Planet Rugby Forum

It's miles away and I'm already feeling angst at POM not carrying or tackling and Murray approaching the game with the speed of a glacier.

neither should be near the irish side on form.. but who am I kidding.

"They are a very dangerous team and it's not only taking a lesson of what we've seen this weekend from Ulster," Contepomi replied when asked what that 22-19 win had taught him.

The Leinster backs coach added, "I think they've been building into one of the best teams, definitely in the competition, and one of the best in Europe for the last couple of years.

"We've taken lessons from them in the quarter-final last year in the Heineken Champions Cup, we've taken lessons on two weeks ago when we played them.

"We are always taking lessons on them because they are a very dangerous team.

"And what they've done at the weekend - they're only the second team to win a semi-final away from home, and that speaks huge [sic] of them.

"And the way they won it, I'm sure they are in great confidence. They are building something special themselves."

Contepomi also praised Madigan for keeping his cool with the late conversion and penalty, saying, "That's what also experience does.

"That's the depth that you can talk of [with] Ulster. They are a very good side with a lot of depth, and people can come in and nail the kicks to take them to a final, and good on him."

ROG seemed to cast doubt on leinster's squad and their ability to replace their older leaders in his recent examiner article: https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/c ... 43042.html

Below is a list of Leinster's older generation nearing the end of their leinster careers and two players who could potentially replacement them:

Cian Healy(33) -> Michael Milne(21) or Jack Boyle(U19)
Sean Cronin(34) -> Dan Sheehan(22) or Lee Barron(U20)
Michael Bent(34) -> Tom Clarkson(20) or Rory McGuire(U19)
Devin Toner(34) -> Jack Dunne(22) or Joe McCarthy(U20)
Scott Fardy(36) -> Ryan Baird(21) or Alex Soroka(U20)
Johnny Sexton(35) -> Harry Byrne(21) or Charlie Tector(U19)
Rob Kearney(34) -> Hugo Keenan(24) or Chris Cosgrave(U20)
Fergus McFadden(34) -> Andrew Smith(20) or Jamie Osborne(U20)

All of the above senior players contracts end in June 2021, except Kearney & McFadden who finish could be finished in two weeks time, i'd say it's safe to say Healy and Sexton will almost certainly continue playing beyond that point.. what happens with the rest is difficult to forecast but any of them calling it a career wouldn't be hugely surprising.

last time leinster played ulster in a final this happened... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEUfmZc ... PRO14Rugby

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:08 pm neither should be near the irish side on form.. but who am I kidding.

Well if he can’t name a backrow now without POM then he never will

Murray will start

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:30 pm

shabadoo wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:23 pm

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:08 pm rumoured leinster side:

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Porter
4. Ryan
5. Toner
6. Doris
7. JVDF
8. Conan
9. JGP
10. Byrne
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Keenan
15. Larmour

Id be delighted if that is the team. Leo really knows what he is doing - he is an absolute diamond

He really has done some job, no matter what happens in the next 2 games. Not really sure he gets the credit he deserves either.

Really don't think he does. Just think back to where Leinster were during the MoC era. He has taken that team and done unbelievably well with it. Obviously he has the conveyor belt but that needs to be managed well - as MoC has shown.

He rarely seems to get a selection wrong. Think of the team he put out against a strong Ulster team last time round, no other coach that I can think of would have done it. All the younger lads are getting incredible experience week in week out.

The latest rumoured selection will have Sexton rested but also chomping at the bit. JVDF with a rocket up his hole, Keenan getting incredible experience as well as Byrne obviously.

Lancaster is brilliant also and bears a lot of responsibility for the way the team are playing but Leo is the root of it all. He is an absolute legend and Leinster are blessed to have him.

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:45 pm

Ulsters Red Hand wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:05 pm

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:53 pm Guessing Ulster will bring back Moore and McGrath but thats not 100% guaranteed, Lowry to 15 should be to try and get the backline clicking and Reidy to start at 6.

Would be very surprised if Lowry starts

Look at our good play from the second half on Saturday, Lowry was part of a lot of it

I don’t disagree but so was Matthewson and Madigan, those guys have the experience of big games over Lowry so if you’re going to start anyone from the bench it would be them ahead of Lowry

Unless there are injuries I could see the same team more or less except with changes of both props.

