The Leinster thread

[munstermuffin]

its a 1 year deal

So effectively 1 year and done.
So Leinster effectively kicking can down road. And that not a dig at them. But if Slimani deal was sanctioned it should be for 2 if not 3 so he can really have an effect on kids coming through.
Good smart signing all the same

 

[munstermuffin]

I thought there was gonna be a ban on NIQ props?

If there is, pretty silly of IRFU to say that one week, and Leinster sign a THP the next - ye'd reckon they'd at least align the press releases.

He said from next season being smart as he got his ass handed to him on this supposedly behind scenes.

 

[irisht]

Academy entrants confirmed

Alex Usanov(LH Prop/U19) – Belvedere College / Clontarf FC
Stephen Smyth(Hooker/U20) – Kilkenny College / Old Wesley RFC
Andrew Sparrow(TH Prop/U20) – St Mary's College / UCD RFC
Niall Smyth(TH Prop/U19) – Blackrock College / Clontarf FC
Alan Spicer(Lock/U19) – Belvedere College / UCD RFC
Billy Corrigan(Lock/U19) – Presentation College, Bray / Old Wesley RFC
Oliver Coffey(Scrumhalf/U20) – Blackrock College / Blackrock College RFC
Caspar Gabriel(Outhalf/U19) – Terenure College / Terenure College RFC
Hugo McLaughlin(Back Three/U20) – Gonzaga College / Lansdowne FC
Ruben Moloney(Back Three/U20) – Blackrock College / UCD RFC

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Could really do with McLaughlin and Moloney both making the grade at senior level from this crop.

Conflicted over Caspar Gabriel, an absolute all timer of a name, but he's Terenure so tough to know whether you want him to succeed.

 

[irisht]

Moloney more likely to make it IMO.

Lots of back three talent coming through for 2025 U20s

 

[irisht]

LH Prop
Cian Healy(36/Belvedere/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2024
Andrew Porter(28/St. Andrews/UCD) - central contract until 2025
Michael Milne(25/Birr RFC-Roscrea/UCD) - signed contract in 2024
Jack Boyle(22/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2024
Paddy McCarthy(21/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2024
--
Alex Usanov(19/Belevedere/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 1

TH Prop
Rabah Slimani(34/French) - signed 1 year contract in 2024
Tadhg Furlong(31/New Ross RFC/Clontarf) - central contract until 2025
Tom Clarkson(24/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2024
--
Rory McGuire(22/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 3
Andrew Sparrow(19/St. Marys/UCD) - Academy Yr 1
Niall Smyth(19/Blackrock/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 1

Hooker
Ronan Kelleher(26/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract until 2025
Dan Sheehan(26/Clongowes/Lansdowne) - central contact until 2026
John McKee(24/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2023
Lee Barron(23/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2023
--
Gus McCarthy(21/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 2
Stephen Smyth(20/Kilkenny/Old Wesley) - Academy Yr 1

Lock
RG Snyman(29/South African) - signed 1 year contract until 2024
James Ryan(28/St. Michaels/UCD) - central contract until 2025
Brian Deeny(24/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - signed contract in 2024
Joe McCarthy(23/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2023
--
Conor O'Tighearnaigh(21/St. Michaels/UCD) - Academy Yr 2
Alan Spicer(19/Belvedere/UCD) - Academy Yr 1
Billy Corrigan(19/Pres Bray/Old Wesley) - Academy Yr 1

Backrow
Jack Conan(31/St. Gerards/Old Belvedere) - signed contract in 2023.
Josh Van Der Flier(30/Wesley/UCD) - signed central contract until 2026.
Will Connors(28/Clongowes/UCD) - signed contract in 2024.
Max Deegan(28/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2024.
Caelan Doris(27/Blackrock/DUFC) - central contract until in 2027.
Ryan Baird(25/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2024.
Scott Penny(24/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2024.
Alex Soroka(23/Belvedere/Clontarf) - signed 2yr contract in 2023.
James Culhane(21/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2024.
--
Diarmuid Mangan(21/Newbridge/UCD) - Academy Yr 3
Liam Molony(20/Blackrock/DUFC) - Academy Yr 2

Scrumhalf
Jamison Gibson Park(32) - signed central contract in 2024.
Luke McGrath(31/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2023.
Cormac Foley(25/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2024.
--
Fintan Gunne(21/St. Michaels/Terenure) - Academy Yr 2
Oliver Coffey(20/Blackrock/Blackrock) - Academy Yr 1

Outhalf
Ross Byrne(29/St. Michaels/UCD) - signed contract in 2023.
Ciaran Frawley(26/Skerries RFC/UCD) - signed contract in 2024.
Harry Byrne(25/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2024.
Sam Prendergast(21/Newbridge/Lansdowne) - signed contract in 2023.
--
Charlie Tector(22/Kilkenny/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 3
Casper Gabriel(18/Terenure/Terenure) - Academy Yr 1

