The Leinster thread

[big ginger 8]

Just saw this and thought I'd put some good new in the thread. We're top of the only league that matters:

http://www.pro12rugby.com/statzone/specsavers_fair_play_league.php#diAWhGZ3jA71Zm0Y.97

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

30% was only SOB wasn't it? It was a bit of a throwaway and silly comment.

I don't mind complaining about the system a little bit, MO'C had every right to do so for the Glasgow game, but it's become a go to excuse for this management team which screams to me that they're out of depth and shouldn't be doing the job. O'Connor has ****** off his boss and the national coach though which doesn't look good for him at all.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's very interesting that both David Nucifora and Joe Schmidt felt the need to come out publicly and rebuke Matt O'Connor not only over the player welfare issue but also over results.

Schmidt:

"Two years ago through the Six Nations, period Leinster got 18 out of 20 available points, last year they got 19 out of 20 available points, this year they got nine out of 20 available points.
"If you look at the teams that were put out through those three years, those teams are very similar and have international experience, with guys who have been internationally capped. I think from that perspective the system isn't broken and we're trying to refine it every quarter."

In the same breath:

Indeed, Schmidt praised Leinster's academy manager Girvan Dempsey, "who has been superb over the last two years," for his work in providing players for Ireland to run against as opposition in training.

So the Ireland coach is making a not too subtle dig at the results Matt O'Connor is getting while also saying how much he likes Girvan Dempsey. Reading what I want into it (!) he'd like to see Dempsey promoted to some extent.

Hopefully we'll see regime change at Leinster shortly.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

50% win ratio with to nothing games left. 2015 has seen Leinster lose twice to the Dragons and win 5 of 13 games 3 of which were in January, only one was away and Zebre, Blues and Castres are on the illustrious list of sides they have beaten and the rugby wasn't in anyway promising.

To me that reads that a coach, who in no doubt has the players, has failed and he must be dismissed. Give the swerve a season and see where they stand for 2016.

 

[Feicarsinn]

50% win ratio with to nothing games left. 2015 has seen Leinster lose twice to the Dragons and win 5 of 13 games 3 of which were in January, only one was away and Zebre, Blues and Castres are on the illustrious list of sides they have beaten and the rugby wasn't in anyway promising.

To me that reads that a coach, who in no doubt has the players, has failed and he must be dismissed. Girve the swerve a season and see where they stand for 2016.

Ftfy.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

So, two games to go and the season is as good as over. Will we finally get to see players like Cian Kelleher, Garry Ringrose and Cathal Marsh given a chance? They need to be blooded.

 

[Feicarsinn]

So, two games to go and the season is as good as over. Will we finally get to see players like Cian Kelleher, Garry Ringrose and Cathal Marsh given a chance? They need to be blooded.

Are you kidding me? Gopperth needs those games!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Are you kidding me? Gopperth needs those games!

You're absolutely right!

I really don't see the point in starting players like Mike Ross, Jamie Heaslip, Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss, Jimmy Gopperth and Rob Kearney again this season for a variety of reasons. Some are going to the world cup, others are in a position where youth needs to be given a shot and another has no future with the team beyond May 16.

 

[Peat]

You're absolutely right!

I really don't see the point in starting players like Mike Ross, Jamie Heaslip, Eoin Reddan, Isaac Boss, Jimmy Gopperth and Rob Kearney again this season for a variety of reasons. Some are going to the world cup, others are in a position where youth needs to be given a shot and another has no future with the team beyond May 16.

You want to give those kids a chance, you give those kids some leaders and quality to lead them.

So, I'd start Heaslip...

... maybe Kearney? Nah, just Heaslip from that list I think...

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

You want to give those kids a chance, you give those kids some leaders and quality to lead them.

Shane Jennings and Gordon D'arcy. I'm not usually one for sentimentality but those guys deserve to get a send off.

 

[Peat]

Shane Jennings and Gordon D'arcy. I'm not usually one for sentimentality but those guys deserve to get a send off.

Think they could do with a wee bit more help than that.

That said, why risk Ireland players I guess.

What would be your ideal team for next week?

 

[ihump]

Darcy is a clever player

Physically he has been off the pace for a number of years especially at international level. The lines he runs to come back on side from rucks are perfect and the timing of them mean he is never pinged. Also the half little blocking lines and tugging at opponents shirts. Always plays the ref to perfection. Jennings is another wonderful cheat ( written with respect). Surely there is a coaching role for these players if they want it.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Think they could do with a wee bit more help than that.

That said, why risk Ireland players I guess.

What would be your ideal team for next week?

