RaboDirect Pro 12 - Leinster vs Ospreys - 23/03/2012

[Feicarsinn]

I dunno, if Cullen's form remains at the same level as it was before his injury I'd go with Toner every time. He's been our best lock this season.

 

[psychic duck]

Why wouldn't they play that combination now that they have him... Toner has a bit to develop yet before I'd start him in the Heineken cup regardless of the monstrous Brad Thorn being here or not.

this is my point, the coaches seem to think what you think, Toner has a bit to develop

 

[big ginger 8]

So happy it's back to Leinster now good players with a nice blend of youth and experience and McFadden actually playing 12 not 13 or on the wing.

 

[Feicarsinn]

this is my point, the coaches seem to think what you think, Toner has a bit to develop

As far as I'm aware he's started all of the home Heineken Cup games so there's a good chance that he'll play against Cardiff. Schmidt usually opts for a bit more grunt away from home, hence we see the likes of Brown, Boss and McLaughlin play over Toner, Reddan and Jennings. Not a lack of faith, just different horses for different courses.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Toner has the 2nd most minutes on the field of any Leinster player this season (behind only Isa Nacewa by 14 minutes). Not bad for a player the coaches don't trust......

 

[Feicarsinn]

Out of interest, who'd you go with Snoop? I'd be in favour of Toner at 4 and Thorn at 5. Cullen has looked significantly off the pace this season while Toner has been much better at taking the ball into contact and is the superior line out operator.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

For the Heineken Cup? Toner and Thorn would be my choice with Jennings captaining the team at 7. Cullen has been off the pace for a while now.

 

[big ginger 8]

Just to throw my opinion in I'd have 4. Thorn 5. Toner not to seem like a complete asshole but their are a few important differences between them.

 

[psychic duck]

Out of interest, who'd you go with Snoop? I'd be in favour of Toner at 4 and Thorn at 5. Cullen has looked significantly off the pace this season while Toner has been much better at taking the ball into contact and is the superior line out operator.

I agree with Feicarsinn, Thorn at 4 and Toner at 5

Toner has the 2nd most minutes on the field of any Leinster player this season (behind only Isa Nacewa by 14 minutes). Not bad for a player the coaches don't trust......

I meant for big Heineken Cup knockout rounds matches, if they thought he was ready to start them they wouldn't have brought in Thorn

 

[big ginger 8]

I agree with Feicarsinn, Thorn at 4 and Toner at 5



I meant for big Heineken Cup knockout rounds matches, if they thought he was ready to start them they wouldn't have brought in Thorn

As pointed out Thorn is to replace Sykes. They needed him because Cullen was expected to be out for much longer so Damien Browne was our only specialist tighthead lock something Toner isn't you could say their pretty much different positions and not in direct competition.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I agree with Feicarsinn, Thorn at 4 and Toner at 5



I meant for big Heineken Cup knockout rounds matches, if they thought he was ready to start them they wouldn't have brought in Thorn

That's very debatable. When Cullen picked up his injury Leinster went down to three senior locks. That's nowhere near enough to compete on two fronts. One of them happened to be Mark Flanagan too, who is pretty untested. It wasn't really clear at the time how long Leo would be out for and Damien Browne was also carrying an injury to the shoulder so there was every chance that we could have lost him too. Bringing in Thorn was the sensible thing to do and remains so.

 

[coonor]

Its Brad Thorn.... You don't turn down an opportunity to bring in a man of his quality and experience especially as second row isn't our strongest department.

Back to the game, the main focus point will be on BOD but we obviously can't rely on him. I like the look of our backrow, I think it looks very well balanced. Hopefully a good win to restart club rugby time!

 

[munstermuffin]

Plus in fairness Cullens age could mean his injury could easily reoccur. But there is differences between 4&5 and well Toner has been grand at 5 but wouldn't work at 4. He needs a lot more bulk at 4 and well Toner is more for lineouts where the 4 usually tends to be more the scrummaging man

 

[Gavin]

Thorn is a workhorse and really looks good in a Leinster shirt.

 

[dullonien]

Ashley Beck having another great game. Created a try with the help of Dirksen, and saved a try. He always seems to have so much time on the ball. He's gotta get a cap on the summer tour I feel. He's a class act in everything he does.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Ashley Beck having another great game. Created a try with the help of Dirksen, and saved a try. He always seems to have so much time on the ball. He's gotta get a cap on the summer tour I feel. He's a class act in everything he does.

Be fair Dull, the pass was forward but karma if you think just fractions earlier Fitzgerald was offside and Fitzgibbon let it go (he's been dire tonight).

 

[dullonien]

Hmm, yellow for Tipuric for a tip tackle. Don't agree with that, and I think refs are going waay over the top now. That was even more innocuous than Ferris' yellow in the 6 nations. He never went over the horizontal and he put him down on his back. That's just a good tackle!

 

[welshglory]

Agreed

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Rhys Ruddock has been impressive tonight.

 

[dullonien]

Rhys Ruddock has been impressive tonight.

Ay, one of his better performances of late. Was putting in performances like that a couple of years ago, then went very quiet.

O's still in this, maybe need to think about getting Morgan on to see if he can create a moment of magic.