Leinster V Cardiff, Sat 28th Jan 17:05

[sunshiner1]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Chris Cosgrave (4)
14. Max O’Reilly (10)
13. Liam Turner (12)
12. Ben Brownlee (1)
11. Dave Kearney (178)
10. Harry Byrne (42)
9. Luke McGrath (186)
1. Michael Milne (24)
2. John McKee (11)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (38)
4. Ross Molony (154)
5. Brian Deeny (7)
6. Rhys Ruddock (216) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (49)
8. Max Deegan (90)

16. Tadgh McElroy (1)
17. Marcus Hanan (3)
18. Thomas Clarkson (21)
19. James Culhane (0)
20. Will Connors (29)
21. Nick McCarthy (55)
22. Charlie Tector (2)
23. Aitzol King (0)

Think our pack is pretty decent if a little callow. The backline is cobbled together but excited to see what Brownlee can do and will be cheering to see Connor's back on the pitch. These guys did pretty well against the SA teams so not giving up on this result just yet.

[backrower8]

This match and selection presents Harry with a real test of his ability to play a controlled, tight game that feeds into the team's relative strength up front (albeit #1 & #5 are so-so in the tight).

Milne's opposite number Assiratti doesn't seem to be anything special based on his stats, but maybe he is a technical scrum wizard?

[riocard911]

This match and selection presents Harry with a real test of his ability to play a controlled, tight game that feeds into the team's relative strength up front (albeit #1 & #5 are so-so in the tight).

Milne's opposite number Assiratti doesn't seem to be anything special based on his stats, but maybe he is a technical scrum wizard?

Agree. Big opportunity for Harry to show he can get the balance right and play low-risk, slowly, slowly, catchee monkey, when it's required.

[blockhead]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Chris Cosgrave (4)
14. Max O’Reilly (10)
13. Liam Turner (12)
12. Ben Brownlee (1)
11. Dave Kearney (178)
10. Harry Byrne (42)
9. Luke McGrath (186)
1. Michael Milne (24)
2. John McKee (11)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (38)
4. Ross Molony (154)
5. Brian Deeny (7)
6. Rhys Ruddock (216) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (49)
8. Max Deegan (90)

16. Tadgh McElroy (1)
17. Marcus Hanan (3)
18. Thomas Clarkson (21)
19. James Culhane (0)
20. Will Connors (29)
21. Nick McCarthy (55)
22. Charlie Tector (2)
23. Aitzol King (0)

Think our pack is pretty decent if a little callow. The backline is cobbled together but excited to see what Brownlee can do and will be cheering to see Connor's back on the pitch. These guys did pretty well against the SA teams so not giving up on this result just yet.

If Culhane and King come on, how many players will have played this season so far?
Also, some of that 23 maybe making a seasonal debut.

[D4surfer]

The bookies have changed the odds since the team announcements. Leinster have slipped from 1/11 to 2/9 and Cardiff have shortened from 10/1 to 7/1. I would expect the odds to change further.

[wixfjord]

The injuries we've shipped to Ngatai, Jenkins & Byrne have been very unfortunate. Would put a very different look on that side to have that trio starting!

Likewise the loss of Tracy, ROL, Josh Murphy, Dooley, Byrne over last 12 has a big impact on games like this.

[pangurban1]

The can I have a word with my players bit from the skipper helps get ready for Lineout mauls.
Guard the rucks well at the side.

[Leoslovechild]

Was at Cardiff v Newcastle 2 weeks ago and was not overly impressed at all and was a much stronger line up than what they have out tomorrow.

[mildlyinterested]

huge game for Harry.

[Ruckedtobits]

No too many readily recognisable Welsh names among their forwards. However, their backline contains a few household names and our young tyros have lots on their plate. If Harry can Marshall our defence we'll, he'll earn lots of kudos in this environment.

[Ruckedtobits]

The bookies have changed the odds since the team announcements. Leinster have slipped from 1/11 to 2/9 and Cardiff have shortened from 10/1 to 7/1. I would expect the odds to change further.

Those Odds still represent a huge differential.

[D4surfer]

The bookies have changed the odds since the team announcements. Leinster have slipped from 1/11 to 2/9 and Cardiff have shortened from 10/1 to 7/1. I would expect the odds to change further.

Those Odds still represent a huge differential.

The bookies have it as a 15 point game in Leinster's favour. I'm not that optimistic.

[cormac]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Chris Cosgrave (4)
14. Max O’Reilly (10)
13. Liam Turner (12)
12. Ben Brownlee (1)
11. Dave Kearney (178)
10. Harry Byrne (42)
9. Luke McGrath (186)
1. Michael Milne (24)
2. John McKee (11)
3. Michael Ala’alatoa (38)
4. Ross Molony (154)
5. Brian Deeny (7)
6. Rhys Ruddock (216) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (49)
8. Max Deegan (90)

16. Tadgh McElroy (1)
17. Marcus Hanan (3)
18. Thomas Clarkson (21)
19. James Culhane (0)
20. Will Connors (29)
21. Nick McCarthy (55)
22. Charlie Tector (2)
23. Aitzol King (0)

Think our pack is pretty decent if a little callow. The backline is cobbled together but excited to see what Brownlee can do and will be cheering to see Connor's back on the pitch. These guys did pretty well against the SA teams so not giving up on this result just yet.

If Culhane and King come on, how many players will have played this season so far?
Also, some of that 23 maybe making a seasonal debut.

Hanan hasn't featured at all for the senior team this season so if he, Culhane and King come on, we'll be up to 53 players used so far this season.

43 from the senior squad and 10 academy players.

[limecat]

Match Preview

There's one last Leinster game left before the start of the Six Nations. So it's probably a good time to reflect where Leinster and indeed Ireland are at since they are largely the same group of players.

Leinster have won all sixteen games so far this season. In Europe they had a perfect record of 20 points from 20 which earned them top seeds and means they won't have to leave Dublin in the knock-out stages. And they have done this with a lengthy injury record that has seen them do without key men like Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong, Jason Jenkins, Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe for most of the European campaign.

Read more...

[5starfan]

Isn't it interesting by contrast that Ulster make only 3 changes to their side that defeated Sale last Sunday!!

[5starfan]

Isn't it interesting by contrast that Ulster make only 3 changes to their side that defeated Sale last Sunday for their game v Stormers tonight!!

[RoboProp]

You'd have to think Vakh's days in blue are numbered

[IanD]

https://twitter.com/RTERadio1/status/16 ... 8gjXg&s=19

From tweet above Match Commentary on RTE Radio 1.

[LeinsterLeader]

Does anyone remember “tunnel-gate” from last years Cardiff match? That was mad!

Might give the team even more incentive for today’s match

[riocard911]

By no means perfect, but that was a very good performance by a second-string side. Delighted for Deegan getting the MOTM. Was richly deserved.