Leinster vs Zebre, 9/10, 1pm @TheRDS, RTE.

[Blueberry]

At least everyone agrees how well Sexton is playing and there's no whispering campaign to replace him prematurely.

Everyone?

Say it. The best outhalf in the country at the moment is ...

Billy Burns

[blockhead]

You're credibility as a homo sapien is on the line if you think there is a 10 better that King Johnny on this island.
But, the clock is ticking and there is no one on the horizon ready to follow in the footsteps of Humprey's, ROG and Sexton.
25 years or so we have had exellence in that pivotal position. We may have to live without it.
Could Doak play 10?

[Oldschool]

Hugh Cahill drives me mad. According to him, when Leinster are going well, it's because the opposition are cr@p, and when Leinster aren't going well, it's because Leinster are cr@p. Guy is a total jerk.

This argument is well rehearsed here… he dislikes Leinster ( has rubbished the fact that he might wear a Leinster shirt on radio/podcast )… this despite the fact that he’s South Dublin (CBC Monkstown)… added to that , his knowledge of the laws of Rugby and pretty much anything to do with rugby is abysmal. The guy is a joke…

And I do have to add ( as he has himself on numerous occasions) - that he is No relation to our Mr Cahill, on this forum

And here was me thinking that the similarities were uncanny.
Only joking HC is urgh.

[Oldschool]

At least everyone agrees how well Sexton is playing and there's no whispering campaign to replace him prematurely.

Everyone?

Say it. The best outhalf in the country at the moment is ...

I was questioning the use of the word "everyone".
IE I'll speak for myself thank you very much.
Re the point as to which 10 is playing best then without any question Sexton is that 10.
However it means that we have a big problem.
A 37 year old OH is the best OH in the country on current form which should is a very worrying state of affairs.
Making matters worse Burns is the designated number two which is even more concerning because it means Madigan isn't getting the game time he needs if he's going to be an option.
Carty who is better than Burns seems to be out of consideration.
Locally RB is Inconsistent, HB is a sick note and Frawley doesn't seem to be in consideration.
Anyway
Good on it to Sexton he's still setting the standard

[Dexter]

Enjured the cahill/Coughlan drivel on RTE for the 1st half of the Dragons game last week until I remembered at half time that Premier had Eddie Butler / Birch. Won't make that mistake again.

Thought that Frawley played really well today until he got injured, he'd be close to international level if he got a decent injury free run.

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

Same happened me. I couldn't watch last week's game live so recorded it on RTE. Was raging afterwards when I realized it had been on Premier and I'd struggled through listening to his uninformed drivel on top of the rubbish game. Didn't make that mistake this week...

[Ruckedtobits]

Re-watching after being present in the Angelsea, the first thing to mention is the pleasure of watching Joanna Hurley as hostess of the RTE coverage, rather than the prat O'Briain. Next step is to "lose" Hugh Cahill, who aside from knowing next to nothing of the Laws of the game, has pre-prepared views on every player, which rarely reflect anything which occurs on the pitch.

The game itself was what was to be expected from a very altered Leinster team but less than might be expected from Zebre who have a number of talented players but little by way of confidence, or a Game Plan, to use the talents in their Squad. Nos, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 15, in particular, all have top-class skills which are wasted when Zebre arrive without any intention beyond containment.

Young referee, Sam Grove-White, did well in general and was very clear in his explanations, but he would do well to limit the "water-carrier intrustions" as the SA referee did in the Connacht game later in the evening. The constant attempts of some teams to break up the pace and continuity of the game must be curtailed before we end up with NFL-type breaks after every phase. Have a one-minute water break at 20 & 60 mins, but ban other such intrusions by insisting that all injury treatments are off the pitch. Players and teams can then decide whether such treatments are worth the loss of a player.

In some ways, the game evolved into a pre- and post-Harry spectacle. The game should have commenced with a try inside 90 secs by either Jimmy O'Brien or Larmour, but Harry went for the "solo" unnecessarily and the first score was delayed by about 25 seconds and delivered by way of a mundane Scott Penny 'pick & jam', rather than through the successive hands of Osborne, Bryne, Bryne, O'Brien and finished by Larmour. Harry should have recognised and used the opportunity that had been created, rather than needing to be rescued by his team's redemptive powers.

