Rugby Union 2009

[Bald Student]

Ireland should move O'Driscoll to inside centre & play Earls on the outside next season as he is good enough now.

The problem with that is BOD isn't a great inside centre.

[joeSoap]

Earls now needs to establish just what he is..a fullback, winger or centre. As a lad he played all his rugby as an outside centre and thats what his best position is. The main problem he has at the moment is that he's not yet in O'Driscolls league. However, I don't agree with the argument that O'Driscoll is not a good 12...he simply hasn't played there very often. I'd like to see them partnered together to see how they go. It could be dynamic. I have a hunch you might see this partnership playing in South Africa in the summer....

[Aberdonian Stu]

One of the big issues for Leinster is where to slot in Nacewa. I didn't realise until Bald Student pointed it out to me that he's got decent goal kicking pedigree, so that removes what I thought was a need for a second kicker to cover for Sexton. The problem is Nacewa simply isn't an out half. That isn't the only positional question facing Leinster this summer.

The exit of Contepomi, while on the whole a bad thing, also raises another interesting question. What position will Leinster look to abroad to fill. Jowitt gets counted as an Irishman from next year and Whitaker will likely be gone so that adds to it as they might have the option to bring in two more foreigners on top of the slot Contepomi frees up.

In past seasons I would have said prop, prop, and prop, but when fit Van der Linde has been great (albeit he's been injured a lot) and Stan Wright isn't such a liability that Leinster can simply jump in and spend it there. There's depth in the back row, reasonable cover in the second row. There are good Irish passport holding options at 9 and the province seems committed to Sexton at 10 (though out half would be the first position I would look to fill as I'm not his biggest fan).

You then look at the rest of the back line and whoever gets bought is being bought to be a sub. I'm not saying Leinster is a supreme force devoid of problems, it most certainly has plenty, but there is a substantial balancing act to play when they go looking for bodies in the summer.

If it were my call I'd go out half, prop, and a second row/backrow in that order of priority. If neither Reddan nor Stringer (an odd move I grant but it has been rumoured) pan out then stick in scrum half at the top of the list.

[joeSoap]

I believe the departure of Contepomi can only be good for Leinster, but an even better departure in my book would be Cheika. The man is a bluffer in my opinion, and one who failed to land a European Cup in 2006 with a backline that included Dempsey, Horgan, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Denis Hickie, Contepomi and Guy Easterby. The pack that season included internationals like Reg Corrigan, Will Green, Mal O'Kelly, Jamie Heaslip, and Keith Gleeson. Yet they bottled it. My point is that I doubt a side of that quality would bottle any game under Declan Kidney or any other reputable coach.

No real progress has been made since, despite the quality of some of the above mentioned players still being there, and the additions of other world class players like Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, CJ Van der Linde and Rocky Elsom. He (Cheika) has been there long enough and certainly doesn't inspire confidence in me for Leinsters future. As a Munster fan, it thrills me that he is still in the job, but as an Irish rugby fan, it fills me with despair. Leinster won't beat Harlequins on Sunday...I'm pretty sure of that.

[Youths4Ever]

Agree with JoeSoap but not only has Chieka failed to produce while bringing in players he is almost afraid of playing young Irish players he destroyed Sextons confidence at start of season by taking him off in games where we was playing well.

Leinster have under age grand slam winners who have developed and are good enough or at least deserve a try at Magners League Level to begin with

In off season Leinster don't need that many new players IMO perhaps a fly half, scrum half, I think as someone has said if cant get Reddan or Stringer can see Reddan signing as Wasps wont be in Heineken Cup next year. Also an addition to the front row would not go astray

[Aberdonian Stu]

I can't disagree more on Cheika and Contepomi. Not least because I don't think Rocky Elsom would be in a Leinster shirt next season were it not for Cheika. Contepomi is a big loss as frankly there's a dearth of kickers globally that can also make good breaks, that's why Toulon want him.

[Bald Student]

My point is that I doubt a side of that quality would bottle any game under Declan Kidney or any other reputable coach.

Kidney was in charge of all those players the year before when they fell apart much more spectacularly to much weaker opposition.

Leinster really only need to sign a scrum half urgently and there are two Irish possibilities. Aside from that, I'd be happy to let the younger players (Sexton & McFadden in particular) play and let them either prove themselves or not. A lock would be nice if Mal retires but my own preference is to play an Irish player ahead of a foreign signing if it's at all possible.
In a funny way, I think it would be good for Irish rugby for Leinster to do well in the 'ken this year. If they go out to 'quins, Munster or the Ospreys the branch will be under pressure to spend big money again where as I'd much prefer to see Sexton, Toner, O'Brien and McFadden given the chance.

