Ospreys v Leinster Sat 3pm - Live on Sky

[scentofgunpowder]

Why not return Henshaw to his natural home @15 - he's wasted as a bosh merchant - and bring Carbery to 10 and have Sexton play 12. These two can then interchange.

As a Connacht fan people saying Henshaw is a natural 15 makes me despair. He was played there in his debut season to ease him into professional rugby and to avoid having a teenager playing 13. He was a centre in school and was straight back into centre for Connacht once he had matured a bit. I have always thought he's a better 13 but he certainly wasn't "wasted at 12" at the weekend

[Oldschool]

I can Sexton being given a break definitely. Said after he's had a shoulder injury since Wales. Carbery to out half or Byrne in there IMO.

If Sexton is carrying a dodgy shoulder then Carberry should be benched with RB starting.

[Oldschool]

Why not return Henshaw to his natural home @15 - he's wasted as a bosh merchant - and bring Carbery to 10 and have Sexton play 12. These two can then interchange.

As a Connacht fan people saying Henshaw is a natural 15 makes me despair. He was played there in his debut season to ease him into professional rugby and to avoid having a teenager playing 13. He was a centre in school and was straight back into centre for Connacht once he had matured a bit. I have always thought he's a better 13 but he certainly wasn't "wasted at 12" at the weekend

Pay no heed. Some posters will suggest anything to ensure RK never plays FB for Leinster again, never mind Ireland.

[Ruckedtobits]

Certainly believe that Joey should continue as full back, ideally with same wingers. Byrne for No. 10, if J10 not available.

Need to get forwards who may be required, gametime at this standard. It's now getting important to ensure that guys covering key positions have quality preparation.

Possibly:
1. Cian
2. Cronin
3. Bent
4. Triggs
5. Dev / Molony
6. Rhys
7. Josh
8. SO'B / Conan
9. JGP
10. Byrne R
11. Isa/ Daly B
12. Reid
13. Kirchner
14. Ferg
15. Joey

Bench
16. Treacy
17. Dooley
18. Porter
19. Dev/ Molony
20. SO'B /Conan
21. McGrath L
22. Daly T
23. Isa / Daly B

[wixfjord]

ROL at 13 surely? I'd say DK will get a bench spot at least if he's avail too, would be a handy guy to have back in the squad.

[johng]

We should go balls out to beat Ospreys and then can rest some lads against Connacht.

+1
Win this one with four match points to zero and we will need only three further points from last three matches to mathematically secure home semi.

I totally agree with spoofer on this one. The opposing view on Bluestalk was that management will prioritise Clermont and rest players this week. I hope not.

4 match points to zero puts us on 74 and the Os on 64. 16 wins to 13. Three games left giving the Os a possible maximum of 79 points and 16 wins. "Mathematically" we need 6 points from 3 games. Or 5 points including a win.

[Ruckedtobits]

ROL at 13 surely? I'd say DK will get a bench spot at least if he's avail too, would be a handy guy to have back in the squad.

Would agree with both of those @wixfjord. We've got to the point that you need the full Squad list in front of you when picking any team.

[Cianostays]

It's a difficult balancing act for the coaching staff. Some rotation is possible though without hurting our chances in Swansea. For me 1-23:

Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Moloney, Ruddock, VDF, Conan, JGP, Byrne, Dave K, Henshaw, RO'L, Ferg, Carberry, Strauss, McGrath, Bent, SO'B, Leavy, McGrath, Isa, Ringrose.

I think that's a serious squad that could get the job done whilst still allowing us to manage key players gametime for Lyon. Really the only starter from Wasps who I'd like to see playing the full 160 mins against Ospreys and Connacht is Carberry @ 15 if possible.



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[rdsblue]

Certainly believe that Joey should continue as full back, ideally with same wingers. Byrne for No. 10, if J10 not available.

Need to get forwards who may be required, gametime at this standard. It's now getting important to ensure that guys covering key positions have quality preparation.

Possibly:
1. Cian
2. Cronin
3. Bent
4. Triggs
5. Dev / Molony
6. Rhys
7. Josh
8. SO'B / Conan
9. JGP
10. Byrne R
11. Isa/ Daly B
12. Reid
13. Kirchner
14. Ferg
15. Joey

Bench
16. Treacy
17. Dooley
18. Porter
19. Dev/ Molony
20. SO'B /Conan
21. McGrath L
22. Daly T
23. Isa / Daly B

I'd be wary of including Porter as a tight head at this level so soon even if it's only for 10 or 20 minutes off the bench. Ospreys have a few experienced loose heads such as Paul James or Nicky Smith who would target young Andrew. I do think the idea of making AP into a tight head is a good one as he certainly has the physique for the position and hopefully can learn the technical details but Leinster should bring him slowly. A few games at A level as well as the UBL experience he is getting should move him on over time.

