Leinster v Exeter

[hugonaut]

On Sat, we got to see what happens when the pack decide to take on their oppo forwards and to bully a team up front. The pack took up the dirty ball very well, which was less often than normal because we were rucking over it, and the backs actually took on the decent ball at a good depth and line.

Yeah, we smashed into them at the breakdown. Two or three times we were over-zealous and got pinged for leaving our feet, but given how amped-up the pack were taking the pitch, you could live with that for the game that was in it. We'll need to cut it down against Exeter, but hopefully we'll have O'Brien back in the starting line up and Strauss and Locky on the bench, all of whom are very good around the contact area.

[[Jackass]]

I thought that was one area we got away with a lot actually, going off the feet at the breakdown. In general it's barely policed at all by any ref, like most things these days, it's a lottery on what rules are enforced, but in the lead up to our last try it was border line comical how lads were jumping into the ruck from the Leinster side.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

On Sat, we got to see what happens when the pack decide to take on their oppo forwards and to bully a team up front. The pack took up the dirty ball very well, which was less often than normal because we were rucking over it, and the backs actually took on the decent ball at a good depth and line.

Yeah, we smashed into them at the breakdown. Two or three times we were over-zealous and got pinged for leaving our feet, but given how amped-up the pack were taking the pitch, you could live with that for the game that was in it. We'll need to cut it down against Exeter, but hopefully we'll have O'Brien back in the starting line up and Strauss and Locky on the bench, all of whom are very good around the contact area.

Would you bring Locky back after the way Ruddock played? I wouldn't.

Dundon was brilliant when he came on, Strauss would have to be tearing it up in training for me to go with him.

[AdamK]

I can't see Locky making the squad now tbh, he's been out too much. However, if you look at him during the away game to clermont you can see why he might be picked. He's our best ruck cleaner in the squad. Very Thorn-esque with his clear outs.

[johng]

On Sat, we got to see what happens when the pack decide to take on their oppo forwards and to bully a team up front. The pack took up the dirty ball very well, which was less often than normal because we were rucking over it, and the backs actually took on the decent ball at a good depth and line.

Yeah, we smashed into them at the breakdown. Two or three times we were over-zealous and got pinged for leaving our feet, but given how amped-up the pack were taking the pitch, you could live with that for the game that was in it. We'll need to cut it down against Exeter, but hopefully we'll have O'Brien back in the starting line up and Strauss and Locky on the bench, all of whom are very good around the contact area.

Would you bring Locky back after the way Ruddock played? I wouldn't.

Dundon was brilliant when he came on, Strauss would have to be tearing it up in training for me to go with him.

In a heartbeat. Although it is good to have Ruddock on form

[jezzer]

I thought that was one area we got away with a lot actually, going off the feet at the breakdown. In general it's barely policed at all by any ref, like most things these days, it's a lottery on what rules are enforced, but in the lead up to our last try it was border line comical how lads were jumping into the ruck from the Leinster side.

The ruck was a mess. They were lying all over the ball, lazy runners, coming in the side, sealing off. So we started blasting them out of it and rucking over the ball. Half the time though guys were rucking thin air and more or less flopping over onto the Llanelli side. We were definitely doing it, but it was that or concede the breakdown to the antics of the Scarlets.

[curates_egg]

Not sure you can give out to Toner for that one as I think he was just following Leo. Leo appears to have that special skill of entering the side door but being invisible to the ref.

If Browne was back I think I would keep him on the bench.

What's the word on Browne?

Personally, a big fan - based on what he brings to the scrum. We struggled at both setpieces against Exeter in RDS though - which do you focus on this weekend? Exter have a couple of front row injuries, so how does that play into it?

Big ask one way or the other.

[LeinsterLeader]

Further proof if it where required that the man is not human:

Sinéad Kissane‏@sineadkissane

Brian O'Driscoll had scan on his ankle yesterday. It was 'fine'. Asst coach Jono Gibbes said O'Driscoll should be on the field tomorrow


Good news indeed

[LeinsterLeader]

Further proof if it where required that the man is not human:

Sinéad Kissane‏@sineadkissane

Brian O'Driscoll had scan on his ankle yesterday. It was 'fine'. Asst coach Jono Gibbes said O'Driscoll should be on the field tomorrow


Good news indeed

She also said SOB is feeling a lot better and is expected to train this week!

[wixfjord]

Strauss and McLaughlin both trained fully today too it seems.

Good news all round.

