Champions Cup Final - Leinster v Racing

[Laighin Break]

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.

That's a bit unfair. They take leg concussions very seriously.

[CiaranIrl]

Why doesn't this thread go to the top of the page when there's a new message?

[Xanthippe]

Because the top three threads are 'Information' threads and they are locked to the top of the page

[curates_egg]

Why doesn't this thread go to the top of the page when there's a new message?

In addition to Xan's post, it is in a different section to the Leinster Addicts section (the only one I use). Or, rather, it is in a sub-section (Champions Cup Final 2018), which is listed on the very top of the page. For some reason, new posts don't bump it up on the Leinster Addicts section list. Took me a day to figure this out. It was a day well spent though

[Dave Cahill]

TBH, I think this, match, thread should go back in with the rest of Leinster Addicts

[Lar]

TBH, I think this, match, thread should go back in with the rest of Leinster Addicts

+1

[johng]

This is the only one I use....

http://forum.leinsterfans.com/search.ph ... ive_topics

[neiliog93]

Possible teams:

1.Healy vs 3.Tameifuna....Leinster
2.Cronin vs 2.Chat......Racing
3.Furlong vs 1.Ben Arous.....Leinster
4.Toner vs 4.Nakarawa.....Racing
5.Ja.Ryan vs 5.D.Ryan.....Draw
6.Fardy vs 6.Lauret.....Leinster
7.Leavy vs 7.Le Roux.....Leinster
8.Jor.Murphy vs 8.Nyanga.....Racing

9.L.McGrath (?) vs. 9.Iribaren.....Leinster
10.Sexton vs 10.Lambie......Leinster
11.Lowe vs 14.Thomas......Racing
12.Henshaw vs 12.Chavancy.....Leinster
13.Ringrose vs 13.Vakatawa.....Leinster (but Vakatawa a highly dangerous loser)
14.Larmour vs 11.Andreu.....Racing, if only for experience
15.R.Kearney vs 15.Dupichot......Leinster

16.Tracy vs 16.A.N other....?
17.J.McGrath vs 18.Gomes Ca.....Racing, on form
18.Porter vs 17.Kakovin......Racing
19.Molony vs 19.Carizza......Racing
20.Conan vs 20.Claassen.....Leinster
21.McCarthy vs 21.Chauveau....Racing
22.Carbery vs 22.Carter......Racing
23.ROL vs 23.Rokocoko/Imhoff.....Racing

We probably have the stronger starting line-up based on that but they have more oomph off the bench.

[Dave Cahill]

You would appear to have left the club captain out.

[jimbobjoe]

Could we see Conan to 8, Jordi to 6 and Fardy back to the 2nd row?

[johng]

We might see Ruddock to 19 and as you were in the pack

[CiaranIrl]

We might see Ruddock to 19 and as you were in the pack

I have heard that Cullen sees Malony as the second best lineout caller after Toner, and wanted him on the bench for insurance. I'm not sure he's comfortable with no experienced lineout caller if Toner goes off. Now, you would think Fardy would be fine, but apparently that's the reason.

[molloyjh]

I'm just going to say it. I'm not sure I want to see Lowe up against Thomas. We saw the same issues with his defence at the weekend which allowed his man score when there was enough cover to ensure he didn't. Thomas would eat Lowe alive on that form. Jack McGraths form has been a worry for a little while now too. Other than that I think we're going really well. Team I'd like to see, assuming Luke is fit and Ferg isn't:

Healy Cronin Furlong
Fardy Ryan
Murphy Conan Leavy

McGrath Sexton
Henshaw Ringrose
Larmour Kearney Nacewa

Tracy, McGrath, Porter, Toner, Deegan, JGP, Carbery, Daly

[neiliog93]

You would appear to have left the club captain out.

A glaring omission....he comes in for Lowe or Larmour I suppose.

[riocard911]

molloyjh:

"I'm just going to say it. I'm not sure I want to see Lowe up against Thomas. We saw the same issues with his defence at the weekend which allowed his man score when there was enough cover to ensure he didn't. Thomas would eat Lowe alive on that form."

Agree 100%!!!!!

[curates_egg]

We might see Ruddock to 19 and as you were in the pack

Really? I thought his season was over?
I'd have Deegan on the bench over Molony anyway. I can't, for the life of me, see what Molony would bring.
They will throw the kitchen sink at us for 40-50 minutes; if they manage, we'll need - what the cool kids refer to as - finishers, once the game opens up.

[curates_egg]

We might see Ruddock to 19 and as you were in the pack

I have heard that Cullen sees Malony as the second best lineout caller after Toner, and wanted him on the bench for insurance. I'm not sure he's comfortable with no experienced lineout caller if Toner goes off. Now, you would think Fardy would be fine, but apparently that's the reason.

You've answered my question about what Molony brings but that sounds like overthought baloney to me. Not enough justification to bench for a European final.

Where l is the info that Ruddock is fit?

[Gearzbox2]

We might see Ruddock to 19 and as you were in the pack

Really? I thought his season was over?
I'd have Deegan on the bench over Molony anyway. I can't, for the life of me, see what Molony would bring.
They will throw the kitchen sink at us for 40-50 minutes; if they manage, we'll need - what the cool kids refer to as - finishers, once the game opens up.

Ideal scenario would be Conan and Ruddock
Huge impact and wed have cover with fardy for the row
Id shudder at the thought of Maloney going up against Nakawara and Ryan plus dont think his performances have come anywhere near meriting a spot on the bench im afriad

[hugonaut]

Massive boon for us that Machenaud is out for the final – a vital player for them and a guy in the form of his life. Obviously I take no pleasure in a player suffering a serious injury, but it has happened now and it is what it is.

Szarzewski is a huge loss too – the guy won 80+ caps, played in three RWCs and played more than a decade of test rugby. He has been a really significant figure for Racing since moving there from Stade: club captain and first choice hooker with 137 appearances and 16 tries in his six seasons there. A load of experience and leadership gone from the team just like that.

They've got Chat, but behind him it's Baubigny [a teenager] or Ole Avei, who they picked up from Bordeaux in January as a medical joker. Avei's best years are behind him, he has been worn down to a nub by Bordeaux.

These lads have to play another match as well in the interim - granted it's more or less an irrelevance, but they still have to go through the motions and field a team.

They're still going to be fired up like lunatics to play us, but we're going to be fired up too.

[Angelsea Angst]

The win that Leinster got over Montpellier in the final match of the group stage should be of benefit to Leinster's confidence as they approach this match. Our recent record playing away in France had not been great up to that match against Montpellier.