The irony being that a lot of Leinster fans are saying the reason they lost is prioritising the Champions cup meant they were off the boil
I guess the reality is somewhere in the middle - and also not having a load of injuries
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I guess the reality is somewhere in the middle - and also not having a load of injuries
Honestly Leinster cruised so hard before this game I did feel thing where too easy for them
You need some games to toughen you up
Leinster problem was acting like this would be another walk over
It’s also interesting that the prem has been heavily criticised of late for poor defence and high scoring games, with Quins Miss firing being the story of their season and a fellow URC being nilled might mean the urc is actually just lacking a bit of attacking edge at times when you consider amongst their best defence was fairly easily opened up in parts yesterday.
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Although Saints did have their fair share of injuries too - Furbank and Hendy would definitely have been involved if fit.
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Aye,
I guess squad size/depth is another thing that plays into it a lot - too much depth and you rotate too much and your top guys are undercooked
Too small a squad and a handful of injuries have too big of an effect
Premiership sides don't really have a choice so have to either cook the books (Saracens) or rely on a lot of luck (Chiefs having lockdown in the middle of their double season) to be able to compete on two fronts - Saints injury crisis came early enough in the season that it killed their Prem play off chances but they had enough back by the time the Champions cup got to the spicy end that they could fully focus on that
I guess squad size/depth is another thing that plays into it a lot - too much depth and you rotate too much and your top guys are undercooked
Too small a squad and a handful of injuries have too big of an effect
Premiership sides don't really have a choice so have to either cook the books (Saracens) or rely on a lot of luck (Chiefs having lockdown in the middle of their double season) to be able to compete on two fronts - Saints injury crisis came early enough in the season that it killed their Prem play off chances but they had enough back by the time the Champions cup got to the spicy end that they could fully focus on that
Agreed but they are seasoned at the business end, feature the closest thing to an international team, the 6 nations was a little while ago but not that long, how much validity does it really hold. Probably a contributing factor but let’s not forget a lot of the group were also part of the WC team which exited at the quarter finals, they were certainly battle hardened then having come through probably thee toughest group. The last decade speaks volumes they are the ultimate team week in week out consistantly excellent, yet when I comes to the crunch they just fall short with equal consistency and that’s not to be unkind or upset Leinster fans just the reality IMHO.
No different to Leinster who equaly used the build up to focus on this game, rotated players, rested them etc.
Saints season was gone weeks ago. Most prem clubs don't have the depth to fight on two fronts. Leinster B are competitive in the URC.
I also think Saints knew they could give them a game. Running them close away last year. Leinster away wasn't as a factor as much as it normally is and people including me forgot that
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That's my point
Is the biggest thing holding the prem teams back, the prem rather than the quality?
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I agree. We had a sweet spot between Joe and Cheika, Cullen stopped the rot after O'Connor and got the team to contender level but since being at that level since the 2017 comp it is one win from nine.
I think any analysis of being undercooked is going too deep, NZ used to hammer teams week after week and still win the close ones.
Cullen has built a feeder system for the international team but the players have more success in green than blue. It's quite clearly not a win at all costs set up because if it was he wouldn't be there.
Congratulations to Northampton on a famous win yesterday from a gutted Leinster fan.
Anyone want 5 middle-tier final tickets for face value? Great seats and much better than what is remaining available for public sale. M28, Row 4. Between halfway and the 22. From a Leinster season ticket holder.
Anyone want 5 middle-tier final tickets for face value? Great seats and much better than what is remaining available for public sale. M28, Row 4. Between halfway and the 22. From a Leinster season ticket holder.
Aye I agree with this
Barrett has been a star player and he would've been playing 100% for the blue, whereas it does feel that the ultimate goal for the Irish lads is more Ireland (Which is fair too some extent)
NZ where pretty much chokers until what 2011? even in 2011 they scrapped a home final by 1 point to win it.
Personally I think Leinster would benefit from having a few lads go off and play elsewhere for a couple seasons. Like Cullen and Jennings did at Leicester. Get a couple lads to sign with UBB, Toulouse or something and have them come back with a different mentality.
In short yes, squad size and it not being financially viable without risking clubs going belly up
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Yeah, was having that conversation last night. Let players have the option of a two year IRFU approved contract before they're ~28 where they can still play for Ireland, if they extend then block them.
Frees up budget, gets players out of their comfort zone and they'll learn different skills to bring home. Just make sure they're not going to poorly coached, basket case clubs like La Rochelle.
Wait NIQ signings can't start over fit Irish main alternatives???
So like that seems dumb as ****? Maybe if it's a longer signing it makes sense but you have Jordie Barrett for a few months start play him and win something?
Winning breeds a winners mentality.
So like that seems dumb as ****? Maybe if it's a longer signing it makes sense but you have Jordie Barrett for a few months start play him and win something?
Winning breeds a winners mentality.
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It's murky but seems like it. Ridiculous and is currently serving to block Osborne's exposure to these games. He'd have been better than Henshaw yesterday, who is dusht I'm sad to say, one of my favourites.
Yeah not helping Pendergast at all either
okay, it's now time to focus on two clubs that care about winning
they are going to b so gassed in th second half
Honestly both teams yesterday will prob get minced by both these teams
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