The Leinster thread

[big ginger 8]

Real pity, like I said, surprised it hadn't happened already but very disappointing for everyone involved.

Conor O'Brien to Retire from Rugby - Leinster Rugby

Former Leinster Rugby centre Conor O’Brien has announced his retirement from rugby with immediate effect due to injury. The 26-year-old Mullingar centre played 24 times for Leinster Rugby since his debut away to Glasgow Warriors in the 2017/18 season. He made 14 appearances for the club the...

www.leinsterrugby.ie

I disagree on Frawley, he would serve Leinster best as a 10, our options are super bleak after Sexton. Byrne 1 is shite, Byrne 2 looks less and less likely to make it with each injury, Prendergast is a couple years away yet. If he's not number two 10 to start the season now that we have another 12 in the squad, possibly two if COB stays fit, it'd look like another disappointingly conservative call from our coaches to me.

I don't think it's a conservative call if they continue to pick Frawley at 10. They played him more at 10 when he first broke through, decided he wasn't as good as others and moved him. His performances vs the Maori did not scream play me at 10 even if they were last minute things.

Unless he shoes otherwise the calls for Frawley smack me as a but of shiny object syndrome/desparation.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

With Lancaster looking certain to go we should be throwing everything we have at ROG.

He'd be an ideal successor, man management seems to be the biggest weakness in the current squad. I've heard that the coaching staff leave a lot of these responsibilities on the players and I dont think it works when apart from Sexton the other trusted leaders aren't starters. ROG would put his own stamp on this.

 

[big ginger 8]

James Tracy to Retire With Immediate Effect - Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby hooker James Tracy is to retire from rugby with immediate effect. The 31-year-old confirmed his retirement from injury today.

www.leinsterrugby.ie

James Tracy forced to retire on medical grounds. Never the best way to go out. Hopefully it doesn't cause him too much suffering.

Was never the most naturally talented player but its a real testament to him that he made the career that he did.

Also probably the most minted player in Leinster due to marrying a hoteliers daughter.

 

[munstermuffin]

James Tracy to Retire With Immediate Effect - Leinster Rugby

Leinster Rugby hooker James Tracy is to retire from rugby with immediate effect. The 31-year-old confirmed his retirement from injury today.

www.leinsterrugby.ie

James Tracy forced to retire on medical grounds. Never the best way to go out. Hopefully it doesn't cause him too much suffering.

Was never the most naturally talented player but its a real testament to him that he made the career that he did.

Also probably the most minted player in Leinster due to marrying a hoteliers daughter.

The most talented - No.
But to be fair was a great grafter and squad player and played his part well.
Shocked he hadn't retired earlier as this was an issue for a long time.

But a gent of a man and as you say BG8 won't be stuck for a few €€.
However, I will say I got to know him slightly through his work with MS Ireland and well I will just say the unseen work he does there is unbelievable.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster Rugby Lock Charlie Ryan to Retire With Immediate Effect

Leinster Rugby second row Charlie Ryan has been forced to retire from the game with immediate effect due to a long-standing and recurring knee injury.

www.leinsterrugby.ie

Poor guy just could not catch a break in his senior career.

 

[irisht]

Leinster players in Ireland U20s Squad:

Prop
George Morris (Gonzaga/Lansdowne/Leinster)
George Hadden (Gorey RFC/Clontarf/Leinster)
Ronan Foxe (Tullamore RFC/Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
Paddy McCarthy (Blackrock/DUFC/Leinster)

Hooker
Gus McCarthy (Blackrock/UCD/Leinster)(captain)
Conall Henchy (DUFC/Munster)
Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)

Lock
Conor O'Tighearnaigh (St. Michaels/UCD/Leinster)
Charlie Irvine (Queen's University/Ulster)
Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Joe Hopes (Queen's University/Ulster)

Backrow
Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge/UCD/Leinster)
Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)
James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)

Scrumhalf
Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster)
Oscar Cawley (Naas/Naas/Leinster)
Fintan Gunne (St. Michaels/Terenure/Leinster)

Outhalf
Sam Prendergast (Newbridge/Lansdowne/Leinster)
Matthew Lynch (Terenure/DUFC/Leinster)
Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Centre
Sam Berman (St. Michaels/DUFC/Leinster) - u19
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
Hugh Cooney (Blackrock/Clontarf/Leinster)
John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)

