Pro 14 final vs Ulster, Sept 12th. Live on TG4 & EirSport

[blockhead]

INDO:

If the PRO14 final was between the two best teams, it would feature Leinster A vs Leinster B

ROC
I hate this kind of headline.
Thankfully I'm pretty sure Plumber n Co wont be taking anyone for granted.

[Ruckedtobits]

McFarland and Peel (in particular) will have focussed intensely on Cooney this week. Probably more on his psyche rather than the physical. At his best, JC is a game changer and could cause us many difficulties, especially from breaks from rucks or mauls. Quick and strong, he's the Ulster player we need to watch closest.

If Lowry starts, he could also be a threat. Smooth, pure, acceleration with quick feet and good passing skills, he also can produce the unexpected.

The final big card Ulster can play is Marcel Coetzee. Probably the strongest ball carrier in the League, we must stop him early and often and inhibit the Ulster pack coming onto the ball and giving Cooney & Burns front-foot ball.

Do this and we can come out with the pot.

[mildlyinterested]

big game for Josh has fallen behind Connors for me, needs to remind everyone why he is so highly rated..

[mildlyinterested]

Ulster team to play Leinster Rugby, Guinness PRO14 Final, Aviva Stadium, Saturday 12 September (7.35pm, live on Premier Sports / eir Sport):

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Rob Lyttle, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Alby Mathewson.

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements (16-23): John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Nick Timoney.

[blockhead]

Ulster team to play Leinster Rugby, Guinness PRO14 Final, Aviva Stadium, Saturday 12 September (7.35pm, live on Premier Sports / eir Sport):

(15-9) Michael Lowry, Rob Lyttle, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Alby Mathewson.

(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Iain Henderson (Capt.), Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements (16-23): John Andrew, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore, Sam Carter, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Nick Timoney.

Hendo back eh, thats a suprise. Not a bad bench either. This is going to be a tough game.

[blockhead]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jordan Larmour (48)
14. Hugo Keenan (16)
13. Garry Ringrose (74) CAPTAIN
12. Robbie Henshaw (46)
11. James Lowe (45)
10. Ross Byrne (87)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (91)
1. Cian Healy (218)
2. Rónan Kelleher (13)
3.Andrew Porter (64)
4. Devin Toner (247)
5. James Ryan (37)
6. Caelan Doris (31)
7. Josh van der Flier (82)
8. Jack Conan (91)

16. James Tracy (109)
17. Ed Byrne (55)
18. Michael Bent (138)
19. Scott Fardy (60)
20. Will Connors (18)
21. Luke McGrath (125)
22. Johnny Sexton (165)
23. Rory O’Loughlin (69)

[OTT]

That Ulster back line is on the one hand a very dangerous prospect with ball in hand and on the other side of it the back three are all extremely limited defenders. So now that I have pointed out the obvious will we be able to limit their possession? Could be a cracker. Best of luck to Captain Garry and the rest of the team.

[Serb]

Balls on McFarland to drop Murphy and Cooney to the bench. Probably the right calls too based on the three games they’ve played since lockdown. Good call to drop Ludik out of the squad too imo.

Really looking forward to this now, should be an excellent game.

[pip14]

Ulster’s bench is mega strong

Henderson with his miracle healing powers as per usual

[Theleinsterlad]

That’s something else that there was no wiff about hendo coming back for this game and all the talk was about Ryan. That 23 man squad is very strong and this game will run right up to the last minute. Should be a cracker and at least Ulster will try and play rugby unlike Munster last week

[blockhead]

28 from the same Province playing the final, must be a record. 21 in the 2016 final.

[wixfjord]

Jaysus!

Nowhere near as confident now seeing those two sides.

Cronin & Furlong not on our bench does weaken it a bit.

That is definitely an Ulster backline to target physically imo.

And I think the starting pack is a big step down on ours too.

But bench wise they're strong and are clearly targeting a big last 20.

[curates_egg]

All other factors aside, having Cooney and Madigan on the bench means you can pick an extra forward and have zero concerns: Cooney covers 9/10 and Madigan covers 10/12/15.
We don't want to be hanging on at the end.

[curates_egg]

What's wrong with Cronin?

[alanair]

Leinster @ 1-6 , looks like crazy odds now !!

[Oldschool]

INDO:

If the PRO14 final was between the two best teams, it would feature Leinster A vs Leinster B

ROC
I hate this kind of headline.
Thankfully I'm pretty sure Plumber n Co wont be taking anyone for granted.

He couldn't even get it right either.
It's Leinster v Leinster A.

[curates_egg]

INDO:

If the PRO14 final was between the two best teams, it would feature Leinster A vs Leinster B

ROC
I hate this kind of headline.
Thankfully I'm pretty sure Plumber n Co wont be taking anyone for granted.

He couldn't even get it right either.
It's Leinster v Leinster A.

Probables vs Espoirs - in Dexies' parlance.

[Laighin Break]

I find the talk about VdF needing a big game etc a bit odd. He had a cracker against Munster, with most singling him, Ringrose and Sexton out for special praise.
Not sure he could have done much more, just Connors has also been playing great and they have different styles.
I expect more of the same from VdF tomorrow and will be very happy if he delivers that.

[wixfjord]

I hope we're planning to give Lowe as much ball in space as possible. Really want to see him running at Lyttle.

Also a few bombs on Lowry/Lyttle has the potential to cause a bit of havoc.

[munster#1]

2 cracking teams.
I had considered not even watching the game, but now i will be watching with interest.

Ulster did really well bringing in Alby, he is a real game changer, and will make life hell for Leinster.

What is most shocking for me, is seeing McGrath on the Ulster bench.
A capped Lion, 56 Irish caps, still only 30, and now unable to make the starting team for Leinster or Ulster.
I would love to know where it all went wrong.

He looked like a player who would go on to have well over 100 Irish caps, and now it’s hard to see him add even one more to is current haul.