The Leinster thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I've no idea. Adam Ashley Cooper and Drew Mitchell were also linked recently. Gerry Thornley said Leinster have a South African lined up and he's usually pretty accurate at these things.

Agree that cutting players past their prime is easier said than done. The point I'm trying to make is that when a player is clearly on the wane, efforts should be made to replace him rather than hope he reclaims past glories. Ronan O'Gara and John Hayes are good examples of this for Munster and Ireland. Mike Ross and Leo Cullen (he's in good form this season though) could be Leinster examples before too long.

 

[Peat]

Agree with Snoopy about cutting players before they are past their prime - particularly in light of the amount of disruption Leinster will be undergoing soon.

Schmidt is apparently 6/4 to become Ireland coach now.

 

[jcahill1]

Yeah I understand. It's more the problem of finding a replacement equal to Isa in his prime, by no means an easy task.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah I understand. It's more the problem of finding a replacement equal to Isa in his prime, by no means an easy task.

Please guys, sign Charles Piutau from the Auckland Blues. That way you get a top drawer 15 still moving towards his prime and also our test sides won't have to worry about him turning out for the All Blacks

 

[lynam1104]

Sad to see Isa going, hes been a real servent and has 3 medals to show for it. Hes probably not been at his best this season and is maing a smart move to retire before he goes down the ROG road(not that he ever could be that bad )

 

[munstermuffin]

Heard Nacewa leaving was due to family wanting to return home and his arm isn't right. But regardless of that he IMO was the reason Leinster clicked in the backs. I always feared when he had ball as he is 1 of the best runners in open play and glided through gaps that were never there. And I don't think Leinster will get quality like him in again for long time.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Thanks for all the memories Isa. That try against Leicester in 2011, incredible. But moreso holding the team together when the internationals were gone. A Leinster hero if ever there was one.

Now we've really got to bring in a back three player next season. We'll be starting next season with the Kearney's and McFadden as our starting back three. That's fine, but not a patch on Isa, Shaggy, Kearney and Luke Fitz back in the good old days. The like of Adam Byrne is promising, but we'll need a top player asap.

 

[munstermuffin]

Feic that try was superb but the tackle on Chabal right after Chabal made Heaslip look soft was superb too and he could tackle as hard as anyone. Crazy thing is he was signed as a 10 for Leinster yet became 1 of worlds best back 3

 

[lynam1104]

I think having Isa as part of the squad for the last number of years has had a similar affect to that of Rocky, both our back 3 and back row have excelled in recent years (Although Shaggy, Hicky and Dempsy was pretty dam good, just the way Isa plays rubbing off on the younger lads more).

 

[big ginger 8]

Sad to see him go great player.


Aparrently we may be going for Willie le Roux a potentially excellent signin. I would prefer someone older though.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

A 26 player Ireland schools team, sponsored by PwC - which includes 20 Leinster representatives - has been announced to participate in the FIRA/AER U-18 European Championships which takes place in Grenoble, France from March 22nd - 30th...

Forwards (14):

Oisin Heffernan (CC Roscrea)
Michael Lagan (Methodist College)
Sean McNulty (Rockwell College)
Andrew Roche (Terenure College)
Oliver Jager (Blackrock College)
Jeremy Loughman (Blackrock College)
David O'Connor (Blackrock College)
Alexander Thompson (Methodist College)
James Ryan (St. Michael's College)
Joshua Murphy (St. Michael's College)
Rory Moloney (CC Roscrea)
Patrick Thornton (Terenure College)
Nick Timoney (Blackrock College)
James Gallagher (Methodist College)

Backs (12):

Nick McCarthy (St. Michael's College)
Charlie Rock (Blackrock College)
Ross Byrne (St. Michael's College)
Ciaran Gaffney (CC Roscrea)
Matthew Gilsenan (St. Michael's College)
Greg O'Shea (Crescent Comprehensive)
Fergal Cleary (Clongowes Wood College SJ)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College)
Michael Courtney (CBC Monkstown)
Cormac Brennan (CC Roscrea)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College)
Jack Owens (Campbell College)

Leinster were dominant at u18 level this season. Even so, 20/26 in the international squad is a staggering figure.

 

[big ginger 8]

It is a bit ridiculous. Gilsenan was also second choice to Adam Leavy from the same school who's injured himself. Great progress for Andy Roche who was sub for Leinster and Gaffney and Rock who weren't even on Leinster at the start of the season. Andy Marks another a Gonzaga and Leinster player was also unlucky to miss out. Some really good players there. In fairness we did absolutely dominate the inter-pros.

 

[Peat]

Can't really argue given the results... well done to the non-Leinster lads, clearly must be something special! Well. The Ulster boys obvs are, the Munster boys maybe less so... O'Shea's the sprinter isn't he?

Unbelievable year from Leinster, or everyone else being really shat?

 

[big ginger 8]

Can't really argue given the results... well done to the non-Leinster lads, clearly must be something special! Well. The Ulster boys obvs are, the Munster boys maybe less so... O'Shea's the sprinter isn't he?

Unbelievable year from Leinster, or everyone else being really shat?

Yeah O'Shea is. Do you know much about the Ulster lads Peat? Played against the Methody lads but the only one I know for sure is Lagan whi is tank.

