LEINSTER FACE THE Ospreys tomorrow evening [KO 8.00pm] knowing that one match point will secure them top spot in Pool 1 of the Heineken Cup.
However, a losing bonus point will be the last thing on the minds of Matt O’Connor’s players as they welcome the Welsh region to the RDS. A four-point win will be the minimum requirement for the Australian, and if Leinster are to achieve that they could start by dominating these head-to-heads.
Shane Jennings v Justin Tipuric
After a testing afternoon for Jordi Murphy against the effective Ibrahim Diarra last weekend, O’Connor has gone for a change at openside flanker. In comes the wily, intelligent Jennings to attempt to stifle the impact of Tipuric at the breakdown. The 32-year-old is a notable presence at attacking breakdowns, where he will need to be sharp against Tipuric’s turnover threat.
The Welshman has made 13 steals in the Heineken Cup this season – more than any other individual – and he’s also the Ospreys’ top tackler over the last five European games with 59. Tipuric’s work rate is undeniably impressive, while the 24-year-old also has the handling ability and spatial awareness of a centre.
Cian Healy v Adam Jones
Lion v Lion and a face-off between two men who could justifiably claim to be the best practitioners in their respective positions in world rugby. Healy’s return from injury last weekend was important in Leinster’s second-half momentum shift, with his assist for Murphy’s try an obvious highlight. The loosehead’s ball carrying always gives the eastern province another dimension.
Ankles strapped to the point of non-rotation, DJ Church was excellent against Castres. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland.
It is at the set-piece he will have his hands full, up against the wonderfully old-school Jones. The Welsh international can be destructive in the scrum, while he is also a superb line-out lifter. An area of the 32-year-old’s game that is often unnoticed is his rucking, where his occasionally violent clear-outs allow the Ospreys to keep the tempo high.
Rob Kearney v Sam Davies
Kearney has made the most carries of any Leinster player in this season’s H Cup, but it’s worth pointing out that that is down to the opposition kicking to him so regularly. Still, the figure shows the Louth man’s willingness to counter-attack and with 11 defenders beaten so far, Kearney is proving elusive. His leadership will once again be important as Leinster look to wrap up Pool 1.
Kearney is an assuring presence at the back for Leinster. ©INPHO/James Crombie.
Opposite him, 2013 IRB Junior Player of the Year Davies is growing increasingly comfortable in the fullback position at senior level. While tomorrow will only be the 20-year-old’s eighth professional start, he already looks the real deal. With a tactical understanding that belies his years, a strong kicking game and confident decision-making, he is a future Wales out-half. For now, he will look to challenge Leinster from deep.
Leinster: Rob Kearney; Dave Kearney, Brian O’Driscoll, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Jimmy Gopperth, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Sean Cronin, Martin Moore; Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy; Rhys Ruddock, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip (captain).
Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Jordi Murphy, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Zane Kirchner.
Ospreys: Sam Davies ; Jeff Hassler, Jonathan Spratt, Ben John, Aisea Natoga; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones; Alun-Wyn Jones (captain), Ian Evans; Tyler Ardron, Justin Tipuric, Ryan Jones.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Marc Thomas, Dan Suter, Lloyd Peers, James King, Morgan Allen, Thomas Habberfield, Matthew Morgan.
The Roy Keane.
Someone who hasn’t grasped the idea that 5 aside football is normally just for a bit of craic with mates midweek and there are no medals handed out at the end but plays and shouts like it’s the champions league final and is still fuming and talking about it 3 days later.
The Gaelic Footballer.
Doesn’t get the idea of a one-two, thinks short passing is a waste of time and likes belting the ball as hard as he can up the other end of the pitch. Never lets you out of the corner; in fact runs full belt at you and tries to kill you. Loves to drop the shoulder, especially when challenging for the ball near the side wall. Short shorts, big arse, hugely enthusiastic, often whoops, but never gets asked back again.
Classic
Also will never pass the ball backwards.
The better brother of a guy who made it professionaly. The only reason this guy didn’t was because of the drink. ‘Could have played with Celtic’. Slaughters you for 10 minutes then has a coronary for 50 minutes.
The Pro….
Struts onto the turf with the newest gear out, under armour and hairband, first touch of a donkey but counts every goal scored week in week out (I’ve 30 goals in astro this season) and to top it off asks around after the game does anybody know of a good physio cuz he’s feeling a bit tight in the groin….
Eh, what’s up with the dates on people’s comments – they’re all over the shop!?
The sub…
Usually one of the lads sons who come along to get him outta the house so the mother can catch up on Corrie. He’s probably around 12-14 years old. He’ll go in goals so “no hard shots lads, sure he’s only a chap!’ Which is a distinct advantage. He’ll turn out to be amazing and no matter how hard you hit it, he’ll dive full length, collecting the ball in mid flight, a few somersaults and rolls and he’s off up the pitch, nutmegging and steps overs to bate tha band before sticking it in the top corner. As he walks back up the pitch, he’s given a little reminder of what age group of lads he’s actually playing with and someone decides to ‘soften his cough’ by ‘puttin a pup in him’ which ultimately results in a screaming kid rolling around all ‘ronaldo-esque’ with a shoving match between his dad and the offending individual. But all is settled with a few pints in the local with the young lad sippin a lemonade and chompin on a packet o’ Tatyo texting his mates with indecipherable gobbledegook about the dinosaurs he’s destroyed earlier….!
The john terry… He’s around shagging your missus while your not at home
The peter bonetti…..The keeper who is like a cat in 5 a side goals… But gets caught out on the big pitch!
The Heart – possesses all the drive, will and spirit a manager could ever ask of a player. Shows up every week and runs himself into the ground but ultimately has two left shins
Also known as the Zinedine Kilbane. Which would make it 2 right shins.
The Deer
Happy out chasing fellas and the ball. Gets caught in the headlights upon receiving said ball
The Hub
This is the guy who believes that the only good pass is a pass to him – generally loud and persistent.
The had trials ……
The muppet who was been chased by utd and Liverpool as a kid but wanted to do his leaving first! Turns out to be crap and then blames pitch,ball,lighting,his team,his footwear,drink from last night,injury……..
He wouldve made it if it wasnt for the drink…….
Forgot the dreaded “toy boy”. Shows up in the full Real Madrid kit with sparkling new green Astro boots wearing a head bank and gold cross around his neck. Cries off injured after 5 mins as everyone realises he’s awful.
For whatever reason somebody has pulled out due to “work”, always the same person, and the only replacement is another players son or nephew. The next 60 minutes involve getting nutmegged repeatedly and chasing his shadow.
The Rainman – really sweaty guy, with wet marks on chest, armpits, groin after 20secs of play. Spray of water in his wake and if you make any contact with, you may actually drown. Drinks out of everyone’s bottles and is a consistent back washer!! In a nutshell, wet!!
Nothing else happened except my goal… You’ve hammered him 17 3 but he’s scored a good goal… Maybe the best goal of the game but he’s otherwise been abysmal…. He ruffles your keepers head as you leave and tells him… Ha you won’t forget that one in a hurry…. You meet him in a boozer five nights later and he makes you lose the will to live jabbering on about it
“he takes a first touch that’s heavier than a black hole” – you my friend need to get a script writing role for Jim Beglin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKw3EO3xpQc (1.22, in the best video ever produced by RTE)
The sweaty guy. Starts pumpin after 5 mins. Or the football cogs guy. Catches ure ankle with a stud and just says ‘oh sorry, you alrite ?’ As he jogs on.
The Heather Mills. Can only pass/shoot with one foot which makes him as easy to read, can also be called the Roald Dahl.