Leinster v Munster Saturday 2.05 Sky/TG4

[wixfjord]

'Feva in the Aviva.'
'El Clasico.'
'The Derby.'
'That game before Europe starts that's normally dour, ill tempered and decided by scrum penalties.'

Call it what you will, but it should be interesting.

Would be good to keep the momentum going here. I think we're in a better place than Munster atm, but form goes out the window for these.

I'd start with:
Jack, Cronin, Furlong, Mike Mc (if fit), Dev, Leavy, JVDF, Heaslip, McGrath, Johnny, Isa, Noel 'The Wall' Reid, Ringrose, DK, ZK
Healy, Tracy, Ross, Mick K, Jordi, JGP, Carbury, MCF

Mick K is not playing well, but we might need him for scrum. I could see ZK being rested too and Isa going to 15.
Rhys was quiet enough tonight, and Jordi has started the year well so might see him start or bench.

Don't think Henshaw will make this either.

If we can keep a solid scrum and Cronin can hit his men, I'd be pretty confident.

[neiliog93]

The O'Classico was one of the corniest, marketing-est names I've seen for this fixture.

I think he'll probably start Rhys, who despite the try vs Cardiff has had a quiet start to the season. Leavy on the bench ahead of Jordi, possibly. Either way our back-row looks strong.

I thought Nagle outperformed M.Kearney vs Cardiff but the scrum disintegrated when Kearney went off, so he'll likely stick with Kearney (who in fairness looked good before the Cardiff game).

I also think he might start Ross ahead of Furlong, using the rationale that Ross will play c.45 mins and Furlong offers far more impact off the bench than Ross. He's unlikely to want Bent on the bench as sub tight-head after he got destroyed in the scrum a couple of times against Cardiff.

I wonder if IRFU may interfere to get Healy another start so he's sharp for the international matches (as can't see Healy starting ahead of McGrath in the Euro Cup games).

Overall though, Munster have started the season well,but home advantage should see us get the win in a tough match.

[Dave Cahill]

The O'Classico was one of the corniest, marketing-est names I've seen for this fixture.

Jaysus, I never saw that one, who came up with that horror??!

[ronk]

The O'Classico was one of the corniest, marketing-est names I've seen for this fixture.

Jaysus, I never saw that one, who came up with that horror??!

I'd like to think it was Neil Francis


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[Cianostays]

A bit unfair to say Ruddock has had a quiet start to the season when he only came back from injury against the Ospreys.

I think a sub front row of Healy, Tracey and Furlong would provide great impact against a tiring defence without weakening the scrum. We absolutely need one of Kearney or Mike Mac in the 2nd row to lock down the scrum (especially as Munster seemed to have found an excellent scrum from somewhere). Hopefully, Henshaw is fit enough to make the bench because Reid is being flogged at this stage and I'd rather not have Henshaw coming in cold against Castres or Montpellier.

[Ruckedtobits]

A bit unfair to say Ruddock has had a quiet start to the season when he only came back from injury against the Ospreys.

I think a sub front row of Healy, Tracey and Furlong would provide great impact against a tiring defence without weakening the scrum. We absolutely need one of Kearney or Mike Mac in the 2nd row to lock down the scrum (especially as Munster seemed to have found an excellent scrum from somewhere). Hopefully, Henshaw is fit enough to make the bench because Reid is being flogged at this stage and I'd rather not have Henshaw coming in cold against Castres or Montpellier.

+1

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Reid has played every minute of every game hasn't be? He's certainly played a lot anyway...so I have a feeling in my bones that Henshaw might be pencilled in to return next week. Big ask to make his debut in a game like that but we need to get him up to speed and he's the kind of guy who could thrive in the circumstances.

[Cianostays]

Certainly hope so but even if he's fit enough for the bench that would be great.

[Peg Leg]

Would be extremely unfair not let Reid have crack at Munster

[Cianostays]

Would be extremely unfair not let Reid have crack at Munster

For me anyway, it's nothing to do with his form. He's played every minute so far this season and has proven that he can be trusted to be our 12 with the internationals away. I don't want the poor guy flogged!

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[Peg Leg]

Would be extremely unfair not let Reid have crack at Munster

For me anyway, it's nothing to do with his form. He's played every minute so far this season and has proven that he can be trusted to be our 12 with the internationals away. I don't want the poor guy flogged!

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Agree with that sentiment but no way in hell he wants to lose that shirt, this week to a lad who's yet to tog out for us.

[simonokeeffe]

Reid has played every minute of every game hasn't be? He's certainly played a lot anyway...so I have a feeling in my bones that Henshaw might be pencilled in to return next week. Big ask to make his debut in a game like that but we need to get him up to speed and he's the kind of guy who could thrive in the circumstances.

Midfield is their main area of weakness at the moment

I like the idea of Ross coming on to balance out Toner switching to 5

[wixfjord]

A bit unfair to say Ruddock has had a quiet start to the season when he only came back from injury against the Ospreys.

