Leinster v Northampton Review - Champions Cup 2023/24

Leinster v Northampton Match Review, 2023/24 Champions Cup Semi Final: Key Events, Stats & Opinions
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[@seanhorgan5380]

JGP appreciation post. The man is a "genius". Everything he touches lately is turning to gold. That flick for Lowe's second try was superb quick thinking.

[@creekyknee]

He's not good. And lets face it he could do with losing a few pounds.

[@paulwalsh598]

In fairness so was the pop up to him from Doris

[@jonchess8844]

The most important stat for me is the 82300 people watching the match . Southern Hemisphere team can only dream of such numbers. Some of the teams in this years Super League have tiny attendances .

[@bernieob9577]

We Irish are the best supporters in the 🌎 well done leinster and NH .

[@conoroloughlin8249]

Nailed it on the head Leinster should have put that game away. Credit to Northampton they are a quality side and can feel very happy to get so close.. Leinster need to improve in a lot of areas for the final.

[@KekeHimona]

@jonchess8844… you are correct that Southern hemisphere can only dream of having 82k watching a match. NZL biggest stadium can only seat 60k

[@readesiun988]

That's what 3 weeks rest does, not a good call by Leo

[@patrickcoote8441]

Those attendance put a lot of money in Leinster pockets

[@maximilianmccluskey6983]

Could Leinster play a game of rugby this season without sending my blood pressure throught the fecking roof?? Ironically, the only game this year i wasn't shitting myself every 2 min was the La Rochelle one...

[@SKILLAGEREAL]

I have to give up watching Rugby...the last 5 minutes nearly sent me to the ER.

[@CutieSenussi]

same

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Lol yeah it was great as a neutral though ;)

[@keithcoyne]

Unnecessary stress for the Bank holiday weekend, sweating.

[@gavanshanley9135]

I was there and got some serious La Rochelle vibes at the end!

[@user-jt7tg3sp7s]

I downed a large G&T after the final whistle...nerves shattered.

[@olivernyhan2740]

Jesus fair play, just walked home from this game and this video has been up 19 mins already

[@jj12313]

How was it in Croker?

[@normanstewart7130]

@@jj12313 Nail-biting😅

[@TheDennyleen]

Lucky I wore my brown pants,!

[@Cpchurch87]

Relieved Leinster fan. Think the few weeks off showed in the last 20. We didnt look as match fit. Took control for 40, then took the foot off the gas a bit and allowed a fitter team back into it. Id much rather have a game like that, wake up call and hopefully ready to go for the final. Play like we did in the first half, we can win it. Anything less than that for the 80, and we will get beaten well

[@user-fw3hp7bb6d]

Agreed, the fitness levels of the bench players are of particular concern.

[@Cpchurch87]

@user-fw3hp7bb6d hopefully Leo rotates them in over the next few matches. Toulouse look like they really want this

[@Ophelia771]

JGP will need a bigger cabinet for all those MOTM medals

[@bernieob9577]

He is a super 🌟

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

Put it this way .jack crowley has no rival for that 10 for ireland. Leinster were a bit complacent and nearly lost it after dominated the game.. better to get that wakeup call now rather than in the final.? Fact.

[@Dreyno]

Ross and Harry are keeping the shirt warm for Sam Pendergast.

[@Camcolito]

@@Dreyno If Prendergast was all that he would have taken the jersey by now. Plenty of young 10s doing it at international level.

[@Dreyno]

@@Camcolito Name them. He’s 21 ffs.

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

He is too young.i think a bit overrated. He kept kicking ball away against the stormer,s recently. Did not have good game.? I think frawley would be better 10 than Byrne.it,s a catch 22 but Byrne is not consistent. Cannot afford to miss kick,s at this level.?

