Leinster v Scarlets

[goreyguy]

A bit worried to see none of our first three picks at hooker in the squad...are the all crocked?

not sure about Strauss but Cronin/Dundon are.

[riocard911]

The selection is extremely interesting - starting old reliables like Jamie, Ross, Dev, Boss and RK, while giving the likes of Dom Ryan and Denton the chance to up their game, while simultaneously allowing Ringrose and Kelleher the opportunity to impress. It's an exciting and adventurous first 15 with a strong bench - incl. Sexto, who'd a thunk it? - to back it up. The coaches are putting their faith in the squad to a degree we never saw under MO'C. A win against Scarlets would be a good way for the players to return the compliment. Na Laighiní abú!!!!

[goreyguy]

Denton over Molony
Boss over McGrath
Ringrose at 13
Kelleher at 11

Dom Ryan needs a big game.

[Dubmon]

Great selection. Says to the young players that the door has not now closed just because the internationals are back.

On the McGrath over Boss, i have no issue on this. McGrath has had plenty of starts and has made a good case. Boss has experience that is helpful with quite a few younger guys, particularly in the back line.

[LeinsterLeader]

Denton over Molony
I'd agree with this. Would have liked to see Molony get another go.
Boss over McGrath
In fairness Boss was very good off the bench the last day and all going well we should get to see McGrath and Sexton close out the game. Nice!
Ringrose at 13
Yes Indeed
Kelleher at 11
And some of that too
Dom Ryan needs a big game.
The good thing about this is DR knows if he doesn't perform DL will be chomping at the bit to impress

I would worry about the lack of experience in the backs too. Be interesting to see if Scarlets pick a team to try take advantage of that.

[curates_egg]

The selection is extremely interesting - starting old reliables like Jamie, Ross, Dev, Boss and RK, while giving the likes of Dom Ryan and Denton the chance to up their game, while simultaneously allowing Ringrose and Kelleher the opportunity to impress. It's an exciting and adventurous first 15 with a strong bench - incl. Sexto, who'd a thunk it? - to back it up. The coaches are putting their faith in the squad to a degree we never saw under MO'C. A win against Scarlets would be a good way for the players to return the compliment. Na Laighiní abú!!!!

Less than half this XV will start next weekend. I'm delighted to see some guys get a start but you do have to wonder why this game and not earlier...

[goreyguy]

Denton over Molony
I'd agree with this. Would have liked to see Molony get another go.
Boss over McGrath
In fairness Boss was very good off the bench the last day and all going well we should get to see McGrath and Sexton close out the game. Nice!
Ringrose at 13
Yes Indeed
Kelleher at 11
And some of that too
Dom Ryan needs a big game.
The good thing about this is DR knows if he doesn't perform DL will be chomping at the bit to impress

I would worry about the lack of experience in the backs too. Be interesting to see if Scarlets pick a team to try take advantage of that.

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay [c]

Replacements: Ken Owens, Dylan Evans, Will Taylor, Tom Price, Maselino Paulino, Aled Davies, Michael Collins, Harry Robinson

[molloyjh]

I think that's a fantastic selection. Sure it's not as strong as it could be but the coaches have to manage this playing group through a long period without a break while also having to deal with the player welfare and any injuries that come up. Everyone is getting a shot and the message obviously is that the door is open for anyone and everyone at all times (other than the Champions Cup obviously).

How it pans out tomorrow is another thing obviously. There will be rust and there will be a lack of familiarity and experience in certain places. So it won't be vintage. But with a view to the slightly longer term I think it's a really positive 23.

[curates_egg]

A bit worried to see none of our first three picks at hooker in the squad...are the all crocked?

not sure about Strauss but Cronin/Dundon are.

Yeah I knew about them but that makes the non-selection of Strauss all the more concerning. Hopefully the former two pass RTP for next week but where is Strauss? Dundon has had a fair few bangs, so hope his is just another standard.

[LeinsterLeader]

The selection is extremely interesting - starting old reliables like Jamie, Ross, Dev, Boss and RK, while giving the likes of Dom Ryan and Denton the chance to up their game, while simultaneously allowing Ringrose and Kelleher the opportunity to impress. It's an exciting and adventurous first 15 with a strong bench - incl. Sexto, who'd a thunk it? - to back it up. The coaches are putting their faith in the squad to a degree we never saw under MO'C. A win against Scarlets would be a good way for the players to return the compliment. Na Laighiní abú!!!!

Less than half this XV will start next weekend. I'm delighted to see some guys get a start but you do have to wonder why this game and not earlier...

