Leinster v Connacht Sat 2nd 19.35 Eir Sport

[Serb]

In fairness to the lineout, it has been much better since Cronin came on and Toner went off. Not sure what the factor was, either Cronin’s throwing was much better or we removed our most obvious target, but I don’t think we lost one since the 50th minute.

[Blueberry]

Considering how well Hawkshaw played when he game on, what exactly was going on with him not being brought on at 10 when Sexton went off......he was a positive in the 2nd half.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

well played connacht. thought they were much hungrier and played a blinder in the first half. took all the chances they had. lots for us to reflect upon but we cannot expect to win a game at this level with so many mistakes.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Lineout still an issue, comprehensively beaten at the breakdown. Speed and accuracy of passing has too often been haphazard. I'm surprised they only picked us off twice. Their kicks found space ours found defenders.

Congrats to Connacht, comfortably the better side tonight.

I reckon we have some kind of tactic where if the scrumhalf isn’t available then whoever is closest to the ball just has to get there ASAP and pass it regardless of who it is to keep the move going, and Carty saw that coming when Luke carried the ball and Molony stepped in.

We see it all the time though, even Dev does it.

[Keith]

Do we have the worst lineout in world rugby?

[Blueberry]

Makes next game v Leinster B vaguely interesting now. Hopefully we can line out 15.....if we can't Jordi and Jack should play for us.

[Blue Man]

Unacceptable performance regardless of injuries and unavailable players. Terrible tactics from the start. Why shuffle the ball out wide to a patchwork 3/4s against a rush defense? Why continue to do so when it was causing mistakes and resulting in opposition scores? Why keep J O’Brien at 10 when we had Hawkshaw on the bench? JOB was clearly uncomfortable at 10, this was very poor judgement from the coaches. The front five lacked aggression and the backrow was well beaten on the deck. Lineout was under pressure all match and scrum erratic. All told, an insipid performance, unworthy of the Leinster jersey. Players showed a lack of rugby intelligence, leadership and physical commitment. The coaching team was too slow to make changes to personnel or tactics.

[Keith]

On a positive note, I was impressed again with Liam Turner and Greg McGrath came through well.

[Dexter]

It's now official. It's the end of Leinster as a competitive force. Fact.

[Dexter]

On a positive note, I was impressed again with Liam Turner and Greg McGrath came through well.

True, felt a bit sorry for the debutantes, tough game to make your debut. Outplayed in most parts of the pitch.

[Blueberry]

Agree Leinster are finished.

Won't be bothering going to another game this year now.

[MylesNaGapoleen]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

[Blueberry]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

Yes excellent...aside from Bard he was the standout for me in the Leinster performance tonight and can hold his head up high.

[hugonaut]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

Thought he did great, bar the intercept. Really good change of direction, balance and footspeed for a fella whose knee had to be completely rebuilt in the recent past.

[wixfjord]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

Yeah thought he was pretty good. Has a lovely break on him.

No idea why we didn't just bring him on at 10.

Not often I say it, but that was a bizarre decision from Leo.

[Blueberry]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

Yeah thought he was pretty good. Has a lovely break on him.

No idea why we didn't just bring him on at 10.

Not often I say it, but that was a bizarre decision from Leo.

Totally agree, the oddest call. I just can't in anyway see any justification for it. Anyone have any ideas ?

[Dexter]

Agree Leinster are finished.

Won't be bothering going to another game this year now.

[Dexter]

anyone else felt Hawkshaw did well when he came on? Tough game to come into.

Yeah thought he was pretty good. Has a lovely break on him.

No idea why we didn't just bring him on at 10.

Not often I say it, but that was a bizarre decision from Leo.

Totally agree, the oddest call. I just can't in anyway see any justification for it. Anyone have any ideas ?

Everyone obviously puzzled over this. He did great when he was on.

[Blueberry]

Come on someone must have some idea re the Hawkshaw thing, being talking to several folk about it and the best anyone can come up with is condensation on the window in the coaching box and Leo thought someone else bar J10 had gone off ?

Come on we can do better than this!!

[wixfjord]

I would assume the reason was because JOB had deputised for the last few training sessions as sub outhalf, and Hawkshaw came in late.

But still, if a guy is good enough to sit on the bench he's good enough to play his position.