Sunday, September 30, 2018

Online comments after Connacht v Leinster

A selection of the “keyboard warrior” reactions after the full-time whistle of our featured matches of the weekend.

If you’d like to contribute stay tuned to
our Facebook page for our “Feel free to leave your thoughts…” posts which show up around full time after Leinster & Ireland matches.




Dominated the game and left scores behind. Probably should have got a bonus point.

Micheal Mac An TSagart


If Leinster are famed for champagne rugby in attack, I think we should acknowledge their stout defense too? #bluevelvet

Cian Ó Muilleoir


Dirty play by Connacht well deserved red card.

Pamela Roantree


Lengthy ban for McCoy coming up. Hard fought win, but we always looked like winning it, thought Lacey had his usual erratic game

Sean Michaels


Good result for Leinster, Connacht just couldn't keep up the manic assault. Pity about the horrible stamping red card - we don't need that in Irish Rugby

DeeDee O'Malley


Very sloppy 1sf half with far too many missed passes, mistakes & lack of sync. That said our D was VERY good and I didn't believe Connacht were ever going to exploit their opportunities and it was just time till we got a few scores. I thought JVDF was excellent, great to see SOB back and Robin Copeland was excellent for Westies.

Joe Sheppard


Revenge is sweet 😀. Only Irish team to beat us in 7 fixtures last year so nice to down to the Sportsgrounds with a full team and do the business!

Paul Smith


Handling errors were stressful! Best Tomane game in blue so far! Physical game suits him. Connacht wanted to impose their will just couldn't keep up with their opposite numbers. Disgraceful red card. Huge ban expected. Josh VDF robbed of man of the match last week no mistake this week he's been outstanding

Baz C. Ryan


Really enjoyed that. I saw 2 teams operating at optimum. The ref was very good throughout and if Connacht can play like that consistently, then they’re a semi final team. Once you reach the semi finals then you can win it! They are playing again which is great to see.

Leinster are just different level at the moment.

Neil Keegan


Leinster very scrappy in the first half but cleaned up in the second.. they must have had an awakening in the changing room

Andrew Smyth


Leinster were good for the win but Lacey was poor

Mike McDonagh


Great defence, JVDF immense again. Building steadily ahead of a number of big games.

Noel Hewson


We left more than two tries out there and our support was lacking on a few occasions. That said, keeping this Connacht team scoreless for 78 minutes is a good defensive shift. Perfect in our set pieces I believe, created chances and controlled the match once we got more than a score ahead. Things coming together nicely.

Dónal Foley


Determined defending by Leinster was impressive by their sheer bloodymindedness.

Andrew Potts


A good performance all round. Ground down a very motivated Connaught. Think leinster made them look worse than they are.

A few 5 percenters didn't come off for leinster today but that will come hopefully.

Have to say though I haven't been impressed with tomane as yet. He was slow to pass a couple of times today which killed moves and a few times got ahead of the play or wasn't in the right place. Hopefully he can settle into the systems though. He ran hard and was effective a few times but he won't trouble Henshaw at the moment.

Daniel Cowell


Interesting to see what our backrow will be for Europe. Josh is demanding selection since his return and with Seany back it’s a terrible time to pick up a knock for Rhys.

Derek Tormey



Many thanks to all who offered opinions.

Look out Monday for our match writeup JLP

Front Five - 30.10.18

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

I very much doubt Dominic Robertson-McCoy
will see any pitch time in October...


So the Muldoon Prerogative has been settled.


Keith Duggan - Irish Times

Despite all the injuries and all the factors working against Ulster, they should not have lost that heavily.


Front Row Union

...they did what they couldn't do against South Africa in Wellington a fortnight ago and capitalised on virtually all their opportunities.


Patrick McKendry - NZ Herald

With one game to play the Wallabies sit with a single win and four losses and a points difference of minus 63.


Murray Wenzel - FoxSports.com.au

...he would have been aware that a Leinster body was below his feet and there was very little duty of care to a fellow player.


Patrick McCarry - SportsJoe.ie

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby


Saturday, September 29, 2018

Front Five - 29.09.18

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for our
Connacht v Leinster preview


Friend...suggested that it wasn't necessarily John Muldoon's late conversion that would have wounded Leinster, rather the nature of the defeat.


