Leinster v Ulster

[breakdown]

Afoa was just back from in Belfast from NZ not that long before the Edinburgh game so id imagine he's getting time off, he's bound to be extremely tired, and we need him fresh for Sarries. L.Marshall probably precaution too.

Anyway, optimism is definitely lifted with the inclusion of Hendo, Pienaar and Henry

[Joe Schmo]

Afoa isn't there :S

Never noticed that, which one is he up against next week Vunipola or Stevens? Hopefully just a rest. Marshall probably not allowed to play 2 concussions in quick succession.

[pip14]

Bit emabaressing with the irish independent article about Darcy and Marshall going head to head lol
also there's no way Afoa would be given a rest...worrying

[greased]

Afoa has returned to New Zealand, with his wife expecting their child over the next 7-10 days.

[pip14]

Ahh right, he only came back here last week

[Taggers]

Dont think you will see Afoa in Dublin!

Told you yesterday you wouldnt see Afoa in Dublin,

Not home to next Wed, 3 days before the quarter final and will have jet lag

He wont have scrummaged with Rory since the last Heineken game either.

Not ideal

[Neill_M]

Forwards (15)
Neil McComb, Callum Black, Rory Best, Robbie Diack, Chris Henry, Dan Tuohy, Lewis Stevenson, Johann Muller, Nick Williams, Rob Herring, Kyle McCall, Ricky Lutton, Tom Court, Iain Henderson, Roger Wilson;

Backs (10)
Ruan Pienaar, Jared Payne, Craig Gilroy, Paul Marshall, Peter Nelson, Michael Heaney, Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave, Andrew Trimble.

Looking like Small P, Heaney and Nelson on the bench covering the backs. 2 Scrum halves? A bit strange - what about the likes of Allen? Probably McComb + Diack to miss out up front.

[Loki]

delighted to see Wilson back in the squad, think his style could be very useful v Sarries to mix it up.

[Nightsoil]

So how is that front row going to line up...?

[Russ]

So he came back for 'burgh, didn't play and flew back?

I hope the Blues are treating him well and maybe he will get a run out for one of their minor sides

[ruckover]

I presume it will be Court to TH

Interesting - only 10 backs and 3 of them are scrum-halves. Are we going for a 6/2 split on the bench? Or can Heaney play more positions than we thought? No Allen either.

This squad announcement is actually rather confusing.

15. J Payne, 14. A Trimble, 13. D Cave, 12. S Olding, 11. C Gilroy, 10. P Jackson, 9. R Pienaar; 1. C Black, 2. R Best, 3. T Court, 4. J Muller (c), 5. D Tuohy, 6. I Henderson, 7. C Henry, 8. N Williams.

16. R Herring, 17. K McCall, 18. R Lutton, 19. L Stevenson, 20. R Wilson, 21. P Marshall, 22. M Heaney, 23. P Nelson.

[breakdown]

Heaney can play 15 AFAIK.

[ruckover]

I know I will be blasted for this, but does anybody else think Lutton should get some game time just in case we need him next week? I don't want to see Court and Afoa coming off injured and watching Lutton trot on with only ten minutes of Rabo experience, having to square up to Mako Vunipola or Matt Stevens.

[Setanta]

Yes, I think the Cowboy has thought of that.

[playingadvantage]

Think you will find Lutton will start at 3!