Finally we arrived and set off on a the famous "Dublin Bus Tours". This was going to be a cultural weekend with some great rugby thrown in.

The tour progressed quite nicely past Trinity College and the Book of Kells, past "Dublin Castle". Then we arrives at the stop for the "Guinness Brewery"

The temptation was just too much for such weak wills. So it was off  the bus and tour round the Brewery

In we went. paid the entrance fee and given a "drop of the black stuff", encased in a perspex bubble.

The intrepid Warriors Supporters followed the route discussing flanges, steel pipes copper vats, malted and roasted oats. Were educated in  the word "Porter" Taken from the Billingsgate porters who drank so much stout. To the point where Arthur Guinness threatened by the local water bailiffs to up a pick axe and said, "you block the water and I will un-block it" He agreed an annual rent of  £10 for as much Liffey water as he needed.

Not a bad deal!!

After making sure we liked the taste (3 pints worth) we decided yes it was quite alright.

Off we continued on the bus tour only to be met by Sweet Molly Malone. Looking fetchingly real in her bronze outfit selling her wares. Oh yes and an extra Guinness at a local hostelry

What a great and friendly club!!

The teams came out lead by the visitors Worcester Warriors to great cheers from the travelling supporters.

Leinster kicked off, it was not fielded by the warriors and Leinster took advantage gaining several yards. However the Warriors soon regrouped and worked their way back into the Leinster half of the field

Nonetheless, The Warriors were having the bigger share of possession and territory. They were quick and quite happy to drive close in and then spread the ball wide when the opportunity arose. The slow ball out to Hayes caused the backs to stutter and loose momentum. Thomas Lombard coming in on driving lines making ground for the backrow to come in and drive on. The plan was there but the not always executed with enough power.

The first few lineouts were easily taken by Gillies but soon mistakes started to appear, with the Leinster backrow much faster at cleaning up and securing our ball. We have to be able to clean-up when our line is challenged/disrupted

All attacks from Leinster were very quickly snuffed out. We still need someone to get in there and steal ball away from opposing players.

The first score was a simple penalty after several other penalty opportunities had been kicked for lineout out testing and adjusting.

Leinster very quickly responded with a well taken try from their forwards who were clearly winning the mauls.

Worcester responded with a miss pass out then quick hands found Gollings who took off for the line. Round one player, passed another only to be ankle tapped as he sped past. He rolled and made the ball available to the fast supporting Powell who raced over for the unconverted try. A penalty from Leinster made it 8 : 8 at the break

The forwards were having the lions share of the game BUT retention with ball in hand was bad. Several times we took the ball into contact only to lose it and be driven backwards by a hard, strong pack.

You have to take every opportunity and they did, we didn't. Letting several scoring opportunities going to waste

Any loose or bouncing ball was always gathered by the Leinster backrow apart from once when we managed to set up a great attacking move

Worcester were now in control of the game, allowing Leinster only to feed off some elementary handling errors. It was a matter of when rather than if the Warriors would score.

Once again it was pace and handling which caused the Leinster defence the biggest problems. A sustained passage of play down in the home sides 22 eventually opened up the smallest of opportunities for the ball to be moved wide out to the left and the defending backs in trouble. The ball was moved to a storming Daren O'Leary who stormed over for the second try leaving the score 13 : 13

Worcester looked the side most likely to score but once again handling and ball retention caused several promising moves to breakdown. Leinster were quick to counter attack and Jon Hylton put in 3 try saving tackles, taking down some big backrow forwards. Although the whistle had gone, he was fully committed and took out the center and wing in one defensive situation.

Finally a clear break by Hickey looked a certain try, but where was the support and where was his brain. To attempt to chip the defending winger was not the right option. This created a counter attack which gave them the all important penalty.

However this was not the end of Worcester. The effort increased and with 3 minutes to go Worcester set siege to the Leinster 22. Attack after attack was stopped. Not just all out mad panic attacks but constructed direct moves engineered to stretch and breakdown the defence. With Stuart-Smith going close only to be held up. Leinster relieved the pressure only to be forced to give scramble a ball away and a scrum awarded to Worcester. Sadly the final whistle blew as the forwards gathered for a final scrum.

Observations:

1.   Their is no doubt we can play at the pace and intensity needed for the Premiership. Worcester ended the day fitter and on the attack in a controlled manner.

2.   Ball retention has to be improved. It makes a mockery of all the great defence when ball is just given away needlessly.

3.   Taking the ball into contact, several promising attacks were turned around by stolen ball at the tackle.

4.   Never lost a ball at the ruck, BUT having won the ball very little penetration was achieved

5.   Duncan at fullback looked very uncomfortable and predictable in counter attack mode.

6.   Never did the side look unnerved or desperate in attack or defence. There was no evidence of trying to overcook the effort to equalise the abilities. the team did not look out of place and were quite comfortable on the field. There was no fear or feeling of awe. There was a confident air of their own capabilities.

7.   Looked to be playing to set plans and moves, regardless of the status of the game. Winning or losing.

8.  The game next Saturday at Sixways should show if we are capable of learning quickly and developing into a strong cohesive unit

Well what a party!! It was packed with happy people enjoying themselves and each other's company.

Finally leaving the club at 02:30 on Saturday morning.

What a day!!

Now time for the Australian bar and the Tri Nations. With South Africa winning could the day get any better.

Yes it could. Moving to the Arlington Hotel we found Ben Hinshelwood in he evening job with two beauties at his side performing the River dance. Or I think it was Ben???

See you all ob Saturday for the return and let us all show the same hospitality shown us in Dublin