POOR OL’ ROBBIE.
He’s our record goal-scorer, national team skipper and has had a career with famous clubs like Spurs, Inter Milan and Liverpool.
But when you stand next to the likes of Becks and Russell Brand, it matters little.
News agencies in the states captioned a pic of the trio at an LA Lakers game, calling Keane: an unidentified fan. Bit harsh.
Barret V Bundee should be cracking – can’t wait
I can’t understand parachuting Ioane in, his form has been muck. And Carty, MOTM last week, dropped completely.
@David Hickey: Ioane looked like he was kicking a beachball in the wind last time the teams played..
Where is poor Tommy O’Brien? Really hope he didn’t pick up an injury this week. Think Connacht will really fancy this. I’m a little concerned that we’ve got Tector out of position at 13 and Mangan in the row. That being said, it’s a fantastic opportunity for both to make an impact obviously. Excited to see Soroka get a start too. He’s bulked up a good bit and is a great option in the lineout. Hopefully he gets a well deserved injury free run now. Can see this being close.
@Carmine Lorenzo: we have gone with slow and slower at 9 and 10. This was the perfect game for gunne at 9 and trector at 10 but Leo can’t see past his favourites.
@Carmine Lorenzo: I say a post about him earlier he is hoping to get all his injuries sorted soon hopefully
@chris mcdonnell: Look, we know you never want to see Ross in blue ever again but Tector is no longer considered a 10 by Leinster, whether you agree with it or not. He has not started a game at 10 in about 3 years. Ross is perfect for this type of game with so many academy players in the mix. Also, we are only 1 injury away from needing his experience in the cc in Jan.
@Paul Ennis: since when is not considered a 10? Frawely wasn’t considered a 10 by Cullen either, neither was carbury all to accommodate byrne. And you can throw madigan in that mix too. Tector is a 10, he’s never going to good enough to play 12 like henshaw, osbourne or Barrett for that matter. 12′s are just much than Charlie. As for the champions cup , we have pendergast, frawley Barrett and Tector who can all play 10. Ross was a perfect back up sexton but he isn’t and never will be the top class 10 leinster or ireland need.
@chris mcdonnell: Lots of players start their youths careers in one position and then move to another. Would you still define Henshaw as FB? Gordon D’Arcy? Owen Farrell? Jordie Barrett? Charlie hasn’t played 10 regularly since U20s – 3 years ago. He might have had 3 caps for Leinster around that same time and for me, he has never showed the game management skills and confidence required (in the same way as Jack Crowley or Sam P have). His best Leinster performances to date have been at centre. He is still in the Leinster academy and he is working hard to secure a professional contract next season. There is talent at 10 come down the tracks in Leinster, Munster and Ulster and if I was Charlie (or if I was advising him) I would be concentrating hard on a career as a centre.
@chris The coaches are watching training and if a player is not picked there is a good reason, after all they want to win the game too!
I expect 7 points at least the difference everything leinster rotate they drop to a difference team connacht will give it a good go
@sean o’farrell: Shanie? Or did you go to same school as Shanie?!!
@Ray Ridge: Jesus.Ray you obessed with me today and nope it aint me my grammar far worse
@Ray Ridge: Stick to the rugby you utter plonker.
Leinster holding back the big guns for the trip to Thomond next week. With a strong Connacht 23 that could backfire on them. With a 7 point table lead a loss probably wouldn’t be a great concern.
@TL55: won’t be a loss
Tector becoming the new Frawley I see!
@Andrew: third five-eight:)
Tector’s gone from 10 to second five-eight, to 13, he’ll be on the wing next:)
Has murphy now overtaken devine at connacht? Huge show of faith in murphy that all 3 are available and devine is the player to miss out.
@Patrick O’Sullivan: Very impressed with murphy allright bet ya rr would beg to differ
He’s been good alright infairness, still raw but has potential.
Who or what is rr?
@Patrick O’Sullivan: ray ridge the what lol
Ryan Baird not ready to start yet it seems. Shame. Really hope he starts getting significant game time during the champions cup games and is fully ready to go for the 6N.
Wonder if Carty injured or sick? He’s been in solid form recently and Josh has been a bit meh for me all season.
Leinster going with their b team will hopefully will make it interesting.
@Papa Kilo: I wouldn’t bet on it. They went with a mix and match team in Dexcom stadium a couple of months ago, and the game was effectively over after 15 minutes.
@Ray Ridge: Looking forward to reminding you of this asinine comment on Saturday evening Ray.
@Patrick Kennedy: tbf I traveled to that match and Connacht gave up after 20 mins. At no point did the team or home crowd believe they had the chance to win
@Patrick Kennedy: 99 percent predictions wrong one percent right is old ray
@Papa Kilo: the “A Team” is barely better than this “B Team” that you are referring to.
@David Gaffney: Except for the 10 or so players that are missing.
There are 4 Match Points and 3 Bonus Points up for grabs by Irish clubs in each of the 4 upcoming interprovincials. Let’s hope that none of these BPs are wasted – 12 in all – as our provinces badly need them! (Yes, Leinster too, in order to take some pressure off SA tour.)
I wanted to see loads rested but this is going too far. GR, JMcC and Clarkson could have been in the 23. Tector at 13 is odd. Larmour and TOB are back fit I thought? Finally Gunne has been in form and JGP is one that could have done with a rest
I’ve not had a chance to see either in action much. Anyone have a view on which loose head has a higher ceiling Milne or Boyle?
Genuinely curious.
@Andrew: Milne is physically more developed as he’s a few years older but word is Boyle has a higher ceiling which I have to say, I haven’t seen signs of yet. He got floor by his opposite number v Ulster a few weeks ago
@Andrew: Milne’s only issue is the scrummaging. He appears to struggle a bit but is great around the park. Really like him. Boyle also looks seriously good and has been earmarked for a long time. Maybe not quite as dynamic as Milne but he possibly has a better all round game?
@Carmine Lorenzo: what is Boyle’s point of difference vs Milne? he seems considerably lighter/less powerfull around the park so would be surpirsed if he is the better scrumager. Also, what about Paddy McCarthy?
@adizlack93: size is not the only factor when scrummaging. Technical ability, tenasity and dog are massive in a prop.
@Andrew: at LHP, Boyle for sure – good scrummager and gets around the park. Milne should be converted to TH
This is a huge test for that leinster team, i think if Carty was starting i’d have Connacht as slight favorites. Don’t think it will be a repeat of the Galway fixture. Both benches strong and Connachts backs may like the open spaces in the Aviva