David Kelly - Irish Independent

A hat-trick of tries from outstanding flanker Scott Penny drove Leinster ‘A’ to a 53-7 bonus point win


Dave Mervyn - LeinsterRugby.ie

"I've no doubt that he'll be banging on the right doors"


Ryan Bailey - The42.ie

The aim for the Springboks this weekend is to show some consistency and bring the accuracy and intensity they produced against the All Blacks


SkySports.com

"It just doesn't work!" 
*try*
"It works every time!"


InTheLoose.com

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Friday, September 28, 2018

Liveblog : Leinster A v Ospreys Development

BLOGGING LIVE FROM ENERGIA PARK, DONNYBROOK
APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR ALL HYPOS HIPPOS TYPOS

PLEASE GIVE THE LIVEBLOG PLATFORM A FEW SECONDS TO LOAD

UPDATE Oct 1st : At one point of the liveblog we state that there are no HIA protocols in the Celtic Cup.  In actual fact there are HIA protocols for all professional competitions.  We posted this information based on misinterpreted information and we apologise to Leinster Rugby and all involved.

Harpin On Rugby



Preview : Connacht v Leinster


Wowza!

You'd think after harpin' on the same team for over ten years I'd get used to what kind of team they were going to select, even in the topsy turvy world of Irish provincial team selection.

After fielding two very strong lineups at home, with Munster at the Aviva plus Wasps and Toulouse to come, all of the signs from history pointed to a host of stars being rested while a host of prospects get tested on a tricky visit to the Sportsground.

But as it turns out, the team is so strong we can afford to play Dave Kearney in the A side at Donnybrook tonight!

First there's Johnny Sexton.  Starting three weeks in a row in September???  What the what now?  That surely has to suggest a change in the player management rules?  Whatever the reason, I'm certainly not complaining and his presence on the team sheet makes a major difference to my outlook on this fixture, with all due respect of course to the other 10s at Leinster's disposal.

Outside him will be Joe Tomane, and I have to assume he has been itching to start after three weeks in a row wearing 23.  His debut in Cardiff was far from ideal, particularly on the defensive front, though to be fair other teams have gone there since and also struggled so he is definitely worth another chance.

Next is a back three of Lowe, Larmour and Kearney, which could be close to having the perfect balance of skills you need for those three jerseys.  Two wingers always looking to make something happen while behind them, a full back who is solid under the high ball and more than able to run back and get his side on the front foot himself.

If we can get even close to the type of rugby that produced tries like Lowe's against Edinburgh last Saturday, we're going to be hard to stop.

When it comes to the pack, we're incredibly close to our ideal starting 8, so expectations will be high there as well.  But while the home side have their own back rower named Sean O'Brien taking part, all eyes will be on our version who returns from another long term injury to take a place on the bench.  Fingers crossed he gets through a decent 15-20m shift and is ready for a full 80 soon.

As you can see by my positivity so far, I'm very much hoping that the match will go a tad differently to our last meeting with the Westerners just five months ago.  Yet while our matchday squad is a whole lot stronger than it was that day, Connacht's is more or less the same and certainly won't be too diminished by the lack of John Muldoon seeing as Robin Copeland is now based out that way.

They had a good win over the Scarlets last weekend and won't fear us no matter what side we put out.  I was particularly impressed by Bundee Aki's attitude in that match and totally expect more of the same from him here.

Basically I'm thinking we can win this one but to do so we'll need to take every chance we create...the longer we go without any kind of lead the harder it will be to get one, especially if we find ourselves on the wrong side of ref John Lacey...a repeat of the kind of discipline which led to just three penalties shipped at the RDS last time out could prove key.

So I'm expecting a couple of cracking interpros Saturday evening, with Leinster coming out on top by about 3-5 points, a shade closer than the bookies who have us by 6.  Now way is a win guaranteed but one thing is for sure...it will be an excellent test for us as the beginning of our "Drive For Five" draws nearer.  JLP

PS - Don't forget the Leinster A match tonight down at Energia Park/Donnybrook Stadium...make it down if you can but if not, I'm planning to do a liveblog he on the site starting around 7:15pm.

#COYBIB

Connacht : 15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Cian Kelleher, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion
1 Denis Buckley, 2 Dave Heffernan (C), 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Quinn Roux, 6 Sean O’Brien, 7 Colby Fainga’a,8 Robin Copeland.
Replacements : 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Peter McCabe, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 James Cannon, 20 Paul Boyle, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Craig Ronaldson, 23 Niyi Adeolokun.