1. Bent
2. Strauss
3. Furlong
4. Denton
5. McCarthy
6. Ryan
7. Murphy
8. Heaslip
9. McGrath/Reddan
10. Madigan/Marsh (I'd have both these pairings in the last two games)
11. Kelleher
12. Te'o
13. Ringrose
14. Kirchner
15. Kearney

A strongish pack where most will be available during the RWC along with a backline mixed with promising youth and internationals. It's also time that Kearney stakes his claim as a leader, throwing him in with the babies should help.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

What would be your ideal team for next week?

Fantasy stuff and I could change my mind in 5 minutes but

Kelleher
Dave Kearney
Te'o
D'arcy
Fitzgerald
Marsh
Luke McGrath
Jack McGrath
Cronin
Furlong
Toner
McCarthy
O'Brien
Jennings
Murphy
Subs: Bryan Byrne, Bent, Ross, Molony, Ryan, Reddan, Madigan, Ringrose

O'Brien needs game time. He, Cronin and Murphy are ball carriers in the pack. Furlong gets game time with an experienced tight 5. Luke McGrath and Cathal Marsh have played together a lot and have a good understanding. Ben Te'o needs game time to fully get up to speed with Rugby Union.D'arcy and Jennings get a send off. Kelleher provides some much needed spark from fullback. He has his flaws but can break the gainline unlike Rob Kearney who is always tackled by the first defender while running back kicks.

 

[big ginger 8]

Having seen Marsh a number of times in the AIL this year, I don't think him starting is a good idea, put him on the bench yeah but he definitely shouldn't start. I expect Ross Byrne to leapfrog him easily enough next year.

If we're going with development I'd go with:

1. McGrath
2. Byrne (actually unsure of his current fitness status)
3. Furlong
4. Marshall
5. Toner
6. Murphy
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. McGrath
10. Madigan
11. Fitzgerald
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. Kelleher
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Bent
18. Ross
19. Molony
20. Conan
21. Boss
22. Marsh
23. Fanning

 

[munstermuffin]

Having seen Marsh a number of times in the AIL this year, I don't think him starting is a good idea, put him on the bench yeah but he definitely shouldn't start. I expect Ross Byrne to leapfrog him easily enough next year.

If we're going with development I'd go with:

1. McGrath
2. Byrne (actually unsure of his current fitness status)
3. Furlong
4. Marshall
5. Toner
6. Murphy
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. McGrath
10. Madigan
11. Fitzgerald
12. Reid
13. Te'o
14. Kelleher
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Bent
18. Ross
19. Molony
20. Conan
21. Boss
22. Marsh
23. Fanning

Just on start. Talking to a few Garryowen lads there and Marsh was very sub standard today and poor vs them in AIL playoff. Hardly going to step up to starting 10 for Leinster in a game 2 weeks after playing poor and being relegated.

Is Kelleher same Cian Kelleher that played today for Lansdowne. Was listening to bits of that game at Munster game and he seemed very involved vs Cookies.

 

[big ginger 8]

Just on start. Talking to a few Garryowen lads there and Marsh was very sub standard today and poor vs them in AIL playoff. Hardly going to step up to starting 10 for Leinster in a game 2 weeks after playing poor and being relegated.

Is Kelleher same Cian Kelleher that played today for Lansdowne. Was listening to bits of that game at Munster game and he seemed very involved vs Cookies.

Yeah he was almost as bad as the ref!

Yep, same Kelleher.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeah he was almost as bad as the ref!

Yep, same Kelleher.

Didn't hear much but massive drop for St. Mary's. Just a quick 1 on that? Will guys like Marsh now have to move to 1a clubs or what?
Munster tried that but the clubs like Shannon and Garryowen just about held on to their lads

 

[big ginger 8]

Didn't hear much but massive drop for St. Mary's. Just a quick 1 on that? Will guys like Marsh now have to move to 1a clubs or what?
Munster tried that but the clubs like Shannon and Garryowen just about held on to their lads

Not sure what the story is on that. We don't really have too many Leinster guys. McCarthy is probably gone back to England anyway. I wouldn't be too surprised to see Marsh go but you never know. Tiimoney, Oliver and O'Conor are all Irish u20s and two of them at least are in line for an academy spot but Peter Smyth was there SCT coach and they're unlikely to be playing senior level every week at other clubs so they should hopefully stay.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not sure what the story is on that. We don't really have too many Leinster guys. McCarthy is probably gone back to England anyway. I wouldn't be too surprised to see Marsh go but you never know. Tiimoney, Oliver and O'Conor are all Irish u20s and two of them at least are in line for an academy spot but Peter Smyth was there SCT coach and they're unlikely to be playing senior level every week at other clubs so they should hopefully stay.

Well that's the argument. Move to a 1a and risk not playing every week and slowing development. Or stay and play every week but at a lower level. I disagree with this because I don't think 1B is so much lower.