Two underthrown line-outs by Cronin, to Toner & Baird, delayed the arrival of a second try but when Larmour received a pass 7m out, few Leinster supporters would have assumed he would beat all five Zebre defenders who barred his way to the try-line. But Larmour's stepping and strength was equal to the challenge and shows why Leinster & Ireland should prioritise getting him the ball close to the opposition line.

Next up to demonstrate his rehabilitation was Ryan Baird, who collected a poor pass before making 30m through six defenders by a combination of power and subtle foot movement. Still lacking the weight and power of most normal international second-rows, Baird brings a dynamic combination to his carrying that is only undermined by his inattention in securing the ball. Leinster, and Ireland, will have to weight these attributes and weaknesses throughout this Season in making selections between Baird / Toner and Baird / Henderson. When Baird focuses his attention on how he takes the tackle in a manner that ensures he can also off-load a pass, like both McGrath & Penny, from the ground, these surging runs will become an ever greater threat for his teams.

The returning Adam Byrne then commanded our attention, not in his normal attacking mode in this instance, but rather from defensive duties deep on the Leinster left wing within the 22m area. His rugby brain had guided him to where his team most needed his services and his strength, footwork and game appreciation delivered first a recovery, then a rescuing pass to Dan Leavy that every coach in the land would have been pleased with. Far from displaying rusting, this suggested that Byrne has learned a lot about defensive effectiveness during his long recovery trials. His subsequent try-scoring double might have pleased the headline writers, but neither required the rugby prowess that his defensive contribution demonstrated.

This cameo preceded Harry Bryne's unfortunate injury. Moments before receiving a really hard legitimate tackle from a Zebre forward as he quickly move the ball down the short-side, Bryne has shown his deft handling skill with a beautiful flick-on pass in the face of the aggressive Zebre defensive line speed. However, on the second wave of this attack, the tackler made the hit which every back-row desires and the contact on the right-side glute may well have pinched a nerve, or at least delivered a deep bruise, to his hip area, which resulted in both loss of power and a lot of pain.

Too short a period to offer a reasonable assessment as to his control over the game or his capacity to direct the attack into the right areas, Byrne's contribution was promising, but not flawless. Whether he will succeed his elder brother as successor to the Leinster (or Ireland) No 10 jersey will not be determined by this display. However, hopefully, this injury will not result in another long delay before his next opportunity for Leinster.

Alongside each of these events within the first 30 minutes, two other Leinster returnees had been offering reminders as to what they always deliver. Dan Leavy & Ciaran Frawley have unmistakeable Irish characteristics in their physical make-ups and both are ideally equipped to play their chosen positions. Leavy is the archetypal No 6 and Frawley has become so accomplished in his delivery of footwork, tackles, kicks and passes that Leinster & Ireland coaches must be trying to figure out how to include both players in forthcoming selections. Neither had the opportunity to deliver a complete coup de grace in this game but throughout their period on the pitch, both showed their welcome recovery from injury and demonstrated the reasons why they will rarely be out of the selection discussions in their respective roles.

Luke McGrath has attracted support and criticism in almost equal measure on this forum since his earliest days as Leinster player. However, as one who has been more critical than supportive in times past, I am now delighted every time I see his selection for Leinster and particularly when it is as Captain. Luke has skills and confidence which far out-weigh his occasional slow wind-up or high pass. Whether is an encouraging aside or a consoling tap on the shorts, his encouragement & direction to team-mates is the constant mortar which cements every Leinster selection into a block that is stronger than its constituent parts.

As a Captain, he contributes in a manner which differs from Sexton. Players recognise J10's genius and implaccable drive. McGrath's form of leadership derives from his shared effort, his constant improvement by hard work and the recognition that both of these attributes are contributed for the benefit of the team rather than personal benefit.

And so to the war-horses on display yesterday. Sexton, Toner, Cronin and Healy all contributed in a manner that they know Cullen expects. Sexton brought confidence and certainty to how Leinster attacked and his back-line welcomed this direction. Dev brought expertise and execution to lune-ours, mauls & scrums and never sparing himself in open-play tackling. Healy gave another demonstration of his newly acquired tight-head scrummaging expertise as well a number of his familiar abrasive carries. Nugget Cronin is probably the one member of this reknowned quartet who is most concerned about a significant role in Leinster's big games this Season.

