Heineken Cup Final: Ulster vs. Leinster - 19/05/2012

[TRF_Olyy]

Unfortunately that's also a weakness in Cronin's game, so no help there. Didn't help Richardt that we only had one man on the field over 6'5". I'd be very surprised if Strauss didn't start the final.

Aye, not a cause to drop him at all. It was only twice (I think?) though they were both in attacking positions.

 

[lucky number 7]

Leo had a very impressive game today though I felt...worked amazingly hard

 

[Feicarsinn]

He had a good game alright, aside from the fact that he was very lucky to stay on the field, but something's got to give in the second row. We've been crying out for a specialist line out operator for a while now and there is not better man that Devin Toner to step up. He's the tallest man in European rugby for christ's sake! Himself and Thorn had a very impressive outing in Thomond Park a few weeks ago, I'd like to see that pairing in the final, otherwise Touhy and Muller could very easily take advantage.

EDIT: I've just checked, I have my last and hardest exam on the 21st.

 

[lucky number 7]

He had a good game alright, aside from the fact that he was very lucky to stay on the field, but something's got to give in the second row. We've been crying out for a specialist line out operator for a while now and there is not better man that Devin Toner to step up. He's the tallest man in European rugby for christ's sake! Himself and Thorn had a very impressive outing in Thomond Park a few weeks ago, I'd like to see that pairing in the final, otherwise Touhy and Muller could very easily take advantage.

EDIT: I've just checked, I have my last and hardest exam on the 21st.

#
You'll be grand.. You'll have had plenty of time to sober up and return to Ireland

 

[Squeals]

He was the same with Connacht, nothing spectacular in the line out, great loose player though,
What Lenster and Ireland need to do is turn Toner into a Luke Charteris type player, he has the height and a bit more muscle on him would go a long way. Got to hit the tallest man you can in the lineouts. Gatland worked this nicely in the world cup, we should lean from it.
Toner and Ryan are the future for Irish second row. Ryan an animal and toner the target man in lineout

 

[Draggs]

He was the same with Connacht, nothing spectacular in the line out, great loose player though,
What Lenster and Ireland need to do is turn Toner into a Luke Charteris type player, he has the height and a bit more muscle on him would go a long way. Got to hit the tallest man you can in the lineouts. Gatland worked this nicely in the world cup, we should lean from it.
Toner and Ryan are the future for Irish second row. Ryan an animal and toner the target man in lineout

Never did I think I would see someone want a player to be like Luke Charteris.

 

[Feicarsinn]

He was the same with Connacht, nothing spectacular in the line out, great loose player though,
What Lenster and Ireland need to do is turn Toner into a Luke Charteris type player, he has the height and a bit more muscle on him would go a long way. Got to hit the tallest man you can in the lineouts. Gatland worked this nicely in the world cup, we should lean from it.
Toner and Ryan are the future for Irish second row. Ryan an animal and toner the target man in lineout

Toner has been much improved this season. He's taking a lot more responsibility on and is taking the ball into contact much lower, making him a far more effective carrier. He's a massive asset at the line out and has the skills to be of some use around the park. Himself, Ryan and Tuohy will more than likely be the Irish locks at the next world cup (although Paul O'Connell could easily make it.) One of Ryan or Tuohy to start along side Toner. Grunt and lineout work. Nosh.

By all accounts Ryan Caldwell has been very impressive for Bath this season too. Second row won't be a problem for us going forward I reckons. But I digress.

 

[Squeals]

Never did I think I would see someone want a player to be like Luke Charteris.

Your not a fan of the big man?

 

[Draggs]

Your not a fan of the big man?

On the contrary, I think he is fantastic (wish he was staying...).
Just if someone said to me that they want a second row more like Charteris even a year ago I would be shocked. He's improved remarkably.

 

[Squeals]

On the contrary, I think he is fantastic (wish he was staying...).
Just if someone said to me that they want a second row more like Charteris even a year ago I would be shocked. He's improved remarkably.

Ya sure his play in the world cup was unreal, didn't do much before that but stepped up to the plate like many welsh players in the world cup. Toner is tall and i know charteris is taller again but i would like toner to play like em in the world cup, target in the line out, which is bit of a problem in Irish rugby
With regard to em leaving that's the case, as you know, with every club in wales, they are killing club rugby there which is a pity. Is there any Welsh international left in wales for next season?

 

[Peat]

I agree with Feic, as I would not like to see Toner start. It's not just the lineout, his hands are superb too and my real fear is for when Leinster start to get their offloading game going. That is where they'll kill us.

I also think Cronin's throwing has improved a lot and wouldn't be utterly surprised if he got the nod, as I'm going to guess he's a stronger scrummager than Strauss.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ya sure his play in the world cup was unreal, didn't do much before that but stepped up to the plate like many welsh players in the world cup. Toner is tall and i know charteris is taller again but i would like toner to play like em in the world cup, target in the line out, which is bit of a problem in Irish rugby
With regard to em leaving that's the case, as you know, with every club in wales, they are killing club rugby there which is a pity. Is there any Welsh international left in wales for next season?

