6 May 2023; Michael Milne of Leinster celebrates after scoring his side’s second try during the United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final between Leinster and Cell C Sharks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Another very comfortable game, a slight scare at the start when Sharks got their try, but in the end it was too easy.
Don’t see Munster causing any trouble after watching their game against 14 man Glasgow. Still need to show Munster respect though. Don’t want to put out all the academy players again thinking we will walk it.
Andrew Byrne
Time to rethink the quarterfinals stage? That wasn’t a proper match, Sharks seemed to turn up with a one dimensional game plan, only wishing to front up at the scrum and then return home as quickly as possible. No fight in them to have a shot at Leinster with a proper game plan. Knockout rugby gives you a chance to take down the top teams, Sharks just didn’t look interested in anything other than taking scrums.
Hubert Gallagher
(Munster semifinal will be) a derby – passions will be high, physicality intense, we cannot afford to be as generous as Glasgow yesterday and spurn the chances they did. Otherwise Munster will grow into the game and it will become a dogfight and the outcome less certain!
— Marcas Mac Siacais 🇪🇺🇮🇪☘️ (@hoomanbear) May 6, 2023
Good solid performance by the boys against a stifled Sharks. The main thing a good win and few injury concerns Caelan a very worthy POTM On to the SF @leinsterrugby#COYBIB#LEIvSHA
— Richard Mifsud ( richardmifsud@mastodon.ie ) (@Once_in_the_job) May 6, 2023
Mixed bag for Milne. Tough day at scrum time. Sharks strong there but only line breaking from broken play & garryowens though. Porter & penalties then when he came on. Last one against him seemed harsh though. Doris is some man. Ngatai too. Larmour & high balls. 🤷 #LEIvSHA
Koochulainn I thought (the Sharks) would be more dangerous, particularly against an unorthodox centre partnership (which I thought didn’t gel early on) I thought McGrath was and has been fantastic over the last while
Ryan Baird immense ..kudos must go to all coaches n staff and squad
10 tries conceeded in 2 6 Nations campaigns combined telling stat..hats off to Simon Easterby for defensive work especially
James Griffin
England brought physicality but not a lot of game nous. Ireland, while not always as precise as in previous games, matched their physicality but in addition, had good game management and made good decisions at crucial times. Delighted for the entire squad; a fully deserved slam.
Gavin Hegarty
Not a good Irish performance but always great to get a slam.
Up for discussion is where rugby is going. A red card should be for a malicious act, not for what steward did. His offence was a yellow at most.
TWITTER
The best part of all this?
After the trophy is lifted. After the job is done.
Seeing who they are. Kids in tow, joy, delight, banter.
Utter professionals week to week, but they let the emotions lose once it's done.
Cried looking at POM and Sexton with their kids.
Wholesome
— IrishWomensRugbySupportersClub (@IrishWomens) March 18, 2023
Some great individual performances, a few players who might feel they can improve on individual aspects, particularly Porter for me, who was responsible for almost half our penalties, can’t be that sloppy against the French. (though I’m discounting the one conceded as they scored a try)
Expectation will be high going onto next week, and rightly so, I want to see the same high intensity against France
Ian Frizzell
Out of the traps so quickly. We were so powerful in the first 30 minutes they didn’t have any answers.
Thought we coped pretty well in the third quarter when they threw everything they had at us and then a few fresh legs gave us the momentum to finish pretty strongly.
Gavin Hegarty
Job done. Rough second half but we shouldered it well.
Can’t help but think the ref played a part in their comeback but cest la vie.
I still can’t see the logic in bringing gatland back.
TWITTER
Why are the BBC focusing solely on Ireland’s second half? They were 24 points up and absolutely cruising. Wales were always going to throw everything at it. This happens in every team sport, you do as much as you have to do to win. Not many teams win easily in Cardiff. #WALvIRE
Andrew ByrneThat first half was ruthless, we were too comfortable in the 2nd half. That won’t be good enough next week, but you can only play one match at a time.For Wales they can fix a lot very quickly and will take scalps later in the tournament.
Brian Nisbet 10-34, with the Welsh playing much better in the second half. But that’s a clear statement of intent from Ireland with a BP win in the first match. Good stuff!
Rob Atkinson A much better performance from Wales, but need to be a lot better in the opposition 22, they need to be better. I’m sure it will come together later in the tournament
28 January 2023; A general view of a scrum during the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Cardiff at RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
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We beat a Cardiff team with our thirds. We had the bp quick enough and took the foot off the gas in the second half to allow them two tries back.
Delight to have chopper Connors back and to see him doing what he does best.
Great to see the debutants, Leinster are going to be a force for years to come.
Brian Corr
Feel Cardiff came thinking they were going to have an easy game with so many Leinster players on Ireland duty, they realised their mistake too late.
It’s great to see Deegan playing so well and even better to see Connors back.
It’s a great testament to Cullen and his coaches that they have the back up squad so tuned in and able to step up when needed, even if Cardiff were not really at the races.
Tector getting his first points, Turner with another great try.
Great outcome for Leinster, especially racking up the points for home games in the knockouts.
Karen Brennan
Well done to new young players getting their first cap,a great occasion for them,especially Balbriggan rugby clubs Aitzol King👍🏻
TWITTER
Old adage of Leinster not being tested, for once I'll begrudgingly agree. Cardiff have been awful. #LEIvCAR
Over in Ireland to see my girlfriend for the first time in a month, lasted about 7 seconds during sex and still wasn't the worst performing Welshman in Ireland tonight #LEIvCAR
RichardMifsud I always love watching @leinsterrugby play but I particularly love it when the young guns get a run out. TBH I was expecting a tougher game but Cardiff disappointed Deegs very worthy POTM Good outings from Milne Brownlee Turner as well as our starting back row and halfbacks Disappointing 10 minutes in the final quarter but that’s great learning for the kids
Andrew Byrne Harry Byrne’s kicking out of hand was very good, amazing the difference a bit of game time makes. We got a bit sloppy in the final quarter but to be expected with so many changes. Cardiff’s coaches must be pulling their hair out, their team was outclassed by an inexperienced Leinster team.
HARPIN' ON RUGBY 