After a successful European interlude, we’re back to the URC next weekend, with what is quite possibly the biggest game we have on our run in. It’s ‘must win’ for both teams if the potential for a home league semi final is the goal.
It’ll be very interesting to see what teams are selected, I’m expecting Richie to go as strong as possible, then maybe send the kids/2nds to Munster the week after. Similarly for Leinster, I think this is the toughest league game they have left this season, so I expect them to go as strong as possible. It’s a long time since we’ve seen a full strength inter pro between the two teams, especially in Belfast. The last one I can think of, was the ERC quarter final a few years back, where we ran them very close, but for a dropped ball over the line. Darren Cave turning in a great shift in his last season, a brick wall in defense and had Ringrose in his pocket all match.
Nick Timoney doubtful (probably due a rest anyway). Leinster struggling at loosehead and have other injury concerns. Could be a great time to get after them. Game close to being sold out which is great to see.
I looked it up and Caelen Doris has not played in Belfast since April 2019. I wonder if our national team captain will favour us with his presence this time.
I was wondering if Timoney was injured. He got his wrist strapped early on but seemed to play until half time without it bothering him. I wasn’t sure if they just wanted to give him a bit more of a rest. Even without him we’re well sorted with players in form in the back row, and I think we’ll be better in the centre and back three.
I was hoping, with the form he’s in we might see Saint Sam make an appearance, he’s been atrocious any time I’ve seen him of late. The ladys will potentially be short quite a few, Baird and Ryan are supposedly doubts as well, so they’ll be struggling for second row options. It’ll genuinely be very interested to see how both coaches approach this game after the european games. The traditional Leinster attitude is that they’re too good for the league anyway, and that they’re only goal now is to ensure the team that takes the field against Toulon, then (pontentially) UBB are as strong as possible, so they can get runners up medal for losing a euro final. If they want to win the league though, out of the four games they’ve left, this is the one you’d want to be ttargetting.
From our perspective, I think our goal (though not trivial given our last four games) should be finishing second, I think if we win our home games, we’ll do that, so I’m expecting/hoping Richie goes as strong as possible, then there’s a good chance we’ll send our 2nd string down to Munster.
Leinster also have an issue at loose head ( from the 42):
Alex Usanov has been ruled out of the Ulster game, leaving Jerry Cahir as the only fit loosehead in the squad. Andrew Porter is nearing a return from injury, but remains a doubt for the Ulster game.
reading comments in the 42, its looks like Leinster fans want to send a strong team down to ulster, which I guess is a good sign of respect to how ulster are currently going. I know ulster seems to be getting back on form a bit ( hard to tell since it was such a weak La Rochelle team) but Leinster are starting to click too. For Leinster, this is hardest game in there URC run, and they are only 5 points behind 2nd, so do they send the best team to ulster and then rotate for there other games, or go the other way and rotate now and go for 15 points for the last 3.
I have it in my head that Munster away is a more winnable game as they are on going badly at the moment, but you don’t want to lose any home games especially when have a home playoff(s?)
I think this game could well decide who finishes higher out of us and leinster. Us winning gives us a cushion that’d allow us a slip up in our last three games, while them winning would see us needing to win everything and hope they slip up on the run in. It’s all so tight things like losing bonus points will be crucial.
Ed Byrne returns to Leinster on short-term loan · The 42
LEINSTER HAVE CONFIRMED the short-term loan signing of prop Ed Byrne from Cardiff.
Byrne, who came through the Leinster Academy and went on to make 102 appearances for the province before his move to Cardiff last season, will link up with Leo Cullen’s squad immediately for the remainder of the current block of fixtures.
makes sense since they are in trouble in LH, he would know there systems and players pretty well. Still not ideal for them this week. Still don’t think we go after them in the scrum, but I would be happy if we can hold our scrum, not give penalties away, that would stop that part of there attack. I didn’t check but I read that he hasn’t played much for Cardiff this season ( which makes sense why would they let him move if we was).
Ed Byrne has only played once for Cardiff this season (40 minutes in a Challenge Cup game). Last season he played up to November but not at all after that. I would have to think he’s just there at Leinster as cover in the squad, though I don’t know who else they have that can play on Friday.
Meanwhile; no Ulster Squad Update this week? They usually publish it on Tuesdays.
- Angus Bell (13)
- Tom Stewart (71)
- Tom O’Toole (138)
- Iain Henderson (C) (175)
- Cormac Izuchukwu (50)
- David McCann (87)
- Sean Reffell (15)
- Juarno Augustus (13)
- Nathan Doak (105)
- Jack Murphy (30)
- Zac Ward (25)
- Stuart McCloskey (215)
- James Hume (116)
- Werner Kok (31)
- Jacob Stockdale (147)
Replacements:
- James McCormick (15)
- Sam Crean (16)
- Scott Wilson (53)
- Harry Sheridan (57)
- Bryn Ward (15)
- Conor McKee (18)
- Jake Flannery (35)
- Jude Postlethwaite (43)
Rare start/match for Reffell
Leinster:
15. Hugo Keenan (79)
14. Joshua Kenny (12)
13. Garry Ringrose (145)
12. Robbie Henshaw (117)
11. Jimmy O’Brien (114)
10. Sam Prendergast (45)
9. Luke McGrath (251)
1. Jerry Cahir (11)
2. Rónan Kelleher (89)
3. Thomas Clarkson (72)
4. Brian Deeny (50)
5. James Ryan (105) CAPTAIN
6. Alex Soroka (25)
7. Scott Penny (101)
8. James Culhane (24)
Replacements:
16. Gus McCarthy (26)
17. Ed Byrne (102)
18. Rabah Slimani (32)
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (9)
20. Max Deegan (154)
21. Will Connors (64)
22. Fintan Gunne (29)
23. Ciarán Frawley (118)
When was the last time Sam has played? and Byrne on the bench is a weak link for them, but still a strong team. This game will show us where Ulster really are.
Sean Reffell was not a name I expected to see on the Ulster team sheet.
Decent Leinster selection so should be a cracker.
When was the last time Sam has played? and Byrne on the bench is a weak link for them, but still a strong team. This game will show us where Ulster really are.
He came off the bench for them when they got mullered by Glasgow a few weeks ago and looked gash, a better question might be when was the last time he played well?
In some ways, it’s a bit sad to see such a talented player with so much quality fall apart like this, currently he seems to be on course for a spell in the ProD2 with the recent career trajectory. Let’s hope his poor form keeps up for at least one more game though.
It’s a weaker lady’s team than I expected to be honest, clearly trying to keep their old habits going of sending their first 15 into a semi final against toulon undercooked, but they’ve such strength in depth it’s hard for them to name a bad side. There aren’t many players in their 23, who wouldn’t have a very good chance of making ours, if Richie was allowed to pick them.
We went from one to five point favourites when the teams were announced, so they give us the edge, but not by a lot.
What a dire first half, outmuscled in the pack, looking clueless about how to deal with the blitz and a couple of injuries to key men to boot.
Sam Creen in particular has been poor from where I’m standing, dominated in the scrum and on one of our few visits into their half he was turned over going into contract with all the venom of a sofa, wonder where EOS is.
Sam Crean is stealing a living. We seriously need to add to our front row stocks in the coming weeks and months.
He was an embarrassment. Dialling it in in a massive derby. Should give one of the academy ones a go, at least they’ll give a shit.
Our rally in the second half, gave the scoreboard an air of respectability that we didn’t really deserve. We didn’t fire a shot until leinster had the 5 points secured, were comprehensively outmuscled and outplayed, very disappointing.