The Leinster thread

[munstermuffin]

Clermont have looked bit shaky so far this season but lads in Munsters group (as is getting common) and Leinsters group it all about who can pick up most points away from home

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's now on Leinster's website that not only is Stan Wright out for 6 months but Mike Ross has a calf injury too. He'll defintely miss the Leicester game this weekend although it hasn't been mentioned whether or not he'll be fit for the start of the Magners League. Assuming he's out and Cian Healy is unavailable for week 1 of the ML, Leinster will be left with Heinke van der Merwe, Ronan McCormack, Jack McGrath and academy props Stewart Maguire and Jack O'Connell.

 

[munstermuffin]

Healy should be available for week 1 and 2 but can we presume Wright will be playing come feb so

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

On a different note, since this thread concerns all things Leinster rugby and not just the professional setup:

The Leinster Schools Under-18 squad, sponsored by BNY Mellon, to face Cardiff Under-18 on Sunday (KO: 1pm) in Glamorgan Wanderers RFC has been named...

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LEINSTER SCHOOLS UNDER-18: Jack O'Neill (Castleknock College), Andrew Murphy (St. Michael's College), Kenneth Murphy (Presentation College Bray), Michael Mellett (Castleknock College), Luke McGrath (St. Michael's College), Conor McEllin (Blackrock College), Conor Kilcoyne (Blackrock College), Adam Boland (Blackrock College), Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College SJ), John Conroy (Belvedere College SJ), Steve Crosbie (St. Gerard's School), Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College SJ), Colin Grant (Newbridge College), Ben Howard (CBC Monkstown), Rory Kavanagh (St. Michael's College), Connor Owende (Belvedere College SJ), Mark Roche (Blackrock College), Mark Rogers (CBC Monkstown), Luke Satchwell (The King's Hospital), Jerry Sexton (St. Mary's College), David Shanahan (Belvedere College SJ), Gavin Thornbury (Blackrock College)

A quick count shows 10 different schools represented in the 22 player panel. That's a decent spread of talent.

 

[munstermuffin]

Leinster are always really developed at schools level though

 

[Logorrhea]

Yes but quite a few of those schools are not the traditional powerhouses of Leinster rugby. Monkstown, Kings hos, Gonzaga (McLaughlin aside), Bray. Good to see their names on the list. Looking to see a name from the likes of Naas or Tallaght in a few years. Then we'll know were getting somewhere.

As for Clermont, they arent shaky, its two games into the season for gods sake, they have won one and lost one.

I'd be surprised if Healy was available at the start of the season. I would doubt if the Irish setup would allow them in so early.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yes but quite a few of those schools are not the traditional powerhouses of Leinster rugby. Monkstown, Kings hos, Gonzaga (McLaughlin aside), Bray. Good to see their names on the list. Looking to see a name from the likes of Naas or Tallaght in a few years. Then we'll know were getting somewhere.

A couple of years ago there was a player from Tallaght on the Ireland u19s. I think his name is Kris Greene.

It's more likely that players from non-traditional areas will make their mark with the underage club representative squads than in the schools setup. There's huge scope for growth in the club game due to Leinster and Irelands success over the last few years. The more Sean O'Briens, Trevor Brennans, Shane Horgans who can eventually force their way into the full Leinster squad, the better.

 

[lucky number 7]

On a different note, since this thread concerns all things Leinster rugby and not just the professional setup:

A quick count shows 10 different schools represented in the 22 player panel. That's a decent spread of talent.

Thats the C schools isnt it...they are a serious outfit I daresay the best underage squad in Ireland what with the standard of the senior cup.

 

[lucky number 7]

A couple of years ago there was a player from Tallaght on the Ireland u19s. I think his name is Kris Greene.

It's more likely that players from non-traditional areas will make their mark with the underage club representative squads than in the schools setup. There's huge scope for growth in the club game due to Leinster and Irelands success over the last few years. The more Sean O'Briens, Trevor Brennans, Shane Horgans who can eventually force their way into the full Leinster squad, the better.

My club had 2 Lads on the youths but one was dropped as he asked if he would be allowed to play a GAA match the other chap made the final squad I think and with the determination and size of this guy I reckon if he tried he could make it ....

Snoop How vast is the divide in skill levels between the top tier of schools rugby and the top tier of club?

 

[Feicarsinn]

On the propping situation, apparently Leinster are looking at an Irish qualified player within the country, or at least that's what the Indo says. Who in god's name could that be? Buckley would be the best of the bunch but I can't seehim leaving Munster.