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:03 am Ulster's starting frontrow made 40 tackles with none missed.

When Moore and McGrath came on we were controlling the ball so not as many tackles unsurprisingly.

Not sure about that one?

Thought EOS missed at least one ..... and that's not counting him waving McInally through for a try

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:07 pm ROG seemed to cast doubt on leinster's squad and their ability to replace their older leaders in his recent examiner article: https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/c ... 43042.html

Below is a list of Leinster's older generation nearing the end of their leinster careers and two players who could potentially replacement them:

Cian Healy(33) -> Michael Milne(21) or Jack Boyle(U19)
Sean Cronin(34) -> Dan Sheehan(22) or Lee Barron(U20)
Michael Bent(34) -> Tom Clarkson(20) or Rory McGuire(U19)
Devin Toner(34) -> Jack Dunne(22) or Joe McCarthy(U20)
Scott Fardy(36) -> Ryan Baird(21) or Alex Soroka(U20)
Johnny Sexton(35) -> Harry Byrne(21) or Charlie Tector(U19)
Rob Kearney(34) -> Hugo Keenan(24) or Chris Cosgrave(U20)
Fergus McFadden(34) -> Andrew Smith(20) or Jamie Osborne(U20)

All of the above senior players contracts end in June 2021, except Kearney & McFadden who finish could be finished in two weeks time, i'd say it's safe to say Healy and Sexton will almost certainly continue playing beyond that point.. what happens with the rest is difficult to forecast but any of them calling it a career wouldn't be hugely surprising.

I don't think that's what he meant. Healy's replacement will be Dooley/Byrne. Cronins will be Kelleher/Tracey and so forth. We'll be losing Healy, Cronin, Bent, Toner & Fardy from the pack all within 2 years of each other. Their replacements won't have the same experience as them. Luckliy we've the likes of Ryan and Furlong in there who despite their age have a lot big game experience. It comes from having those lads there for so long.

Ireland in with England, Wales and Georgia for this 8 Nations thingy.

Other pool is France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.

Ulsters Red Hand wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:52 pm

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:45 pm

Ulsters Red Hand wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:05 pm

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 5:53 pm Guessing Ulster will bring back Moore and McGrath but thats not 100% guaranteed, Lowry to 15 should be to try and get the backline clicking and Reidy to start at 6.

Would be very surprised if Lowry starts

Look at our good play from the second half on Saturday, Lowry was part of a lot of it

I don’t disagree but so was Matthewson and Madigan, those guys have the experience of big games over Lowry so if you’re going to start anyone from the bench it would be them ahead of Lowry

Unless there are injuries I could see the same team more or less except with changes of both props.

Mathewson changed up the tempo and was a catalyst but I'm hoping its the kick up the arse that Cooney needs.

With Balacoune and Addison injured and Ludik subbed at half time I don't see why Lowry wouldn't be in line for a start.

Madigan only came on for the last 10 minutes, by which stage we were dominating territory and possession, he actually only touched the ball 6 times and two of those were placing the ball on the tee and kicking it, great kicks and all but he didn't have the same impact on our play as Lowry.

IBWT wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:52 pm Ireland in with England, Wales and Georgia for this 8 Nations thingy.

Other pool is France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.

How have they worked those out? Doesn't seem balanced pools.

I'd rather watch Tarf and Con

I'm not sure I agree with this Cullen doesn't get enough credit line

ZuLu wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:22 am I'm not sure I agree with this Cullen doesn't get enough credit line

We'll take that onboard

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:11 am I'd rather watch Tarf and Con

That's generous. I'd rather watch a J6/7 match

Junior rugby has a bit of flair and banter about it. Genuinely talented lads coming up against other lads that use their Saturday afternoons as an excuse to legally assault someone with no repercussions. They should televise that instead of Munster tbf.

Watching international teams with their box kicking, exit strategies, defensive systems, finishers, defensive sets etc., is quite frankly boring in comparison.

was good seeing leinster have success against munster lineout.