Two early line-out underthrows highlighted his long-term erratic throwing and he rarely got the opportunity for his characteristic 20 30m burst into open field through the defensive line. However, a workmanlike display confirmed that Leinster have 4 valid options for the No 2 & 16 jerseys this season and each contender brings different attributes to the Squad. Nugget is probably in number four position in this pecking order behind Kelliher, Sheehan, & Treacy but, on the plus side, he has a body of work behind him that proves he can offer a game-changing contribution off the bench that only remains in prospect from two of his competitors.

No particular analysis of the contributions of Jimmy O'Brien, Scott Penny, Ed Byrne or 'Big Mike'. All four made contributions and......mistakes. No analysis either of the displays of the majority of the bench - largely because this game was decided prior to their arrival on the pitch and the nature of the contest was by then nothing more than time-serving.

Overall, the Leinster Management will have been glad of the contributions from yesterday's game. A shortage of coherent teamwork and continuity explained by the selection made and the attitude of the opposition in trying to break-up the flow in whatever way the referee allowed.

The line-out could have been better. The distribution at No 8 in scrums could have been slicker. The coherence and body heights at mauls, attacking and defensive could have been quicker and lower. Back-line passes could have been more precise. More opportunities to off-load from tackles could have been taken. All of these are work-ons, each aspect would be improved by greater consistency in selection.

A decent crowd in the RDS - despite the competing attraction of Club AIL fixtures across the Province -, a dry sunny day, Italian opponents without any axe to grind and a Squad focused on an improvement in performance from last week, all made this an enjoyable return to the RDS for most of the Leinster faithful..

[Avenger]

Enjured the cahill/Coughlan drivel on RTE for the 1st half of the Dragons game last week until I remembered at half time that Premier had Eddie Butler / Birch. Won't make that mistake again.

Thought that Frawley played really well today until he got injured, he'd be close to international level if he got a decent injury free run.

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

Same happened me. I couldn't watch last week's game live so recorded it on RTE. Was raging afterwards when I realized it had been on Premier and I'd struggled through listening to his uninformed drivel on top of the rubbish game. Didn't make that mistake this week...

I honestly have no idea why anyone would watch a match on RTÉ when there is a choice.

Their coverage is pathetic.

[Ruckedtobits]

Re-watching after being present in the Angelsea, the first thing to mention is the pleasure of watching Joanna Hurley as hostess of the RTE coverage, rather than the prat O'Briain. Next step is to "lose" Hugh Cahill, who aside from knowing next to nothing of the Laws of the game, has pre-prepared views on every player, which rarely reflect anything which occurs on the pitch.

The game itself was what was to be expected from a very altered Leinster team but less than might be expected from Zebre who have a number of talented players but little by way of confidence, or a Game Plan, to use the talents in their Squad. Nos, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 15, in particular, all have top-class skills which are wasted when Zebre arrive without any intention beyond containment.

Young referee, Sam Grove-White, did well in general and was very clear in his explanations, but he would do well to limit the "water-carrier intrustions" as the SA referee did in the Connacht game later in the evening. The constant attempts of some teams to break up the pace and continuity of the game must be curtailed before we end up with NFL-type breaks after every phase. Have a one-minute water break at 20 & 60 mins, but ban other such intrusions by insisting that all injury treatments are off the pitch. Players and teams can then decide whether such treatments are worth the loss of a player.

In some ways, the game evolved into a pre- and post-Harry spectacle. The game should have commenced with a try inside 90 secs by either Jimmy O'Brien or Larmour, but Harry went for the "solo" unnecessarily and the first score was delayed by about 25 seconds and delivered by way of a mundane Scott Penny 'pick & jam', rather than through the successive hands of Osborne, Bryne, Bryne, O'Brien and finished by Larmour. Harry should have recognised and used the opportunity that had been created, rather than needing to be rescued by his team's redemptive powers.

