Leinster v Edinburgh - Sat 10th May - RDS - KO 18.30

[LeRouxIsPHat]

hope they arent rushing seanie back..

Luke's season is probably done, still not a bad season from him. unfortunate to pick up such a niggly injury, at least it wasn't his knee ligaments again.

My worry about SOB isn't about rushing him back in terms of the injury but it's having him play battle hardened guys in the knockout stages when he's rusty. He's world class though and one of the few players who I think can get away with it.

[TerenureJim]

Chant of Leo on 4 minutes anyone?

Cue Leo Au'va standing up and waving to the crowd in tears.

That's a bit harsh

[johng]

Strange decision on the bench with Leo C starting - assuming that Ruddock is going to replace him and Ryan is to sub SOB again assuming that both players wont finish the game.

Leaves no other cover for injuries for 5 positions.

Just thinking depending on score Leo might last the whole match. Personally I would like to see both Bod and Leo subbed off individually late in the match so each can get a deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

looking at the team you would think Bod and Leo will play the full 80.

Rob for Ferg probably at some stage. Rhys for Seanie and Ryan for whoever.

You could feck about with moving Darce to 13 and bringing on Mads at 12, or like you say putting Rhys in the 2nd row. He has only ever played there in emergency before though.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Chant of Leo on 4 minutes anyone?

Cue Leo Au'va standing up and waving to the crowd in tears.

That's a bit harsh

How so?

[crisco10]

I think the back row lacks ball carriers to be honest......*

Weird situation with cover for 2nd row alright. Esp, given that none of the backrow are particularly strong in the lineout. Good yes but no McLaughlin for instance.

This time last year, we went into the Ospreys game http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/team/results/9775.php with Luke Mcgrath at 9 with John Cooney on the bench. Won it handy, McGrath had a great debut. Shame to see our depth at 9 seems to have regressed to the endless playing of Boss. Would have thought it was an ideal opportunity for McGrath to start.





*only joking!

[[Jackass]]

I would have said SOB should be given the rest of the season off just to make sure he's alright, but man it's hard not to get excited when you see him starting in the team! The two back-row players on the bench are probably because SOB will only play 40-60 mins no matter what and they want the additional fresh legs to come on, whilst barring injury, Cullen will get a full 80 on what will be his last start for the province and if needs be, Ruddock can slot in, but we're probably planning on having the game over by 60 minutes anyway, where it wont matter too much.

I'd echo the disappointment at not backing McGrath, he's not a step down from Boss at this stage, so why not give youth it's chance?

Very strong team though and it should be a great send off for the lads. Can't wait.

[johng]

With the team Ulster have named, we really need Glasgow to beat Treviso and us to at least get a draw.

[simonokeeffe]

Chant of Leo on 4 minutes anyone?

Cue Leo Au'va standing up and waving to the crowd in tears.

The ladies of Dicey's bid a mournful farewell

Dominic Ryan has played second row for Ireland u20s, know its not the same as wing in an AIL final but thats what we have to work with.
Scrum wont be in trouble so Ruddock can push there and Dippy will cover lineout
To borrow a Geoffrey Boycottism we could win this match with our pipe and slippers on

[simonokeeffe]

15 Carl Bezuidenhout
14 Sam Beard
13 Matt Scott
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tim Visser
10 Harry Leonard
9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN
1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford
3 Willem Nel
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Ben Toolis
6 Mike Coman
7 Tomas Leonardi
8 David Denton

Substitutes:
16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Wicus Blaauw, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Alex Toolis, 20 Dimitri Basilaia, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Ben Atiga

[ceemec]

There's a real sense of "Thanks for coming down this season, have a run out" about that Edinburgh side. A lot of fringe players who have had very little game time.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

There's a real sense of "Thanks for coming down this season, have a run out" about that Edinburgh side. A lot of fringe players who have had very little game time.

Ah there are some great names in that side. Not necessarily good players but the names are fantastic.

[simonno6]

Leinster by 50

[mtleinster]

What has happened Tim Visser

He will incredible as a Dutchman, but lost his magic when he became Scottish

[blockhead]

What has happened Tim Visser

He will incredible as a Dutchman, but lost his magic when he became Scottish

Deep fried Mars bars eventually take their toll.

[Fireworks]

There's a real sense of "Thanks for coming down this season, have a run out" about that Edinburgh side. A lot of fringe players who have had very little game time.

Ah there are some great names in that side. Not necessarily good players but the names are fantastic.

Boom Boom. Might have to steal that one.

[AdamK]

What has happened Tim Visser

He will incredible as a Dutchman, but lost his magic when he became Scottish

Never really rated him. Brilliant finisher, but not much in terms of creativity or work rate.

[limecat]

Match Preview

Well at least after last week's games, things are a lot simpler. Leinster need just two points to be sure of finishing top of the table ahead of Glasgow, so a draw will do them tomorrow. After losing to Leinster last week Ulster will definitely finish fourth, no matter what happens in their match against Munster. Munster for their part will be looking to win and for Glasgow to somehow drop points at home to Zebre. However more than likely we shall be looking at semi-finals of Leinster v Ulster and Glasgow v Munster next weekend.

Read more...

[simonokeeffe]

There's a real sense of "Thanks for coming down this season, have a run out" about that Edinburgh side. A lot of fringe players who have had very little game time.

Ah there are some great names in that side. Not necessarily good players but the names are fantastic.

Thats the Edinburgh squad in general

Mrs Beard is up there with Mrs Hore for worst named rugby mother/spouse

[johng]

Any welsh mother who marries a man called Young and calls their baby David in the full knowledge what the shortened version of David is in Wales......

Especially if he is overweight and red faced and looking like he's one breakfast roll away from a heart attack.....

[Darce]

Strange decision on the bench with Leo C starting - assuming that Ruddock is going to replace him and Ryan is to sub SOB again assuming that both players wont finish the game.

Leaves no other cover for injuries for 5 positions.

Just thinking depending on score Leo might last the whole match. Personally I would like to see both Bod and Leo subbed off individually late in the match so each can get a deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

That's the situation for every match, innit