HEC R1 Leinster v Treviso Sat 3.15 BT Sports

[curates_egg]

Ah the one leg was just for sport.

On two legs I'll be surprised if he is caught this season. Maybe during the following one.

It's also worrying close to what Stephen Jones used to write about ROG and Ireland back in the late noughties.

[carlow man]

I think we should go with:

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Fardy
5. Toner
6. Doris
7. Connors
8. Deegan
9. Gibson-Park
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Larmour
15. Kearney

Tracey, Bent, Porter, J Ryan, Josh VDF, McGrath, H Byrne, Tomane

I think ruddock will start at 6 instead of doris. Deeegan may be the one who misses out as doris will prob start at 8.

[LeinsterLeader]

I think we should go with:

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Fardy
5. Toner
6. Doris
7. Connors
8. Deegan
9. Gibson-Park
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Larmour
15. Kearney

Tracey, Bent, Porter, J Ryan, Josh VDF, McGrath, H Byrne, Tomane

I think ruddock will start at 6 instead of doris. Deeegan may be the one who misses out as doris will prob start at 8.

I think so too. Also, Connors is going through 'RTP' protocols so probably won't be risked, so I'd say your looking at a back row of Ruddock, Doris, JVDF with Deegan to bench.

[Oldschool]

Jaysus lads, Harry Byrne on the bench, you need to read the "Whiff" thread.
I'd agree with ya on having H. Byrne on the bench (with the bro starting of course) so that he's land locked in the HCC but if there's any chance he's going to Munster then that ain't going to happen.
Nucifora will be well up to that ploy.

[CiaranIrl]

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Ryan
5. Toner
6. Fardy
7. VDF
8. Ruddock
9. JGP
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Larmour
15. Kearney

Tracey, Porter, Bent, Doris, Deegan, McGrath, Ross Byrne, Tomane

[carlow man]

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Ryan
5. Toner
6. Fardy
7. VDF
8. Ruddock
9. JGP
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Larmour
15. Kearney

Tracey, Porter, Bent, Doris, Deegan, McGrath, Ross Byrne, Tomane

I'd rather see larmour at fb with Adam Byrne on right wing.

[the spoofer]

1. Healy
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Ryan
5. Toner
6. Fardy
7. VDF
8. Ruddock
9. JGP
10. Sexton
11. Lowe
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Larmour
15. Kearney

Tracey, Porter, Bent, Doris, Deegan, McGrath, Ross Byrne, Tomane

Porter is a tighthead. It's fine covering LH for a world cup but that won't work in the real world of professional sport.

[Ruckedtobits]

Will Leo & Bomber see this game as the first of a new level (EPCR) or the last of six Pro14 opponents? A chance to integrate in preparation for Lyon and Saints or the reward for the progress that a lot of guys have made since mid-September?

What will be the impact on the majority, who have been competing against each other at home and, in doing so, have also developed great teamwork - as proven against Connacht? And what about the minority, the returnees who have come back without their reputations burnished but who we need to play selflessly in Blue to maintain the momentum created by their less illustrious colleagues?

No easy answers. No automatic formula to solve this equation. Not even a lesson available from the Brian Cody playbook. This is a problem that only a professional rugby Head Coach has to solve once every four years.

Fortunately, Leo has done it before and Bomber has watched it from a distance and they have proved that they usually find the perfect solution. I look forward with anticipation.

[Oldschool]

Will Leo & Bomber see this game as the first of a new level (EPCR) or the last of six Pro14 opponents? A chance to integrate in preparation for Lyon and Saints or the reward for the progress that a lot of guys have made since mid-September?

What will be the impact on the majority, who have been competing against each other at home and, in doing so, have also developed great teamwork - as proven against Connacht? And what about the minority, the returnees who have come back without their reputations burnished but who we need to play selflessly in Blue to maintain the momentum created by their less illustrious colleagues?

No easy answers. No automatic formula to solve this equation. Not even a lesson available from the Brian Cody playbook. This is a problem that only a professional rugby Head Coach has to solve once every four years.

Fortunately, Leo has done it before and Bomber has watched it from a distance and they have proved that they usually find the perfect solution. I look forward with anticipation.

Hopefully they've been checking this thread at regular intervals.

[Twist]

Will Leo & Bomber see this game as the first of a new level (EPCR) or the last of six Pro14 opponents? A chance to integrate in preparation for Lyon and Saints or the reward for the progress that a lot of guys have made since mid-September?

What will be the impact on the majority, who have been competing against each other at home and, in doing so, have also developed great teamwork - as proven against Connacht? And what about the minority, the returnees who have come back without their reputations burnished but who we need to play selflessly in Blue to maintain the momentum created by their less illustrious colleagues?

No easy answers. No automatic formula to solve this equation. Not even a lesson available from the Brian Cody playbook. This is a problem that only a professional rugby Head Coach has to solve once every four years.

Fortunately, Leo has done it before and Bomber has watched it from a distance and they have proved that they usually find the perfect solution. I look forward with anticipation.

Hopefully they've been checking this thread at regular intervals.

Maybe Pilotman *is* Stuart Lancaster? J'accuse!

[Serb]

Maybe Pilotman *is* Stuart Lancaster? J'accuse!

He’s certainly comfortable in chaos anyway.

[wixfjord]

Some potential team news from Cian Treacy - https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 91152.html

Looking like Healy, Kelleher, Porter, Ryan, Toner, Ruddock, VDF, Doris, ??, Sexton, Lowe, Tomane, Ringrose, ??, Larmour

[leinsterfan100]

Some potential team news from Cian Treacy - https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 91152.html

Looking like Healy, Kelleher, Porter, Ryan, Toner, Ruddock, VDF, Doris, ??, Sexton, Lowe, Tomane, Ringrose, ??, Larmour

Looks a good shout. I would have thought McGrath at SH, and A Byrne on the wing maybe...

[Dave Cahill]

Or Dave Kearney - he is in cracking form

[Twist]

Porter is in great form, I'd be happy for him to start at TH. His try against Connacht was very like Furlong's one against Samoa, I thought.

I rewatched highlights from the second Aus v. Ireland test the other day. Id totally forgotten about Furlong's line-break and attempted long pass in that game. He hasn't had many moments like that recently. I'd say things like that do wonders for your confidence.

I wonder if we're getting the full picture (as usual) about Henshaw? Withdrawn with 'illness' fairly late and not expected in the 23 this week. Its entirely possible that a lad who was sick on Friday couldn't train all week, but it seems like we don't get told the truth very often

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Furlong has been inconsistent for a while now. Remember he was pretty average in the first test of that series and then came out like a man possessed the next week? I don't actually think that he's been bad when his form has dipped though, his base level is still decent.

[wixfjord]

If Doris is starting, it's a bit of a kick in the hole for Deegan.

He was much improved last week but has had a fairly poor start to the season.

Will be interesting to see who benches.

[etak252]

Am worried for Robbie Henshaw.

Illness or hamstring twinge ????

[wixfjord]

If you read the piece though it doesn't necessarily say Henshaw is injured, just that he may miss out.

[Oldschool]

If you read the piece though it doesn't necessarily say Henshaw is injured, just that he may miss out.

If you had to bet a week's wages on it, where would you put your money.
Injured or miss out?
Maybe simpler ?, Play or won't play, regardless of the reason.
If it helps your decision, my money would go on "won't play".
I haven't read the piece yet btw.