I am a Bulls supporters but looking at the team we send to England it seems Jake has already decided this is a bridge to far. I will be supporting Leinster, we need a URC team to win this thing.
@wlk2408 why though? Northampton away is feasible for the Bulls. If they had toulouse or La Rochelle away then that's understandable. They got perhaps the most comfortable matchup of the quarters but don't want to contest it?
I think Leinster is going to do it tomorrow. They are really looking good and there seem to be confidence and believe in the team. As a Bulls fan I will be supporting the two URC teams in blue. Good luck, I hope they reward your loyal support with a win. That heart will be fine. Love from a windy Cape Town.
Massive game. I love the Champions Cup. We never had this as South Africans. This competition is insane. Leinster vs La Rochelle. Who knows if Leinter win we could have a Leinster vs Toulouse final. What is bigger than that? I will support Leinster should the Bulls lose, we have to support our fellow URC teams. Go Leinster.
@@nic0072 Jake made the wrong call. He send his strongest team to Leinster two weeks ago. He lost badly there and he would have been better of sending the second stringers to Leinster and keep the first choice players fresh for this game. Next week his is back in Pretoria against Munster. He had to make a call and I think he made the wrong call. All our coaches still have to adapt to the European tournaments. In Super Rugby a team use to play 19 games to win a title. In the URC and Champiosn Cup you play 22 games just to make the playoffs and 7 playoff games to win both titles. It is ten games a season more. Super Rugby is a sprint and Europe is a marathon. We simply don't have the depth in our squads yet. We also have to learn to pick our fights, which games to not worry about to much. Our teams also have to contend with a government inforced racial quota when giving contracts to players and selecting teams. But just like in the past we will find a way. The quota thing won't be a problem much longer, the young schoolboy black players are extremely good and they are starting to win our very best "white" rugbyschools which use to dominate our youth rugby. An avalance of young black talent is on the way. Once we are playing rugby with not just 9% of our population but our whole country things will definitely get much much better for us. Just give us some time. Unfortunately even European teams don't always play their best teams in the Champions Cup. Last week a few teams didn't play their best players.
If not for injuries Will Connors would have been ahead of JVDF, insane to think but Will is technically a better player than JVDF what Josh brings is cardio on a whole different level super fit and a great gas tank. BUT Will is one hell of a player. Totally agree JN's fingers are all over this team and also the guessing games that Leinster have employed this year with selections of different 10's of partnerships changing is all no different to what Rassie and JN did with the Boks for 2024. This game will either be a blow out win for Leinster or a tight last 5 min hold out or score by LRC for a narrow LRC win. Either way we should be in for one hell of a game! Leinster to progress....
Always enjoy your analysis and enthusiasm for the game. I hope your forecasting skills are as good. Leinster need to up their game considerably to win this. C’mon Leinster!
Connors is a horses for courses selection I think, he played in the group game with JVDF on the bench as well. He's a tackling machine and is there for that very purpose. It was announced that Leinster will be playing in Croke Park in the semi's if they win .
Leinster fan who cheered for London Irish. Tomorrow will be huge for our near future. For me this is the best Leinster team, given Ryan and Ringrose injuries Your point about experience in the end game reminds me of how that AB team kept Ireland out for last 10mins in WC
One of your regular viewers and a Leinster supporter, going to the match tomorrow, can’t wait for it. By the way , if Leinster win , the semi final will be in Croke Park 🇮🇪
Enjoy. As a Bulls supporter I am supporting Leinster all the way. We need a URC team to win this thing. Unfortunately Jake has decided the Champions Cup is a bridge to far.
@@wlk2408my sa workmate who supports the bulls says the SA union fucked flights and had half the team on separate flights and arriving hours later for away games this year on multiple occasions so it makes sense to want to actually keep the best bulls in sa so they can actually recover .
@@wlk2408 Likewise, will be behind the Bulls, the SA teams have been an extremely welcome addition to the URC and CC. I know it's a big ask with the team, and I have sympathy with JW, considering the punishing travel schedule. Let's hope it's a cracker.
@@eoin8156 It's not the SA unions fault. We can only fly with Qatar at the moment. They have limited seats on their flights and booking a couple of days before you have to fly obviously is a problem. They could only book after the quarter finals have been decided. Unfortunately our government run national airline decided to give up their landing slots at Heathrow during Covid. They didn't relazing that they will be put on a very long waiting list to get those slots back. Hopefully with the SA teams sharing in the broadcast deals from next season that money will help to improve the traveling by using Britsh Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa and all the other Eurpean carriers that fly direct.
@@wlk2408Thanks for your support😊 the Bulls are going well in the URC. Its a big ask for the SA teams in both competitions with all the travelling and we love the addition of the SA teams in the URC.
I agree. With our teams that played in Super Rugby and watching the Crusaders over the years, I recon this Leinster team is one of the best club teams I have ever seen. Their lack of silwerware is very unfortunate.
@@amantedellopera1681 if you're good enough you're young enough :) they don't have to be selected and besides, it's good to have a few old hands. The youngsters will get their chance, but they have to push for it.
