The Leinster thread

[profitius]

If Moore only ever hits Leinster level (which I'm not sure I agree with, but time shall tell), then given the paucity of good young Irish tightheads, he's going to get international caps. I also think Furlong's being talked up a bit, he was very impressive given his age but not imo as good as some are saying. He too will probably get international caps mind.

Furlong is only about 7 weeks away from being qualified to play U20 for 2 more years. Given his age and position he looks to be a future international. Thats if he continues to develop the wy he is going.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Moore only ever hits Leinster level (which I'm not sure I agree with, but time shall tell), then given the paucity of good young Irish tightheads, he's going to get international caps. I also think Furlong's being talked up a bit, he was very impressive given his age but not imo as good as some are saying. He too will probably get international caps mind.

I'd say Martin Moore may be a little unlucky in that he's coming through the Leinster setup rather than one of the other provinces. For example, Munster have nobody backing up BJ Botha- Moore could see a lot of action there over the next two years and be a candidate to start in 2013. At Connacht he'd only have to beat out one of Rodney Ah You and Stewart Maguire to feature in the Heineken Cup next season. He'd be Ulster's 3rd choice tighthead instantly and could push Declan Fitzpatrick out of the way within a couple of seasons. At Leinster though, Mike Ross is 31 and has another 3 years of decent rugby ahead of him. Jamie Hagan is 24 and could be around for a decade. Tadhg Furlong to me shows more potential- he's a very good defender and a decent scrummager already. I'd love to see Moore make it (I went to the same school as him for a couple of years!) but think he'll find it difficult to start regularly at Leinster thus hindering his future international prospects. A move away two years from now could do him a lot of good.

As for McGrath, I am certainly looking forwards to him and Jackson pairing up for the U20s next season. Saw him on TV once for the U18s, definitley something about him.

McGrath is ridiculously good. He reminds me of the French style scrumhalves in that he's a little general on the field and takes a ton of pressure off his 10. In him and Conor Murray, Ireland might finally have a pair of quality 9s.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed Snoop - BJ hasn't much back up here. I'm still not 100% convinced with Archer at provincal level and Borlaise is getting a fresh chance but I still don't know.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Out from last year go Stewart Maguire (Connacht), Tom Sexton (unknown), Mark Flanagan (unknown), Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley (all Leinster) and Michael Keating (Doncaster).

Of the first year players, Luke McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Jordan Coghlan are the three I'd have highest hopes for.

Sexton and Flanagan have now been added to the full Leinster squad. Six out of eight academy players graduating to full or development contracts with the province is a great return. Those who've left, Keating and Maguire, can probably expect to see a lot of first team rugby with their new clubs.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop do you think Tom Sexton will get gametime this year. Any time I've seen him play he has impressed me.

 

[big ginger 8]

Does anyone know why Jerry Sexton didn't make it he was one of the most impressive players for Ireland and Leinster.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Don't think Tom Sexton will feaure too much. I think he's injured at the moment and is behind Richardt Strauss, Sean Cronin and Jason Harris Wright anyway. I assume he'll move up to 3rd string hooker in 2012/13 since he'll be cheaper than Harris Wright.

It's very rare for players to jump straight from school to the academy. This year three players did so (Jordan Coghlan, Conor Gilsenan and Luke McGrath), last year only Sam Coghlan Murray did so and the year before Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken were the only two to make the leap. Jerry Sexton will be u19 next season and I suspect will be given a year or two in the sub-academy before he's ready to step up.

 

[big ginger 8]

Don't think Tom Sexton will feaure too much. I think he's injured at the moment and is behind Richardt Strauss, Sean Cronin and Jason Harris Wright anyway. I assume he'll move up to 3rd string hooker in 2012/13 since he'll be cheaper than Harris Wright.

It's very rare for players to jump straight from school to the academy. This year three players did so (Jordan Coghlan, Conor Gilsenan and Luke McGrath), last year only Sam Coghlan Murray did so and the year before Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken were the only two to make the leap. Jerry Sexton will be u19 next season and I suspect will be given a year or two in the sub-academy before he's ready to step up.

Cheers for clearing that up. When ever I've seen him he's been very impressive in the lineout.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads think ye have to realise some guys don't get contracts straight away as it's cheaper and argubally more beneficial to keep guys in academy for the year or 2

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The Leinster squad stepped up their preparations this week ahead of the start of the Bank of Ireland series which kicks off this Friday night when the province faces Super 15 side the Melbourne Rebels in Donnybrook (KO: 7pm)...

Eoin O'Malley (ankle) is progressing well following surgery earlier this summer but this week's game is likely to come too soon for him and for Shane Horgan (knee) also. Prop Simon Shawe (quad tear) is also a doubt. Academy centre Eamonn Sheridan, who missed a large part of last season after fracturing his ankle, is available for selection. He features in a squad which includes summer signings out-half Mat Berquist and second row Steven Sykes.
Former Leinster Academy graduates Fionn Carr and Jamie Hagan are also set to make their seasonal debuts following their move home from Connacht. Though the squad will be without those who are involved on Ireland duty, there will be a blend of youth and experience against the touring Australian side.
Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken, who were both involved in the Ireland Under-20 squad at the IRB Junior World Championships in June, are in the frame alongside the likes of hooker Richardt Strauss.

