Leinster vs Castres Sat Oct 15th @ 15:15

[Cianostays]

Ah Europe

Our performances in recent weeks have given us a reason to be optimistic for the pool campaign this year imo. A win is the minimum requirement and is very much achievable but if there is a sniff of a bp then we have to be ruthless and go for it.

My team (1-15): McGrath, Cronin, Ross, Toner, Mick K, Ruddock, VDF, Heaslip, McGrath, Sexton, Dave K/Isa, Henshaw, Ringrose, Isa/O'Loughlin, Rob K
(16-23): Tracey, Healy, Furlong, Moloney, Leavy, JGP, Carberry, Reid

[simonokeeffe]

Think that team is both accurate and desirable
Only one Id predict otherwise is Jordi at 20

[Cianostays]

Good shout that. Between Ruddock, Murphy, VDF and Leavy some poor fupper is going to miss out.

[curates_egg]

Wouldn't have O'Loughlin starting on the wing: he did not look ready for a H-Cup game out of position on yesterday's evidence. He could become a very handy player for us and has pace, which has been a rarity for us, but not by throwing him into big games out of position. If none of Kirchner/Kearney/McFadden/Byrne is fit, then we have no choice though I guess.

Would also go for Gibson-Park but that is clearly a forum-dividing issue.

Regardless, we have a good squad in a good place and it looks like we have built nicely towards this part of the season.

[wixfjord]

That'd be the team I'd pick too. Ross/Furlong is probably the most debatable.
VDF has to come back in and Rhys put in a big shift yesterday.

I'd say Nagle might bench too, but we need one of Mick K or McCarthy for this, Castres are a big old French pack.

[Oldschool]

Wouldn't have O'Loughlin starting on the wing: he did not look ready for a H-Cup game out of position on yesterday's evidence. He could become a very handy player for us and has pace, which has been a rarity for us, but not by throwing him into big games out of position. If none of Kirchner/Kearney/McFadden/Byrne is fit, then we have no choice though I guess.

Would also go for Gibson-Park but that is clearly a forum-dividing issue.

Regardless, we have a good squad in a good place and it looks like we have built nicely towards this part of the season.

Just to add to the division - GP does some things well, McGrath does some things well.
The difference at this stage is that McGrath has the edge mentally and probably physically.

[Oldschool]

That'd be the team I'd pick too. Ross/Furlong is probably the most debatable.
VDF has to come back in and Rhys put in a big shift yesterday.

I'd say Nagle might bench too, but we need one of Mick K or McCarthy for this, Castres are a big old French pack.

Yeah you'd want a TH SR for the french games.

[FourMasters]

Leo rightly commented on Leinster's under par maul defence. Interestingly, we only tried one line-out maul in 80 minutes, and it was motoring until an error (by Devon?)
Our maul has been very strong in the past few years, wonder if we were keeping it under wraps. Could see a few against Castres, especially in their 22.

Against Munster, I was shouting in disbelief at JGP when he picked the ball up from the back of a dominant scrum on the Munster 5-meter line, when Jamie seemed to be trying to keep it in. Maybe the referee told him to use it? Otherwise, he needs to be told what psychological damage a penalty does in that position. Get on top of french forwards when they're away, and their entire team can mentally check out of the hotel. Something he'll learn, but for me, suggests that McGrath starts this one.

[simonokeeffe]

Leo rightly commented on Leinster's under par maul defence. Interestingly, we only tried one line-out maul in 80 minutes, and it was motoring until an error (by Devon?)
Our maul has been very strong in the past few years, wonder if we were keeping it under wraps. Could see a few against Castres, especially in their 22.

Definitely agree on frequency
On that penalty looked to me like the Munster locks were illegally on wrong side and were shunting Toner and Cronin as they retreated to their own side via the back of our maul

[Aussiedub]

Leo rightly commented on Leinster's under par maul defence. Interestingly, we only tried one line-out maul in 80 minutes, and it was motoring until an error (by Devon?)
Our maul has been very strong in the past few years, wonder if we were keeping it under wraps. Could see a few against Castres, especially in their 22.