PTSD from last season's final. I was there and it's just so hard to believe (particularly considering the previous two knock-out games). Conners is clearly there for his chop tackling. Ringrose is a big loss and I'm not sure Ross is just quite up to it at this level. That saying, LR aren't going so well this season either, but they're a knock-out animal and have had Leinster's edge over the past years. Here's hoping the lads can do it.
Thanks for the review. Leinster's pack selection & 6/2 bench is to deal with La Rochelle's power. However, I think the first 15 have been chosen (for this match) - so no SA thinking on strongest players to finish. My optimistic brain is dreaming of Milne making a big impact off the bench - the less well known prop from Birr RFC / Roscrea upstaging a bunch of international front row Galacticos ! My concern is that we play a game with more kicking (like last week v Leicester), which would facilitate La Rochelle dominating the contact area. C'mon Leinster.
Michael Milne is likely going to be included in the next Ireland squad in my opinion as his recent form is exceptional so this could be his opportunity for a good run. Love the 6/2 and Conners to start. The bench has power, experience and tenacity. It will be an 80 minute battle. LaRochelle have the large pack for the close tense encounters and will have the belief they can win if they can get within a score in the dying stages so they will not go away.
Cannot remember when I last watched Will Connors? Sometime last year? Thought he was all over it! Brilliant, so tough in the tackling area. Hoping he’ll do that tomorrow!
Would feel more confident if we had Ryan Ringrose and Healey in there for sure but it is what it is. So excited with the last tickets for LeinsterVs La Rochelle sold this morning. Its a full house at Lansdown Road....its bats not butterflies for me at this stage. Ye gods! . CMON LEINSTER ya good thing... 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉
Ah! I’m ex Irish Tim, back in 93 and 94, playing for Borough Road on Wednesdays. Good man. I’d be a castres Olympique man, a team that plays with the heart and for the town, not 45 super stars. It’s going to be hot in Bordeaux tomorrow, it was 27 next to the pool this evening, looking forward to the drive over there tomorrow. Hot in Toulouse Sunday. Home to light up the brasero in the evening.
Thanks Tim. This is the selection I expected to be picked, but not having Healy on the bench, and no Ringrose are big loses, but like you said huge oppurtunity for Osbourne to step up, and Milne off the bench. I am seriously nervous, but hopeful enough that we have learnt and improved from the past two seasons where we weren't bullied just didn't play 80 and lost two finals by 4 combined points. So tighter defence and more composure on the park, especially with Conan & Josh to come on for last 35 minutes, with Moloney to add that leadership and compsure for the finish as well could just be what is needed. Seriously worried though.
I'm still smarting from Leinster not taking a drop goal at the end of last years final when they were on La Rochelle's line, instead a Leinster player went dangerously head first into the ruck and got sent off. The ruck was beside the posts and the drop goal would have won it. So Leinster will win tomorrow because they are ready this time when they had it for the taking last year. Ringrose is badly missed, what a rugby brain.
The media has been hyping up ROG & La Rochelle the last 2 weeks. Particularly this week where they’ve been training down in Cork. Everyone has been bashing Leinster and out to support La Rochelle. On the hand I haven’t heard a squeak from the Leinster camp and I live 5 minutes away from where they train. Not a single thing, not even training sessions. Nothing on social media by the players or anything. They’ve been so quiet. Obviously they’re solely focused on themselves and not trying to let La Rochelle get into their heads which ROG is trying to do. It’s going to be a tough game but I think Leinster are going to seriously be up for this one.
I think the absence of Brice Dulin will be huge, not having that safety net there might allow Leinster to cut them wide open, and Leinster have started their runners... I think this could be a huge win for Leinster!
Two thoughts: 1. Nienaber, the master strategist, has always deftly hidden himself behind Rassie, but Leo Cullen is not the guy to hide behind so now he’s out in the open; 2. JVDF and Boudehent on the benches is crazy - two of the best back rowers in the world.
I sincerely believe that Ronan O'Gara should be the coach of the XV de France instead of Galthié, who is incapable. As far as this match is concerned, it's going to be very tough for La Rochelle, whose strength lies above all in its forward players. Unfortunately, with Wardi and Bourgarit injured (although they are unstoppable in the front row), it won't be the same: Penverne (1) and Latu (2) are too young and tender. And the absence of Brice Dulin (15) will not allow the kind of madness that could turn the scoreline on its head. But as the we say in France "Jamais deux sans trois !" (“never two without three!”). And if La Rochelle unfortunately lose, I'll be looking forward to a Toulouse/Leinster final ;)
Good point on the bench - its like having a support band and then the main act innit? SA do it v specifically, but conan is coming on and stormin it so often. Conan and JVDF at once = impact
A question i haven't heard asked in the media is: is this Leinster team better than last years? This year missing Ringrose, Sexton and Ryan is significant. As a Leinster fan im nervous and not sure we will win. Great analysis as always Tim.
