Game 1: Leinster away to Glasgow [06/09/14] Sky Sports

[goreyguy]

First meaningful game of MOC's second season in charge is a tough one.
Can Leinster find form and get out of Scotland with a win?
What players are unavailable?
What team do you expect to see out?
Who starts at 10?

[neiliog93]

Don't see us winning this one. We lost 13-6 last season but a fair reflection would have been more like 30-6.

[wixfjord]

Really looking forward to this, hope we see a strong side and Sky get a cracker to start their coverage.

My shot at the team:

McGrath
Dundon (if he's back?)
Ross
McCarthy
Denton
Ruddock
SOB
Conan
Boss
Gopperth
ZK
Reid
Darce
MCF
RK

Perhaps won't see it as strong as this, but would be good to get a win under the belt and MOC seems to be targeting it.

[ceemec]

If I had to guess....

Bent
Byrne
Furlong
McCarthy
Denton
Ryan
Jennings
Conan
Boss
Gopperth
McFadden
Reid
D'Arcy
Fanning
Kirchner

[mtleinster]

If we have 6 quality front row players, why would you start with players 3rd of 4th choice in their position?

Can we assume Strauss is fully fit again?

[AdamK]

Strauss won't be back til October.

I have a feeling Bryan Byrne will start, think Dundon isn't fit from what I hear, didn't feature in either preseason game and doesn't exactly have a lot of miles under the belt in the latter half of last season.

I'd go with..

Healy
Byrne
Furlong
Denton
McCarthy
Locky
Jennings
Conan
Boss
Gopperth
SCM
Reid
McFadden
Fanning
Kirchner

Bench: ???, Bent, Ross, Marshall, Ryan, McGrath, Madigan, McGrath


Massive for Mick McGrath, but he got to see an awful lot of the ball on Saturday and was heavily involved in set pieces so I wouldn't be surprised. He steam rolled two Ulster players also, massive strength for an AIL winger.

[ceemec]

If we have 6 quality front row players, why would you start with players 3rd of 4th choice in their position?

Can we assume Strauss is fully fit again?

On the basis that it's a world cup year and I've no idea how they're going to handle availability for the games. I can see the senior guys being eased back into things over the coming weeks. Some will play this week, some won't travel.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'd be surprised if we have any other hookers available who we haven't seen so far. Byrne played for longer than most on Saturday, my guess is because he's going to be needed to play most of the game this weekend. Great opportunity for him. I was certainly very impressed with him in open play.

[simonokeeffe]

looks to me like MOC is targeting a win here, lay down marker for season, hit ground running, and other cliches
plus he has a luxurious amount of internationals available compared to previous season openers so strongest available team with more internationals coming straight into team and squad

[the spoofer]

Do we not get a squad up date anymore?

[simonokeeffe]

Do we not get a squad up date anymore?

it was a week too soon for the squad update

training pics up on the website, for what its worth Bob, Darcy, Jack McGrath, Heaslip all pictured

looks like Toner is taking his bulking up seriously



Rob Kearney making a play for a lucrative AFL transfer

[blockhead]

looks to me like MOC is targeting a win here, lay down marker for season, hit ground running, and other cliches
plus he has a luxurious amount of internationals available compared to previous season openers so strongest available team with more internationals coming straight into team and squad

Practically everyone in the 1.5st team is now an international. (24 at a guess)

[simonokeeffe]

looks to me like MOC is targeting a win here, lay down marker for season, hit ground running, and other cliches
plus he has a luxurious amount of internationals available compared to previous season openers so strongest available team with more internationals coming straight into team and squad

Practically everyone in the 1.5st team is now an international. (24 at a guess)

even allowing for 10 cap and under wonders like Jordi Murphy, Ruddock, Jennings, McCarthy, Locky, Bent etc when have we ever had bona fide internationals like SOB, Healy, Ross, McFadden playing pre season games not just featuring in first match? plus more guys to come in for first game

"Meanwhile Leinster’s Matt O’Connor has issued an injury update ahead of the visit to Scotstoun.

Dan Leavy suffered a medial strain to his right knee in the pre-season friendly defeat to Ulster last Saturday. The injury, while not as bad as first suspected, will still keep the young UCD flanker out of action for between six to eight weeks.

Jordi Murphy is also expected to be sidelined for up to 12 weeks having undergone surgery on a troublesome shoulder injury that had caused him some discomfort during the run in last season.

Finally, Dave Kearney and Richardt Strauss - suffering from long term knee and hamstring injuries respectively - continue to be monitored on a daily basis but both players are recovering well and are on schedule for a return to fitness within the next few months."

[wixfjord]

Jordi Murphy out for up to 12 weeks with shoulder injury according to LR injury update.
Bit of an opportunity for Dom Ryan/Conan to get some Rabo gametime with both Jordi and Leavy out.

[cwebber82]

Am I right in thinking new signing Sean McCarthy is a loosehead?

[AdamK]

Am I right in thinking new signing Sean McCarthy is a loosehead?

Primarily, but can play both sides afaik.

[rdsblue]

Am I right in thinking new signing Sean McCarthy is a loosehead?

Yes, don't think he's ever played on the tight side

[johng]

Just for the crack

Healy
Byrne
Ross
Toner
McCarthy
Ruddock
Jennings
O'Brien

Boss
Gopperth
Kirchner
D'Arcy/Reid
Macken
McFadden
R Kearney

Moran
J McGrath
Furlong
McLaughlin
Heaslip
L McGrath/Reddan
Madigan
Fanning/M McGrath

[RoboProp]

What time is kick-off?

[johng]

What time is it now?