Back Three
Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
James Nicholson (St. Michaels/UCD/Leinster)
Rory Telfer (Queen's University/Ulster)
Henry McErlean (St. Michaels/Terenure/Leinster)
Noah Sheridan (Wicklow RFC/Clontarf/Leinster)

 

[irisht]

Leo Cullen to remain as head coach at Leinster for another two years

Goodman to continue assuming more influence in light of Lancaster’s departure

www.irishtimes.com

Leo staying on for at least 2 more years.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

First time in awhile he's extended beyond 1 year. Wonder what the change/incentive was.

A bit of continuity whilst hopefully getting a strong replacement to take on Lancaster's role sounds like a solid approach.

 

[irisht]

I dont think theyll get anyone to replace Lancaster, Goodman will take more responsibility with attack and they'll bring someone in for defence.

 

[munstermuffin]

First time in awhile he's extended beyond 1 year. Wonder what the change/incentive was.

A bit of continuity whilst hopefully getting a strong replacement to take on Lancaster's role sounds like a solid approach.

Seems it was more just to keep continuity without speculation of "he will go next year" but to be fair unless it was to Irish job where else would he go unless he retires.

And even the Irish job I'm not sure would suit Leo as it is a different structure.

 

[big ginger 8]

Sexton has had groin surgery and is out for the rest of the season.

Not ideal.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sexton has had groin surgery

For girth or length?


Reckon that's his RWC done?

 

[big ginger 8]

For girth or length?


Reckon that's his RWC done?

Leinster confirm Sexton is likely to miss the rest of this season https://the42.ie/6029987

Seems to be expected back for the WC but leaves very little margin for error.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bowing out with a home grandslam decider is a decent way to call it a day but hopefully he does make it back in time

 

[munstermuffin]

Sexton will be fine for RWC. But Leinster less Sexton and possibly Doris, Ringrose and Keenan makes Ulster game more interesting.

 

[Groundhog]

Sad way for his Leinster career to (likely) end. Hope he gets the chance to end his career on the pitch in France though. It's what he deserves.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Thank God I was at his last game v Connacht. Genuinely devastated, Leinster's GOAT, hopefully it drives him on more for the World Cup.

 

[Gavin]

Definitely a big pity for Sexton as it would have been great to give him a proper club send off.

But in the grand scheme of things does this not benefit Ireland especially?

Gives Ross Byrne the knowledge he'll be No 1 for Leinster and can focus on getting better for when he plays for Ireland

 

[munstermuffin]

Definitely a big pity for Sexton as it would have been great to give him a proper club send off.

But in the grand scheme of things does this not benefit Ireland especially?

Gives Ross Byrne the knowledge he'll be No 1 for Leinster and can focus on getting better for when he plays for Ireland

Yes and no. Not a dig at Byrne but he still has tendency to shovel shite out when pressure on. Not saying other options are better. I personally think Crowley is best back up but regardless. If Leinster don't win Europe considering the draw they have it will go down as a fail. And if Byrne plays a part in that failure for example his errors or lack of penetration to backline is factor. Then his confidence will be knocked and then we back to underused Crowley at 10, untested at 10 Frawley, and Confidence shot Byrne and Carbery so it still 1 can go either way.
But either way lads can't say they didn't get proper opportunity

 

[Amiga500]

Sad way for his Leinster career to (likely) end. Hope he gets the chance to end his career on the pitch in France though. It's what he deserves.

Fukk Leinster

Hopefully a few more lads have wee nig.gles that keep them out for Saturday! [I can't use the word nig.gles without a dot in the middle. TRF's filter obviously using the Microsoft equivalent of ChatGPT!]

(Of course, totally hoping they are fit and raring to go the week after... till a prospective URC head-to-head of course.)


On a more serious note - would this mean prospect of some gametime for Sam Prendergast in a URC dead rubber? With Harry Byrne not really kicking on, and Ross Byrne consistently having doubt about his abilities in a pressure cooker* swirl around him, would Prendergast be worth a cursory look as a bolter for Andy Farrell at this point?

*for instance, what if we win at the weekend but it's because RB has a big stinker? I'd call that a major feckin problem.