Preview: Leeds Carnegie vs London Irish
Decisiveness reqired...
By Peter Creek
January 24 2008
Life as a Leeds Carnegie fan is a bit of a roller coaster ride at the moment. This weekend’s encounter with London Irish is not a match for the faint hearted as a lot rides on its outcome. For Leeds this game is the first of a series of “cup-finals” which will decide the club’s fate come the end of May.
London Irish, who are currently enjoying a wonderful run in the Heineken Cup, have developed into a right set of party poopers of late. They will be hell bent on precipitating another relegation season on Leeds just as they did at HQ two years ago. As the season slowly ticks away everything has suddenly become very clear and simple for the Carnegies.
A win on Sunday followed by a winning run which will lift them clear of the drop zone is the answer. Stuart Lancaster has an easy job this week – pick the best team for the job and motivate it with this simple message: “ If you want to stay in the Premiership then win this game” The management team have experimented almost non-stop this season. The club’s strongest side is fairly obvious to most observers:
15. Lee Hinton - Not the strongest of kickers but confident under the high ball and an incisive runner with it in his hands.
14. Tom Biggs – First name on the teamsheet
13. Rob Vickerman – improving with every game and the man most likely to.
12. Lee Blackett – solid in defence and has shown glimpses of his attacking talents.
11. John Hepworth – must be in the side for his defence splitting runs.
10. Alberto Di Bernado – has shown, on occasions, real GP class.
9. Joe Bedford – capable, on his day, of dictating the play for Leeds.
1. Mike MacDonald – solid in the scrum, dangerous from close in.
2. Villi Ma’asi – The find of the season, a big impact player.
3. Colin Noon – Best scrummager in the club.
4. Stewart Hooper – consistent in the lineout, must lead decisively.
5. Eirik Lund - Having a great season after a slow start.
6. John Dunbar – peerless on the blindside, big hitter.
7. Calum Clark – quick and fearless.
8. Rhys Oakley – consistent and influential.
Subs: James Brooks, Andy Tuilagi, Tommy McGee, Michael Cusack, Pablo Bouza, Danny Paul and Phil Nielsen.
Right that’s the team picked and the pre-match speech written. Lanny and his management team can relax on Saturday night and put their feet up. For the rest of you it is just as easy. Turn up early on Sunday, have a few beers with the excellent London Irish fans then shout yourself silly for eighty minutes while the boys do the business for us on the pitch.
Unlikely, that lump Satala will be there to display his complete unease with his surroundings.
Please moderate your language. There's really no need to be abusive.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Lump can be a good quality. And if Satala could use his frame more effectively, I'd be happy!
The inlaws are coming up (Irish fans) should be a great game,lets hope the weather dosnt intervene.
p.s.I agree with some other posters time to give Armstrong and/or Hughes a run.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO HOPE AND PRAY!
I'm looking forward to my trip back to my college stomping-ground, see y'all there.
Looking forward to the Lads performing to their strengths and pulling off what in theory (bearing mind Irish's HC form) would be an unlikely win.
Here's hoping - Come on you Leeds!
looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!
Perhaps they can't spell Carnegie on Google.
Wildwillie, while I can understand the feeling about the LDH can you really claim it was to blame for the entire season ? Surely coaches are there to get players playing their best. Professional players can't afford to let one-match affect their whole season and supporters have to let stuff go at some point.
ITS ALL YOUR FAULT.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Sorry.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
One of my favourite away trips !!
Come on you Irish !!
15. Leigh Hinton
14. John Holtby
13. Jonny Hepworth
12. Lee Blackett
11. Tom Biggs
10. Alberto Di Bernardo
9. Joe Bedford (c)
1. Mike MacDonald
2. Vili Ma'asi
3. Tommy McGee
4. Pablo Bouza
5. Erik Lund
6. Jon Dunbar
7. Calum Clark
8. Rhys Oakley
16. Fosi Pala'amo
17. James Parkes
18. Danny Paul
19. Adam Balding
20. James Brookes
21. Andy Tuilagi
22. Rob Vickerman
Looks a very strong team. Looking forward to seeing Hepworth in the centres with Blackett. Holtby in for Satala after impressing in training.
Looks a good side, though.
Is Welding still injured?
Your bullets cannot harm me! My wings are like a shield of Steel!
Quote:Dorset Tyke
I don't think it is going to matter either way Wuss are beating Bris so that is us....
In that case, we'll have to win with a 4 try BP then
Your bullets cannot harm me! My wings are like a shield of Steel!
It is also a "must win" game for Irish who now have a taste for Heineken (competition, not beer - get real!) We have a long climb to make GP top 6 (- Now HC quarters are fixed we cannot rely on an English club winning so 7th will not do.)
Unfortunately having recently returned from Treviso I will be following procedures online but look forward to the return leg at the end of the season