The Leinster thread

[Leonormous Boozer]

So you are a posh D4 man. And I only thought you had 6 0s after the 2 in family wealth lol.

On SOB I think it's been confirmed by more than 10 sources but is he really seen as arrogant. Found him respectful the 1 or 2 occasions ivemet him but have never seen him deal with fans etc.

Like ROG I always found him a top bloke and sound and very helpful but to many Munster fans they loves him but found him stuck up and well arrogant

Ringsend til I die...

Haven't seen or heard the best of things about him, but it's just my opinion from severely limited glimpses of him.

 

[Leinster Fan]

I don't know if I'd characterise him as arrogant but he has previous in terms of acting up when he's been drinking. This is a whole other level though, it's a disgusting thing to do. Can't wait for it to be spun as 'southside arrogance/entitlement' in the indo despite the fact that he's not from there.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't know if I'd characterise him as arrogant but he has previous in terms of acting up when he's been drinking. This is a whole other level though, it's a disgusting thing to do. Can't wait for it to be spun as 'southside arrogance/entitlement' in the indo despite the fact that he's not from there.

Leinster rugby = Dublin = South Dublin = D4 (apart from the working class areas of D4 obvs)
Therefore in this case a bogger from Carlow and a Cook Islander will be labelled entitled D4 prima donnas. It's very predictable and comparisons to the likes of Diarmuid Connolly and Jeff Hendrick (although the alleged urinating while not as bad in a legal sense is still worse than what these two did got caught in imo) will be wilfully ignored to push the narrative.

 

[Groundhog]

JD another victim of Cook Island on South Dub violence. Seriously though, Dunne got near max points in his Leaving and is studying something like theoretical physics in Trinity. He has a big future inside or outside the game and for that to be put at risk by a potentially fatal punch is awful.Genuinely think young players these days have their heads screwed on better than the old guard.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

JD another victim of Cook Island on South Dub violence. Seriously though, Dunne got near max points in his Leaving and is studying something like theoretical physics in Trinity. He has a big future inside or outside the game and for that to be put at risk by a potentially fatal punch is awful.Genuinely think young players these days have their heads screwed on better than the old guard.

Shoulda had enough room in that big brain of his to know Stan then shouldn't he.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Dunne didn't press charges, can't imagine he got no compensation.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Confirmation of what everybody knew already.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/ru...-allegations-of-incident-in-pub-38195392.html

Sean O'Brien is the player being investigated for ******* on somebody's leg in Cassidy's pub in Dublin.

Without having all the facts, it's always risky being judge, jury and executioner. Can there be another version of events which makes ******* on a random stranger acceptable though? I sincerely doubt it no matter how drunk you may be.

It's very easy for the IRFU to come down hard on him and send a message. He won't play for Leinster or Ireland again as he's injured and his contract ends in a few months. Surely it's a sackable offence. Would he be sacked if he was a key player in the World Cup squad is a more interesting question.

Leinster also getting a deserved hammering for their handling of the Stan Wright situation. Again I don't have the full facts but it seems crazy that he was invited on stage at the 10 year celebration of the 2009 Heineken Cup squad having knocked out a current player in a drunken rage.

 

[munstermuffin]

Confirmation of what everybody knew already.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/ru...-allegations-of-incident-in-pub-38195392.html

Sean O'Brien is the player being investigated for ******* on somebody's leg in Cassidy's pub in Dublin.

Without having all the facts, it's always risky being judge, jury and executioner. Can there be another version of events which makes ******* on a random stranger acceptable though? I sincerely doubt it no matter how drunk you may be.

It's very easy for the IRFU to come down hard on him and send a message. He won't play for Leinster or Ireland again as he's injured and his contract ends in a few months. Surely it's a sackable offence. Would he be sacked if he was a key player in the World Cup squad is a more interesting question.

Leinster also getting a deserved hammering for their handling of the Stan Wright situation. Again I don't have the full facts but it seems crazy that he was invited on stage at the 10 year celebration of the 2009 Heineken Cup squad having knocked out a current player in a drunken rage.

On the Sean O'Brien thing it can be an issue with costs over medical bills and rehab bills.