Centre
Robbie Henshaw(31) - central contact until 2025.
Garry Ringrose(29/Blackrock/UCD) - central contact until 2025.
Jordie Barrett(27/New Zealand) - short term contract from December to June 2025.
Liam Turner(25/Blackrock/DUFC) - signed contract in 2023.
Jamie Osborne(22/Naas RFC/Naas) - signed contract in 2023.
--
Ben Brownlee(21/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 3
Hugh Cooney(21/Blackrock/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 2

Back Three
James Lowe(32) - signed contract in 2023.
Hugo Keenan(28/Blackrock/UCD) - signed central contract until 2026.
Jimmy O'Brien(27/Newbridge/UCD) - signed contract in 2023.
Jordan Larmour(27/St. Andrews/St. Marys) - signed contract in 2024.
Tommy O'Brien(26/Blackrock/UCD) - signed contract in 2024.
Rob Russell(25/St. Michaels/DUFC) - signed contract in 2023.
--
Aitzol King(22/Balbriggan RFC/Clontarf) - Academy Yr 3
Henry McElrean(21/St. Michaels/Tereure) - Academy Yr 2
Andrew Osborne(21/Naas RFC/Naas) - Academy Yr 2
Hugo McLaughlin(20/Gonzaga/Lansdowne) - Academy Yr 1
Ruben Moloney(20/Blackrock/UCD) - Academy Yr 1

Age as of start of URC season

 

[irisht]

Leinster:

15. Andrew Osborne (2)
14. Tommy O'Brien (35)
13. Liam Turner (29)
12. Ben Brownlee (9)
11. Rob Russell (32)
10. Harry Byrne (68)
9. Cormac Foley (20)
1. Michael Milne (41)
2. John McKee (27)
3. Thomas Clarkson (41)
4. Brian Deeny (22)
5. Conor O'Tighearnaigh (4)
6. Max Deegan (113)
7. Will Connors (49)
8. James Culhane (8) CAPTAIN

Replacements From:
Lee Barron (16)
Gus McCarthy (1)
Jack Boyle (11)
Rabah Slimani (0)
Rory McGuire (3)
Diarmuid Mangan (3)
Scott Penny (72)
Jack Conan (148)
Liam Molony (1)
Fintan Gunne (3)
Luke McGrath (212)
Ross Byrne (162)
Charlie Tector (8)
Hugh Cooney (0)
Aitzol King (1)
Henry McErlean (3).

 

[munstermuffin]

Leinster:

15. Andrew Osborne (2)
14. Tommy O'Brien (35)
13. Liam Turner (29)
12. Ben Brownlee (9)
11. Rob Russell (32)
10. Harry Byrne (68)
9. Cormac Foley (20)
1. Michael Milne (41)
2. John McKee (27)
3. Thomas Clarkson (41)
4. Brian Deeny (22)
5. Conor O'Tighearnaigh (4)
6. Max Deegan (113)
7. Will Connors (49)
8. James Culhane (8) CAPTAIN

Replacements From:
Lee Barron (16)
Gus McCarthy (1)
Jack Boyle (11)
Rabah Slimani (0)
Rory McGuire (3)
Diarmuid Mangan (3)
Scott Penny (72)
Jack Conan (148)
Liam Molony (1)
Fintan Gunne (3)
Luke McGrath (212)
Ross Byrne (162)
Charlie Tector (8)
Hugh Cooney (0)
Aitzol King (1)
Henry McErlean (3).

I know he didn't tour with Ireland but would have held Conan back a few weeks. Has alot of attrition miles and the extra few weeks may benefit in the long run.
Big test for the locks as there will be a lot of jockeying for positions

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That's an oversight that probably cost us a Heineken Cup. We win that final with Johnny. Huge shame too as a fan generally, could have had another 6 months of my favourite player ever.

 

[jcahill1]

That's an oversight that probably cost us a Heineken Cup. We win that final with Johnny. Huge shame too as a fan generally, could have had another 6 months of my favourite player ever.

Confused about this, was he not contracted after Christmas last year?

 

[irisht]

No he had a central contract until the World cup.

 

[irisht]

Cullen staying for 2 more years.

Although I'd say if the worst happens he will walk away.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

He's doing exactly what the IRFU wants. Managing their golden goose, the Leinster academy, very well.

Still, I want him here, think he's making the right moves so far this season.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So after thr first stint of games done, I'm delighted. Humming if not firing on all cylinders.

Bleyendaal has the goods, could see him taking Goodman's job in 2026.

Ross Byrne comfortably third choice and HB needs to find a way out of the club for his own sake.

RG adds another dimension to the play.

Jordie still to come.

Tough Winter period to come, top 2 English sides, Thomond park, La Rochelle (we owe them one) and Clermont. Can only really afford to drop one.

Feels like we've improved on last season and have rhe tools to take a trophy, if not two, home. Need to build up a nice buffer in the URC to make the spring run in less important however.