Taking just this fixture; Last year's 15 was better, but this years bench is better. Could be the difference. Healy and Frawley were unused in the final last year, Baird and Kelleher given about 15 minutes or so. Connors, Sheehan, Jenkins, Furlong, Baird and Porter need to give everything for 50, then trust the bench
I do find it odd how in England some people I know from there don’t follow rugby teams. We just follow where we are from in Ireland and France and that’s how it should be I recon 😎💪🏻
Historically the County Teams were the pinnacle selected from clubs. For example I always enjoyed the annual games between Yorkshire and Lancashire v. Ulster. Things have evolved in England and great sides like Manchester, Bedford and Coventry are much diminished and the County Championship is dead. I'm not certain this evolution has been carried out to the total betterment of the game.
Tim, love you analysis so hoping you are right on the score. Leinster just need to keep something special in the tank for last 10mins… and that might be Josh and Conan!
This should be a great game. As a sidenote, can't understand the Bulls playing their B-team against Saints. It seems that they have given up on this competition (which is strange having advanced to the quarters) and saving their best players for the URC. If they wanted to go forward in this competition with their B-team, why didn't they play the B-team last week when playing at home? Strange, doesn't make sense to me.
With the players available, Cullen has got this selection spot on. Leinster lost the final last year through being dominated at scrum and maul time and not exiting properly. Jenkins ahead of Molony is to try stop the La Rochlle Maul and have two tight head locks in scrum. Big game for Osborne. Dulin is an absolutely huge loss, so so underrated. Pretty confident now Leinster get it done
Great to see Connors back he was class against them in the group stages but for the life of me I can’t understand why Ross Byrne is starting over Harry. He’s too weak mentally for these kind of games
@@alcoyne3333333333333 For the same reason Caolin Blade and Kieran Marmion have been passed over for Craig Casey and Luke McGrath. Once the time and the hype has been invested, there’s a sunk cost fallacy.
RassieNaber have changed the way the team is constructed - it hasn't been the technically best players starting since RWC 2019. They discovered that different team constructs are required for different phases of the game, requiring emotional mongrel at the start and calm, clear, precision at the end ... Bongi and Marx are the best examples of that. Libbok and Pollard are another ...
Pooping myself! Leinster supporter and this is just a scary game no matter what . . . Ryan was a brute in the last game and was needed but we will be beaten up by the big La Rochelle pack and if we manage to hang in and win this it will take a big hoodoo off our back but a seriously big ask
I am surprised you don’t support sale sharks Tim given you’re from Manchester . I also think you’re right about the bench and how we should be seeing it I called the bench now days the 10th Legion after ceasars best legion unleashed to get him out of trouble.
I played Level 3 for years, then went into working on rugby, so I've honestly rarely had any weekends in my life where I can go and follow a team. Tended to follow whoever my brother was playing for. And as such, softest spot is for London Irish, who are no more.
So you think Head Coach Leo Cullen, hasn't got a say in affairs? 🤔 interesting. Also its easy to support your team in Irelandal as i tokd you before, as its based on the 4 Provances. These Provances are built up from county support from the GAA and so on. Its its a knock on. But sometimes you'd get a random person support a different Provance.
I think Connors is a more rounded player. Worsley was a tackle machine. Conners has more jackling, carrying and running in him I think. This isn’t a slight on Worsley. He was a defensive machine.
Hi Tim, I’m a college student who is trying to get into the rugby analysis and commentary business and was wondering if you be around to talk sometime about the industry and maybe watch your work flow and help where I can. Been a long time fan now and was inspired by you and squidge to pursue this work. No hard feelings if not
How is it Leinsters to lose exactly? La Rochelle have shown they have Leinisters number in these tight games. Neither team is firing on all cylinders but Leinster have more set piece issues than La Rochelle atm and that center partnership will be targeted.
The Chopper Connors to cut the legs off the Giants of La Rochelle. It’s a shame Ryan isn’t available for additional beef starting or coming off the bench but I still think we can grind this one out. Hoping the ref is up to the shenanigans at the breakdown. We all know what he is like at scrum time. (Ie first scrum decides who is getting penalised for the rest of the game regardless if it’s even for the rest of the game)
After his performance last week against Leicester, can't believe Ross Byrne has been picked again ahead of Harry Byrne or Frawley. He is nowhere near the standard required for this level of rugby.
Credit where Credit is due, never rated ross byrne as a quality no.10 but boy did he produce it tonight for leinster, needs to back it up now in next round 👍
@@Kenny-zn6dl Agreed, let's hope he can back up that performance for the rest of the season. Thought Larmour was outstanding, especially in defence and Jamie Osborne is looking like the real deal.
@@EggchasersRugby it's the lack of existence that makes them not your club, a real shame as they were one of the clubs I liked and they did not fail due to there own errors like Wasps.
Surprised by your prediction, Tim. Neither side have been at their best but Leinster are having set piece issues- scrum isnt where it needs to be, LO is faultering and their breakdown isn't as good as it usually is. Atonio, Skelton, Botia, Danty, Barlow etc will be hard to stop. That Leinster mid field will be targetted by ROG. I think La ROGelle will edge this one again.
La Rochelle massive favourites looking at that now. Leinster missing: Healy, Ryan, Ngatai, Ringrose and O'Brien is too many top quality players missing. Larmour under the high ball and Osborne's inexperience against Danty is a problem
Disagree. Leinster front 8 are massive and experienced. LR have also lost 10 games this season. People forget how close the previous games were. Leinster this time for me.
