Leinster Vs Benetton Rugby Sat 19.35 TG4

[LeinsterLeader]

Crikey! Considering we haven't taken a lot of risks for next week that's an extremely strong looking team

[Leoslovechild]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Jordan Larmour (16)
14. Fergus McFadden (167)
13. Rory O’Loughlin (39)
12. Noel Reid (98)
11. Barry Daly (24)
10. Joey Carbery (32)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (47)
1. Jack McGrath (127) CAPTAIN
2. Richardt Strauss (153)
3. Andrew Porter (24)
4. Ross Molony (61)
5. Ian Nagle (17)
6. Jordi Murphy (102)
7. Seán O’Brien (115)
8. Max Deegan (18)

16. James Tracy (60)
17. Ed Byrne (22)
18. Michael Bent (104)
19. Mick Kearney (33)
20. Peadar Timmins (11)
21. Nick McCarthy (23)
22. Ross Byrne (46)
23. Adam Byrne (36)

So with Nordi and Max both starting will Jack be back for next week or who do we see at 8?

[colster]

So with Nordi and Max both starting will Jack be back for next week or who do we see at 8?

6. Fardy 7. Leavy 8. SOB??

[riocard911]

Great selection - keeps the frontliners safe for the Scarlets match, promotes harmony in the squad and has Carbery starting at 10 and SO'B back from the off.

[arsebiscuits1]

So with Nordi and Max both starting will Jack be back for next week or who do we see at 8?

6- SOB 7- Leavy 8 - Nordi.

[Peg Leg]

A lot of ball handling ability in that team

[curates_egg]

Love the look of that team.
It may not work. But if they do click, it has Leinstertainment written all over it.

[Ruckedtobits]

I'd prefer to see one of our three hard-nosed second-rows somewhere in the 23. Neither Nagle nor Kearney have shown any of that characteristic this season. Excellent backrow but they need a front-five with hardness against Benetton. Three out of five (McGrath, Porter & Molony) isn't enough.

[neill_m]

Benetton 23:

15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Andrea Bronzini, 13 Tommaso Iannone, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (C), 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Sebastian Negri, 6 Federico Ruzza, 5 Alessandro Zanni, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Federico Zani

16 Engjel Makelara, 17 Cherif Traore, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Irné Herbst, 20 Marco Fuser, 21 Dean Budd, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Tommaso Benvenuti

[curates_egg]

Has Zanni played much in the boiler room this season? Haven't really been paying attention.

I hope we don't get sucked into a dog-fight. With our backrow, halfbacks and back line, we could do a lot of damage if we keep possession.
Looking forward to seeing Deegan make hay in that backrow combination.
JGP-Carbery is the type of selection that terrifies lots of people on here...but it could be lots of fun.

[Dave Cahill]

Looks like they've gone full sweater alright.

[Leinsterlunatic]

Would have liked to seen McCarthy from the start, considering Lowe and Fardy look nailed on for next week.

I wonder how Luke is?

[mildlyinterested]

really need to upgrade second row options.

[wixfjord]

Slightly surprised we haven't see Nick M start over last two games, and also by us starting Jordi. If he or SOB goes down we're into very limited backrow options.

Hopefully it's an indication that Conan might be fit for next week...

[Dave Cahill]

really need to upgrade second row options.

Can you name a team, particularly in the Pro14, who has a better 5th and 6th choice pair of locks. Can you suggest two players who would be 'upgrades' who would be content to go to a club to be, at best, fourth choice?

[neiliog93]

I would echo the comments of others, second row is the only weakness in our team selection and I would have liked to have seen McCarthy start with a view to next week. I'm surprised that Strauss is starting, although they might be trying to give him a final home start before he leaves, which seems only fair. We could well have to dig deep to win this one, with a few last quarter tries making the scoreline look more comfortable than it really was.

[etak252]

Hope everything ok with James Ryan and his playing minutes being managed.

[arsebiscuits1]

Hope everything ok with James Ryan and his playing minutes being managed.

Nothing in the injury update to suggest he isn't fit.

Has played an awful lot the last few months and a key player now. No need to risk him

[mildlyinterested]

Hope everything ok with James Ryan and his playing minutes being managed.

Nothing in the injury update to suggest he isn't fit.

Has played an awful lot the last few months and a key player now. No need to risk him

training fully, no need to worry.

[A16]

Positive team selection in many regards. Encouraging to see Larmour back, and he should get a good 80 minutes in. I would have swapped Byrne and McFadden, as I feel Byrne would benefit more front eh extra game time, but it’s not crucial by any means. Daly coming in to rest Lowe is a good move as well.

The centres are fine, I’m happy to see our starting to being held back. Half backs are exciting, although I would have started McCarthy myself to give him more exposure. Getting some game time at 10 should help Carbery before playing there next week.

I’d swap Ed Byrne and McGrath myself since I don’t think we need to be starting McGrath, although it doesn’t bother me that much. Nice touch to start Strauss on what could be his final game, or final home game for us. And Porter is getting some more minutes which is good. Second row looks a bit weak, although our front liners are obviously being managed, which makes it understandable.

Back row is strong, and I trust the coaching staff have learned their lesson and will be sure they’re not rushing O’Brien back for this one. Hopefully Conan will be fit soon, as I would have liked to see him get a run out here.