Leinster Vs Leicester Friday 8pm

[stepsider]

He didn't have the best of games, to be sure.

[p/d]

How is Van Poort anywhere near the England squad?

Indeed

[Mikey Brown]

Booooo Van Poortvliet booooo, bring back Ben Youngs.

[francoisfou]

That was an impressive demolition job. Does the IRFU need the provincial sides of Connacht, Munster and Ulster, or is there an obligation to include at least one player from them in the Irish XV?

[fivepointer]

Bit of a thumping and truth be told Leicester werent at all good. Nothing in their game looked secure and efficient. None of their players really showed up.
Leinster, on the other hand, showed their class at times and eased away to a comfortable win. There is so much to admire in the way they play.
It will take a very good side, playing at the top of their game, to beat them.

[FKAS]

Leicester played with a lot of spirit and grit, but look a poorly-organized team.
How is Van Poort anywhere near the England squad?

I didn't think we looked poorly organised. I just think Leinster are a class outfit that we able to find and exploit weaknesses that we had.

JVP had a good first half, looked tired in the second half. He needs to stop the stupid little chips over the top as he keeps trying those and they never work. Aside from that he didn't really make any errors and upped the tempo when was necessary. I agree with Puja on the move that should have put Cronin away, that was really nice play. He's settled in as the first choice option for England though which means he's not very good and is there to be shot at and ideally replaced by the next big thing.

Tigers are probably a couple of seasons away from being able to compete with Leinster. Unless they are actually lucky enough to have their first choice 23 fit and firing. The squad depth is still being developed. Getting the talent in the development squad game time next season has to be a priority alongside keeping what we've generated so far.

[p/d]

Booooo Van Poortvliet booooo, bring back Ben Youngs.

Or anyone else.

[Banquo]

Good all round young player, playing in a couple of average teams (I'm being kind to England there- poor is the reality) a lot of the time. Funnily enough, struggles when the rest of the team does. I'd also say he needs to forget some of the tactical coaching that appears to have been hypnotised into him.

[FKAS]

Good all round young player, playing in a couple of average teams (I'm being kind to England there- poor is the reality) a lot of the time. Funnily enough, struggles when the rest of the team does. I'd also say he needs to forget some of the tactical coaching that appears to have been hypnotised into him.

Some of that appears to a confidence thing. He started and was lively in the first half. Not unusual for a young player to go into their shell a bit and do the basics when things aren't going there way. It helps that his kicking game is strong.

[francoisfou]

What appears to be JvP's principle tactic is the infamous box-kick, which was largely nullified by an ultra efficient Leinster defence who seemed to regain possession of the ball at will, undoubtedly helped by the ring of protecting players in front of the catcher preventing a fair challenge from the chasing side.
All sides employ this tactic which I interpret to be obstruction, which hardly ever gets penalised. When will World Rugby address this problem and penalise the players involved?
Another gripe is the hookers who are just about standing in the field of play before throwing the ball to the line-out! Shouldn't they be on the other side of the touch line?

[Puja]

What appears to be JvP's principle tactic is the infamous box-kick, which was largely nullified by an ultra efficient Leinster defence who seemed to regain possession of the ball at will, undoubtedly helped by the ring of protecting players in front of the catcher preventing a fair challenge from the chasing side.
All sides employ this tactic which I interpret to be obstruction, which hardly ever gets penalised. When will World Rugby address this problem and penalise the players involved?
Another gripe is the hookers who are just about standing in the field of play before throwing the ball to the line-out! Shouldn't they be on the other side of the touch line?

I don't like it much either, but on the other hand, I'm not hugely keen on a law clarification that would increase the success rate of kick and chase tactics. Not sure what my opinion is.

Puja

[FKAS]

What appears to be JvP's principle tactic is the infamous box-kick, which was largely nullified by an ultra efficient Leinster defence who seemed to regain possession of the ball at will, undoubtedly helped by the ring of protecting players in front of the catcher preventing a fair challenge from the chasing side.
All sides employ this tactic which I interpret to be obstruction, which hardly ever gets penalised. When will World Rugby address this problem and penalise the players involved?
Another gripe is the hookers who are just about standing in the field of play before throwing the ball to the line-out! Shouldn't they be on the other side of the touch line?

I don't like it much either, but on the other hand, I'm not hugely keen on a law clarification that would increase the success rate of kick and chase tactics. Not sure what my opinion is.

Puja

I'd clamp down on the ring fencing the catcher but at the same time amend the law so that no player can join the ruck after the ref calls use it. Should mean no or smaller caterpillar rucks but also reward for being good under the high ball.

[Spiffy]

What appears to be JvP's principle tactic is the infamous box-kick, which was largely nullified by an ultra efficient Leinster defence who seemed to regain possession of the ball at will, undoubtedly helped by the ring of protecting players in front of the catcher preventing a fair challenge from the chasing side.
All sides employ this tactic which I interpret to be obstruction, which hardly ever gets penalised. When will World Rugby address this problem and penalise the players involved?
Another gripe is the hookers who are just about standing in the field of play before throwing the ball to the line-out! Shouldn't they be on the other side of the touch line?

These minor infractions are nothing compared with the blatantly crooked feeds we see at every scrum and are never, ever penalized. Why do refs let this go and yet frequently ping non straight lineout throws? Same difference.

[morepork]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

[francoisfou]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Jeu de mains, jeu de toulousains!

[Spiffy]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Yes. Some great tries in that game built on passing skills and real pace. A few proper fliers out there. A great watch, but the poor old Sharks were well and truly knackered for the second half, probably from endless travelling.

[morepork]

They enjoy playing too. Less of the permafrown angry act.

[stepsider]

50-odd v 20 odd seems to be the trend so far, will Exeter get the 0.5 century?

[FKAS]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Dupont being by a distance the best scrum half in the world. Can do all the tactical stuff as well if not better than anyone else but can also turn it on in attack with ridiculous skill. More than handy in defence as well. Pretty much the complete scrum half.

[Banquo]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Dupont being by a distance the best scrum half in the world. Can do all the tactical stuff as well if not better than anyone else but can also turn it on in attack with ridiculous skill. More than handy in defence as well. Pretty much the complete scrum half.

Great player, but a tad easier when you have great ball to play with.

Ironic JVP being picked up on overdoing box kicking when it was a bit of a weakness that he didn’t do it well at first; now he does it pretty well, and obviously a lot under team orders. He’s imo a bit overcoached.

[Spiffy]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Dupont being by a distance the best scrum half in the world. Can do all the tactical stuff as well if not better than anyone else but can also turn it on in attack with ridiculous skill. More than handy in defence as well. Pretty much the complete scrum half.

I'd say he is not only the best SH, but the best all-round rugby player. No one else bosses a game so regularly and to such an extent as he does.

[Puja]

Check out the Toulouse Sharks game for an entirely contrasting half back philosophy.

Dupont being by a distance the best scrum half in the world. Can do all the tactical stuff as well if not better than anyone else but can also turn it on in attack with ridiculous skill. More than handy in defence as well. Pretty much the complete scrum half.

I'd say he is not only the best SH, but the best all-round rugby player. No one else bosses a game so regularly and to such an extent as he does.

First name on the World XV teamsheet to play Mars, without a doubt.

Puja