@@johnmc3862previous games were close because James Ryan put in monumental shifts. When he's been missing - second half of last year's final and the previous semi final - it's not even been close. No one in Leinster's pack, or Ireland's for that matter, can match what Ryan brings
Leinster fan here. I’ll be there among the sellout 52,000 crowd. My heart says Leinster by 2 to 5 points (one score effectively). My head says Oh F#%¥$%#$ Hell!!! I don’t know! I almost feel like Jason Leonard many years ago when England were up against several gigantic All Blacks and somebody said “…may the best team win…”. and Jason replies “I bloody hope not!”
Could you move into the 21st Century and use modern, rather than 3-2-3 terminology? "Lock" instead of "second row?" "Loose forward" instead of "back row?" There is only one player in the back row of the 3-4-1 scrum while there's four in the second row.
Really enjoy your content, analysis & comments. Keep it up. But I’ve a constructive criticism. Please find a more straightforward way of asking viewers to subscribe and/or like, no need to beg or explain how much it help, etc.
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I'm Munster but will be supporting Leinster in this one. ROG has had the last 2 years.
I am a Bulls supporters but looking at the team we send to England it seems Jake has already decided this is a bridge to far. I will be supporting Leinster, we need a URC team to win this thing.
@@wlk2408good on ya!
@wlk2408 I'll be supporting the bulls even tho should leinster get through the bulls have beaten Leinster at home the saints havnt done it in years.
Another Munster supporter here wanting a Leinster win.
@wlk2408 why though? Northampton away is feasible for the Bulls. If they had toulouse or La Rochelle away then that's understandable. They got perhaps the most comfortable matchup of the quarters but don't want to contest it?
82 year old lifetime Leinster fan with a bad heart , maybe my last match 😅 ❤ come on the boys in blue.
Hang in there big man
Have faith Joan, Leinster have got this one ☘👍
This will be epic so there are are no better ways to shuffle off this mortal coil.
@@kenrehill8775 Joan? Big Man?
I think Leinster is going to do it tomorrow. They are really looking good and there seem to be confidence and believe in the team. As a Bulls fan I will be supporting the two URC teams in blue. Good luck, I hope they reward your loyal support with a win. That heart will be fine. Love from a windy Cape Town.
As an Englishman hope Leinster win😊
Thank you 😊
Massive game. I love the Champions Cup. We never had this as South Africans. This competition is insane. Leinster vs La Rochelle. Who knows if Leinter win we could have a Leinster vs Toulouse final. What is bigger than that? I will support Leinster should the Bulls lose, we have to support our fellow URC teams. Go Leinster.
Welcome to the greatest Club Rugby Tournie i the World.
It doesn't seem the Bulls feel the same way. Did you see the team they selected for their quarter finals?
@@nic0072 Jake made the wrong call. He send his strongest team to Leinster two weeks ago. He lost badly there and he would have been better of sending the second stringers to Leinster and keep the first choice players fresh for this game. Next week his is back in Pretoria against Munster. He had to make a call and I think he made the wrong call. All our coaches still have to adapt to the European tournaments. In Super Rugby a team use to play 19 games to win a title. In the URC and Champiosn Cup you play 22 games just to make the playoffs and 7 playoff games to win both titles. It is ten games a season more. Super Rugby is a sprint and Europe is a marathon. We simply don't have the depth in our squads yet. We also have to learn to pick our fights, which games to not worry about to much. Our teams also have to contend with a government inforced racial quota when giving contracts to players and selecting teams. But just like in the past we will find a way. The quota thing won't be a problem much longer, the young schoolboy black players are extremely good and they are starting to win our very best "white" rugbyschools which use to dominate our youth rugby. An avalance of young black talent is on the way. Once we are playing rugby with not just 9% of our population but our whole country things will definitely get much much better for us.
Just give us some time. Unfortunately even European teams don't always play their best teams in the Champions Cup. Last week a few teams didn't play their best players.
cant believe im going to say this but I will be supporting Leinster because my Bok coach is there.
Good enough reason mate.
No shame.
Respect him that is why he came to Leinster to add a defense to an a amazing attack.
Nobody likes a Bokke.....
@@creekykneekiwi here ,I do !😊
If not for injuries Will Connors would have been ahead of JVDF, insane to think but Will is technically a better player than JVDF what Josh brings is cardio on a whole different level super fit and a great gas tank. BUT Will is one hell of a player. Totally agree JN's fingers are all over this team and also the guessing games that Leinster have employed this year with selections of different 10's of partnerships changing is all no different to what Rassie and JN did with the Boks for 2024. This game will either be a blow out win for Leinster or a tight last 5 min hold out or score by LRC for a narrow LRC win. Either way we should be in for one hell of a game! Leinster to progress....
Always enjoy your analysis and enthusiasm for the game. I hope your forecasting skills are as good. Leinster need to up their game considerably to win this. C’mon Leinster!
Connors is a horses for courses selection I think, he played in the group game with JVDF on the bench as well. He's a tackling machine and is there for that very purpose. It was announced that Leinster will be playing in Croke Park in the semi's if they win .