Two underthrown line-outs by Cronin, to Toner & Baird, delayed the arrival of a second try but when Larmour received a pass 7m out, few Leinster supporters would have assumed he would beat all five Zebre defenders who barred his way to the try-line. But Larmour's stepping and strength was equal to the challenge and shows why Leinster & Ireland should prioritise getting him the ball close to the opposition line.

Next up to demonstrate his rehabilitation was Ryan Baird, who collected a poor pass before making 30m through six defenders by a combination of power and subtle foot movement. Still lacking the weight and power of most normal international second-rows, Baird brings a dynamic combination to his carrying that is only undermined by his inattention in securing the ball. Leinster, and Ireland, will have to weight these attributes and weaknesses throughout this Season in making selections between Baird / Toner and Baird / Henderson. When Baird focuses his attention on how he takes the tackle in a manner that ensures he can also off-load a pass, like both McGrath & Penny, from the ground, these surging runs will become an ever greater threat for his teams.

The returning Adam Byrne then commanded our attention, not in his normal attacking mode in this instance, but rather from defensive duties deep on the Leinster left wing within the 22m area. His rugby brain had guided him to where his team most needed his services and his strength, footwork and game appreciation delivered first a recovery, then a rescuing pass to Dan Leavy that every coach in the land would have been pleased with. Far from displaying rustiness, this suggested that Byrne has learned a lot about defensive effectiveness during his long recovery trials. His subsequent try-scoring double might have pleased the headline writers, but neither required the rugby prowess that his defensive contribution demonstrated.

This cameo preceded Harry Bryne's unfortunate injury. Moments before receiving a really hard legitimate tackle from a Zebre forward as he quickly move the ball down the short-side, Bryne has shown his deft handling skill with a beautiful flick-on pass in the face of the aggressive Zebre defensive line speed. However, on the second wave of this attack, the tackler made the hit which every back-row desires and the contact on the right-side glute may well have pinched a nerve, or at least delivered a deep bruise, to his hip area, which resulted in both loss of power and a lot of pain.

Too short a period to offer a reasonable assessment as to his control over the game or his capacity to direct the attack into the right areas, Byrne's contribution was promising, but not flawless. Whether he will succeed his elder brother as successor to the Leinster (or Ireland) No 10 jersey will not be determined by this display. However, hopefully, this injury will not result in another long delay before his next opportunity for Leinster.

Alongside each of these events within the first 30 minutes, two other Leinster returnees had been offering reminders as to what they always deliver. Dan Leavy & Ciaran Frawley have unmistakeable Irish characteristics in their physical make-ups and both are ideally equipped to play their chosen positions. Leavy is the archetypal No 6 and Frawley has become so accomplished in his delivery of footwork, tackles, kicks and passes that Leinster & Ireland coaches must be trying to figure out how to include both players in forthcoming selections. Neither had the opportunity to deliver a complete coup de grace in this game but throughout their period on the pitch, both showed their welcome recovery from injury and demonstrated the reasons why they will rarely be out of the selection discussions in their respective roles.

Luke McGrath has attracted support and criticism in almost equal measure on this forum since his earliest days as Leinster player. However, as one who has been more critical than supportive in times past, I am now delighted every time I see his selection for Leinster and particularly when it is as Captain. Luke has skills and confidence which far out-weigh his occasional slow wind-up or high pass. Whether is an encouraging aside or a consoling tap on the shorts, his encouragement & direction to team-mates is the constant mortar which cements every Leinster selection into a block that is stronger than its constituent parts.

As a Captain, he contributes in a manner which differs from Sexton. Players recognise J10's genius and implaccable drive. McGrath's form of leadership derives from his shared effort, his constant improvement by hard work and the recognition that both of these attributes are contributed for the benefit of the team rather than personal benefit.

And so to the war-horses on display yesterday. Sexton, Toner, Cronin and Healy all contributed in a manner that they know Cullen expects. Sexton brought confidence and certainty to how Leinster attacked and his back-line welcomed this direction. Dev brought expertise and execution to lune-ours, mauls & scrums and never sparing himself in open-play tackling. Healy gave another demonstration of his newly acquired tight-head scrummaging expertise as well a number of his familiar abrasive carries. Nugget Cronin is probably the one member of this reknowned quartet who is most concerned about a significant role in Leinster's big games this Season.

