Leinster v Ulster: HC Last 16; April 1st

[cormac]

From memory the internationals involved yesterday only return to training this Thursday (excludes squad members not involved) so would imagine their focus will immediately be on the Ulster match.

Concerns over Sexton and Keenan from yesterday's match.

[LeinsterLeader]

johnny watterson

@wattersonjohnny
The bad news for Leinster is Johnny Sexton said ‘not too great’ when asked about the groin injury he picked up against England

[Oldschool]

A fair few players walking up to the podium yesterday were limping.
JGP, Sexton and POM to name just three. The 6Ns has been very attritional considering Ireland had to use 36 players throughout.

[desperado]

A fair few players walking up to the podium yesterday were limping.
JGP, Sexton and POM to name just three. The 6Ns has been very attritional considering Ireland had to use 36 players throughout.

Jonny's limp very pronounced leaving the post match dinner/reception. Looking at his limp I'd be very surprised if he's even back for the QF in 3 weeks.

[neill_m]

https://www.epcrugby.com/2023/03/21/epc ... d-of-16-2/

Luke Pearce the referee for the game.

[Dundalk 1]

https://www.epcrugby.com/2023/03/21/epc ... d-of-16-2/

Luke Pearce the referee for the game.

Better than having Frank Murphy or Andrew Brace with Joy as TMO

[neill_m]

https://www.epcrugby.com/2023/03/21/epc ... d-of-16-2/

Luke Pearce the referee for the game.

Better than having Frank Murphy or Andrew Brace with Joy as TMO

European game so always neutral referee / TMO.

[Dundalk 1]

https://www.epcrugby.com/2023/03/21/epc ... d-of-16-2/

Luke Pearce the referee for the game.

Better than having Frank Murphy or Andrew Brace with Joy as TMO

European game so always neutral referee / TMO.

Are you suggesting the Munster officials wouldn’t be neutral!!

[wixfjord]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

[Observingprop123]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

I was thinking this but I'm sure the coaches have allowed them to do it. Probably had a rest week this week so we're allowed for a few days.

Saw the Leinster lads on the piss Post the connacht match last year and it gave me the impression that they're probably on it more than you'd think.

[wixfjord]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

I was thinking this but I'm sure the coaches have allowed them to do it. Probably had a rest week this week so we're allowed for a few days.

Saw the Leinster lads on the piss Post the connacht match last year and it gave me the impression that they're probably on it more than you'd think.

Oh I'm sure they've been allowed to do what they want on rest week and they'll be well prepped for Ulster.

It's definitely not the best preparation to turn around after a huge emotional high and four days on the sauce to go into another massive knockout game though. We've seen that go badly plenty of times before.

[ronk]

It's definitely not the best preparation to turn around after a huge emotional high and four days on the sauce to go into another massive knockout game though. We've seen that go badly plenty of times before.

Ireland won grand slams in 2009 and 2018, hopefully Leinster have the same result as they did those years.

[Ruckedtobits]

It's definitely not the best preparation to turn around after a huge emotional high and four days on the sauce to go into another massive knockout game though. We've seen that go badly plenty of times before.

Ireland won grand slams in 2009 and 2018, hopefully Leinster have the same result as they did those years.

+1.
My thoughts precisely. An essential aspect of team preparation and maintenance of confidence is ensuring / allowing the celebration of achievements. By about now, many, if not all of the Squad are really looking forward to a real training blow-out and hard sweat. Sitting down, drinking and talking is not the normal state for elite athletes. After four days, you've said or heard most of what's needed till the next time and you begin to relish the opportunity of "the next time". We're fortunate that the next couple of opportunities are games they can easily get up for.

[wixfjord]

It's definitely not the best preparation to turn around after a huge emotional high and four days on the sauce to go into another massive knockout game though. We've seen that go badly plenty of times before.

Ireland won grand slams in 2009 and 2018, hopefully Leinster have the same result as they did those years.

Hopefully so, but we also should remember what has happened in league knockout games after big Euro wins or exits over the years.

2018 against Sarries was two weeks after the GS win albeit with less overlap between Ireland and Leinster.
2009 was three weeks after the GS when we faced Quins.

Keeping momentum after a big win is brilliant and I'm sure they'll be on a high.

