Edinburgh vs Leinster Sept 16th

[Cianostays]

1. Dooley, 2. Cronin, 3. Furlong, 4. Kearney, 5. Mike Mac, 6. Leavy, 7. VDF, 8. Murphy, 9. Gibson-Park, 10. Carbery, 11. Dave K, 12. Reid, 13. Ringrose, 14. Zane, 15. Rob K, 16. Tracey, 17. Healy, 18. Ross, 19. Moloney, 20. Ryan, 21. McGrath, 22. Marsh, 23. O'Loughlin

Very happy with how the team went, by and large, against on of the best team's in the league (away from home to boot). A similar level of performance will be required to win in Edinburgh which is possible with another week for Lancaster's influence to seep in. Looking forward to it. I presume that we would'nt have the front line Internationals back until the Ospreys game?

[goreyguy]

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. Molony
5. McCarthy
6. Leavy
7. JVDF
8. Murphy
9. McGrath
10. Carbery
11. Dave K
12. Reid
13. Ringrose
14. O'Loughlin
15. Kearney
16. Tracy
17. Dooley
18. Furlong
19. Kearney
20. Ryan
21. JGP
22. Marsh
23. Kirchner

[molloyjh]

1. Dooley, 2. Cronin, 3. Furlong, 4. Kearney, 5. Mike Mac, 6. Leavy, 7. VDF, 8. Murphy, 9. Gibson-Park, 10. Carbery, 11. Dave K, 12. Reid, 13. Ringrose, 14. Zane, 15. Rob K, 16. Tracey, 17. Healy, 18. Ross, 19. Moloney, 20. Ryan, 21. McGrath, 22. Marsh, 23. O'Loughlin

Very happy with how the team went, by and large, against on of the best team's in the league (away from home to boot). A similar level of performance will be required to win in Edinburgh which is possible with another week for Lancaster's influence to seep in. Looking forward to it. I presume that we would'nt have the front line Internationals back until the Ospreys game?

I think we'll see Isa back this week as well as a couple of internationals. We want to try and maintain a bit of continuity though, especially given yesterdays performance. Maybe something like this:

Healy Cronin Furlong
Molony McCarthy
Leavy Murphy VDF

McGrath Carbery
Reid Ringrose
Dave Rob Isa

Tracy, Dooley, Ross, Triggs, Ryan, JGP, Byrne, O'Loughlin

I thought our back row yesterday were really good. With Carbery showing the form he is I'm not sure we can use Marsh's experience as a reason for him to be on the bench. And I'd like to see us utilise a 10 with a good kicking game to contrast with Carberys running game, hence Byrne at 22. Kirchner has been going well for us but I would also like to see us backing O'Loughlin. He's looked good over the last month or so and we need to develop outside backs right now. He didn't seem out of his depth against Glasgow (one restart aside) so get him out and playing.

The thought of Isa trailing carriers for offloads is one I find a bit exciting. A few times yesterday we had guys looking to for support runners in the contact and not finding any. I can't help but think that Isa would be all over that.

[simonokeeffe]

I think Ross will start with Furlong coming on but at very least surely McGrath, Toner, Heaslip, and Cronin come on to the bench now giving us a serious forward corps for this one

Toa gree with you/single someone out Leavy was seriously good

[molloyjh]

I think Ross will start with Furlong coming on but at very least surely McGrath, Toner, Heaslip, and Cronin come on to the bench now giving us a serious forward corps for this one

Toa gree with you/single someone out Leavy was seriously good

Yeah Leavy was excellent. But I think all 3 back row really performed. Some of Jordis lines off Carbery were superb.

[Ruckedtobits]

McCarthy and Kearney are wasted together. Molony must play with one of them, preferably Kearney who needs game time at the highest level possible as he will emerge to be a real tight-head lock and enforcer.

Back-row is brimming with options but Leavy and JVdF have established their claim to play together a la the Aussies. Murphy, Conan and Heaslip may be in a queue for one slot and then we must figure where to fit in SO'B.

In these circumstances, Mr Lancaster may provide suitably objective counsel.

As to the backline, where to find pace to capitalise on the emerging guile which is increasingly evident at 10, 12 & 13? Pace or power at 11, 14 or 15 will be essential for Europe and even in the Interpros and games against Glasgow and Ospreys.

