TOULON’S STRENGTH IN depth is so absurd that they could probably be hit with ten injuries and still be every bit as competitive but Leigh Halfpenny is one player that Bernard Laporte would definitely want every week.
Halfpenny only returned this weekend after suffering a concussion in the Six Nations finale against Italy but he is now in danger of missing the Champions Cup semi-final after shipping this massive hit against Grenoble.
Wales Online are reporting that Halfpenny has suffered a minor shoulder dislocation and it is not known if the Welsh fullback will be able to play in next weekend’s game.
While Halfpenny has a strong replacement in Delon Armitage, it is his goal kicking that will be really missed. Freddie Michalak has taking the kicks in recent weeks but over the course of his career he has been quite erratic from the tee.
Matt Giteau is another goal kicking option but he is very short of match fitness as returns from a groin injury.
Leinster will be following this situation closely throughout the week, as will Toulon fans, because they won’t want Michalak to be their primary goal kicker for such a big game.
If there’s one thing the Frenchman’s career has taught us it’s that he tends to perform better when he’s a luxury rather than a necessity.
Even when on the bench he didn’t get game time. The coach doesn’t like or trust him. Saturday once again showed just how wrong O’connor has been all season
O’Connor is just all wrong for Leinster.
He has a very big chance next season with Leinster during the World Cup, midfield won’t be as competitive so he should get a good run of matches.
Mark if Darcy doesn’t make the World Cup squad, he’ll play 12 with t’eo at 13. Then Madigan and sexton will be back so the midfield won’t be as easy to get into as you may think
That pop pass from O’Brien
Battle between him and Madigan for the 12 jersey next season.
It’s always to easy to see who coaches ‘just like/don’t like’. When Gopperth played badly it was ignored whereas when Madigan played mediocre or even if Reid played well decisions went against them.
It creates such a poisonous culture as some players start to feel entitled to spots and others feel it doesn’t matter how well they play they won’t get picked. Cody and Fergusson were masters at disregarding players identities and judging on match performance alone. MOC is such a stink manager.