Leinster @ Ulster, Sat 27 Apr 17:15 KO

[mildlyinterested]

5 starts for Ireland under-20 too.

[joooooe]

This match is a dead rubber and the various interviews in today's papers show that the coaches have been sent out to try to drum up some support.

However, this needn't be the case. It has been suggested previously that the old inter-provincial cup could be contested within the current structures of the Pro14; the 4 provinces play each other home and away each season anyway, would it be so hard to produce a table to reflect performance in just these fixtures? Edinburgh and Glasgow play for the 1872 Cup so I can't imagine the league would have much of an objection, particularly when you consider that it would add some extra spice to fixtures such as this.

It wouldn’t make a difference.

A very conscious decision was made not to report an inter pro table derived from the Celtic League and to discourage all discussion of it. I don’t expect that to change.

Oh, I know. I don't expect it to change but I would support a change.

[Oldschool]

This match is a dead rubber and the various interviews in today's papers show that the coaches have been sent out to try to drum up some support.

However, this needn't be the case. It has been suggested previously that the old inter-provincial cup could be contested within the current structures of the Pro14; the 4 provinces play each other home and away each season anyway, would it be so hard to produce a table to reflect performance in just these fixtures? Edinburgh and Glasgow play for the 1872 Cup so I can't imagine the league would have much of an objection, particularly when you consider that it would add some extra spice to fixtures such as this.

It wouldn’t make a difference.

A very conscious decision was made not to report an inter pro table derived from the Celtic League and to discourage all discussion of it. I don’t expect that to change.

Oh, I know. I don't expect it to change but I would support a change.

Nothing to stop a separate thread being started.
I'm sure it would generate quite a bit of interest.

[joooooe]

Nothing to stop a separate thread being started.
I'm sure it would generate quite a bit of interest.

Such a good idea that some smart Wikipedia editor has done all the hard work: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRFU_In ... ampionship

No trophy on offer any more (which is what my original post was about) but nice to know we did the treble last season!

[mildlyinterested]

So something like this named tomorrow?

1. Jack McGrath
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Michael Bent
4. Josh Murphy
5. Oisin Dowling
6. Will Connors
7. Max Deegan
8. Caelan Doris
9. Hugh O'Sullivan
10. Ross Byrne
11. Dave Kearney
12. Conor O'Brien
13. Rory O'Loughlin
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Barry Daly
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Peter Dooley
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Ryan Baird
20. Scott Penny
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Ciaran Frawley
23. Noel Reid

[Ruckedtobits]

So something like this named tomorrow?

1. Jack McGrath
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Michael Bent
4. Josh Murphy
5. Oisin Dowling
6. Will Connors
7. Max Deegan
8. Caelan Doris
9. Hugh O'Sullivan
10. Ross Byrne
11. Dave Kearney
12. Conor O'Brien
13. Rory O'Loughlin
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Barry Daly
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Peter Dooley
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Ryan Baird
20. Scott Penny
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Ciaran Frawley
23. Noel Reid

We probably need Ryan Baird in the row instead of Dowling or Murphy if we're to give ourselves a chance for possession from line-outs. Without this, we limit every aspect of a tactical game.

[mildlyinterested]

We probably need Ryan Baird in the row instead of Dowling or Murphy if we're to give ourselves a chance for possession from line-outs. Without this, we limit every aspect of a tactical game.

was tempted to start Baird, but would be a big call.

[Jonny tight lips]

So something like this named tomorrow?

1. Jack McGrath
2. Bryan Byrne
3. Michael Bent
4. Josh Murphy
5. Oisin Dowling
6. Will Connors
7. Max Deegan
8. Caelan Doris
9. Hugh O'Sullivan
10. Ross Byrne
11. Dave Kearney
12. Conor O'Brien
13. Rory O'Loughlin
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Barry Daly
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Peter Dooley
18. Vakh Abdaladze
19. Ryan Baird
20. Scott Penny
21. Paddy Patterson
22. Ciaran Frawley
23. Noel Reid

Swop 6 and 7 and he will definitely play Tomane in the centre.

[wixfjord]

Is Dunne injured?

[mildlyinterested]

Is Dunne injured?

wasn't training on tuesday due to exams. unclear if available. obviously if he is, he starts.

[arsebiscuits1]

Is Nagle able to play in this fixture?

[mildlyinterested]

Is Nagle able to play in this fixture?

no.

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jimmy O’Brien (6)
14. Fergus McFadden (177)
13. Joe Tomane (12)
12. Noel Reid (120)
11. Dave Kearney (134)
10. Ross Byrne (68) CAPTAIN
9. Nick McCarthy (33)
1. Jack McGrath (143)
2. Bryan Byrne (39)
3. Michael Bent (122)
4. Josh Murphy (20)
5. Oisín Dowling (3)
6. Max Deegan (42)
7. Will Connors (4)
8. Caelan Doris (15)

16. Rónan Kelleher (1)
17. Peter Dooley (60)
18. Vakh Abdaladze (6)
19. Ryan Baird (0)
20. Scott Penny (5)
21. Paddy Patterson (2)
22. Ciarán Frawley (13)
23. Barry Daly (35)

[limecat]

Very possibly the last time Noel Reid, Nick McCarthy and Jack McGrath will line out for Leinster.

[wixfjord]

Not sure I understand the logic to some of those selections.
HOS could surely do with gametime for example?

Why start Deegan if he’s definitely going to be needed for the final?

I understand why we don't want to go full C team, but it would be a huge shame if someone like R Byrne, Deegan or Brian Byrne got an injury that meant they'd miss the final.

[neill_m]

Ulster 23:

(15-9): Michael Lowry; David Busby, Darren Cave (captain), Peter Nelson, Angus Kernohan; Johnny McPhillips, Dave Shanahan;
(1-8): Andy Warwick, John Andrew, Ross Kane, Ian Nagle, Alan O’Connor, Matty Rea, Clive Ross, Sean Reidy;

(16-23): Adam McBurney, Tommy O’Hagan, Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Marcus Rea, Jonny Stewart, Jack Owens, Rob Lyttle.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Not sure I understand the logic to some of those selections.
HOS could surely do with gametime for example?

Why start Deegan if he’s definitely going to be needed for the final?

I understand why we don't want to go full C team, but it would be a huge shame if someone like R Byrne, Deegan or Brian Byrne got an injury that meant they'd miss the final.

Same logic applies to HOS though doesn't it?

I think it's good to give them a run out but would have any potential finalists off by 50 mins. I think HOS should be involved. I get that we want to give Nick a send off and am fine with that, but he could still be on the bench.

It's a nicely balanced side and the Ulster team isn't great and their backs are quite small. Hopefully everyone turns up and it'll just be fun.

[Edna Kenny]

For Ross Byrne, it may be Leo giving him extra game time to put himeslf in the picture for Ireland. It's a risk but I get the feeling Leo will always try and help someone's international prospects.

[bluemagic]

Really don’t understand the HOS decision. We can’t register any players before the final so Nick McCarthy won’t be playing in it. Given that Surely you play Hugh o’sullivan this week with Patterson on the bench?

[riocard911]

Really don’t understand the HOS decision. We can’t register any players before the final so Nick McCarthy won’t be playing in it. Given that Surely you play Hugh o’sullivan this week with Patterson on the bench?

But if they're not sure JGP will be fit for the final, they can't risk Hughie getting crocked. If that were to happen, you'd have Paddy with his two caps benching for Luke. And if the latter were to go down after a couple of minutes into the final? It doesn't bear thinking about and is obviously a risk the coaching staff are not prepared to take. Right decision, IMO.