RaboDirect Pro 12 - Aironi vs Leinster - 02/03/2012

[Feicarsinn]

Stadio Zaffenella (02/03/2012, 19:00)

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Luke Fitzgerald has recovered from injury and will make his first appearance for the province for the first time in a little over two months. The Ireland international starts at full-back in a back three which also includes Fionn Carr and Andrew Conway, with the Blackrock College winger set for his fifth appearance of the season.

Eoin O'Malley and Brendan Macken form the centre partnership after finishing the 10-10 draw in Glasgow last weekend, with Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss again pairing up with Ian Madigan at half back.

Heinke van der Merwe, who scored his second try in Leinster colours on his 51st appearance in Firhill, continues in the front row alongside Richardt Strauss and Nathan White.

Shane Jennings, meanwhile, leads the team and is named in an all-Ireland back-row alongside Kevin McLaughlin and Rhys Ruddock, with Damian Browne partnering Moynalvey's Devin Toner at second row, with the Meath man set to make his 89th provincial appearance.

*The game will be televised live on RAI Sport and there will be live updates of Friday's game via the Leinster Twitter account @leinsterrugby


AIRONI:
15: Giulio Toniolatti
14: Riccardo Pavan
13: Roberto Quartaroli
12: Gabriel Pizarro
11: Sinoti Sinoti
10: Naas Olivier
9: ***o Tebaldi
1: Matias Aguero
2: Roberto Santamaria CAPTAIN
3: Lorenzo Romano
4: George Biagi
5: Carlo Del Fava
6: Nicola Cattina
7: Simone Favaro
8: Josh Sole
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Fabio Ongaro
17: Alberto De Marchi
18: Salvatore Perugini
19: Luca Redolfini
20: Filippo Ferrarini
21: Tyson Keats
22: Luciano Orquera
23: Gilberto Pavan


LEINSTER:
15: Luke Fitzgerald
14: Andrew Conway
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Brendan Macken
11: Fionn Carr
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss
1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Nathan White
4: Damian Browne
5: Devin Toner
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8: Rhys Ruddock
REPLACEMENTS:
16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jamie Hagan
19: Leo Auva'a
20: Dominic Ryan
21: John Cooney
22: Noel Reid
23: Isa Nacewa


REFEREE: Andrew Macpherson (SRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stefano Penne, Filippo Bertelli (both FIR), TMO: Alan Falzone (FIR)

 

[big ginger 8]

Was McLaughlin not meant to stay captain for the 6n?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Big game for Leinster considering how difficult our run in is after this. With that in mind, it's nice to see a lot of experience up front, although I would have liked to see Hagan and McGrath given starts. I'd have had Auva'a at 8 too as I don't think Ruddock is all that effective in that roll.

Happy with the backs over all. I'll be very interested to see how the centres go. It's a bit of a little and large combination with O'Malley and Macken both bringing very different types of games. If it works I'd be inclined to give it a go in a few bigger matches.

 

[big ginger 8]

Big game for Leinster considering how difficult our run in is after this. With that in mind, it's nice to see a lot of experience up front, although I would have liked to see Hagan and McGrath given starts. I'd have had Auva'a at 8 too as I don't think Ruddock is all that effective in that roll.

Happy with the backs over all. I'll be very interested to see how the centres go. It's a bit of a little and large combination with O'Malley and Macken both bringing very different types of games. If it works I'd be inclined to give it a go in a few bigger matches.

Don't think I'd call Macken a large centre though 10cm taller he's only 4 kilos heavier than O'Makkey.

 

[Feicarsinn]

True enough, but anyone over 6"0 is a bit of a behemoth in terms of Irish centres.


In other news, this isn't being shown on Irish tv. Good job RTE!

 

[Feicarsinn]

The moment I turned this on Ian Madigan missed a kick and the commentator shouts out Mama Mia! I already love Italian rugby coverage.

 

[coonor]

Leinster giving the ball away to easily, they need to sort out the rucks. Fitzgerald seems to look good in defence and attack especially since he's just back from injury. Carr looks very dangerous aswell.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Leinster giving the ball away to easily, they need to sort out the rucks. Fitzgerald seems to look good in defence and attack especially since he's just back from injury. Carr looks very dangerous aswell.

A right kick up the arse is what they need. How they blew that chance near the end I'll never know.

 

[Feicarsinn]

That was a harsh yellow for McGrath. Sure he got a man without the ball, but he didn't deny a scoring opportunity and it wasn't dangerous. Just bought the dummy was all.

Anyway, a win is a win is a win. It wasn't pretty or anything, but that has us undefeated for 20 games on the trot. Handy record.

 

[big ginger 8]

That was a harsh yellow for McGrath. Sure he got a man without the ball, but he didn't deny a scoring opportunity and it wasn't dangerous. Just bought the dummy was all.

Anyway, a win is a win is a win. It wasn't pretty or anything, but that has us undefeated for 20 games on the trot. Handy record.

How dare him give McGrath a card. I'll be paying Mr MacPherson a visit.:angry: