RugbyRebels

Leinster: Larmour; Keenan, Ringrose (capt), Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton (capt) McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Porter; Toner, Ryan; Doris, Connors, Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, E Byrne, Bent, Baird, Van der Flier, Gibson-Park, R Byrne, O'Loughlin.

Saracens: Daly; Lewington, Taylor, Barritt (capt), Maitland; Goode, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Koch; Itoje, Swinson; Rhodes, Wray, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Barrington, Clarey, Hunter-Hill, Clark, Davies, M Vunipola, Morris.

Shame that they haven't had faith in Manu, but he is very young. Nice audition for Daly to show he's in nick for the putative 8N though. Has he played much for Sarries at all since the resumption?

Puja

250 up for Wray, good effort these days. Can’t see past Leinster.

Agreed - Saracens’ front row is better, but that’s about it ... Leinster have a strong bench as well.

Will be close but leinster bench should edge it

Very even in forwards

Be a very considerable upset if Saracens win this one.

Leinster discipline isn't great and the Leinster scrum is struggling as well. You can't give Sarries penalties because they'll turn the screw. Now kicking for a potential 12 points lead. I expected more from the Dubliners.

What a first half this has been from Sarries!! Outstanding!

Sexton really is shameless with the football tactics

Really don’t get why people keep jizzing their pants over James Ryan. He’s a good player but miles off Itoje’s level.

Baird has been really influential since coming on. He’s been the standout for Leinster.

No Farrell no cry.

Epic effort from Sarries. Goode was good, Itoje immense. Rhodes also very good bar penalty.

Banquo wrote:250 up for Wray, good effort these days. Can’t see past Leinster.

What do I know. Great from Sarries.

Epaminondas Pules wrote:Really don’t get why people keep jizzing their pants over James Ryan. He’s a good player but miles off Itoje’s level.

Baird has been really influential since coming on. He’s been the standout for Leinster.

Itoje is fantastic to be fair

Scrumhead wrote:Agreed - Saracens’ front row is better, but that’s about it ... Leinster have a strong bench as well.

Front row made a huge difference in the end. Along with all the pack in fairness.

Amazing defence from Sarries; beating Leinster on only 35 ish % ball and territory is a hell of an effort.

I’d enjoy them being European champions while in the championship just for the novelty, if nothing else.

How did Daly go? Has he played 15 at all for them yet?

So the team at the bottom of the Prem, beats the Pro 14 winners.
2nd bottom of the Prem beats Castres 50 : 0.

Are we still worried that Prem teams can't compete in Europe?

Which Tyler wrote:So the team at the bottom of the Prem, beats the Pro 14 winners.
2nd bottom of the Prem beats Castres 50 : 0.

Are we still worried that Prem teams can't compete in Europe?

Puja

Apparently leinster were on a 25 match winning streak (which is crazy by the way). Impressive stuff from sarries.

Huge credit to Saracens for that win. Tremendous all round team effort.

With that performance Maro Itoje really did lay down a marker for the Lions Tour. Very much an all action display, absolutely incredible performance. It's surely a question of who partners him at this point.

Tim Swinson obviously.

FKAS wrote:With that performance Maro Itoje really did lay down a marker for the Lions Tour. Very much an all action display, absolutely incredible performance. It's surely a question of who partners him at this point.

He does it every game, and has done since, well the last Lions tour. His all round basics are great- his carrying still needs some work in fairness, but that’s picky

Banquo wrote:

FKAS wrote:With that performance Maro Itoje really did lay down a marker for the Lions Tour. Very much an all action display, absolutely incredible performance. It's surely a question of who partners him at this point.

He does it every game, and has done since, well the last Lions tour. His all round basics are great- his carrying still needs some work in fairness, but that’s picky

True he doesn't often have a bad game. To be the driving force behind a weakened Sarries team beating what should be the best team in Europe. That's pretty special. I'm struggling to think of a better lock in world rugby at the minute.