Showing posts with label Cian Healy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cian Healy. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 November 2015

Leinster Badly Stung by Wasps


Wasps recorded an emphatic 33-6 Champions Cup win over Leinster at the RDS Arena.

Charles Piutau was named man of the match for his defensive performance as well as his counter-attacking in the No 15 jersey, and though the All Black scored a try in the final minute, it was tries from Christian Wade and Joe Simpson that set up a vital win away from home for Wasps in what is a difficult Champions Cup group.

The boot of Ruaridh Jackson was worth 13 points while a pair of penalties from Jonny Sexton were the only points scored by the home side as they failed to ignite much attack in front of their home fans.

It was Wasps who opened the scoring in Dublin. Jack McGrath, preferred to Cian Healy in the No 1 jersey, was penalised at an early scrum and Jackson stepped up to hand his side the lead from the tee.

His effort was cancelled out by Sexton in the ninth minute, after Wasps strayed offside during a dangerous attack from Leinster on the back of a poor clearance kick from Elliot Daly.

Sexton missed an opportunity to give the hosts the lead moments later when Carlo Festuccia failed to roll away at the ruck, with the Irish fly-half unable to overcome the heavy wind as he sent it right.

Festuccia gave the Leinster No 10 another chance when he once again infringed at the breakdown, and at the second time of calling Sexton sent it through the uprights before Jackson drew his side level at the end of the first quarter.

Wasps then threatened down the left touchline thanks to deft work from Piuatu, and though the visitors were unable to score a try, he took a long-range kick at goal to make it 9-6 to Wasps after Daly was taken high in the tackle.

A clever box kick from Simpson and a good chase from Wade then brought about the first try of the game.

The kick went in behind Dave Kearney who was left flailing by the second bounce, and on the third bounce Wade plucked it from above a grounded Kearney to cross for an easy score and a 10-point lead for his side to take into the break.

Simpson got the scoring under way in the second half when a break from Frank Halai put the scrum-half into space behind the Leinster defence, and he raced away for the try and a 23-6 lead following the conversion.

The Wasps' defence held off any attempts from Leinster to fight their way back into the game, and the match was ended as a contest when Wasps' scrum dominance led to a penalty and Daly lined up a long-range kick at goal.

The centre left it short, but there was a knock-on when Leinster tried to collect the ball before Kearney made the ill-advised decision to play the ball from an offside position which resulted in a penalty under his side's poles.

Jackson placed the ball on the tee and slotted a regulation kick before Piutau rounded off the victory with a try in the corner with seconds remaining for an important win as Leinster fell to just their third defeat in 15 European pool games.


Friday, 9 October 2015

France v Ireland - Teams


Iain Henderson is a shock absentee from the Ireland starting XV for Sunday's World Cup game against France while Jared Payne is not risked after injury.

Henderson, outstanding in recent games, is replaced by Devin Toner at lock while Keith Earls stays at centre as Payne recovers from a bruised foot.

Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo with Cian Healy preferred to Jack McGrath at prop.

France make two changes with Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci recalled.

Number eight Picamoles replaces Bernard le Roux in the back row for the Pool D decider in one of two changes from the 41-18 win over Canada.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre's other change sees Fijian-born win Nakaitaci taking over from Remy Grosso.

Both France and Ireland have won their opening three games in Pool D and the losers of Sunday's match are likely to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Henderson's demotion to the replacements is a big call by Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, with the New Zealander believing that six foot 11 inch Toner is needed to disrupt the effectiveness of the France line-out.

Yet Henderson's energetic work around the field has probably been the most impressive feature of Ireland's World Cup so far.

The Ulsterman was man of the match in last weekend's narrow win over Italy and is certain to come on during the Millennium Stadium contest.

Schmidt said the decision to recall Toner had been "a really tight call".

"Dev has been a big-match player for us and gives us a little bit more line-out capability," added the Ireland coach.

"We (also) do believe that at the back end of the game, Iain will add value."

Payne trained fully on Wednesday after missing the Italy game but swelling on his injured foot following that session sealed his fate.
France likely to target Sexton channel

With Earls remaining at centre, Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney retain the wing spots as fit-again Rob Kearney returns at full-back in place of Simon Zebo.

