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Saturday, 21st April, Aviva Stadium
Get hype boys.
Get hype boys.
Shite, I missed McGrath being a doubt. That takes any box-kicking out of our game which could have been fruitful against the Scarlets wings. We don't lose that much on the wings if that's the case, Larmour isn't as good as Lowe as the game breaking option but Nacewa's attack over Ferg's somewhat makes up for that on the "solid" wing side.One of the only positives from Saturday night's defeat to Benetton is that Robbie Henshaw took a full part in the pre-match warm up. If he's fit this weekend, it means Isa Nacewa goes to the wing which lessens the impact of James Lowe being left out due to a possible Luke McGrath injury. Lots of moving parts!
Possible team in that case:
Kearney, Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Nacewa, Sexton, Gibson Park, Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Fardy, Leavy Murphy
Tracy, McGrath, Porter, O'Brien, Conan, McCarthy, Carbery, McFadden
Yeah, no way those two start together. I think ideally we'd have the backline I posted, obviously hinging on McGrath coming through, because Henshaw has had a long break but otherwise Larmour has to come in. Ball retention will be key for us against a strong breakdown side, we won't get much change kicking with JGP and Larmour.I can't see Leinster picking two slow wingers so if Nacewa is on the wing, he'll need a more attacking player like Larmour or Lowe on the other. If Nacewa is in midfield, McFadden starts out wide IMO.
SOB is definitely out. I'm getting worried about this now, we're so injured. I trust our three quarter line to tear them apart and while they'll get more turnovers than your average side playing Leinster it won't be enough to win the game directly off the back of it. Saturday is a test of our defence, if it has improved as much as it looks to have improved over the past 12 months we'll be golden but Exeter had a bit of joy with fast wingers, Scerlets have fast wingers and exploit space far better. I can't agree with Muff's possession, a gap of more than 10 would be a huge surprise to me.
It really shouldn't be though. Bookmakers have a gap of 10 as par. One score either side of that margin shouldn't be a major surprise.
FWIW I agree with Muff.....Scarlets have every right to be confident but Leinsters form in this competition is bomb proof.
What Dull said! We were -29 last week! I think we'll win but it won't be like Sarries where a couple short bursts playing near our best while letting their blunt attack waste time was more than enough. We won't have the luxury of comfortably playing without the ball.It really shouldn't be though. Bookmakers have a gap of 10 as par. One score either side of that margin shouldn't be a major surprise.
FWIW I agree with Muff.....Scarlets have every right to be confident but Leinsters form in this competition is bomb proof.