Leinster look to ‘heartbeat of the team’ Ian Madigan for spark against ‘Quins
January 9, 2023 | News | No Comments
THE LEINSTER ROADSHOW pitches up at The Stoop today for a crucial Champions Cup encounter with Pool 2 rivals Harlequins (KO 15.15, BT Sports).
Conor O’Shea’s men currently top the pool on points difference, with both sides claiming eight points from two opening wins.
Today, something has to give. It’s the first weekend of the always-enthralling back-to-back rounds in rugby’s European Cup and a time where the maxim ‘you can’t win the Cup in December, but you can definitely lose it’ holds true.
Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
“I don’t really know,” says captain Jamie Heaslip when asked why games in this format so often prove to be a tough test that makes or breaks a chance of qualification.
“Sometimes you learn a lot from a team in week one. It’s kind of like when we play inter-pro games, they can be nitty-gritty and tricky as well – because teams just know each other so well.
“The amount of analysis that goes in to week one. Then when you actually play against them, you pick up a lot of info as well.”
It has been a frustrating wait for this game for Heaslip. ordered to rest up in the aftermath of the international window while the team he captains drew the ire of fans and onlookers alike by struggling against the Ospreys. So this afternoon represents a chance to cut through all the theoretical information that surrounds a match and take his frustration out on the opposition.
Head coach Matt O’Connor has pointed to the influx of that international personnel as a factor which will serve to lift the overall performance and make the gameplan look a little more pleasing to the eye.
Along with the return of Heaslip and the first choice front row, the sight of Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald must give fans hope of a more cut-and-thrust attack. Yet out-half Jimmy Gopperth’s form continues to be a hot topic, and the pressure was not eased by Ian Madigan’s performance for Ireland at number 10.
Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
“That depends on the options,” O’Connor said when asked how poor a player’s form had to be before he played his way out of the team.
Madigan’s versatility at this point appears to be a saving grace for Gopperth and the pair will play in tandem after the Dubliner was able to shake off an ankle injury and take his place in the centre.
“He has been unbelievable for us in a number of positions this year,” O’Connor says of the Blackrock boy.
Source: James Crombie/INPHO
“Whenever he has played he at 12 he has been fantastic, at 10, and he sticks his hand up for 15. If you picked him in the front row I’m sure he would [play there], the little bugger!
“He kicks goals, he re-starts for us. He has been the heartbeat of the team. He has been fantastic this season.”
The man they call Mad Dog can do it all, and today he’ll have to light the fire under this Leinster backline.
Harlequins
15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. George Lowe
11. Aseli Tikoirotuma
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care
1. Joe Marler (c)
2. Dave Ward
3. Will Collier
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Robson
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nick Easter
Replacements:
16. Joe Gray
17. Mark Lambert
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Sam Twomey
20. Jack Clifford
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Tom Casson
Click Here: cheap nrl jerseysLeinster
15. Rob Kearney
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Gordon D’Arcy
12. Ian Madigan
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Eoin Reddan
1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Michael Bent
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Kane Douglas
20. Jack Conan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Noel Reid
23. Zane Kirchner
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