Tigers v Leinster (H) - Saturday 07th May 2022 - 5-30pm KO

[ourla]

This is a game where there is little point in predictions.

Home advantage definitely helps.

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I believe we can do it, we've beat other international side before. So why not Ireland!

[wigworth]

Currently Leinster are are being priced as a 5-6 point favourite.

[Rugbygramps]

Happy with Raynal

Very much so, as long as the mouths stay shut.

Very true noticedvin the 2nd Clermont game everything going through Genge so imagine point has been made.

[TMC]

This thread is a really interesting read from a Leinster fan's perspective. Always good to see what the opposition are thinking!

Of the possible Leinster team mentioned up the thread Ryan, Baird and Connors are currently injured, second row is likely to be Molony and Murphy chance Ryan might be back but he is still suffering from the after effects of the Ewels tackle. Baird's prospects of recovering in time are lower. If that’s the same second row then it’s a toss up between Deegan and Ruddock for the bench Even allowing for that if the proposed 23 pans out you wont see one of Ruddock/Deegan, Larmour, Kearney, Frawley, or Dan Leavy sadly retired due to Injury recently – that said personally I would definitely have Ruddock in there somewhere. Old dog for the hard road. That’s assuming he gets back from SA in one piece.

Re the squad that’s gone to SA, its not first choice but there are still 10 guys who have played for Ireland in that squad. From a Leinster perspective the points gap to second place means the management have the opportunity to rotate and have elected to do so. That’s been hard earned over the season to date. Whether it’s the right call time will tell, because of Leinster's rotation policy its maybe not as much of an impediment as you might think, they're used to loosing the entire first team to Ireland for two months of the season but getting back together and bedding in quickly. Leinster now need one point from their final two games to top the table. Personal perception - and not at all scientific - from this side of the Irish Sea is that there is maybe a lot of lip service paid to player welfare and squad rotation in English rugby but maybe not that much actual rotation. People wonder how Leinster keep unearthing gems, they do so because they academy selects from an ultra competitive underage school system which churns kids out ready from pro rugby and they have a coach who is excellent at nurturing young players and getting the timing right 90% of the time when they are ready to make the step up. Leinster aren't afraid to put kids in and see if they sink or swim.

One thing not really alluded to in the thread is the debt Leinster owe Leicester. Leo Cullen went to Leicester ostensibly to replace Martin Johnson. A huge part of his subsequent success both as a player and coach comes from what both he & Shane Jennings learned in Leicester and subsequently brought back to Leinster to seed the culture and drive the extra few percent that makes the difference between being a competitive team and a winning team.

The other English gift we have at the moment is Lancaster, he is just excellent at developing and nurturing young players and IMO remains a massive loss to English rugby. He is a brilliant coach. England’s other loss in Borthwick has been Leicester’s gain. Amazed by how little media commentary I have seen about the impact of his loss on England and their resultant slump in form. He's a superb coach and someone who would be respected in this neck of the woods. He has really turned things around after the unsuccessful spell under Murphy. I hope he wins the Premiership

On the referee Raynal is a great pick for Leicester. He is very laissez faire. Disagree with some of the comments focusing on Leicester winning via the scrum, the way to beat Leinster is to slow the recycle down. Raynal lets all sorts go unpunished at the breakdown. Leinster thrive on fast ruck ball and attacking defences that aren't set. Slow Leinster ball down to over 4 seconds and they are significantly less effective. Easier said than done but IMO the breakdown will be where this game will be won and lost.

Vast majority of Leinster fans have a lot of respect and admiration for Leicester. Looking forward to it and a great day of rugby. Suspect it will be a tight, one score affair. The winner will have earned it.

[Tiglon]

the way to beat Leinster is to slow the recycle down. Raynal lets all sorts go unpunished at the breakdown. Leinster thrive on fast ruck ball and attacking defences that aren't set. Slow Leinster ball down to over 4 seconds and they are significantly less effective. Easier said than done but IMO the breakdown will be where this game will be won and lost.

Same with most games these days, slow the breakdown and dominate the "collisions". Certainly for Leicester who thrive on a structured game. When opposition get quick front foot ball against us they tend to find it easy to get round the edge of our defence and make a lot of yards. If Tigers can limit Leinster to slow ball on the back foot then it will be a famous victory, if not it will be a sobering reality check.

Good to read your analysis - looking forward to meeting some Leinster supporters and enjoying a cracking game of rugby.

[TheLeinsterlad]

Hi all

Just wanted to ask advice for us travelling fans. What is the best pubs to go to prior to kick off in the Saturday and would the recommendation be to stay in Leicester after the match or go to Birmingham? And I’m hoping it’s stay in Leicester what recommendations you would all have?

[Rugbygramps]

Hi all

Just wanted to ask advice for us travelling fans. What is the best pubs to go to prior to kick off in the Saturday and would the recommendation be to stay in Leicester after the match or go to Birmingham? And I’m hoping it’s stay in Leicester what recommendations you would all have?

The ground itself is 15/20 minutes walk from the city centre with plenty of pubs, curry houses restaurants in the surrounding areas. I’m sure others will give their recommendations. Depends how you are arriving in Leicester if by train there are a number of hotels within walking distance of the station, the ground is a 15 minute stroll. If you are just wanting a clean room and bed for the night there is a Premier inn next to the station. Certainly not worth your while going to Birmingham, and would recommend a stroll down Belvoir Street,(pronounced Beaver) if you wish to spot any of the local wildlife

[Scott1]

Hi all

Just wanted to ask advice for us travelling fans. What is the best pubs to go to prior to kick off in the Saturday and would the recommendation be to stay in Leicester after the match or go to Birmingham? And I’m hoping it’s stay in Leicester what recommendations you would all have?

If you’re coming in by train there’s a pub right next door to the Station called The Parcelyard,start there and work your way down! Birmingham is far better for choice and nightlife but i would just stay in Leicester or even a few minutes on the train further away in Melton Mowbray,great pubs there

[LE18]

Almost certainly you will be arriving from wherever, airport etc, by train into Leicester, as others have posted, there's plenty to eat & drink in Leicester, curries everywhere. Also depends how long you are stopping but remember its an evening kick off and there's 2 hours of live music under the main stand after the game, so it will be well into the evening if you indulge and quite late if you are planning to travel away.

[Pmvl]

Hi there leinesterlad, there is a thread on here called local recommendations, it quite a way down but if you look on there, there are quite a few recommendations to peruse through

[Rugbygramps]

Almost certainly you will be arriving from wherever, airport etc, by train into Leicester, as others have posted, there's plenty to eat & drink in Leicester, curries everywhere. Also depends how long you are stopping but remember its an evening kick off and there's 2 hours of live music under the main stand after the game, so it will be well into the evening if you indulge and quite late if you are planning to travel away.

I would add that I think the trains to and from Birmingham stop comparatively early if you were looking to return. As LE18 mentioned with a 5.30 kick off you aren’t going to be out of your seats much before 7.30

[TigerFeetSteve]

Hi there leinesterlad, there is a thread on here called local recommendations, it quite a way down but if you look on there, there are quite a few recommendations to peruse through

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47548

This is the thread, certainly worth a peruse

[TheLeinsterlad]

Thanks all for the great responses and help on destinations! Can’t wait for next week pity this game is not the final!!

[Postiger2]

Going to this one with a colleague who is a Leinsterman and a huge Leinster fan. Can't wait although one of us is going to get some serious stick at work the week after!