Leinster v Ulster pre-season 30 Aug

[cormac]

So, will we see a few more experienced heads for this one or will it be the Academy taking to the pitch again?

[AdamK]

Healy mentioned something about the game on twitter... Surely he wouldn't be playing?

Would love to see Mick McGrath rewarded and given another shot in a blue jersey.

[Tricky Dicky]

The young guys should get another shot. It would be good to see Kelleher, Tom Daly, Marsh and Luke McGrath start

[RoboProp]

Healy mentioned something about the game on twitter... Surely he wouldn't be playing?

Would love to see Mick McGrath rewarded and given another shot in a blue jersey.

Mick McGrath will hopefully be given a start this game, he will most definitely get another chance in blue this weekend

[carlow man]

Am hoping luke mcgrath gets a start at 9 as boss is just too slow these days. I'm sure he will do a job for us in some games this season but mcgrath needs minutes if we are going to use him this year. There is no way boss and reddan will stay injury free this season and luke could well find himself starting games in the pro 12. Plus would also love to see Mick mcgrath and kelleher involved again and they showed serious gas last weekend!

[paddyor]

Healy mentioned something about the game on twitter... Surely he wouldn't be playing?

Would love to see Mick McGrath rewarded and given another shot in a blue jersey.

Healy was given the summer off so he might be back sooner than others. His twitter activity suggests he's lots of time on his hands and he's bored.

[goreyguy]

Healy is newly single too, probably comes off the bench.

Tom Daly is injured afaik. More Marsh and McGrath please.

[fourthirtythree]

Healy mentioned something about the game on twitter... Surely he wouldn't be playing?

Would love to see Mick McGrath rewarded and given another shot in a blue jersey.

Healy was given the summer off so he might be back sooner than others. His twitter activity suggests he's lots of time on his hands and he's bored.

And that differs from his twitter activity any other time?

agree above that boss deserves the night off. Turns out I was way off the mark about what each halfback pairing would do last Saturday.

[enby]

will they take cash at the door? Won't know if I can go til Saturday lunchtime

[Peg Leg]

will they take cash at the door? Won't know if I can go til Saturday lunchtime

Spar round the corner will I'm sure

[johng]

Round the corner from............ The square?

[Peg Leg]

Round the corner from............ The square?

So it's on in Tallaght then?
Dave Cahill usually touts outside woodies, 25% onto the FV is a bit on the steep side though.

[johng]

Do keep UP, dear boy

[sheepshagger]

Group scheme have 20% off and no TM booking fee for the game

[nc6000]

Round the corner from............ The square?

So it's on in Tallaght then?

Donnybrook currently doesn't have a pitch and the RDS is still being put back together after the Horse Show.

[johng]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 39033.html

Tuohy and Van der Merwe to make up the 2nd row partnership.

In the interests of pointless exercise I had a look at a possible team last night. Picking the 2 shortest 2nd rows we have.....

McCarthy
Dundon
Moore
Marshall
McCarthy
McLaughlin
Jennings
Conan

McGrath
Gopperth
Coghlan-Murray
Coghlan
O'Shea
Fanning
Kirchner

B Byrne/Tracy
Bent/E Byrne
Furlong
Denton
Ryan
Boss
Marsh
A Byrne/M McGrath

Obviously there will be more than 23 players and there may be a few more first teamers than that. No Argie tourists or players who were resting injuries though.

[rooster]

Reckon mostly the squad we will have during international weeks will be what will appear down, we have 2 decent front rows and a few young useful looking backs plus some seasoned campaigners.

[johng]

The Leinster team to face Ulster Rugby in the Bank of Ireland pre-season friendly in Tallaght Stadium tomorrow (Kick Off: 4.00pm) has been announced with Tullow's Sean O'Brien captaining the side from number eight.

O'Brien is one of 12 players to make their season's bow in Tallaght with only three players retained from the 15 that started away to Northampton last weekend as coach Matt O'Connor looks to give as many players as possible game time ahead of the visit to Glsgow next Saturday in the opening round of the Guinness PRO12.

Young Clontarf hooker Bryan Byrne starts for the second week in a row but he has over 230 Leinster caps either side of him with Cian Healy and Mike Ross starting at loosehead and tighthead respectively.

Kevin McLaughlin and Mike McCarthy start in the second row with again a blend of youth and experience in the back row. 21 year old Jack Conan, who made one PRO12 appearance last year away to Cardiff, starts at blindside flanker with Shane Jennings at openside. O'Brien completes the pack.

In the backs, last week's captain Jimmy Gopperth is again selected at outhalf, with Luke McGrath beside him at nine.

Darragh Fanning is again selected on the left wing with Fergus McFadden on the right, while Zane Kirchner takes the number 15 jersey.

In the centre, Noel Reid and Brendan Macken are selected at 12 and 13 hoping to link up and repeat some of the impressive rugby that was shown in the B&I Cup Final last year.

Leinster will be bringing a large playing contingent with them on the day and substitutions will be confirmed at the venue on Saturday.

Tickets to Leinster Rugby versus Ulster Rugby are still available at www.leinsterrugby.ie/tickets and tickets will also be available from a Ticket Master van outside the venue, with kick off at 4.00pm.

Parking for the game will be available in the Square Shopping Centre and free for anyone attending the game on Level Three. Please have your match ticket ready for inspection to avail of this offer.

LEINSTER:

15: Zane Kirchner
14: Fergus McFadden
13: Brendan Macken
12: Noel Reid
11: Darragh Fanning
10: Jimmy Gopperth
9: Luke McGrath
1: Cian Healy
2: Bryan Byrne
3: Mike Ross
4: Kevin McLaughlin
5: Mike McCarthy
6: Jack Conan
7: Shane Jennings
8: Sean O'Brien CAPTAIN

[cormac]

That's a pretty strong team for a pre-season friendly. Not sure what the deal is with Conan starting at 6 with SOB at 8. Seems a bit odd.

[wixfjord]

So is MOC now the lord and saviour because Luke McGrath is finally starting?!


Locky in second row is interesting, wonder is that an option we'll look at before Douglas gets here?

Why is Conan 6 though?