Overthehillprop

My thoughts on Leinster v Munster

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8. So you really have to start asking questions is Farrell picking in form, talent or because they know the Leinster system and it's less hassle for him to integrate them into camp or the team.

7. As I said going to SA without your 1st team and losing isn't a big deal but the issue is that this is a Leinster side with 10+ internationals and the Stormers were missing their 1st choice players. These Leinster players are the guys getting the Irish call ups.

6. It was hard to see where the creativity was going to come from. Also the likes of Tommy and Jimmy O'Brien were extremely poor in the air. They aren't 1st choice XV players but these are the guys who have to lead in the URC games.

5. Leinsters play with ball in hand was average. It was scripted pod to pod and ineffective because they were losing the contact area a lot of the time. They really missed Jodie to take the playmaker role. Prendergast sat in the pocket and Frawley was used like a back row.

4. They kicked long into touch, and the chase at times for infield kicks was very poor. The lineout wasn't working and Leinsters work in the contestables on both sides was awful resulting in scrums which meant pens and easy territory and possession for Stormers.

3. He gives you very little outside the scrum but some of the comments were way OTT IMO. The biggest concern for me is that Leinster brought on their own problems themselves. Their gameplan calls for lots of structured set plays with lineouts and scrums.

2. The lineout was an absolute shambles, which is something consistent with the provincea and Irish team over the last year or two. The scrum got obliterated and some of player ratings for Slimani were a disgrace. Yes he's there to hold the scrum but he can't do it by himself.

1. Leinster getting overpowered and losing in SA isn't something to overly worry about but some of the underlying causes will be of concern.
Prendergast kicked really well but when your set piece can't function the advantages gained from his kicks is absolutely minimal.

They say a dog takes on the traits of its owner.
My dog likes to sleep a lot, eat snacks and isn't very social.
So there's that.

Lions stats

Tour wins
vs Oz, 8 wins from 10 tours, 80% win rate
vs SA, 4 wins from 19 tours, 28.5% win rate
vs NZ, 1 win from 12, 8.3% win rate

Tests wins
vs Oz, 19 wins from 25 games, 76%
vs SA, 18 wins from 49 games, 36.7%
vs NZ, 7 wins from 41 games, 17%

YouTube video by kenno Will griggs on fire

This is the original clip

youtu.be/vUlSmCGj1r8?...

‘Your defence is terrified!’: how Freed from Desire became a football, darts and protest anthem Gala’s 1996 song has gone from forgotten rave classic to football terrace anthem – and was even used to protest against Rishi Sunak. The song’s creator and fans explain an unlikely revival

‘Your defence is terrified!’: how Freed from Desire became a football, darts and protest anthem | Music | The Guardian share.google/p7fb7eFdcjo6...

a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face while talking on a stage . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face while talking on a stage .

Might want to include something about the changing political landscape in Romania into your analysis there. Don't think this one's all on WR.

If anyone has 2 seated tickets for Lewis Capaldi in Dublin hit me up.
Can swap for 2 tickets to Benson Boone if that works.
#ticketfairy

2. Schmidt will look to have the Aussies kick a lot, play territory and pressure the Lions to play in the wrong areas of the pitch. I think the Aussies will look to attack from kick transition and lineout launch plays.

1. Aussies missing some big bodies in the forwards.
I reckon if the Lions play direct and limit their passing game to when they've earnt the right to go wide they can overpower that Aussie side.

A short personal announcement from me:

Looking ahead to the incoming season, I would love to provide a publication/TV company with analysis on upcoming fixtures.

Can do it in English or as Gaeilge; whichever suits.

Have done so for Tuairisc and TG4 in the past.

Shares welcome.

Andy "copy Leinster" Farrell?

5. ...but winners write history and results will decide how this tour is seen. The Lions win and a lot of this will get brushed under the carpet. Lose even the 1st test and this will be front and centre along with why can't the coaches coach the best players.

4. ...and based on the feedback cheapening that by choosing guys who the Lions players feel werent worthy of the honour caused significant issues in camp.
The media are already kicking the tires on the Not the Geography 6 ....

3. Joe Marler and Sam Warburton have both spoken openly about the impact the Geography 6 had on the squad and Gatland himself regretted the decision and even refused to use them unless totally needed.
The players themselves look at the Lions being the pinnacle of their sport...

2. Maybe that's bring the Lions into the modern age when getting a scratch team up to speed to play a top international team requires so much time, detail and money to be even competitive.
What hasn't changed is the public and players views.

1. The Lions was, and generally still is, seen as the best of the best moulded together.
Gatland and Farrell moved away from that with the Geography 6 and the Not the Geography 6.
They are going with players they know to fit systems or players close to solve a short term problem

Andy Farrell: I'm afraid that Finn Smith has suffered an injury.

Finn Smith: No, I haven't.

Farrell: So I've called up Sam Prendergast as cover.

Smith: I'm honestly fine. I don't know-

*Single gunshot*

Farrell: We wish Finn a speedy recovery.

The focus at the moment for the Lions is on Farrell calling up guys who know "the system" despite those players struggling to make the starting 23 for their club.
Maybe the media should start asking the questions about why Farrell and co struggle to coach the system to non Leinster players?

This is from Sam Warburton's book on the Geography 6.
Will be interesting to hear the reaction to Farrell's call ups on this Lions tour when it's all over.
Winning the test series may cover up a lot of stuff but probably not everything. Lose and most of the dirty laundry gets washed in public.

We go live to Hugh Cooney.......

He didn't seem too impressed to be doing media this week anyway

Would have made more sense to pick Osborne as a direct replacement for Daly then wouldn't it.