Brave call but correct in my opinion.
Hopefully will work out and Croker for the semi final would be super I don't get there too often being a Wicklow man😊
Leinster fan who cheered for London Irish. Tomorrow will be huge for our near future. For me this is the best Leinster team, given Ryan and Ringrose injuries
Your point about experience in the end game reminds me of how that AB team kept Ireland out for last 10mins in WC
One of your regular viewers and a Leinster supporter, going to the match tomorrow, can’t wait for it. By the way , if Leinster win , the semi final will be in Croke Park 🇮🇪
Heard it on a radio podcast this morning literally shouted and teared up with excitement. Croke Park is just special. Really hope they get there
80,000 Leinster fans and 2,300 travellers! Should be some spectacle for sure.
Will Connors is class. Sheehan can cover centre or wing. Baird can play fullback. Modern rugby is mental.
Come on Connors !!!
Feels like Leinster will edge this, they are overdue a win V La Rochelle
They beat them in first game this year 👍 but this is a bigger game .
Bloody insane turn around if the Aviva does sell out in just a week.
Have my ticket, looking forward to it!
Enjoy. As a Bulls supporter I am supporting Leinster all the way. We need a URC team to win this thing. Unfortunately Jake has decided the Champions Cup is a bridge to far.
@@wlk2408my sa workmate who supports the bulls says the SA union fucked flights and had half the team on separate flights and arriving hours later for away games this year on multiple occasions so it makes sense to want to actually keep the best bulls in sa so they can actually recover .
@@wlk2408 Likewise, will be behind the Bulls, the SA teams have been an extremely welcome addition to the URC and CC.
I know it's a big ask with the team, and I have sympathy with JW, considering the punishing travel schedule. Let's hope it's a cracker.
@@eoin8156 It's not the SA unions fault. We can only fly with Qatar at the moment. They have limited seats on their flights and booking a couple of days before you have to fly obviously is a problem. They could only book after the quarter finals have been decided. Unfortunately our government run national airline decided to give up their landing slots at Heathrow during Covid. They didn't relazing that they will be put on a very long waiting list to get those slots back. Hopefully with the SA teams sharing in the broadcast deals from next season that money will help to improve the traveling by using Britsh Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa and all the other Eurpean carriers that fly direct.
@@wlk2408Thanks for your support😊 the Bulls are going well in the URC. Its a big ask for the SA teams in both competitions with all the travelling and we love the addition of the SA teams in the URC.
As a Leinster fan I think this team needs some silverware. They have been amazing for years and just need to get a few trophies.
I agree. With our teams that played in Super Rugby and watching the Crusaders over the years, I recon this Leinster team is one of the best club teams I have ever seen. Their lack of silwerware is very unfortunate.
Hey Tim did you hear the Wargod Peter o Mahoney is after signing on for another year with Munster and Ireland? Super excited 🇮🇪🔴
Holding back another player in irish team,just like healy is too
@@amantedellopera1681 if you're good enough you're young enough :) they don't have to be selected and besides, it's good to have a few old hands. The youngsters will get their chance, but they have to push for it.
Also a lifelong London Irish fan. As the son of Dubliners I have to now support Leinster….
PTSD from last season's final. I was there and it's just so hard to believe (particularly considering the previous two knock-out games). Conners is clearly there for his chop tackling. Ringrose is a big loss and I'm not sure Ross is just quite up to it at this level. That saying, LR aren't going so well this season either, but they're a knock-out animal and have had Leinster's edge over the past years. Here's hoping the lads can do it.
LR have lost 10 games this season and only just had the edge over Leinster. Leinster for me.
2022 final was worse. Last year was at least our own fault rather than Wayne Barnes' bigotry coming to the fore
Just found your chanell , and subscribed , I enjoyed your World Cup coverage , great coverage .
Leinster man here, bloody nervous
Leinster man here too, also, bloody nervous!
Leinster woman here...same,
Munster woman here, Equally nervous!! 😏
I like the thinking for the selection , makes sense . I’m so excited to see this game , I’m Leinster all the way .
I love the fact that you don't have a team. Truly unbiased reporting. Thanks!
Thanks for the review. Leinster's pack selection & 6/2 bench is to deal with La Rochelle's power. However, I think the first 15 have been chosen (for this match) - so no SA thinking on strongest players to finish.
My optimistic brain is dreaming of Milne making a big impact off the bench - the less well known prop from Birr RFC / Roscrea upstaging a bunch of international front row Galacticos !
My concern is that we play a game with more kicking (like last week v Leicester), which would facilitate La Rochelle dominating the contact area.
C'mon Leinster.
I think Leinster's win against the Bulls was a significant step. We will see belief and determination from this Leinster team tomorrow.
Michael Milne is likely going to be included in the next Ireland squad in my opinion as his recent form is exceptional so this could be his opportunity for a good run. Love the 6/2 and Conners to start. The bench has power, experience and tenacity. It will be an 80 minute battle. LaRochelle have the large pack for the close tense encounters and will have the belief they can win if they can get within a score in the dying stages so they will not go away.