 

[irisht]

LH Prop
Cian Healy(31)
Ed Byrne(26)
Peter Dooley(25)
Michael Milne(20) - Academy Yr 2

TH Prop
Michael Bent(33)
Tadhg Furlong(26)
Andrew Porter(23)
Vakh Abdaladze(23)
Jack Aungier(20) - Academy Yr 3
Tom Clarkson(19) - Academy Yr1

Hooker
Sean Cronin(33)
James Tracy(28)
Bryan Byrne(26)
Ronan Kelleher(21)
Dan Sheehan(21) - Academy Yr 2

Lock
Scott Fardy(35)
Devin Toner(33)
Ross Molony(25)
James Ryan(23)
Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Yr 2
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Yr 2
Charlie Ryan(20) - Academy Yr1

Backrow
Rhys Ruddock(28)
Jack Conan(27)
Josh Van Der Flier(26)
Dan Leavy(25)
Josh Murphy(24)
Will Connors(23)
David Aspil(23) - on trial
Max Deegan(22)
Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Yr 3
Caelan Doris(21)
Scott Penny(20)
Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Yr 1
Martin Moloney(18) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(27)
Luke McGrath(26)
Rowan Osborne(23) - on trial
Hugh O'Sullivan(21)
Patrick Patterson(20) - Academy Yr 2

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(34)
Ross Byrne(24)
Ciaran Frawley(21)
Harry Byrne(20) - Academy Yr 2
David Hawkshaw(19) - Academy Yr 2

Centre
Joe Tomane(29)
Robbie Henshaw(26)
Rory O'Loughlin(25)
Garry Ringrose(24)
Conor O'Brien(23)
Jimmy O'Brien(22)
Gavin Mullin(21) - Academy Yr 3
Tommy O'Brien(21) - Academy Yr 3
Liam Turner(20) - Academy Yr 1

Back Three
Rob Kearney(33)
Fergus McFadden(33)
Dave Kearney(30)
James Lowe(27)
Barry Daly(27)
Adam Byrne(25)
Cian Kelleher(25)
Hugo Keenan(23)
Jordan Larmour(22)
Jack Kelly(21) - on temp WC contract
Michael Silvester(21) - Academy Yr 2
Aaron O'Sullivan(19) - Academy Yr 2

 

[big ginger 8]

Think Tony Ryan is in a similar role to Aspil or at least he was. Aspil is 120kg, ridiculously large for a 7.

Also some rumours that McKee and Foley were blocked from joining the academy by the IRFU.

 

[irisht]

120kg? Hardly.. where are you getting that from?

Forgot to add Rowan Osborne who is also in on trial.

 

[big ginger 8]

120kg? Hardly.. where are you getting that from?

The man himself.

 

[irisht]

That seems way too heavy to be effective.

 

[irisht]

Loosehead Prop
Cian Healy(32) - Signed central 2yr contract in 2019
Ed Byrne(26) - Signed contract in 2018
Peter Dooley(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Michael Milne(20) - Academy Y2

Cian Healy will return from the WC just after turning 32, he signed a 2 year central contract and looks like he will be comfortably 1st choice in that time barring a huge drop off in form. Meanwhile Ed Byrne took advantage of injury and poor form last season to play 22 times for leinster including 5 times in europe off the bench and the Pro 14 final off the bench. He will be aiming to cement his position as primary backup to Healy during the WC. Peter Dooley who turns 25 just before the season starts will be aiming to challenge Byrne as the primary backup to Healy, whatever happens he is set to get a lot of gametime this season. Academy prop Michael Milne is coming off a successful JWC campaign, and he will have plenty of opportunities during the World Cup to make an impression on the coaches and potentially earn game time in the Pro 14.

Tighthead Prop
Tadhg Furlong(26) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2018
Andrew Porter(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Michael Bent(33) - Signed contract in 2018
Vakh Abdaladze(23) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Aungier(20) - Academy Y3
Tom Clarkson(19) - Academy Y1

Tadhg Furlong is comfortably 1st choice and will return from the WC a few weeks off his 27th birthday, centrally contracted until June 2021 he is set remain leinsters 1st choice TH for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile Andrew Porter may or may not travel to the World Cup this autumn, currently training with the Irish squad he will be disappointed if he fails to make it to Japan. He is entering his 3rd season playing tighthead and it will be interesting to see how a new scrum coach at leinster will affect his somewhat inconsistent scrummaging. Michael Bent returns once more in what could possibly be his final season at leinster, the ever reliant Bent will get a lot of gametime this season in the Pro 14 both pre and post World Cup. Vakh Abdaladze will be hoping to take advantage of the extra gametime during the World Cup to stake his claim as a viable 3rd choice option going forward this season and into the future. Academy prop Jack Aungier is entering his final season in the academy, he remains young for a TH Prop only turning 21 in November, but is coming off a disappointing 2nd year in the academy and needs a big season to convince his doubters. Finally new academy prop Tom Clarkson is coming off a stellar season for the Irish under-20's and is eligible again for that team this season. The 19 year old will likely be focusing on that team for a large part of the season but if injuries strike he could make a senior appearance off the bench.

