Leinster v Ulster Sat 3rd December 19.35 TG4

[curates_egg]

On our selection this weekend, I would think Healy has to start (or get significant minutes) if we are planning on him being our 17 in Europe.

[mildlyinterested]

Jordan Larmour doing day 2 of the european cup media.

[RoboProp]

Could we be looking at a backline of JGP, RB, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Ringrose, JOB, Keenan? With Larmour on the Bench, maybe
JGP and Keenan don't have any minutes in blue this season and looked like there was a bit of ring rust from them during the AIs.

[Dave Cahill]

I'd be surprised if they put Harry Byrne up against McCloskey, especially with Osbourne around

[RoboProp]

I'd be surprised if they put Harry Byrne up against McCloskey, especially with Osbourne around

True actually, fight size with size...anything to be said for converting Penny to inside centre

[cormac]

Christophe Ridley will ref this game

[Flash Gordon]

The Dublin Horse Show is a full 5* FEI Nations Cup event - that stipulates a minimum number of fences with a minimum amount of space between them which requires the full arena. Unless the layout and orientation of the arena is completely changed or the FEI change their regulations, there won't be any permanent stands at the north or south ends of the arena.

With the purchase of the church you could probably rotate the arena but then you're probably entering a world of planning pain. The architects plans did have visuals with rooves on the North and South Stand.

https://grimshaw.global/projects/sport/ ... velopment/


Would you really need foundations? The Grandstand originally went in without a roof and didn't seem to fall foul of planning regs. Thinking of the fact that we have signed a 25 year lease and the investment you would need on facilities over that time period and how the competitive environment is evolving and a stand without a roof feels like it would become pretty redundant.

[Flash Gordon]

I'd be surprised if they put Harry Byrne up against McCloskey, especially with Osbourne around

True actually, fight size with size...anything to be said for converting Penny to inside centre

If you have Sexton/Ross and Ringrose outside the 12 I wouldn't be too worried about size - particularly given the effectiveness of our backrow. Anyway, we should really play our game rather than set ourselves up to play theirs.

[Dave Cahill]

Would you really need foundations? The Grandstand originally went in without a roof and didn't seem to fall foul of planning regs...

..until they added the roof

[Flash Gordon]

Would you really need foundations? The Grandstand originally went in without a roof and didn't seem to fall foul of planning regs...

..until they added the roof

You mean the roof had issues with planning?

[Dave Cahill]

Would you really need foundations? The Grandstand originally went in without a roof and didn't seem to fall foul of planning regs...

..until they added the roof

You mean the roof had issues with planning?

Yup, delayed for a year because of it (only rained once though that season!)

[neill_m]

Christophe Ridley will ref this game

Leinster v Ulster
RDS Arena, Dublin – KO 19.35 IRE & UK / 20.35 ITA / 21.35 SA
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU, 2nd league game)
AR 1: Oisin Quinn (IRFU) AR 2: Kieran Barry (IRFU)
TMO: Rowann Kitt (RFU)

Referee exchange week ahead of Heineken Cup

[Flash Gordon]

Could we be looking at a backline of JGP, RB, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Ringrose, JOB, Keenan? With Larmour on the Bench, maybe
JGP and Keenan don't have any minutes in blue this season and looked like there was a bit of ring rust from them during the AIs.

When Jordan's fit and available he tends to start and he usually scores. He clearly needs game time - whereas JOB has played a bit recently.

[RoboProp]

Could we be looking at a backline of JGP, RB, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Ringrose, JOB, Keenan? With Larmour on the Bench, maybe
JGP and Keenan don't have any minutes in blue this season and looked like there was a bit of ring rust from them during the AIs.

When Jordan's fit and available he tends to start and he usually scores. He clearly needs game time - whereas JOB has played a bit recently.

I was thinking that, then was wondering if Leocaster would risk 2 wings coming back from LTIs against a top team such as the gringos

[Flash Gordon]

Could we be looking at a backline of JGP, RB, James Lowe, Harry Byrne, Ringrose, JOB, Keenan? With Larmour on the Bench, maybe
JGP and Keenan don't have any minutes in blue this season and looked like there was a bit of ring rust from them during the AIs.

When Jordan's fit and available he tends to start and he usually scores. He clearly needs game time - whereas JOB has played a bit recently.

I was thinking that, then was wondering if Leocaster would risk 2 wings coming back from LTIs against a top team such as the gringos

JOB and Dave are great players, not too worried about wingers though Lowe is different level - as is Jordan when he's on this game.

[TMC]

Ngatai not confirmed as unavailable yet, like all teams we tend to flog the imports a bit more, if he's 90% he'll probably play. Doubt we'll see Sexton and imagine RB at 10.

Anyway, focusing on the hair gel consumers likely to be irrelevant as chances are it will be decided up front & Ulster are gnarly. Which one of Kelleher & Sheehan and Jenkins & Molony starts / benches, is Church still trusted at 17 and is Deegan's form going to be rewarded ahead of Conan are the real posers for me. Personally would go with Deegan starting with RR on the bench ahead of Conan on current form.

[allezlesverres]

Ngatai not confirmed as unavailable yet, like all teams we tend to flog the imports a bit more, if he's 90% he'll probably play. Doubt we'll see Sexton and imagine RB at 10.

Anyway, focusing on the hair gel consumers likely to be irrelevant as chances are it will be decided up front & Ulster are gnarly. Which one of Kelleher & Sheehan and Jenkins & Molony starts / benches, is Church still trusted at 17 and is Deegan's form going to be rewarded ahead of Conan are the real posers for me. Personally would go with Deegan starting with RR on the bench ahead of Conan on current form.

I think that's probably true TMC. Forecast is for showers so might be a night for the forwards although hopefully not as dire as Leinsters visit to Ulster earlier in the season which was truly awful. The scrum will be a point of strength for Leinster. Ulster's best scrummaging props (warwick and o'toole) would hold a scrum up against any team without necessarily being dominant. The best Ulster props in open play (Reid and O'Toole) both struggle in the scrum and could have a hard night.

Ulster probably have the edge in midfield with Henshaw out.

[D4surfer]

The bookies have this as a 10 point game in Leinster’s favour. The odds are Leinster 1/4 and Ulster 7/2. The odds usually change once the teams are announced.

[BlueStreak]

Unfortunately can't attend on Saturday night so my North Stand ticket is free to a good home. PM if interested.

*Edit* Ticket gone

[Blue Man]

Brownlee a dark horse to start on Saturday if Ngatai is out?