Great points on the Van Der Flier, Will Connors selection
Ding-dong in Dublin. Great alliteration, Tim. 😂😂
Glad to see Will "The Lumberjack" Conors named.
Cannot remember when I last watched Will Connors? Sometime last year? Thought he was all over it! Brilliant, so tough in the tackling area. Hoping he’ll do that tomorrow!
Would feel more confident if we had Ryan Ringrose and Healey in there for sure but it is what it is.
So excited with the last tickets for LeinsterVs La Rochelle sold this morning. Its a full house at Lansdown Road....its bats not butterflies for me at this stage. Ye gods! .
CMON LEINSTER ya good thing...
🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉
Ah! I’m ex Irish Tim, back in 93 and 94, playing for Borough Road on Wednesdays. Good man. I’d be a castres Olympique man, a team that plays with the heart and for the town, not 45 super stars.
It’s going to be hot in Bordeaux tomorrow, it was 27 next to the pool this evening, looking forward to the drive over there tomorrow. Hot in Toulouse Sunday. Home to light up the brasero in the evening.
great review..
Thanks Tim.
This is the selection I expected to be picked, but not having Healy on the bench, and no Ringrose are big loses, but like you said huge oppurtunity for Osbourne to step up, and Milne off the bench.
I am seriously nervous, but hopeful enough that we have learnt and improved from the past two seasons where we weren't bullied just didn't play 80 and lost two finals by 4 combined points. So tighter defence and more composure on the park, especially with Conan & Josh to come on for last 35 minutes, with Moloney to add that leadership and compsure for the finish as well could just be what is needed.
Seriously worried though.
I'm still smarting from Leinster not taking a drop goal at the end of last years final when they were on La Rochelle's line, instead a Leinster player went dangerously head first into the ruck and got sent off. The ruck was beside the posts and the drop goal would have won it. So Leinster will win tomorrow because they are ready this time when they had it for the taking last year. Ringrose is badly missed, what a rugby brain.
Brilliant commentary on rugby in general. Great enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. Big one for Leinster tomorrow will be a nail biter.
The media has been hyping up ROG & La Rochelle the last 2 weeks. Particularly this week where they’ve been training down in Cork. Everyone has been bashing Leinster and out to support La Rochelle. On the hand I haven’t heard a squeak from the Leinster camp and I live 5 minutes away from where they train. Not a single thing, not even training sessions. Nothing on social media by the players or anything. They’ve been so quiet. Obviously they’re solely focused on themselves and not trying to let La Rochelle get into their heads which ROG is trying to do. It’s going to be a tough game but I think Leinster are going to seriously be up for this one.
I think the absence of Brice Dulin will be huge, not having that safety net there might allow Leinster to cut them wide open, and Leinster have started their runners... I think this could be a huge win for Leinster!
I'd be more worried that La Rochelle will cut open that Leinster midfield/backline.
@@PB22559 I feel similar as a leinster fan
me too! Ringrose still has nightmares from being bumped off by Dante last year. Big test for Osbourne.
Dublin bourgarit wardi colombe rhule etc
@@jornstobbe6735 Osborne was immense, probably the best center on the pitch. The more I see Danty play this season, the worse he gets...
This is a match to really look forward to,
Two thoughts: 1. Nienaber, the master strategist, has always deftly hidden himself behind Rassie, but Leo Cullen is not the guy to hide behind so now he’s out in the open; 2. JVDF and Boudehent on the benches is crazy - two of the best back rowers in the world.
I sincerely believe that Ronan O'Gara should be the coach of the XV de France instead of Galthié, who is incapable.
As far as this match is concerned, it's going to be very tough for La Rochelle, whose strength lies above all in its forward players. Unfortunately, with Wardi and Bourgarit injured (although they are unstoppable in the front row), it won't be the same: Penverne (1) and Latu (2) are too young and tender. And the absence of Brice Dulin (15) will not allow the kind of madness that could turn the scoreline on its head.
But as the we say in France "Jamais deux sans trois !" (“never two without three!”).
And if La Rochelle unfortunately lose, I'll be looking forward to a Toulouse/Leinster final ;)
Be the jeasus , this has the makings of a thriller . The win in the pool means nothing if Leinster dont lift the cup .
I like your score prediction Tim. C`mon Leinster. Slainte from Dublin.
Rog had the whole team down in Munster for a week 😮 beware 😮😮😮
Munster woman here, Equally nervous!! 😏.
Good point on the bench - its like having a support band and then the main act innit? SA do it v specifically, but conan is coming on and stormin it so often. Conan and JVDF at once = impact
A question i haven't heard asked in the media is: is this Leinster team better than last years? This year missing Ringrose, Sexton and Ryan is significant. As a Leinster fan im nervous and not sure we will win. Great analysis as always Tim.
There was no Sexton last year.
But Ryan missing alone means that no, this team is nowhere close to better than last year's
Yeah I just realised that about Sexton! I don't think either of these teams this year should be favourites to win it though.@@inBODwetrust13
Taking just this fixture; Last year's 15 was better, but this years bench is better. Could be the difference. Healy and Frawley were unused in the final last year, Baird and Kelleher given about 15 minutes or so. Connors, Sheehan, Jenkins, Furlong, Baird and Porter need to give everything for 50, then trust the bench
@@inBODwetrust13Nonsense.