Leinster can re-emerge this Season as serious european contenders. We have sufficient forwards of quality and decent half-backs. Now let's assemble a backline to use the ammunition they provide.

[molloyjh]

Back-row is brimming with options but Leavy and JVdF have established their claim to play together a la the Aussies. Murphy, Conan and Heaslip may be in a queue for one slot and then we must figure where to fit in SO'B.

Don't forget Rhys as well.

[simonokeeffe]

42 saying Munster have Earls & Murray available this weekend so thats a good sign for us getting everyone (fit) back

[molloyjh]

42 saying Munster have Earls & Murray available this weekend so thats a good sign for us getting everyone (fit) back

I'd still like to keep a bit of continuity as we need a result this week. Loads of changes will cause too much disruption.

Healy Cronin Furlong
Molony McCarthy
Leavy Murphy VDF

McGrath Carbery
Reid Ringrose
Dave Rob Isa

Tracy, McGrath, Ross, Toner, Heaslip, JGP, Byrne, O'Loughlin

That starting XV should be able to build on the first 2 rounds and put us in a good position and that bench should have more than enough impact to see it out. It also gives the guys on the bench time to ease into the new game plan ahead of the home game against the Ospreys.

[riocard911]

McCarthy and Kearney are wasted together. Molony must play with one of them, preferably Kearney who needs game time at the highest level possible as he will emerge to be a real tight-head lock and enforcer.

Back-row is brimming with options but Leavy and JVdF have established their claim to play together a la the Aussies. Murphy, Conan and Heaslip may be in a queue for one slot and then we must figure where to fit in SO'B.

In these circumstances, Mr Lancaster may provide suitably objective counsel.

As to the backline, where to find pace to capitalise on the emerging guile which is increasingly evident at 10, 12 & 13? Pace or power at 11, 14 or 15 will be essential for Europe and even in the Interpros and games against Glasgow and Ospreys.

Leinster can re-emerge this Season as serious european contenders. We have sufficient forwards of quality and decent half-backs. Now let's assemble a backline to use the ammunition they provide.

On that last point, apart from being the stand-out player in the warm-ups Rory O'Loughlin has impressed me off the bench v Treviso and Glasgow.

[simonokeeffe]

I'd start Mick Kearney unless that knock at the end of the Glasgow game was serious, internationals will most likely come back off the bench

[the spoofer]

I was very disappointed with Tracy on Saturday. Missed tackles and missed darts that were down to him alone.

[simonokeeffe]

RK out of this game, Isa should be back, no other injuries/updates

[LeRouxIsPHat]

That's a decent trade off but it's a pity about Rob. He's looked sharp and badly needs a run of games.

[Ruckedtobits]

Back-row is brimming with options but Leavy and JVdF have established their claim to play together a la the Aussies. Murphy, Conan and Heaslip may be in a queue for one slot and then we must figure where to fit in SO'B.

Don't forget Rhys as well.

Touche! And I did. What extraordinary depth that is at a time when others could use at least two of them in Pro12 games all the way through.

[goreyguy]

RK is a bit of a sick note these days.

[Aussiedub]

Healy, Tracey, Ross, Maloney, Kearney, Leavy, JvDF, Murphy, JGP, Carberry, Kearney, Reid, Ringrose, Kirchner, Nacewa - Dooley, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Heaslip, McGrath, Byrne, O'Loughlin

[cormac]

No injury issues for Mick Kearney or Dave either. Isa trained fully last week and will be assessed as week goes on.

Unavailable: Conan, Nagle, Ruddock, O'Brien, Henshaw, Ed Byrne, Sexton, Dardis, Strauss and Rob Kearney

[cormac]

After that I guess it's down to which of McGrath, Cronin, Furlong, Ross, Toner, Murphy and Heaslip are available this week.

[riocard911]

Healy, Tracey, Ross, Maloney, Kearney, Leavy, JvDF, Murphy, JGP, Carberry, Kearney, Reid, Ringrose, Kirchner, Nacewa - Dooley, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Heaslip, McGrath, Byrne, O'Loughlin

Nice selection. Would be good enough to get a win, IMO.