Charteris is shorter also O'Connell at the moment is an excellent target to have though Toner should be the one to take over if he keeps this season's form up.

I agree with Feic, as I would not like to see Toner start. It's not just the lineout, his hands are superb too and my real fear is for when Leinster start to get their offloading game going. That is where they'll kill us.

I also think Cronin's throwing has improved a lot and wouldn't be utterly surprised if he got the nod, as I'm going to guess he's a stronger scrummager than Strauss.

Yeah Cronin's improved a lot at throwing seems to be slipping a bit recently though. His scrummaging prowess has been mentioned by Feek in interviews before.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I agree with Feic, as I would not like to see Toner start. It's not just the lineout, his hands are superb too and my real fear is for when Leinster start to get their offloading game going. That is where they'll kill us.

I also think Cronin's throwing has improved a lot and wouldn't be utterly surprised if he got the nod, as I'm going to guess he's a stronger scrummager than Strauss.

Depends which Ulster show up. If they defend like they did against Munster, it'll be a long day for the boys in blue, if they defend like they did in the first half against Edinburgh, we could be okay.

 

[Peat]

Depends which Ulster show up. If they defend like they did against Munster, it'll be a long day for the boys in blue, if they defend like they did in the first half against Edinburgh, we could be okay.

I'm hoping to have to defend like neither. We can't go through that number of tackles and win for a third time in a row. It just seems impossible. I would like us to keep the ball and play in the opposition half for more than ten minutes of the match for once.

Although, yes, the defensive display against Embra wasn't all that - although really, both came down to skin of the teeth stopping them at the five metre line FAR, FAR too often in both games.

BG8 - Figured as much. Considering Best's reputation as a scrummaging hooker, Ulster's propensity for going on the attack here, and Ruan Pienaar's ability to establish a 60m threat zone, I'd have considered the scrum more important than the lineout. I'd say the Ulster and Leinster scrums are fairly well matched, but all it takes is the ref suddenly agreeing with us, or a good day for us, and you're 9 points down aggregate over the course of the match. There's not much in it, but I'd start Cronin.

 

[Logorrhea]

@coonor
Stay away from Twickenham and go for a few pints in Richmond instead. It's a 20-30 minute walk away and a far nicer spot.

Stay the **** away from the fanzones. The last one in Cardiff had one bar with about 6 taps for the 1000's who turned up. The fanzone itself just turned into a massive queue for the bar.

 

[Logorrhea]

As Schmidt said after the Clermont game, it'll be a challenge to get the teams head right for this game.

Ulster havent beaten Leinster in quite a long time, there is a reason for that.

 

[Feicarsinn]

As Schmidt said after the Clermont game, it'll be a challenge to get the teams head right for this game.

Ulster havent beaten Leinster in quite a long time, there is a reason for that.

When's the last time Ulster sent out a full team against us in fairness? Now I'd agree with you that we have a black mark over them, but it'd be silly to underestimate them. They've beaten Tigers, Clermont and Munster this year - they're obviously a top side.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Ulster are a very good side but I can't see Leinster being complacent. Leinster were heavy favourites in the final last season too but Northampton ripped them a new one in the first half. Leaving that sort of a mountain to climb will have stuck in the memory.

 

[Logorrhea]

When's the last time Ulster sent out a full team against us in fairness? Now I'd agree with you that we have a black mark over them, but it'd be silly to underestimate them. They've beaten Tigers, Clermont and Munster this year - they're obviously a top side.

They werent far off a full team a few weeks ago. Aside form injuries and suspensions, I dont think they rested that many players. They really wanted to win it, and were well short against a Leinster team that didnt even ask Darce and Nacewa to travel.

Dont get me wrong, I rate Ulster very highly, they remind me of us a few years ago when we ambushed Munster in Croke park. They have an excellent spine and some real match winners. However:

1. We are used to winning against them, they are used to losing to us. Mentally that is hard to overcome.
2. They have no bench, we have serious strength in depth.
3. I just dont believe that THEY really think they can win it themselves. They will go all out for it of course, but during the match, when the game goes against them I dont think they are strong enough to turn it around.

 

[Peat]

We were without Best, Tuohy and Ferris, all of whom could have played. Throw in Afoa being suspended and we were missing half of the first choice pack. We were no where near full strength that day, and given that we could have been, I'd question how much we were really bothered. The Rabble Pro was a very long shot by then. The Jackson/Humphreys decision was very ballsy that day as well.

So I don't think that'll be playing on Ulster minds. We've shattered, or came close to shattering a few big milestones this season already. I've been very impressed by the self-belief of Ulster this season.

The superior depth thing is a sodding big issue though. As is the fact Leinster are better coached. On paper, I'd say the teams are fairly even... on grass, not so much.