Healy is named at loosehead prop after his Leinster team-mate McGrath started in the front row role against Italy.

Lions forward Healy started Ireland's second World Cup match against Romania after making his return to action following neck surgery as a replacement in the opening win over Canada.

In the France selection, Picamoles' return sees Damien Chouly switching to flanker with experienced skipper Thierry Dusautoir completing a strong back row.

France have talked this week of targeting Ireland pivot Johnny Sexton and skipper Dusautoir and number eight Picamoles will be central to that aim.

Toulon's powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud is also likely to be part of France's tactics to disrupt fly-half Sexton.

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Devin Toner, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heasip.

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Luke Fitzgerald.

France: Scott Spedding; Noa Nakaitaci, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Brice Dulin; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani; Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri; Thierry Dusautior (capt), Damien Chouly, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Alexandre Flanquart, Bernard Le Roux, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Alexandre Dumoulin


Monday, 28 September 2015

Schmidt - RWC Starts Now in Earnest


Ireland's World Cup campaign "starts in earnest now" after Sunday's convincing bonus-point victory over Romania, according to coach Joe Schmidt.

The 44-10 win sees Ireland go top of Pool D and they can seal a quarter-final spot if they beat Italy at the Olympic Stadium next Sunday.

"Next week is the pivotal week. It's pressure for us and pressure for Italy," said Schmidt.

"That is why people come to a World Cup - they want to see how teams respond."

After facing Italy, Ireland complete their pool fixtures with a match against France on October 11.

"For us it starts in earnest now, because we know we can qualify if we win next weekend," added Schmidt.

"The game against France just decides who we play in the quarter-final if we can win next week.

"Italy, after a win and a loss, need to win to qualify. It becomes a last-16 game for us."

Ireland must wait to find out if Rob Kearney will be fit after he was injured in scoring the fifth try shortly after coming on as a substitute.

"Rob was involved in a high-speed play after coming on the pitch and just after scoring the try he's jarred himself," Schmidt added.

"We hope it is not too much but the next 24 to 48 hours will tell if he has done anything telling for next week."

Losing Kearney would be a setback for Ireland, but several players impressed in a dominant performance against Romania.

Schmidt made 12 changes with Italy and France in mind, but his altered line-up showed few signs of weakness, scoring six tries, including four in the second half.

Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls crossed the line twice each, before Kearney and Chris Henry added two more late on, and Simon Zebo also staked a claim with an impressive display at full-back.

"There were a number of players who performed really well and will create a big of selection headache for Italy," Schmidt said.


Sunday, 19 April 2015

Toulon v Leinster - Champions Cup

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Leinster have retained their starting line-up from the quarter-final win over Bath for Sunday's European Champions Cup semi-final against holders Toulon.

That means centre Ben T'eo, fly-half Jimmy Gopperth and Mike McCarthy are the only starters from last weekend's damaging Pro12 defeat by the Dragons.

Irish Six Nations stars Rob Kearney, Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip are all named in the side.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been passed fit to start for Toulon.

Halfpenny's return after missing the 32-18 quarter-final win over Wasps means a switch to wing for ex-England international Delon Armitage.

Other backs changes from the quarter-final see Springboks star Bryan Habana replacing Drew Mitchell on the other wing and Matt Giteau taking over from injured Maxime Mermoz at centre.

Xavier Chiocci is preferred to Alexandre Menini at prop while there are two changes in the back row from the previous round with Juan Smith and Juan Fernandez Lobbe replacing Mamuka Gorgodze and Steffon Armitage.

T'eo's selection at centre for Leinster means that Gordon D'Arcy again has to be content with a place on the bench.

Last weekend's defeat by the Dragons has left Leinster's Pro12 chances hanging by a thread and the European competition is now probably their only remaining chance of silverware this season.

However, Matt O'Connor's side will be up against a big-budget Toulon side who can afford to leave top-class performers such as Steffon Armitage, Menini and Mitchell on the bench.

The French outfit are attempting to secure an unprecedented third successive European club title this season after their Heineken Cup triumphs over the past two years.

