Champions Cup Final - Leinster v Racing

[blockhead]

Dimitri Szarzewski has been sidelined for three to six months after undergoing an operation on the torn bicep he suffered in their semi-final win over Munster.

[olaf the fat]

Max machenuad out now as well. Big blow for racing!

[paddyor]

Did MAchenaud get injured?

[fourthirtythree]

And that’s why we sent the b team to Galway

And why the first team couldn't give a sh!t: they've been balls out all season to get to the situation where they don't, genuinely, care about dead rubbers, and instead put themselves in the best position to play the big games.

We'd like the team to win every game every time. They have priorities. If total balls out commitment isn't a priority on a hugely emotional night in Connacht you are going to get spanked (if you're an Irish team, obviously they beat all the Irish teams, and lost against everyone else, because they have regressed hugely into a team that rely only on big emotional days and don't have a plan) but that's not the end of the world.

[paddyor]

This is peak Leinster. We're strong all over the park. We've come thru a tough a group and trashed the oppo in the knock outs. We've limited ability to improve the squad. Like we can't just draft in whoever we want to the squad given budget and NIQ rules. We have to win.

We've good coaching, we've an incredibly strong squad and the players we really need fit are fit(we can manage without Jamie or SOB). We have to win.

[paddyor]

To elaborate on that point about improving the team. We're not gonna sign Murray or Smith at SH or Bougrait or Marx at Hooker in the off season. This squad is as good as it's gonna get for the next 2-3 years. JGP becoming IQ would help as well as keeping Nordi. High stakes.

If we're signing anyone NIQ to replace Isa, centre or hooker would be my choice. My choice would be centre given Byrnes improvement out of touch and his general play.

[domhnallj]

Did MAchenaud get injured?

Took a bang to the knee during the game with Bordeaux yesterday.

[Scooby Shaggy Swerve]

Did MAchenaud get injured?

Took a bang to the knee during the game with Bordeaux yesterday.

Real shame he won't be there, wonderful player

[curates_egg]

Did MAchenaud get injured?

Took a bang to the knee during the game with Bordeaux yesterday.

Real shame he won't be there, wonderful player

It is a real shame he picked up such a bad injury, but I can't honestly say I would prefer to face him. He has had a superb season and is their quarter-back. Was one of the stand-out players against Munster.

[olaf the fat]

Ala The Doc in 09 - The Devil you know....

[curates_egg]

Ala The Doc in 09 - The Devil you know....

He's a pretty good devil.
However, if I read the report correctly, Machenaud came on as a substitute for Teddy Iribaren when he went of for a HIA. Really bad luck for Machenaud but it means Iribaren also might be a doubt.
Either way, he is not really a Sexton-esque unknown (in the 2009 final). He's 27 and broke through for Brive a few years ago, from where Racing signed him. He is a good player but he is not the type of general scrumhalf that Machenaud is for Racing. They may have to select Carter to counterbalance. He does kick for them though.

[blockhead]

Machenaud is their main placekicker, could this mean that they are forced to play Carter from the start? or is Lambie or someone else capable of taking the pots at goal?

[bluemagic]

Given the performance of Racing in recent weeks with their fitness coming into question I would go for a team like this:

1. McGrath
2. Tracy
3, Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Fardy
7. Leavy
8. Murphy
9. Luke McGrath
10, JS
11. JLo
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Isa
15. Kearney

16.cronin
17. Healy
18. Porter
19. Ruddock/Molony
20. Conan
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Joey Carbs
23. Larmour.

Release pace off the bench in the second half. Hopefully it will be a hot day in Bilbao and we’ll live with them for 40 mins. Going into half time 5 points down would be ok.

[Laighin Break]

Ala The Doc in 09 - The Devil you know....

He's a pretty good devil.
However, if I read the report correctly, Machenaud came on as a substitute for Teddy Iribaren when he went of for a HIA. Really bad luck for Machenaud but it means Iribaren also might be a doubt.
Either way, he is not really a Sexton-esque unknown (in the 2009 final). He's 27 and broke through for Brive a few years ago, from where Racing signed him. He is a good player but he is not the type of general scrumhalf that Machenaud is for Racing. They may have to select Carter to counterbalance. He does kick for them though.

Had a look at Ultimate Rugby. It seems that Iribaren then came back on for Machenaud after his injury, so he'll probably be okay to play

[Logorrhea]

Healy starts.

[Dave Cahill]

Jack McGrath's form has fallen off a cliff in the last few months - I'd say he's closer to not making the bench than he is to starting

[desperado]

Healy has to start. In the form of his life; whereas Jack isn't. Even with Ferg possibly out I think JLo is a big risk versus keeping JGP in the 23 - Luke last played against Sarries when he probably wasn't 100%. If he had to come off early it would be a big ask for Nick.

[Gearzbox2]

Given the performance of Racing in recent weeks with their fitness coming into question I would go for a team like this:

1. McGrath
2. Tracy
3, Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Fardy
7. Leavy
8. Murphy
9. Luke McGrath
10, JS
11. JLo
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Isa
15. Kearney

16.cronin
17. Healy
18. Porter
19. Ruddock/Molony
20. Conan
21. Nick McCarthy
22. Joey Carbs
23. Larmour.

Release pace off the bench in the second half. Hopefully it will be a hot day in Bilbao and we’ll live with them for 40 mins. Going into half time 5 points down would be ok.

Tracy will be lucky to make the bench, cronin has been playing superb and rock solid with his throwing unlike Tracy....Healy has been a monster and also has to start, why would you change the pack that has been demolishing teams!!!!

Wouldn't have lowe near the team after his display, too many threats with racing that will cut him open

Rest of team picks itself

[Laighin Break]

The talk about Lowe is very similar to the talk before Sarries game where people were worried he'd get destroyed defensively. Instead he did just fine defensively and made break to set up Ringrose's try and set the ball rolling for a great win.
If McGrath is deemed fit, Lowe will surely start. It will also be much different for him defending with Henshaw, Ringrose and Kearney around him. Unlikely he'll even have to make a decision on shooting out or biting in.

[curates_egg]

Had a look at Ultimate Rugby. It seems that Iribaren then came back on for Machenaud after his injury, so he'll probably be okay to play

It's not like the French care about concussion anyway.

Machenaud is their main placekicker, could this mean that they are forced to play Carter from the start? or is Lambie or someone else capable of taking the pots at goal?

Iribaren has kicked for them when he has played this season, and he will likely start against us. There may be an argument for starting Carter inside him. Carter also kicked at the weekend.