspeed his recovery, and may he come back as strong as ever, but from our own experience it is not good to be hoping that one player will come back and make all the difference. Leinster would want to be a force to be reckoned without him and if he can come back and add to that then great.

[Upfront_1979]

thats not what I said. He will make a massive difference but as stated its gametime is whats needed.

[offshorerules]

Waiting on one player, i.e. SOB, to turn you into a force to be reckoned with is dodgy territory. Godspeed his recovery, and may he come back as strong as ever, but from our own experience it is not good to be hoping that one player will come back and make all the difference. Leinster would want to be a force to be reckoned without him and if he can come back and add to that then great.

There is also Rob Kearney and Gordon D'arcy who look likely to be considered this week. Ruddock and Kearney the younger also returning this week which presents options too. Leinster's injury list is probably close to being as long as Munster's was last year. Besides arguably Leinster's best player against Munster and this weekend was Jennings the tanks direct replacement.

[John Cooper Clarke]

Have to give Exeter Chiefs a huge degree of credit too. They took the game to Leinster in the pack, and probably won the battle too. More than our heroes managed in D4 the other week.

Some rather odd decisions by the ref had a huge effect on the outcome.

[99_oK?]

Let folks write off Leinster at their peril,get the posse of the injured back and they will be bloody formidable this season. Lock is the one area I think they are somwewhat lacking.

Leinster are still a decent side and the backs have that cutting edge we've only ever hinted at. Sexton has now matured to being a decent FH, Reddan is a decent SH and there is plenty of talent all across the backs. BoD can't last forever, but McFadden isn't the only player putting up his hand.

But the pack as a whole isn't fear-inducing. F-row is fine, b-row not too bad (obviously when O'Brien returns he'll boost that), but I'm not convinced by the engine room. Plug is still decent but he's not an 80 minute player any more. Not at all convinced by Toner or Browne. Any young locks on the horizon there (we could loan 'em Nagle.....)?

[99_oK?]

Have to give Exeter Chiefs a huge degree of credit too. They took the game to Leinster in the pack, and probably won the battle too. More than our heroes managed in D4 the other week.

Some rather odd decisions by the ref had a huge effect on the outcome.

Yep, thought Chiefs pack bossed Leinster at times, but credit all across the field - defence was water-tight too. Ref was a homer and Leinster benefitted, but thought Steenson (& the Puma replacement) should have done better; some of those missed kicks weren't that difficult. Wouldn't blame the ref totally; did the occasion get to Steenson, he's normally more reliable than that.

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What's with the new avatar JCC?

[Bromance]

The big Bok Quinn Roux is due back from injury, he'll be a big plus. Is a huge man that can make a massive impact

[Waterfordlad]

we could loan 'em Nagle.....?

Wash your mouth out my son

[99_oK?]

Wash your mouth out my son

Why not...? He's not played in ages - last time I remember was against a certain SH team.....

With Holland playing decently, PoC and Ryan in rude health and DoC on the way back from a rare injury when can you realistically see Ian getting game-time? And I'd hate to see our good neighbours fall down the ERC pecking order for the want of a bit of neighbourly help.....!

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And I really wish I was young enough to be your (or anyone else on here now) offspring.....

[Kevy-Wevz]

Besides arguably Leinster's best player against Munster and this weekend was Jennings the tanks direct replacement.

I never actually rated Jenning's until what I've seen of him this season. He's really leading by example and he's a damn smart 7. Also somebody else around here made the point that he's first player you'd want on your team going into a battle, he'll never take a step back.

Very impressed so far

[bazzyg]

I presume Nacewa has gotten away without a citing for his cynical trip during the game. His sneakiness is only matched by his skill, he's wasted on the wing.

[masterchief]

I presume Nacewa has gotten away without a citing for his cynical trip during the game. His sneakiness is only matched by his skill, he's wasted on the wing.

True, with that level of sneakiness he'd make a great flanker!

[Hugonaut]

The big Bok Quinn Roux is due back from injury, he'll be a big plus. Is a huge man that can make a massive impact

He's a 21 year old lock who hasn't started a single Super Rugby game [source: http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_22550.html ]; he's not Bakkies Botha. I met him the other day at the match, and while obviously a big dude, he's not huge by second row standards.

He could progress while he's here, and he's probably got more hitting power than any of other locks [bar big Browne, who can wallop a hole in stationary targets with his good shoulder] but he needed an injury free run to get up to speed with how the team plays and what's expected of him in the system, and he hasn't had it. We've had ten games so far including three pre-season warm-ups, and he has only featured in two of them, including just 13 minutes against Connacht.

[Cianostays]

I never actually rated Jenning's until what I've seen of him this season. He's really leading by example and he's a damn smart 7. Also somebody else around here made the point that he's first player you'd want on your team going into a battle, he'll never take a step back.

Very impressed so far

Our best player so far this season. Has actually become a pretty decent ball carrier for us also. Okay, he's never going to punch massive holes in the opposition defence but he'll always put us on the front foot.

Nervous about this weekend. Hoping that another week training together will lead to an improvement in the continuity of our play.

Was impressed with the Chiefs and I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that they could really trouble Clermont on Saturday.

[Thomond78]

I presume Nacewa has gotten away without a citing for his cynical trip during the game. His sneakiness is only matched by his skill, he's wasted on the wing.

When Leo the Looker can get away with dropping the hand on Aurelien Rougerie, did you think a mere trip would be cited?

[the plastic paddy]

He's a 21 year old lock who hasn't started a single Super Rugby game [source: http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_22550.html ]; he's not Bakkies Botha. I met him the other day at the match, and while obviously a big dude, he's not huge by second row standards.

He could progress while he's here, and he's probably got more hitting power than any of other locks [bar big Browne, who can wallop a hole in stationary targets with his good shoulder] but he needed an injury free run to get up to speed with how the team plays and what's expected of him in the system, and he hasn't had it. We've had ten games so far including three pre-season warm-ups, and he has only featured in two of them, including just 13 minutes against Connacht.

Whats happened to the young fella Flanagan? Was impressed with him last year.