[@kaisersauce5314]

@@DreynoFinn Smith, Hugo Reus …

[@ChrisBrown-or8ky]

Really enjoyed the match. I've seen a fair amount of Saints this year and thought the commentators were a little dismissive at 20-3. Saints are at the top of a tough comp, and often score late points. As they finally became more accurate, they were stretching Leinster. That first 20mins of Leinster tho, 12 points seemed to flatter Saints. Anyway great game, all the best to Leinster and bring on the next sf

[@Camcolito]

They were absolutely dismissive and I'm a Leinster fan. I cringed, they have done this before. I wish they would STFU.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah the comms even at the lineups were talking about where the Saints were gonna struggle....

[@user-jt7tg3sp7s]

The English premiership is poor.

[@creekyknee]

@@user-jt7tg3sp7s Not so poor. Their top team very nearly beat Leinster today. The standard in the Premiership and if the England national side is very strong. Now that Smeagol has departed they are improving.

[@AussiePaddy]

Embarrassingly bad ‘one-eyed’ commentary …. Morons were calling the result with 20 still to go… Seems they don’t learn/can’t remember. Oh to have a viewing option with better commentators! Great excitement none the less… c’mon de boys!

[@IrishInsomniac76]

Ross Byrne needs to get his kicking boots on for the final. Wasting too much off the tee

[@Kenny-zn6dl]

Ross byrne is not good enough at that level, too inconsistent and well it's really only the no.10 position that is not rich in quality, that last 5 minutes will stand to leinster in the final, got away with it today and it should be a warning to them, its an 80 minute game.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah can't do that in the final mate

[@ML-cj8gd]

⁠@@Kenny-zn6dlI dont understand why Frawley isn’t the place kicker Byrne cost Leinster 7 points

[@paulennis2996]

​@ML-cj8gd Place kicking is not Frawleys strength. Byrne is usually a reliable kicker but had an off day. Frawley would offer more of a ball in hand threat if he started 10, but I am not sure that his game management is any better than Byrne's. He has yet to be properly tested there.

[@darennestor]

Broke park os notoriously difficult for kickers but that one in front of the posts was a howler

[@gerryrafferty7500]

Three things fair play and respect to Northampton for staying in it when things not great . What the F x20 times were we doing without will Connor’s playing!!!, when are we going to give up on the Byrnes , Frawley is natural sexton replacement

[@fragmentedtheory]

A game of two halves - glad Leinster is through, Byrne not having a great day at the office. Blitz defence seems to struggle on the 5/3 as the forwards are just spent on 60.

[@Camcolito]

Byrne is just not a very good player. He's decent domestic level.

[@fragmentedtheory]

@@Camcolito good days and bad days - I think his style of play isn't gelling well in Leinster's current set-up. JGP is playing both roles at the moment. Not to knock either of the Byrnes, but I think we need an outhalf more keen to take the ball into contact or a consistent goal kicker.

[@Hometruths29]

I have been saying it for some time now, Ross Byrne is a very average player. There is nothing creative about his game and his kicking out of hand is very poor. His lack of pace was there for all to see when he got that interception in the first half. If Keenan is fit for the final Frawley should start at out half.

[@odhranmcz]

Massive worry about Byrne. Heavy reliance on Lowe for tries. What about our other wingers?!!

[@Hometruths29]

@@Camcolito Ross Byrne would not make it onto any team in the French Top 14 or the English Premiership.

[@rorymkirk]

Supreme from Leinster in the first half, Saints couldn't make anything stick. Hugely entertaining late second half, and a big sense of what could have been with a full 80 performance from Saints.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah man second half was a real cracker - flipped the script!

[@rorymkirk]

@@TwoCentsRugby Forgot to add, top review mate! First to the draw too.

[@MrFubber]

Fair play to Northampton. When Leinster are not resting players or rotating their squad it's the equivalent of playing (mostly) Ireland. Great character and skill shown by a young NH side. Lovely stuff.

[@seanofarrell8896]

Fair play they stayed in the fight

[@Natedawg38]

Blood pressure game indeed. Brilliant first half and frustrating second. JGP proves again why he is the best scrum half going around. Teeing up for a nice final with toulouse.

[@kevinplummer9022]

Great review Mark. As a Leinster fan, I think Coach Leo Cullen & his staff made the substitutions far too early in the second half. Also, Ross Byrne had " a bad day at the office" as far as goal-kicling was concerned.

