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Our attack was toothless. No idea what Cullen even does there at this stage to be honest and nienabars style of play doesn’t suit Leinster at all. Would prefer to see them both go if I’m being honest. They’ve been dire to watch all season.

Great review Merlin, I have only been able to watch highlights so far, so your take on the game has helped. Very sad for Leinster. Do you feel they made a mistakes in not building the points? Thanks 🤣

Besides the genius that is Antoine Dupont there were three key moments in the game which decided the outcome: 1. Frawley narrowly missing that drop goal just at the end or normal time to seal the win for Leinster. It was a high pressure kick and he was unlucky not to nail it. 2. Lowe getting sin-binned (quite harsh imo) in first few mins of extra time. Toulouse capitalised on that and scored a try. 3. Arnold getting sent off for Toulouse in 2nd period of ET and Leinster failing to capitalise when it looked like Toulouse were tiring a bit. Brilliant game and it came down to those old fine margins yet again.

Gareth edwards, phil benett, wilkinson, campese, dan carter, lomu, sexton, irvine, blanco... dupont

Leinster did so much right yesterday . Scrum / lineouts/ containing that great number 9 and yet showed frailties they have all year - blunt attack married to kicking for touch and not taking the 3 points on penalties . Number 10 is problem and yet they have Frawley and Pendergast to jump into number 10 . Frawley was excellent

Lenster would have won that game if not for one player! Dupont👏

As a Leinster fan I'm disappointed but not distraught. You have to consider the quality of the opposition before going too hard on Leinster. To keep a team like Toulouse tryless for 80 minutes is something very few pundits mentioned but deserves recognition. Up until Saturdays final Toulouse were regularly putting 40 to 60 points past their opposition in normal time. Our defense has really improved but I think our attack has definitely gone backward a bit. Our phase attack is not where it was under Stuart Lancaster and is poor compared to what the same players deliver in the Ireland team. I think this might be as a result of developing the Nienaber defensive system. I am not saying Jacque is the wrong person for the role he is without doubt the best defense coach in the world but sometimes when a coach of his calibre comes into an organisation other aspects of the game might take a back seat. Leinster have always been an attack based team and they need to get better balance in their game. I'm confident they will continue to compete at the top level in Europe and will get the cup they desire within the next few years. Well done to Toulouse, totally deserved victory. Now for the URC.

Toulouse 6 stars - Leinster 4 ! Who will remember this Leinster team generation in 50 years ?

Great upcoming match! The ST that Leinster will face off on Saturday is NOT the team they beat in 2022. The French team is at the top of its game this season. How about 31-28 for ST?

I'm going to the match on Saturday. Travelling with hope but no great expectation.

Come on leinster 🏉 🏈 🏉 🏈

Amazing how you can keep on babbling for 10 minutes without saying anything of note

Very sloppy preview by your own standards, couldn't be bothered with spending more than 5 minutes preparing for this ?

A lot of pressure on Leinster to deliver here much more so than Toulouse. Losing yet another final would be a serious blow to them with all the hype that is currently surrounding this team. So this is a must win game. Toulouse on the other hand would love to get one over on Leinster in this game of all games considering they have been very much on the losing end the last few times these two met. And winning this would give them six Championship titles over Leinster's four. So an awful lot at stake here for two great teams. A classic awaits. I'm going with Leinster though...to win by 3 or 4.

Hi , for every other Leinster match over the years I’d be following all the previews . So annoyed after the loss to Ulster last week that I’m afraid history repeating itself. I should be looking forward to an amazing match up. The final everyone wanted. I should be saying the Leinster defence will stop Toulouse playing. I should be saying the return of key players from injury is very positive. I’m even less nervous than same time last year. More resigned to whatever the outcome will be and will be so thrilled for the players after a win.

When i see Bill i cringe at the sight of him and his corruptness he is green with envy over the Saffa's. But they will quickly adapt to the ridiculous changes.

9:58 I'll be going over with my son, the tickets were 75 English pound each. I bought ylthem back in February. The flights were dear enough as to the accommodation. Leinster needs the La Rochelle performance from the full 80. No easy outs disapline on and off the ball, no stupid kicks. Also, if they're down 1 or 2 points, with a couple of minutes on the board, and a drop goal is on, they need to take it. That was the case last year, and they didn't take it.

Leinster need to put in an 80+ shift, without switching off, is the lesson they should have learned.

TMO must be like cricket, only when referee are not certain he may ask TMO. For the rest they must just shut up.

Well said, awesome, WR stop tinkering wit this beautiful game.

Stop all Rugby. Bloody waste of good money.!!!! Bullshit,to use a "proper" English word... You young men,there"s Cricket Golf and cycling.!! Do not let a incompetent,rule your life,with a whistle.!!

The law change regarding scrums from free kicks is a travesty and a great shame. It breaks the very essence of rugby. What a bummer

Nice analysis. The World Cup management needs to be replaced and the new one should not have as much power to change things without consulting the unions!

removing the scrum would just kill rugby union. insane decision if they are doing so. frankly the scrum shouldn't be touched at all.