I'd like to think it's an amazing year from Leinster but there probably is a bit of the other. Time will tell.

 

[Peat]

Yeah O'Shea is. Do you know much about the Ulster lads Peat? Played against the Methody lads but the only one I know for sure is Lagan whi is tank.

I'd like to think it's an amazing year from Leinster but there probably is a bit of the other. Time will tell.

A little. I watched the Schools Cup so I've seen the Methody boys play once. Owens I only know by reputation, know some guys are excited about him, still only in lower 6th - but unfortunately highly intelligent and at risk of doing an Alex Kelly. So much for the rich and thick! Irelandfan's at Campbell iirc, should know more.

Thompson is 6'6" and looks like he can play a bit. Good start for a lock at that age. Looks a bit gangly. James Gallagher was very visible, good player but possibly not as good as he seems to think, tried to go direct a few too many times which didn't work - but good hands, good strength, rather nippy. Could be a player. Suspect he'll have his work cut out to start in that squad given some of what I've heard. And Lagan you know. Lagan and Kane looked a serious unit, particularly when Kane was towering over Inst's tiny Chinese tighthead. One of the funniest things I've ever seen, and possibly illegal.

I'd ask you for your opinion on the Leinster players, but as I've got to be at work in a couple of hours, suspect you might not be done typing by that point

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I'd rate a lot of those Leinster players highly.

Forwards: Loughman is a very good ball carrying prop. Ryan is a massive second row who's short on neither skills nor grunt. Timoney is an explosive number 8. As far as I know, all three have another year remaining in school. Moloney is a cracking prospect as a flanker. Can see him going straight into Leinster's academy.

Backs: Byrne is very polished as a 10. Brewer has tremendous pedigree. Cleary is a classy player. Dardis has all the skills in his locker. I'd say he'll be admitted to the Leinster academy pretty quickly.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

A little. I watched the Schools Cup so I've seen the Methody boys play once. Owens I only know by reputation, know some guys are excited about him, still only in lower 6th - but unfortunately highly intelligent and at risk of doing an Alex Kelly. So much for the rich and thick! Irelandfan's at Campbell iirc, should know more.

Thompson is 6'6" and looks like he can play a bit. Good start for a lock at that age. Looks a bit gangly. James Gallagher was very visible, good player but possibly not as good as he seems to think, tried to go direct a few too many times which didn't work - but good hands, good strength, rather nippy. Could be a player. Suspect he'll have his work cut out to start in that squad given some of what I've heard. And Lagan you know. Lagan and Kane looked a serious unit, particularly when Kane was towering over Inst's tiny Chinese tighthead. One of the funniest things I've ever seen, and possibly illegal.

I'd ask you for your opinion on the Leinster players, but as I've got to be at work in a couple of hours, suspect you might not be done typing by that point

Owens is a monster, I know him irl - wouldn't mess with that guy! Where have you heard his name before?

Ive got a huge hit of his on a Facebook video, any ideas how I could get it up here? It's scary, knocked it cold! (When CCB beat INST 57-12 or something)

Edit: I don't think Irelandfan is at Campbell, if I remember right he plays club rugby.

 

[Groundhog]

I'd rate a lot of those Leinster players highly.

Forwards: Loughman is a very good ball carrying prop. Ryan is a massive second row who's short on neither skills nor grunt. Timoney is an explosive number 8. As far as I know, all three have another year remaining in school. Moloney is a cracking prospect as a flanker. Can see him going straight into Leinster's academy.

Backs: Byrne is very polished as a 10. Brewer has tremendous pedigree. Cleary is a classy player. Dardis has all the skills in his locker. I'd say he'll be admitted to the Leinster academy pretty quickly.

Is there any chance of Rory Moloney playing for Connacht as opposed to Leinster, I really have no clue. Also heard rumors of Dardis having trials with Leicester, can't say how viable they are (ie most likely bullshit), but still wonder if you lot have heard anything.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Is there any chance of Rory Moloney playing for Connacht as opposed to Leinster, I really have no clue. Also heard rumors of Dardis having trials with Leicester, can't say how viable they are (ie most likely bullshit), but still wonder if you lot have heard anything.

I don't see why he'd bother with Leicester unless they're offering him more $$'$ than Leinster can (Do academy players have wages?) or Premiership/LV cup rugby, both of which seem unlikely.

If you look at the backs Leinster have produced in recent times compared to Leicester it is clear who has the better youth systems.

 

[munstermuffin]

Dardis didn't really impress me as all he's built up to me in the game his team were knocked out this year. But is his best position 15?
Also regards the schools team there were 2 Rockwell lads in original squad. The 12 and 15. But 1 got injured during final on Monday and the 15 was suspended for the tip tackle.

And must admit I shocked none of Crescent Comp backrow are on tour as they were some of best I seen all year and I watched all 3 competitions.
Dineen is a good 8 but the 2 lads on flanks were immense and have been all year. Kavanagh is a fine 7 but Diarmuid Dee is going to be straight in to Munster Academy and I predict playing Pro 12 in 12 months. And Gearoid Lyons I thought was excellent but O'Shea on wing is in squad and he is hit and miss