Leinster v Treviso, Sat 15.00

[curates_egg]

Onwards and upwards. A good performance to finish off the regular season and give us something to build on for the semis. Couldn't be worse than the same fixture last year hopefully.

The main calls are probably in the row, at 9 and the midfield. I think, I'd go with Toner-Kearney (Kearney looks great), Reddan (marginally less bad) and Fitz-Te'o (because it is now pretty clear Te'o is ineffective at 12 and we should make the best of his power). Hopefully Van der Flier is fit or, if not, that we are allowed to play Seanie: it's hard to comprehend what has happened to Murphy.

McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, Kearney, Ruddock, VDF/O'Brien, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Kearney, Fitz, Te'o, Isa, Rob - Cronin, Dooley, Moore, Molony, O'Brien/Leavy, McGrath, Madigan, Ringrose

This game doesn't seem to be on telly...which is a pain in the hole for those not in Dublin/Ireland.

[Gearzbox2]

Onwards and upwards. A good performance to finish off the regular season and give us something to build on for the semis. Couldn't be worse than the same fixture last year hopefully.

The main calls are probably in the row, at 9 and the midfield. I think, I'd go with Toner-Kearney (Kearney looks great), Reddan (marginally less bad) and Fitz-Te'o (because it is now pretty clear Te'o is ineffective at 12 and we should make the best of his power). Hopefully Van der Flier is fit or, if not, that we are allowed to play Seanie: it's hard to comprehend what has happened to Murphy.

McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, Kearney, Ruddock, VDF/O'Brien, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Kearney, Fitz, Te'o, Isa, Rob - Cronin, Dooley, Moore, Molony, O'Brien/Leavy, McGrath, Madigan, Ringrose

This game doesn't seem to be on telly...which is a pain in the hole for those not in Dublin/Ireland.

So you reckon Reddan was less bad even though he directly cost us 7 points and could barely get to the breakdown...
I'd agree on Teo, he needs to play 13 with a ball playing 12 inside him, which means playing Reid/Madigan but clearly defensive liabilities
I'd mix up cronin and Strauss and try and start fast with his ball carrying and link play with Kearney and Moloney in the row, Dev needs a kick up the hole after yesterday!!!!
Bar that is run with above.....

[Angelsea Angst]

Last chance for the team to find some sort of form before we get to the play-offs.

[riocard911]

Onwards and upwards. A good performance to finish off the regular season and give us something to build on for the semis. Couldn't be worse than the same fixture last year hopefully.

The main calls are probably in the row, at 9 and the midfield. I think, I'd go with Toner-Kearney (Kearney looks great), Reddan (marginally less bad) and Fitz-Te'o (because it is now pretty clear Te'o is ineffective at 12 and we should make the best of his power). Hopefully Van der Flier is fit or, if not, that we are allowed to play Seanie: it's hard to comprehend what has happened to Murphy.

McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, Kearney, Ruddock, VDF/O'Brien, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Kearney, Fitz, Te'o, Isa, Rob - Cronin, Dooley, Moore, Molony, O'Brien/Leavy, McGrath, Madigan, Ringrose

This game doesn't seem to be on telly...which is a pain in the hole for those not in Dublin/Ireland.

Agree with most of that. Only I'd drop Dave Kearney for his defensive performance up in Ravers and play Ringrose on the wing. As a consequence I'd put Adam Byrne on the bench.

[ChrisUppy]

I would point to the Edinburgh selection and say that it was very wrong and we are left in a predicament now because of it.

Such a disjointed performance against Ulster and now we're faced with a bit of a mess. The last game of the season isn't when we should be trying to rebuild with a new midfield and new half backs. We had an opportunity to build some cohesion and momentum and that's been fairly scuppered by the thrashing last weekend.

Not sure what side to pick to be honest, because there are very few from the team last weekend that I think should be rewarded with retaining their place.

[Peg Leg]

I'd play Reid and teo for this entry

[curates_egg]

I'd play Reid and teo for this entry

I wouldn't because I think we really need to be trying to settle a midfield - we had 3 different midfields on Saturday, we don't need a 4th one now.
I would pick whatever midfield we will pick for the play-offs: for me that means Te'o at 13 and I think the best option inside him is Fitz.
I don't think anyone would suggest Reid in the matchday squad for the playoffs.

[simonokeeffe]

I'd play Reid and teo for this entry

I wouldn't because I think we really need to be trying to settle a midfield - we had 3 different midfields on Saturday, we don't need a 4th one now.
I would pick whatever midfield we will pick for the play-offs: for me that means Te'o at 13 and I think the best option inside him is Fitz.
I don't think anyone would suggest Reid in the matchday squad for the playoffs.

the only argument against defending with Te'o at 12 is he's not going to compete for ball on the ground, but neither are Reid or Madigan

the one problem regarding Luke and no one else at 12 is he seems to be wrecked towards the end of any game so youve an enforced/preplanned change change

[hugonaut]

Forwards [1-8]: J. McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, M.Kearney, Ruddock, O'Brien, Heaslip
Backs [9-15]: L. McGrath, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Teo, Ringrose, Nacewa, R. Kearney
Subs [16-23]: Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Molony, van der Flier/Murphy, Reddan, Madigan, Kirchner

[curates_egg]

Forwards [1-8]: J. McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, M.Kearney, Ruddock, O'Brien, Heaslip
Backs [9-15]: L. McGrath, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Teo, Ringrose, Nacewa, R. Kearney
Subs [16-23]: Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Molony, van der Flier/Murphy, Reddan, Madigan, Kirchner

Do you think Te'o at 12 is working or do you think it is just time to stick with a combo and this has gotten plenty of gametime over the past few weeks?
I would agree that your selection probably gets our best backs on the pitch and having Luke at 11 might mitigate some of our utter impotency in the backline...I just think the game seems to pass Te'o by at 12.

