Leinster v Salarysins

[riocard911]

The Paulie quote I was referring to was in the dressing room just before the historic match vs England in Croker, which Ireland won and according to all involved had in the bag before the starting whistle was blown, such was the intensity they brought to match and perhaps also due to England being overwhelmed by the occasion - the anthems etc. I refer to that match, because in a similar fashion last Saturday Saracens played like men possessed from the first second on, while Leinster team did not. I am still waiting for someone to explain that to me. How could Leinster start the game not at the same mental pitch as Saracens? During the coverage one or other of the TV commentators said that Saracens had appeared to be more intense and focussed in the warm up compared to Leinster. How can that be? We're playing at home, ffs!!! Of course, Dave, all comparisons can be reduced to apples and oranges, no question. I also do not want to take away from the Saracens performance and the way they successfully targetted us in the scrums, in the maul and via box kicks. After the Newcastle match the Leinster coaching staff expressed dissatisfaction with the team performance. It was described as a match, where we had a chance to win, but failed to take. They had more than a year to prepare for the rematch. In their heart of hearts I believe Leo et al will similarly look back at last Saturday also as a game we should have won, not because Saracens were so absolutely fantastic, but because we didn't perform to the height of our powers. And that is why I refuse to accept Saracens are per se a better team and suggest the problem could be a mental one.

It was before the France game. We lost.

There you go. For some reason I had it down as having being uttered before the Croker match. Thanks for the correction.

[cormac]

It was definitely the France game. Also a game lost in the first 40 minutes.

[LeinsterLeader]

It was definitely the France game. Also a game lost in the first 40 minutes.

Yep a game were we also looked to be over awed by the occasion. Although we had lost the GS on that day we had the opportunity of a second (chance of sorts) against England and we put things to rights. If only we had a second chance this weekend I wonder would we see a different performance?

Ah well, no pint in singing your "shoulda, coulda, woulda's........"

[Dave Cahill]

Racing may or may not be ahead of Saracens at half time in Paris. No one is sure.

[ExiledEdinburgh]

Racing on top in the scrum- just how badly would they have mangled us?

[Dexter]

Racing may or may not be ahead of Saracens at half time in Paris. No one is sure.

Awful game. I'm sure our game last week was the same for anyone with no vested interest.
I thought he missed the kick at the end there until I saw the flags go up.

[Dave Cahill]

Racing may or may not be ahead of Saracens at half time in Paris. No one is sure.

Awful game. I'm sure our game last week was the same for anyone with no vested interest.
I thought he missed the kick at the end there until I saw the flags go up.

It turns out that the score was good.

It's a poor game with the players who might be able to do something exciting or good all making multiple mistakes. The only decent bit of rugby was Russell going back against the grain to send Thomas, who for once didn't drop the ball, down the wing.

[Twist]

This game is decent evidence favouring the “Saracens aren’t better than us” argument. Its ultra physical but not much else.

[Dexter]

This game is decent evidence favouring the “Saracens aren’t better than us” argument. Its ultra physical but not much else.

Good riddance to Saracens and their puke rugby next season.

There's my pound of sour grapes...

[LeRouxIsPHat]

They might be horrible to watch but Alex Goode is a phenomenal player. He’s stepped up massively in these two games.

[Twist]

They might be horrible to watch but Alex Goode is a phenomenal player. He’s stepped up massively in these two games.

Yeah, all the media adoration they get kinda bypasses himself and Brad Barritt

[Twist]

How did Lewington blow that one??

[Dexter]

How did Lewington blow that one??

Maybe he thought the officials spotted the offside that led to the chance....

[Twist]

How did Lewington blow that one??

Maybe he thought the officials spotted the offside that led to the chance....

Yeah, that did cross my mind. Dunno how they missed it

[Dexter]

Pity that Russel is playing so poorly, Racing aren't winning this unless he magically transforms his performance.

[ExiledEdinburgh]

Racing just making too many errors as get close to the line- unless Saracens massively gas. Or Vakatawa can find more space With Barrit going off- can see Saracens box kicking and whooping their way through

[tingman]

Yeah - Russell being mercurial is one thing...but takes too many unnecessary risks

[fourthirtythree]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[backrower8]

Russell’s brilliance ultimately delivers a brilliant result.

[Oldschool]

Delighted for the two ex Munster lads, gives us something to cheer for in the final.
All French very likely.