 

[irisht]

Hooker
Sean Cronin(33) - Signed contract in 2018.
James Tracy(28) - Signed contract in 2018.
Bryan Byrne(26) - Signed contract in 2019.
Ronan Kelleher(21) - Signed contract in 2019.
Dan Sheehan(21) - Academy Y2

Sean Cronin returns after being named supporters player of the season last season, a up and down irish season was largely forgotten about in blue, but will he travel to the World Cup? You would assume so. He remains clearly 1st choice for Leinster, and with his contract likely up at the end of the season, needs to be retained. James Tracy has been Cronin's primary backup now for the past three seasons, he will be aiming to retain that position this season after coming under pressure somewhat at the end of last season from Bryan Byrne who started on the bench ahead of Tracy in both the Pro 14 semi-final and final. Neither players at the moment look like high quality replacements for Cronin but both will compete for the primary backup spot this season. Recent academy graduate Ronan Kelleher however does appear to have the potential to replace Cronin long term, after making his debut last season, the Lansdowne man will hope to really push on and stake a claim for more gametime this season. Finally Dan Sheehan, who was a late surprise entrant to the academy last season has moved into his 2nd season in the academy, this mountain of a hooker has been a key player in Trinity Rugbys success the past two seasons, he will be aiming to make his senior debut at some point this season.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The prop stocks look excellent. There's another serious prospect at loosehead entering his final year in school. Loosehead might be a little light on depth but Michael Bent could cover if needed.

Hooker is a little worrisome. Sean Cronin had an excellent season so no problems there but he's getting up there in years. James Tracy is solid, there aren't many better backups around. Beyond that, I like Bryan Byrne but he's getting to a point where he needs to push on and compete more often. Ronan Kelleher is hugely gifted, almost a Sean Cronin clone right down to having lineout yips. Cronin's yips are overstated but Kelleher needs to get his in order before becoming fully trusted.

Depth in almost every position looks strong. Will we see Jimmy O'Brien continue at 15? Presumably if he's converting to that position he'll see a good bit of game time in pre-season and/or for the Celtic Cup team.

Another thing worth experimenting with is Ciaran Frawley at 12. Harry Byrne is a better prospect at 10. Centre depth possibly needs to be worked on. Could Frawley fill the 10/12 role vacated by Noel Reid?

 

[big ginger 8]

Leavy had his last surgery yesterday. Still a long road obviously but good we haven't heard of any unexpected problems yet.

 

[irisht]

Leinster 2nd row options

James Ryan(23) - Signed contract in 2017
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2019
Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Y3
Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Y2
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Y2
Charlie Ryan(20) - Academy Y1
Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Y1

James Ryan enters the season as the best rugby player in ireland and leinster after winning awards from his peers for his performances for both last season. His contract ends at the end of this season and he is surely in line for an upgraded central deal from the IRFU. Devin Toner will also return from the World Cup, his contract also ends at the end of the season, last season his luck ran out in regards to injury, hopefully he can have a healthy season as he enters his mid 30's. Scott Fardy somewhat surprisingly returns on a 1 year deal, a key player for leinster over the past two seasons he will provide much needed leadership during the World Cup and beyond. Ross Molony returns after a strong season last season that was cut short at the end due to injury, the maturing lock will hope to fight off his younger competition over the world cup and retain his spot in the squad as 4th choice lock. Josh Murphy is really more of a blindside, but he did appear at lock last season, will this continue going forward? Oisin Dowling is another lock/blindside option, he is entering his final season in the academy and has an uphill battle for gametime this season. Jack Dunne made his debut for the senior team last season and managed to make 5 appearances in total, the tighthead lock impressed in particular against Treviso and Glasgow. He will hope to push on this season and potentially graduate from the academy at the end of the season. Fellow 2nd year academy player Ryan Baird is coming off a stay junior world cup campaign where he featured at lock and blindside, it will be interesting to see where he plays this season for Leinster. Ireland u20 captain Charlie Ryan joins the academy after an impressive U20 campaign, the tighthead lock will hope to make his leinster debut this season. Finally Brian Deeny also joined the academy this summer, this versatile athlete lined up in the backrow and at lock last season for the irish 20's, he is eligible again for the 20s and he will presumably be focusing on in nailing down his starting position for that team.