[@seanofarrell8896]

I thought the same if the subs were later it would have been different

[@liamK1916]

Predergast needs more game time.

[@tomf1dublin1]

Problem is , Ross kicking not accurate enough . You nail the conversions and penalty. We need to take a chance and settle on Pendergast . Oh, but he makes mistakes , I hear . If mistakes in play was criteria then, Finn Russell would never have played either.

[@keltiquewood]

In their previous 2 finals, Leinster cruised through the semis and got beaten up by more motivated La Rochelle and Toulouse squads. The second half this afternoon was a proper wake up call - in so far as there will be absolutely no complacency against Toulouse/Quins (I suspect Toulouse - again). Ringrose, Keenan and Ryan probably available in 3 weeks time - guarantees better starting 15 and stronger bench coming on after 50-60 minutes. I fully expect Leinster to be on top form for 80 minutes in London, produce a performance similar to that against La Rochelle in the QF and add that elusive 5th star to the jersey! Anything less will be as disappointing as - well, the most disappointing thing you can imagine after making 3 finals in a row!!!

[@harryocallaghan8082]

James Ryan is out for the season.

[@jameslynskey496]

I was so proud to be in croke park yesterday with 3 of my sons a memory they will never forget it was very nervous at the end but we are there again im not going to worry over this game who ever we play in the final im sure the lads will take to another level like the la rochelle game few games left in the urc to get everyone back and fit and finish the season on a high

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Very special occasion mate!

[@creekyknee]

I feel sorry for whoever makes it to the final to meet Leinster. That was Leinster's wake-up call. They are not going to be that complacent in the final. I expect them to walk the final.

[@jontheb123]

As a Saffer, I have to wonder what might have happened had Augustus backed his strength, speed and size and just gone for the line. As a Stormer, he almost always did that, though it seldom worked in his favor. Maybe it's one way that his game has developed... Still - it almost seems contrary to his size and nature. A big guy like him almost has a responsibility at that point in the game to pin his ears back and have a go!

[@Sineadhawk]

Im telling you as a die hard GAA hurling fan, croke park will put the fear of god into anyone and any team

[@gregobroin7738]

RB needs to tighten up on kicking but in fairness he hit the post. Thought his in field play was good - distribution and tackling. Fair play to NHS they certainly came back. At one point didn’t look remotely like they could score a try. Felt they were a bit lucky with one but they seized the momentum. Leinster struggled in 2nd half to get enough go forward. Too many slick passes ended with static player. A Leinster fan who was relieved in the end. A bit of family history - my late father was chief steward in Croke Park for >20 years & was in charge for the largest attendance 90,500 (pre seater Cusack stand) I played there twice with the round ball. It’s a magnificent stadium & the sound is awesome. Great analysis on today’s game.

[@kerrylass2]

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!

[@liamK1916]

Leinster needed that scary eneding.

[@ciaranbrk]

I actually think that will stand to them in the past then cruised through their semi-final. They were completely different team in the second half and kicked way too much ball away.

[@Ballymayock]

Others have already said it, but if you are looking at how to improve that Leinster team, you have to look at 10. The fact that Ross Byrne still isn't convincing and neither his brother or Frawley are able to take the shirt off him, it looks like Prendergast is now the best hope in the medium to long term.

[@ebw9802]

You look good in Leinster blue my man 💙 😉

[@gerarddo8462]

Love your enthusiasm, Leinster should have been out of sight but you can't let teams looking for scraps see opponents miss basically every kick at goal and this gave Northampton impetuous, good news for Leinster they know they have to go to the final and play 80 minutes, last word isn't Rugby grand.

[@neilmontgomery3470]

Much to improve on but it might be better to win this way rather than a possession to the final.

[@MaxWaster]

Interesting little fact, Andy Farrell has played in Croke Park!

[@Dreyno]

Getting to a European final with a new coach and captain and fly half lost to retirement is impressive. I imagine the incentive to equal Toulouse’s five stars and not go 6-4 down to them will be massive.

