Champions Cup 2024 / 25 - Round 4

[Leonormous Boozer]

The funniest thing that could possibly happen this weekend is Ulster or Exeter winning with a BP and qualifying on PD ahead of the Sharks. Pool 1 really showing up the competition format this year.

Half expecting Bath to send a 2nd string team? Consecutive tough games with the 1st XV and essentially have nothing to gain or lose as they can't finish lower than 4th or higher than 3rd unless LAR really **** up. (Again, what a stupid system where a 3rd and 4th place finish are more or less the same value)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Half expecting Bath to send a 2nd string team? Consecutive tough games with the 1st XV and essentially have nothing to gain or lose as they can't finish lower than 4th or higher than 3rd unless LAR really **** up. (Again, what a stupid system where a 3rd and 4th place finish are more or less the same value)

England players unavailable next week so imagine most Prem sides will go strong in Europe as they'll need their reserves to not be broken during the international period

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

England players unavailable next week so imagine most Prem sides will go strong in Europe as they'll need their reserves to not be broken during the international period

That makes sense. Should be a better spectacle anyway. Top v Top with us chasing 4 tries and a big scoreline hard mixed with Bath's attacking ability could result in a bit of a mental game.

Although Leinster's defence smothering the game and our attack following it's high percentage approach could lead to the exact opposite.

 

[Which Tyler]

England players unavailable next week so imagine most Prem sides will go strong in Europe as they'll need their reserves to not be broken during the international period

No Prem clashes with 6N this year; so it shouldn't really make much difference.
I certainly hope that Bath don't go strong this week, this is a competition to rest the stars and give some game time to the backups; then we've an important match against Sale next up.
Then it's a 2 month break for the academy kids and 3rd choice players, whilst the starters either sit on a beach somewhere, or play for their countries.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale Sharks Starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, 11. Tom O'Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Raffi Quirke, 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. JL du Preez, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. WillGriff John, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Ernst van Rhyn, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Arron Reed.

Decent enough side, interested to see how RMW gets on starting considering how little he's played
Would've preferred Reed to start but we're gonna get spanked regardless so doesn't really matter

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Strongest available

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Don't love Garry Wingrose and a total lack of wings but happy to see JB at 12.

Conan starting could very well be Easterbuy ringing in a favour, he was off the pace last week. Baird out completely after last week is odd if not fitness related, he was very good.

Need to chase 4 tries and a score and set an intimidating target for Toulouse.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (70)
14. Garry Ringrose (132)
13. Robbie Henshaw (97)
12. Jordie Barrett (4)
11. Jamie Osborne (55)
10. Sam Prendergast (24)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (150) 1. Andrew Porter (130)
2. Rónan Kelleher (70)
3. Rabah Slimani (10)
4. Joe McCarthy (41)
5. James Ryan (91)
6. Max Deegan (122)
7. Josh van der Flier (151)
8. Jack Conan (157) CAPTAIN Replacements
16. Gus McCarthy (10)
17. Cian Healy (286)
18. Thomas Clarkson (49)
19. RG Snyman (9)
20. Caelan Doris (90)
21. Luke McGrath (221)
22. Ross Byrne (174)
23. Jimmy O'Brien (90)

How are Leinster going to get all their centres gametime?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):
15. Hugo Keenan (70)
14. Garry Ringrose (132)
13. Robbie Henshaw (97)
12. Jordie Barrett (4)
11. Jamie Osborne (55)
10. Sam Prendergast (24)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (150) 1. Andrew Porter (130)
2. Rónan Kelleher (70)
3. Rabah Slimani (10)
4. Joe McCarthy (41)
5. James Ryan (91)
6. Max Deegan (122)
7. Josh van der Flier (151)
8. Jack Conan (157) CAPTAIN Replacements
16. Gus McCarthy (10)
17. Cian Healy (286)
18. Thomas Clarkson (49)
19. RG Snyman (9)
20. Caelan Doris (90)
21. Luke McGrath (221)
22. Ross Byrne (174)
23. Jimmy O'Brien (90)

How are Leinster going to get all their centres gametime?

You suck

 

[saulan]

Don't love Deon Fourie not being in the 23 and not really having a clear fetcher, nor am I a fan of not having Libbok in the 23. This team in general will feel quite a bit different to last week as the exciting running rugby playmakers have been taken out... which I guess makes sense with snow forecast in Paris and those type of flair moments less likely to pay off. Gelant also was meant to be someone who knows the ground and conditions well having had a season there... Hmm, let's see.

 

[The Seeker]

over Harlequins.