No . They missed a big trick not getting in a world class no 10 when they knew Johnny was at the end ..
Great job Mr.Eggchaser
I do find it odd how in England some people I know from there don’t follow rugby teams. We just follow where we are from in Ireland and France and that’s how it should be I recon 😎💪🏻
Historically the County Teams were the pinnacle selected from clubs. For example I always enjoyed the annual games between Yorkshire and Lancashire v. Ulster. Things have evolved in England and great sides like Manchester, Bedford and Coventry are much diminished and the County Championship is dead. I'm not certain this evolution has been carried out to the total betterment of the game.
"a ding dong in Dublin" 😆
Tim, love you analysis so hoping you are right on the score. Leinster just need to keep something special in the tank for last 10mins… and that might be Josh and Conan!
Combinations is Big for JN as a coach, which partnership works well in tandem
This should be a great game. As a sidenote, can't understand the Bulls playing their B-team against Saints. It seems that they have given up on this competition (which is strange having advanced to the quarters) and saving their best players for the URC. If they wanted to go forward in this competition with their B-team, why didn't they play the B-team last week when playing at home? Strange, doesn't make sense to me.
I'm rooting for Leinster to win this one, what a great team!
Pity Manie missed ;)) would have been great to play Leinster in both comps over next couple weeks..... come on Bulls
Well done Leinster
My stomach in knots , PTSD from going 3 tries up in 20 mins and we still lost , this is was we brought Jacques to counter ROG , won’t sleep well
Come on Leinster
With the players available, Cullen has got this selection spot on. Leinster lost the final last year through being dominated at scrum and maul time and not exiting properly. Jenkins ahead of Molony is to try stop the La Rochlle Maul and have two tight head locks in scrum. Big game for Osborne. Dulin is an absolutely huge loss, so so underrated. Pretty confident now Leinster get it done
Great to see Connors back he was class against them in the group stages but for the life of me I can’t understand why Ross Byrne is starting over Harry. He’s too weak mentally for these kind of games
That’s an easy answer! Harry is a complete liability under pressure.
They’re both just keeping the shirt warm for Sam Prendergast.
What is it with fans and Harry 😢 he's an average number 10. And Overhyped just like Joey carbary was in Leinster 😢😢😢
@@alcoyne3333333333333 For the same reason Caolin Blade and Kieran Marmion have been passed over for Craig Casey and Luke McGrath. Once the time and the hype has been invested, there’s a sunk cost fallacy.
Helluva Game in the pipeline‼️🥂
👊🔥
🪖
Not happy about Ross Byrne and gutted Garry Ringrose isn’t playing
Dulin is a massive loss for LR. His kicking game is such a weapon for them
Leinstertainment inbound 🏉
Ross Byrne…holy Christ. Is this the best we can do??
RassieNaber have changed the way the team is constructed - it hasn't been the technically best players starting since RWC 2019. They discovered that different team constructs are required for different phases of the game, requiring emotional mongrel at the start and calm, clear, precision at the end ... Bongi and Marx are the best examples of that. Libbok and Pollard are another ...
Pooping myself! Leinster supporter and this is just a scary game no matter what . . . Ryan was a brute in the last game and was needed but we will be beaten up by the big La Rochelle pack and if we manage to hang in and win this it will take a big hoodoo off our back but a seriously big ask
What’s with you and South Africa mate? Mentioned Nienaber like 100 times as if Leo Cullen wasn’t the head coach
Agreed. Put some respect on Leo's name!
Keep up the good work and please, please don't say 'smash that like button' like aaaaaall the other RUclipsrs.
I'll take that Gareth. I am surprised it came out of my mouth to be honest
@@EggchasersRugby Haha, glad to hear it! Love the channel, blah,.blah...
I am surprised you don’t support sale sharks Tim given you’re from Manchester . I also think you’re right about the bench and how we should be seeing it I called the bench now days the 10th Legion after ceasars best legion unleashed to get him out of trouble.
I played Level 3 for years, then went into working on rugby, so I've honestly rarely had any weekends in my life where I can go and follow a team. Tended to follow whoever my brother was playing for. And as such, softest spot is for London Irish, who are no more.
@@EggchasersRugby it's a shame about London Irish I would love to see that club brought back.
"I know Cian Healy wouldn't care about that, he's more focused on the team winning"
Cian Healy - "You arseholes better win, I WANT THAT RECORD!!"
A ding dong in Dublin! 😂
28/19 Tim that’s the new 8😂😂😂👍💪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪Cmon Leinster
28 / 19 , 30 / 14 .
still think the ref is going to be the biggest issue this game is going to face. fingers crossed he pulls up injured in the warmup
So you think Head Coach Leo Cullen, hasn't got a say in affairs? 🤔 interesting. Also its easy to support your team in Irelandal as i tokd you before, as its based on the 4 Provances. These Provances are built up from county support from the GAA and so on. Its its a knock on. But sometimes you'd get a random person support a different Provance.
