Leinster v Ulster Fri 8th January 2021 19:35 EirSport

[cormac]

Not the most encouraging of updates.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/byrne-cona ... d=20LU7671

Ruddock back in full training.

Larmour and Harry stepping up their return to training this week.

Futher assessment required for Frawley (minor hamstring), Murphy (minor calf injury), Sexton & Penny (HIA's), Jimmy and O'Loughlin (shoulder injuries).

No update: Garry Ringrose (jaw), Conor O’Brien (knee), Tommy O’Brien (ankle), James Lowe (groin), Tadhg Furlong (calf), Max Deegan (knee), Vakh Abdaladze (back) and Adam Byrne (hamstring)

[outcast eddie]

If we can field an actual fly half and an actual eight, plus harness the backlash emotion (a bluelash perhaps?) of loosing to Connacht, we can send the Ulstermen home with nothing to show for their efforts. If not, we may be in trouble.

[Xanthippe]

Not the most encouraging of updates.

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/byrne-cona ... d=20LU7671

Ruddock back in full training.

Larmour and Harry stepping up their return to training this week.

Futher assessment required for Frawley (minor hamstring), Murphy (minor calf injury), Sexton & Penny (HIA's), Jimmy and O'Loughlin (shoulder injuries).

No update: Garry Ringrose (jaw), Conor O’Brien (knee), Tommy O’Brien (ankle), James Lowe (groin), Tadhg Furlong (calf), Max Deegan (knee), Vakh Abdaladze (back) and Adam Byrne (hamstring)

So with only 6 days between games there's no chance we'll be seeing Sexton or Penny this Friday - or have they changed the Return to Play Protocols?

[Dave Cahill]

We are already in trouble. We're 10 points behind with two games in hand, one of which is away to Munster. We have to win this match, otherwise making the final is out of our hands

[Dave Cahill]

So with only 6 days between games there's no chance we'll be seeing Sexton or Penny this Friday - or have they changed the Return to Play Protocols?

Its a five day process provided each step is passed.

[Blue not red blood]

Are we not penciled in play Munster on a 6 nations weekend ?
Not confirmed but heard it mentioned.
All things being equal you would have to back us in that one.

Re this Fri, it was very encouraging to see the hurt in Leavy as he spoke. I dont doubt there will be a very positive reaction and performance.
That being said we need to have a 10 starting

[wixfjord]

Really looking forward to seeing how we react in this one.

A good solid team selection would help. I assume some of the selection choices at the weekend were covid/isolation related, so might get some of those guys back.

Maybe something like the following would do nicely:

Byrne, Cronin, Porter, Baird, Ryan, Ruddock, Connors, Conan, JGP, Ross, Kelleher, Henshaw, Turner, DK, Keenan

[LeinsterLeader]

I suppose the assumption is the Internationals will be back? Henshaw and Keenan would certainly make a big difference to the backline

[mildlyinterested]

Must win game.

[munster#1]

This is now a massive game, and one that I am really looking forward to.

A win for Ulster would put Leinster in a unenviable position of hoping that Ulster slip up in their remaining games.

Ulster have no hope of making the knock out stages in Europe, so they have the luxury of throwing everything into this game, whereas Leinster must keep one eye on next weekends game.

I suspect that both teams will pick close to full strength teams, so Leinster should have enough to win even allowing for the current injury list, but still should be an exciting spectacle.

[BlueWheels]

We are already in trouble. We're 10 points behind with two games in hand, one of which is away to Munster. We have to win this match, otherwise making the final is out of our hands

Agree with that, in fact a bonus point win, while denying Ulster any sort of point should be the ultimate target.

[riocard911]

We are already in trouble. We're 10 points behind with two games in hand, one of which is away to Munster. We have to win this match, otherwise making the final is out of our hands

Agree with that, in fact a bonus point win, while denying Ulster any sort of point should be the ultimate target.

+1!!!!

[hugonaut]

Really looking forward to seeing how we react in this one.

A good solid team selection would help. I assume some of the selection choices at the weekend were covid/isolation related, so might get some of those guys back.

Maybe something like the following would do nicely:

Byrne, Cronin, Porter, Baird, Ryan, Ruddock, Connors, Conan, JGP, Ross, Kelleher, Henshaw, Turner, DK, Keenan

Surely JVDF at No7? He had a great game in the final, gave Burns the heebie-jeebies.

We've got no backs so should opt for the 6-2 split. Healy, Kelleher, Bent, Fardy, Leavy, Doris, Luke McG, Frawley is a bench full of pop.

[LeinsterLeader]

In other good News.... Caelan Doris looks like he's taking part in full training, JL also sprinting at full pelt so can't be a million miles away and Good to see this fell back out on the paddock.....

[cormac]

https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/2101001/

Looks like the internationals were back involved in training. Likely to be available for selection this Friday?

[curates_egg]

Ulster went full bore on Saturday. We wouldn't be allowed to do that two weekends in a row over the festive period, but they might be?

[alanair]

Lest we forget - Ulster came very close to being beaten by a weakened Munster team last weekend , in a second half collapse of sorts... so should not be beyond a medium to Full strength Leinster team to get one over on Ulster on Friday

[MylesNaGapoleen]

Lots of extra edge to the game friday. can't wait.
6 rounds left to claw back 10 points with 1 game in hand (munster away) which is likely to be played during the 6N. I think we have more depth when the internationals are away, compared to Munster, so hopefully we can pinch 4 points in that game.
Even if we get a BP win and deny Ulster a LBP - a big ask with all the injuries we have and ulster out of the heino - we have to wait and see if they slip up.
I don't think Leo will panic and pull in the big guns that are fit and risk slipping in the following european weekend.

[domhnallj]

We have two games in hand don’t we?

[Xanthippe]

So with only 6 days between games there's no chance we'll be seeing Sexton or Penny this Friday - or have they changed the Return to Play Protocols?

Its a five day process provided each step is passed.

Ah thanks Dave - for some reason I thought it was 7 days