Saints away 7th December

[Experimental]

Thought this was a great away win, but the scoreline really did flatter us. When I try to compare this side to our previous sides who have won the competition I think we are still a bit off the mark, and theres plenty of work to do if we want to lift the trophy again. Our forwards were very good, but the backs (without naming any names) need a good bit of work to reach those heights again, there were definately a few who had poor games. Kind of a good situation to be in I suppose for the coaches, getting a nice away win but still having plenty to work on.

[alanair]

Anybody know if there's a recording of the game anywhere or if Channel 4/Virgin/BT will have a re showing during the week?

Cheers

are you kidding me ? - Im betting Virgin will show the match at least 10 times next week- anything they have seems to be on a permanent loop

[Keith]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

[Angelsea Angst]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

The main point they make is that the standard of the Pro14 is so low and this allows Leinster to target European games by resting players in advance of big European games. I think the standard of the Pro14 has declined over the last two years due to the decline of the four Welsh Regions. Just look at Ospreys now and compare them to the Ospreys Team of 2010 and 2012.

[carlow man]

Went along to Franklin's gardens yesterday which was great for me as I only live 25 mins away so great to watch leinster without having to get flights, hotels etc. Thought we were much improved in second half after a sloppy first period.
Tightened up much more in the second and took our chances when they came our way. Saints were great to watch and were riding the crest of a wave coming into this game but were given a harsh lesson in the difference between domestic and European competition.
They dont have the squad depth that we have and are a work in progress with a lot of young talented players who are fantastic entertainment to watch but until the get their first choice pack on the pitch then I'll think they will struggle in europe.

On a different note, their supporters are a credit to their team. Polite and welcoming and very complimentary in defeat. Other fans could learn a lot from saints fans. I hope they have a cracking season and will be keeping an eye on their results.

A great day out, 5 points and a very good performance especially in the second half with the only negative being the injury that Sexton has picked up but fingers crossed it's not long term. Ross Byrne has shown himself to be a more than capable deputy. Roll on next week! Allez les bleus.

[joooooe]

Anyone have a link to a recording of his or know when it will be replayed on d'box?

[blockhead]

Anyone have a link to a recording of his or know when it will be replayed on d'box?

https://www.rugbylist.ws
I forget now, but you might have to register.

[Keith]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

The main point they make is that the standard of the Pro14 is so low and this allows Leinster to target European games by resting players in advance of big European games. I think the standard of the Pro14 has declined over the last two years due to the decline of the four Welsh Regions. Just look at Ospreys now and compare them to the Ospreys Team of 2010 and 2012.

The resting players argument might have some merit if it wasn't the start of the club season. If players aren't able to perform 2 weeks in a row now, we really do have a serious problem in the game.

[riocard911]

Anyone have a link to a recording of his or know when it will be replayed on d'box?

https://www.rugbylist.ws
I forget now, but you might have to register.

One does have to register, but it's easy peasy!!!!

[blockhead]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

The main point they make is that the standard of the Pro14 is so low and this allows Leinster to target European games by resting players in advance of big European games. I think the standard of the Pro14 has declined over the last two years due to the decline of the four Welsh Regions. Just look at Ospreys now and compare them to the Ospreys Team of 2010 and 2012.

The resting players argument might have some merit if it wasn't the start of the club season. If players aren't able to perform 2 weeks in a row now, we really do have a serious problem in the game.

And that's it init! They have played 5 League games this season and their citing tiredness as a reason for getting battered again. They do this every Autumn. After 4-5 games of Prem Rugby they're all bollixed.
The Pro14 teams rest their players (not "rotate" like they do in blighty mind you) and the French have more money.

[Xanthippe]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

To be fair they could be getting that from their own coaching team. After the game yesterday Chris Boyd said they’ll probably have a completely different team out next week after they have a look at the current situation in their two competitions!

[ronk]

One tactic that Northampton tried was to reach to get at Sexton. They got him a few times but he was able to exploit the gaps they left and hurt them.

Even when they eventually injured him with a late him it didnt do any good. We scored with him down and his replacement scored later.

Disciplined (assignment) defence works much better against us than gung ho king hits.

[footrush]

Went along to Franklin's gardens yesterday which was great for me as I only live 25 mins away so great to watch leinster without having to get flights, hotels etc. Thought we were much improved in second half after a sloppy first period.
Tightened up much more in the second and took our chances when they came our way. Saints were great to watch and were riding the crest of a wave coming into this game but were given a harsh lesson in the difference between domestic and European competition.
They dont have the squad depth that we have and are a work in progress with a lot of young talented players who are fantastic entertainment to watch but until the get their first choice pack on the pitch then I'll think they will struggle in europe.

On a different note, their supporters are a credit to their team. Polite and welcoming and very complimentary in defeat. Other fans could learn a lot from saints fans. I hope they have a cracking season and will be keeping an eye on their results.