 

[lynam1104]

On the propping situation, apparently Leinster are looking at an Irish qualified player within the country, or at least that's what the Indo says. Who in god's name could that be? Buckley would be the best of the bunch but I can't seehim leaving Munster.

Let's hope is not the Bull then.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Let's hope is not the Bull then.

Aw great, now I'm angry.

 

[lynam1104]

could be some player from the west?

 

[Logorrhea]

On the propping situation, apparently Leinster are looking at an Irish qualified player within the country, or at least that's what the Indo says. Who in god's name could that be? Buckley would be the best of the bunch but I can't seehim leaving Munster.

Not necessarily. They are looking for an Irish player to fill the immediate gap for the Leicester friendly.

It doesnt mean this wil be the same player for the rest of the year.

I'm indifferent either way, but thats how I read the article

 

[Feicarsinn]

Not necessarily. They are looking for an Irish player to fill the immediate gap for the Leicester friendly.

It doesnt mean this wil be the same player for the rest of the year.

I'm indifferent either way, but thats how I read the article

Well thank **** for that! Probably someone out of ther AIL in that case.

 

[munstermuffin]

Let's be honest it could be from Munster as we well equipped with props but have heard Hurley may be going and Ryan was mentioned but no concrete evidence. The IRFU politely have told Leinster they won't be given the funding for a prop abroad.

Also on schools issue and that is it better to be stand out player at a club like Trevor Brennan was than be lost in an academy like in limerick way players go into garryowen academy and then disappear off radar

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Let's be honest it could be from Munster as we well equipped with props but have heard Hurley may be going and Ryan was mentioned but no concrete evidence. The IRFU politely have told Leinster they won't be given the funding for a prop abroad.

I wouldn't mind picking up either Dave Ryan or Darragh Hurley (assuming he can stay fit) since I think both have talent and would be more than capable of stepping in as backup looseheads. That would presuppose that Heinke van der Merwe is a competent tighthead which I've my doubts about.

Another possible option is Jamie Hagan of Connacht. He's by means the finished article but he got plenty of experience last season in European competition and the Magners League. He struggled at times (noticeably against Toulon) but generally did a decent job locking Connacht's scrum (especially against Leinster in the RDS). At present he's starting 60-70% of games for Connacht. With Stan Wright out injured, he could start roughly 40-50% of games for Leinster and feature in all other matchday squads. Being a Leinster man, that could tempt him to switch back to his native province. This is merely speculation but Connacht are down on numbers- could a loan/swap of Hagan for 2 or 3 Leinster academy players be on the cards? If Connacht picked up a new prop, a centre and a full back, they could be tempted to part with Hagan.

Ulster are Leinster's feeder team though so we'll probably nick BJ Botha off them!

As for the difference in standards between schools and clubs, I'm not too sure how big the gulf is. What I do know is that the vast majority of Leinster players come from the school system and this is mirrored in Leinster's academy.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

On Leinster's website it says they've signed Simon Shawe of Ballymena to replace Stan Wright. A quick google search says he was an Ulster squad member a few years ago and he's an Ireland club international. Hopefully it works out- it'd be great to see an Irish prop promoted and although Shawe is around 30 years old, it shows the AIL isn't being ignored in identifying potential players.

 

[Feicarsinn]

On Leinster's website it says they've signed Simon Shawe of Ballymena to replace Stan Wright. A quick google search says he was an Ulster squad member a few years ago and he's an Ireland club international. Hopefully it works out- it'd be great to see an Irish prop promoted and although Shawe is around 30 years old, it shows the AIL isn't being ignored in identifying potential players.

I can't see him being any more than a temp job. He'll probably come into the squad for the Leicester and Glasgow games but be gone once we can find a decent replacement for Stan the Man.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Agreed, it smacks of a short term deal until somebody else can be identified. If he takes the opportunity, he could earn a squad place though. At 30 he has another 4 or 5 years ahead of him. He's a few years younger than Ronan McCormack and may take his spot in the squad in the short to medium term.

The squad for the Leicester game is:

15: Luke Fitzgerald
14: David Kearney
13: Eoin O'Malley
12: Fergus McFadden
11: Niall Morris
10: Ian McKinley
9: Isaac Boss
1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Simon Shawe
4: Nathan Hines
5: Devin Toner
6: Dominic Ryan
7: Sean O'Brien CAPTAIN
8: Stephen Keogh
REPLACEMENTS: Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Stewart Maguire, Ed O'Donoghue, Paul Ryan, Paul O'Donohoe, Isa Nacewa, Michael Keating, Mariano Galarza, Eoin Sheriff, Ian Madigan, Eamonn Sheridan