Leinster v Northampton Preview - Champions Cup 2023/24

Leinster v Northampton Match Preview, 2023/24 Champions Cup Semi Final: Squads, Stats & Predictions
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[@gavindoyle692]

The match kicks off at 10:30 here in Mexico. Excited like it’s Christmas Eve! I was at the game the only other time club rugby was played at Croker when Leinster finally overcame Munster in 2009. What an epic day that was! Bumped into Cian Healy after that game. We were very drunk. He was a legend. Delighted he’ll be breaking O’Gara’s Champions Cup appearance record today. Allez les Bleus! 💙

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Haha so far so good for your boys mate!

[@IrishInsomniac76]

Rugby in Croke Park is a special occasion. Looking forward to the game

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Atmosphere I think will be incredible aye

[@johnswan6759]

​@@TwoCentsRugbyme too. Im in section 333 row kk seat 19 cant wait. Cmon Leinster

[@tomf1dublin1]

Greetings from Dublin . Missed your analysis . Welcome back. I’m lucky enough to be going to match . Up in top tier of stand at half way line . Great value seats. 80000 Leinster and 2000 Northampton supporters . Should be great occasion . Was at the Leinster Munster semi as well in 2009. Will be a great occasion .

[@user-is9of]

Don't forget the 300 munster/ northhampton/ la rochelle supporters

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Cheers man yeah good to be back and awesome news you got good tickets! I reckon the atmosphere should be cracking!

[@robhallie]

Welcome back, missed you!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Good to be back mate!

[@user-xd8vr1jw8v]

Where were you ,Mark?

[@juniorndlovu3310]

@@user-xd8vr1jw8vChina to see his in-laws

[@ChrisBrown-or8ky]

Have my alarm set for 4am for the start of this one. Leinster should be far too good but the Saints are at the top of the prem for a reason. Really looking forward to Croke Park crowd

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man! Top sides, big stadium which will have a cracking atmosphere - hopefully the Saints bring their A game and it's a good contest

[@Camcolito]

The Toms and Alex ratio is an often-overlooked stat but I think it could be key here.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

100% man - that being said Leinster do have a James, Jamie, Jamison, Josh, Jordan, Jimmy - so they'll dominate the Js

[@scottyounger7929]

@@TwoCentsRugbyand soon to add a Jordie to that list for next season

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Lol yes true!

[@pjmsimmons]

Welcome back. I’ll be there! I was there in 2009 as well and the atmosphere was electric but then it was Munster v Leinster. Interestingly Healy was involved in that one as well. You got to acknowledge his longevity.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Cheers mate - and yeah that is a heck of a shift isn't it - glad he's still going!

[@Natedawg38]

That was some 2c withdrawl! For those of you who have not yet seen a game of rugger at this epic stadium you are in for a treat.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man 1st half atmosphere seems cracking so far!

[@SweptDust5340]

love the important analysis on the names

[@DEvilParsnip]

You were missed , great to have ya back

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Cheers mate!

[@brianmsahin]

Good to see you return ! Should be a great game !

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Pretty cracking 1st half man! Northampton need to up their game in the 2nd

[@mrjayq]

Welcome back lad. Can't wait to Go to croker today, its such a big deal for Irish rugby to play at croke park. I know of so many Munster fans going to, just can't wait

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man definitely a special occasion - I'll be getting up to see it - can't risk spoilers with this one

[@ExcitedLemur-uc6vk]

It's 06h45 am in cape town 😬😬

[@gezzarandom]

I’ve been to Croke Park twice and it’s a brilliant stadium, one of the best in Europe. It should be a good close match as well, Leinster might just nick it but don’t count Northampton out, they’re not top of the Premiership for nothing.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

As soon as I heard it was at Croke Park I figured it'd be something special aye!

[@anderdaniel2367]

Missed your analysis on Leinster v La Rochelle game, can’t wait for this game now. I went to ireland v France in Croker in 2007, very special stadium. Love your work

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man I missed out on that one for sure. Good to be back though!

[@MegaWemes]

Amazing analysis of Alex's and Tom's 😂 actually made me laugh out loud

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Lol yeah man pretty sure that's a key talking point that nobody else has brought up 😂

[@MarmiteTheDog]

Welcome back! Be a luv and sort your audio syncing out. 😘

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Haha I will try mate - I think it's the old laptop I use to record but not 100% sure

[@johnneylin831]

Good to see you back mark ,hope you had a good trip

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Thanks man yeah great to be back!

[@ruairiosullivan3763]

Prayers said!!!! Hopefully we’ll get through this and win in Croker Leinster Abu!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Good 1st half man!

[@ruairiosullivan3763]

All I can say is PHEW!!!!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

You can breathe now ;)

[@brianmurray6287]

82000 sell out in a couple of hours in Croke Park .

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Crazy they sold that many tickets that fast!

[@silversolver7809]

Missed a bit myself-is Gary Ringrose hurt? James Ryan? Hugo Keenan? Are they renovating Aviva stadium? Unless NH are at their best, this game could get away from them in the 2nd half.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Keenan and Ryan I definitely read a injured and the Aviva I think is being used/prepped for football?

[@sharronwood4486]

Ringrose still not quite fit yet but close I believe 🤞

[@tomf1dublin1]

Aviva is hosting Europa Cup final and the stadium is unavailable during preparation for that. . James Ryan is out injured and no news on his return. Ringrose was close . Keenan is close every week but seems to be pulled at last minute . Hopefully game will match the great occasion. Nearly 83000 tickets sold in 3 hours after general release shows there is appetite in province for supporting the boys in blue .

