The Leinster thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Eoin O'Malley retires:
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/10168.php#.UhNjZz8fhD6

 

[lynam1104]

Such a shame looked like he had real potential a few years ago could have been the answer to the gap that'll be left at 13 but now we'll never know I guess, best of luck to him anyway.

 

[munstermuffin]

Eoin O'Malley retires:
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/10168.php#.UhNjZz8fhD6

Sad to see as he was very good player and would've been a starter if he was fit and had anyone but BOD in his way. Big blow for Leinster too but presume this may see Luke Fitz get his wis for a try at 13 too.
Regardless it's sad to see a player go due to injury and I wish EOM all the best in his retirement and whatever he decides to do next but hope he stays in the game in some capacity

 

[big ginger 8]

Looks like I was right terrible news had some real talent.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That's such a shame, he had huge potential. I'll never forget when he replaced BOD for the match away to Clermont in 2010 and had probably the best performance of his career.

 

[big ginger 8]

Teams for pre season match vs Ulster.

ULSTER: Peter Nelson; Rory Scholes, Jared Payne CAPTAIN, Chris Farrell, Michael Allen; James McKinney, Michael Heaney; Kyle McCall, Niall Annett, Declan Fitzpatrick, Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb, Mike McComish, Sean Doyle, Nick Williams
REPLACEMENTS: Callum Black, Jonny Murphy, Bronson Ross, Alan O'Connor, Dan Tuohy, Robbie Diack, Roger Wilson, Ian Porter, Chris Cochrane, Luke Marshall, David McIlwaine, Ricky Andrew
LEINSTER:
15: Darren Hudson
14: Darragh Fanning
13: Brendan Macken
12: Noel Reid
11: Andrew Boyle
10: Jimmy Gopperth
9: John Cooney
1: Jack O'Connell
2: Aaron Dundon
3: Martin Moore
4: Tadhg Beirne
5: Quinn Roux
6: Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Leo Auva'a
REPLACEMENTS FROM: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Michael Bent, Tadhg Furlong, Ben Marshall, Jordi Murphy, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath, Colm O'Shea, Adam Byrne, Thomas Daly, Billy Dardis, Thomas Farrell, Cathal Marsh

I know it's early and many have to be rested but it's good to see many of the young players getting a chance.

Changed Leinster u18 team to face the Languedoc and Roussion XV.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS:

15: Jack Power (Blackrock College)
14: Con Callan (St. Gerard's School)
13: Colm Mulcahy (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
12: Matthew Gilsenan (St. Michael's College) VICE CAPTAIN
11: Tim Carroll (Cistercian College Roscrea)
10: Jimmy O'Brien (Newbridge College)
9: David Duggan (St. Michael's College)

1: Eoghan Byrne (Gonzaga College SJ)
2: Jack Hutchinson (Belvedere College SJ)
3: Sean O'Hare (Castleknock College)
4: Michael Melia (Terenure College)
5: James Ryan (St. Michael's College) CAPTAIN
6: Charlie Cregan (St. Michael's College)
7: Will Connors (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
8: Max Deegan (St. Michael's College)

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Hugo Keane (Blackrock College)
17: Jonny Molony (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
18: Martin Mulhall (Kilkenny College)
19: Padraig Cullen (Wesley College)
20: Rob Lalor (Terenure College)
21: David Aspill (The High School)
22: James Lappin (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
23: Greg Jones (St. Andrew's College
24: Daragh Scanlan (Castleknock College)
25: Dan Lavelle (Cistercian College Roscrea)
26: Liam O'Sullivan (Kilkenny College)
27:Tim Foley (Cistercian College Roscrea)
28: Jake Howlett (Newbridge College)
29: Alan Hughes (Clongowes Wood College SJ)

Terry Kenneddy of St Marys was not considered due to injury.