Guinness Pro14 2018/19 Round 5
Saturday, September 29, 2018
KO 5:15pm
The Sportsground, Galway

Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
AR1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
AR2: Stuart Gaffikin (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)
Live on TG4, Premier Sports 1, eir sport 1

Leinster ‘A’ matchday squad v Ospreys ‘A’ : 15. Jack Kelly > CAPTAIN 14. Adam Byrne 13. Jimmy O'Brien 12. Conor O'Brien 11. Dave Kearney 10. Ciaran Frawley 9. Hugh O'Sullivan
1. Peter Dooley 2. Bryan Byrne 3. Tom Clarkson 4. Jack Dunne 5. Ian Nagle 6. Josh Murphy 7. Scott Penny 8. Ronan Foley
16. Dan Sheehan 17. Michael Milne 18. Vakh Abdaladze 19. Charlie Ryan 20. Ronan Watters 21. Patrick Patterson 22. David Hawkshaw 23. Michael Silvester

Celtic Cup 2018 - Round 4
Friday September 28, 2018
Energia Park, Donnybrook
Kickoff 7:30pm
Liveblog on www.harpinonrugby.net from 7:15pm

Front Five - 28.09.18

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

"Emerging nations like Ireland"????
Is that what Bill said????

ICYMI click here for our weekly post featuring
upcoming rugby on Irish TV


I've only seen him this year so the Jack I've seen is an impressive man. He's growing in confidence in every game. 


Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

"...we do need to have that debate whether the next World Cup following France will go to an emerging country or an established country that actually needs a bit of help as well."


Jack O'Toole - SportsJoe.ie

"Players who support or lift a teammate must lower the player to the ground safely as soon as the ball is won by a player of either team."


RugbyReferee.net

Te'o has yet to play this season due to a thigh problem initially incurred during the Six Nations


Richard Cooke - SkySports.com

Confused players nearly collided with the intrusive vehicle during a sweeping passage of play


FoxSports.com.au

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Rugby on TV : Sep 27-Oct 4

Rugby on TV is brought to you by
the IrishRugby TV YouTube channel


Apologies for the gaps on the borders, spreadsheet wasn't cooperating today but managed to publish the info anyway just about!