Two early line-out underthrows highlighted his long-term erratic throwing and he rarely got the opportunity for his characteristic 20 30m burst into open field through the defensive line. However, a workmanlike display confirmed that Leinster have 4 valid options for the No 2 & 16 jerseys this season and each contender brings different attributes to the Squad. Nugget is probably in number four position in this pecking order behind Kelliher, Sheehan, & Treacy but, on the plus side, he has a body of work behind him that proves he can offer a game-changing contribution off the bench that only remains in prospect from two of his competitors.

No particular analysis of the contributions of Jimmy O'Brien, Scott Penny, Ed Byrne or 'Big Mike'. All four made contributions and......mistakes. No analysis either of the displays of the majority of the bench - largely because this game was decided prior to their arrival on the pitch and the nature of the contest was by then nothing more than time-serving.

Overall, the Leinster Management will have been glad of the contributions from yesterday's game. A shortage of coherent teamwork and continuity explained by the selection made and the attitude of the opposition in trying to break-up the flow in whatever way the referee allowed.

The line-out could have been better. The distribution at No 8 in scrums could have been slicker. The coherence and body heights at mauls, attacking and defensive could have been quicker and lower. Back-line passes could have been more precise. More opportunities to off-load from tackles could have been taken. All of these are work-ons, each aspect would be improved by greater consistency in selection.

A decent crowd in the RDS - despite the competing attraction of Club AIL fixtures across the Province -, a dry sunny day, Italian opponents without any axe to grind and a Squad focused on an improvement in performance from last week, all made this an enjoyable return to the RDS for most of the Leinster faithful..

Some edited included

[Dave Cahill]

Young referee, Sam Grove-White, did well in general and was very clear in his explanations, but he would do well to limit the "water-carrier intrustions" as the SA referee did in the Connacht game later in the evening.

At one point during the game yesterday i counted 11 non playing personel on the pitch during a break in play. It was absolutely ridiculous.

[Logorrhea]

No definitely not an ankle problem. The injury was from a hard tackle that hit him on upper leg/hip area. That's where they were treating him too.
It was a contact issue, so hopefully not too bad. I'd say he'll be badly bruised though.

Yeah fair point. I was only basing it from what I saw at the time but eyes aren't what they were. He went down fast and appeared to be in some serious pain (at the start) so I just assumed the worst. Thanks for the good news though. I was honestly worried he was our for another prolonged spell.

[Dexter]

Enjured the cahill/Coughlan drivel on RTE for the 1st half of the Dragons game last week until I remembered at half time that Premier had Eddie Butler / Birch. Won't make that mistake again.

Thought that Frawley played really well today until he got injured, he'd be close to international level if he got a decent injury free run.

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

Same happened me. I couldn't watch last week's game live so recorded it on RTE. Was raging afterwards when I realized it had been on Premier and I'd struggled through listening to his uninformed drivel on top of the rubbish game. Didn't make that mistake this week...

I honestly have no idea why anyone would watch a match on RTÉ when there is a choice.

Their coverage is pathetic.

Agree. Not everyone has Premier Sports but given the choice there's no way I'm watching any games on RTE

[Blue not red blood]

Hugh Cahill drives me mad. According to him, when Leinster are going well, it's because the opposition are cr@p, and when Leinster aren't going well, it's because Leinster are cr@p. Guy is a total jerk.

This argument is well rehearsed here… he dislikes Leinster ( has rubbished the fact that he might wear a Leinster shirt on radio/podcast )… this despite the fact that he’s South Dublin (CBC Monkstown)… added to that , his knowledge of the laws of Rugby and pretty much anything to do with rugby is abysmal. The guy is a joke…

And I do have to add ( as he has himself on numerous occasions) - that he is No relation to our Mr Cahill, on this forum

The guy is an opinionated idiot. Full of himself . Watch when he does the racing and the disdain Ruby Walsh has for him.

[Dexter]

Hugh Cahill drives me mad. According to him, when Leinster are going well, it's because the opposition are cr@p, and when Leinster aren't going well, it's because Leinster are cr@p. Guy is a total jerk.

