16 December 2023; Cian Healy of Leinster dives over to score his side’s fifth try despite the tackle of Ethan Caine of Sale Sharks during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 2 match between Leinster and Sale Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
My biggest annoyance from this match (and I’m seriously fucking pissed off) was our complacency. Much as I was elated with our attitude last week, today was the complete opposite. That said I believe our expectations as supporters are not taking account of the huge vacuum created by the departures of Johnny and Stu. It will take time for the new coaching set up and 10 to settle and thrive
Alan Murphy Awful game. A game dominated by pedantic adjudication. Every phase seemed to end with a blow of the whistle. Stop, start. Happy with 5 points but dreadful to watch.
Kevin Kelehan Sloppy start and lax finish but a lot of grit for the middle half of the game either side of half time. Biggest news from the pool was La Rochelle losing again yesterday
SeanieH ·Terrible for Charlie. He’s had some lovely touches lately. Looking classy
No doubt Sale deserved those late scores but Leinster came out strong after the break and took control of both match & pool. Josh clearly has been working on his awesomeness. Charlie a big loss at the end and some work ons for sure but overall a good start to comp. #LEIvSAL
2 December 2023; Harry Byrne of Leinster kicks a conversion during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Leinster at the Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Andrew Byrne A last minute try can’t paper over those cracks. We were far below where we should be. Is our squad just too big, all this rotation seems to be causing a lack of cohesion in our playing combinations. I only hope we have a better performance in the bank for next week.
Chris McDonnell Seriously not good enough. This rotating the whole team had to stop. Too many players just not good enough to play for Leinster.
Darran Kearney Kinda liking that we are playing so poorly early season, instead of beating everyone out the door and learning nothing. Coaches have 6 months to work with the team for the business end of the season. Hoping we can end this season better than we have in the more recent seasons
Christy O’Connor Way too much rotation, players playing out of position. Lots of schoolboy errors. Have we not learned anything from the last 2 seasons. We rested players that only played 1 or 2 games. This is now getting ridiculous. Stop giving lads time just for the sake of it. We need to give the core players more time and the others should possibly look to move abroad.
Conor O’Shea Poor performance, but a wins a win. No major injuries for next week from tonight
Eamon Saunders A lot of mistakes from both sides but good to get the win 👏👏
Went from deserving to be behind to deserving to be ahead to deserving to lose….to a BP win!!! Way to many unforced errors by both sides, just needed that composure at the end. Talk about getting out of jail. Tough on Connacht. Draw would be better result tbf #CONvLEI
In the latest from our Opposition View series I spoke to Connacht fan Stephen Murphy from the excellent Master of None pod to offer a western perspective ahead of Leinster’s trip to the Sportsground on Saturday.
25 November 2023; Dan Sheehan of Leinster dives over to score his side’s second try despite the efforts of Gavin Coombes and Jack Crowley of Munster during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Leinster were not at their best tonight, and indeed far from it. A few players that might be considered world class might need a break ad they haven’t been at their best for a while and (a la Richie McCaw) might benefit from the rest
On the plus side, far from our best we ground out a win, Jordan Larmour back scoring tries, and Frawley proving he’s the real deal at 10 are my personal biggest positives for tonight, I only hope these are consistent positives, not one off.
The scrappy start probably suited us to need to fight back, the errors and lack of clinical finishing did not suit us and weren’t the Leinstertainment we would expect, give me more in the red zone please!
Gavin Hegarty
Leinster were far from their best but still ground out a win. Some very uncharacteristic errors from seasoned internationals.
A few bad missed tackles from Ringer, dropped balls from Jimmy, Doris is left wanting and Furlong just ambling along.
Nice for Frawley to get proper time at ten and show what he can do.
Take a bow Jack Conan, great game.
Ronan McManus
It was a bit scrappy (maybe partially Ireland hangover) but a decent win against a team whose only other loss was Ulster away.
6. Jack Conan should be delighted with his performance. The option of keeping him and Doris on the pitch together more often gives a bit more depth (Nienaber influence, presumably)
Jimmy OBrien looked sharp, but missed a few opportunities to weave gold from shit, that the great wingers would have seized.
Very disappointing for Ross Byrne, who looked good. This could have been an important one as far as Ireland is concerned.
Great finish by Larmour for his try. Hopefully the sign of things to come.
Christy O’Connor
Hard to take positives from that display except for Frawley stepping up. School boy errors the whole game.
Couldve, possibly shouldve, nicked a BP at the end but not sure we deserved it but definitely earned the win from top notch D some relentless series of double hits when it counted, Conan worthy PotM but D as a unit outstanding. Some interesting 10 calls for next wk #LEIvMUN
18 November 2023; Sam Prendergast of Leinster scores his side’s first try during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Scarlets at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
A good win but still a little disappointing. A good place to be when we’re disappointed to concede 5 to the Scarlets.
Prendergast did well but he’s too light in defence, he’d need more back row cover going forward.
Well done to Ross Byrne on his 150th cap.