[the spoofer]

Certainly believe that Joey should continue as full back, ideally with same wingers. Byrne for No. 10, if J10 not available.

Need to get forwards who may be required, gametime at this standard. It's now getting important to ensure that guys covering key positions have quality preparation.

Possibly:
1. Cian
2. Cronin
3. Bent
4. Triggs
5. Dev / Molony
6. Rhys
7. Josh
8. SO'B / Conan
9. JGP
10. Byrne R
11. Isa/ Daly B
12. Reid
13. Kirchner
14. Ferg
15. Joey

Bench
16. Treacy
17. Dooley
18. Porter
19. Dev/ Molony
20. SO'B /Conan
21. McGrath L
22. Daly T
23. Isa / Daly B

I'd be wary of including Porter as a tight head at this level so soon even if it's only for 10 or 20 minutes off the bench. Ospreys have a few experienced loose heads such as Paul James or Nicky Smith who would target young Andrew. I do think the idea of making AP into a tight head is a good one as he certainly has the physique for the position and hopefully can learn the technical details but Leinster should bring him slowly. A few games at A level as well as the UBL experience he is getting should move him on over time.

People who include Porter in a match day 23 as TH have never worn the number 3 jersey!

[curates_egg]

Who retired Mike Ross?

[olaf the fat]

We should go balls out to beat Ospreys and then can rest some lads against Connacht.

+1
Win this one with four match points to zero and we will need only three further points from last three matches to mathematically secure home semi.

I totally agree with spoofer on this one. The opposing view on Bluestalk was that management will prioritise Clermont and rest players this week. I hope not.

4 match points to zero puts us on 74 and the Os on 64. 16 wins to 13. Three games left giving the Os a possible maximum of 79 points and 16 wins. "Mathematically" we need 6 points from 3 games. Or 5 points including a win.

The Pro 12's stock has certainly gone up. I think the same when it comes to Os/Clermont or league/cup - Its a great luxury to even consider if we should how we approach a european semi final / league run in. I think we will prioritise the sf over the league games, but even to question is good.

Before, there would have been no question at all. Maybe thanks to the introduction of the grand final, a result us besting the AP leaders last week or the chance of a Leinster Munster CC final and Pro 12 final back to back - whatever, its great to see our league getting more respect.

[Lar]

People who include Porter in a match day 23 as TH have never worn the number 3 jersey!

Very few have I suspect - not at any reasonably serious level anyway.

[goreyguy]

Porter needs more time at AIL/A level before he plays pro 12.

[Ruckedtobits]

Who retired Mike Ross?

Unless Mike has been really putting in the yards at training, he is a major impediment to playing the way we are trying to do at present and, in particular, will be "targeted" in defence, because of his limitations in lateral movement.

If we could get Porter in for 20 mins with possibly 3/4 scrums- hopefully not with game in the balance - it would be a huge advancement in his transition to TH. However, totally accept that it would be a gamble at this point and, despite my comments about Rossy elsewhere, he would be the more logical choice.

[the spoofer]

Who retired Mike Ross?

Unless Mike has been really putting in the yards at training, he is a major impediment to playing the way we are trying to do at present and, in particular, will be "targeted" in defence, because of his limitations in lateral movement.

If we could get Porter in for 20 mins with possibly 3/4 scrums- hopefully not with game in the balance - it would be a huge advancement in his transition to TH. However, totally accept that it would be a gamble at this point and, despite my comments about Rossy elsewhere, he would be the more logical choice.

Problem with getting someone in for 20 minutes is that's not always how it works out and I wouldn't like to face the O's with a rookie for 60 minutes, we'd get reamed.

[cormac]

Lacey is the ref for this one.

[ChrisUppy]

Who retired Mike Ross?

Unless Mike has been really putting in the yards at training, he is a major impediment to playing the way we are trying to do at present and, in particular, will be "targeted" in defence, because of his limitations in lateral movement.

If we could get Porter in for 20 mins with possibly 3/4 scrums- hopefully not with game in the balance - it would be a huge advancement in his transition to TH. However, totally accept that it would be a gamble at this point and, despite my comments about Rossy elsewhere, he would be the more logical choice.

You're hoping to have the Ospreys killed off with 20 mins to go away from home with the likes of Reid and Kirchner starting the centres? I think you may be underestimating the Os a little

[the spoofer]

Lacey is the ref for this one.

We are screwed, not like a Clancy screwing but screwed all the same.

[Oldschool]

Lacey is the ref for this one.

We are screwed, not like a Clancy screwing but screwed all the same.

Is there any difference in the end?