Leinster v Scarlets, Friday March 4

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Niall Morris
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Dave Kearney
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Isaac Boss
1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Stan Wright
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Rhys Ruddock

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Jason Harris-Wright
17: Jack McGrath
18: Simon Shawe
19: Nathan Hines
20: Paul Ryan
21: Paul O'Donohoe
22: Ian Madigan
23: Daniel Riordan

SCARLETS:
Who Cares?

 

[munstermuffin]

Can we expect McLaughlin to feature at lock in this game at any stage. Also snoop is Ed O Donoghue injured or just completely out of picture.
Hines I'd have expected to get a start here but nice team overall

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Strong looking Leinster team. McFadden and Sexton returning will strengthen the backline considerably while Morris deserves his chance on the wing. Conway, Sheridan and McKinley drop out but they're probably better off getting 80 minutes in the B&I Cup quarter final the following day than getting 20 minutes off the bench versus the Scarlets. Conway and McKinley will reappear before the end of the season without a doubt.

Cullen returning is the only change to the tight 5 with the anonymous O'Donoghue providing just as much influence on this game despite been dropped from the squad as he did in 80 minutes on the field last weekend. I like the look of the backrow.

On the bench Shawe reappears having hibernated for the winter- I assume Newland's contract wasn't renewed at the end of last month. Riordan provides bench cover to show that Leinster can turn Connacht and Munster rejects into quality players.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Some good news ahead of this game is that RTE have said Rob Kearney has signed a new 2 year contract with Leinster. That's Rob and Dave Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa, Shane Horgan, Fergus McFadden, Andrew Conway and Niall Morris who can comfortably cover the back three positions.

 

[lynam1104]

Sow is Rob back in time for the QF's not a biggie if hes not, shows the strength we have in the back 3.

 

[Logorrhea]

Look at that Backrow. We are missing Jennings, Heaslip and O'Brien yet we still get to put out a backrow like that?

 

[lynam1104]

Why can't we have Jennings as he is being ignored in favour of leamy?

 

[munstermuffin]

Think Jennings is rested and it's a call by Leinster

 

[Logorrhea]

Hes injured

 

[coonor]

The additions of Sexton and McFadden will add a bit of experience and structure to the backline and that should help both Morris and Kearney (who have both played well in the last few weeks). The tight five looks solid and should be more than powerful enough for the Scarlets. Hopefully the lineout goes abit better than against Treviso though. Backrow is strong as usual an Ruddock and Ryan are really stepping things up now. Good competition between them aswell.

 

[TrueSlawter]

As the OP didnt fill it out <.<

Scarlets:
15 Dan Newton,
14 George North
13 Regan King
12 Gareth Maule
11 Joe Ajuwa
10 Rhys Priestland
9 Tavis Knoyle

8 Ben Morgan
7 Josh Turnbull
6 Rob McCusker
5 Aaron Shingler
4 Lou Reed
3 Rhys Thomas
2 Rhys Lawrence
1 Iestyn Thomas (c)

Replacements:
16 Kirby Myhill
17 Rhodri Jones
18 Simon Gardiner
19 Damian Welch
20 Johnathan Edwards
21 Gareth Davies
22 Daniel Evans
23 Nick Reynolds

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It finished 26-15 to Leinster. Niall Morris and Isaac Boss scored Leinster's tries with Rhys Thomas and Nick Reynolds touching down for the Scarlets. In the context of qualifying for the playoffs, denying the Welsh side a bonus point helps Leinster's cause no end.

For Leinster, Dominic Ryan had an excellent game- he's really developing into a class player. Fergus McFadden, Jonny Sexton, Isa Nacewa (as always), Devin Toner, Heinke van der Merwe and Kevin McLaughlin all played well too. Isaac Boss was okay but we saw just how much he misses Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien charging through to capitalise on his mini breaks around the fringe of rucks. Niall Morris took his try well and put in some good tackles but looked insecure under the high ball- he reminds me of Denis Hurley. All in all it was a good win but there's plenty to work on before the team return to action in 3 weeks time.

I read on the Leinster website that Danny Riordan was the 50th different player Leinster have used in 17 Magners League games this season. That's an insanely high figure and is testament to the coaching that despite so much player turnover, Leinster are well in the mix sitting 2nd in the table.

 

[munstermuffin]

That is a very good stat snoop. Agree with points on game too and I think Leinster have nearly sealed top 4 spot now

 

[Feicarsinn]

Wouldn't agree with that now. There are three teams taht are hot on our heals with games in hand. There's plenty of time for things to change.

 

[munstermuffin]

I know that but I feel Leinster are in a perfect spot and realistically have got through toughest period regarding player availability unscathed.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Meh, we still have to go away 3 times this year and the Ulster game in the RDS will no doubt be tricky. There's alot of work to be done yet.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

They'll get 5 easy points away to Munster- the turnips haven't beaten Leinster since John Hayes was in nappies. Leinster should be good enough to beat Ulster in Dublin and Aironi away. If Sexton is playing, an away win against the Dragons is possible. I think the other home game is versus Glasgow. That should be winnable too.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Lots of should be's though. Agreed that the Munster game is a gimme, but the other four are potential banana skins.

 

[DorceOutSide]

great play by dominic ryan every leinster game i have been to he has played great

 

[munstermuffin]

Ha we'll be waiting in Thomond and well should be up for that one
At least if we lost we can say we dont need points and let ye have them