Leinster squad to face Melbourne Rebels:
BACKS (12): Mat Berquist, Andrew Boyle, Fionn Carr, Andrew Conway, John Cooney, Darren Hudson, David Kearney, Brendan Macken, Ian Madigan, Colm O'Shea, Eamonn Sheridan, Cillian Willis
FORWARDS (16): Leo Auva'a, Aaron Dundon, Mark Flanagan, David Gannon, Jamie Hagan, Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Ben Marshall, Jack O'Connell, Ciaran Ruddock, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, Steven Sykes, Devin Toner, Heinke van der Merwe
REFEREE: David Wilkinson (IRFU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Michael Black (IRFU), Mark Patton (IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: Dan Wallace (Leinster Rugby Referees)

 

[Feicarsinn]

Bloody hell, that's a fairly depleted squad. I'd go for something along the lines of:

15) Dave Kearney
14) Andrew Conway
13) Brendan Macken
12) Eamonn Sheridan
11) Fionn Carr
10) Mat Berquist
9) Cillian Willis

8) Rhys Ruddock
7) Dominic Ryan
6) Leo Auv'a
5) Steven Skyes
4) Devin Toner
3) Jamie Hagan
2) Richardt Strauss
1) Heinke Van Der Merwe

Surprised no to see Jordi Murphy or Paul Ryan thrown in there. Seems like the perfect kind of game for them. Nice to see Isa given a bit of a rest, god knows he played enough rugby last season. Even without him we have a pretty sharp looking back three. The tight five looks good too, but I have serious problems with our half backs and centres. Where's Ian McKinley these days I wonder?

 

[profitius]

Bloody hell, that's a fairly depleted squad. I'd go for something along the lines of:

15) Dave Kearney
14) Andrew Conway
13) Brendan Macken
12) Eamonn Sheridan
11) Fionn Carr
10) Mat Berquist
9) Cillian Willis

8) Rhys Ruddock
7) Dominic Ryan
6) Leo Auv'a
5) Steven Skyes
4) Devin Toner
3) Jamie Hagan
2) Richardt Strauss
1) Heinke Van Der Merwe

Surprised no to see Jordi Murphy or Paul Ryan thrown in there. Seems like the perfect kind of game for them. Nice to see Isa given a bit of a rest, god knows he played enough rugby last season. Even without him we have a pretty sharp looking back three. The tight five looks good too, but I have serious problems with our half backs and centres. Where's Ian McKinley these days I wonder?

Unfortunately it looks like McKinleys career could be over due to the eye injury. I don't know for sure but its not looking good.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I thought he was fairly back on track? He was there for the profiling pictures earlier in the year anyway. He doesn't look good in the photo, but if I remember correctly he'd just had a cataract removed.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

That whole eye injury scenario ended almost a year ago. He's fine now

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Word is that McKinley may be having problems with his eye again.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/8300.php

Leinster team to face Melbourne Rebels...
18 August 2011, 11:58 am

By Editor

The Leinster team to face the Melbourne Rebels in Friday night's opening fixture of the Bank of Ireland Series in Donnybrook (KO: 7pm) has been named.

New Zealand out-half Mat Berquist makes his first appearance for Leinster since his summer arrival from the Canterbury Crusaders and he will partner recent Academy graduate John Cooney at half back in a backline which also includes Kildare’s Fionn Carr who starts on the wing.

Rhys Ruddock captains the side and joins Dominic Ryan and Leo Auva’a in the back row.

Meanwhile, following his summer return to his home province, Balbriggan native and former Leinster Youths prop Jamie Hagan lines up alongside Richardt Strauss and Heinke van der Merwe in the front row. First cousins Mark Flanagan and Devin Toner start in the second row for the first time.

15: Ian Madigan
14: Darren Hudson
13: Brendan Macken
12: Eamonn Sheridan
11: Fionn Carr
10: Mat Berquist
9: John Cooney

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Richardt Strauss
3: Jamie Hagan
4: Mark Flanagan
5: Devin Toner
6: Rhys Ruddock CAPTAIN
7: Dominic Ryan
8: Leo Auva’a

REPLACEMENTS:
16: Aaron Dundon
17: Jack McGrath
18: Jack O’Connell
19: Steven Sykes
20: David Gannon
21: Cillian Willis
22: Colm O’Shea
23: Andrew Conway
24: Jason Harris-Wright
25: Ciaran Ruddock
26: Ben Marshall
27: Andrew Boyle

Seven new players and another five have yet to make their debut. I expect Leinster to be tonked but hope a few of the noobs put their hands up for selection at the start of the season.

 

[profitius]

What sort of player is Mark Flanagan?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Despite signing other second rows Sykes, Browne and Gannon, Flanagan still picked up a development contract. That suggests Leinster have high hopes for him to progress. I haven't seen too much of him so can't give an accurate assessment but he hasn't stood out when I have seen him for Ireland u20 and Leinster A. I'd rate a plethora of young Munster second rows ahead of him.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop is that No 8 the lad who played for Belvedere. A kiwi or samoan lad - If it him I've seen him once or twice and he a nice player

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yeah that's him. He picked up a contract with Leinster this season. Good to see Leinster use the AIL. Simon Shawe and Aaron Dundon have also picked up deals based on performances in that league.

Shane Jennings has been called up by Ireland for the test against France. David Wallace is nursing a hamstring injury.

 

[big ginger 8]

Can you buy tickets at the gate for this?