[@timslade5808]

Really thought Ross Byrne turned a corner after his QF performance but he disappeared again when a tight game started getting away from Leinster. Missed two conversions and a penalty which would have killed the game off completely, will have to play his best game ever if Leinster want to win the final

[@Hometruths29]

If Keenan is fit then it should be Frawley at 10.

[@ciaranbrk]

@@Hometruths29 that depends if Frawley is fit he was injured in the lead up to the Northampton second try that one of the reason the crowd was booing so loudly because restarted the game while a player was getting treatment.

[@hedonaut]

​@@ciaranbrkFrawley was taken out in the air. Ref should have reversed the penalty.

[@ciaranbrk]

@@hedonaut that too as well as the last pass was forward for their try

[@croistior-zs2ci]

Leinster took their foot off the gas too early and we're caught napping Good lesson for them to finish off the match before they take the foot off the pedal ❤

[@Obviously-by6jp]

I am so proud of Northampton, too little too late maybe, but such a performance to go to Croke park and get so close, they done well. I think a few calls went against them, but on the day Leinster deserved it, good luck for the final 👌👍

[@seanofarrell8896]

Phew that's my answer the issues at the last few minutes need to be fixed. Alot giving out that there was a in from the side at the last breakdown my answer is just bad sportsman ship take the L. I'm more relaxed now . Just think blaming the ref thing needs to stop if saints won they would not say anything

[@user-ih9pf6dm9g]

Northampton looked like they were dead and buried at one stage. The English have grit. Never give up. Much respect from a Leinster fan.

[@Etain18]

Really hoped Ross Byrne would build on his recent POTM performance and dazzle again today... Oh dear.

[@johnneylin831]

Great review again, think Ross Byrne not the answer.

[@jimmyobrien8738]

Harry Byrne for the final

[@bernieob9577]

And he played against LR

[@stevemcguinness40]

Don't have any faith in any of the Byrnes, to hit and miss. leinster need a consistent 10

[@Hometruths29]

​@@jimmyobrien8738Frawley for the final.

[@jasonjohnflaherty]

If he's fit 😢​@@Hometruths29

[@user-jt7tg3sp7s]

Are we dwelling on defence too much to the gegree our offence is suffering?

[@rhysjones2786]

I was there on hill 16 the atmosphere was amazing. But those last 10min was tense for all of us.

[@ciaranbrk]

Me too the hill as over packed

[@peterm..6981]

..A Wales fan surely ..!! .........................

[@colmgeiran3476]

Wow, what a game! Heart stopping at the end, but the first half performance won it for us. That said, Northampton came back and gave us a big scare. We'll need to fix a lot of stuff for the final. Still worried about missed conversions and over-kicking (garryowens)at times. Need Keenan back at 15 tbh.

[@Camcolito]

New Saffa style is great and all but I hope they leave out the win by less than a try bit.

[@MikeH89]

Watching it in Croker. Not a Leinster fan but never doubted Leinster would win. So glad Saints made a contest of it, fair play to them; hopefully they'll take some confidence from the performance and can use it to help them win the prem.

[@coradoonan1231]

Well done to Leinster.

[@jimheron007]

Toulouse will rip through Leinster if they don't find another gear.

[@ciaranbrk]

Leinster have had Toulouse’s number for quite some time. But you are right if we play a second half like that again we will lose. Ross Byrne needs to kick goals or give the responsibility to Frawley . He was amazing in the quarter-final and he was decent today but his kicking wasn’t good enough and nearly cost us and the backs looked disjointed on attack they lost their shape.

[@BoomsRiddico4868]

Any comment on the Northampton 2nd try? Clearly forward!

[@conorharris2451]

Awesome finish! Northampton are a great team and it’s not surprising it was close. Leinster will need their A game for whoever they plan in the final

[@hedonaut]

Leinster persisted with those idiotic up and unders (box kicks). Leinster won hardly any of them and they turned a game that was under control into a total lottery.

[@martynslinn6607]

Rugby the winner, great game in a great stadium in front of a great crowd - and a quality summary from a Kiwi - rugby family standing strong, well done Leinster.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Yeah absolutely and sets up a cracking final!