Joe Mc was unreal again, he’s a fine future in front of him
(reply to Gavin) Peter Tracey
I’m glad they weren’t great. Loads to work on for next week and Jack will be in place.
Agree about Prendergast but that will come so not too worried.
Could Ross be top points scorer in the future? The only thing is if he’s in Ireland squads.
Joe is going to have a big season. I liked Gunne’s passing when he came on. Looked good for Ireland u20s.
We need to start bringing through a few 9s and props which we are.
Brian Corr
I enjoyed the game, I think it’s funny though that I have to remind myself as do many others that a 54-5 win is an excellent result.
It’s great to see Osbourne in particular doing so well, and the more Prendergast and Gunne get opportunities, the better Leinster will do.
The international contingent had a mixed bag, overall good and funnily enough Furlong looked very sharp.
Delighted for Keenan to get POTM, brilliant as usual.
Kevin Kelehan
Dominant and top of the table
Warren Doyle
God almighty we won👏👏👏👏
Jamie Donohoe
Jimmy O Brien had a superb game
Scoreline doesnt tell the story of the match, only because Scarlets couldve had a lot more than their 5 only for the Blue Wall. Result never really in doubt, good outing by Sam, great one by Hugo, still some workons but top of the league going into big one next week. #LEIvSCA
Never thought something like Storm Debi could possibly affect our humble pod recording, though at least it wasn’t due to anyone coming to any harm. I had already pushed it to a Monday evening chat when Tom Coleman had to work late so thankfully Conor Cronin was able to step in and do his second wrap pod in as many weekends, with Jay Long also helping us look back over Leinster’s win over the Dragons.
But because everything has been pushed back a day, this week’s 80+ column will be a lot shorter than usual.
Selecting a matchday 23 is always a great discussion point so this chat was easy, although we came up with some calls we might not have considered not too long ago.
BUNKER MENTALITY
Although I’ve kept this 80+ column brief I enjoy doing those TikTok opinion vids so I found the time to do one on the TMO bunker system.
Here’s the transcript of my contribution to the “Front 5” feature on our wrap pod where we look at articles covering topics outside the latest Leinster/Ireland match…
Quote “…even though it was only for a couple of minutes, what a debut from young Rock boy Andrew Conway…with a try-producing offload at one end and a try-saving tackle at the other in his brief appearance, he is surely one to watch.” end quote
That was 2010. Now fast forward almost three years to January 25, 2013 when Conway was still considered to be one of Leinster’s top prospects so you’d have thought the announcement of his move to Munster of all places would send shockwaves throughout Irish rugby.
However the news came at exactly the same time as that of Johnny Sexton’s move to Racing, and with Isa Nacewa also leaving as the season came to a close and both stars featuring in Leinster’s win over Ulster in the Pro12 final, Conway’s exit went very much below the radar, even though he himself also started that same decider at the RDS.
Well the rest, as the saying goes, is history and Simon Lewis’ article does a great job of summarizing the facts of Conway’s spell at Munster, and I’d only add two points, the first being that before the horrible injury which ruled him out for 16 months, it was clear he was very much part of Andy Farrell’s plans for the 2023 World Cup, and indeed on outings like a preseason clash with Leinster down in Musgrave Park in September just gone, he showed he had lost none of his sharpness, particularly on the kick chase where he had become a master of the art.
But one other thing I’d like to add to all the much deserved plaudits he has received since his announcement is that if anyone’s career shows exactly how the reality of Irish rugby transcends all the Leinster/Munster bickering we see from fans of both provinces, myself included of course, then it’s Andrew Conway’s.
If you were to believe all the social media narrative and gaslighting, there’s absolutely no way a promising talent with a CV so Leinstery you’d swear it belonged to Ross O’Carroll Kelly himself would ever be allowed move down the N7, let alone be accepted and acclaimed as a hero by the Thomond Park faithful.
Yet despite the irony of the announcement of his retirement also coming around the same time as that of Sexton, there was no going under the radar this time, with tributes pouring in not just from Munster fans mostly sharing GIFs of THAT try against Toulon but also from throughout the other three provinces and beyond.
He could easily have earned more than 30 caps over his career but he rounds off his retirement statement with two words “forever grateful” and I’m pretty sure I speak for the vast majority of the rugby family when I say so are we, Andrew, and best of luck with your next adventure.
URC IRISH SHIELD UPDATE
Ulster’s win on Friday puts them to the top of the Irish Shield for now, although Leinster have yet to get underway on this table, a situation to be resolved by none other than the visit of Munster to Aviva the weekend after next. URC website still not posting the latest tables.
Match 2
ULSTER 21-14 MUNSTER
ULSTER P 2 PTS 5
CONNACHT P 1 PTS 4
MUNSTER P 1 PTS 1
LEINSTER P 0 PTS 0
Match 3
NOV 25
LEINSTER V MUNSTER
🔝🐱🐴 UPDATE
Both of Leinster’s Champions Cup pool opponents from the 🔝🐱🐴 had narrow victories in Round 6, with ROG’s lads needing a last gasp penalty to get them back to winning ways just as they’re feeding their internationals back into the squad before we play them. Meanwhile Stade remain top with a Parisien derby against Stu Lancaster’s Racing, possibly including Siya Kolisi, to come at the weekend.
