Leinster V Cardiff Blues HC 1/4 Final

[kermischocolate]

To be fair Glasgow played very well last night. They should have had more scores but have an uncanny ability to butcher try scoring opportunities at times. Hope all the injuries mounting up aren't as bad as they looked.

Cardiff didn't remotely look like scoring. Their forwards just weren't in the game.As someone said about their last game they looked very disinterested. I only realised Jamie Roberts was on the pitch when he was subbed.

For a one off HC game anything is possible but Leinster should be more than capable of destroying them.

[lineens weegie army]

Cardiff were truly awful - expected so much more from them last night. Certainly didn't expect to be sitting with 20 mins to go and thinking we could get a bonus point!

That Glasgow have taken the full 10 points from them this season says it all really - we haven't even managed a single BP against anyone else this season!

Obviously next week is a one off game and anything can happen, but Leinster should win and win comfortably (or at least, as comfortably as they come in knock-out competition)


Oh, and a good chance one of their players (I am not 100% sure, but may have been Sweeney) will be banned for next week. Whilst one of ours was receiving treatment to their eye, you can clearly hear Clancy saying he didn't see anything, but he has had a gouge reported to him. Don't see much on tv though, so with a welsh disciplinary panel, maybe not... (the player in question - Ryan Wilson - then went and scored two tries! )

[cormac]

Henson suspended by the club after an incident on flight home this morning.

[BlueArmyOriginal]

Henson suspended by the club after an incident on flight home this morning.

[Degz]

I have the feeling this is bad news for us. Henson will be on his way out of cardiff now, and this could unite their squad.

[cormac]

I have the feeling this is bad news for us. Henson will be on his way out of cardiff now, and this could unite their squad.

Will take a lot more than that.

[berniemac67]

we are stuttering a bit, but we were stuttering a bit before bath came to dublin

i don't think the blues can really be as bad as thery were last night or as bad as they were when we last played them, but i'd be delighted if they are

there is plenty to work on this week, but all things considered i am cautiously optimistic

[Degz]

we are stuttering a bit, but we were stuttering a bit before bath came to dublin

i don't think the blues can really be as bad as thery were last night or as bad as they were when we last played them, but i'd be delighted if they are

there is plenty to work on this week, but all things considered i am cautiously optimistic

I think their level is about what we witnessed in Cardiff earlier this year where they should have beaten us. That was a very close game, but I would still expect home advantage to see us over the line.

[ceemec]

Scrum.com mention that Roberts is "sidelined" for next week's game with a knee injury sustained last night.

[bluemagic]

Team for next week should be:
15.Kearney
14.Nacewa
13.BOD
12. Darce
11. Fitzgerald
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
8. Heaslip
7. Jennings
6. Seannie
5. Toner
4. Thorn
3. Ross
2. Cronin
1. Healy

16. Strauss
17. Van Der Merwe
18. Nathan White (hopefully)
19. Cullen
20. McLaughlin
21. Boss
22. Madigan
23. McFadden

[Hippo]

Team for next week should be:
15.Kearney
14.Nacewa
13.BOD
12. Darce
11. Fitzgerald
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
8. Heaslip
7. Jennings
6. Seannie
5. Toner
4. Thorn
3. Ross
2. Cronin
1. Healy

16. Strauss
17. Van Der Merwe
18. Nathan White (hopefully)
19. Cullen
20. McLaughlin
21. Boss
22. Madigan
23. McFadden

I'd go with that, except I wouldn't start Cronin; maybe Leo to start as well, I think he brings a lot in terms of leadership.

[simonokeeffe]

Henson suspended by the club for an incident on the plane coming back from Glasgow

[Danthefan]

I'd pick 13 of the 15 above with Cullen and Strauss both starting. Strauss is too good at the breakdown to leave out from the start, with Cronin to come on and punch some holes later in the game. Cullen has to start imo.

[bluemagic]

I'd pick 13 of the 15 above with Cullen and Strauss both starting. Strauss is too good at the breakdown to leave out from the start, with Cronin to come on and punch some holes later in the game. Cullen has to start imo.

Who would Cullen replace, thorn or toner?

[Danthefan]

I'd pick 13 of the 15 above with Cullen and Strauss both starting. Strauss is too good at the breakdown to leave out from the start, with Cronin to come on and punch some holes later in the game. Cullen has to start imo.

Who would Cullen replace, thorn or toner?

Toner.

[glenageary]

Thankfully we have a full deck of cards to pick from. The debate about Strauss / Thorn / Cronin starting or coming on as replacements is a great choice to have . We know that the last 20min are the important ones and i think our bench will make the difference. The only issue is will they need too?

I still think that we shall win by 2 scores.

My only concern is would you play McF instead of D'Arcy from the start??

[bgmusic]

Henson has apologised,they may have to play him at 12 if Roberts is out.

[Cianostays]

Before last night, I'd have definitley gone with Ferg and would've been concerned starting D'Arce. In fairness though, D'Arce played well and doesn't concern me anymore.

The depth of the squad is fantastic though. I mean look at the amount of marginal calls in the team there are right now . By my reckoning there are 8 positions where there are varying degrees of debate as to who could/should get the nod:

1 Healy/VDM
2 Strauss/Cronin
3 Ross
4 Thorn
5 Toner/Leo
6 Locky/SO'B
7 Jenno/SO'B
8 Jamie
9 Redddan/Boss
10 Johnny
11 Luke/Dave K
12 Ferg/D'Arce
13 BO'D
14 Isa
15 Rob

[glenageary]

As I said a great choice, or as Joe said on tv last night "a migraine"!!

[nopeare]

Team for next week should be:
15.Kearney
14.Nacewa
13.BOD
12. Darce
11. Fitzgerald
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
8. Heaslip
7. Jennings
6. Seannie
5. Toner
4. Thorn
3. Ross
2. Cronin
1. Healy

16. Strauss
17. Van Der Merwe
18. Nathan White (hopefully)
19. Cullen
20. McLaughlin
21. Boss
22. Madigan
23. McFadden

I'd go with that, except I wouldn't start Cronin; maybe Leo to start as well, I think he brings a lot in terms of leadership.

Thats the team I would have with the 2 changes, I know I said Dave K could be in with a shot ahead of Luke a few days ago but was impressed with Luke last night seemed hungry think he will do well against Cardiff if picked