Oh for sure he does, but this selection feels very Nienaber-ish
@@EggchasersRugby its the same as what Leinster did in the group stage.
So Will Connors to do a job ala Joe Worsley?!
I think Connors is a more rounded player. Worsley was a tackle machine. Conners has more jackling, carrying and running in him I think.
This isn’t a slight on Worsley. He was a defensive machine.
Hi Tim, I’m a college student who is trying to get into the rugby analysis and commentary business and was wondering if you be around to talk sometime about the industry and maybe watch your work flow and help where I can. Been a long time fan now and was inspired by you and squidge to pursue this work. No hard feelings if not
E-mail him, RUclips comments isn’t the place for this
@@jonathanyes112can’t really email him if he doesn’t have a public business email
@@jonathanyes112 can’t really do that if he doesn’t have a public business email.
@@jonathanyes112Be kind
As a Leinster fan , never underestimate ROG and his ability to stoke the La Rochelle fire, however I do believe it is Leinster's to lose
How is it Leinsters to lose exactly? La Rochelle have shown they have Leinisters number in these tight games. Neither team is firing on all cylinders but Leinster have more set piece issues than La Rochelle atm and that center partnership will be targeted.
The Chopper Connors to cut the legs off the Giants of La Rochelle. It’s a shame Ryan isn’t available for additional beef starting or coming off the bench but I still think we can grind this one out. Hoping the ref is up to the shenanigans at the breakdown. We all know what he is like at scrum time. (Ie first scrum decides who is getting penalised for the rest of the game regardless if it’s even for the rest of the game)
Hmmm….Dickson?
Leinster too win by 10 .
After his performance last week against Leicester, can't believe Ross Byrne has been picked again ahead of Harry Byrne or Frawley. He is nowhere near the standard required for this level of rugby.
Harry is a Fraud 👎..
Neither of the byrne brothers are leinster first team standard, frawley marginally better but 10 position is a problem
@@Kenny-zn6dl Let us hope Sam Prendergast turns out to be as good as everyone is predicting.
Credit where Credit is due, never rated ross byrne as a quality no.10 but boy did he produce it tonight for leinster, needs to back it up now in next round 👍
@@Kenny-zn6dl Agreed, let's hope he can back up that performance for the rest of the season. Thought Larmour was outstanding, especially in defence and Jamie Osborne is looking like the real deal.
His team is Saracens, judging by his comments on here.
I admire Saracens greatly, but London Irish would be my club if I had to choose (and they still existed)
@@EggchasersRugby it's the lack of existence that makes them not your club, a real shame as they were one of the clubs I liked and they did not fail due to there own errors like Wasps.
How about your beloved bayonne? :p
Surprised by your prediction, Tim. Neither side have been at their best but Leinster are having set piece issues- scrum isnt where it needs to be, LO is faultering and their breakdown isn't as good as it usually is. Atonio, Skelton, Botia, Danty, Barlow etc will be hard to stop.
That Leinster mid field will be targetted by ROG. I think La ROGelle will edge this one again.
t's a hard one to call. Seo deis O’Gara a chruthú gur féidir leis a bheith ina chóitseálaí náisiúnta d’Éirinn. Más é sin a theastaíonn uaidh of course
Ça va on a pas Peper cette année
Some huge risks for Leinster.
Sorry leinster fan here.... but it's not going to be a good day 😢😢 to early in Jacques term .. Maybe next year
La Rochelle massive favourites looking at that now.
Leinster missing: Healy, Ryan, Ngatai, Ringrose and O'Brien is too many top quality players missing.
Larmour under the high ball and Osborne's inexperience against Danty is a problem
Disagree. Leinster front 8 are massive and experienced. LR have also lost 10 games this season. People forget how close the previous games were. Leinster this time for me.
@@johnmc3862previous games were close because James Ryan put in monumental shifts. When he's been missing - second half of last year's final and the previous semi final - it's not even been close. No one in Leinster's pack, or Ireland's for that matter, can match what Ryan brings
ROG all the way
Derp
If ROG pulls this one off 📈 it would be unreal.
Is he playing again?
Yellow Munster...!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Leinster replacements props a worry
Disrespectful to the reigning champions , dont underestimate them
Leinster fan here. I’ll be there among the sellout 52,000 crowd. My heart says Leinster by 2 to 5 points (one score effectively).
My head says Oh F#%¥$%#$ Hell!!! I don’t know!
I almost feel like Jason Leonard many years ago when England were up against several gigantic All Blacks and somebody said “…may the best team win…”. and Jason replies “I bloody hope not!”
Could you move into the 21st Century and use modern, rather than 3-2-3 terminology? "Lock" instead of "second row?" "Loose forward" instead of "back row?" There is only one player in the back row of the 3-4-1 scrum while there's four in the second row.
Leinstervhas lost skill and willpower lastcgame was terrible
Leinster by 14, easy
Really enjoy your content, analysis & comments. Keep it up. But I’ve a constructive criticism. Please find a more straightforward way of asking viewers to subscribe and/or like, no need to beg or explain how much it help, etc.
Poor comment.
Ross Byrne is a weak spot for Leinster 😉
Clown