This argument is well rehearsed here… he dislikes Leinster ( has rubbished the fact that he might wear a Leinster shirt on radio/podcast )… this despite the fact that he’s South Dublin (CBC Monkstown)… added to that , his knowledge of the laws of Rugby and pretty much anything to do with rugby is abysmal. The guy is a joke…

And I do have to add ( as he has himself on numerous occasions) - that he is No relation to our Mr Cahill, on this forum

The guy is an opinionated idiot. Full of himself . Watch when he does the racing and the disdain Ruby Walsh has for him.

Noticed that alright. He was also commentating on the recent Irish women's hockey games and hadn't a clue. Neither do I tbh but my daughters were going mad with him.

[hugonaut]

Young referee, Sam Grove-White, did well in general and was very clear in his explanations, but he would do well to limit the "water-carrier intrustions" as the SA referee did in the Connacht game later in the evening.

At one point during the game yesterday i counted 11 non playing personel on the pitch during a break in play. It was absolutely ridiculous.

I was only counting their lads and there were six of them.

From the eighth minute onwards Zebre had guys taking a knee for a break and basically pretending they were injured. I'm not saying that they weren't hurt – if some 115kg lump steps on your hand it's going to be sore – but they weren't injured. I have sympathy for amateur players who want a breather [because I was one of them in the past], but I have absolutely no sympathy for pros doing the same.

I saw a ref in one of the games yesterday [it must have been the Connacht game, now that I think of it] basically tell a forward who knelt down in a lineout 5m from his own line that he wasn't injured and that he wasn't going to stop play for him. Delighted to see it.

[arsebiscuits1]

It's just a bit typical that we lose a Toland and gain a Cahill on comms... although mercifully have never heard them both together.

The tried and tested commentary pairing is play by play and colour. It's in most every sport.

Every time Hugh has commentated, he has a colour commentator beside him, often someone with actual in depth knowledge.

Why does he feel the need to offer his opinion? It's not his job. Commentate the play by plays and leave out the subjective opinions because it's painfully obvious in your case that it's just conjecture.

[Flash Gordon]

Young referee, Sam Grove-White, did well in general and was very clear in his explanations, but he would do well to limit the "water-carrier intrustions" as the SA referee did in the Connacht game later in the evening.

At one point during the game yesterday i counted 11 non playing personel on the pitch during a break in play. It was absolutely ridiculous.

I was only counting their lads and there were six of them.

From the eighth minute onwards Zebre had guys taking a knee for a break and basically pretending they were injured. I'm not saying that they weren't hurt – if some 115kg lump steps on your hand it's going to be sore – but they weren't injured. I have sympathy for amateur players who want a breather [because I was one of them in the past], but I have absolutely no sympathy for pros doing the same.

I saw a ref in one of the games yesterday [it must have been the Connacht game, now that I think of it] basically tell a forward who knelt down in a lineout 5m from his own line that he wasn't injured and that he wasn't going to stop play for him. Delighted to see it.

Agree with you. They were struggling big time fitness wise. Some of their players looked out for the count in the first half. Injury feigning and water breaks plus super slow mo walk ups to set pieces became a feature in the second half. You can forgive a team for not having the ability due to player availability and budgets but not lack of fitness, that's just not working hard enough.

[Logorrhea]

Why does he feel the need to offer his opinion? It's not his job. Commentate the play by plays and leave out the subjective opinions because it's painfully obvious in your case that it's just conjecture.

Totally agree. The Newstalk guy (name escapes me) did the same thing as well. Stop opining and commentate on what's going on. Just do your job and you'll be better for it.

[Blue not red blood]

Why does he feel the need to offer his opinion? It's not his job. Commentate the play by plays and leave out the subjective opinions because it's painfully obvious in your case that it's just conjecture.

Totally agree. The Newstalk guy (name escapes me) did the same thing as well. Stop opining and commentate on what's going on. Just do your job and you'll be better for it.

Dave McIntyre ?
he started off well but always seems to give his opinion. Its a very annoying trait amongst the new commentators.
Thank God Jim ONE EYED Neilly is back on BBC

[Morf]

Neilly and Robbo over most of the other lot for me.

[Oldschool]

Neilly and Robbo over most of the other lot for me.

Yeah, deffo.
They never express their own opinions do they?