The Leinster thread

[big ginger 8]

For God sake why not let our own develop he's gonna be another Borlase I'd say. Hope he proves me wrong.

 

[munstermuffin]

Hey we can send up the Mushy-esque manual if he wants a role model guide to work off

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Too late to start a Leinster v Edinburgh thread for last night's game so I'll post my thoughts in here. Here's a link to the tries:
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/mdtv/?play=media&id=11596

Leinster were outstanding. Ian Madigan is becoming a sublime attacking flyhalf. His defensive kicking game needs work but his passing and running games are brilliant. So many attacks started with him attacking the gain line and swinging out sweet flat passes for the outside backs to run onto. Goalkicking apart, Fergus McFadden gave his best display for Leinster. Lord knows how many line breaks he made.

It's hard to pick out anyone else because the whole team performed to a high level. Perhaps it's the coach who should be singled out for special mention. Four of yesterday's starting XV and a further five replacements played, and lost, a cracking B&I Cup semi final last weekend. Joe Schmidt backed those who performed on the day and was rewarded with strong displays by each and every one of them. It was pleasing to see Martin Moore make his debut and hold his own. There'll be stronger challenges ahead than Heineken Cup semi finalists Edinburgh (how did they get there????) but it bodes well for the future.

 

[lucky number 7]

Anyone expect big breakthrough seasons for young players next year?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think we'll see some players progress next year but very few will push for Heineken Cup starts. Noel Reid (as an inside centre), Conor Gilsenan (groomed as Shane Jennings' heir), Martin Moore, Luke McGrath and maybe Dan Leavy could feature more often. I could see Reid and Moore play 10 games and the others get 5-10 appearances.

In terms of players who could force themselves from bit part players into Heineken Cup regulars, Dave Kearney seems the best bet to me.

 

[lucky number 7]

I think we'll see some players progress next year but very few will push for Heineken Cup starts. Noel Reid (as an inside centre), Conor Gilsenan (groomed as Shane Jennings' heir), Martin Moore, Luke McGrath and maybe Dan Leavy could feature more often. I could see Reid and Moore play 10 games and the others get 5-10 appearances.

In terms of players who could force themselves from bit part players into Heineken Cup regulars, Dave Kearney seems the best bet to me.

Good stuff I'm looking forward to see Luke McGrath play in Blue.

No sign of Tadgh getting anywhere near a full cap yet?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Furlong has great potential but at tighthead he's behind Mike Ross, Jamie Hagan, Michael Bent and Martin Moore and at loosehead he's behind DJ Church, Heinke van der Merwe, Jack McGrath and Jack O'Connell. He could possibly push ahead of Moore and O'Connell but I think next year will be about getting him up to speed at A level and in the AIL. Long term I'd wager it'll be him and Edward Byrne bookending the Leinster front row.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Luke McGrath is really coming good at the right time. From what I've seen of him so far he looks the complete package. With Reddan and Boss both in their early 30's now we'll need a top class operator in two seasons. He should be just that, if he's given enough enough exposure next year.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think McGrath will overtake Boss in next 12 months. Just think Boss is on a slight decline

 

[Peat]

Personally I'd highlight Brendan Macken. He looks like he's got over his tunnel vision and is combining some intelligent play and breaks with hard running. If its true, and he continues it, I reckon he could well skip the centre queue a little

 

[rustynuts]

Luke McGrath look's like the real deal and I suspect he will become an international player sooner rather than later. does anyone know how good of a goal kicker he is? I think even though Ian Madigan has had a great season this year i expect him to progress even further next year but he really need's to work on his game management if he is to challenge Sexton for his place. Also Joe need's to give Leinster's young prop's more game time even if it mean's losing a couple of game's next season.

 

[rustynuts]

Guy's let me know if I've got this wright Martin Moore=TH, Jack O'Connell=LH, Tadhg Furlong=TH, James Tracy=LH and Jack McGrath = both sides

 

[lucky number 7]

I'd love to see Madigan 10 , Sexton 12.

Just or shiggs

 

[big ginger 8]

Guy's let me know if I've got this wright Martin Moore=TH, Jack O'Connell=LH, Tadhg Furlong=TH, James Tracy=LH and Jack McGrath = both sides

Jack can play oth sides but is far better at loosehead.

