The Leinster thread

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think we need more bigness tbh. If we unearthed a monster backrow I think Kelleher suits Ster and Land more but at the moment I want the thicc.

 

[big ginger 8]

I think we need more bigness tbh. If we unearthed a monster backrow I think Kelleher suits Ster and Land more but at the moment I want the thicc.

In terms of shear size Sheehan is bigger but I'd say Kelleher is 'denser'. Toner was taller and heavier than Thorn but there's only one of them that you'd want to add beef. An unfair comparison for Sheehan maybe but at this stage I think Kelleher is better in the tight.

Hoping Soroka can be that monster backrow. It's one of the reasons it's such a pity that Dunne didn't work out but McCarthy does look like he can be that bruising lock.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

In terms of shear size Sheehan is bigger but I'd say Kelleher is 'denser'. Toner was taller and heavier than Thorn but there's only one of them that you'd want to add beef. An unfair comparison for Sheehan maybe but at this stage I think Kelleher is better in the tight.

Hoping Soroka can be that monster backrow. It's one of the reasons it's such a pity that Dunne didn't work out but McCarthy does look like he can be that bruising lock.

Ballast is sexy. Nothing else matters. I could shift Kelleher off the ball with my weak hand, no way I'm moving Sheehan with a run up and 10kg attached to my back.

 

[Groundhog]

Kelleher looks like a Hooker. Sheehan is a lanky string of ****

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

If we unearthed a monster backrow I think Kelleher suits Ster and Land more but at the moment I want the thicc.

Is Coombes not enough of a monster?

Edit: nvm, thought I was in an Ireland thread. Ignore me.

 

[Groundhog]

Is Coombes not enough of a monster?

Edit: nvm, thought I was in an Ireland thread. Ignore me.

Bringing Coombes up arbitrarily in a Leinster thread? You have nothing to apologise for and I'm proud of you.

 

[big ginger 8]

Mick Dawson to step down as CEO after 21 years. Incredibly successful tenure overseeing us become the Leinster everyone loves today.

Porter has had surgery and will be out for 8 weeks. Missing both Connacht games and the trip to SA. Larmour is also out for 'a number of weeks' and HB is to be assessed ahead of this weekend.

 

[big ginger 8]

Deeny, Foley, McCarthy and Osborne have all signed senior contracts.

 

[irisht]

Leinster senior squad next season:

LH Prop
Cian Healy(34/Belvedere/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Ed Byrne(29/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Andrew Porter(26/St. Andrews/UCD) - central contract until 2025
Michael Milne(23/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD) - signed contract in 2022

TH Prop
Michael Alaalatoa(30) - signed contract in 2021
Tadhg Furlong(29/New Ross RFC/Clontarf) - central contract until 2025
Vakh Abdaladze(26/Coolmine RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Tom Clarkson(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2021

Hooker
James Tracy(31/Newbridge/UCD) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
Ronan Kelleher(24/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2021
Dan Sheehan(24/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022

Lock
Ross Molony(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jason Jenkins(26) - signed contract in 2022
James Ryan(26/St. Michaels/UCD)- central contract until 2023
Ryan Baird(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Brian Deeny(22/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Joe McCarthy(21/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022

Backrow
Rhys Ruddock(30/Exile/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Jack Conan(30/St. Gerards/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2021
Josh Van Der Flier(29/Wesley/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Dan Leavy(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Will Connors(26/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Max Deegan(25/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
Caelan Doris(24/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Scott Penny(22/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(29) - signed contract in 2022
Luke McGrath(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Nick McCarthy(26/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contact in 2021
Cormac Foley(22/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022.

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(37/St. Marys/St. Marys) - central contract until 2023 WC
Ross Byrne(27/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Harry Byrne(23/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022

Centre
Robbie Henshaw(29) - central contact until 2022
Garry Ringrose(27/Blackrock/UCD) - central contact until 2025
Ciaran Frawley(24/Skerries RFC/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Jamie Osborne(20/Naas RFC/Naas) - signed contract in 2022

Back Three
Dave Kearney(33/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
James Lowe(30) - signed 3yr contract in 2020
Hugo Keenan(26/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jimmy O'Brien(25/Newbridge/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jordan Larmour(25/St. Andrews/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Tommy O'Brien(24/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2022

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

DEVastation consumes the province today.

Go well, big man.

 

[Craigo]

DEVastation consumes the province today.

Go well, big man.

I was expecting it tbh. Hardly seen him recently. Which is a shame. He is still very capable. A real Legend. Lighthouse !.

 

[irisht]

Leinster Squad next season?

