Babbling 'brook

mildlyinterested wrote: ↑

August 14th, 2020, 3:06 pm

Yeah there's some questionable inclusions in last years 18s for sure.

I note the U18s retained their title last year, winning all their competitive matches. I’d say questionable inclusions weren’t limited to one school either.

It might result in some limited bias at underage level, but I doubt Leinster Rugby would tolerate that.

It certainly has nothing to do with those that get Academy and Senior contracts, which is what we’ve been focusing on here.

remarkably only 1 player from st. michaels in the academy and 7 from blackrock. 2 from Gerards, 2 from club rugby, 1 from roscrea, 1 from belvedere, 1 from clongowes, 1 exile and 1 from ulster The fact that 14 of the 46 senior player contracts (post Rob & Ferg) are St Michael's players has a fair b...

remarkably only 1 player from st. michaels in the academy and 7 from blackrock. 2 from Gerards, 2 from club rugby, 1 from roscrea, 1 from belvedere, 1 from clongowes, 1 exile and 1 from ulster The fact that 14 of the 46 senior player contracts (post Rob & Ferg) are St Michael's players has a fair b...

Success in the cup is the not the same thing as producing players capable of playing professional rugby. They are correlated but not the same thing. Blackrock seems to be better at winning cups than Michael's (possibly due to better overall squad strength) but Michael's seem to be better at produci...

It turns out Bernard Jackman, ex-Newbridge pupil and assistant coach of Michael’s SCT winning side in 2012 & parent of a kid in Michael’s has been coaching Newbridge for the last 4 weeks. He secured a new fixture against Michael’s in Donnybrook in December. A good contest with Michael’s pulling away...

Silly Wixfjord…whatever. I get that I am most likely being baited here but for the gullible on here - You are letting your animosity cloud your contribution. 14 contracted players from one small school in a squad of about 55 remains a systemic risk for Leinster. I am not sure how many more times Mic...

Thanks for the update.

Barry Daly is a member of the senior squad. Also the injured Mark Hernan (U20) has been left out again.

With some time for cold logical thought, the Government announcement of the postponement of this match may be a bad decision. A far more logical solution would have been to announce the cancellation of all flights from Italy. The key is that this will be a postponement and not a cancellation of the...

Magnificent Seven

Genge’s scrummaging was so ridiculously illegal. We got one scrum penalty out of it but had two against us despite Genge being on the same angle for all 3. Marler also came hard on the angle in 1 scrum. It is so clear from the overhead cameras so why isn’t the TMO calling it? The sport is losing gro...

Prop Michael Milne(Academy) - bench for seniors. Roman Salanoa(Academy) - 24th man for seniors. Jack Aungier(Academy) - bench for seniors. Tom Clarkson(Academy) - started at 3 for U20s. Marcus Hanan(U20) - started at 1 for U20s. Charlie Ward(U20) - bench for U20s. Harry Noonan(U20) - bench for U20s...

mildlyinterested wrote:Des Berry predicting a Ospreys win in the indo.

Do you know Des Berry?

David Wilkinson’s arrival in the second half changed the game. His passing game was really excellent. The best I have seen at this level, although Gerard’s were exhausted having to repeatedly tackle which probably created more room for him, but he was masterful.

Kilkenny surprised me yesterday. Much better than expected. I think they surprised Newbridge too, who didn’t respond well and were a bit lucky overall. I saw Newbridge play a very competitive game against Michael’s two weeks before the Champions played and beat Gonzaga by 3 at the same venue. Newbri...

Thanks. I think he couldn’t have been involved at sub-academy with his injuries this year. On and off the pitch. Lots of talent pouring through in most positions alright.

Any info on scrum-half Rob Gilsenan’s standing? I know he has had a number of injuries since Michael’s SCT last year. He has a great all-round game. Most of all his game management is top notch. Would love to see him at sub-Academy level soon.

Shame Rock blew it would have loved to see michaels rock again. Clongowes and Newbridge should get into semis now. Can't see either beating this michaels side. Yeah it’s a pitty Rock and Belvo aren’t as good this year...would of liked to see this Michael’s team being challenged this cup campaign bu...

Rhys seemed to get a shoulder knock during Lyon match - got treatment a few times - he mightn't be fully fit? If he's not fully fit, why is he on the bench? I'm also not a fan of Deegan at 6. I think Doris has looked better there. :happy clapper: x 2. Josh Murphy has more pedigree to play internati...

I don’t have a good feeling about Farrell as Head Coach. I hold him partially responsible, more than is generally said publicly, for not challenging Joe Schmidt effectively across 2019. No easy task, but there was no evidence that Farrell tried to rein him in. Then this selection has too many negati...