Leinster v Wasps Aviva Stadium 1st April KO 3.15 BT

[El Diablo]

Dan Leavy and Jack Conan to start, JVF on the bench, Strauss starting ahead of Tracey. Back 3 of Byrne, Carbery & Isa.
The rest as expected, no surprises....."reliable source".

Your omission of the name of the 4th BRower has been duly noted.

I didnt want to insult your knowledge! I'm sure SOB was virtually the 1st name on the teamsheet.

[ChrisUppy]

I'd be very glad if Conan and Leavy started. Their current form has really been top notch and it would be bad form imo to parachute VdF back in ahead of Leavy without him winning back the jersey first.

As for the back three... now that's a ballsy call. We asked for someone to back the youth and Leo is certainly doing that! Good on him I say - getting that backing from your coaches could really kick those guys on.

For how many in this team will it be their first knock out European match? By a rough estimate in my head it could be as many as 13 or 14 of the 23. Whatever the result this weekend, the group will take a lot from the match

[Oldschool]

Dan Leavy and Jack Conan to start, JVF on the bench, Strauss starting ahead of Tracey. Back 3 of Byrne, Carbery & Isa.
The rest as expected, no surprises....."reliable source".

Your omission of the name of the 4th BRower has been duly noted.

I didnt want to insult your knowledge! I'm sure SOB was virtually the 1st name on the teamsheet.

It's my memory - that's the second time this week that I've neglected to remember the great man himself.
Apologies to both of you.

[Oldschool]

I'd be very glad if Conan and Leavy started. Their current form has really been top notch and it would be bad form imo to parachute VdF back in ahead of Leavy without him winning back the jersey first.

As for the back three... now that's a ballsy call. We asked for someone to back the youth and Leo is certainly doing that! Good on him I say - getting that backing from your coaches could really kick those guys on.

For how many in this team will it be their first knock out European match? By a rough estimate in my head it could be as many as 13 or 14 of the 23. Whatever the result this weekend, the group will take a lot from the match

In Leo-et-Burt-et-al we trust.

[wixfjord]

I'd be very glad if Conan and Leavy started. Their current form has really been top notch and it would be bad form imo to parachute VdF back in ahead of Leavy without him winning back the jersey first.

As for the back three... now that's a ballsy call. We asked for someone to back the youth and Leo is certainly doing that! Good on him I say - getting that backing from your coaches could really kick those guys on.

For how many in this team will it be their first knock out European match? By a rough estimate in my head it could be as many as 13 or 14 of the 23. Whatever the result this weekend, the group will take a lot from the match

Was trying to calculate that in another thread.
In terms of not having been in a Champ Cup knockout squad, I think it's
Tracy, Furlong, Triggs, Leavy, VDF, Conan, McGrath, A. Byrne, Henshaw, Ringrose, Carbery, Bent (?), Molony, VDF, JGP, R. Byrne,

Obviously some of them have experienced bigger occasions, but that's a serious amount of inexperience to be carrying!

[Oldschool]

I'd be very glad if Conan and Leavy started. Their current form has really been top notch and it would be bad form imo to parachute VdF back in ahead of Leavy without him winning back the jersey first.

As for the back three... now that's a ballsy call. We asked for someone to back the youth and Leo is certainly doing that! Good on him I say - getting that backing from your coaches could really kick those guys on.

For how many in this team will it be their first knock out European match? By a rough estimate in my head it could be as many as 13 or 14 of the 23. Whatever the result this weekend, the group will take a lot from the match

Was trying to calculate that in another thread.
In terms of not having been in a Champ Cup knockout squad, I think it's
Tracy, Furlong, Triggs, Leavy, VDF, Conan, McGrath, A. Byrne, Henshaw, Ringrose, Carbery, Bent (?), Molony, VDF, JGP, R. Byrne,

Obviously some of them have experienced bigger occasions, but that's a serious amount of inexperience to be carrying!

Young for sure but more than half them will backbone the Ireland team in the not too distant future.

[wixfjord]

I'd be very glad if Conan and Leavy started. Their current form has really been top notch and it would be bad form imo to parachute VdF back in ahead of Leavy without him winning back the jersey first.

As for the back three... now that's a ballsy call. We asked for someone to back the youth and Leo is certainly doing that! Good on him I say - getting that backing from your coaches could really kick those guys on.