Against Munster, I was shouting in disbelief at JGP when he picked the ball up from the back of a dominant scrum on the Munster 5-meter line, when Jamie seemed to be trying to keep it in. Maybe the referee told him to use it? Otherwise, he needs to be told what psychological damage a penalty does in that position. Get on top of french forwards when they're away, and their entire team can mentally check out of the hotel. Something he'll learn, but for me, suggests that McGrath starts this one.

Pretty sure the ref said to use it.

[Peg Leg]

I thought you could keep the ball in a scrum as long as you want?
this has happened a few times now.

[wixfjord]

According to Gezza in the IT this morning, SOB could be back for this one. Leo hinted at it in post match presser.

Don't think I'd throw him in yet personally. We're well stocked with in for guys in the back row. A run out in the B&I cup would be better and get him ready to bench away to Montpellier?

[Dave Cahill]

I thought you could keep the ball in a scrum as long as you want?
this has happened a few times now.

You can't anymlonger, when the ball has been held at the number 8s feet in a scrum that has been stationary for 3-5 seconds, the ref will call use it - since the 1st of July.

[the spoofer]

I thought you could keep the ball in a scrum as long as you want?
this has happened a few times now.

You can't anymlonger, when the ball has been held at the number 8s feet in a scrum that has been stationary for 3-5 seconds, the ref will call use it - since the 1st of July.

Another is that you can kick a penalty to touch and have the lineout even when the clock is in the red.

An interesting one on Friday. Connacht had a free kick, last play and ref said he couldn't kick it directly into touch. Why was that?

[Armchair]

I thought you could keep the ball in a scrum as long as you want?
this has happened a few times now.

You can't anymlonger, when the ball has been held at the number 8s feet in a scrum that has been stationary for 3-5 seconds, the ref will call use it - since the 1st of July.

Another is that you can kick a penalty to touch and have the lineout even when the clock is in the red.

An interesting one on Friday. Connacht had a free kick, last play and ref said he couldn't kick it directly into touch. Why was that?

TV clock was wrong, Refs watch is the only one that matters

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The penalty has to have been given before the 80 minutes is up. I thought it had been but I'm guessing the ref didn't.

[offshorerules]

Leo rightly commented on Leinster's under par maul defence. Interestingly, we only tried one line-out maul in 80 minutes, and it was motoring until an error (by Devon?)
Our maul has been very strong in the past few years, wonder if we were keeping it under wraps. Could see a few against Castres, especially in their 22.

Against Munster, I was shouting in disbelief at JGP when he picked the ball up from the back of a dominant scrum on the Munster 5-meter line, when Jamie seemed to be trying to keep it in. Maybe the referee told him to use it? Otherwise, he needs to be told what psychological damage a penalty does in that position. Get on top of french forwards when they're away, and their entire team can mentally check out of the hotel. Something he'll learn, but for me, suggests that McGrath starts this one.

Ref told him to use it.

[FourMasters]

Leo rightly commented on Leinster's under par maul defence. Interestingly, we only tried one line-out maul in 80 minutes, and it was motoring until an error (by Devon?)
Our maul has been very strong in the past few years, wonder if we were keeping it under wraps. Could see a few against Castres, especially in their 22.

Against Munster, I was shouting in disbelief at JGP when he picked the ball up from the back of a dominant scrum on the Munster 5-meter line, when Jamie seemed to be trying to keep it in. Maybe the referee told him to use it? Otherwise, he needs to be told what psychological damage a penalty does in that position. Get on top of french forwards when they're away, and their entire team can mentally check out of the hotel. Something he'll learn, but for me, suggests that McGrath starts this one.

Ref told him to use it.

Cheers, offshorerules and AussieDub. Wasn't aware of the new rules. Well, I can't say I'm disappointed, I'm not clamouring for more and longer scrums in the game

[neiliog93]

Actually enforcing the use it rule at scrums is key to stopping French teams from leaving it in for 15 seconds, before eventually rolling forward and getting a penalty. Speeds up the game.

[molloyjh]

Actually enforcing the use it rule at scrums is key to stopping French teams from leaving it in for 15 seconds, before eventually rolling forward and getting a penalty. Speeds up the game.

Now if they'd only hurry up in getting the scrum set up and going we'd be laughing.