European Cup Semi-Final: Away to La Rochelle, Sunday 2nd of May 3pm

[CiaranIrl]

Last night's game definitely gave me the Heebie-jeebies about what the halfback selection for next week might be. It seems very possible that Sexton and/or JGP might be missing, so the question is who might bench. The noises from Cullen about Frawley seemed hopeful after the match - he had a 'tight hamstring' - so hopefully he will make it is Harry and Sexton don't.

[riocard911]

I think there’s an argument to be made that we don’t pick a scrumhalf on the bench next week. I wouldn’t pick one tbh.

Play Dave on the wing and have Larmour as reserve scrumhalf on the bench is the way I'd go after seeing his contribution in that position in the Munster match compared to either HO'S' or Cormac Foley's.....

[wixfjord]

Best case scenario for next weekend is something like

Healy, Kelleher, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Rhys, VDF, Conan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Tracy, Byrne, Porter, Fardy, Baird, JGP, Byrne, ROL/DK

Big questions are around Doris, JGP and Sexton.

The latter two in particular would put a very different complexion on the side.

Overall though we're not in bad shape. Being able to put out that 1-8 and 11-15 and have some sort of bench impact too is pretty good.

[alanair]

Best case scenario for next weekend is something like

Healy, Kelleher, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Rhys, VDF, Conan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Tracy, Byrne, Porter, Fardy, Baird, JGP, Byrne, ROL/DK

Big questions are around Doris, JGP and Sexton.

The latter two in particular would put a very different complexion on the side.

Overall though we're not in bad shape. Being able to put out that 1-8 and 11-15 and have some sort of bench impact too is pretty good.

At last , a little bit of sense returning to this forum...the over the top reaction to the Munster match result and the writing off of this Leinster team is laughable. We are spoiled by the team we support, and hopefully La Rochelle will buy into doom and gloom , as peddled by many posters. I firmly believe that the Leinster brains trust will have whatever 23 are privileged to don the blue jersey next week, primed and well capable of progressing to the final.

[wixfjord]

At last , a little bit of sense returning to this forum...the over the top reaction to the Munster match result and the writing off of this Leinster team is laughable. We are spoiled by the team we support, and hopefully La Rochelle will buy into doom and gloom , as peddled by many posters. I firmly believe that the Leinster brains trust will have whatever 23 are privileged to don the blue jersey next week, primed and well capable of progressing to the final.

Can you point out some of that please?

Because all I saw was some call it a meaningless game and some (myself included) say they were disappointed with the lack of a performance from quite a few of our guys and the size of the defeat in a home game against our biggest rivals.

Like I think everyone would agree that the game last night will have very little impact come Sunday, other than giving a few guys run outs.

Who is peddling doom and gloom?

Could it be that you're overreacting to the reaction?

[Blue not red blood]

I thought the team looked very heavy legged from the start.
Wonder if they had a serious week of hard training with next week in mind.

[Avenger]

Where is this narrative that Munster are our biggest rivals coming from?
Connacht beat us more than they do.

[Dexter]

Where is this narrative that Munster are our biggest rivals coming from?
Connacht beat us more than they do.

Probably Ulster too...

[CiaranIrl]

Where is this narrative that Munster are our biggest rivals coming from?
Connacht beat us more than they do.

Presumably because 10 years ago, they were our only realistic rivals for trophies, and all the rugby journalists live in the past as much as George Hook.

[Oldschool]

Where is this narrative that Munster are our biggest rivals coming from?
Connacht beat us more than they do.

H.O.
Munster Rugby
Musgrave Park, (Edited)
Cork
Co. Cork.
Ireland.
Alternatively.
H.O.
Munster Rugby
Thomond Park,
Limerick.
Co. Limerick.

[SoupyNorman]

Can gladly state that you can use the Musgrave Park address again for the grounds in Ballyphehane, Cork.

[wixfjord]

Me thinks some of you doth protest too much.