[@brendangamble5088]

Got that way off I predicted by 21 points just glad to get the win

[@andrew097]

Leinster for decades used to have a knack of winning a game, then somehow inviting a team back into it. It dissappeared under Cheka and Schmidt but somehow has returned slightly..

[@brianmsahin]

I was on the edge of the edge of my seat near the end. Fair play to the Saints, they ended up giving us a big contest, as should be expected from a Championship semi final. I didn't really feel that Leinster would lose it, but there was always that possibility of a line break and make it 22-20 to the Saints. Particularly when Ross missed a kick to make it 23-17. James Lowe is on fire though. I had a dream that Quins will win tomorrow, but I'm sure that's all it is !!😂

[@creekyknee]

Well done Northampton. I expected it to be this close. This is a very good Northampton team. It was kind of like an England v. Ireland game with so many Internationals on both sides. Both teams were nervy, so many mistakes. Leinster didn't really get into their flow. Fair dues to Northampton in the last 10 minutes. They really put pressure on Leinster, all Leinster fans breathed a sign of relief when they eventually could kick it into touch on the 80th minute. I expect this to be a wake up call for Leinster. They will be much better in the final.

[@captainz72100]

Most knock ons I've seen in a match in ages!! I was at it and the last 10mins was nerve wracking!!

[@denisdeegan1200]

Was at the game, and the Saints butchered the first half with their handling errors, admittedly in the face of a crazy fast rush defence. Leinster's intensity definitely waned in the last 20 minutes giving the Saints a chance to play at a pace they were comfortable with.

[@danielokeeffe6358]

Lads, I have systolic heart failure and wasn’t remotely worried in the last 5 mins. Get ye some beta blockers ffs.

[@richie3208]

Do Leinster empty the bench too early some times? Taking Sheehan off so early jus doesnt sit right with me n ya i know Kelleher is good too, bench jus seemed to be detrimental

[@garytaylor6408]

Leinster did the most important thing in a semi final,win. Performance not important which is good because they stopped playing after the third try. I expect a much better performance in the final otherwise it's another loss. Neutral view!

[@barryb90]

I wouldn't be surprised if we're empty handed again this year playing like that. Toulouse are going to give a harder fight than Northampton and I thought the ref let us away with murder at times.

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Both Leinster and Toulouse looked a bit vulnerable at times aye - can't imagine Leinster allow some of the soft tries that Quins did, but likewise I can't see Toulouse dropping as much ball as the Saints

[@monpp8697]

stadium was great - ticketing system was a mess- caused the delay - that is from stadium staff!

[@charlottescott7150]

Congratulations Leinster. Shame about Northampton's errors.

[@andrewkelly7799]

Both semifinals very close, and neither game to script. Leinster really missing Sexton, with 4 missed kicks and the Flare that we saw in Toulouse game (Dupont magic).

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Should make for a cracking final!

[@paulnash5500]

I think Leinster had the game won in the first half. Just shows you the weakness in Leinsters' mental attitude. Everyone was celebrating Cian Healys' record and forgot to continue the semi-final. Hopefully, this is a wake-up for the final. All the losses in semi's and finals and Leinster still have this mental weakness. Cop on and wake up. This is the European knockout stages. Unbelievable! Anyway, Congratulations8

[@poo2764]

Irish rugby fans love there rugby.=== 82,000,300 I am a Munster man but love watching rugby good rugby, I do not care about the winning margin 1 point will do me every time a win is a win. If bonus point needed go for it all guns blazing. That is how Leinster played first half was a bit worried about second half would they run out of steam? but no they know how to win all that matters. Yes was on the edge of seat I did not like the way they started kicking the ball back to Northampton a bit too much in second half, hold on to the ball make the opposition come and earn it! So the final Saturday the 25 May will be supporting the Irish province Eire go Bragh!☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

[@TwoCentsRugby]

Unbelievable numbers man - if we had a stadium that big in NZ I'm not sure we'd fill it for the ABs, let alone a club side!

