Racing Métro 92 v Leinster

[Teh Mite]

Stade Yves Du Manoir
Montpellier, France
Fri Jan 21 2011
at 21:00 (local)​

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I don't think the games in Watford Mite!

Gordon D'arcy and Jamie Heaslip should be fit for this one. A win will earn Leinster a home quarter final which I imagine would take place in a sold out Aviva Stadium.

 

[Teh Mite]

Oh bugger it!

Fixed!

 

[lynam1104]

It may be possible to get a BP if we play to our max but away in France I doubt it.

 

[munstermuffin]

It'll be interesting to see what team Racing send out but I'm sure Leinster won't care about BP and just want to keep momentum going

 

[Logorrhea]

Dont know of any French team that ever allows for a defeat at home. This is going to be a massive game.

A win would be fantastic for us. It would take a massive performance up front, but its possible.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

A win is very possible. Racing Metro were beaten at home by Saracens when they had a chance to top the group. Now they've nothing to play for and a big Top 14 game against Clermont Auvergne 6 days after this fixture. It's likely that they'll rest a couple of key players since their priorities sit elsewhere. Leinster can't afford to take their eye off the ball but they can win this game by 10 points if they've their game faces on.

 

[Feicarsinn]

God I hope we pick up 4 points. It would make things so much easier for us in the knockouts. I just hope we don't go all Castres 09' on this one. We've done so well lately that a balls up must be due.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leinster team (v Racing-Métro 92): I Nacewa, S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald, J Sexton, I Boss, C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen (C), N Hines, R Ruddock, S Jennings, S O'Brien. Replacements : J Harris-Wright, H van der Merwe, C Newland, D Toner, D Ryan, E Reddan, E O'Malley / I Madigan, F McFadden

 

[munstermuffin]

Is this a sort of token run for some guys or IF Leinster had to win would this be 22.
Should be a good game though and fair play to Leinster it isn't said enough they do an excellent job of rotating the guys and keeping players fresh while maintaining their competitivness.

 

[lynam1104]

Well the addition of Boss may be a sign that Leinster will really use the forwards in this game as Boss is perfect for that. Fitzgerald is lucky to get in but needs game time so maybe influence for the IRFU there but not a bad player at all. I was kind of hoping to see more of Toner now that hes been capped and looked good in green but Hines will do overall a good team, we should win.
Leinster by 7+

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's hard to criticise Joe Schmidt given the exceptional job he's done so far rotating his squad yet keeping performance levels consistently high. The Rhys Ruddock selection seems odd but he was terrific a few weeks ago in Ravenhill (making Pedrie Wannenburg his *****) and will be bouyed by his Ireland call up. It's also great to think that even at 20 years old, Dominic Ryan offers a huge impact off the bench.

Leinster's backrow is such a huge area of strength. A backrow of the non-selected Kevin McLaughlin, Dominic Ryan and Jamie Heaslip would be just as strong as those taking the field tomorrow. Heinke van der Merwe and Stan Wright could come in at prop and not weaken the team. Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan are interchangeable at scrum half not to mention Eoin O'Malley, Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden who can come into the three quarters/full back slots and not look out of place. Five of Leinster's six tries against Saracens were scored by academy graduates aged 24 or younger. The future's very bright.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

RACING METRO 92: D Scarbrough, B Fall, V Vakatawa, A Masi, J Saubade, J Hernandez, N Durand CAPTAIN, J Brugnaut, G Arganese, S Zimmermann, S Dellape, F van der Merwe, R Vaquiin, B Le Roux, A Galindo

REPLACEMENTS: B Noirot, A Lo Cicero, B Sa, L Nallet, M Loree, F Steyn, J Cronje, A Batut

Far from full strength.

 

[munstermuffin]

Very disappointed with the Racing team. Although maybe some fringe guys will step up to stake a claim and we will see a great game

 

[darkozone]

Don't worry, I trust in all those Irish internationals to win, away or not.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

A totally meaningless match for Racing. They have a far more important match 4 days after this one; Clermont away in the Top 14. They'll invest far more energy into winning that game. They can achieve nothing from beating Leinster. Leinster by 2 billion!!!!!!!


EDIT: and to get the bonus point!!

 

[coonor]

Like the team and I'm glad Ruddock and Boss are getting a start. By the way when is Stan Wright due back because i'm not to keen on Clint Newland and his addition will mean a seriously good set of props.

 

[lynam1104]

I think Stan is back fairly soon February or march I think.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sean O'Brien and Isaac Boss just got done up a treat by Vakatawa


Edit: SOB redeems himself with a try

 

[Teh Mite]

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