Leinster v Cardiff Sat 3PM TG4/Sky Sports

[wixfjord]

Shitballs, no Conan or Cronin.

Backline looks tasty.

I wonder might we see Strauss start next weekend?

[LeinsterLeader]

No Jack Conan. Hope he's not injured!. That would be a worry for the Wasps game if Heaslips not gonna make it

[paddyor]

No conan?

[goreyguy]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?
Conan injured or being minded with Heaslip out?

[Dave Cahill]

Conan injured or being minded with Heaslip out?

I'd suggest the latter is most likely

[wixfjord]

Cardiff Blues: Matthew Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Rey Lee-Lo, Steven Shingler, Blaine Scully (C); Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Corey Domachowski, Kristian Dacey, Anton Peikrishvili, George Earle, Jarrad Hoeata, Macauley Cook, Josh Navidi, Nick Williams

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews, Sion Bennett, Ellis Jenkins, Lloyd Williams, Willis Halaholo, Tom James

Should enough to beat that.

[arsebiscuits1]

You'd hope Conan is just getting the Cotton Wool treatment. We need a player like him against that Wasps backrow.

Exceptionally welcome returns for VDF, ROL and of course Isa!

Joey presumable to go to 10 for the last 20-25 and tear it up and reignite the 10 vs 15 debate.

[the spoofer]

Worrying that we have heard nothing about Dom Ryan. He was injured in the Scarletts match but there has been no mention since that I can recall.

[curates_egg]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?

I never got the memo that Tracy had overtaken Strauss. He had some very good moments while Strauss was out injured; Strauss looks like he is back to a high level, maybe not the level of 4/5 years ago but still.
If Cronin really is fit, then I guess they are in a shoot-out for the matchday 23 next weekend.

[goreyguy]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?

I never got the memo that Tracy had overtaken Strauss. He had some very good moments while Strauss was out injured; Strauss looks like he is back to a high level, maybe not the level of 4/5 years ago but still.
If Cronin really is fit, then I guess they are in a shoot-out for the matchday 23 next weekend.

you weren't paying attention then, he was clearly 2nd choice hooker for awhile.

[wixfjord]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?

I never got the memo that Tracy had overtaken Strauss. He had some very good moments while Strauss was out injured; Strauss looks like he is back to a high level, maybe not the level of 4/5 years ago but still.
If Cronin really is fit, then I guess they are in a shoot-out for the matchday 23 next weekend.

The bit where Tracy got into the Ireland squad?

[curates_egg]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?

I never got the memo that Tracy had overtaken Strauss. He had some very good moments while Strauss was out injured; Strauss looks like he is back to a high level, maybe not the level of 4/5 years ago but still.
If Cronin really is fit, then I guess they are in a shoot-out for the matchday 23 next weekend.

you weren't paying attention then, he was clearly 2nd choice hooker for awhile.

When Strauss was not fully fit, as far as I remember it. Strauss was injured when Tracy got selected for Ireland, no?

Regardless, we have a pretty interesting squad dilemma at hooker.
Strauss (31, 17 caps) looking like he is finally back to form and fitness.
Cronin (30, 56 caps) just back from a pretty bad injury but on possibly the best form of his career prior to that.
Tracy (25, 2 caps) looking like he was starting to become a more complete hooker before Christmas.

I have to confess to having a fond spot for Strauss, who has left nothing on the line for us, and I would love to see him get back to his best. He is still young enough and has spent plenty of time on the sidelines over the past 3 years, so hasn't totally maxed out his engine; on the flipside, that also means he has struggle with injuries - not least, head/concussion. It could be a crucial few games for his future though, as noted earlier in the thread.

[wixfjord]

When you look at the evolution of our side it's incredible that next weekend we could have Conan, VDF/Leavy, Furlong, McGrath, Byrne, Ringrose, ROL starting and possibly Tracy, Molony, Leavy, Byrne/Carbery benching.

Not one of those were in the 23 for our last Euro QF!

[Oldschool]

15. Joey Carbery (16)
14. Adam Byrne (18)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (16)
12. Noel Reid (78)
11. Isa Nacewa (164) CAPTAIN
10. Ross Byrne (18)
9. Luke McGrath (69)
1. Cian Healy (167)
2. Richardt Strauss (141)
3. Michael Bent (81)
4. Ross Molony (38)
5. Hayden Triggs (25)
6. Dan Leavy (32)
7. Josh van der Flier (38)
8. Rhys Ruddock (125)

16. James Tracy (35)
17. Peter Dooley (33)
18. Mike Ross (148)
19. Mick Kearney (18)
20. Max Deegan (3)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (22)
22. Tom Daly (6)
23. Fergus McFadden (146)

Isa starting in his best position.

[wixfjord]

Came back on 5th November and has been fit since then, but Tracy played more and in the bigger games.

Tracy had definitely moved into second, but I've a feeling that being in Ireland camp over 6N was actually a hindrance to him with Strauss playing so well. If Cronin is out I'd back Strauss to start against Wasps. Even if Cronin is fit I don't think you can start him.

[Oldschool]

Strauss overtaken Tracy?

I never got the memo that Tracy had overtaken Strauss. He had some very good moments while Strauss was out injured; Strauss looks like he is back to a high level, maybe not the level of 4/5 years ago but still.
If Cronin really is fit, then I guess they are in a shoot-out for the matchday 23 next weekend.

You mustn't be on the circulation list.

[matt]

15. Joey Carbery (16)
14. Adam Byrne (18)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (16)
12. Noel Reid (78)
11. Isa Nacewa (164) CAPTAIN
10. Ross Byrne (18)
9. Luke McGrath (69)
1. Cian Healy (167)
2. Richardt Strauss (141)
3. Michael Bent (81)
4. Ross Molony (38)
5. Hayden Triggs (25)
6. Dan Leavy (32)
7. Josh van der Flier (38)
8. Rhys Ruddock (125)

16. James Tracy (35)
17. Peter Dooley (33)
18. Mike Ross (148)
19. Mick Kearney (18)
20. Max Deegan (3)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (22)
22. Tom Daly (6)
23. Fergus McFadden (146)

Isa starting in his best position.

So we can add Henshaw, Ringrose, Sexton, J.McGrath, Furlong, Toner, Conan, O'Brien into the 23 for Wasps probably for McFadden, Daly, Reid or R.Byrne, Dooley, Ross, M.Kearney, Deegan & Ruddock or Molony.

Any word on current state of fitness R.Kearney, Cronin, Heaslip & whether they could feature next week? Am hoping Conan just being rested. Good to see Isa & VDF back.

[goreyguy]

Heaslip and Kearney are out for wasps.

[johng]

Every Leinster European game in history bar about 6 has had either Heaslip or big Vic starting at 8. That number is finally set to increase.

[BlueBlue]

That doesn't sit well, No Heaslip No Kearny .

Do you think Paul Kimmage could help, maybe tell Jamie the pretending has gone too far.