HEC P5: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leinster Rugby

[Teh Mite]

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Stade Marcel Michelin - 09/12/2012 - 15:00
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[Jockstap]

This could be the fist time in a long time that Leinster get stuffed in the HC. With no Thorn or Hines and with Roux injured there's not enough grunt in the engine room to contend with Clermont's power game. Plus Leinster haven't being playing like themselves this season.

 

[jcahill1]

This could be the fist time in a long time that Leinster get stuffed in the HC. With no Thorn or Hines and with Roux injured there's not enough grunt in the engine room to contend with Clermont's power game. Plus Leinster haven't being playing like themselves this season.

I hate to agree with you but...

 

[Feicarsinn]

This could be the fist time in a long time that Leinster get stuffed in the HC. With no Thorn or Hines and with Roux injured there's not enough grunt in the engine room to contend with Clermont's power game. Plus Leinster haven't being playing like themselves this season.

Hmm, I dunno. Damien Browne packs down at 19 stone. Between him and Cullen that's a lot of muscle. Neither are top notch, but that's lumpy. We could also start HVDM to add some more grunt, and having SOB back is huge. Boss at 9 is massively physical too.

The form of Sexton is key. He's been very good in the past few weeks. He's our key player. If he plays to his best we'll be there or there abouts.

Dave Kearney's fitness is also crucial. D'arcy was good at 13 on the weekend, he should be able to do a job there. Ideally, I'd like to see something like this:

15) Nacewa
14) Kearney
13) D'arcy
12) McFadden/Goodman
11) McFadden/Conway
10) Sexton
9) Boss
8) Heaslip
7) O'Brien
6) McLaughlin
5) Cullen
4) Browne
3) Ross
2) Strauss
1) Healy

That's not a team that gets hammered.

 

[big ginger 8]

This will be interesting. Clearly a defining moment for our season.

 

[psychic duck]

Clermont haven't actually been on top form this season, I highly doubt Leinster get "stuffed" as predicted by some above and they have a good chance of at least a lbp and should be pushing Clermont hard especially as they have got some injured players back now I think. Some here seem to overestimate Clermont a little, true they were good in their first two H Cup matches, but domestically they've not been firing. Although on the otherhand, they should be motivated by revenge for their defeat last season.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

No defeatest attitude here. I want Leinster to go to Clermont with the belief that they'll end the home side's winning streak in SMM. I also think they'll come damn close to doing so.

 

[coonor]

I'm scared... But I still believe!

This Leinster squad has done many great things and they are capable of the best. It's a big ask but so far Leinster have been able to answer everything. I wish we had BOD or Kearney. Either of of them and suddenly our team looks very strong but now it's time for the key players to stand up. Strauss, Heaslip, Sexton, D'Arcy and Nacewa all need big games.

 

[Jockstap]

Hmm, I dunno. Damien Browne packs down at 19 stone. Between him and Cullen that's a lot of muscle. Neither are top notch, but that's lumpy. We could also start HVDM to add some more grunt, and having SOB back is huge. Boss at 9 is massively physical too.

The form of Sexton is key. He's been very good in the past few weeks. He's our key player. If he plays to his best we'll be there or there abouts.

Dave Kearney's fitness is also crucial. D'arcy was good at 13 on the weekend, he should be able to do a job there. Ideally, I'd like to see something like this:

15) Nacewa
14) Kearney
13) D'arcy
12) McFadden/Goodman
11) McFadden/Conway
10) Sexton
9) Boss
8) Heaslip
7) O'Brien
6) McLaughlin
5) Cullen
4) Browne
3) Ross
2) Strauss
1) Healy

That's not a team that gets hammered.

I dunno, it will be the first time that xv plays together this season, every team needs time to click. I think Leinster could be in real trouble on the weekend.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

There's every chance of Leinster winning this though, I'd say there will be a lot of tries, lets just hope Leinsters defence is strong.

 

[Jockstap]

There's every chance of Leinster winning this though, I'd say there will be a lot of tries, lets just hope Leinsters defence is strong.

Well think about it this way, last year a full strength Leinster at the top of their game barely managed to beat a Clermont side with many injuries at a stadium that wasn't even their own. Now add to the that Clermont haven't lost at the Stade Michellin(sp) in 50 games. Hmm.

 

[lynam1104]

I see this as very similar to the 2010/2011 pool we need at least a losing bonus point and a win at home out of these matches if we're going to go onto the 1/4's. The pack really needs to step up if we're going to have any chance. Last year Thorn was huge part or f winning and without him I can't say our pack has that hard edge thats needed.

However I do believe we could do it as we have a hugely talented squad, but so far with things just not clicking i'm skeptical.

 

[Teh Mite]

I suspect these results significance will only hang on how Leinster perform at Sandy Park. Exeter could still spoil somebodies party for 2nd place.

 

[big ginger 8]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/1206/1224327582013.html

I know Clermont have plenty of quality in the frontrow but always a blow losing someone like him.

 

[Feicarsinn]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/1206/1224327582013.html

I know Clermont have plenty of quality in the frontrow but always a blow losing someone like him.

It's a huge loss. Domingo is in a completely different class to Debaty. The scrum should hold no fear for us now. Whereas I would have been tempted to throw HVDM in for stability in that area earlier I'd go ahead full steam with Ciano now and rip into them in the loose. Himself and Strauss will be capable of doing a lot of damage at the breakdown and will make a helluva lot of yards. Our pack should have at least 4 seriously impressive ball carriers.

 

[lynam1104]

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Sean O'Brien
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss
17: Jack McGrath
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Shane Jennings
21: Eoin Reddan
22: Fionn Carr
23: Andrew Conway

REFEREE: Nigel Owens (WRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Sean Brickell, Jon Mason (both WRU), TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)

Leinster team announced.

Pretty happy with that, considering the number of injuries. The inclusion of Boss indicates that Schmidt wants to use the forwards as much as he can, haven't seen Godman play at all is he any use? Can't wait should be good.

 

[Jockstap]

Clermont's Team

Byrne ; Sivivatu, Rougerie, Fofana, Nalaga ; (o) James, (m) Parra ; Lapandry, Chouly, Bonnaire ; Hines, Cudmore ; Zirakashvili, Kayser, Debaty. Replacements: Paulo, Chaume, Kotze, Pierre, Bardy, Radolsavljevic, Skrela, King

Clermont by 20.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Very surprising Leinster team. Schmidt has gone for the "heavy" team by selecting Cronin, Browne, McLaughlin, Boss and Goodman. Looking at units, the tight five are fairly evenly matched, the middle five is in Leinster's favour while Clermont's back five is significantly stronger. I fancy Clermont to win narrowly but love Schmidt's bravado in saying only a win is good enough to Leinster. Why settle for second best?

 

[Feicarsinn]

We've got to dominate up front, no two ways about it. 10 man rugby is probably the order of the day. With that in mind HVDM is a huge loss.

 

[coonor]

Is HVDM injured? Carr and Conway are both abit of a worry on the bench. Like Feic said we need to win the battle up front. The scrum will be so important and we have to win the battle of the breakdown. Sexton's decision making is going to be key, we have to be clinical and take every point we can. I think Clermont will win but I know that this Leinster squad have the ability to come away with 4 points.