For how many in this team will it be their first knock out European match? By a rough estimate in my head it could be as many as 13 or 14 of the 23. Whatever the result this weekend, the group will take a lot from the match

Was trying to calculate that in another thread.
In terms of not having been in a Champ Cup knockout squad, I think it's
Tracy, Furlong, Triggs, Leavy, VDF, Conan, McGrath, A. Byrne, Henshaw, Ringrose, Carbery, Bent (?), Molony, VDF, JGP, R. Byrne,

Obviously some of them have experienced bigger occasions, but that's a serious amount of inexperience to be carrying!

Young for sure but more than half them will backbone the Ireland team in the not too distant future.

We need a good few of them to step and backbone our side this weekend.

[riocard911]

I would hope the time Sexton, Henshaw and Ringrose spent on and off the pitch together during the 6 Nations will give us the edge. I too am thrilled with the youthful look of the suggested selection. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí!!!! Nevertheless the leadership of the likes of SO'B, Strauss and Isa will be essential!!!

[blockhead]

Is Nugget a definite non starter then?

[neiliog93]

Is Nugget a definite non starter then?

No game time so presumably yes (same applies to Dave Kearney).

[desperado]

Ballsy alright. I'd have McFadden for experience and hardness. An A on the Rockwell scale. I'd be a little worried about ABs defence. We need to suffocate this Wasps team from the off; at least for the first 20 or so. The Somme with the odd rapier thrust rather than gunfight at the OK corral. Would be v nervous if we start fast an loose.

[johng]

Ruddock and O'Brien of course

[Oldschool]

Ruddock and O'Brien of course

So likely bench.
Tracey Healy Bent Ruddock JDVF Byrne Gibson-Park McFadden or maybe O'Loughlin

[neiliog93]

Ruddock and O'Brien of course

So likely bench.
Tracey Healy Bent Ruddock JDVF Byrne Gibson-Park McFadden or maybe O'Loughlin

I think McFadden will start, with A.Byrne on the bench. I also think they'll go for a real second row, McCarthy or Molony, instead of Ruddock as no.19. Ruddock has a shot at upseating VDF as the sub back row, but probably won't make it. Harsh on him but that's the way it is with our depth there. I can also see Cronin beating Tracy to the sub hooker spot, even without game time.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'm sure Ruddock will be bench but if not then he's incredibly unlucky not to be involved.

God help anyone in Josh' way when he leaves the bench.

I have concerns about the back three defensively too but assuming Ferg is on the bench then that's a big change that we can make if necessary. I'd also back the young guys to bounce back though and can't imagine our tackling will be as weak or our line speed as passive as it was last weekend. I've already said that Wasps are really well set up to expose us out wide but I'm also hopeful that we can deny them enough ball to make it count.

[Blue Man]

Selection is very uncertain. This reflects the challenge faced by Leinster of losing so many players to the 6 Nations along with some injuries.
It's particularly hard to know who will partner Toner; McCarthy, Kearney/Molony/Nagle and whether Ruddock or a specialist lock will be on the bench.

I wonder whether Kirchner will recover and make the back three, particularly after A Byrne's nightmare last Saturday?

We really need JS to last 80 minutes and replicate his performance Vs England.

[johng]

no one believes el diablo's inside info on the back three?

[El Diablo]

no one believes el diablo's inside info on the back three?

I am very upset
Oh yeah of little faith. Obviously no one believes me.

[bargepole]

Latest betting odds:

Leinster 4/7
Wasps 6/4
Draw 25/1

Handicap market:

Leinster -4pts 10/11
Wasps +4pts 10/11

But I wouldn't be betting the house on any of those.

[Laighin Break]

I fondly remember the trip to Adams Park a few years ago for the Challenge Cup QF.
On the way out, my dad overheard a Wasps fan looking on the bright side and saying to their friend "Well when you think about it, we scored 4 tries against Leinster"
Unfortunately the more recent results haven't been quite as enjoyable, but here's hoping that's reversed this weekend! If El Diablo's source is as reliable as he says, that's a brave back three to go for! Assuming Johnny well be raining a good few high balls down on Wasps, Isa and Byrne are good wingers to be chasing them.