Leinster v Connacht Aviva Friday 15th 5.30

[paddyor]

Porteer and Kelleher back is a huge plus. Need to be merciless and take them to the wood shed.

[limecat]

Match Preview

So after all the build-up last week about large-scale wins in the Sportsground, Leinster take just a five point lead into tomorrow's game.
On a couple of occasions Leinster looked like they were going to run away with last week's match, but credit to Connacht for keeping themselves in the tie. They refused to capitulate and forced Leinster into some poor errors, especially in the second half when they really should have added an extra score or two.

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[Ruckedtobits]

Worried about this one. We really need to get out of the blocks quickly and control the ball and the tempo. If we can do that and add a score before they put anything on the board, I'll be more confident. However, if they start like they did last weekend, I'd worry that they will get a huge confidence boost and the Connacht support in the crowd will carry them and make it very difficult.

Burke has been a real find for them and Friend has repayed him by selection ahead of Buckley so Tadhg must really set about him from the first scrum and give him a really hard day. Likewise with Kelleher and Porter against Heffernan and Bealham. If we can subdue those three, their back-row won't be as lively as last week and ours should dominate.

Fingers crossed that Leocaster have got our heads right and we play knock-out rugby from the first whistle.

[Dexter]

Worried about this one. We really need to get out of the blocks quickly and control the ball and the tempo. If we can do that and add a score before they put anything on the board, I'll be more confident. However, if they start like they did last weekend, I'd worry that they will get a huge confidence boost and the Connacht support in the crowd will carry them and make it very difficult.

Burke has been a real find for them and Friend has repayed him by selection ahead of Buckley so Tadhg must really set about him from the first scrum and give him a really hard day. Likewise with Kelleher and Porter against Heffernan and Bealham. If we can subdue those three, their back-row won't be as lively as last week and ours should dominate.

Fingers crossed that Leocaster have got our heads right and we play knock-out rugby from the first whistle.

Yeah I'm nervous about this one.

[Twist]

I am also in the nervous faction. I said last week that their backrow would be competitive and that was borne out. I think they’ll take a lot of confidence from that and look to repeat the dose. Bundee is in seriously good form and will probably be the best midfielder on the pitch. Losing holds no fear for them, they’ll just see the chance to make a statement. It could get very spicy.

[D2 Blue]

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Seapoint Dragons special needs tag team who are playing in the halftime games. My lad is one of the Dragons. The team is 10 years old this year and this is a huge honour for them. They're bursting with excitement and on the way to the stadium already - the only problem will be getting them back off the pitch.
So could you please give them a huge cheer at halftime, it will mean so much to them and to the proud parents and coaches (who are simply fantastic people).
GWAN THE DRAGONS ..... and CMON LEINSTER too (to win by 15+ in the end).
Thanks
D2

[Theleinsterlad]

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Seapoint Dragons special needs tag team who are playing in the halftime games. My lad is one of the Dragons. The team is 10 years old this year and this is a huge honour for them. They're bursting with excitement and on the way to the stadium already - the only problem will be getting them back off the pitch.
So could you please give them a huge cheer at halftime, it will mean so much to them and to the proud parents and coaches (who are simply fantastic people).
GWAN THE DRAGONS ..... and CMON LEINSTER too (to win by 15+ in the end).
Thanks
D2

Will do!

[Avenger]

Edinburgh scored 56 against these. You’re only nervous because it’d be a massive shock if we went out and they have a chip on their shoulder about playing us.

Seems a decent crowd about anyway.

[Hippo]

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Seapoint Dragons special needs tag team who are playing in the halftime games. My lad is one of the Dragons. The team is 10 years old this year and this is a huge honour for them. They're bursting with excitement and on the way to the stadium already - the only problem will be getting them back off the pitch.
So could you please give them a huge cheer at halftime, it will mean so much to them and to the proud parents and coaches (who are simply fantastic people).
GWAN THE DRAGONS ..... and CMON LEINSTER too (to win by 15+ in the end).
Thanks
D2

Fantastic!

[munster#1]

Can’t see how any of you are nervous about this one.
This is not a great Connacht outfit and Leinster are stacked with Internationals from 1-23.

The only way Leinster lose this one is if they pick up an early red.

I predict an Italian like performance from Connacht.
They will stay with Leinster for the first 30 mins and then run out of puff.

Leinster by 35.

[riocard911]

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Seapoint Dragons special needs tag team who are playing in the halftime games. My lad is one of the Dragons. The team is 10 years old this year and this is a huge honour for them. They're bursting with excitement and on the way to the stadium already - the only problem will be getting them back off the pitch.
So could you please give them a huge cheer at halftime, it will mean so much to them and to the proud parents and coaches (who are simply fantastic people).
GWAN THE DRAGONS ..... and CMON LEINSTER too (to win by 15+ in the end).
Thanks
D2

Up Seapoint!!!

[wixfjord]

First 10 very ropey, but beyond that we've been great.

Forwards taking Connacht apart.

Josh M, Lowe and Henshaw brilliant.

Bundee looks injured and was acting the hard man with that late hit. Should've been red.

[Twist]

Just want to give a huge shoutout to the Seapoint Dragons special needs tag team who are playing in the halftime games. My lad is one of the Dragons. The team is 10 years old this year and this is a huge honour for them. They're bursting with excitement and on the way to the stadium already - the only problem will be getting them back off the pitch.
So could you please give them a huge cheer at halftime, it will mean so much to them and to the proud parents and coaches (who are simply fantastic people).
GWAN THE DRAGONS ..... and CMON LEINSTER too (to win by 15+ in the end).
Thanks
D2

Love this. Allez les Dragons.

[Twist]

Update; I am no longer nervous.

Hansen’s offload to escape coffin corner was a thing of beauty though.

[Oldschool]

Can’t see how any of you are nervous about this one.
This is not a great Connacht outfit and Leinster are stacked with Internationals from 1-23.

The only way Leinster lose this one is if they pick up an early red.

I predict an Italian like performance from Connacht.
They will stay with Leinster for the first 30 mins and then run out of puff.

Leinster by 35.

M#1 gets it right for once.

[ronk]

First 10 very ropey, but beyond that we've been great.

Forwards taking Connacht apart.

Josh M, Lowe and Henshaw brilliant.

Bundee looks injured and was acting the hard man with that late hit. Should've been red.

100% a red. If you try to make that hit and you don't get it right then you go. Players know this.

We're trying to get these out of the game. Degree of danger is extremely high.

Don't really buy the low force argument.

[Hippo]

Unbelievable decision, 'no high degree of danger' indeed

[wixfjord]

Felipe doesn't get near enough credit for our first phase attacking play. It's ridiculously good.

[ronk]

Bealham was a HIA so it should be 14 players.

[wixfjord]

Good performance overall. Connacht didn't test us much bar first 10.

Pack was just way better and Connacht discipline was poor.

Henshaw MOTM for me despite Lowe's scoring. Both second rows were really good too.