DateTimeShowCompetitionChannel
Thu Sep 278:30 amBAY OF PLENTY V MANAWATUMITRE10 CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
10:30 amTHE PRO 14 HOUR (REPEAT)EIR SPORT 1
11:30 amOSPREYS V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
1:00 pmBAY OF PLENTY V MANAWATU (REPEAT)MITRE10 CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
1:30 pmTHE BACK ROW (REPEAT)EIR SPORT 1
2:00 pmCHEETAHS V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
5:00 pmSTH KINGS V GLASGOW (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
6:30 pmTHE WORLD RUGBY SHOW
SKY SPORTS ACTION
7:00 pmLEINSTER V EDINBURGH (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
7:30 pmSALFORD V TOULOUSESUPER LEAGUE
SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
9:00 pmCARDIFF V MUNSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
11:00 pmCONNACHT V SCARLETS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
Fri Sep 287:30 amCONNACHT V SCARLETS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
8:30 amAUCKLAND V OTAGOMITRE10 CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
11:30 amLEINSTER V EDINBURGH (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
1:00 pmAUCKLAND V OTAGO (REPEAT)MITRE10 CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
5:00 pmSOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIA (REPEAT)2010 RUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
6:00 pmTHE PRO14 HOUR (REPEAT)EIR SPORT 1
7:00 pmNEWCASTLE FALCONS V WASPSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 1
7:00 pmCARDIFF BLUES V CHEETAHSPRO 14EIR SPORT 2
7:00 pmTHE BACK ROW (REPEAT)EIR SPORT 1
7:30 pmEDINBURGH V BENETTONPRO 14EIR SPORT 1
7:30 pmLEEDS V TORONTOSUPER LEAGUE
SKY SPORTS ARENA
8:00 pmAUCKLAND V OTAGO (REPEAT)MITRE10CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
9:30 pmCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
9:45 pmEDINBURGH V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
Sat Sep 296:00 amEDINBURGH V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
8:00 amCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
8:30 amWELLINGTON V TASMANMITRE10CUP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
9:00 amCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
11:00 amSOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIA (REPEAT)2010 RUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
12:45 pmEDINBURGH V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
12:55 pmWESTERN PROVINCE V SHARKSCURRIE CUP
SKY SPORTS ARENA
1:40 pmSTADE FRANCAIS V RACING 92TOP 14
SKY SPORTS ACTION
2:30 pmSARACENS V BATHPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 2
2:45 pmZEBRE V OSPREYSPRO 14EIR SPORT 2
3:30 pmSOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIARUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
4:30 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTERPRO 14EIR SPORT 1 / TG4
7:00 pmLONDON V HALIFAXSUPER LEAGUE
SKY SPORTS ARENA
7:15 pmMUNSTER V ULSTERPRO 14EIR SPORT 1
7:40 pmCLÉRMONT V TOULONTOP 14
SKY SPORTS ACTION
9:00 pmHIGHLIGHTSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 2
9:45 pmHIGHLIGHTSPRO 14TG4
10:00 pmGLASGOW V DRAGONS (TAPE DELAY)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
10:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSRSA V AUS
SKY SPORTS ACTION
11:30 pmARGENTINA V NEW ZEALANDRUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
Sun Sep 306:00 amEDINBURGH V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
6:30 amZEBRE V OSPREYS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
8:00 amCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
8:30 amSCARLETS V SOUTHERN KINGS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
9:30 amROOSTERS V STORMNRL FINAL
SKY SPORTS ARENA
10:15 amWHERE'S YOUR PRIDE?DOCUMENTARYEIR SPORT 1
10:27 amJOUR DE RUGBYTOP 14TV5MONDE
11:25 amCLÉRMONT V TOULON (REPEAT)TOP 14
SKY SPORTS ACTION
1:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSRSA V AUS
SKY SPORTS ACTION
2:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSARG V NZL
SKY SPORTS ACTION
2:30 pmMUNSTER V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
2:30 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
2:30 pmLEICESTER TIGERS V SALE SHARKSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 1
3:45 pmSTADE FRANCAIS V RACING 92 (REPEAT)TOP 14
SKY SPORTS ARENA
4:30 pmMUNSTER V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
4:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSPRO 14EIR SPORT 2
10:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 1
Mon Oct 110:00 amCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
10:00 amZEBRE V OSPREYS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
11:00 amHIGHLIGHTSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 2
12:00 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTERPRO 14EIR SPORT 2
3:00 pmHIGHLIGHTSRSA V AUS
SKY SPORTS ACTION
3:00 pmSCARLETS V SOUTHERN KINGS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
4:00 pmHIGHLIGHTSNRL FINAL
SKY SPORTS ARENA
7:00 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
9:00 pmMUNSTER V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
Tue Oct 210:00 amEDINBURGH V BENETTON (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
7:00 pmFULLTIMESUPER LEAGUE
SKY SPORTS ARENA
7:00 pmCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
9:00 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
11:00 pmMUNSTER V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
11:30 pmZEBRE V OSPREYS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
Wed Oct 37:30 amOTAGO V BAY OF PLENTYMITRE10CUPSKY SPORTS MIX
10:00 amZEBRE V OSPREYS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
11:00 amMUNSTER V ULSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
12:00 pmGLASGOW V DRAGONS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
3:00 pmEDINBURGH V DRAGONS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
4:45 pmSOUTH AFRICA V NEW ZEALAND (REPEAT)2010 RUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
7:00 pmCONNCAHT V LEINSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
8:00 pmTHE PRO 14 HOURPRO 14EIR SPORT 1
9:30 pmCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
10:15 pmRUGBY TONIGHT ON TOURBT SPORT 1
11:30 pmHIGHLIGHTSTOP 14
SKY SPORTS ACTION
Thu Oct 410:00 amSCARLETS V SOUTHERN KINGS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
11:00 amHIGHLIGHTSPREMIERSHIPBT SPORT 2
12:00 pmCARDIFF V CHEETAHS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
1:00 pmTHE PRO 14 HOUR (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 2
2:00 pmCONNACHT V LEINSTER (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1
4:15 pmSOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIA (REPEAT)2010 RUGBY C'SHIP
SKY SPORTS ACTION
6:00 pmTHE WORLD RUGBY SHOW
SKY SPORTS ACTION
7:30 pmST HELENS V WARRINGTONSUPER LEAGUE
SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
10:00 pmGLASGOW V DRAGONS (REPEAT)PRO 14EIR SPORT 1

Times generally refer to beginning of broadcast not kickoff
Check local listings for repeat showings
Feel free to let us know if something is missing! paganoblog@gmail.com

D4tress

D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019