Scott Fardy stole two, Devin Toner picked off one, and Ryan Baird got another one.

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:40 am Junior rugby has a bit of flair and banter about it. Genuinely talented lads coming up against other lads that use their Saturday afternoons as an excuse to legally assault someone with no repercussions. They should televise that instead of Munster tbf.

Watching international teams with their box kicking, exit strategies, defensive systems, finishers, defensive sets etc., is quite frankly boring in comparison.

I enjoyed watching the U20s more than the seniors this year for this reason. Haven't had the craic coached out of them yet.

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:34 am

IBWT wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:52 pm Ireland in with England, Wales and Georgia for this 8 Nations thingy.

Other pool is France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.

How have they worked those out? Doesn't seem balanced pools.

I think they based it on the 6N games that are yet to play and avoiding doubling up fixtures. ie we still have to play France and Italy, and so were not going to be placed in the same group as them. It's just games for teh sake of games, I don't think anyone is going to be too fussed about them.

EverReady wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:35 am

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:11 am I'd rather watch Tarf and Con

Think a lot of people are becoming quite club centric. Perversely St Mary's were getting great crowds before Covid.

Good, about time.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:43 pm Facebook rumour that Frawley going to Munster. Have no idea how credible it is. It's obviously feasible.

Fcuk right off!

hermie wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:51 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:43 pm Facebook rumour that Frawley going to Munster. Have no idea how credible it is. It's obviously feasible.

Fcuk right off!

seems like its nothing but can't be ruled out I guess.

Pascal Gauzere in the middle for Leinster v Saracens
Wayne Barnes gets Toulouse v Ulster

danthefan wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:42 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:40 am Junior rugby has a bit of flair and banter about it. Genuinely talented lads coming up against other lads that use their Saturday afternoons as an excuse to legally assault someone with no repercussions. They should televise that instead of Munster tbf.

Watching international teams with their box kicking, exit strategies, defensive systems, finishers, defensive sets etc., is quite frankly boring in comparison.

I enjoyed watching the U20s more than the seniors this year for this reason. Haven't had the craic coached out of them yet.

100% this. Was great to watch young players just giving it everything, not as afraid to make mistakes, and the two teams hadn’t analysed each other to death either.

Leo is now in Brian Cody territory in KKs pomp. Every week you randomly drop a couple of lads who have good games and say something cryptic like "you know well why and I shouldn't have to tell you...start putting it in". Everybody mad paranoid and hungry and playing like mad bastards every week.

shame you cant rewatch the 20's win over england anywhere

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:19 am shame you cant rewatch the 20's win over england anywhere

Do you not get bored wanking over the same video? I know I do

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:09 am Pascal Gauzere in the middle for Leinster v Saracens
Wayne Barnes gets Toulouse v Ulster

My impression of Barnes is that he favours the attacking team at ruck time and doesn’t give too many pens for holding on or allows turnovers. Big plus for Ulster given our inaccuracies at ruck cleanouts.

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:07 pm ROG seemed to cast doubt on leinster's squad and their ability to replace their older leaders in his recent examiner article: https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/c ... 43042.html

Below is a list of Leinster's older generation nearing the end of their leinster careers and two players who could potentially replacement them:

Cian Healy(33) -> Michael Milne(21) or Jack Boyle(U19)
Sean Cronin(34) -> Dan Sheehan(22) or Lee Barron(U20)
Michael Bent(34) -> Tom Clarkson(20) or Rory McGuire(U19)
Devin Toner(34) -> Jack Dunne(22) or Joe McCarthy(U20)
Scott Fardy(36) -> Ryan Baird(21) or Alex Soroka(U20)
Johnny Sexton(35) -> Harry Byrne(21) or Charlie Tector(U19)
Rob Kearney(34) -> Hugo Keenan(24) or Chris Cosgrave(U20)
Fergus McFadden(34) -> Andrew Smith(20) or Jamie Osborne(U20)

All of the above senior players contracts end in June 2021, except Kearney & McFadden who finish could be finished in two weeks time, i'd say it's safe to say Healy and Sexton will almost certainly continue playing beyond that point.. what happens with the rest is difficult to forecast but any of them calling it a career wouldn't be hugely surprising.

