[2018/19 Heineken Cup] Round : Pool (12&13/10/2018)

[Leinster Fan]

We weren't particularly great to be honest especially up front. We lost most of the collisions as being dominated at the breakdown. The backrow didn't work at all, Leavy isn't an 8, Van der Flier was very quiet and Ruddock just had had a poor game. We'll definitely see Conan next week, maybe Fardy as well. If Conan isn't 100% to start it could be time to look at Doris or Deegan. I don't know who you'd take out of the three we had but we definitely need changes. I don't think any of our forwards played particularly well except for Ryan (as always) and Healy.

The annoying thing is that from 11-15 they all played really well but didn't get the chances they might have had on another day. Larmour in particular was impressive (except for stupidly taking the man out in the air).

Ross Byrne did more in 10 minutes than Sexton did the whole game. Also Sexton is bad at talking to refs, just comes across as petulant (O'Mahony does as well which is a worry from an Irish perspective).

Anyway it would be great if we could get some nice weather in Dublin next week.

 

[Which Tyler]

Anyway it would be great if we could get some nice weather in Dublin next week.

It really wouldn't be. Bath showed well, but we needed the weather as a leveller. Nice weather next week, and it'll be the hammering we all expected

 

[Leinster Fan]

It really wouldn't be. Bath showed well, but we needed the weather as a leveller. Nice weather next week, and it'll be the hammering we all expected

I don't think there'll be a hammering, Bath's defence seems pretty good. I think we'll win with a decent bit to spare if the weather is nice but talk of 50 points or something is silly.

Anyway despite me and others being a bit annoyed with that performance, an away win in Europe is always a good result especially in those conditions. If Munster had been playing, they'd be hailed for their heroic grit and determination.

 

[Which Tyler]

We can play just fine... Once in 6

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd want to put 6 tries away next week really. We need a response after that because whether we like it or not Neil Francis has gone and doubled the size of the target on Ster's back.

And people like me already doubled it by consistently calling the team Ster.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

And people like me already doubled it by consistently calling the team Ster.

After yesterday:
S hit
T ier
E uro
R ugby

 

[Every Time Ref]

We can play just fine... Once in 6

Yeah on current evidence, 2 non-incompetent performances on the trot seems like something not to bet on, regardless of opposition

 

[Leinster Fan]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jordan Larmour (29)
14. Adam Byrne (43)
13. Garry Ringrose (56)
12. Rory O'Loughlin (49)
11. James Lowe (21)
10. Johnny Sexton (154) CAPTAIN
9. Luke McGrath (103)
1. Cian Healy (198)
2. Seán Cronin (161)
3. Tadhg Furlong (92)
4. Devin Toner (225)
5. James Ryan (22)
6. Dan Leavy (59)
7. Josh van der Flier (67)
8. Jack Conan (81)

16. James Tracy (78)
17. Ed Byrne (31)
18. Andrew Porter (40)
19. Ross Molony (72)
20. Rhys Ruddock (150)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (60)
22. Ross Byrne (58)
23. Noel Reid (107)

 

[munstermuffin]

In other words Leo saying. This Bath team are shite beyond words. Lets mix it up a bit and gain experiwnce for a few. Highlithed hugely by the back 5 all being young. Not inexperienced and not poor by the way.

 

[Which Tyler]

I fear a backlash after Bath overperformed last week, and Leinster never found top gear.

Leinster by 20

 

[jcahill1]

In other words Leo saying. This Bath team are shite beyond words. Lets mix it up a bit and gain experiwnce for a few. Highlithed hugely by the back 5 all being young. Not inexperienced and not poor by the way.

Think that Kearney is injured in fairness. Pretty strong team, hope Adam Byrne goes well and comes through on defense

 

[munstermuffin]

Think that Kearney is injured in fairness. Pretty strong team, hope Adam Byrne goes well and comes through on defense

Don't get me wrong it's not a poor team but a rotational one. The point is more there is no need to risk Kearney. It allows valuable time at 15 for Larmour and I expext Leinster to maybe not get a BP due to weather but dominate. Equally it won't suprise me if they pass 50. And it's not them being cocky or over hyped. A mixture of their talent, Bath are woeful, it's in Dublin and well there will be a reaction in some ways to last week. And team is more balanced eg Leavy at 6 and not 8

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Bath have not had 2 back to back good performances for about 2 years now. We had our good performance at home last week and still lost so not confident about this one at all.

 

[Which Tyler]

Bath have not had 2 back to back good performances for about 2 years now. We had our good performance at home last week and still lost so not confident about this one at all.

Yup. Gotta hope that the weather is a leveller again, allowing us to stay within 2 scores.
Otherwise, Leinster by 20

The other advantage of Storm Deirdre would be to mi imide first risk from all those Leinster flags... Just pray for no light into strikes or the whole stadium might erupt

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Is it just me or does Kieran Brookes appear really lazy, even by prop standards?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That was a pretty clear forearm from Healy that knocked out Ewells

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Oh yeah Conan. Make me eat my words.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pray for Bath guys

 

[Which Tyler]

We're playing well.
They're playing better.

Leinster with their tails up beat anyone

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

******* dopey by Bath, don't turn your back on your opposition when there is a penalty!