Champions Cup Final - Leinster v Racing

[Blueberry]

Great news if it is Barnes, always been a fan of his, an extremely consistent ref and at the top of his game right now.

[BlueWheels]

If we assume that Luke is fit to play that means Lowe could come back into team but the question is will he, would Leo & Stuart play him instead of Isa, particularly as the direct opponent will be a certain Teddy Thomas. To me Isa is a far better defender but Lowe has blistering pace which Isa just doesn't have anymore, however I think I'd go with Isa.. Have changed my mind on this one a few times already today!!

Should point out that all of the above would be very harsh on JGP, who was great on Saturday and is a much better option to being on as a replacement 9 than McCarthy....

[The Doc]

If we assume that Luke is fit to play that means Lowe could come back into team but the question is will he, would Leo & Stuart play him instead of Isa, particularly as the direct opponent will be a certain Teddy Thomas. To me Isa is a far better defender but Lowe has blistering pace which Isa just doesn't have anymore, however I think I'd go with Isa.. Have changed my mind on this one a few times already today!!

Should point out that all of the above would be very harsh on JGP, who was great on Saturday and is a much better option to being on as a replacement 9 than McCarthy....

McFadden may be out

[fourthirtythree]

Saw a chiron on the telly I was passing earlier saying that he was definitely out of the Connacht match with a hamstring problem.

Isa could go to 14 with Lowe having the delightful task of dealing with Thomas. If he's assisted in doing this with a scrum half waving him through like Murray did yesterday or a 12 biting in on a man covered by 13 as Scannell did yesterday he'll probably get as much stick as Wooton is getting now.

[BlueWheels]

McFadden may be out

That's dodging the question

[The Doc]

McFadden may be out

That's dodging the question

Quite neatly I thought

[Peg Leg]

If we assume that Luke is fit to play that means Lowe could come back into team but the question is will he, would Leo & Stuart play him instead of Isa, particularly as the direct opponent will be a certain Teddy Thomas. To me Isa is a far better defender but Lowe has blistering pace which Isa just doesn't have anymore, however I think I'd go with Isa.. Have changed my mind on this one a few times already today!!

Should point out that all of the above would be very harsh on JGP, who was great on Saturday and is a much better option to being on as a replacement 9 than McCarthy....

McFadden may be out

Furriners are Fardy & JGP, Isa does not count as a furriner by virtue of something that Johng, Xan and DC have all said at some stage'r other.

[artaneboy]

If we assume that Luke is fit to play that means Lowe could come back into team but the question is will he, would Leo & Stuart play him instead of Isa, particularly as the direct opponent will be a certain Teddy Thomas. To me Isa is a far better defender but Lowe has blistering pace which Isa just doesn't have anymore, however I think I'd go with Isa.. Have changed my mind on this one a few times already today!!

Should point out that all of the above would be very harsh on JGP, who was great on Saturday and is a much better option to being on as a replacement 9 than McCarthy....

McFadden may be out

Furriners are Fardy & JGP, Isa does not count as a furriner by virtue of something that Johng, Xan and DC have all said at some stage'r other.

I think his reference to Isa was based solely on his appropriateness to the wing role- rather than his eligibility on the two-from-three non EU/ Kolpack players.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Doc]

McFadden may be out

Furriners are Fardy & JGP, Isa does not count as a furriner by virtue of something that Johng, Xan and DC have all said at some stage'r other.

I think his reference to Isa was based solely on his appropriateness to the wing role- rather than his eligibility on the two-from-three non EU/ Kolpack players.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Indeed... I was about to make the same smarty pants answer. Then I read the point more carefully and came up with a second smarty pants answer



Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[wixfjord]

Looks like Luke McGrath is on track for the final.

If Ferg is out that might mean him back in and Lowe to the wing potentially.

Would be harsh on JGP but I wouldn't have an issue.

If MCF is fit there's a choice to be made.

[wixfjord]

Machenaud is uncertain for the final after taking a knock to the knee.
https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites ... ter/897103

[curates_egg]

Machenaud is uncertain for the final after taking a knock to the knee.
https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites ... ter/897103

I got excited when I saw the headline but then I read the article and the quotes. Seems to have been precautionary, after a knock to the knee.
He was superb against Munster, and is their general, so I will be keeping everything crossed.

[wixfjord]

The pornstar is definitely out: https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites ... nee/895414

While he'd likely be benching, he's a loss. Chat is a good rugby player, but doesn't impress me as a hooker, particularly throwing.

The lineout will be a key battle.

[wixfjord]

And now Machenaud is officially out it seems!

https://twitter.com/RuaidhriOC/status/9 ... 0247989249

Huge blow for them. In a way I'm disappointed because I love him as a player and would like to see us beat the full side.

But it's a big boost, particularly if Luke is fit.

Teddy Iribaren will come in, not sure who their bench option is though.

Edit: He announced it himself on his Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/maxmachenaud/?hl=en

[curates_egg]

Just read Machenaud's season is over!

[Blue not red blood]

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

[Angelsea Angst]

For the game against Scarlets, the consensus here was that Leinster should put Scarlets through the meat grinder. That is exactly what Leinster did and it worked exceptionally well. I presume the meat grinder approach will not work against Racing so what approach should be used?

[RoboProp]

Machenaud out for the final

[blockhead]

Maxime Machenaud suffered ruptured knee ligaments in his side’s 39-15 win Top 14 win away to Bordeaux Begles on Saturday.

The incumbent, 29-year-old French scrum-half is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months. It is a cruel blow for Machenaud, which also continues a hugely unfortunate run of ill-luck for the player.

9 months! Feel sorry for the lad.

[Cianostays]

For the game against Scarlets, the consensus here was that Leinster should put Scarlets through the meat grinder. That is exactly what Leinster did and it worked exceptionally well. I presume the meat grinder approach will not work against Racing so what approach should be used?

Run their pack ragged and back our fitness I suspect.

Sent from my SM-G531F using Tapatalk