A great day out, 5 points and a very good performance especially in the second half with the only negative being the injury that Sexton has picked up but fingers crossed it's not long term. Ross Byrne has shown himself to be a more than capable deputy. Roll on next week! Allez les bleus.

Was lucky enough to get a ticket for Terrace C in the heart of the Saint Support as ever would really like to endorse this some of the finest, most knowledgeable and gracious supporters I have come across !.

[glenageary]

Went along to Franklin's gardens yesterday which was great for me as I only live 25 mins away so great to watch leinster without having to get flights, hotels etc. Thought we were much improved in second half after a sloppy first period.
Tightened up much more in the second and took our chances when they came our way. Saints were great to watch and were riding the crest of a wave coming into this game but were given a harsh lesson in the difference between domestic and European competition.
They dont have the squad depth that we have and are a work in progress with a lot of young talented players who are fantastic entertainment to watch but until the get their first choice pack on the pitch then I'll think they will struggle in europe.

On a different note, their supporters are a credit to their team. Polite and welcoming and very complimentary in defeat. Other fans could learn a lot from saints fans. I hope they have a cracking season and will be keeping an eye on their results.

A great day out, 5 points and a very good performance especially in the second half with the only negative being the injury that Sexton has picked up but fingers crossed it's not long term. Ross Byrne has shown himself to be a more than capable deputy. Roll on next week! Allez les bleus.

Totally agree - and great venue too. It seems a lot of english fans complain to the saints about their ground - dont know why, its a great place - good stands, good pitch and plenty access to food and drink. Would go again.

[Flash Gordon]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

The main point they make is that the standard of the Pro14 is so low and this allows Leinster to target European games by resting players in advance of big European games. I think the standard of the Pro14 has declined over the last two years due to the decline of the four Welsh Regions. Just look at Ospreys now and compare them to the Ospreys Team of 2010 and 2012.

"Pro 14 is rubbish.

Clubs would all go bust if we tried to compete with the French.

So who cares about Europe really?
Much rather have week in week out action from the prem with every game to play for. And a cap that stops clubs folding. Stuff the rest.

Last time I checked we’ve won more world cups than the Welsh Scots Irish & French, and we got further than any during this recent World Cup.

Let them keep their Mickey Mouse league (french excluded) & their European cups."

Wonder which way this lad voted in the Brexit referendum!

[Twist]

Reading the Northampton fans forum really is depressing. It's embarrassing the amount of excuses they come out with and how they apparently only care about the league.

The main point they make is that the standard of the Pro14 is so low and this allows Leinster to target European games by resting players in advance of big European games. I think the standard of the Pro14 has declined over the last two years due to the decline of the four Welsh Regions. Just look at Ospreys now and compare them to the Ospreys Team of 2010 and 2012.

"Pro 14 is rubbish.

Clubs would all go bust if we tried to compete with the French.

So who cares about Europe really?
Much rather have week in week out action from the prem with every game to play for. And a cap that stops clubs folding. Stuff the rest.

Last time I checked we’ve won more world cups than the Welsh Scots Irish & French, and we got further than any during this recent World Cup.

Let them keep their Mickey Mouse league (french excluded) & their European cups."

Wonder which way this lad voted in the Brexit referendum!

You’re assuming he can spell an X

[Twist]

I went and read the Saints fans’ thread being referenced here

I dont accept any argument that we “were able to rest” players against Glasgow because the Pro14 is so weak

Glasgow away is a tougher game at the moment than Leicester at home. I know Saints v. Leicester is a derby, but Glasgow have a grudge against us at the minute and Tigers are in rag order

We were able to make 13 changes because our squad is f%~king good. We developed nearly all of them ourselves, and theyre from Leinster. We didnt do a Saracens on it, or pursue a galacticos strategy like Ospreys used to. In fact we’ve lost the likes of Jordi, Tadhg Beirne, Marty Moore and Carbery to other provinces

So our big advantage is; We’ve lots of great rugby players in Leinster. Are we supposed to be embarrassed by that?

[wixfjord]

I think it's a little bit one eyed of us to assume that the level of competition in the Pro14 is the same as the Prem, and there is definitely an ability to rest players more in our league.

Part of that is because we have a bigger squad with quality players, part of it is IRFU mandated and part of it is just that the league is less competitive overall since the quality of team is slightly worse and there's no relegation pressures.

[Dave Cahill]

Do we care what teams from other leagues think of us or our league? And if so, why?

[joooooe]

Anyone have a link to a recording of his or know when it will be replayed on d'box?

https://www.rugbylist.ws
I forget now, but you might have to register.

One does have to register, but it's easy peasy!!!!

It looks like that site has been decommissioned, unfortunately (or certainly it's content has been).