Heineken Cup - Leinster V ASM Clermont Auvergne

[[Jackass]]

Would much prefer James to start than Skrela.

[johng]

Would much prefer James to start than Skrela.

Bad memories from his time in Toulouse in 2010?

He's not the player he was 2 years ago. He's about Rog's age.

[jezzer]

Would much prefer James to start than Skrela.

ditto

[fourthirtythree]

Thought James was pretty good at the weekend.

[The Doc]

All I have to add is that drinking in Dublin is still very expensive, even though we no longer have any money.

Except for Beggars Bush - cheapest pint I've had in Dublin in a long time before the last Aviva game (Munster I guess) - think it was €3.80 for a Guinness and dead easy to get a pint at the little tent they have down the side.

[asmca12]

A good squad.
Chaume hasn't experience but he's better than Debaty, who is perfect in the impact player role.
Bardy is in and Lapandry is substitute, probably because the second is tired. Jonathan Sexton will have some work !
I hope B. James will be able to play this game... Skrela is not the player like he was few years ago.

[[Jackass]]

Would much prefer James to start than Skrela.

Bad memories from his time in Toulouse in 2010?

He's not the player he was 2 years ago. He's about Rog's age.

More like good memories of James from 2010!

Nah, I just think James can blow fairly hot and cold. Admittedly I've seen very little of Skreala since his move, but I've seen a fair bit of James and he is good, but definitely has his bad days. I'm also surprised he kicks ahead of Parra. Don't get me wrong, James is a good 10 and had a good game against us last week, but personally, I'd take him over Skreala.

But maybe you're right, Skreala might have gone to the dogs like Ronan has, but I wouldn't know to be honest, but his prime still haunts me.

[Donny B.]

All I have to add is that drinking in Dublin is still very expensive, even though we no longer have any money.

Except for Beggars Bush - cheapest pint I've had in Dublin in a long time before the last Aviva game (Munster I guess) - think it was €3.80 for a Guinness and dead easy to get a pint at the little tent they have down the side.

BB always sound with the price of the pint, even when most of the others would slap a euro on the price for rugby days!

[sarah_lennon]

Leinster A announced with Carr in it - does this mean DKearney back on the senior bench?

McGrath in there too - HVDM back?

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/10752.php

[Donny B.]

O'Malley and Carr start for A's. So I'm guessing Dave K on bench only change to our backs.

[tones]

Leinster A team includes Fionn Carr... does that mean D Kearney is in the senior squad? Hopefully!

[fourthirtythree]

O'Malley with the A team. So, Dave K to the bench for the big game?

EDIT - I'm sloooooowwwwwww.

[Donny B.]

Hey Breener 12.05!!!! Make with the fecking team already!!!!

[QBer]

The Leinster team to face ASM Clermont Auvergne in Saturday's Heineken Cup Round 4 clash in the Aviva Stadium (KO: 3.40pm) has been named... TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE...Heinke van der Merwe has recovered from injury and the Springbok prop is one of two changes to the front row alongside Ireland international hooker Richardt Strauss. They line up alongside Mike Ross, with skipper Leo Cullen continuing his second row partnership with Damian Browne.
Shane Jennings, a second half replacement in Clermont last weekend, starts in the back-row alongside fellow Ireland internationals Sean O'Brien and number eight Jamie Heaslip.

Eoin Reddan partners Jonathan Sexton in the only change to the backline which started last weekend's game, which means that Andrew Goodman will continue his midfield partnership with Gordon D'Arcy.

David Kearney has recovered from injury to take his place amongst a replacements bench which features several Ireland internationals.

LEINSTER:

15: Ian Madigan
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Sean Cronin
17: Cian Healy
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: Isaac Boss
22: David Kearney
23: Andrew Conway

REFEREE: Wayne Barnes (RFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: JP Doyle (RFU), Paul Dix (RFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ken Henley-Willis (IRFU), 5th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (IRFU), TMO: Geoff Warren (RFU)

[fourthirtythree]

Strauss back as expected.

Pretty much all as expected. Glad to see Heinke back. Surprised Locky made the bench TBH.

[Donny B.]

Slught surprise to see Heinke start but kinda makes sense as he may have started last week if fit. Otherwise as expected with the Reddan, Jenno and Strauss calls.

[bluemagic]

Really happy with that team. Hopefully well put some speed on the ball and run clermont off their feet.

Strauss will be tearing at the bit to make up for last week. Healy too when he comes on

[fourthirtythree]

Slught surprise to see Heinke start but kinda makes sense as he may have started last week if fit. Otherwise as expected with the Reddan, Jenno and Strauss calls.

If he's fit I'm not that surprised. Cian isn't (as you lot pointed out on Blues Talk) used to 80 for Leinster these days.

[[Jackass]]

Jennings and Reddan in.

Let's avvvv itttttt!!

[AdamK]

Pace, pace, pace.