Investec Champions Cup 23/24 - Rd 1

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Could really really do with not losing this one, just for me on an emotional level.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sunday has some cracking fixtures

 

[Groundhog]

Bayonne seem a classic French side. Don't lose at home, don't win away. We should win this well and hope they've lost interest in the comp come the away fixtures, which considering their Top 14 position, they very well might.

Sunday definitely has the marquee fixtures.

 

[munstermuffin]

Will say it here. Leinster beat La Rochelle by more than 7 Sunday

 

[Scotty]

How are Toulon going? Not expecting alot from Europe but will be a good experience for some young lads who havnt experienced it before.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Sounds like Stormers are playing their b team v us

 

[saulan]

Sounds like Stormers are playing their b team v us

Yea was going to warn you, I don't think our one is going to be one of those cracking fixtures. We've just come back from a 4-week tour where we were pretty poor in general in the north (albeit no Springboks). With the SA teams still flying economy via Doha and our poor NH run in the cold, looks like they're rather prioritising the games at home in the 20-30 degree temperatures.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ross confirmed out. I'd be amazed if Harry doesn't start. Frawley hasn't started a game at 10 yet this season and is perfect for the 6/2 split.

 

[die_mole]

Rugby . . . Is . . . Back

 

[West Country Wail]

How are Toulon going? Not expecting alot from Europe but will be a good experience for some young lads who havnt experienced it before.

Same. A good trip to expose them to the Top level. Keep it under 40 and get some
Vitamin D.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yea was going to warn you, I don't think our one is going to be one of those cracking fixtures. We've just come back from a 4-week tour where we were pretty poor in general in the north (albeit no Springboks). With the SA teams still flying economy via Doha and our poor NH run in the cold, looks like they're rather prioritising the games at home in the 20-30 degree temperatures.

Shame was hoping to see Pollard v Libbok and Wiese v Roos

 

[munstermuffin]

Ross confirmed out. I'd be amazed if Harry doesn't start. Frawley hasn't started a game at 10 yet this season and is perfect for the 6/2 split.

If there is 1 thing Leinster and Leo have been consistent so far this season in it is being inconsistent in selection.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If there is 1 thing Leinster and Leo have been consistent so far this season in it is being inconsistent in selection.

Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast have started 6/7 games at 10, 8/9 pre season incl. There's quite an obvious rotation behind Ross as 1st choice.

 

[munstermuffin]

Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast have started 6/7 games at 10, 8/9 pre season incl. There's quite an obvious rotation behind Ross as 1st choice.

My point is across the board a string of starts consistently.
I don't always agree with Bernard Jackman but he had great point on the basis of giving minutes and rotating to keep everyone happy could be at the expense of getting a team bedded.
It a hard 1 to call like I think majority of spots across that Leinster backline will be interesting to see how it called.
Frawley is being touted for Ireland big time so is it a case of he starts 10 or on bench. Osborne has started well this year but does he get in 23?

 

[Groundhog]

FWIW I do think Leinster will win this weekend. La Rochelle have had a stinker of a season in Top 14 and even if he doesn't want to RO'G will have to keep an eye firmly on Top 14.

 

[Al Bangor]

Glasgow over Northampton. We Are Warriors!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

My point is across the board a string of starts consistently.
I don't always agree with Bernard Jackman but he had great point on the basis of giving minutes and rotating to keep everyone happy could be at the expense of getting a team bedded.
It a hard 1 to call like I think majority of spots across that Leinster backline will be interesting to see how it called.
Frawley is being touted for Ireland big time so is it a case of he starts 10 or on bench. Osborne has started well this year but does he get in 23?

Can you see it happening with Frawley, I can't? Ross was on his last contract as far as many were concerned 15 months ago and Harry was constantly injured last season. Sexton has retired and he's still 4th choice 10 and being used as a utility bench option mostly.

He's in a pack behind Crowley and Ross Byrne with HB, Carbery, Prendergast and Flannery I reckon, arguably has the lowest ceiling of the lot as an outhalf.

If he starts this weekend it's a Neinaber call no question.

 

[munstermuffin]

Can you see it happening with Frawley, I can't? Ross was on his last contract as far as many were concerned 15 months ago and Harry was constantly injured last season. Sexton has retired and he's still 4th choice 10 and being used as a utility bench option mostly.

He's in a pack behind Crowley and Ross Byrne with HB, Carbery, Prendergast and Flannery I reckon, arguably has the lowest ceiling of the lot as an outhalf.

If he starts this weekend it's a Neinaber call no question.

For Leinsters case I think 10 is too much a specialist spot so no wont be good if he starts. He did well against us but he is a utility player.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out this season though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Happy enough with that - bit of rotation, but largely settled

Means **** all if our heads aren't in the game though, as last week showed