Cardiff v Leinster Sat 19.35 TG4

[wixfjord]

Team I'd go with for this:

McGrath, Tracy, Furlong, Moloney, McCarthy, Rhys, Leavy, Jordi, McGrath, Sexton, DK, Reid, Ringrose, Isa, ZK
Cronin, Healy, Ross, Dev, JVDF, GP, Carberry, MCF

Can't see SOB or Henshaw being back for this. Mike Mac and Rhys probably need some game time. Mike could do with some too, but Furlong should go better on astro. Backline stays the same for me, as, barring Henshaw coming back, it'll be the one that starts in the Aviva.

[simonokeeffe]

Cardiff aint the team for rotation for the sake of it no more and we badly need Cronin for lineout

Only changes Id make would be also McGrath and Ruddock starting

[Cianostays]

I think there's a good argument to be had for a Leavy, VDF, Jordi back row considering how they performed in Glasgow on an identical surface. Have Ruddock on the bench to provide a real impact like Friday night and keep Jamie fresh for Munster and Europe.

[simonokeeffe]

I think there's a good argument to be had for a Leavy, VDF, Jordi back row considering how they performed in Glasgow on an identical surface. Have Ruddock on the bench to provide a real impact like Friday night and keep Jamie fresh for Munster and Europe.

Whatever about Ruddock on bench Heaslip has been on fire and the combination of neanderthal DNA and wolverine blood keeps him fresh plus we need his leadership in the pack

[riocard911]

Is it just my impression, or are squad lads getting more playing time in the UBL e.g. Mick Kearney last weekend, Barry Daly, Peter Dooley, Adam Byrne etc. this weekend?

[Ruckedtobits]

All now encouraged to play if not on Squad duty. Serious distortion to UBL as Lansdowne, UCD & Clontarf all breach the notional Leinster rule of "no more than one contracted player for each position".

Its not an IRFU ruling, its a Leinster protocol unlikely to be enforced by Leinster CEO.

Straight allocation without the blatant 'bullshit' of personal player choice is the only way to allow contracted professionals compete in UBL. Trinity playing w/o any contracted players against UCD with 12 starting was a travesty in UBL Div 1A.

[leinsterforever]

It says on the 42 that they hope to have McFadden in contention for this one. I'd say it might be good to play him off the bench at inside centre just to have a look at another option in that position

[jezzer]

It says on the 42 that they hope to have McFadden in contention for this one. I'd say it might be good to play him off the bench at inside centre just to have a look at another option in that position

[Spits vomit out]

[simonokeeffe]

It says on the 42 that they hope to have McFadden in contention for this one. I'd say it might be good to play him off the bench at inside centre just to have a look at another option in that position

[Spits vomit out]

wouldnt go that far myself but he has played there so little last 4 or 5 years when he does pop up there he doesnt look good

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Assuming Henshaw is pencilled in to be our 12 for Europe then I think it's important to get Ferg some game time there because if Henshaw isn't available then the game plan is very different with Noel. I've been very happy with Noel but would still like us to look at other options and as much as his defence has improved, it's hard to shake the feeling that he'd be exposed in a big European game.

[goreyguy]

Rather see Tom Daly play 12 than McFadden at this stage. McFaddens last run out in the centre was not pretty, if I remember right.

[simonokeeffe]

Assuming Henshaw is pencilled in to be our 12 for Europe then I think it's important to get Ferg some game time there because if Henshaw isn't available then the game plan is very different with Noel. I've been very happy with Noel but would still like us to look at other options and as much as his defence has improved, it's hard to shake the feeling that he'd be exposed in a big European game.

why not give Daly a go then?

Ferg will defend well but his passing & distribution are poor and his head down charges arent much use in heavy traffic

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Because I don't rate Daly, think the pace at pro level will be too much for him.

I get why people don't want Ferg at centre, but I still think his physicality would be useful there.

[goreyguy]

Because I don't rate Daly, think the pace at pro level will be too much for him.

I get why people don't want Ferg at centre, but I still think his physicality would be useful there.

McFadden at 12 means an even more limited gameplan.

Daly probably won't be good enough, but lets at least see him get a run out at 12 and see how he goes.

[simonokeeffe]

Because I don't rate Daly, think the pace at pro level will be too much for him.

I get why people don't want Ferg at centre, but I still think his physicality would be useful there.

fair enough

I think Nacewa could do more than Ferg in that position or Ringrose and would leave better options in their wake

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Maybe, but I think Ferg has lost his wheels and could do with moving inside anyway.

I'm not saying I think he'll be an amazing 12, just that he could be a useful option if we need physicality and Henshaw isn't around. Plus he has a good chance of wearing the 23 jersey for Europe so getting time at 12 could useful for that too.

[jezzer]

Maybe, but I think Ferg has lost his wheels and could do with moving inside anyway.

I'm not saying I think he'll be an amazing 12, just that he could be a useful option if we need physicality and Henshaw isn't around. Plus he has a good chance of wearing the 23 jersey for Europe so getting time at 12 could useful for that too.

LRIP, the guy has thrown 3 passes in the last 3 seasons in the Pro12. I remember one really good one last season or the one before because it was the exception to prove the rule. But he makes Shaggy look like Quade Cooper. He would be a total roadblock at 12. He'll drop his head and get you a few metres up the middle, plus make his share of tackle sand hit his share of rucks. But every phase is going to die in Ferg's hands.

[simonokeeffe]

Maybe, but I think Ferg has lost his wheels and could do with moving inside anyway.

I'm not saying I think he'll be an amazing 12, just that he could be a useful option if we need physicality and Henshaw isn't around. Plus he has a good chance of wearing the 23 jersey for Europe so getting time at 12 could useful for that too.

23 HC is an interesting one, but think it also pushes argument to try Ringrose at 12 as Kirchner is probably ahead of Ferg on form and versatility

Our non Henshaw options at 12 are all catch 22s

[cormac]

Rather see Tom Daly play 12 than McFadden at this stage. McFaddens last run out in the centre was not pretty, if I remember right.

Home to Wasps last season. Reid and McFadden in the centre, Madigan at full-back. Yeesh.

Hasn't started a game at 12 for Leinster since the 9-6 win over Exeter in October 2012.

[goreyguy]

Rather see Tom Daly play 12 than McFadden at this stage. McFaddens last run out in the centre was not pretty, if I remember right.

Home to Wasps last season. Reid and McFadden in the centre, Madigan at full-back. Yeesh.

Hasn't started a game at 12 for Leinster since the 9-6 win over Exeter in October 2012.

Inability to develop quality outside backs rearing its head once again..