Three-time Heineken Cup champions Leinster have misfired in their defence of the Pro12 title this year and failed to score a try in their win over Bath as Ian Madigan's six penalties proved enough.

Leinster's strength in that game was their discipline as they gave few penalties and they will need a repeat of that with Wayne Barnes taking charge of Sunday's game.

However, Toulon defeated the Irish province 29-14 in last year's quarter-finals and will favourites to repeat that victory.

Toulon: Halfpenny; D Armitage, M Bastareaud, Gitea, Habana; Michalak, Tillous-Borde; Chiocci, Guirado, Hayman (capt); Botha, Williams; Smith, Fernandez Lobbe, Masoe.

Replacements: Orioli, Menini, Chilachava, S Armitage, Mitchell, Wulf, Claassens, Suta

Leinster: R Kearney; McFadden, Te'o, Madigan, Fitzgerald; Gopperth, Boss; Healy, Cronin, Ross, Toner, M McCarthy, J Murphy, O'Brien, J Heaslip.

Replacements: Strauss, J McGrath, Moore, Marshall, D Ryan, Reddan, G D'Arcy, Kirchner.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Ireland v France - Preview


Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has recalled the Lions trio of Jonathan Sexton, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip for the game against France.

Hooker Rory Best has recovered from a concussion and has completed all the return-to-play protocols.

Another Lion, prop Cian Healy, is on the replacements bench following surgery on a hamstring injury.

France make just one change with prop Eddy Ben Arous replacing the injured Alexandre Menini.

Ireland: 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Jared Payne, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-Simon Zebo, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Jack McGrath, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Devin Toner, 5-Paul O'Connell (c), 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Sean O'Brien, 8-Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Martin Moore, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Jordi Murphy, 21-Isaac Boss, 22-Ian Madigan, 23-Felix Jones.

France: 15-Scott Spedding, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Wesley Fofana, 11-Teddy Thomas, 10-Camille Lopez, 9-Rory Kockott; 1-Eddy Ben Arous, 2-Guilhem Guirado, 3-Rabah Slimani, 4-Pascal Pape, 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Thierry Dusautoir, 7-Bernard Le Roux, 8-Damien Chouly

Replacements: 16-Benjamin Kayser, 17-Uini Atonio, 18-Vincent Debaty, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Loann Goujon, 21-Morgan Parra, 22-Remi Tales, 23-Remi Lamerat.

The performances by both France and Ireland in their opening matches of the 2015 Six Nations were described in their respective country's media in a mixture of unflattering terms such as: 'less than convincing', 'disjointed and lacklustre', 'little to please the eye' and 'battle of attrition'.

Despite them both winning, each side is under pressure to show a little more 'joie de vivre' at the Aviva.

This is a fixture that has been particularly tight in recent years with successive draws followed by a nerve-jangling Championship-clinching win in Paris for Ireland last year by just two points. 

A win on Saturday for the Irish would carry greater significance than just being another step towards retaining their title as both these sides are in the same World Cup group. Winger Tommy Bowe says that beating the French would put them "psychologically in a great position"ahead of the tournament, having already seen off Italy, another Pool D opponent, last weekend.

The Irish are boosted for this game by the reappearance of three Lions to their starting line-up, with another on the bench. The player generating the most headlines on his return is Johnny Sexton. The scourge of the French last year is back at number 10 after an enforced three-month absence following four concussions in 2014.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre went public this week with his plan to put an undercooked Sexton under pressure by saying they should "test him early on", given his last game was against Australia in November.

However, given the Racing Metro fly-half's knowledge of his French opponents, and 17 points at the Stade de France last year, he is unlikely to be fazed by an early French bombardment.

France looked rusty on their return from a three-month break of their own as they lumbered past Scotland. Old-fashioned forward power ground them out of trouble, but Saint-Andre will have spent this week concocting a plan of how to better release a dangerous back division that weren't given enough chances to shine.

He also spoke of the importance of finally winning away at a major team, something that leaves a yawning gap on his CV with Les Bleus.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee : Wayne Barnes (ENG)
Touch judges : Nigel Owens (WAL) & Stuart Berry (RSA)
TV : Graham Hughes (ENG)