The Leinster thread

[dangandan]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/24548.php

Seems like they all got on pretty well going by the report especially Conway.

 

[Peat]

Eating babies.

Ahh. Come to think of it, Ulster's best second row prospect is from Ballymena, fits with the stories I've heard...

I didn't go but given the experience of the respective packs, Leinster's blowout win is hardly surprising - all of the starting Leinster A pack have played in the Pro12 this season as opposed to maybe two of Ulster's pack. The result doesn't matter a jot, it's individual performances, you want individuals to step up and show they're good enough for the Pro12 and Heineken Cup. In that regard and from what I've read, Chris Farrell looked good for Ulster.

Leinster's backs were supposed to have looked awesome.

Agree about the lack of surprise, just curious to see if anyone put their hands up - also, it is disappointing to see such a second half collapse.

From what I've heard, Leinster just clicked and basically had all the ball in the second half. Good to hear Farrell did well, another one for our stockpile of centres.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Can anyone tell me anything about Cillian Willis?

Apparently he's been signed by Sale as both Dwayne Peel and Scott Mathie are injured

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He's a good signing. Willis was highly rated a few years ago and started a couple of Heineken Cup games for Leinster but suffered a nasty shoulder injury which set him way back. Things never really took off for him at Ulster or Connacht but when he returned to Leinster for the World Cup period, he looked like a player reborn. He has a fairly snappy pass, bosses the pack well, challenges around the fringes (withour ever really cutting loose) and was a large part of the reason for Leinster's up turn in form after the loss away to the Ospreys in the first game of the season. Joe Schmidt liked him a lot and wanted to keep hold of him (as did most Leinster supporters) but Willis didn't fancy hanging on and being behind Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan. If required, Willis will do a better job at tighthead than Tony Buckle.

Flipping it around, how is former Leinster player Kyle Tonetti getting on at Sale? He doesn't seem to be featuring very often.

 

[big ginger 8]

Hve a cousin who played for Blackrock club. Played with many of the young players from 'rock who are professional e.g. Carr, Conway, Macken. Said Tonetti was the best of them just unlucky with injury.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair enough!
He's on the bench on Sunday, so he's straight in

Tonetti ruined his shoulder last season - got an injury early on, had some time off, came back for a few months, then injured it worse. He had surgery over the summer and is just getting back into it now (came off the bench in the Aviva 'A' League on Monday)
Problem is, Sale have about 30 centres now, so I don't expect him to feature much/at all, and probably won't be re-signed at the end of the season. This is a big shame as he was one of our best players last season, despite not playing a massive amount - great on defence and created a lot on attack

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Thanks. I liked what I saw of Tonetti in his couple of appearances for Leinster. It's a shame if injury is ruining his career. If he can stay healthy and moves down a division (or to Connacht which is practically the same thing!), I think he can carve out a decent career as a 10, his old schools position. He's a big unit with a good boot and passing game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Tonetti has now gone to Connacht on loan:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1108/1224307207259.html

While I'm gutted to see him leave, it's better for him to get game time than to waste away in the stands here

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Tonetti backed out of a one year deal with Connacht ahead of last season when Sale came in and offered him a two year contract. Eric Elwood obviously rates him or else he wouldn't have come looking for him again.

Did Cillian Willis get on at the weekend and if so, how did he play?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't see the match but apparently went well - Quick passing from the ruck which was needed as Burger et al. were targeting the scrum half
Think he only got about 10-15 mins
Hard to say how he got on as Sale completely emptied the bench all at once - Did get 2 tries though, so he may well have had a hand in them!
I have a feeling he may start vs Brive this weekend, and if he doesn't he certainly will vs La Vila next week

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The Leinster A team to play Esher tomorrow:

Team; Conway, Hudson, Macken, O'Shea, Carr, Reid, Cooney; O'Connell, Dundon, Hagan, Sykes, Flanagan, Ruddock C, Ryan (c), Auva'a.

Bench; Sexton T, Moore, Marshall, Gilsenan, McGrath L, Marsh, Riordan.


It's a strong A team. Thirteen of them have played in the Pro 12 this season including the entire pack. Dundon, Hagan, Sykes, Ryan and Auva'a should give the pack a hard edge and will hopefully provide a platform for a very exciting backline.

 

[munstermuffin]

Would've thought Hagan and Sykes would've been in main squad as well as Carr. I know this is only one game but with so much competition Snoop do you think Carr would've been better served staying (and starting) with Connacht and playing HEC rugby and reevaluate plans at end of this season?

Strong A team though

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster u18's off to France tomorrow some good 16 yearolds drafted in with only one training session.

Prop Ntinga Mpiko 2nd row Greg Jones Back Rows Nicky Timmony and Tom Lynch all very good at their level.

 

[psychic duck]

Leinster u18's off to France tomorrow some good 16 yearolds drafted in with only one training session.

Prop Ntinga Mpiko 2nd row Greg Jones Back Rows Nicky Timmony and Tom Lynch all very good at their level.

do you know where Ntinga Mpiko is from originally?

 

[big ginger 8]

do you know where Ntinga Mpiko is from originally?

I don't but I do know him to an extent and he speaks with a Dublin accent not a case of poaching before that can of worms is opened.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Where does Jones go to school? I've heard of the rest of them.

 

[big ginger 8]

Andrews was captain in the Cardiff match good leader.

 

[big ginger 8]

do you know where Ntinga Mpiko is from originally?

After having a closer look I think he's originally South African but he's came here at the latest when he was 12/13 but I'd say it was a few years earlier.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

This is a shameless poach:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/Rabodirect-PRO12/bent-to-boost-leinster-3067715.html

Michael Bent, currently with the Hurricanes Super 15 squad who lost at home to the Cheetahs yesterday, will arrive in Dublin over the summer to replace Nathan White, who is headed for Connacht at the end of the season.

Bent's arrival will give Leinster at least three senior and Ireland-qualified players to select from at tighthead: Mike Ross, Jamie Hagan, and Bent, who can play both sides of the scrum, as well as Tadhg Furlong who is coming through from the Ireland under 20 side, and Jack O'Connell who is in the Academy.

He's 25 or 26 and can play both sides of the scrum - badly from a quick google search. I've never heard of him but if he can push Jamie Hagan, he'll be a useful signing. Nathan White will be a big loss.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Boooooo!