Connacht v Leinster Rainbow Cup Sat 8/5 19.35

[Dave Cahill]

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say

So, the Rainbow Cup. As this seemingly never ending season that never seemed to get started progresses we take on Connacht in the Sportsground on Saturday evening. Who will play, who should play, why do we play, did we bring a map? One thing we know is that we have a mission of revenge to complete - but the westerners will smell blood in the water.

[Twist]

Frawley was ready to go yesterday. I’d like to see how he goes at 12 with RB inside him at 10

[ronk]

Frawley was ready to go yesterday. I’d like to see how he goes at 12 with RB inside him at 10

I’d expect Henshaw to get time off, especially against Connacht.

[Blue Man]

My understanding is that the players have to quarantine for five days post La Rochelle. On the basis, I expect to see wholesale changes.

[Lock9541]

Frawley was ready to go yesterday. I’d like to see how he goes at 12 with RB inside him at 10

Both of those players won’t be playing due to quarantine

[fourthirtythree]

A rainbow in shades of grey.

[berliner]

Frawley was ready to go yesterday. I’d like to see how he goes at 12 with RB inside him at 10

Both of those players won’t be playing due to quarantine

It sounds as if a magic formula has been found whereby they 'quarantine' but don't really. A somewhat sensible result, even if it's a misconceived way of achieving it. So presumably all those who traveled are theoretically available for selection.

Ruadhri O'Connor in the Independent:

Leinster's players will be subject to five nights of hotel quarantine when they return from La Rochelle on Sunday, but the province have been granted an exemption that will allow them train fully and fulfil their fixture against Connacht on Saturday week.
.......
"Upon their return from France and in compliance with directives agreed with Sport Ireland, Leinster Rugby will enter a period of quarantine," a Leinster spokesperson said.

"During this period Leinster Rugby have been granted a high performance sport exemption to train and play their Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup fixture scheduled for the 8th May."

I doubt they are using the same hotel as the usual subjects of the hotel quarantine show. Five nights in Carton house?

[cormac]

Ruddock out for 4-6 weeks with a calf injury, Harry Byrne out for 3-4 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Could be a "week too soon" for Doris, RTP and JOB.

No further updates on Sexton, Connors, Dunne, Adam Byrne, Leavy, COB and Deegan.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/ruddock-by ... d=20CL9914

[LeinsterLeader]

Ruddock out for 4-6 weeks with a calf injury, Harry Byrne out for 3-4 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Could be a "week too soon" for Doris, RTP and JOB.

No further updates on Sexton, Connors, Dunne, Adam Byrne, Leavy, COB and Deegan.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/ruddock-by ... d=20CL9914

In what's being a very disappointing week, that injury update is apt

[wixfjord]

I'd say they'll be taking absolutely no risks with anyone now. Let a few guys off and bring them back in for a full pre-season or get a few weeks rest before Lions.

[hugonaut]

Jesus Christ. We're so injured.

[wixfjord]

Potential side then:
Byrne, Kelleher, Porter, Fardy, Ryan, Murphy, VDF, Conan, McGrath, Ross, DK, Frawley, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Sheahan, Healy, Furlong, Baird, Penny, Osborne, JOB, Lowe

Gonna take a lot to get lads up for this, a real test of professionalism!

[Lock9541]

Potential side then:
Byrne, Kelleher, Porter, Fardy, Ryan, Murphy, VDF, Conan, McGrath, Ross, DK, Frawley, Ringer, Larmour, Keenan
Sheahan, Healy, Furlong, Baird, Penny, Osborne, JOB, Lowe

Gonna take a lot to get lads up for this, a real test of professionalism!

Doubt it we’ll have that many players playing that started against La Rochelle

[Purist98]

Are the squad that travelled to France allowed to mix with those who didn't travel for training and this game under their exemption?
Or is it two separate squads in theory this week?

[betty swallocks]

Henshaw has never played against Connacht and that won't change this weekend. He'll rest up for the Lions.

[CiaranIrl]

We've lost two in a row. When was the last time we lost three on the bounce I wonder?

Connacht beat us on the 2nd of January in the RDS. Are we going to let them beat us again? Twice in a row?

If the above doesn't sharpen the minds, bullshit tournament or not, I don't know what will.

Whoever plays, we need you to tear them a new one. That is all.

[the spoofer]

I'm an odd fish in that I couldn't give a flying f%~k about the lions. This is a recent enough conversion as I used skip work to watch mid week games into the 2000's. I'm not certain when it happened, probably the 2001 Oz tour and I also don't have any specific reason for the change. Part of it is that so many Irish players have come back utterly wrecked after it and for what? Therefore, there will be no disappointment on my behalf if Leinster and Irish players miss out and I certainly do not want to see Leinster lads "rested" for the lions.

[riocard911]

I couldn't give monkey's bout the BIL either!!!

[wixfjord]

How do you. know someone doesn't care about the Lions?

They'll relentlessly tell you how little they care about the Lions.

We get it!

[the spoofer]

How do you. know someone doesn't care about the Lions?

They'll relentlessly tell you how little they care about the Lions.

We get it!

I doubt I’ve mentioned it on this forum in the last year.