Leinster v Saracens

[CiaranIrl]

I'd be delighted to see:

Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Ryan, Toner, Fardy, Leavy, Conan, McGrath, Sexton, Daly, Isa, Ringrose, McFadden, Kearney

Byrne, McGrath, Porter, O'Brien, Jordi, Carberry, McCarthy, Lowe

(Or JGP & Larmour on bench alternatively)

[simonokeeffe]

Im worried about Liam Williams v any no11 we have

[alanair]

We will be on a roll

IMO backrow is ok if we have Conan, Leavy, Murphy

+1
Can't see any prospect of Rhys at this stage. He had a serious injury which requires significent rehab time.

Which front-row starts and for how long?
Which second-row and for how long?
What mid-field and what cover?
What back three and what cover?
Is it worth risking SOB?
Presume Luke starts at 9;
Not certain that Lowe's defence is worth risking when Ferg is an option;
Really looking forward to seeing Rob K beside Barry Daly;
Even more looking forward to Ringer beside Isa with Daly outside him;
Will Joey get the 10 shirt to give J10 a full recovery?

There's certainly plenty to keep Leo, Burt and Girv scratching their heads a bit. But they'll prefer their problems to those of Mark McCall.

wouldnt risk SOB... he takes a couple of games to get up to speed.... and even the Cameo we saw V Scarlets wasnt great...

[lotmc]

We are a better team, and playing at home. Only concern is that Sarries will potentially be hungrier, if Leinster are still being dazzled by their shiny 6N medals. Sarries will be out for revenge, and to distance themselves from England's disastrous 6N campaign.
If we are mentally right at kick off, we will win.

[johng]

Isn't there an outside chance of them having Billy v?

[curates_egg]

I've been having nightmares about the impact of the 6 Nations on our prospects...but I just saw the Munster injury update and I guess it could be worse.

I guess we are waiting on news from Luke McGrath, JGP, Johnny's hamstring/back, Ross Byrne, SOB, Ruddock...
I guess Henshaw might be back for the semi finals weekend, if we got there? JVDF after that?

[cormac]

Pretty sure both Henshaw and van der Flier are out for the season

[paddyor]

Isn't there an outside chance of them having Billy v?

Was reported as 12 weeks from 13/01.

[Oldschool]

Isn't there an outside chance of them having Billy v?

Was reported as 12 weeks from 13/01.

Mind games

[johng]

Isn't there an outside chance of them having Billy v?

Was reported as 12 weeks from 13/01.

That would be next weekend. They are playing Quins.

[lotmc]

Poster on Saracens forum says he was wearing an arm brace before the Ireland game in Twickenham, and when asked when he would be ready to play again he said "weeks".

On face of it that makes it unlikely that he will feature in the QF.

[johng]

Not if it's 2 weeks. There is another poster saying he could be on the bench next week

[simonokeeffe]

Are they desperate enough to rush him back befores hes ready? Might be in our favour if he plays and hes not fit

[Blue not red blood]

Iirc he was very poor and unfit when he came back to play for England in Dublin last March.
Would look like a man who needs games to be match fit

[mildlyinterested]

https://t.co/EvH16qbjtT?amp=1

[cormac]

Indo is reporting that McGrath, Ruddock and Seanie will all be fit for the Saracens match

[desperado]

the IT is a little more circumspect. It would be great if we can pick from a fuller deck.

[bluemagic]

Indo is reporting that McGrath, Ruddock and Seanie will all be fit for the Saracens match

That would be a huge boost. Hopefully all 3 get some game time this saturday

[neiliog93]

I can't see Ruddock making it based on the prognosis of his injury. SOB probably will, a shoulder stinger is not a big deal. Indo reporting L.McGrath will feature vs Ospreys so he'll probably make it. If this speculation is correct, my back 5 in the pack would be as follows:

4.Toner 5.Fardy

6.Leavy 8.Jo.Murphy (on form ahead of Conan) 7.SOB

19.Ja.Ryan 20.Conan

James Ryan being excluded is tough but he provides the best impact off the bench. Sarries have a very good line-out and Toner can counteract that, while these sort of occasions were made for Scott Fardy.

[Edna Kenny]

Is there an argument to play Fardy at 6 for this?

6 Fardy, 7. Leavy. 8 Conan with Jordi on the bench (that's on the basis SOB and Ruddock not being available)