[@gezzarandom]

I did say don’t rule Northampton out. Hell of an effort by them but Leinster were just too far ahead. Saying that though, Leinster can’t leave the same amount of points out there in the final.

[@tomgreene1843]

Leinster still don't seem to have the ability to finish strongly ...won't be good enough in the final.

[@user-qr5ki8ls2x]

Nienaber + Rugby = CLOSE! Is that what Leinter are learning?

[@alcoyne3333333333333]

Leinster... respect to Barrett. But it's a no 10 you need

[@kookvision9295]

This is a serious crop of players, including ireland they must one of the worst performing knock teams of all time.

[@andrewcavenagh9016]

JGP v Dupont in the final is a mouth-watering prospect.

[@CutieSenussi]

Bring back the sweet ass baby with the beard. you are the best and best looking combination (very good fro your ages)

[@user-vf6jb8nh8b]

Now give up they must pray that will be a nightmare final

[@eoinh3816]

Leinster can add in three world class players, two of whom are their co captains for the final. Good effort from little Northampton though, lack talent but boy do they work hard. Northampton will be hoping a few more prem teams get liquidated this year so they can steal talent they can’t produce themselves

[@somersetfan1]

Unfortunately losing Lawes and Ludlum will be big misses, but I thought this year that all the English teams would get knocked out early because of their lack of budgets, so we'll see about next year. Best part is that new talent is stepping up. Leinster-wise, good luck in the final 60% territory/possession says you deserved it.

[@Camcolito]

Shitty comment, nothing to stir the pot about.

[@somersetfan1]

@@Camcolito don't worry about it. Every prem team has picked up players from liquidated clubs, Saints have done one of the best jobs of improving them. I'd say along with Exeter. Not just prem clubs benefitted either. Everywhere from Toulouse to Benetton, even spotted an ex-Wasps prop playing for Queensland Reds today.

[@patlandy3550]

​@@somersetfan110:23

[@Smith-hl6ms]

Ger rid rosss yrne fralet can kick

[@Portugal478]

Too close

[@Smith-hl6ms]

Leinsterwae terrible secondcm. Half tgey wheree so nervous not win agaunst tukousw playing lije vad so not keinster

[@user-jt7tg3sp7s]

Are you drunk?

[@cilldublin07]

not good from leinster

[@ColmDevitt57]

Well, 1. we now know the Irish number 10 is not from Leinster. 2. Leinster has learned nothing about winning the big games. 3. Leinster and Ireland teams are arrogant. Pity!

[@alcoyne3333333333333]

For me .. Lowe celebrating trys after 10 minutes like he has won the world cup final 😮.. not just today but always..

[@edgargabots3488]

We dont give a crap about massive croud attendance..🤣 they making such a big deal about the champions cup final...neither Toulouse or leinster teamates knows how it feels to lift the Big Boy..the Webb Ellis aka WORLD CUP🤣🤣🤣 ag shame man the Northern Hemisphere

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

Speak for yourself mate.im an aussie mate when is last time superrugby had that attendance. By the way this is club rugby. It,s called passion for the game.. I've been to games in dunedin mate where more seagulls turned up than supporters? We can learn from this.try and grow up kid .don't be so bitter 🧒?

[@tristanmarshall1783]

Wow Ireland national team almost lost to a club side at home. Lol. Leinster are so overated. They will choke so hard in the final

[@zuppymac-xi8rk]

Overated yet in the final. You obviously don't follow sports, a semi in any game, everyone brings their best. You should stick to watching Love Island 😅

[@michaelmoynihan9591]

Leinster is a club side mate.😂😂😂 you,r actually embarrassing you,rself mate..clueless comment

[@brendangamble5088]

What an clickbait comment

[@tristanmarshall1783]

Thanks mate. Im actually disabled and visually impared. Now everything is better. Watching love island now

[@brendangamble5088]

​@tristanmarshall1783 disabilities don't come into it your quite obviously bitter about leinster . By the way yes there was alot of Irish internationals there but leinster have adopted the safa win at all costs mentality