But it'll be a challenge to turn around emotionally and physically too. Particularly given Ulster have so little players on the team.

Am sure we'll be well up for it and Stuesday will knock it out of them, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some rotation in players.

[riocard911]

It's definitely not the best preparation to turn around after a huge emotional high and four days on the sauce to go into another massive knockout game though. We've seen that go badly plenty of times before.

Ireland won grand slams in 2009 and 2018, hopefully Leinster have the same result as they did those years.

You're braver than me, Ronk. Such thoughts I keep to myself.....

[wixfjord]

Additions to playing squad for knockout games:

Hugh Cooney (centre), Fintan Gunne (scrum half), Gus McCarthy (hooker)


Not sure how much to read into that, I assume literally the whole senior squad incl academy is registered so this is just having the ability to bring guys along on match days I'd imagine.

Great boost for the three lads though and clear who will be joining academy next year.

[cormac]

Additions to playing squad for knockout games:

Hugh Cooney (centre), Fintan Gunne (scrum half), Gus McCarthy (hooker)


Not sure how much to read into that, I assume literally the whole senior squad incl academy is registered so this is just having the ability to bring guys along on match days I'd imagine.

Great boost for the three lads though and clear who will be joining academy next year.

It's probably cover in the wider squad due to the injuries to Osborne/Ngatai, Foley and Kelleher.

[LeinsterLeader]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

There's no doubt if I was an Ulster supporter the sights and sounds of the celebrations this week would warm the cockles of my hart alright. But what can you do? As a Leinster supporter all you can do is shrug your shoulders and hope it won't make too much of a difference in the final shake-up. It would certainly be churlish to begrudge the guys their celebrations, but I think you're right, I think in has to come into the equation.

When you think about it Ulster will have been concentrating on this fixture and planning for it, almost without disruption (or much), since it was announced. Most of the Leinster 23 won't have even thought about it yet and probably won't start seriously thinking about it until Monday. That has to make a difference surely! How much of a difference is the question.

[wixfjord]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

There's no doubt if I was an Ulster supporter the sights and sounds of the celebrations this week would warm the cockles of my hart alright. But what can you do? As a Leinster supporter all you can do is shrug your shoulders and hope it won't make too much of a difference in the final shake-up. It would certainly be churlish to begrudge the guys their celebrations, but I think you're right, I think in has to come into the equation.

When you think about it Ulster will have been concentrating on this fixture and planning for it, almost without disruption (or much), since it was announced. Most of the Leinster 23 won't have even thought about it yet and probably won't start seriously thinking about it until Monday. That has to make a difference surely! How much of a difference is the question.

Yep exactly.

I've absolutely no issue with lads celebrating a brilliant win.

But it's probably not great prep, so as per the original post, I wonder might we select with that in mind to ensure the team is the right mix of Irish 23 heads and guys who've been playing in blue through the 6Ns.

[riocard911]

I've no idea what it's like to be a pro athlete, but I do know what it's like to go on a 4 day bender in your mid 20s, and it takes a little bit to get over. Will be hard for some to get their heads back into the grind and prepare for a big Euro knockout derby.

It would be a massive shame if we went out undercooked and threw away all the good work, so I wonder might Leo et al choose to keep a few guys who weren't in the 6N 23 in the starting side for this game to ensure there aren't too many lads blowing out dirty petrol?

I'm thinking of the likes of Molony, Penny, Frawley, Deegan, Luke, Mike.

Or will they back the fitness, cohesion and quality of the guys to come back in and do a job straight away.

There's no doubt if I was an Ulster supporter the sights and sounds of the celebrations this week would warm the cockles of my hart alright. But what can you do? As a Leinster supporter all you can do is shrug your shoulders and hope it won't make too much of a difference in the final shake-up. It would certainly be churlish to begrudge the guys their celebrations, but I think you're right, I think in has to come into the equation.

When you think about it Ulster will have been concentrating on this fixture and planning for it, almost without disruption (or much), since it was announced. Most of the Leinster 23 won't have even thought about it yet and probably won't start seriously thinking about it until Monday. That has to make a difference surely! How much of a difference is the question.

If it's any consolation, I spotted Tom O'Toole among the party of revellers showed up at Ringer's gaff yesterday.