[@silversolver7809]

@@tomf1dublin1 Thanks all :) "Nearly 83000 tickets sold in 3 hours" Phenomenal, that's mighty!

[@normanstewart7130]

Croke Park means a bit of a walk to the stadium today and we're in an uncovered area, so hoping the rain stays away😅. And no beer allowed at your seat!!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

No beer in your seat! What!?

[@normanstewart7130]

@@TwoCentsRugby Yep, we have to drink up at the bar. Croke Park rules (OK?)

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Fair enough I guess ;)

[@johncahalane7327]

​@@TwoCentsRugbyYea they don't allow drinking in the seats in Croke Park ,top tiers of Hogan and Cusack Stands have a wonderful view with a massive drop if someone did something stupid.Not been to a rugby game there or a soccer one either but the atmosphere at hurling games is another level, remember your trying to follow a small well its yellow ball the size of a tennis ball 160 yards x 80 at a pace of a hundred miles an hour...its probably the best venue for viewing rugby in Ireland, to anyone who doesn't know two major fact here ,Michael Cusack a Tippreary footballer was shot dead on the playing surface on November 20th 1920 with thirteen others in the crowd youngest six years old by the British Army on Bloody Sunday....and the most famous viewing area in the stadium 🏟 Hill 16 was built with the rubble of buildings destroyed in the 1916 Rising...one of the few stadiums in the world that is infamous for what went on outside of sport .I won't happen today but the GAA tradition is both teams march around the stadium behind a brass band, its an experience you will never forget, one other thing there is no segregation of fans in GAA games and the banter is off the scale...one final thing the beer is Fecking expensive you won't be getting bladdered that's for sure

[@neilmontgomery3470]

Fair play getting up at that time to watch the game. However, I think it should be a real treat. Probably just short of a world record for a club match. Northampton are a class team and will be shown proper respect. Leinster will certainly not have it all their way. However, I have a feeling that Leinster is going to put on a show and would be very surprised if they don't win well.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man it seems like both home sides will be big favourites - but I'm hoping both the Prem sides can push their hosts and we get good games

[@dermotgilligan6328]

Where have you been .. Did you have a note from your parents for missing the last month !!!!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Lol I was in China believe it or not mate 😅

[@at7512]

This is the best club/franchise rugby competition in the world... feels close to test match rugby.. NZ and Australia teams missing out by not being involved..

[@adamwhittington4399]

Come on you Saints, let's go! SHOE ARMY

[@hallowedbeminename]

Bringing my 7yo for his first live match in an hour or so, can't wait!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Hope the little man is enjoying it mate!

[@charlottescott7150]

Very excited about both semis! Love all the teams. Also Tom is the best name- my favourite - called my son Tom and my dear brother is called Tom and if Beth had been a boy she'd have been Alex! I'm not very original!

[@TwoCentsRugby]

If we'd had two girls it would have been Alice and Charlotte ;)

[@charlottescott7150]

@@TwoCentsRugby great names Mark!

[@johnsullivan6507]

Thanks for great video as always, this game was sold out almost instantly after general release tickets. Feel lucky I got one, great to have 82,000 crowd at it

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Man that's impressive given the capacity! Well done getting one!

[@louisdelvallebrown3818]

Are going to do a preview for Toulouse Vs quins?

[@louisdelvallebrown3818]

Are you*

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yes bro I'll do that one tomorrow ;)

[@brianmurphy9250]

What about Tom Jones? It's 'not an unusual' name.😂

[@fleshen]

I'm hopping for a close contest but I wouldn't blame the Saints if the whole thing gets to them a bit, this Leinster team seems really focussed on this comp this year!

[@normanstewart7130]

That's what we thought last year too!!

[@fleshen]

True ​@@normanstewart7130

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man Leinster really want that bloody star aye!

[@brendangamble5088]

Welcome back bud I see the game being close up till half time and then leinster blowing them away in second half. Leinster by 21

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Cheers man yeah it looks like both home sides should win by more than a score, but I'm hoping they'll be closer ;)

[@seanofarrell8896]

I'm hoping for a leinster win but not writing off saints they can score out of nothing. Hopefully a w as a leinster fan

[@shamey98]

Leinster under so much pressure. Hope they stay composed and not force game. Falling on their shield and loosing to an English team in such Hallowed ground is just not an option. Win or Hari Kiri.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah handling it well so far!

[@user-qb5fe8jm7p]

How was your holiday

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Pretty good mate! Thanks

[@user-qb5fe8jm7p]

Super Rugby is starting to get very interesting looking forward for the blues and canes next week should be a cracker​@@TwoCentsRugby

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man most interesting season in ages!

[@user-qb5fe8jm7p]

@@TwoCentsRugby reds ain't going to bad

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah they've lost a few at the death and had some good wins aye!

[@LeMerch]

Don’t ever leave us like that again

[@LeMerch]

But I hope you had a good time ❤

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Haha I'll try to balance it out with more rugby next time if I do

[@kobusdutoitbosman6240]

Listening to your ‘stuff’ ex Fairest Cape Winelands Looking forward to the game immensely • Welcome back… Let us see❓ Two great games this w/end at least…exciting beste 🪖

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Cheers man yeah good to be back - both the semis have heavy home favourites aye - it'll be interesting