 

[munstermuffin]

I find it funny the lads that played in Georgia finished after the senior Irish squad and had the more gruelling fixtures in terms of physicality and travel and accommodation yet they have to return 12 days before senior Irish squad lads.
Also how do Leinster rate Cooney. He has seemed to be a man they like at 9

 

[irelandfan123]

is the match on the telly at all?

 

[lynam1104]

I find it funny the lads that played in Georgia finished after the senior Irish squad and had the more gruelling fixtures in terms of physicality and travel and accommodation yet they have to return 12 days before senior Irish squad lads.
Also how do Leinster rate Cooney. He has seemed to be a man they like at 9

I think saying that the Georgian fixtures were more intense than the 6N and the Lions is a bit daft, no offense but yes the Georgians like a big pack but the Aussies and 6N teams are on another level. Add to that the younger lads would have been more involved in Rabo than European rugby which is also a notable difference.

On Cooney, to me he seems like a natural successor to Reddan he has the same quick clearance style and allows the ball to move wide quickly. His kicking game needs some work I think but not to sure on that one. Him and McGrath should have an interesting battle in a few years as Reddan and Boss are getting on.

 

[munstermuffin]

No I meant the lads in Georgia returned home 7 days after the Irish lads who were in US tour did and their games were more intense physical and travel and accommodation was worst than US tour. So why don't they get same welfare as lads in USA. Lions and 6N has 0 to do with it.

 

[psychic duck]

No I meant the lads in Georgia returned home 7 days after the Irish lads who were in US tour did and their games were more intense physical and travel and accommodation was worst than US tour. So why don't they get same welfare as lads in USA. Lions and 6N has 0 to do with it.

Is one week of fixtures against a Georgia, Uruguay (neither at full strength) and a South African team really that taxing? The matches were all played at the same venue as well, so there was no travel in between games. Where have you heard the accommodation was bad, or are you saying it wasn't bad but just not as good as the others?

 

[munstermuffin]

Well heard from Munster lads it wasn't as great as they're used to in terms of some spent nights on floor. Also a week doesn't make much my point is player are "supposed to have a set preseason after set rest". I ask why is senior players not let back playing. I know a few lads are desperate to play tomorrow for us but can't. It's different if tests were 3 weeks against a SH team etc. my point is simply every player who played in summer (excluding Lions) should be treated same

 

[Peat]

At any kind of strength, Georgia and South Africa = Physical, in a way I don't think the US or Canada bring. Plus, shorter time period to play the games. I can see where he's coming from. Only thing that springs to my mind is most of the Georgia guys didn't play as full a season as the North America guys, but I someone can quickly torpedo that claim in some individual circs. It's weird. But then it's weird that Ulster have all their NA tour guys for the first game except for three.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I heard Gopperth had a very impressive game last nigh, I have a feeling he'll be better than Madigan this year.

 

[big ginger 8]

Highlights can be seen here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/23825521

 

[Feicarsinn]

Navy Shorts!!!!1!11!1one!!!

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Gopperth looks like he'll just kick the goals for you this season and that's about it. Will just be there to play second fiddle I guess

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Gopperth looks like he'll just kick the goals for you this season and that's about it. Will just be there to play second fiddle I guess

I'm confident enough that you'll be wrong, I reckon he's here to be a starter an will put up a pretty good fight. I think he'll give a lot more to the team than Kirchener.

 

[big ginger 8]

Apparently McFadden has put on "4-5 kgs over the Summer" a sign we'll be seeing a lot of him at centre?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Apparently McFadden has put on "4-5 kgs over the Summer" a sign we'll be seeing a lot of him at centre?

I hope so. It's his natural postion and tbh I've always felt he's been shoe horned somewhat into a winger's berth. He could conceivably give D'arcy a serious challenge for the Heineken Cup shirt this season, so I hope he's given every chance (we could do with phasing some of the older guys out of the starting side too at this point.)

This would also indicate that Kirchner may be considered as a wing option, as we're leaving ourselves pretty short out there otherwise.