Leinster v Toulouse

[MylesNaGapoleen]

Neil Francis writes in his usual entertaining style today in the indo.
I think he sums up Leinster pretty well this season, reckons Leinster will need to play at a level on Saturday that they have maybe only reached once this season.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 98164.html

Worth a read. Toulouse knew they would be starved of possession and had no choice but to play an high-risk off-loading game. Stats from here says it all: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/counter- ... r-leinster

When we were 21-27 up with ten to go....and clearly going for the BP...they got a break with the intercept and took it well to win by a point. Fair play to them. Some days those 50/50 or hail mary offloads come off for you...some days they don't and I think if we stick to the way we played away...and reduce the turnovers....we will come away with a win. I'm not saying they were lucky in the first game..far from it...but I do think we have a more solid and reliable game plan.

[wixfjord]

We do, but we're also potentially down four big players and Dupont is a big plus for them from the first game.

[mildlyinterested]

Franno had a good question in his article; Have Leinster become easy to read?

Maybe..

[olaf the fat]

Franno had a good question in his article; Have Leinster become easy to read?

Maybe..

Same question can be asked about Franno -- different answer

[mildlyinterested]

Franno had a good question in his article; Have Leinster become easy to read?

Maybe..

Same question can be asked about Franno -- different answer

Just because Franno asks the question, doesn't mean it's not valid.

distinct lack of offloading this season, or is it just me?

1st team attack hasn't been exactly stellar.

[curates_egg]

We do, but we're also potentially down four big players and Dupont is a big plus for them from the first game.

Dupont and Mermoz.
Makes them much more structured.

[Angelsea Angst]

I expect that the game will be kept very tight and forwards oriented by leinster. With Toners absence I am worried about our lineout.

[olaf the fat]

Yep, we do seem to be misfiring at some level - playing well but not good, while the potential to be great is simmering under the surface.

Apart from the usual things (getting a lineout to the screw at a key time, but only to dick the line out), in 2 key games - Toulouse and Munster, we put them under pressure with power plays which would usually finish in scores but get hit with an intercept. Then again if it was not for our intercept in Bath the narrative could be so different.

whatever it is - it seems like this weekend will prove a lot.

[arsebiscuits1]

Just because Franno asks the question, doesn't mean it's not valid.

distinct lack of offloading this season, or is it just me?

1st team attack hasn't been exactly stellar.

We've scored the most tries of anyone in Europe. 3 more than Racing and 5 more than Sarries.

We've scored the most tries of anyone in the the Pro14. 11 more than Munster and 16 more than Glasgow

I don't think there is really a problem with the attack as the tries are getting scored.

We've only failed to get a TBP in 5 games out of 17 this season

[mildlyinterested]

Just because Franno asks the question, doesn't mean it's not valid.

distinct lack of offloading this season, or is it just me?

1st team attack hasn't been exactly stellar.

We've scored the most tries of anyone in Europe. 3 more than Racing and 5 more than Sarries.

We've scored the most tries of anyone in the the Pro14. 11 more than Munster and 16 more than Glasgow

I don't think there is really a problem with the attack as the tries are getting scored.

We've only failed to get a TBP in 5 games out of 17 this season

Taking advantage of a poor Wasps side.

I'd be interested in how we scored our tries against top tier competition.

[joooooe]

Yep, we do seem to be misfiring at some level - playing well but not good, while the potential to be great is simmering under the surface.

Apart from the usual things (getting a lineout to the screw at a key time, but only to dick the line out), in 2 key games - Toulouse and Munster, we put them under pressure with power plays which would usually finish in scores but get hit with an intercept. Then again if it was not for our intercept in Bath the narrative could be so different.

whatever it is - it seems like this weekend will prove a lot.

This has happened in previous successful seasons. We don't want to peak too early (as the actress said to the bishop). I have faith that, even if we lose this weekend, the squad is being primed to peak in April/May.

[mildlyinterested]

Yep, we do seem to be misfiring at some level - playing well but not good, while the potential to be great is simmering under the surface.

Apart from the usual things (getting a lineout to the screw at a key time, but only to dick the line out), in 2 key games - Toulouse and Munster, we put them under pressure with power plays which would usually finish in scores but get hit with an intercept. Then again if it was not for our intercept in Bath the narrative could be so different.

whatever it is - it seems like this weekend will prove a lot.

This has happened in previous successful seasons. We don't want to peak too early (as the actress said to the bishop). I have faith that, even if we lose this weekend, the squad is being primed to peak in April/May.

primed to peak during the 6 nations more like, anything else is a bonus for Leinster.

[Oldschool]

Yep, we do seem to be misfiring at some level - playing well but not good, while the potential to be great is simmering under the surface.

Apart from the usual things (getting a lineout to the screw at a key time, but only to dick the line out), in 2 key games - Toulouse and Munster, we put them under pressure with power plays which would usually finish in scores but get hit with an intercept. Then again if it was not for our intercept in Bath the narrative could be so different.

whatever it is - it seems like this weekend will prove a lot.

This has happened in previous successful seasons. We don't want to peak too early (as the actress said to the bishop). I have faith that, even if we lose this weekend, the squad is being primed to peak in April/May.

More likely March/April for Ireland especially with the RWC in mind. Not sure there's any way of proving that but our player management was quite different this season prior to the AIs.
Doesn't mean we can't reach the HEC playoffs but they may not be given the same priority as usual.
Lancaster's reference to the decision regarding Henshaw's fitness being not just a Leinster decision is telling.

[suisse]

Enormous game and I expect the best performance of the season but more worried about next week. Even without Sexton, I think we will win this by 10 points.

Away form is a bit off.

[wixfjord]

Enormous game and I expect the best performance of the season but more worried about next week. Even without Sexton, I think we will win this by 10 points.

Away form is a bit off.

Hmm a beaten docket Wasps in a stadium where we could have 50/50 fans doesn't worry me nearly as much as a full strength Toulouse who are gunning for a win?

We'll likely have Toner, Sexton, Lowe and Henshaw back next week too.

[suisse]

Toulouse are obviously much better and the challenge is bigger. As I said, I expect Leinster to produce their best 80 mins of the season and beat them by 10 points. I reckon we'll really wear Toulouse down up front, winning all the early collisions. A few bombs for Johnny Ramos and the back 3. We won't let them settle and eventually pull clear in the final quarter. It's then backing it up in the Ricoh that I have some concerns about, especially if we produce a slow start.

[Raydollard]

We will have it all to do to win this. Sexton, Lowe, Henshaw and Toner, are among the elite of world rugby. Byrne is an extremely limited player and replacements are not as good as Lowe or Henshaw. Toner will be missed for lineout ability. If we survive this then I can see nothing else stopping us in the HEC. Let’s hope our pack can pull us through.

[CiaranIrl]

So the team... Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Fardy, Ryan, Ruddock, VDF, Conan, Larmour, O'Loughlin, Riongrose, Adam Byrne, Kearney
Bench: Tracey, McGrath, Porter, Moloney, Leavy (if he passes late fitness test), JGP, Marsh, Henshaw (if he passes late fitness test)

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I reckon we might need halfbacks and doubt Marsh will make it back in time but like it apart from that.

[desperado]

I reckon we might need halfbacks and doubt Marsh will make it back in time but like it apart from that.