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<blockquote data-quote="snoopy snoopy dog dog" data-source="post: 317141" data-attributes="member: 13611"><p><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="color: Blue"><strong>Leinster</strong></span></span></p><p></p><p>I don't think it's possible to adequately describe Leinster's ambitions for next season without examining how they've performed in the recent past (ie the Cheika years). In the last 5 years they've never finished outside the top 3 in the Magners League including 1 ***le and the chance of winning another ***le later this week. In the Heineken Cup they've been beaten quarter finalists once, lost two semi finals and have one European crown. The <a href="http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/121_9900.php" target="_blank">ERC rankings</a> place Leinster in exalted company, coming 3rd behind 4 time winners Toulouse, twice winners Munster and just ahead of two time winner Leicester. It's fair to say that along with those three clubs, Leinster expect to be challenging for European ***les every season.</p><p></p><p>With that in mind, losing to eventual winners Toulouse in the semi final is a cause for reflection on where it went wrong. There's no shame in losing to the better team, as Toulouse were, but if you delve into the reasons, it soon becomes obvious why Stade Toulousain won. Toulouse were able to call on bench options of the calibre of Jean-Baptiste Poux, Louis Picamoles, Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, Yann David and Maxime Medard. All have the ability to change a game. Without being overly harsh, you can't say the same of Leinster's bench options that day. International class players like Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Census Johnston, Gregory Lamboley, Yannick Nyanga, Finau Maka, Freddy Michalak, Maleli Kunavore, Yves Donguy and Vilimoni Delasau weren't in the Toulouse matchday 23 for various reasons. Next season they're adding one of France's top young players to their ranks Svlvain Nicolas and Argentina international scrum half Nicolas Vergello. That's staggering strength in depth. That's what Leinster have to aspire to.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>Departures:</strong></span></p><p>The coaching staff is being overhauled. Michael Cheika is leaving after a hugely successful 5 year spell in which Leinster were transformed from also rans into a genuinely class side. He's taking team manager Chris Whitaker with him to Stade Francais. Kurt McQuilkin is arguably as big a loss as the head coach given the impact he's had as defense coach. Alan Gaffney leaves his role as coaching consultant to concentrate on a role as Ireland's back coach.</p><p></p><p>On the playing front, Girvan Dempsey and Mal O'Kelly are retiring after long careers. Bernard Jackman is likely to follow them while other experienced squad members Ronan McCormack, Chris Keane and Simon Keogh are also rumoured to be leaving also. CJ van der Linde's future is up in the air; some say he's leaving, others say he's staying until Christmas. Academy members Kyle Tonetti and Shane Monahan have signed for Connacht. Another academy player Dave Moore is joining Harlequins.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>Recruitment:</strong></span></p><p>The biggest piece of recruitment is unquestionably the head coach Joe Schmidt. Hopefully he can get the backs playing similar to how his Clermont Auvergne backline play. </p><p></p><p>It's a badly kept secret that Isaac Boss and Ed O'Donoghue are arriving from Ulster. Boss will provide much needed quality strength in depth which, as said above, Leinster lack when compared with Toulouse in particular. O'Donoghue will be a good Magners League level player who'll challenge Devin Toner as the primary backup to Leo Cullen and Nathan Hines. Quite a number of players are moving up from the academy - the Irish Times has reported that Niall Morris, Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Jack McGrath, Eoin Sheriff, Paul Ryan and Rhys Ruddock have signed development deals. I'd expect Dominic Ryan and Ian Madigan to do likewise. </p><p></p><p>My wishlist extends further. Deon Carstens was reportedly close to signing on the dotted line for Leinster but were gazumped at the last minute by Saracens who were desperate for a loosehead after Sione Tonga'huia ditched them at the altar. That makes it glaringly obvious that a prop is going to be recruited if possible. Should CJ van der Linde remain in place until Christmas, I'd take a punt of Toulon's Tim Ryan. He's not good enough to start regularly but could become a useful backup to Mike Ross. Ryan's ball carrying could give Leinster much needed impact off the bench (assuming the coaches can get his scrummaging to a passable level). I'd also look to recruit real competition at hooker, second row and flyhalf. Sean Cronin, Donnacha Ryan and Ian Keatley would be ideal signings but none are likely. What is certain though is that four extra games in the Magners League will mean the squad must be increased in size.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>Hopes:</strong></span></p><p>A new coach will take time to bed in. I hope for a top 4 finish in the Magners League and a home quarter final in the Heineken Cup. Beyond that, a bit of luck and a trophy would be nice. I think it'll be a season for Joe Schmidt to assess his squad before pushing strongly for honours and moulding a team in his image for the 2011/12 season.