Eye spy is a new weekly series from HarpinOnRugby where we'll have a look at an opponent either Leinster or Ireland are due to face in a big contest later in the season, sharing with you some brief notes on general headings and individual performances.
THIS WEEK'S TARGET - London Wasps
WHY - We (Leinster) face them in our opening game of the new Rugby Champions Cup at the RDS on Sunday, October 19 at 5:15pm
WHO, WHEN, WHERE - they played Saracens on Saturday September 6 at Twickenham in the first part of the London double header to kickoff the Aviva Premiership season
OFFENCE - Not afraid to offload or pick and go, but overall aim is to get it to wide channels quickly for Wade, Tagicakibau or Varndell....with Daly link man
DEFENCE - good first up tackling, good kick chase, vulnerable to ball put in behind them
BREAKDOWN - Very competitive throughout, no easy phases for Sarries
SCRUMS - Steady against the head, makes it tough to create good platform. 2nd string front row put under pressure late on though.
LINEOUTS - Launchbury safe option, Hughes & Johnson gainline-breaking 1st receivers
DISCIPLINE - not great, shipped a couple of first half pens right after getting 3pts of their own
INDIVIDUALS -
Goode - erratic.
Johnson - strong, extremely versatile.
Wade - no denying his pace but needs table set for him and not great at defending his own channel.
Launchbury - excellent work rate
Hughes - good carries.
Masi - good back 3 option off the bench.
VERDICT - A near full-strength Leinster should stay ahead of this Wasps side especially at the RDS but not if we play the one-dimensional style offence we offered last weekend.
NEXT WEEK - We look at our other pool-mates from the Premiership Harlequins and see how they stack up against Sarries. JLP