Round 6
SAT NOV 11
TOULOUSE 43-34 PERPIGNAN
CASTRES 39-11 OYONNAX
LYON 32-36 STADE FRANCAIS
MONTPELLIER 17-20 CLÉRMONT
PAU 20-11 BORDEAUX
LA ROCHELLE 18-15 BAYONNE
TOULON 32-26 RACING 92
Round 7
SAT NOV 18
STADE FRANCAIS V RACING 92
BAYONNE V PAU
PERPIGNAN V MONTPELLIER
OYONNAX V LYON
CLÉRMONT V TOULON
CASTRES V TOULOUSE
SUN NOV 19
LA ROCHELLE V BORDEAUX
PREMIERSHIP UPDATE
Mixed fortunes for Leinster’s Euro Prem opponents this week – Leicester fell at home which sent Quins to the top of the table while Sale Sharks move to second with a decent win away to Bristol. Finn Russell seemingly taunted the Gloucester crowd as Bath stayed in the playoff positions with a derby victory and Northampton round out the top 4 with a win over Exeter.
ROUND 5
GLOUCESTER 27-45 BATH
BRISTOL 13-27 SALE SHARKS
LEICESTER 25-29 HARLEQUINS
NEWCASTLE 12-50 SARACENS
NORTHAMPTON 34-19 EXETER
ROUND 6
FRI NOV 17
BATH V BRISTOL BEARS
SALE SHARKS V NEWCASTLE
SAT NOV 18
LEICESTER V NORTHAMPTON
HARLEQUINS V SARACENS
EXETER V GLOUCESTER
AIL UPDATE
Top match in the Women’s AIL was a low scoring thriller with Belvo holding out to win 6-3 at Railway Union, who’s schedule doesn’t get any easier as they now must travel to 100% league leaders UL Bohs in a match which will be livestreamed from Annacotty on the Irish Rugby YouTube channel, we’ll put a link in the Rugby on TV post on Thursday.
Meanwhile on the men’s side of things Clontarf stayed top after taking maximum points against City of Armagh but Cork Con stayed in touch with a comprehensive win at Shannon – next up they host Trinity who continue to struggle at the bottom with some daylight starting to appear between them and those above them.
#SupportYourLocalClub
WOMEN’S AIL
Round 7
ROCK 48-0 BALLINCOLLIG
COOKE 14-17 WICKLOW
GALWEGIANS 5-12 SUTTONIANS
RAILWAY UNION 3-6 BELVO
Round 8
SAT NOV 18
BALLINCOLLIG V BELVO
COOKE V BLACKROCK
WICKLOW V GALWEGIANS
UL BOHS V RAILWAY UNION
MEN’S AIL
ROUND 5
CLONTARF 35-17 CITY OF ARMAGH
DUBLIN UNIV 15-21 BALLYNAHINCH
SHANNON 24-43 CORK CON
TERENURE 24-23 LANSDOWNE
UCD 26-24 YOUNG MUNSTER
ROUND 6
SAT NOV 18
BALLYNAHINCH V CLONTARF
CITY OF ARMAGH V UCD
CORK CON V DUBLIN UNIV
LANSDOWNE V SHANNON
YOUNG MUNSTER V TERENURE
RE SUPER CUP UPDATE
Whether intentional or not, this new Super Cup format has thrown up some fascinating clashes for the final round of the pool stage this weekend. Both the Castillas/Lusitanos Iberian derby and the Romanian Wolves/Brussels clash are virtually quarterfinals with Black Lion and the Heat already through to the final four.
ROUND 2
CASTILLA 20-38 TEL-AVIV HEAT
BOHEMIA WARRIORS 10-43 BRUSSELS DEVILS
LUSITANOS 0-22 BLACK LION
DELTA 5-31 ROMANIAN WOLVES
ROUND 3
THU NOV 16
BOHEMIA WARRIORS V DELTA
SAT NOV 18
TEL-AVIVA HEAT V BLACK LION
BRUSSELS DEVILS V ROMANIAN WOLVES
SUN NOV 19
CASTILLA V LUSITANOS
HARPIN PREDICTION LEAGUE
Although I’m still in third place I gained some ground by pinching the yellow cap this week for the highest score, mostly due to my somehow managing to predict Zebre’s historic win over the Sharks. I don’t know what came over me when I made the call, except for the fact that the Parma outfit had been doing well picking up bonus points so far this season while the Sharks were at the end of a long road trip so it was probably worth the punt.
Short but sweet column this time, hopefully next week will be more conventional. As ever we’ll be giving the visit of the Scarlets to the RDS the full Harpin treatment so stay tuned to all the usual social media channels and get involved in the discussion in any way you can.
As ever, be sure to enjoy your rugby wherever you are. JLP