That's a fair point I think but the upside is that if (and its a big enough 'if') these guys do the business tomorrow night we could have a situation where come the Wasps game we have 30+ guys all putting there hand up, relatively fresh and all playing well. Not a bad place for Leo to be.

[goreyguy]

A bit worried to see none of our first three picks at hooker in the squad...are the all crocked?

not sure about Strauss but Cronin/Dundon are.

Yeah I knew about them but that makes the non-selection of Strauss all the more concerning. Hopefully the former two pass RTP for next week but where is Strauss? Dundon has had a fair few bangs, so hope his is just another standard.

not if they are resting Strauss to ensure he is available for Wasps as Cronin/Dundon are doubts.

[Dexter]

Denton over Molony
I'd agree with this. Would have liked to see Molony get another go.
Boss over McGrath
In fairness Boss was very good off the bench the last day and all going well we should get to see McGrath and Sexton close out the game. Nice!
Ringrose at 13
Yes Indeed
Kelleher at 11
And some of that too
Dom Ryan needs a big game.
The good thing about this is DR knows if he doesn't perform DL will be chomping at the bit to impress

I would worry about the lack of experience in the backs too. Be interesting to see if Scarlets pick a team to try take advantage of that.

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Rob Evans, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 John Barclay [c]

Replacements: Ken Owens, Dylan Evans, Will Taylor, Tom Price, Maselino Paulino, Aled Davies, Michael Collins, Harry Robinson

DTH and Samson Lee being rested.

[simonokeeffe]

Molony is a strange one unless he's going to be number 19 ahead of Triggs

nice to see such faith shown in the squad and everyone getting an opportunity rather than favourites being played

Scarlets missing DTH, Samson Lee, Steve Shingler, Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhodri Jones, Pitman and Owens only on bench
Theyre very strong in the backrow but so are we

We have much stronger front 5 especially factoring in benches (stronger bench in general), am just a bit worried about lineout

[Pendragon]

Our front five and the half backs will be the difference. Think that Leo is showing faith and as long as that is rewarded it will make for a great squad morale and culture. If you play well, you get picked, if we think that you are good enough, you get the chance. I like it.

[Dave Cahill]

Molony is a strange one unless he's going to be number 19 ahead of Triggs

nice to see such faith shown in the squad and everyone getting an opportunity rather than favourites being played

Scarlets missing DTH, Samson Lee, Steve Shingler, Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhodri Jones, Pitman and Owens only on bench
Theyre very strong in the backrow but so are we

We have much stronger front 5 especially factoring in benches (stronger bench in general), am just a bit worried about lineout

Both sides are hedging for next week between injuries and selection. We could have as many of next weeks starters on this weeks bench as we do on the field tomorrow night.

Tracy has looks to have definitely overtaken Byrne

[simonokeeffe]

as a slight aside do we say Fanning's time is coming to an end?

[Xanthippe]

Scarlets missing DTH, Samson Lee, Steve Shingler, Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhodri Jones, Pitman and Owens only on bench

We should get the see the Pro12 debut of the very talented Baby Black Michael Collins

[goreyguy]

Scarlets missing DTH, Samson Lee, Steve Shingler, Liam Williams, Scott Williams, Rhodri Jones, Pitman and Owens only on bench

We should get the see the Pro12 debut of the very talented Baby Black Michael Collins

people claim collins is very talented but he never got near a super rugby cap.. granted with all the talent in NZ that isn't exactly a huge negative but I think he's been overhyped by some over here due to his name and a decent JWC

[Ruckedtobits]

Huge test for James Treacy's throwing. Dev, Jamie and Dom Ryan are three genuine targets with Denton as an auxiliary. But Scarlets attack some throwers and make life difficult. The other parts of his game are improving all the time and his ball carry is becoming an item.

Hope Mads 'takes care' of his mid-field and doesn't pass only when he finished with the ball. Reid and Ringrose are familiar with each other and will be glad to have Zane, Rob and Cian Kelliher out wide.

Scarlets selection appears to go the same route as us, so real opportunity for front five to get ball from restarts and line-outs and have scrum as a real platform for attack. Weather today / tomorrow likely to create lots of scrum-time. Our back-row will have a busy evening but should dominate the breakdown.

Big game in prospect!

[goreyguy]

SOB will have his hands full with Davies.

Denton/Ryan will be a weakness unless they step up massively. Triggs/Leavy to replace them early in 2nd half.

Not sure how Boss/Madigan/Reid will work, in fact Boss's slow ball to Madigan is probably the worst combination we can ask for.