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="snoopy snoopy dog dog, post: 317141, member: 13611"] [SIZE=5][COLOR=Blue][B]Leinster[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] I don't think it's possible to adequately describe Leinster's ambitions for next season without examining how they've performed in the recent past (ie the Cheika years). In the last 5 years they've never finished outside the top 3 in the Magners League including 1 ***le and the chance of winning another ***le later this week. In the Heineken Cup they've been beaten quarter finalists once, lost two semi finals and have one European crown. The [URL="http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/121_9900.php"]ERC rankings[/URL] place Leinster in exalted company, coming 3rd behind 4 time winners Toulouse, twice winners Munster and just ahead of two time winner Leicester. It's fair to say that along with those three clubs, Leinster expect to be challenging for European ***les every season. With that in mind, losing to eventual winners Toulouse in the semi final is a cause for reflection on where it went wrong. There's no shame in losing to the better team, as Toulouse were, but if you delve into the reasons, it soon becomes obvious why Stade Toulousain won. Toulouse were able to call on bench options of the calibre of Jean-Baptiste Poux, Louis Picamoles, Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, Yann David and Maxime Medard. All have the ability to change a game. Without being overly harsh, you can't say the same of Leinster's bench options that day. International class players like Alberto Vernet Basualdo, Census Johnston, Gregory Lamboley, Yannick Nyanga, Finau Maka, Freddy Michalak, Maleli Kunavore, Yves Donguy and Vilimoni Delasau weren't in the Toulouse matchday 23 for various reasons. Next season they're adding one of France's top young players to their ranks Svlvain Nicolas and Argentina international scrum half Nicolas Vergello. That's staggering strength in depth. That's what Leinster have to aspire to. [COLOR=Blue][B]Departures:[/B][/COLOR] The coaching staff is being overhauled. Michael Cheika is leaving after a hugely successful 5 year spell in which Leinster were transformed from also rans into a genuinely class side. He's taking team manager Chris Whitaker with him to Stade Francais. Kurt McQuilkin is arguably as big a loss as the head coach given the impact he's had as defense coach. Alan Gaffney leaves his role as coaching consultant to concentrate on a role as Ireland's back coach. On the playing front, Girvan Dempsey and Mal O'Kelly are retiring after long careers. Bernard Jackman is likely to follow them while other experienced squad members Ronan McCormack, Chris Keane and Simon Keogh are also rumoured to be leaving also. CJ van der Linde's future is up in the air; some say he's leaving, others say he's staying until Christmas. Academy members Kyle Tonetti and Shane Monahan have signed for Connacht. Another academy player Dave Moore is joining Harlequins. [COLOR=Blue][B]Recruitment:[/B][/COLOR] The biggest piece of recruitment is unquestionably the head coach Joe Schmidt. Hopefully he can get the backs playing similar to how his Clermont Auvergne backline play. It's a badly kept secret that Isaac Boss and Ed O'Donoghue are arriving from Ulster. Boss will provide much needed quality strength in depth which, as said above, Leinster lack when compared with Toulouse in particular. O'Donoghue will be a good Magners League level player who'll challenge Devin Toner as the primary backup to Leo Cullen and Nathan Hines. Quite a number of players are moving up from the academy - the Irish Times has reported that Niall Morris, Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken, Jack McGrath, Eoin Sheriff, Paul Ryan and Rhys Ruddock have signed development deals. I'd expect Dominic Ryan and Ian Madigan to do likewise. My wishlist extends further. Deon Carstens was reportedly close to signing on the dotted line for Leinster but were gazumped at the last minute by Saracens who were desperate for a loosehead after Sione Tonga'huia ditched them at the altar. That makes it glaringly obvious that a prop is going to be recruited if possible. Should CJ van der Linde remain in place until Christmas, I'd take a punt of Toulon's Tim Ryan. He's not good enough to start regularly but could become a useful backup to Mike Ross. Ryan's ball carrying could give Leinster much needed impact off the bench (assuming the coaches can get his scrummaging to a passable level). I'd also look to recruit real competition at hooker, second row and flyhalf. Sean Cronin, Donnacha Ryan and Ian Keatley would be ideal signings but none are likely. What is certain though is that four extra games in the Magners League will mean the squad must be increased in size. [COLOR=Blue][B]Hopes:[/B][/COLOR] A new coach will take time to bed in. I hope for a top 4 finish in the Magners League and a home quarter final in the Heineken Cup. Beyond that, a bit of luck and a trophy would be nice. I think it'll be a season for Joe Schmidt to assess his squad before pushing strongly for honours and moulding a team in his image for the 2011/12 season. [/QUOTE]
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