Love to hear a different analysis of the game. I agree Leinster was very lucky and as you said the last ten minutes it could have gone either way. I like to look at different newspaper opinions and was disappointed that Wales On-Line, never mentioned the game or the result at all. For me, I would have liked to hear from Wales's top rugby pundits and their opinion

Leinster just about deserved this. I have a lot of respect for Saints. They kept leinster humble & if they stole it in the end, it wouldn't have been unfair. Leinster probably lacked 80min toughening over the past 3 weeks. They need to run this team out in the URC. Not all but most.

Excellent Leinster first half, Northampton second half was a lot better. Leinster had to hold on in the end.

Think Leinster thought they could ride out the last twenty minutes and their intensity dropped off big time. Not near as good a Leinster performance as against La Rochelle but it might be hard to back that up. In previous years Leinster have won semi finals in spectacular fashion only to not perform in the final. Hopefully this year the reverse will be the case and lessons will be learned from this game.

Frawley if fit should play at outhalf. He's a better kicker than Ross Byrne

I mentioned Leinster's Defence would be the Difference. Ross Byrne is a a liability. Leinster need to get the chequebook out. You can't have an unreliable Kicker at this Level. Saints will be sick when they review this one.

Just home from the match..need a defibrillator. Ye Gods that last 5 minutes was heartstopping. A match full of mistakes on both sides and nervy. Leinster dominated the first half but the Saints always play with attack and intent right up to the 80 min mark...which is what I love about them....and nearly snatched it. As a Leinster fan relieved and as I have a ticket for the final glad that I am not attending a Saints vs Toulose/Harlequin final. Phew!

In your preview to this game I posted that I expected Leinster to win this one but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a shock result. Boy was I nearly right! After being so dominant for 3/4 of the game they nearly let it slip so they'll be hugely relieved. The big lesson for Leinster here: They are going to have to be more clinical when they are in control, kick their points when on offer and put in a full 80 minute pressure game if they want to win this championship. They can't afford to take the foot of the gas for a minute. I expect to see this from them in the final. Very enjoyable game and the atmosphere there seemed electric. Credit to Northampton for giving it a right good go towards the end in a nail biting finish.

Nervy stuff from Leinster, they just couldn't kill them off, it should have caught up with them, Northampton will be kicking themselves! Semi finals are there to be won and they have done it,.lots of things to think about

If SA win the next wc youll see more changes coming

The problem is SA is a make up of Dutch and Africans, so thats a problem, the British hate the Dutch us can handle blacks winning😂

Most of the Leinster supporters wouldn't know how to get to Croke Park... Rugby is still a bit West Brit in Dublin..

Good analysis as usual Merlin, I agree with you this will be no cakewalk for either side and I've got a feeling Northampton might just eke out a victory, I hope I'm wrong.

The GAA is very gracious in allowing rugby union to be played at their historic stadium, Croke Park. The 2007 international match between Ireland and England was epic. Northampton Saints are a good side and should not be under-rated, but Leinster should be sufficiently equipped to win this game..... with 'home' advantage, oh yes, and 82,000 fans cheering them on.

There's a lot of media hype surrounding Leinster right now even though they haven't won anything yet. This Northampton team will be no pushover. They have got some great players in their ranks and will relish getting one over on Leinster and at Croke Park of all places. They will be up for it. I still expect Leinster to win but would not be surprised if we get a shock result also.

The Croke park pitch is massive its closer to a cricket oval than a rugby/soccer pitch. Kicks can be misjudged because of huge grass perimeter. I remember watching a ireland v France game from way up in the gods and I couldnt tell the difference between the shirts😮

Croke Park is special for all players no matter what code. There is no preparation possible . Imagine 2000 Northampton fans v 80,000 fans from Leinster . Ringrose is training but , no guarantee he will be match ready . Osborne is excellent replacement and his left boot is very useful. Keenan is more of a doubt . Remember about resting players , most are internationals and IRFU have player rest protocol in play . Watch Finn Smith getting mashed early in game - he will be targeted No matter how good Northampton are on day I would expect a Leinster win by 10+

Slightly off stats

Your videos get better and better.

Is he better? YES. We have very good players in his positions but none are as good as he is.

Hi Merlin. This is the second CLUB rugby game at Croke Park, but not the second rugby game. Between 2007 and 2010, Ireland played all their home Six Nations games at Croker, so that means 10 international games in addition to the Heineken Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster in 2009.

100% Croke Park is such a factor. Having played there under different code, it can work for you or against you. Think Saints will be a bit shocked. If they don't start explosively, it could be over in minutes & a deafening eternity would follow no doubt.

It is not acceptable to lose to an English team in Croke Park.

Yes opinion divided on whether a 3 week rest period is just too long. Some ex players feeling it is too long. Fine line between battle ready and battle weary so Leinster attack coach admitted they will only know if the decision is right by how things go. Glad they have Croke Park to rise too as that all out emotional effort against St Rochelle cant be replicated again but also adds extra pressure. Oh and no matter how ready Northampton think they are prepared for the atmosphere in Croke Park I suspect it will still be a bit of a shock initially. But they are a great side and will go all out for sure.

84 thousand crowd Should be a great atmosphere

Have my ticket Front row top deck . 😊😊😊😊 4 happy fans Really looking forward to it .