Leinster v Wasps Aviva Stadium 1st April KO 3.15 BT

[Dundalk 1]

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ferg and DK on the wings. Adam Byrne picked a bad game to have a defensive shocker and he won't have Ross kicking to him.

Dave Kearney is injured and definitely won't be playing according to what he said on Saturday
On the other hand Conan said he was fine and not playing against Cardiff was precautionary only

[Grumpy Old Man]

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ferg and DK on the wings. Adam Byrne picked a bad game to have a defensive shocker and he won't have Ross kicking to him.

Dave Kearney is injured and definitely won't be playing according to what he said on Saturday
On the other hand Conan said he was fine and not playing against Cardiff was precautionary only

Update said that DK was returning to full training this week and will be assessed as the week goes on. You may well have better info though.

On the assumption that DK is not available, I still think we need to prioritise defence in considering who to play on the wing.

[Gearzbox2]

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ferg and DK on the wings. Adam Byrne picked a bad game to have a defensive shocker and he won't have Ross kicking to him.

Surely you couldn't throw DK in to a game of this importance with no matches behind him regardless

[Grumpy Old Man]

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ferg and DK on the wings. Adam Byrne picked a bad game to have a defensive shocker and he won't have Ross kicking to him.

Surely you couldn't throw DK in to a game of this importance with no matches behind him regardless

I'd give serious consideration to going with a proven defender with big game experience for this game. And stop calling me Shirley.

[Cianostays]

I'd say Lancaster will have Byrne doing not much else but hitting tackle bags all week. Some interesting calls to be made but I'd be a little disappointed if Byrne and O'Loughlin aren't involved on Sat.

Ruddock is the only choice to play 8 if Conan doesn't make it. I'd imagine that Wade will see a lot of box kicks down his throat and we'll be targeting the channel between Cipriani and Jimmy.

5 more sleeps

[simonokeeffe]

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ferg and DK on the wings. Adam Byrne picked a bad game to have a defensive shocker and he won't have Ross kicking to him.

Surely you couldn't throw DK in to a game of this importance with no matches behind him regardless

I'd give serious consideration to going with a proven defender with big game experience for this game. And stop calling me Shirley.

DK has to be marked down as he plays better with RK who is out injured

No way though he gets thrown in in a marginal call after months out injured straight into biggest game of the season

[Oldschool]

I'd say Lancaster will have Byrne doing not much else but hitting tackle bags all week. Some interesting calls to be made but I'd be a little disappointed if Byrne and O'Loughlin aren't involved on Sat.

Ruddock is the only choice to play 8 if Conan doesn't make it. I'd imagine that Wade will see a lot of box kicks down his throat and we'll be targeting the channel between Cipriani and Jimmy.

5 more sleeps

Byrne's first problem is that he needs to learn who to tackle.
The simple answer to that question is "his opposite number" (most of the time).
A simple adage for a winger is "if in doubt stay out".
Byrne comes in off his wing far too often and ends up tackling the wrong man as a result.
Sort that lack of judgement (knowledge) out and then he can work on his tackling, which in his case is very, very much the lesser evil.
Given that flaw, it would be a big risk to start him.

[brenno]

Yep didn't see Wasps game at the weekend

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/video/h ... -round-18/

Thanks for that link johng. God, I thought our defence was sh1te at the weekend, but Wasps defence was even worse and they had more internationals back than we had. To concede 5 tries to the 2nd from bottom team in the Prem is pretty bad, and even worse when 2 of the tries were conceded when Worcester were down to 14 men. Will we put out a more defensively sound back line - McF for A Byrne - think we probably should.

But that Wasps back line is porous. Wade might be a flier but he can't tackle for toffee and can see also see him bombarded with high balls by JS. Defence has always been a bit of an afterthought for Cipriani too. Send SOB and Conan down the 10 channel early on and see how he gets on. Mustn't kick ball down Beale's throat though as we know what he can do on the counter. And we need to hold discipline - Gopperth one of the best goal kickers in the Prem and Daly can knock them over from inside his own half.