I think a sub front row of Healy, Tracey and Furlong would provide great impact against a tiring defence without weakening the scrum. We absolutely need one of Kearney or Mike Mac in the 2nd row to lock down the scrum (especially as Munster seemed to have found an excellent scrum from somewhere). Hopefully, Henshaw is fit enough to make the bench because Reid is being flogged at this stage and I'd rather not have Henshaw coming in cold against Castres or Montpellier.

That's true, what I should've said is that he was quiet last night and none of Leavy/VDF/Jordi deserve to be dropped. Might need his bulk for scrum though.

[Ruckedtobits]

Reid has played every minute of every game hasn't be? He's certainly played a lot anyway...so I have a feeling in my bones that Henshaw might be pencilled in to return next week. Big ask to make his debut in a game like that but we need to get him up to speed and he's the kind of guy who could thrive in the circumstances.

Midfield is their main area of weakness at the moment

I like the idea of Ross coming on to balance out Toner switching to 5

But it doesn't Simon and never will. Tight-head lock is as specialist as tight-head prop and we must keep one of Mick Mc or Mick Kearney on the park through 80 minutes or watch our scrum disintegrate.

Re Noel Reid, delighted to see that his defence improves each week, but this isn't the Under 13's. When Henshaw is available, he comes in immediately as the class No 12 in the Club. It's not hard luck, it's professional sport. We signed Henshaw to play that position and nothing I have seen of Reid so far suggests that he is a better selection than Henshaw for the position.

[curates_egg]

Reid has played every minute of every game hasn't be? He's certainly played a lot anyway...so I have a feeling in my bones that Henshaw might be pencilled in to return next week. Big ask to make his debut in a game like that but we need to get him up to speed and he's the kind of guy who could thrive in the circumstances.

Midfield is their main area of weakness at the moment

I like the idea of Ross coming on to balance out Toner switching to 5

But it doesn't Simon and never will. Tight-head lock is as specialist as tight-head prop and we must keep one of Mick Mc or Mick Kearney on the park through 80 minutes or watch our scrum disintegrate.

Re Noel Reid, delighted to see that his defence improves each week, but this isn't the Under 13's. When Henshaw is available, he comes in immediately as the class No 12 in the Club. It's not hard luck, it's professional sport. We signed Henshaw to play that position and nothing I have seen of Reid so far suggests that he is a better selection than Henshaw for the position.

A curveball would be Reid AND Henshaw in the centre, with Ringrose on the wing. Dave on the left wing, Isa at fullback. All of this assumes Henshaw will be fit AND firing/on form. In which case, it is a nice luxury to have.

From what I saw of Gibson-Park last night, I would see a strong case for him being our first choice 9. But I haven't seen enough of this season to judge Luke McGrath's form, so that is just based on last season.

[Fan with smartphone]

The question is: where is henshaw's best position?

JGP looks good to me, although sexton did blow a bit of a head gasket with him kicking one away. I took that as a good sign of how Leinster are being told to play compared to recent seasons.

[alanair]

Don't rule out Henshaw for this one . Even if he's only 90% Joe will want to see him in action before Chicago trip...

[simonokeeffe]

The question is: where is henshaw's best position?.

13, 12 a close second but club and country need him there far more. 15 a distant third

On Ross coming on, It mighnt balance things perfectly and mentally I still have Ruddock on bench but its far less of a swing of going from starting TH triangle of Ross MK Ruddock to Furlong Toner Leavy

Guess a big factor is if they start a lock at 6 again or POM

[simonokeeffe]

F it I think we need to commit sacrilege and pick Toner, MK, and Maccer as our 3 locks for next 3 games

[Fan with smartphone]

The question is: where is henshaw's best position?.

13, 12 a close second but club and country need him there far more. 15 a distant third

On Ross coming on, It mighnt balance things perfectly and mentally I still have Ruddock on bench but its far less of a swing of going from starting TH triangle of Ross MK Ruddock to Furlong Toner Leavy

Guess a big factor is if they start a lock at 6 again or POM

Don't rule out Henshaw for this one . Even if he's only 90% Joe will want to see him in action before Chicago trip...

That is an angle to consider. Who is going to play 12-13 for Ireland? Marshall is injured, as is Olding, as is McCloskey. Jared Payne is possibly pencilled in as 15, with Kearney injured too. O'Halloran is fit, Ringrose is fit and Henshaw is almost fit. Darren Cave too has been picked before, but it would be a surprise to see him there. There aren't really any inside centres who Joe is going to pick then other than Henshaw. I'm not sure who will make it back to fitness, but it don't look good for olding or Marshall as far as I hear. McCloskey hasn't been so much in favour even if he does get back. So at the minute it kind of looks like: henshaw, Payne, O'Halloran; or henshaw, ringrose, Payne.

So yeah, he will likely come in as a 12. Have to say agree with Simon and am not at all sure that henshaw's best position is 12. He looked better at 13 for Connacht and I personally think Reid is playing better than Kirchner this season. But at the end of the day he is a proven international 12 and as rtb says he was probably signed as a 12. Plus leinster have lots of men who can play 15. I personally wouldn't be comfortable moving Ringrose from 13 curate's. It feels like the one part of the puzzle that is in the right place to me.