Sol_ie wrote: I'm not sure if we're at the 'crisis' stage yet, but it's bloody close.

This is a crisis. A large crisis. In fact, if you got a moment, it's a twelve-storey crisis with a magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24-hour portage, and an enormous sign on the roof, saying 'This Is a Large Crisis'.

Hard to take any positives away from that really. Leinster took every chance they were given, and took it well. Their maul off the line out was very strong, and we didn't seem to have an answer for it. Possession was nearly 50//50 it seems, which is astounding to me. They missed more tackles than us (21 to 15), we beat more defenders (21 to 15) but the proof is in the pudding.

I thought Jacks cross field kick for the try was a thing of beauty. If Marmion had started, he might have gotten a bit more ball? Blade had a fine game, but he's passing for the ruck was maybe a little slower than Marmion would have been.

Like everyone else, it's the injuries that really worry me. Finlay was off very quick, and obviously your heart goes out for SOB. Robb got a nasty gash on his cheek, but that didn't seem to slow him down after he got it patched up. I'm not sure if we're at the 'crisis' stage yet, but it's bloody close.

Ah well, roll on European rugby.

The ref must be on Will Connors' Christmas card list now.
I don't know how he stayed on after taking out Jack Carty either?
Leinster deserved the win but the points difference is slightly flattering.
The youngsters on the advertising hoardings in the College Rd terrace looked to be enjoying their ice creams despite the temperature..! (They raise them tough in the West).

Rewatching the game and it doesn't look any better second time.

Losing Finlay early was a blow.
Leinster haven't done anything fancy, saw an undersized front five and went after it ruthlessly.
Leinster winning collision all over the pitch and Connacht lads falling off tackles with very few dominant hits coming from anyone.

Ref wasn't nearly as bad as the clan stand would have you believe but how their flanker didn't see at least yellow I'll never know.

Fardy best player on the park by a street, big fan of Butler but he was never in the refs ear and Leinster we're constantly talking to him.

Bad day at the office and might be a few more in the future until the second row injury problems clear up......which doesn't look any time soon.

Connacht team: Darragh Leader, Niyi Adeolokun, Tom Farrell, Peter Robb, Stephen Fitzgerald, Jack Carty, Caolin Blade.

Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham, Cillian Gallagher, Joe Maksymiw, Eoghan Masterson, Jarrad Butler, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Matthew Burke, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Sean O'Brien, Colby Fainga’a, Kieran Marmion, Bundee Aki, Kyle Godwin.

ShaneM wrote: For anyone going out after the match, Murtys have confirmed a late license for tomorrow nights game

Teams are out

Worriness :

- Macksymiw having conceeded 3 pens on his own last week, has to keep his discipline
- Farrell defence out Henshaw/Tomane
- Healy and Porsh would have had my preference over S.Fitzgerald, but it's 51/49 indeed
- no Dillane, but Fardy


Confidance :

- Farrell attacking game vs Henshaw/Tomane, not used to defend in those positions
- Burke has to handle Bent and not Furlong, he should
- Boyle wanting to impress as an ex-Leinsterman
- Our bench is stronger (Carty+Aki+Godwin will cause havoc against tired legs)
- Leader big boot, useful in these games!


Decisive 50/50

- Gallagher/SOB will do the job in 2nd row IMO, even if it's optimism
- Fainga'a to counter Ruddock impact from the bench
- Buckley vs Porter, hell of a massive fight to gain/neutralize scrums
- Adeolakun vs A.Byrne, who's the fastest, who's the closest to Irish squad for 6 nations

For anyone going out after the match, Murtys have confirmed a late license for tomorrow nights game

I’ve 4 tickets available for this game. 2 MS & 2 College Rd. €25 each. Hopefully it’ll be a great attacking game. It would set a good marker for the rest of the season to beat Leinster. Add Jack and Bundee in over the next few weeks and it could be a great year.

I'm oddly confident about this one. A lot is going to come back to selection, i.e. who is available. Leinster havn't been amazing away from home this season (a tight win against Treviso and a real slog of a 0-3 win against Zebre). Our confidence has to be high, our lads have been playing our hearts out the last few games. This would be a great way to round out this block of Pro14 games.