Scarlets v. Ladyboys

[UKHamlet]

Originally Posted by Spifflicator

You have a point. But still, other countries have done well enough without central contracts. E.g. Wales, who have won a couple of grand slams in recent years. Wales also had a summer tour, like Ireland, but many of the Welsh players are back on club duty (e.g. Scarlets today). The notion of resting Ireland players may be sound enough, but how much rest do they need? Maybe the rest periods could be shortened. I can't believe the Irish players who played in NZ (several weeks ago) aren't chomping at the bit to play again. Someone like Trimble has had several weeks off and his talent is just being wasted. When they do return they may well be rusty and could need a few games to get up to speed. I'd rather they played actual games, even half games, but rested by easing off on strenuous training.

This.

The Scarlets game was embarrassing and had the baby eaters not started running the ball from their own 22 after the hour was up, they could have plonked 60 on an unrecognisable Leinster. It's all wrong.

[Tre]

pathetic to put out that side. Got what they deserved

[bilston]

But then on the other side of the coin Munster send a second team to Edinburgh and win.

[Tom]

Good result.

Lessons for the young lads.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Originally Posted by Spifflicator

I think it's time the whole central contract thing was re-examined. The Irish provinces were forced to put out weakened teams and were up against it from the start. Leinster have massive injury problems as well, so had several third stringers out today. How much rest do these international players need? I'd rather see them get more regular rugby and become match hardened. It certainly takes the edge off Rabo games as a true competitive match up.

Originally Posted by Spifflicator

You have a point. But still, other countries have done well enough without central contracts. E.g. Wales, who have won a couple of grand slams in recent years. Wales also had a summer tour, like Ireland, but many of the Welsh players are back on club duty (e.g. Scarlets today). The notion of resting Ireland players may be sound enough, but how much rest do they need? Maybe the rest periods could be shortened. I can't believe the Irish players who played in NZ (several weeks ago) aren't chomping at the bit to play again. Someone like Trimble has had several weeks off and his talent is just being wasted. When they do return they may well be rusty and could need a few games to get up to speed. I'd rather they played actual games, even half games, but rested by easing off on strenuous training.

We could knacker our players. Alternatively they play enough games. No player can play every match available. The IRFU's limits seem sensible to me. It's exactly because payers are chomping at the bit when it is not in their best interest that we have the rules. Given Leinster's record last year, the whining about the under par team they put out yesterday seems more than a little ridiculous.

[Spifflicator]

Originally Posted by Eugene Wrayburn

We could knacker our players. Alternatively they play enough games. No player can play every match available. The IRFU's limits seem sensible to me. It's exactly because payers are chomping at the bit when it is not in their best interest that we have the rules. Given Leinster's record last year, the whining about the under par team they put out yesterday seems more than a little ridiculous.

I am not suggesting they play every match available. That would just be stupid. I am suggesting greater flexibility in the rest programme and the use of perfectly fit players who have not played for weeks. Just as you can overdo the game time, you can overdo the rest periods. You can't keep players in cotton wool for weeks on end and then expect them instantly to play at top form.

[Peat]

Tbh, I think a little much of this is being made for the wrong reasons. With the exception of the the three-quarter line, that looks much like the sort of Leinster 2nd/3rd string that seemed very comfortable in this league last year. Scarlets deserve credit for sticking it to that team.

That said - few notable absentees from that sort of team last season; Nathan White, Dave Kearney, Eoin O'Malley, Rhys Ruddock, possibly a few others. With one exception, those guys are injured, as are a few others. Couple of players not yet arrived from down south... it's not a standard Leinster team to say the least; and any onus for not taking the Pro12 seriously really can't be applied to the province here.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Originally Posted by Spifflicator

I am not suggesting they play every match available. That would just be stupid. I am suggesting greater flexibility in the rest programme and the use of perfectly fit players who have not played for weeks. Just as you can overdo the game time, you can overdo the rest periods. You can't keep players in cotton wool for weeks on end and then expect them instantly to play at top form.

They don't.

[Millig'wan]

Originally Posted by Spifflicator

I am not suggesting they play every match available. That would just be stupid. I am suggesting greater flexibility in the rest programme and the use of perfectly fit players who have not played for weeks. Just as you can overdo the game time, you can overdo the rest periods. You can't keep players in cotton wool for weeks on end and then expect them instantly to play at top form.

Have to agree with the moose abuser here. It does player, club and country no good whatsoever to keep a player like Trimble fecking about with nae game time, esp with the Heiny and AIs on the horizon.