LH Prop
Cian Healy(35/Belvedere/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Ed Byrne(28/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Andrew Porter(26/St. Andrews/UCD) - central contract until 2025
Michael Milne(23/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
--
Marcus Hanan(21/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) - Academy Yr 3
Jack Boyle(20/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 2

TH Prop
Michael Alaalatoa(30) - signed contract in 2021
Tadhg Furlong(29/New Ross RFC/Clontarf) - central contract until 2025
Vakh Abdaladze(26/Coolmine RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Tom Clarkson(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2021
--
Temi Lasisi(21/Enniscorthy/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 2
Rory McGuire(20/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Hooker
James Tracy(31/Newbridge/UCD) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
Ronan Kelleher(24/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2021
Dan Sheehan(23/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
--
John McKee(22/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - Academy Yr 3
Lee Barron(21/St. Michaels/DUFC) - Academy Yr 2

Lock
Ross Molony(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jason Jenkins(27) - signed contract in 2022
James Ryan(26/St. Michaels/UCD) - central contract until 2023
Ryan Baird(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Brian Deeny(22/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Joe McCarthy(21/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
--
Alex Soroka(21/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 2
Mark Morrissey(20/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1
Conor O'Tighernaigh(19/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Backrow
Rhys Ruddock(31/Exile/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Jack Conan(30/St. Gerards/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2021
Josh Van Der Flier(29/Wesley/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Dan Leavy(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Will Connors(26/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Max Deegan(26/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
Caelan Doris(24/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Scott Penny(22/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
--
Sean O'Brien(22/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 3
Mark Hernan(22/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 2
James Culhane(20/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1
Diarmuid Mangan(19/Newbridge/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(30) - signed contract in 2022
Luke McGrath(29/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Nick McCarthy(27/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contact in 2021
Cormac Foley(22/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022.
--
Ben Murphy(21/Pres Bray/Old Wesley) - Academy Yr 1

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(37/St. Marys/St. Marys) - central contract until 2023 WC
Ross Byrne(27/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Harry Byrne(23/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
--
Charlie Tector(20/Kilkenny/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 1

Centre
Robbie Henshaw(29) - central contact until 2022
Garry Ringrose(27/Blackrock/UCD) - central contact until 2025
Conor O'Brien(26/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Ciaran Frawley(24/Skerries RFC/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Jamie Osborne(20/Naas RFC/Naas) - signed contract in 2022
--
Ben Brownlee(20/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1
Fionn Gibbons(20/Castleknock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Back Three
Dave Kearney(33/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
James Lowe(30) - signed 3yr contract in 2020
Hugo Keenan(26/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jimmy O'Brien(25/Newbridge/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jordan Larmour(25/St. Andrews/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Tommy O'Brien(24/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
--
Andrew Smith(22/St. Michaels/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 3
Max O'Reilly(22/St. Gerards/DUFC) - Academy Yr 3
Rob Russell(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - Academy Yr 2
Chris Cosgrave(21/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 2
Aitzol King(20/Balbriggan/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 1

 

[Craigo]

Can still have 2 World class teams. And a more than capable 3rd one. Powerhouse Club.

 

[big ginger 8]

So Sean Cronin's retirement confirmed and Charlie Ryan, Liam Turner and Martin Moloney all sign senior deals.

 

[irisht]

LH Prop
Cian Healy(34/Belvedere/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Ed Byrne(28/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Andrew Porter(26/St. Andrews/UCD) - central contract until 2025
Michael Milne(23/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
--
Marcus Hanan(21/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) - Academy Yr 2
Jack Boyle(20/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

TH Prop
Michael Alaalatoa(30) - signed contract in 2021
Tadhg Furlong(29/New Ross RFC/Clontarf) - central contract until 2025
Vakh Abdaladze(26/Coolmine RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Tom Clarkson(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2021
--
Temi Lasisi(20/Enniscorthy/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 1

Hooker
James Tracy(30/Newbridge/UCD) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
Ronan Kelleher(24/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2021
Dan Sheehan(23/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
--
John McKee(22/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - Academy Yr 2
Lee Barron(21/St. Michaels/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1

Lock
Ross Molony(27/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jason Jenkins(26) - signed contract in 2022
James Ryan(25/St. Michaels/UCD)- central contract until 2023
Charlie Ryan(23/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Ryan Baird(22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Brian Deeny(22/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2022
Joe McCarthy(21/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022

Backrow
Rhys Ruddock(30/Exile/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Jack Conan(29/St. Gerards/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2021
Josh Van Der Flier(28/Wesley/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Will Connors(26/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Max Deegan(25/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022
Caelan Doris(24/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Scott Penny(22/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Martin Moloney(22/Athy RFC/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2022
--
Alex Soroka(21/Belvedere/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 2
Sean O'Brien(21/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 2
Mark Hernan(21/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf
Jamie Gibson Park(29) - signed contract in 2022
Luke McGrath(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Nick McCarthy(26/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contact in 2021
Cormac Foley(22/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022.
--
Ben Murphy(20/Pres Bray/Old Wesley) - Academy Yr 1

