Edinburgh Away, 22/03, 7.35pm

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'd be tempted to have COB at 12 and ROL on the left wing next week.

I really think Joe has missed a trick by not having ROL in the squad recently, think he could be like a modern Ferg and would be very useful in a World Cup squad. If you had Joey on the bench then you'd have the perfect cover on the bench.

[Serb]

I'm surprised more people don't rate Barry Daly higher. He's the fastest, the best defensively, and he scores loads of tries. Have to say I'd have him starting the quarter final on the right wing ahead of Larmour or Byrne or McFadden.

I like Barry Daly, but there’s no way he should be selected over any of those wingers. He can’t produce the kind of magic that Larmour is capable of and he doesn’t have the strength or ability in the air of Byrne which has become a big part of how we play.

He’s most similar to McFadden and while he’s a lot pacier, I still think McFadden is a lot better defensively so would pick McFadden in the games where we’re looking to contain the opposition winger.

[arsebiscuits1]

I'm surprised more people don't rate Barry Daly higher. He's the fastest, the best defensively, and he scores loads of tries. Have to say I'd have him starting the quarter final on the right wing ahead of Larmour or Byrne or McFadden.

I like Barry Daly, but there’s no way he should be selected over any of those wingers. He can’t produce the kind of magic that Larmour is capable of and he doesn’t have the strength or ability in the air of Byrne which has become a big part of how we play.

He’s most similar to McFadden and while he’s a lot pacier, I still think McFadden is a lot better defensively so would pick McFadden in the games where we’re looking to contain the opposition winger.

As with most squads with multiple players who are capable of high level rugby, it will be horses for courses. There are many scenarios where Daly should and will be picked ahead of the other 3

Byrne gives a huge advantage in the air going forward but I think Daly is far superior at fielding space in behind - personally I think he'd make an excellent fullback. I also think he pips Larmour in this regard of positional awareness and marshalling in the backfield.

As a pure finisher, Daly is only behind Lowe in that regard for me. Leo alluded to it last year. Daly has a knack for getting tries that others just don't get. Call it luck or intuition, his nose for the line is fantastic.

Against Ulster, we could do a lot worse than Daly on the left wing. But it could just as easily be Byrne. I don't think Ferg will be in the conversation. Or possibly for the 23 shirt

[bluemagic]

I'm surprised more people don't rate Barry Daly higher. He's the fastest, the best defensively, and he scores loads of tries. Have to say I'd have him starting the quarter final on the right wing ahead of Larmour or Byrne or McFadden.

I like Barry Daly, but there’s no way he should be selected over any of those wingers. He can’t produce the kind of magic that Larmour is capable of and he doesn’t have the strength or ability in the air of Byrne which has become a big part of how we play.

He’s most similar to McFadden and while he’s a lot pacier, I still think McFadden is a lot better defensively so would pick McFadden in the games where we’re looking to contain the opposition winger.

As with most squads with multiple players who are capable of high level rugby, it will be horses for courses. There are many scenarios where Daly should and will be picked ahead of the other 3

Byrne gives a huge advantage in the air going forward but I think Daly is far superior at fielding space in behind - personally I think he'd make an excellent fullback. I also think he pips Larmour in this regard of positional awareness and marshalling in the backfield.

As a pure finisher, Daly is only behind Lowe in that regard for me. Leo alluded to it last year. Daly has a knack for getting tries that others just don't get. Call it luck or intuition, his nose for the line is fantastic.

Against Ulster, we could do a lot worse than Daly on the left wing. But it could just as easily be Byrne. I don't think Ferg will be in the conversation. Or possibly for the 23 shirt

You’d have to be concerned about Byrne up against stockdale defensively. Although stockdale is not the best in the air and I think Byrne could target him there.

[leinsterforever]

Ferg's good at big hits, but I think Daly's the man if you're looking for really good defensive reads.

[leinsterforever]

I'd be tempted to have COB at 12 and ROL on the left wing next week.

I really think Joe has missed a trick by not having ROL in the squad recently, think he could be like a modern Ferg and would be very useful in a World Cup squad. If you had Joey on the bench then you'd have the perfect cover on the bench.