Who are the highlighted lads, how good are they?

Luckycharmer wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:41 am Who are the highlighted lads, how good are they?

Joe McCarthy(Blackrock/DUFC) featured from the bench for the 20's during the 6 nations as a u19, looked very good and joined the academy this summer. Looks to have impressive physicality for a player so young.

Charlie Tector(Kilkenny College) looked set to be the irish u18 outhalf last easter before covid struck, highly rated he skipped leinster 19's and is training with the sub-academy squad since they returned.

Jamie Osborne(Naas RFC) featured at wing and fullback for the irish u18's in 2019, would have done similar for the irish 19's last easter.

McCarthy is already in the academy, would expect both Osborne and Tector to join him next summer.

Munster should give up their pro14 spot to the Iroquois nation.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/20 ... rld-games/

hermie wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:51 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:43 pm Facebook rumour that Frawley going to Munster. Have no idea how credible it is. It's obviously feasible.

Fcuk right off!

Relax it was fake news . The admin on that page just threw up that post to get some discussion going . He later posted that Frawley isn’t going anywhere and wasn’t approached

Do we have a schedule for this 8N thing ?

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:54 am

Luckycharmer wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:41 am Who are the highlighted lads, how good are they?

Joe McCarthy(Blackrock/DUFC) featured from the bench for the 20's during the 6 nations as a u19, looked very good and joined the academy this summer. Looks to have impressive physicality for a player so young.

Charlie Tector(Kilkenny College) looked set to be the irish u18 outhalf last easter before covid struck, highly rated he skipped leinster 19's and is training with the sub-academy squad since they returned.

Jamie Osborne(Naas RFC) featured at wing and fullback for the irish u18's in 2019, would have done similar for the irish 19's last easter.

McCarthy is already in the academy, would expect both Osborne and Tector to join him next summer.

Haven't seen Tector play, but the previous "next great Kilkenny outhalf" tim Corkery never looked that impressive to me ...... he was just too light and a bit ponderous .... but still featured for the u-20's this season, so he seems to be well regarded by McNamara

Looking forward to seeing tector in action

Are the A games that were scheduled for this Saturday still going ahead?

danthefan wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:42 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 9:40 am Junior rugby has a bit of flair and banter about it. Genuinely talented lads coming up against other lads that use their Saturday afternoons as an excuse to legally assault someone with no repercussions. They should televise that instead of Munster tbf.

Watching international teams with their box kicking, exit strategies, defensive systems, finishers, defensive sets etc., is quite frankly boring in comparison.

I enjoyed watching the U20s more than the seniors this year for this reason. Haven't had the craic coached out of them yet.

U20s international level is great for this. Very talented guys that still have a bit joué about them.
Not as accurate as top level pro, obviously, and prone to mistakes, but definitely good craic.

from munsterrugby.ie

Those ‘A’ fixtures are set to be played on the weekends of September 19 and September 26 with final details to be confirmed. They are playing Connacht.

So maybe Leinster will play Ulster on those dates?

On the injury front, Andrew Conway was removed with a head injury in the second half of Friday’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final. He has begun his graded return to play protocols under the supervision of the medical department.

Conor Murray was removed with a thigh strain and he will undergo a scan to further assess the injury.

Jean Kleyn (neck) will begin his re-integration to training this week.

RG Snyman’s surgery on his torn ACL went very well and he has begun his rehabilitation.

Continuing to rehab: Joey Carbery (ankle), Dan Goggin (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle).

rfurlong wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:40 pm Haven't seen Tector play, but the previous "next great Kilkenny outhalf" tim Corkery never looked that impressive to me ...... he was just too light and a bit ponderous .... but still featured for the u-20's this season, so he seems to be well regarded by McNamara

Looking forward to seeing tector in action

Are the A games that were scheduled for this Saturday still going ahead?

Think that's a pretty harsh take on an underage club outhalf who was playing for Leinster A rugby as a 17 year old last year. Tector and Corkery will both be competing for that irish 20's jersey and an academy place and you couldn't rule out both getting an academy place next summer. Certainly they are the leading candidates at outhalf.

Tector is a wexford man btw.