A bit too good...

[Lar]

Strauss and McLaughlin both trained fully today too it seems.

Good news all round.

A bit too good...

Shame they only allow fifteen on the pitch at a time. But the bench should be very strong.....

[Donny B.]

The Leinster squad were put through their paces ahead of Saturday evening's final Heineken Cup Pool encounter against Exeter Chiefs in Sandy Park (KO: 6pm) with a training session in UCD on Monday afternoon...

Following Saturday night’s bonus point victory over the Scarlets, there are a number of niggles which will be monitored by the medical team ahead of Friday’s lunchtime team announcement prior to the squad’s departure to the south of England.

Brian O’Driscoll experienced some discomfort after rolling his right ankle which may limit his on-field involvement early in the week but the management are confident he will be fit for selection by Thursday. Cian Healy was replaced at half-time after producing a typically lung-bursting display, while Jonathan Sexton, who received plenty of physical attention from the Scarlets, was replaced by Ian Madigan late on as a precaution.

The Scarlets victory marked forward duo Tom Denton and Aaron Dundon’s Heineken Cup debuts for the province, the latter being particularly impressive with ball in hand.

Otherwise, the management should be in a position to select from a strong panel for Saturday’s game. Sean O’Brien was a late withdrawal from the game due to illness, but he is expected to resume full training this week as will Kevin McLaughlin (shoulder). Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss will be available for selection, while Isa Nacewa successfully came through his comeback game after missing the last few weeks with a forearm injury.

In a further boost, following his recent quad injury David Kearney successfully came through his comeback game in the ‘A’ team’s British & Irish Cup victory over Pontypridd earlier on Saturday afternoon in a game which also saw second row Mark Flanagan (back) return to action. The ‘A’ team travel to Leeds Carnegie this Saturday in the final round of the Pool stages (KO: 2pm).

The Official Leinster Supporters Club, in association with Bank of Ireland, have published an away guide for those travelling to Exeter this weekend which can be downloaded from www.leinsterrugby.ie this week.

[dingbat]

I thought that was one area we got away with a lot actually, going off the feet at the breakdown. In general it's barely policed at all by any ref, like most things these days, it's a lottery on what rules are enforced, but in the lead up to our last try it was border line comical how lads were jumping into the ruck from the Leinster side.

Agree 100%. Can't understand how everyone said that the ref was awful for Leinster, he was great! Leinster players came in from the side with impunity. The only time they were pinged for it was when Luke Fitz actually walked around and came in from the Llanelli side - even that ref, bad as he was, couldn't let that one go...

[johng]

This is what I told Joe to pick. He usually just chuckles politely and tells me that it's "interesting"

Healy
Cronin
Ross
Cullen
Toner
O'Brien
Jennings
Heaslip

Boss
Sexton
McFadden
D'Arcy
O'Driscoll
Nacewa
Kearney

Strauss
Van der Merwe
Bent
McLaughlin
Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan
Fitzgerald

[artaneboy]

This is what I told Joe to pick. He usually just chuckles politely and tells me that it's "interesting"

Healy
Cronin
Ross
Cullen
Toner
O'Brien
Jennings
Heaslip

Boss
Sexton
McFadden
D'Arcy
O'Driscoll
Nacewa
Kearney

Strauss
Van der Merwe
Bent
McLaughlin
Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan
Fitzgerald

Not starting Luke; but going with an injured BOD from the off? It IS interesting!

[johng]

Not starting Luke; but going with an injured BOD from the off? It IS interesting!

Luke Ferg and Isa. One of them had to bench.

Drico will be fine, besides you want him starting and take him off if he's flagging rather than bang him on at 50 and he doesn't make the end of the game. We could put any of Boss, Madigan, McFadden, Isa in the centre in a pinch too. (Not in that order)

[AdamK]

I'd bench Isa tbh. Has much more ability to come on against a tired team and put them to the sword. Luke and Ferg to serve as hard runners and hit them up early on.

[johng]

I was considering that. But it felt a bit like sacrilege. I had to visit the local priest after those impure thoughts.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I think Bod was injured for the first couple of days last week and that's why Joe benched him so I'd imagine he'll bench him again if he's not fit now.

If he is fit and firing then I'd start him and bench Isa too.

[AdamK]

I'd still start him if he wasn't 100%, as already said what use is an injured player on the bench? You'll just have him going off and someone like Boss coming back on after a few minutes anyway.

If he isn't 100% he can play on the fringes and link up.