Those Leinster fans not tickled pink by Paul Warwick’s tweet need to relax, says Keego…
This morning started like any other. Woken far too early in a cold house, by a wife far too cheerful for the hour at hand….and then…..
The news came in at 10:00am. I had my fourth coffee in hand and then it became official. The notorious B O’D (#notoriousBOD) is staying for ONE MORE YEAR! Firstly I would like to thank Amy and Sadie for letting us have him for one more year. You can have him for the remainder. Unless we pull this ‘one more year’ stunt this time next year.
The positivity around Leinster is at insane level this morning. Twitter has gone mad! I am sure King Joe had a quiet word and O’Connor probably begged to have him stay on for one more year to help both coaches bed into their new jobs.
This news coming the day before the Amlin final and the Rabo final is a great boost for the team too. Whether the contract was signed today or last week, holding off on the news until final week was a master stroke.
Which brings me to Stade Francais on Friday 17th May, in the D4Tress. As I write this, the teams have not been announced, but we do know that the great Felipe Contepomi will be the water boy for Stade. Anytime we get to see him in the rds is a good time. I am sure we will be giving him a rousing welcome. As well as welcoming Felipe, we will be welcoming big Stan Wright. He is the reason for the funniest thing I have ever heard in the rds. Sitting in the grandstand during his last season with Shay, the two people directly behind us shouted ‘Hi Stan’ every time he was near the play, or warming up, or walking across the pitch to talk to his family. So let’s all give a ‘Hi Stan’ when he gets on the pitch.
Now that the nice stuff is out of the way, Stade really have nothing to lose. Whilst logic, form, history and class lead us to think that Leinster should handle them, always be aware of the fighter who has nothing to lose. Since their drubbing by Toulon, Stade have won four out of their last five games. They have beaten Sextons next team in that run. They will be trying to get in the Leinster faces and stop the sexy rugby from being played and turn it into a dog fight. The nervy performance against Glasgow last week was hopefully just a blip and the classy Leinster we saw against Biarritz will take the pitch to take the first step on the way to the double.
Before I pick my starting team for Friday, I thought I would bring up the tweet by Paul Warwick earlier today. He was joking around saying that any Munster fans in Dublin should wear pink to stick it to Leinster fans.
Any @munsterrugby supporters in Dublin throw on some pink and help us stick it to @leinsterrugby tomorrow!— Paul (@paulmwarwick) May 16, 2013
He was obviously joking. The replies from both Munster and some Leinster fans left a lot to be desired. Leinster fans (of which I am one) need thicker skin. Most of us took it as intended and fired back some well meaning banter, things like, when the Munster fans wear pink we will be able to spot them quicker to celebrate in front of them. But some others took offence. Guys, when you support the best teams, you will get stick from opposition. Munster fans are just upset that they are sitting on their couch watching the Voice instead of supporting their team in a final. The nonsense resulting from this tweet shows what happens when the fathers do the breastfeeding.
So now, here is my starting team (picked pre-announcement of course!) for the Amlin Final against Stade Francais:
- Healy - #proplife
- Strauss – knee dependant
- Ross – duh
- Cullen – Stitched up and ready to lead.
- Toner – has been playing well lately in fairness to him. Lineout options.
- S O’B – They have him ready to smash, I pity the Stade team with a returning O’Brien.
- Jennings – Beast mode engaged and has been supporting Heaslip greatly in the back row.
- Heaslip - This is the Jamie we wanted to see all year.
- Boss – The big boss man has been immense since getting more game time with Reddens injury.
- Sexton – He is a class above……….as much as it pains me to say it. He will be missed hugely!
- Isa – Dominant wherever he plays, better at 15 and should be there on form, but will still do the business at 11.
- Mad-Dog – A far better 10 than 12, with a little more concentration can be a big threat beside……
- Mr. One More Year – The notorious BO’D
- McFadden – Deserves his start. Been a demon all year, especially since he started bandaging his head.
- Kearney – Not his best season, but still better than most. Big performance needed.
Subs: Cronin; McGrath; Hagan; Ruddock; Conway; Cooney; Dave Kearney – welcome back!;
(Missing a second row sub, couldn’t pick one – thank all the gods I am not in charge of the team)
So there you have it, a rollercoaster week. Thanks to @jameschew14 I will be at the game on Friday. No idea where the seats are but you will hear me.
As usual, feel free to discuss/abuse/share this blog. @nkeegan if you want to shout at me directly. Roll on over to www.thedailyclothesline.com for an idiots guide to Stade Francais, just so you look more knowledgeable in the pub before and after the game.
The double is on!
See you in the 4Tress!
Keego (@nkeegan): Blogger, former professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.