[Degz]

Best case scenario for next weekend is something like

Healy, Kelleher, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Rhys, VDF, Conan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Tracy, Byrne, Porter, Fardy, Baird, JGP, Byrne, ROL/DK

Big questions are around Doris, JGP and Sexton.

The latter two in particular would put a very different complexion on the side.

Overall though we're not in bad shape. Being able to put out that 1-8 and 11-15 and have some sort of bench impact too is pretty good.

Doris won't be in contention now that he still has no gametime, so for this week I don't see him in the equation at all.

Can't see how Sexton makes it, given everything spouted to date. Question now is whether Harry or Frawley are fit to bench.

JGP ain't going to make it either, and I don't think you can risk no backup 9. SO I guess you've gotta pick HOS and hope Luke lasts the 80.

Think I'd now go DK over ROL, and have Larmour as break glass center cover.

[Flash Gordon]

Where is this narrative that Munster are our biggest rivals coming from?
Connacht beat us more than they do.

Depends on your point of view I guess. I started watching rugby in the 80's and Ulster were the team to beat and of course they won the European Cup before any other Irish team. Half my family are from Ulster too so they are always the team i want to be beat most.

[Degz]

Currently our biggest rivals are Saracens.

[CiaranIrl]

Best case scenario for next weekend is something like

Healy, Kelleher, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Rhys, VDF, Conan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Tracy, Byrne, Porter, Fardy, Baird, JGP, Byrne, ROL/DK

Big questions are around Doris, JGP and Sexton.

The latter two in particular would put a very different complexion on the side.

Overall though we're not in bad shape. Being able to put out that 1-8 and 11-15 and have some sort of bench impact too is pretty good.

Doris won't be in contention now that he still has no gametime, so for this week I don't see him in the equation at all.

Can't see how Sexton makes it, given everything spouted to date. Question now is whether Harry or Frawley are fit to bench.

JGP ain't going to make it either, and I don't think you can risk no backup 9. SO I guess you've gotta pick HOS and hope Luke lasts the 80.

Think I'd now go DK over ROL, and have Larmour as break glass center cover.

I'd start Kearney and have Larmour on the bench personally. In fact, I'd go for a 6/2 split on the bench with Frawley & Larmour covering the backs if Sexton & JGP aren't fit. This game will be all about the forwards. If we can start Ryan, Toner, Ruddock, VDF, Conan and have Fardy, Baird and one of Doris or Penny on the bench, that would be a serious set of loose forwards.

[Lock9541]

Best case scenario for next weekend is something like

Healy, Kelleher, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Rhys, VDF, Conan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Tracy, Byrne, Porter, Fardy, Baird, JGP, Byrne, ROL/DK

Big questions are around Doris, JGP and Sexton.

The latter two in particular would put a very different complexion on the side.

Overall though we're not in bad shape. Being able to put out that 1-8 and 11-15 and have some sort of bench impact too is pretty good.

Doris won't be in contention now that he still has no gametime, so for this week I don't see him in the equation at all.

Can't see how Sexton makes it, given everything spouted to date. Question now is whether Harry or Frawley are fit to bench.

JGP ain't going to make it either, and I don't think you can risk no backup 9. SO I guess you've gotta pick HOS and hope Luke lasts the 80.

Think I'd now go DK over ROL, and have Larmour as break glass center cover.

I'd start Kearney and have Larmour on the bench personally. In fact, I'd go for a 6/2 split on the bench with Frawley & Larmour covering the backs if Sexton & JGP aren't fit. This game will be all about the forwards. If we can start Ryan, Toner, Ruddock, VDF, Conan and have Fardy, Baird and one of Doris or Penny on the bench, that would be a serious set of loose forwards.

Frawley is injured so is Harry.

[JB1973]

la Rochelle wingers are flyers not sure Kearney has the speed for them tbh

[Oldschool]

Currently our biggest rivals are Saracens.

Hopefully just a temporary little arrangement.

[Oldschool]

la Rochelle wingers are flyers not sure Kearney has the speed for them tbh

He has the defensive nous.