Leinster v Bulls Aviva Stadium 5.15 Sat 25th Sept TG4

[wixfjord]

Might as well get this thread going to kick start the season!

The hope is that we'll have enough in one pre-season game to hit the ground running. First half last night certainly looked good in that sense.

Bulls are coming in off the back of a long stint of Currie Cup games, with the final today. So should be a big test. They're without the SA guys but still have a host of big, experienced test players like Marcel Coetzee, Botha, Bismarck, Goosen, Hendricks, Mapoe.

Depending on availability, I'd like to see something like the below for us.

Healy, Sheehan, Alaalatoa, Baird, Ryan, Rhys, Penny, Deegan, Luke, Sexton, Lowe, COB, ROL, Adam Byrne, Keenan
Tracy, Dooley, Porter/Vakh, Dev, Josh M, JGP/McCarthy/Foley, Ross B, JOB/Osborne

I think particular focus should be on getting Sheehan, Baird, Penny and Deegan game time against the big SA sides to test them physically and at a higher intensity. Hopefully the Bulls bring that.

Am assuming we won't have Larmour as haven't see him training but may be available.

Let the games begin!

[leinsterforever]

I think I'd put Keenan on the right wing with JOB at fullback.

Will ROL be fit? Osborne looks quality anyway if he isn't.

Toner and Baird would be an interesting combo.

[Logorrhea]

What is the story with fans at these games? are we allowed back yet? Also I thought we were playing from the Aviva to allow for greater fun numbers?

[cormac]

What is the story with fans at these games? are we allowed back yet? Also I thought we were playing from the Aviva to allow for greater fun numbers?

Whoever was interviewing James Lowe for the Leinster twitter account after the game yesterday mentioned a crowd of 20k for the game against the Bulls.

[riocard911]

Bulls making mince meat of the Sharks - HT: 22-3

[riocard911]

Bulls making mince meat of the Sharks - HT: 22-3

Curry Cup Final FT score: Bulls 44-10 Sharks

[Laighin Break]

What is the story with fans at these games? are we allowed back yet? Also I thought we were playing from the Aviva to allow for greater fun numbers?

Yeah fairly certain this game is in Landsdowne Road, not the RDS

[riocard911]

During TV commentary for the Curry Cup final it was mentioned, that Jake White was bringing Bismarck du Plessis back from Montpellier to play for the Bulls, which means the ex-Boks hooker could potentially be in their matchday 23 for the Leinster fixture.

[hugonaut]

Do we start Spicer or use him off the bench?

[fourthirtythree]

Do we start Spicer or use him off the bench?

Bench this year. Start next when we've slimmed him down after a full preseason.

[ronk]

[quote=fourthirtythree post_id=785343 time=1631649199 user_id=1964]
[quote=hugonaut post_id=785342 time=1631646924 user_id=3087]
Do we start Spicer or use him off the bench?
[/quote]

Bench this year. Start next when we've slimmed him down after a full preseason.
[/quote]

Other way around. When he's ready for big time we use him as an impact sub.

[OneLungDavy]

Do we start Spicer or use him off the bench?

[riocard911]

Do we start Spicer or use him off the bench?

One thing is for sure re Alan Spicer: the hype train has left the station!!!

[cormac]

Aviva at 75% capacity for the Bulls match.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/seventy-fi ... s-fixture/

[Ruckedtobits]

Has anybody figured out who is NOT available for selection for this game?

Does the list include:
Lions: Henshaw, Conan, Furlong, Kelleher;
Ireland Keenan, Doris, JVdF, Ryan;
Injured: Ringrose, Kearney D, Larmour, McCarthy N, Connors, Leavy, Ruddock?

That's 15 first choice Squad players possibly unavailable to Leo to take on the very strong Blue Bulls, Currie Cup winners.

If all of those are unavailable, the options for Leo, could be something like this:

15. Jimmy O'Brien / James Osborne / Tommy O' Brien
14. Adam Byrne / Tommy O'Brien / Rory O'Loughlin
13. Conor O'Brien / Rory Loughlin / Jamie Osborne
12. Ciaran Frawley / Conor O'Brien / Harry Byrne
11. James Lowe / Rob Russell / Tommy O'Brien
10. Jonathan Sexton / Harry Bryne/ Ross Byrne
9. Jameson Gibson Park / Luke McGrath / Cormac Foley

1. Cian Healy / Peter Dooley / Ed Byrne
2. Dan Sheehan / Jonathan Treacy / Sean Cronin
3. Michael A'aloatao / Andrew Porter / Vakh Abaladze
4. Devin Toner / Ross Molony / Brian Deeny
5. Ryan Baird / Jack Dunne / Charlie Ryan
6. Josh Murphy / Ryan Baird / Alex Soroka
7. Scott Penny / Martin Moloney /
8. Max Deegan / Josh Murphy / Alex Soroka

If all of these players are available (and that's a big IF, given the training injury profile of the past 18 months), Leo still has a fairly strong hand to pick from and I'd be fairly confident we can get a win against the first S. African Province we meet in the new Championship.

[cormac]

I don't think the knock that forced off Ruddock against Harlequins was anything serious so would be surprised if he's missing.

Not sure as to whether the Ireland squad players will be available, guessing we might get a little more clarity at Monday's press briefing.

Going by this article Ringer is not too far away from playing, possibly back for our 2nd/3rd game of the season.

https://www.the42.ie/garry-ringrose-lei ... 6-Sep2021/

[R-Dog]

Will the Bars be open in the Aviva? (Were they open for Quinns Game?)

[Dave Cahill]

Will the Bars be open in the Aviva? (Were they open for Quinns Game?)

No, and no - at least not for alcohol.

[wixfjord]

Got tickets this morning, looks like they're only opening the bottom bowl of the Aviva for this??

[cormac]

Got tickets this morning, looks like they're only opening the bottom bowl of the Aviva for this??

Suspect they're waiting to see how many tickets get sold before opening the top tier. Would suspect there are extra costs to opening all areas.