Leinster vs Bath

[curates_egg]

Early, I know, but we will have information to drip into the thread - logistics, injuries, recoveries etc.

One first question: anyone know when they will decide what day it is on?
I have heard rumours of the Friday but when is it actually decided?

[Oldschool]

Early, I know, but we will have information to drip into the thread - logistics, injuries, recoveries etc.

One first question: anyone know when they will decide what day it is on?
I have heard rumours of the Friday but when is it actually decided?

As it's so early I'll introduce a bit of heresy ie ignore the fact that we have to beat Bath first.
Leinster's mantra should be to regard this game as preparation for taking on Toulon in the Semi.
To beat Toulon we have to do at least the following-.
1. Get as close to parity up front as possible, particularly in the scrum. Applies to Bath game anyway.
2. Prepare and practice tactics regarding how we will nullify or seriously reduce Armitage's impact at the breakdown.
3. Not kick away possession. Applies to Bath game anyway.
4. Improve our passing thru the hand. Applies to Bath game anyway.
5. Aggressive defence and line speed. Applies to Bath game anyway.

[kermischocolate]

I have only two things to say....

COME ON LEINSTER!!!!

And Bath are very beatable.

[outcast eddie]

I'm looking forward to the Sam Burgess - Ben Te'o face off in mid-field.

[AdamK]

I'm looking forward to the Sam Burgess - Ben Te'o face off in mid-field.

Yeah, for all the hype Burgess is getting T'eo has largely gone under the radar. Hopefully he has a bit of chip on the shoulder and puts Sam to shame!

[Fireworks]

Early, I know, but we will have information to drip into the thread - logistics, injuries, recoveries etc.

One first question: anyone know when they will decide what day it is on?
I have heard rumours of the Friday but when is it actually decided?

I had considered raising this topic yesterday to divert from the Toulon discussion. This gives us plenty of time to go around in a few circles, reinvent a few wheels and still get no closer to the eventual tactics or selection on the day.

[curates_egg]

Early, I know, but we will have information to drip into the thread - logistics, injuries, recoveries etc.

One first question: anyone know when they will decide what day it is on?
I have heard rumours of the Friday but when is it actually decided?

I had considered raising this topic yesterday to divert from the Toulon discussion. This gives us plenty of time to go around in a few circles, reinvent a few wheels and still get no closer to the eventual tactics or selection on the day.

I know. I actually am interested to know when we find out the date of the QF but I have booked my flights home anyway.

An interesting side story for me will be Stringer playing in Landsdowne Road for the first time in 4 years.

[neiliog93]

Te'o may not get selected at all!

[simonokeeffe]

Stringer must be closing in on record HC appaearances, him and Hines only two in top 10 still playing

ROG on 110 they have Stringer listed as 99 but not sure how to date that is, he had 90 for Munster, a spell at Sarries and two and a half years at bath now

[artaneboy]

Stringer must be closing in on record HC appaearances, him and Hines only two in top 10 still playing

ROG on 110 they have Stringer listed as 99 but not sure how to date that is, he had 90 for Munster, a spell at Sarries and two and a half years at bath now

So, just one more possible for this season to beat ROG!

[neiliog93]

Stringer also contracted to 2016. He'll be 39 by the end of that year.

[neiliog93]

When you never had pace or strength to begin with, you have nothing to lose by playing into your late 30's I suppose.

[John23]

Leinster Rugby not gone on the idea of a Good Friday kick off:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/e ... -1.2080333

[AdamK]

Te'o may not get selected at all!

Very likely he won't, but he has a good run of games to prove himself now with everyone and their mother in the 6n squad.

[AdamK]

When you never had pace or strength to begin with, you have nothing to lose by playing into your late 30's I suppose.

Bit harsh, think he has excellent pace. He's never late to a ruck and he's always been a stereotypically nippy bugger. Hope to see him play into his 40s! Would he be the first back to play pro rugby in his 40s?

[curates_egg]

Leinster Rugby not gone on the idea of a Good Friday kick off:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/e ... -1.2080333

I saw that.
When do the powers that be decide though? Anyone know?
Presumably there will be more stuff they will make up on the fly.

[JB1973]

I'm looking forward to the Sam Burgess - Ben Te'o face off in mid-field.

Yeah, for all the hype Burgess is getting T'eo has largely gone under the radar. Hopefully he has a bit of chip on the shoulder and puts Sam to shame!

I hope they pick burgess for your guys sakes, a midfield of ford eastmond and joseph is far more of a threat.

I thought Bath were excellent vs Tolouse but v average vs Glasgow, who apart from the Scrum were the better team all game long.

Bath have a very solid front 5 , Wilson And Atwood especially seem to be really on their game, not so sure their back row is all that tbh and Ford is a very average goal kicker it's certainly winnable.

I'd feel a lot more confident when I see Healy and SOB on your team sheet


Good luck though guys, keep flying the pro 12 flag in the face anglo/French bully boys

[Leoslovechild]

I'm looking forward to the Sam Burgess - Ben Te'o face off in mid-field.

Yeah, for all the hype Burgess is getting T'eo has largely gone under the radar. Hopefully he has a bit of chip on the shoulder and puts Sam to shame!

I hope they pick burgess for your guys sakes, a midfield of ford eastmond and joseph is far more of a threat.

I thought Bath were excellent vs Tolouse but v average vs Glasgow, who apart from the Scrum were the better team all game long.

Bath have a very solid front 5 , Wilson And Atwood especially seem to be really on their game, not so sure their back row is all that tbh and Ford is a very average goal kicker it's certainly winnable.

I'd feel a lot more confident when I see Healy and SOB on your team sheet


Good luck though guys, keep flying the pro 12 flag in the face anglo/French bully boys

Don't think you are too far off the money here though i don't believe from quite a few games I've seen this year that Eastmond and Joseph are so outstanding and their back row even with Louw were pulled around by a Glasgow back row which had a hooker and centre at 7 and 8 and in fact the Hooker/7 was probably the best backrower on the field in his first European game.Ford's kicking is not good enough and I seriouslty believe this is as very good draw for us

[simonokeeffe]

Bath still have a very inexperienced backline especially when it comes to big cup games

[neiliog93]

When you never had pace or strength to begin with, you have nothing to lose by playing into your late 30's I suppose.

Bit harsh, think he has excellent pace. He's never late to a ruck and he's always been a stereotypically nippy bugger. Hope to see him play into his 40s! Would he be the first back to play pro rugby in his 40s?

It'd be cool if he managed it. Sireli Bobo isn't 40 yet but is contracted to play until he's 42 (amazing for an outside back). Simon Shaw was 40 when he retired I think. Tana Umaga retired at 34 but was definitely over 40 when playing in one his mini-comebacks.

What I meant by pace was sprint speed, in the sense that as players move further into their 30's they might not have the same 'top speed sprint' of old. Stringer was never a 9 who made breaks in the way a Genia or a Care does. He's unbelievably aerobically fit and intelligent which are great attributes allowing to play on for so long, and also meaning he's rarely late to a breakdown.