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European Champions & Challenge Cup
Heineken Cup Semi Final: Clermont vs Leinster - 29/04/12
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<blockquote data-quote="Feicarsinn" data-source="post: 497784" data-attributes="member: 22777"><p>The scrum will be massive for us on the weekend. Should we be able to hold our own up front, we may be able to get out of there with something. You'd imagine that the second row will be very close, with Cudmore and Hines supplying tonnes of grit and cuteness to go against Leo and Brad. After the performance of our line out over the past few weeks I'd be tempted to throw Toner in for Cullen. People might say that bringing Locky into the back row should solidify the set piece, but the effect isn't the same as having a proper line out specialist in there.</p><p></p><p>The back row battle will be immense. From a Leinster perspective if it remains dry I'd play Jennings at 7 and O'Brien at 6. If it's wet, O'Brien could easily go to the openside. Either way, with Vermeulen, Lapandry and Bonnaire on the opposite side the boys will have to be on the top of their game.</p><p></p><p>Half backs are quite even. Parra is better than either of our scrum halves while Sexton is far superior to either James or Skrela. We could shade it here, but again, it's on a knife edge.</p><p></p><p>I'd be worried about the midfield if Drico hadn't come back in such sensational form. Once again, I wouldn't like to call the contest here. Fofana is probably better than either D'arcy or McFadden, but there isn't a better 13 around than Drico and Rougerie doesn't look the player he was two years ago. I'd say the French guys are bigger, but our pair are smarter.</p><p></p><p>Both of the back three's are insanely good as well. We have a clear advantage at full back, but don't have a finisher of the calibre of Sivivatu. I think Fitzgerald and Nacewa are better all round players than their two wide guys, but lack some of the try scoring ability.</p><p></p><p>There's so little to choose in this one. I really can't call it. Anyway, here's the Leinster team I'd like to see:</p><p></p><p>15) Rob Kearney</p><p>14) Isa Nacewa</p><p>13) Brian O'Driscoll</p><p>12) Gordon D'arcy</p><p>11) Luke Fitzgerald</p><p>10) Johnny Sexton</p><p>9) Eoin Reddan</p><p>8) Jamie Heaslip</p><p>7) Shane Jennings</p><p>6) Sean O'Brien</p><p>5) Brad Thorn</p><p>4) Devin Toner</p><p>3) Mike Ross</p><p>2) Richardt Strauss</p><p>1) Cian healy</p><p></p><p>Bench: Sean Cronin, Nathan White, Heinke Van Der Merwe, Leo Cullen, Kevin McLaughlin, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden</p><p></p><p>Bring it!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Feicarsinn, post: 497784, member: 22777"] The scrum will be massive for us on the weekend. Should we be able to hold our own up front, we may be able to get out of there with something. You'd imagine that the second row will be very close, with Cudmore and Hines supplying tonnes of grit and cuteness to go against Leo and Brad. After the performance of our line out over the past few weeks I'd be tempted to throw Toner in for Cullen. People might say that bringing Locky into the back row should solidify the set piece, but the effect isn't the same as having a proper line out specialist in there. The back row battle will be immense. From a Leinster perspective if it remains dry I'd play Jennings at 7 and O'Brien at 6. If it's wet, O'Brien could easily go to the openside. Either way, with Vermeulen, Lapandry and Bonnaire on the opposite side the boys will have to be on the top of their game. Half backs are quite even. Parra is better than either of our scrum halves while Sexton is far superior to either James or Skrela. We could shade it here, but again, it's on a knife edge. I'd be worried about the midfield if Drico hadn't come back in such sensational form. Once again, I wouldn't like to call the contest here. Fofana is probably better than either D'arcy or McFadden, but there isn't a better 13 around than Drico and Rougerie doesn't look the player he was two years ago. I'd say the French guys are bigger, but our pair are smarter. Both of the back three's are insanely good as well. We have a clear advantage at full back, but don't have a finisher of the calibre of Sivivatu. I think Fitzgerald and Nacewa are better all round players than their two wide guys, but lack some of the try scoring ability. There's so little to choose in this one. I really can't call it. Anyway, here's the Leinster team I'd like to see: 15) Rob Kearney 14) Isa Nacewa 13) Brian O'Driscoll 12) Gordon D'arcy 11) Luke Fitzgerald 10) Johnny Sexton 9) Eoin Reddan 8) Jamie Heaslip 7) Shane Jennings 6) Sean O'Brien 5) Brad Thorn 4) Devin Toner 3) Mike Ross 2) Richardt Strauss 1) Cian healy Bench: Sean Cronin, Nathan White, Heinke Van Der Merwe, Leo Cullen, Kevin McLaughlin, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden Bring it! [/QUOTE]
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Heineken Cup Semi Final: Clermont vs Leinster - 29/04/12
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