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton(36/St. Marys/St. Marys) - central contract until 2023 WC
Ross Byrne(26/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Harry Byrne(23/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2022

Centre
Robbie Henshaw(28) - central contact until 2025
Garry Ringrose(26/Blackrock/UCD) - central contact until 2025
Ciaran Frawley(24/Skerries RFC/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2022
Jamie Osborne(20/Naas RFC/Naas) - signed contract in 2022

Back Three
Dave Kearney(32/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - signed 2yr contract in 2021
James Lowe(29) - signed 3yr contract in 2020
Hugo Keenan(25/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jimmy O'Brien(25/Newbridge/UCD) - signed contract in 2021
Jordan Larmour(24/St. Andrews/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2022
Tommy O'Brien(23/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2022
--
Andrew Smith(21/St. Michaels/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 2
Niall Comerford(21/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 2
Max O'Reilly(22/St. Gerards/DUFC) - Academy Yr 2
Rob Russell(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - Academy Yr 1
Chris Cosgrave(20/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Leaving
Sean Cronin(35) - confirmed to be retiring.
Devin Toner(35/Castleknock/Lansdowne) - confimed to be retiring.
Dan Leavy(27/St. Michaels/UCD) - retiring due to injury
Peter Dooley(27/Birr RFC/Lansdowne) - confirmed to be leaving for Connacht
Jack Dunne(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - confirmed to be leaving for Exeter
Josh Murphy(26/St. Michaels/UCD) - confirmed to be leaving for Connacht
David Hawkshaw(22/Belvedere/Clontarf) - confirmed to be leaving for Connacht
Conor O'Brien(25/Mullingar RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2019
Rory O'Loughlin(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - confirmed to be leaving for Exeter
Adam Byrne(27/Naas RFC/UCD) - confirmed to be leaving for Connacht

 

[irisht]

Leinster Rugby 'A' team:

15. Max O'Reilly
14. Chris Cosgrave
13. Daniel Hawkshaw
12. Ben Brownlee
11. Rob Russell
10. Charlie Tector
9. Michael Moloney

1. Michael Milne
2. Lee Barron
3. Vakh Abdaladze CAPTAIN
4. Brian Deeny
5. Conor O'Tighearnaigh
6. Diarmuid Mangan
7. Martin Moloney
8. Seán O'Brien

Replacements:

16. John McKee
17. Jack Boyle
18. Tom Connolly
19. Ruairi Clarke
20. Daniel Leane
21. Fintan Gunne
22. Sam Prendergast
23. Aitzol Arenzana-King
24. Dylan O'Grady

Fintan Gunne playing for Leinster A while still in school.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Have a few weeks to do a big write up now. ******* sickened, a change of approach is required and we have to look beyond Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath, they've cost us massively in big matched for four years now.

 

[Amiga500]

Did I read somewhere in the last few months that Ross Byrne's dad is a major sponsor of Leinster?

Hardly a reason he keeps getting picked ahead of Frawley is it?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Did I read somewhere in the last few months that Ross Byrne's dad is a major sponsor of Leinster?

Hardly a reason he keeps getting picked ahead of Frawley is it?

He's CEO of cityjet and Leinster used to charter a plane from them but I think that's over.

To be fair I'd fallen into thinking Ross was good at points this season, he looks excellent regular league level but suits the bed beyond that.

Currently having a second choice 9 who can't pass and a second choice 10 who who can't play rugby is our biggest weakness in my opinion. A proper ruthless coach wouldn't have let these two lose us as many big games as they have over the years, McGrath was first choice ahead of JGP until this year, if not for Andy Farrell he still would be, we can't let Ross keep Harry down next season.

Lack of intensity and leadership is another issue, I really don't think Ryan is a captain, he plays worse with the role and so does his pack. Apart from VdF the entire pack looked better when Sexton came on and he was in the bin, that makes no sense.

The coaching team is set for next season and I think it should be its last regardless of how well they go, a rebuild post Sexton is needed and we need some toughness. Go get ROG.

The talent is there but the squad is soft, I think physicality is being overstated it wasn't as big an issue as previous years, we were in both games we lost and yesterday was a real bottle job more than being bullied. We had a couple big defensive sets that should have rallied the team but didn't have the 10 on the pitch to do so.

Last time we didn't win a trophy was 2017, 2023 has to be like 2018 or a lot of these guys are going to have underachieved massively in their careers.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ross is fine even very good for certain games but if we're playing a team that can slow down our ruck ball he accentuates that negative.

I agree the physicality is definitely being overstated in many ways. We actually clearly improved massively in that regard vs La Rochelle compared to last year. While I was upset by that loss I wasn't utterly despondent because a huge chunk of it was due to the bounce of a ball or two. That happens in top level sport. Yesterday from what I was able to watch on my phone was a lot more frustrating. Even if I don't think a cull is needed. Certain steps do need to be taken.