Edinburgh v Leinster

[An Tarbh]

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Edinburgh v Leinster</div>

Leinster may have seen their league chances fall by the wayside against Munster last time out but a win this evening will serve as a gentle reminder to Munster that all isn't won yet.

The problem for Leinster though, apart from their poor form at Murrayfield, is their inability to back up a big European win with another in the league.

That task won't be any easier given the number of players who are being rested but there's still enough quality to get the job done.

D'Arcy's chances of touring will have been done no harm by the fact that Henson is all but ruled out so he'll be out to impress ahead of Tuesday's announcement. Luke Fitzgerald though is one who may miss out this time and the fact that he's not playing this weekend won't give him that final chance to twist the selector's arm, even though they should be well and truly twisted by now.

For Edinburgh Jim Hamilton returns to the team having missed the win over the Blues while Mike Blair will be another looking to confirm his place on the plane with a big performance following his mediocre season to date.

Home win though as Leinster's inconsistency again comes back to haunt them.

 

[shazbooger]

They would be doing us a favour if they lost and ended it all now. Not to say they would throw it, but I can easily see us being turned over.

At least then we can all just focus on the match in three weeks and forget the rest.

 

[monkeypigeon]

A rather week Leinster team it has to be said. Nascewa at outhalf? Thought that lesson had been well and truely learned by now.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Logorrhea @ Apr 17 2009, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

They would be doing us a favour if they lost and ended it all now. Not to say they would throw it, but I can easily see us being turned over.

At least then we can all just focus on the match in three weeks and forget the rest.[/b]

rather they won and have something to play for to keep them that bit sharper ahead of the Munster match.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Monkeypigeon @ Apr 17 2009, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

A rather week Leinster team it has to be said. Nascewa at outhalf? Thought that lesson had been well and truely learned by now.[/b]

I'm not too surprised with the selection of Nacewa at 10. Sexton is suspended (and rightly so) while Dr Phil played a damn tough game just 5 days ago. Nacewa has experience at 10 so he deserves to get the nod.

The replacement flyhalf could be one to watch. Ian McKinley played in the centre for the Ireland u20s in the recent 6 Nations and is a huge talent having only turned 19 about 3 or 4 months ago. He has a monstrous boot and is a very skillful player. Out of Jonny Sexton, Ian Keatley and Ian McKinley, McKinley is the most talented.

 

[edinburgh_gunner]

Should be a good game, always is between our two teams (aside fromt that absolutley gash H Cup game where sent our 2nd team) Would be better if it was a full strength Leinster team, but still a good game in prospect. Hopefully we can keep our run of form up from now till the end of the season and finish as high as we can. Not seen every game of Edinburgh this season, but generally, haven't played badly just incosistantly. Got to build for next season now though, the league ***le is way beyond us barring a miracle, so now is the chance to get a few wins and generate some belief in the squad.

 

[An Tarbh]

promising start with that initial counterattack just could have done with someone other than Jowitt on Nacewa's shoulder.

 

[An Tarbh]

would you stop Gillingham, Blair's no more a contender for the Lions captaincy than the man in the moon, he'll be doing well just to tour following his Six Nations.

 

[An Tarbh]

that's lazy O'Brien stay on your feet for goodness sake.

 

[An Tarbh]

huge hit from Nacewa that's what you want to see.

 

[An Tarbh]

that's dreadful Leinster not even finding touch from the penalty.

 

[An Tarbh]

Keane looks like he's picked up Whitaker's bad habits. Here's hoping he's not done the same with O'Donohue.

 

[An Tarbh]

looked like McFadden's kick bounced inside, harsh call on Leinster imo.

 

[An Tarbh]

thank God we didn't defend like that on Sunday, massive hole in the Leinster defence for Hogg to stroll through, poor effort in the tackle from O'Brien. Not the best start for him.

 

[An Tarbh]

Ford makes a lovely break to put Houston away, non existent Leinster defence again though, could be in for a long night here.

14-0 Edinburgh after 22 mins

 

[An Tarbh]

another strong position for Edinburgh here following a well weighted chip from Webster.

 

[An Tarbh]

all too easy there, some effort with the hit on Ford but Blair running right across the Leinster defence to put Webster over, not sure what the urgency to get near the posts is all about when he's got a kicker like Paterson.

21-0 Edinburgh 26 mins

 

[An Tarbh]

Ford's throwing could well be the one thing that costs him a place on the tour to SA

 

[An Tarbh]

Edinburgh very nearly getting the try bp but for a dubious forward pass, quality line and take though in the buildup from Blair after a hospital pass from Paterson.

 

[An Tarbh]

the comeback begins, penalty for McFadden reducing the arrears to only 18 points now!