 

[irisht]

Leinster backrow options

Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Rhys Ruddock(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Jack Conan(27) - Signed contract in 2019
Tony Ryan(27) - on wc trial
Josh Van Der Flier(26) - Signed contract in 2018
Dan Leavy(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2019
Will Connors(23) - Signed contract in 2018
David Aspil(23) - on wc trial
Max Deegan(22) - Signed contract in 2019
Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Yr 3
Caelan Doris(21) - Signed contract in 2018
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Yr 2
Scott Penny(20) - Signed contract in 2019
Martin Moloney(19) - Academy Yr 1
Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Yr 1

Rhys Ruddock, Jack Conan and Josh Van Der Flier are all in Irish camp, will all three travel to the WC? We shall wait and see.. currently they are clear 1st choice at each of their positions for Leinster. Scott Fardy will provide cover at blindside in top european game but it's unclear how often else he may be called upon. Unfortunately Dan Leavy is likely to miss the whole season with his knee injury, hopefully he can make a full recovery for the start of next season. Max Deegan is the most experienced homegrown backrower currently in the setup during preseason, the natural 8 expanded his versatility last season playing more 6 and 7. It will be interesting to see what position he is used at primarily this season. Caelan Doris featured heavily last season at 8, will he continue to be the primary backup for Conan at 8 or will he follow Deegans path and move positions in his 2nd full season in the senior squad. Tony Ryan returns to cover the backrow again during the world cup, the 6/8 appeared once 4 years ago during the previous world cup period. Will Connors made his injury return at the end of last season and had some impressive showings, he will hope to stay injury free this season and get gametime at 7 during the World Cup. David Aspil was spotted training some with the senior team last season and returns on a trial during the WC, the bulky openside will be hoping to earn a longer term contract. Josh Murphy and Oisin Dowling will be hoping to get gametime at either blindside or lock if given the chance, long term both are probably more suited for 6 given their size. Fellow lock/blindside Ryan Baird showed star potential at the Junior World Cup, it will be interesting to see if he focuses on lock or blindside this season for leinster. If he does, his older teammates may struggle for game time. Scott Penny missed the junior world cup due to shoulder injuries, the star U20 openside will hope to continue his remarkably quick progress this upcoming season at leinster. Martin Moloney also missed the junior world cup with injury, the U20 blindside is capable of playing openside also, he will hoping to make his leinster senior debut this season. FInally Brian Deeny joined the academy this summer after getting experience playing lock and backrow for the u20s, he remains eligible for that team this season which he will presumably be focusing on.

 

[irisht]

The prop stocks look excellent. There's another serious prospect at loosehead entering his final year in school. Loosehead might be a little light on depth but Michael Bent could cover if needed.

Hooker is a little worrisome. Sean Cronin had an excellent season so no problems there but he's getting up there in years. James Tracy is solid, there aren't many better backups around. Beyond that, I like Bryan Byrne but he's getting to a point where he needs to push on and compete more often. Ronan Kelleher is hugely gifted, almost a Sean Cronin clone right down to having lineout yips. Cronin's yips are overstated but Kelleher needs to get his in order before becoming fully trusted.

Depth in almost every position looks strong. Will we see Jimmy O'Brien continue at 15? Presumably if he's converting to that position he'll see a good bit of game time in pre-season and/or for the Celtic Cup team.

Another thing worth experimenting with is Ciaran Frawley at 12. Harry Byrne is a better prospect at 10. Centre depth possibly needs to be worked on. Could Frawley fill the 10/12 role vacated by Noel Reid?

Yeah Boyle may be a Healy level prospect this time next season. I'd say they'd be more likely to move Vakh across but could be wrong.

Kelleher/Sheehan are as good a young duo leinster have produced in years, hopefully McBryde coming in can help improve our hookers throwing....

O'Brien at 15 makes sense to me, hope to see it.

I'd imagine Frawleys role will be 10/12, unless his form at 10 warrants not moving him.