Leinster v La Rochelle Heineken Cup Final Sat 28th May 4.45 Marseille

[blockhead]

15 min video of la rochelles captains run: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeECs_FIpAU/

hmmm........ I'm beginning to think it's not a secret.
But I did hear they got 2 minutes longer on the pitch than us. Just saying. That could be difference at the end of the day

At this rate you are going to be a twisted knot come 4.45pm tomorrow.
Relax dude, we are going to tear them a new one.

[joooooe]

Relax dude, we are going to tear them a new one.

There it is. Phew.

[Oldschool]

Match Preview

"Hear about Helenowski and Brown? They got into a helluva scrap with six Mexicans at some bar. Helenowski lost six pints of blood. Brown's in a coma."
"I heard Helenowski lost an eye and they're reading Brown the last rites".

"What?? I have the report right here. They're home with bruises and muscle pulls."

In the last couple of weeks Leinster fans might have been reminded of the above lines from "L.A. Confidential". Leinster's personal bogeyman Will Skelton has haunted them over the last couple of years. In the 2019 final he proved a difference maker for Saracens and in last year's semi-final against La Rochelle he was massive again in more ways than one. But it seemed that Leinster wouldn't have to face their "big bad" when news broke of a calf injury a few weeks back.

Read more...

Glad I never watched "L.A Confidental".
For the first and only time, to date, I think I'll skip your preview and read it after the result is known.

[wixfjord]

Tadhg & Lowe 'ready to go and weren't a major concern from our point of view'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8SVnse ... terRugbyTV

The three lads looking very relaxed.

Good banter from Johnny about ROG/Felipe!

[Ruckedtobits]

Tadhg & Lowe 'ready to go and weren't a major concern from our point of view'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8SVnse ... terRugbyTV

The three lads looking very relaxed.

Good banter from Johnny about ROG/Felipe!

So I'm a Coach of a team at a serious level playing a final tomorrow in which I hope my forwards can dominate to give me a chance of beating a team who want to, and can, move the ball and increase the tempo throughout 80 minutes.

Do I go into such a game without a genuine substitute for either my scrum-half or out-half? Of course I don't.

So I'm with Leo, I won't be surprised to see Kerr-Barlow starting tomorrow. Rietiere is a very talented footballer but if I genuinely had lost my starting No 9, I'd definitely have his back-up on my bench. Le Bail (No 3 scrum-half in LAR panel) is experienced and has played some big games for them. Although he's small in stature, at 30 he's experienced and has a good pass.

So, mind games aren't over and I'd certainly put money down that the LAR Squad names will change before kick-off. I think Leinster's Squad will field as announced but I'm worried about Furlong's capacity to make it to 50 mins.

[LeinsterLeader]

Did anybody see the one Munster fan in his Munster jersey, interviewed at the airport, on the News?

" Yeah, just going down to support ROG ...... and the boys ..........*pause* ........... Anybody but Leinster!

God bless him!

[hugonaut]

Match Preview

"Hear about Helenowski and Brown? They got into a helluva scrap with six Mexicans at some bar. Helenowski lost six pints of blood. Brown's in a coma."
"I heard Helenowski lost an eye and they're reading Brown the last rites".

"What?? I have the report right here. They're home with bruises and muscle pulls."

In the last couple of weeks Leinster fans might have been reminded of the above lines from "L.A. Confidential". Leinster's personal bogeyman Will Skelton has haunted them over the last couple of years. In the 2019 final he proved a difference maker for Saracens and in last year's semi-final against La Rochelle he was massive again in more ways than one. But it seemed that Leinster wouldn't have to face their "big bad" when news broke of a calf injury a few weeks back.

Read more...

Great quote and great preview!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The dead ball area is tiny, kicking deep is going to be incredibly risky.

[riocard911]

Match Preview

"Hear about Helenowski and Brown? They got into a helluva scrap with six Mexicans at some bar. Helenowski lost six pints of blood. Brown's in a coma."
"I heard Helenowski lost an eye and they're reading Brown the last rites".

"What?? I have the report right here. They're home with bruises and muscle pulls."

In the last couple of weeks Leinster fans might have been reminded of the above lines from "L.A. Confidential". Leinster's personal bogeyman Will Skelton has haunted them over the last couple of years. In the 2019 final he proved a difference maker for Saracens and in last year's semi-final against La Rochelle he was massive again in more ways than one. But it seemed that Leinster wouldn't have to face their "big bad" when news broke of a calf injury a few weeks back.

Read more...

Great quote and great preview!

+1. And for anyone interested in reading, James Ellroy is a great crime novelist. I recommend "The Black Dahlia".

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The dead ball area is tiny, kicking deep is going to be incredibly risky.

Thanks to Baptiste Serin for proving my point just after I said this

[badger79]

So I’m guessing no one else is flying via Alghero then? A distinct lack of Paddies on this plane!

[neill_m]

Pat McCarry rugby journalist and blogger on his Twitter account reporting it is chaos getting into the ground in Marseille (at Challenge Final), so best give yourselves plenty of time tomorrow etc if going to game.

[cormac]

The dead ball area is tiny, kicking deep is going to be incredibly risky.

Thanks to Baptiste Serin for proving my point just after I said this

and the Georgian winger

[Avenger]

Pitch cutting up badly there for that last scrum.

[elephantman]

Did anybody see the one Munster fan in his Munster jersey, interviewed at the airport, on the News?

" Yeah, just going down to support ROG ...... and the boys ..........*pause* ........... Anybody but Leinster!

God bless him!

Haha, it was funny alright.

I’d have a sneaking regard for his honesty

[cormac]

Charlie Ngatai has a big boot on him

[elephantman]

Charlie Ngatai has a big boot on him

He’s a brilliant player. Very intelligent.

Terrific signing by Leinster.

[neill_m]

Charlie Ngatai has a big boot on him

He’s a brilliant player. Very intelligent.

Terrific signing by Leinster.

Is it actually confirmed?

[Serb]

Not so far. Just rumoured as far as I know, but these rumours tend to be confirmed.

[elephantman]

Charlie Ngatai has a big boot on him

He’s a brilliant player. Very intelligent.

Terrific signing by Leinster.

Is it actually confirmed?

Not confirmed for some reason but the BT Sport commentary team seemed pretty sure Ngatai was Leinster bound.

Slightly odd but seem to remember Joe Tomane not being confirmed till June when it had been reported months previously that Leinster had signed him.