Couldn't agree more with ROL on the left wing. To me it's disappointing and surprising that that seems to have been canned.

I think ROL has the quality to be playing a starring role for the first team in the biggest games - instead of being the bit-part player relying on injuries to get in the XXIII he seems to have become. Considering him for selection on the left wing would open up much more chances to include him.

[Ruckedtobits]

RO'L and Ringer in the middle of the field against Ulster for me.

Rhys, Dan and Jack to start in back-row.

Fardy & James R in the row.

Cian, Nugget & Tadgh up front.

Form is critical to half-back and back three selections against Ulster. Edinburgh game will offer some clues.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'd be tempted to have COB at 12 and ROL on the left wing next week.

I really think Joe has missed a trick by not having ROL in the squad recently, think he could be like a modern Ferg and would be very useful in a World Cup squad. If you had Joey on the bench then you'd have the perfect cover on the bench.

Couldn't agree more with ROL on the left wing. To me it's disappointing and surprising that that seems to have been canned.

I think ROL has the quality to be playing a starring role for the first team in the biggest games - instead of being the bit-part player relying on injuries to get in the XXIII he seems to have become. Considering him for selection on the left wing would open up much more chances to include him.

Obviously I agree with you but I get it because his role as a backup centre became quite important and we have plenty of wingers. Ordinarily I don't like players flicking between too many positions, but it doesn't seem to bother him at all, really very impressive.

[desperado]

I don't think it's a fair comment to say he's been reduced to a bit part player. He's been on the 15 or 23 in pretty much all of the 'big' games, and delivered. I take your point about moving him around, but that's the benefit (or curse) of versatility. There's also a necessary selection balancing act through the season. How else can LeoCaster use 50+ players over a campaign.

[leinster23]

I think it's a pity we don't see O'Loughlin much on the wing anymore, but it's probably necessary, we've got a lot of wingers and we're much shorter at centre.

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets):

15. Ciarán Frawley (10)
14. Fergus McFadden (175)
13. Noel Reid (117)
12. Joe Tomane (9)
11. Barry Daly (33)
10. Ross Byrne (65)
9. Luke McGrath (106)
1. Ed Byrne (38)
2. Seán Cronin (166)
3. Michael Bent (118)
4. Josh Murphy (18)
5. Mick Kearney (48)
6. Rhys Ruddock (156) CAPTAIN
7. Dan Leavy (61)
8. Max Deegan (38)

16. Bryan Byrne (37)
17. Jack McGrath (141)
18. Andrew Porter (48)
19. Jack Dunne (2)
20. Oisín Dowling (2)
21. Nick McCarthy (32)
22. Jimmy O’Brien (5)
23. Conor O’Brien (15)

[Dave Cahill]

That is an... interesting... selection

[mildlyinterested]

weird team.

[cormac]

Not sure I'd have guessed that line-up.

[Dave Cahill]

[cormac]

That's pretty much full strength (barring injuries) for them, isn't it?

[Dave Cahill]

That's pretty much full strength (barring injuries) for them, isn't it?

Dell would be a starter (he's on the bench), Gilchrist and McInally but thats about it

[wixfjord]

Jaysus that is a bizarre side!

Reading between the lines, I'd say we've limited the game time of guys who'll be starting next week besides those who really need it (Cronin, Luke, Leavy, Rhys etc).
It looks like a backline outside 9/10 that won't be involved next week, with ROL looking fairly bolted on to start at 12.

Looks like that trio of front rowers on the bench might be our bench next week too.

I'm assuming Molony is rested as we'll need him to bench next week?

[raith rover]

That's pretty much full strength (barring injuries) for them, isn't it?

Dell would be a starter (he's on the bench), Gilchrist and McInally but thats about it

Schoeman is streets ahead of Dell as a loose head prop. Rapidly becoming a cult figure for Edinburgh fans.

[wixfjord]

Not playing Lowe is a strange one.

I wonder is it to give Daly the chance to audition for the left wing slot?