Here's the latest intelligence dossier compiled by our secret agent who we send to watch upcoming opposition for Leinster & Ireland
*****
TARGET - Castres Olympique
WHO, WHEN, WHERE - They played Harlequins at the Stoop last Friday in the first ever match in the new Rugby Champions Cup
OFFENCE - Stripped in contact on first attack and never really got going. Have to assume they'll be more adventurous at home.
DEFENCE - Diarra led the way with 12 tackles in just 56m but overall despite decent enough line speed Castres seemed quite porous against good offloading game down the middle. If I'm Conor O'Shea I'd be disappointed not to have crossed their line before 65th minute here.
SCRUMS - Struggled against well-timed Quins drive on their own put-in, lost 4 and many penalties came from this set piece.
LINEOUTS - Statistically one of the best in Top 14 but you wouldn't know it here - lost 5 on own throw and only pinched 2 from 17 by Quins. Seem to rely on longer throws which wont suit them against Toner.
BREAKDOWN - Diarra was making the tackles but Whetton & Bornman didn't seem to add too much to their back row.
DISCIPLINE - 11 pens conceded, no yellows but perhaps Nigel was being generous.
INDIVIDUALS -
Kockott - Probably wont be happy with his output here and thus will want to show improvement Sunday in front of home crowd
Diarra - Easily their best player but they couldn't turn his contributions into points
Bornman - On this display a shadow of the man he replaced Claasens
Palis - see above re : Bornman only with respect to Dulin
Combezou - created a dog leg in centre of defensive line once or twice which Quins couldn't exploit
VERDICT - Should play better at home but solid D from Leinster on Sunday should be enough to come out on top.
*****
NEXT WEEK - We'll have our agent focus on Leinster's December double-header opponents Quins this time as they travel to Wasps.