[simonokeeffe]

Luke and JVDF injury doubts for this one, medial knee ligament and ankle respectively, http://www.the42.ie/luke-fitzgerald-jos ... 5-May2016/

[Dave Cahill]

Neither trained today

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[alanair]

Luke and JVDF injury doubts for this one, medial knee ligament and ankle respectively, http://www.the42.ie/luke-fitzgerald-jos ... 5-May2016/

sigh .... Luke Injured again !!!

[curates_egg]

Luke and JVDF injury doubts for this one, medial knee ligament and ankle respectively, http://www.the42.ie/luke-fitzgerald-jos ... 5-May2016/

Feck. Much as I would prefer a consistent selection, there is no point risking either this weekend. They are both crucial players for the play-offs.

[simonokeeffe]

Luke and JVDF injury doubts for this one, medial knee ligament and ankle respectively, http://www.the42.ie/luke-fitzgerald-jos ... 5-May2016/

Feck. Much as I would prefer a consistent selection, there is no point risking either this weekend. They are both crucial players for the play-offs.

wouldve thought there might be some changes anyway this weekend

hopefully Leavy will be in 23 now

[hugonaut]

Forwards [1-8]: J. McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, M.Kearney, Ruddock, O'Brien, Heaslip
Backs [9-15]: L. McGrath, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Teo, Ringrose, Nacewa, R. Kearney
Subs [16-23]: Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Molony, van der Flier/Murphy, Reddan, Madigan, Kirchner

Do you think Te'o at 12 is working or do you think it is just time to stick with a combo and this has gotten plenty of gametime over the past few weeks?
I would agree that your selection probably gets our best backs on the pitch and having Luke at 11 might mitigate some of our utter impotency in the backline...I just think the game seems to pass Te'o by at 12.

I don't think that it's mis-firing quite as much as some say, and that he had a good game at No12 against Ulster. I also don't think we're going to stumble on a magic recipe at this stage in the season by changing things around more. I think we just have to get our best players on the pitch, get them playing beside each other and get them running hard and taking the ball in front of them. That can go some way to making up some of the deficiencies in nuance in our attacking game.

Dave Kearney was quite dreadful against Ulster and looks really, really low on confidence. I just don't think that he's going to give us any cut, any go-forward, any tries or anything special at all in this form and while I have sympathy for him, he's basically a passenger at the moment. If Fitz is out, I'd have Adam Byrne in and Kirchner on the bench.

Beyond that, I think it's more than worthwhile to give some of the younger guys who have broken through this season [Luke McGrath, Ringrose, Molony, van der Flier] the nod ahead of more experienced players.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Would love to have seen what Te'o would have done if Luke's pass to him at the very start didn't go forward.

[riocard911]

Forwards [1-8]: J. McGrath, Strauss, Ross, Toner, M.Kearney, Ruddock, O'Brien, Heaslip
Backs [9-15]: L. McGrath, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Teo, Ringrose, Nacewa, R. Kearney
Subs [16-23]: Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Molony, van der Flier/Murphy, Reddan, Madigan, Kirchner

Do you think Te'o at 12 is working or do you think it is just time to stick with a combo and this has gotten plenty of gametime over the past few weeks?
I would agree that your selection probably gets our best backs on the pitch and having Luke at 11 might mitigate some of our utter impotency in the backline...I just think the game seems to pass Te'o by at 12.

I don't think that it's mis-firing quite as much as some say, and that he had a good game at No12 against Ulster. I also don't think we're going to stumble on a magic recipe at this stage in the season by changing things around more. I think we just have to get our best players on the pitch, get them playing beside each other and get them running hard and taking the ball in front of them. That can go some way to making up some of the deficiencies in nuance in our attacking game.

Dave Kearney was quite dreadful against Ulster and looks really, really low on confidence. I just don't think that he's going to give us any cut, any go-forward, any tries or anything special at all in this form and while I have sympathy for him, he's basically a passenger at the moment. If Fitz is out, I'd have Adam Byrne in and Kirchner on the bench.

Beyond that, I think it's more than worthwhile to give some of the younger guys who have broken through this season [Luke McGrath, Ringrose, Molony, van der Flier] the nod ahead of more experienced players.

To the list of upcoming players pushing the regulars for a starting place I would include James Tracy. In fact, I wouldn't even mind seeing him start v Treviso.

[LeinsterLeader]

JVF going to see a specialist about the ankle tomorrow. Return for the weekend highly unlikely. Anything after that will depend on what the doc says tomorrow.

I noticed too that Sean O'Brien did no training with the team today (only boxing with one of the coaches). Johnny also didn't train

[curates_egg]

JVF going to see a specialist about the ankle tomorrow. Return for the weekend highly unlikely. Anything after that will depend on what the doc says tomorrow.

I noticed too that Sean O'Brien did no training with the team today (only boxing with one of the coaches). Johnny also didn't train

If neither O'Brien nor VDF are fit, I'd pick Leavy. He's shown up every time he's been picked and it would better to have him on the bench for the play-offs on that basis.