Leinster v Toulouse Sunday April 21st 3.15

[mildlyinterested]

Have to say, still worried about our lack of form

It was good to see Robbie and Dev back but overall we still haven't clicked at all this side of Christmas.

bar Toulouse in the RDS

[Blue not red blood]

Have to say still very worried about this one but will put my faith that the management have them just right for a big performance.
Taking a step back and trying to look at it rationally then the view seems to be that we must control the game and keep possession, dont do anything silly and run the bejsesus out of them.
We were well in control in both group games and it was our mistakes that cost us in Toulouse.
A fully loaded and match fit 23 should have too much experience for Toulouse.
Having said all that I am unusually nervous.

[mildlyinterested]

no Leavy or JVDF.

Sexton having not played since Wales and not for Leinster since the shitshow in Limerick in 2018.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Heard Jack hasn't been struggling to get back to full fitness since his injury. Thought he looked a bit better at the weekend but still not his usual self. I can't remember how Ed Byrne did in the RDS but the Toulouse front row really is enormous, interesting to see how he goes this time.

[mildlyinterested]

he wasn't playing at the weekend.

[wixfjord]

Via ROC on Twitter:

Leinster confirm that Johnny Sexton is in full training this week ahead of the Toulouse. Tadhg Furlong set to be available for selection after being withdrawn against Glasgow and Rory O'Loughlin is back. Mick Kearney out for the season with shoulder injury.

Good news, albeit nothing on Molony again.

ROL might be in contention for a #23 spot.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

he wasn't playing at the weekend.

Sorry, meant Benetton.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Via ROC on Twitter:

Leinster confirm that Johnny Sexton is in full training this week ahead of the Toulouse. Tadhg Furlong set to be available for selection after being withdrawn against Glasgow and Rory O'Loughlin is back. Mick Kearney out for the season with shoulder injury.

Good news, albeit nothing on Molony again.

ROL might be in contention for a #23 spot.

Nothing on Adam or Ross Byrne either?

Good news on those three though. As good as Tomane was at the weekend I'd still go for ROL on the bench. They might cover the same positions on paper but in reality I think ROL is a much better at 12 and on the wing. Tomane's kick chase was poor when he was on the wing.

[bluemagic]

Might have to recall Nagle from the loan.

If we don’t go with Fardy this weekend who makes the bench as second row cover? 2 back rows (Deegan and Doris?) with Ruddock covering the row?

[Serb]

Might have to recall Nagle from the loan.

If we don’t go with Fardy this weekend who makes the bench as second row cover? 2 back rows (Deegan and Doris?) with Ruddock covering the row?

We will go with Fardy.

[wixfjord]

Yeah there's no hope of Fardy being left out this weekend.

[desperado]

Yeah there's no hope of Fardy being left out this weekend.

you mean no chance surely?

[Flash Gordon]

Might have to recall Nagle from the loan.

If we don’t go with Fardy this weekend who makes the bench as second row cover? 2 back rows (Deegan and Doris?) with Ruddock covering the row?

We will go with Fardy.

Kearney's injury probably dictates that which is a bit of a shame as Lowe is an absolute game changer. So frustrating seeing a player of his quality not involved.

[Oldschool]

Might have to recall Nagle from the loan.

If we don’t go with Fardy this weekend who makes the bench as second row cover? 2 back rows (Deegan and Doris?) with Ruddock covering the row?

We will go with Fardy.

Kearney's injury probably dictates that which is a bit of a shame as Lowe is an absolute game changer. So frustrating seeing a player of his quality not involved.

I'd be more frustrated if Fardy wasn't playing.
This is going to be won up front.
Fardy's rugby nous is par excellence.

[Flash Gordon]

Kearney's injury probably dictates that which is a bit of a shame as Lowe is an absolute game changer. So frustrating seeing a player of his quality not involved.

I'd be more frustrated if Fardy wasn't playing.
This is going to be won up front.
Fardy's rugby nous is par excellence.

Couldn't agree more on Fardy, not so sure about the game being won up front. Sure, every game needs a platform up front and our back row has been outplayed frequently recently so we will need to rectify that. I'd be surprised if Leo doesn't start Rhys at 6. ST scored 47 points last weekend and are scoring 3 tries a game in the Top 14. It'll be fascinating to see how it pans out.

[mildlyinterested]

No sign of Molony still and no mention of him in injury update.

[Dave Cahill]

I'm not sure where this idea that our back row was outplayed has come from. Glasgow did a very good job of containing it, certainly, by putting in one of the most amazingly heroic defensive performances the RDS has ever seen. Their back 5 alone make 156 tackles, thats more than either the entire ST or ASM teams did in their game the following day and only 9 less than the entire Leinster team. In fact, Glasgow made over 50 more tackles than ASM AND ST did in their game combined. The entire cadre of Toulouse back five players made 56 tackles, or 1.3 Johnny Greys.

There is more chance of the Toulouse back five farting Rule Britannia in five part harmony than there is of them making anywhere close to those numbers, and those are the kind of numbers needed to beat a Leinster team without skin in the game - nevermind a Leinster team that actually needs to win.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Nice stats Dave, that's nuts.

The Toulouse game on Sunday was a weird one actually, it was still only 19-16 (or something like that) with about 20 minutes to go.

[riocard911]

Good man, Dave. Facts don't lie.

[the spoofer]

I'm not sure where this idea that our back row was outplayed has come from. Glasgow did a very good job of containing it, certainly, by putting in one of the most amazingly heroic defensive performances the RDS has ever seen. Their back 5 alone make 156 tackles, thats more than either the entire ST or ASM teams did in their game the following day and only 9 less than the entire Leinster team. In fact, Glasgow made over 50 more tackles than ASM AND ST did in their game combined. The entire cadre of Toulouse back five players made 56 tackles, or 1.3 Johnny Greys.

There is more chance of the Toulouse back five farting Rule Britannia in five part harmony than there is of them making anywhere close to those numbers, and those are the kind of numbers needed to beat a Leinster team without skin in the game - nevermind a Leinster team that actually needs to win.

I would be delighted if they have to make that many tackles cause it means we have the ball and they will be out on their feet with 10 to go.