Still with JS, Robbie, Ringrose, SOB and hopefuly Conan back, we should be confident. We have a better front and back row, a better 10-12-13, Wasps are stronger in second row, maybe stronger at 9 and in the back three. Will be a close and maybe high-scoring game, but with a sellout 50k crowd I think well do it.

[FLIP]

If Wasps do beat us they get a home semi final...

In Northampton?

I would have thought the Ricoh would be a better stadium in terms of basically everything?

EDIT: Coventry have a match on the 22nd, so that'd be why. Can't see why they just wouldn't have the match on the Sunday instead though.

[cormac]

If Wasps do beat us they get a home semi final...

In Northampton?

I would have thought the Ricoh would be a better stadium in terms of basically everything?

EDIT: Coventry have a match on the 22nd, so that'd be why. Can't see why they just wouldn't have the match on the Sunday instead though.

They can't play a "home" semi-final at their designated home ground.

[cormac]

Potential semi-final venues: if it's Clermont, it'll be in Lyon, if it's Toulon, it'll be in Nice

http://epcrugby.com/news/35293.php#.WNpAktIrLIU

[wixfjord]

Interesting to see Lancaster today talking about defending and attacking multi-phase rugby are two areas they'll be concentrating on this week. This would certainly make sense.

Our best shot at winning this is controlling the ball, controlling the tempo and playing a structured, smart game. It's a similar approach to how we'd play a big French side - don't give them anything, kick intelligently for grass or contest and don't give them a chance to counter, then rely on our ability to go through phases and defend stoutly.

Cips, Gopperth, Beale, Wade and Le Roux is a serious attack.
But each of those guys are suspect at some of the nuts and bolts of the game, including defence, positioning and the high ball.

If we do see A Byrne start, I'd love to give him a few cracks taking an inside ball from a wider scrum scenario. The try we scored from Castres is a good example. It's a plan we've used a lot and Gopperth/Cips aren't going to want to face him up.

[FLIP]

If Wasps do beat us they get a home semi final...

In Northampton?

I would have thought the Ricoh would be a better stadium in terms of basically everything?

EDIT: Coventry have a match on the 22nd, so that'd be why. Can't see why they just wouldn't have the match on the Sunday instead though.

They can't play a "home" semi-final at their designated home ground.

Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Still, Franklins Gardens even with the upgrades is a small stadium for a semi. Would have thought Milton Keynes, or Welford Road, would have been a better choice.

[Leoslovechild]

If Wasps do beat us they get a home semi final...

In Northampton?

I would have thought the Ricoh would be a better stadium in terms of basically everything?

EDIT: Coventry have a match on the 22nd, so that'd be why. Can't see why they just wouldn't have the match on the Sunday instead though.

They can't play a "home" semi-final at their designated home ground.

Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Still, Franklins Gardens even with the upgrades is a small stadium for a semi. Would have thought Milton Keynes, or Welford Road, would have been a better choice.

Probably the only ground they might actually fill...wont be too many from Clermont or Toulon making the trip

[olaf the fat]

Probably the only ground they might actually fill...wont be too many from Clermont or Toulon making the trip

Hopefully they will all be in France watching Leinster reach the final.

[johng]

Lack of ambition from both Wasps and the EPRC who have to approve the ground.

[Dave Cahill]

Apparently both Franchise FC and Aston Villa are at home that weekend which rules out Stadium MK and Villa Park

[neiliog93]

Can anyone see this being a bit of a high-scoring classic a la their '04 semi-final with Munster? I don't really care as long as Leinster win, but with the attacking brilliance of both sides we could get a classic in good weather.

[Ruckedtobits]

So, just how do we play against Wasps? How does Dai Young set out his stall against us? Is this Wasps team capable of closing down our threats? Will we try to close down theirs or just starve them of opportunities?

Just a reminder, this is team that Connacht beat in Galway, the team that drew 20-20 with Toulouse, but had the benefit of Zebre in their Pool. This is the team that shared 12 tries in a 35-35 draw with Exeter in Feb but were well beaten by Saracens in October. Top of the Premiership, but without a great record against the top teams.