BOD can't pass the ball further than about 10 yards which is a major weakness in an inside centre.

Edit: I just saw this now but it's good news if true.

Leinster are focussing solely on next Sunday's Heineken Cup quarter-final with Harlequins at The Stoop but an announcement is imminent confirming the signing of scrum-half Eoin Reddan and prop Mike Ross.

If Whiticker, Contepomi and Wright all leave to be replaced by Irish players it'll be good for Ireland and will give Cheika a bit more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.

[Jofspring]

Have to agree with joesoap. Cheika has had his chance and has failed to deliver. Bringing in Elsom was a great signing but barr that i don't feel leinster have improved one bit in the last 4 years. With the players they have they should definately be challening in the heineken cup much better than they are. With a better coach i think they could have been finalists at least twice in the heineken cup in the last 4 or 5 years.

Heard the mike ross and eoin reddan story a couple of days ago. Two very good signings if they go through. I was hoping Mike Ross would sign for Munster myself, especially with the departure of Federico Pucciariello and would tony buckley being very unlucky with injury and illness over the past season.

[OneRedArmy]

Reversal of stereotypes today...

Leinster show Munster-like grit and determination and grind it out and Munster play fast-flowing backs-driven champagne rugby.

Two great victories.

All aboard the bandwagon, next stop Croker

[tetsujin1979]

Great win today at Thomond, second half was as good rugby as I've seen. Scoring 40 points in a Heineken Cup quarter final is fantastic.
Been on ticketmaster.ie for over an hour trying to get tickets for the semi-final, with no luck

[The Fly]

The big red machine marches on and Leinster win ugly, though O'Driscoll's chip and chase was magic.

I have a feeling the semi-final at Croke Park is going to be epic.

[rambler14]

Been on ticketmaster.ie for over an hour trying to get tickets for the semi-final, with no luck

Didn't even realise the tickets went on sale so soon absolutely gutted that it seems to be sold out already!

[OneRedArmy]

Didn't even realise the tickets went on sale so soon absolutely gutted that it seems to be sold out already!

Ridiculous if they went on sale straight away, fans of both sides would've been travelling home from the games.

Hopefully the clubs get looked after with a decent allocation.

[Bald Student]

Hopefully the clubs get looked after with a decent allocation.

Leinster season ticket holders can apply for 6 each so it should be Ok.

[tetsujin1979]

Leinster season ticket holders can apply for 6 each so it should be Ok.

yeah. and munster season ticket holders can only get 1 each on ticketmaster, despite being designated the "home" team!

[Bald Student]

yeah. and munster season ticket holders can only get 1 each on ticketmaster, despite being designated the "home" team!

There are a lot of funny things going on with Munster season tickets, I don't even try to understand it.

[Stuttgart88]

I was at The Stoop yesterday, thrilling match and a great crowd. Really good small time atmosphere. I think Rob Kearney is absolutely impeccable under the high ball and must be ahead of Byrne for Lions 15 position. A total thoroughbred footballer & a joy to watch.

Leinster defence was superb. I haven't seen a TV replay but I thought the ref gave nothing to Leinster at all. Was the forward pass really forward? It was only yards in front of me and none of us saw it as forward, albeit we were watching from wrong angle. The Contemponi yellow looked harsh. Could Leinster have been given a penalty try just before HT?

[Aberdonian Stu]

South Stand of the Stoop yesterday was unreal. Great crowd that travelled and a cracking atmosphere. Should have some pics up later today (no action shots).

[Aberdonian Stu]

Pics from the Stoop now online, it's accessible to non-Facebook accounts too despite being an FB link.

[Youths4Ever]

I was at The Stoop yesterday, thrilling match and a great crowd. Really good small time atmosphere. I think Rob Kearney is absolutely impeccable under the high ball and must be ahead of Byrne for Lions 15 position. A total thoroughbred footballer & a joy to watch.

Leinster defence was superb. I haven't seen a TV replay but I thought the ref gave nothing to Leinster at all. Was the forward pass really forward? It was only yards in front of me and none of us saw it as forward, albeit we were watching from wrong angle. The Contemponi yellow looked harsh. Could Leinster have been given a penalty try just before HT?

Ref gave Leinster very little. Contemponi yellow was harsh he only landed in front of player. Penalty try would have been harsh to be honest a lot of other players around Easter as he knocked on. Forward pass was a 50/50 decision IMO still not 100% sure if forward or not and Leinster did not get any 50/50 decisions yesterday