I think both McGraths could have breakthroughs. Also Snoop I'd say it's a bit early for Leavy He'll still ony be 18 next March.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Guy's let me know if I've got this wright Martin Moore=TH, Jack O'Connell=LH, Tadhg Furlong=TH, James Tracy=LH and Jack McGrath = both sides

Yep. Both O'Connell and Furlong can play both sides of the scrum though. I also think McGrath is a much beter loosehead than tighthead.

Personally I'd highlight Brendan Macken. He looks like he's got over his tunnel vision and is combining some intelligent play and breaks with hard running. If its true, and he continues it, I reckon he could well skip the centre queue a little

Macken is certainly benefiting from Joe Schmidt's coaching. He was a superstar at schools level and seemed to have everything in his locker. There's a myth that he was a bad passer at schools level - anyone who saw him at the time could see that he would sling out some great passes and offloads but it's fair to say that his massive size meant he didn't have to pass too often and would bash his way through defenders. That size difference doesn't exist any more so he's having to develop more subtlety in his game. While I still think he takes too much out of the ball at times, his support lines are excellent and he always breaks the gain line. With a passing 10 and 12 inside him, he can really excel.

Also Snoop I'd say it's a bit early for Leavy He'll still ony be 18 next March.

Agreed. I overstated it when I said he could play 5-10 games next season. I think he'll feature regularly for the As and maybe make a sub appearance or two for the full team towards the end of the season. I'm pretty excited about the potential of him, Ed and Brian Byrne, Harrison Brewer, Billy Dardis and Jack O'Neill from 2013-2015 on though.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah all of those look pretty good. But I'm stil not entirely convinced by O'Neill.

In the next 2 years in school Nicky Timmoney, Adam Leavy and Tom Lynch are definitely other to watch out for.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

On top of Timoney, don't Blackrock have excellent prospects at fullback and scrumhalf too? Zach O'Hagan and Ruairi O'Farrell. O'Hagan tore up the Js a year ago (you probably know what he did to Mary's!) and O'Farrell was immense for Clongowes as a scrum half before changing school to 'Rock. He's a 4th year who was named on the Ireland u18s.

I think Jack O'Neill is an excellent prospect. Not many people make the Ireland u18s in 4th year and captain that team as a 5th year. He could be well advised to move position to inside centre (like Harrison Brewer) to maximise his potential.

 

[big ginger 8]

On top of Timoney, don't Blackrock have excellent prospects at fullback and scrumhalf too? Zach O'Hagan and Ruairi O'Farrell. O'Hagan tore up the Js a year ago (you probably know what he did to Mary's!) and O'Farrell was immense for Clongowes as a scrum half before changing school to 'Rock. He's a 4th year who was named on the Ireland u18s.

I think Jack O'Neill is an excellent prospect. Not many people make the Ireland u18s in 4th year and captain that team as a 5th year. He could be well advised to move position to inside centre (like Harrison Brewer) to maximise his potential.

Yeah forgot to mention O'Hagan. I haven't seen O'Farral too much a he's repeating 4th year because of Blackrock's attitude.

I know obviously it's no easy thing to be selected for Ireland u18 in 4th year but I'm just saying on what little I've seen he hasn't been as good as i thought he'd be.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just a question regards schools in Leinster. I struggle to understand how the level in Leinster is extremely more advanced than here. Is it the coaching structure that schools have because I think this is a vital period in a players career where they can go on the road to greatness or fall away

 

[Feicarsinn]

Just a question regards schools in Leinster. I struggle to understand how the level in Leinster is extremely more advanced than here. Is it the coaching structure that schools have because I think this is a vital period in a players career where they can go on the road to greatness or fall away

It's all down to numbers in my opinion. Blackrock, Clongowes, Terenure, St.Mary's, Belvedere, St.Michael and Castleknock are all big rugby schools. Teams like St.Gerrads, Gonzaga, Pres Bray, Kilkenny and De La Salle will all have good times every few years. That level of competition is always likely to improve standards. It also helps that most of the schools are private and have a good deal of money to pump into their SCT's. There's a lot of prestige associated with the Senior Cup so schools try to get the best they can in terms of coaching, etc.

In contrast, the schools scene in Munster is a good deal smaller. Off the top of my head I can only think of CBC, St.Munchin's, Pres Cork and Rockwell being genuinely competitive.