Strength in depth and a hugely influential collection of overseas backs, but not a strong defensive unit and not an all-powerful pack. Wasps are entertaining, they are not easily beaten; they are used to surviving on less than 50% possession. But, IMO, they are the Newcastle United of the Premiership. Their outlook is, you score four, we'll score five.

For what its worth, this review is based on four of their key games this season:

Scrum: Two decent front-rows if they start with Moore. However, they don't tend to attack opposition scrums until the second half (possibly coinciding when Moore generally comes on). However, they do launch either of their two quick scrum-halves, or No 8, Hughes off attacking midfield scrums. Whoever is playing left flanker for us must never lose sight of the ball in their back-row.

Line-out: Wasps don't attack opposition line-outs in the air much. Reviewing their EPCR games against Connacht and Toulouse and their Premiership games against Sarries and Exeter, they see the line-out as an opportunity to maul and then re-start their backline. In each of those four games Wasps had a minority of possession - two draws (Exeter & Toulouse) and two losses - and that is certainly one key to defeating them. There is a real possibility of attacking their defensive line-outs, if we are prepared to put Dev at No 2 and panic their hooker to lobbing ball to No. 4 - Sale did it whilst Launchbury was with Eng and grabbed two defensive steals.

Mauls: Mullen, Launchbury, Haskell and Johnson are key to their mauls and they often try to "spin off" Johnson in possession at front / side of maul. A very abrasive carrier!

Overall, they have not shut down any significant opponent in past 1i months, except Leinster. It is not a strong point. Young at 7 is a decent flanker but no George Smith. He also concedes a lot of penalties as he tries to rob ball on deck, with both elbows in the dirt.

Attack them and take your points.

[Ruckedtobits]

So, just how do we play against Wasps? How does Dai Young set out his stall against us? Is this Wasps team capable of closing down our threats? Will we try to close down theirs or just starve them of opportunities?

Just a reminder, this is team that Connacht beat in Galway, the team that drew 20-20 with Toulouse, but had the benefit of Zebre in their Pool. This is the team that shared 12 tries in a 35-35 draw with Exeter in Feb but were well beaten by Saracens in October. Top of the Premiership, but without a great record against the top teams.

Strength in depth and a hugely influential collection of overseas backs, but not a strong defensive unit and not an all-powerful pack. Wasps are entertaining, they are not easily beaten; they are used to surviving on less than 50% possession. But, IMO, they are the Newcastle United of the Premiership. Their outlook is, you score four, we'll score five.

For what its worth, this review is based on four of their key games this season:

Scrum: Two decent front-rows if they start with Moore. However, they don't tend to attack opposition scrums until the second half (possibly coinciding when Moore generally comes on). However, they do launch either of their two quick scrum-halves, or No 8, Hughes off attacking midfield scrums. Whoever is playing left flanker for us must never lose sight of the ball in their back-row.

Line-out: Wasps don't attack opposition line-outs in the air much. Reviewing their EPCR games against Connacht and Toulouse and their Premiership games against Sarries and Exeter, they see the line-out as an opportunity to maul and then re-start their backline. In each of those four games Wasps had a minority of possession - two draws (Exeter & Toulouse) and two losses - and that is certainly one key to defeating them. There is a real possibility of attacking their defensive line-outs, if we are prepared to put Dev at No 2 and panic their hooker to lobbing ball to No. 4 - Sale did it whilst Launchbury was with Eng and grabbed two defensive steals.

Mauls: Mullen, Launchbury, Haskell and Johnson are key to their mauls and they often try to "spin off" Johnson in possession at front / side of maul. A very abrasive carrier!

Overall, they have not shut down any significant opponent in past 1i months, except Leinster. It is not a strong point. Young at 7 is a decent flanker but no George Smith. He also concedes a lot of penalties as he tries to rob ball on deck, with both elbows in the dirt.

Attack them and take your points.