The Leinster thread

[lynam1104]

Was just thinking, should Heaslip leave we're going to have a real leadership deficit next season. Cullen and BOD retiring and Heaslip departing would take out effectively the whole leadership group. I can't really think of any candidates to replace them. Thoughts?

 

[Peat]

Ruddock seems a leader, albeit young and slightly untested.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

D'Arcy and Jennings would play big roles, can't think of any captain material though. Kearney and Healy will probably have to take on a bigger role.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien do leave, I'd say there'll be a leadership group of Rob Kearney (head of IRUPA), Gordon D'arcy, Shane Jennings and Rhys Ruddock.

I see 17 Leinster representatives were named in Mike Ruddock's 28 man u20 6 Nations squad.

 

[big ginger 8]

Was just thinking, should Heaslip leave we're going to have a real leadership deficit next season. Cullen and BOD retiring and Heaslip departing would take out effectively the whole leadership group. I can't really think of any candidates to replace them. Thoughts?

Took you long enough.

I've been thinking about it a while and there really is no stand-out canidate. Here are some of the names I've heard bandied around.

Jennings: Definitely captaincy material but will he start? If SO'B goes probably, if not then no. Would proably be my first choice but it would most likely be a short term captaincy with the amount of 7's coming through. Also will be around most likely during Ireland camps.

Ruddock: Captained every single age group team through the ranks and youngest ever Leinster captain in the professional era. Appears to be first choice at the moment bbut with quality opposition in McLaughlin, again is it guaranteed?

D'arcy: Most capped Leinster player old head will last at least until after the World Cup. Can't remember him being captain off the top of my head but is a calm head.

Kearney: Not mentioned too much but does seem to have many leadership qualities. Very articulate. Being a fullback is a drawback but MO'C has worked with a fullback as captain before.

McGrath: Has captained the A team on numerous occasions. I also know first hand how good his team talks can be and the standards he demands. However Healy being there means it's not really a runner.

O'Brien: Has been mentioned as captain material before. As an ambassador would be excellent for attracting those not from the traditional rugby background. However looks like he won't be at Leinster next season also very injury prone.

If Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien do leave, I'd say there'll be a leadership group of Rob Kearney (head of IRUPA), Gordon D'arcy, Shane Jennings and Rhys Ruddock.

I see 17 Leinster representatives were named in Mike Ruddock's 28 man u20 6 Nations squad.

Yeah good for the province but some from other provinces can feel pretty hard done by.

Max Abbott (Cork Constitution FC - MUNSTER)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College RFC - LEINSTER)
Rory Burke (Cork Constitution FC - MUNSTER)
David Busby (QUB RFC - ULSTER)
Ross Byrne (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Adam Byrne (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Jack Cullen (Bruff RFC - MUNSTER)
William Dardis (UCD RFC- LEINSTER)
Shane Delahunt (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Peter Dooley (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Stephen Gardiner (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Dan Goggin (Young Munster RFC - MUNSTER)
Oisin Heffernan (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Cian Kelleher (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Dan Leavy (UCD RFC - LEINSTER) Capt.
Nick McCarthy (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Conor McKeon (Lansdowne FC - LEINSTER)
Rory Moloney (Buccaneers RFC - CONNACHT)
Ross Molony (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Sean O'Brien (Galwegians RFC - CONNACHT)
Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemians RFC - MUNSTER)
Gary Ringrose (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Peter Robb (Old Belvedere RFC - LEINSTER)
Frankie Taggart (Belfast Harlequins - ULSTER)
Peadar Timmins (UCD RFC - LEINSTER)
Jacob Walshe (Buccaneers RFC - CONNACHT)
Alex Wootton (Garryowen - MUNSTER)

Psychic Duck will also be pleased to know his favourite Irish "poach" Saba Meunargia didn't make the squad.

 

[munstermuffin]

D'Arcy and Jennings would play big roles, can't think of any captain material though. Kearney and Healy will probably have to take on a bigger role.

D'Arcy and Jennings really at last bit of careers I think (although I not a fan of back as captain) that Kearney seems like a natural captain and has the right attributes. But also think Ruddock or even Cronin could be in mix

 

[Groundhog]

7 Lansdowne Players. Ahhhhhh Jesus.

 

[poopiepeople]

D`Arcy has been a captain on several occasions before I believe...

 

[lynam1104]

Seanie is staying!!!!!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Seanie is staying!!!!!!!

I'd doubt anything decided as yesterday he said he wanted more time but I can see home staying too

 

[lynam1104]

IRFU tweeted it

 

[big ginger 8]

IRFU tweeted it

Finally some good news today. However I suppose that means Heaslip's going.

 

[lynam1104]

Finally some good news today. However I suppose that means Heaslip's going.

I've accepted that we'd get to keep one and I wanted that to be SOB so i'm pretty happy with that outcome + I'm liking the look of Jordi and now that he's getting some Hcup game time he can make a natural transition to first choice 8.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd doubt anything decided as yesterday he said he wanted more time but I can see home staying too

My bad just seen he's signed. Super for Leinster and Ireland

 

[munstermuffin]

Finally some good news today. However I suppose that means Heaslip's going.

If Heaslip goes can't argue he's at stage where it may be time to cash in. He's set up for after rugby with few business ventures and well he's won all he can here

 

[Amiga500]

Seanie is staying!!!!!!!

Sure I told yez that a few weeks ago.

His da was always gonna tell him "Seanie, there are heifers here calving all the time, no chance your fukking off to France...."

:lol:

 

[munstermuffin]

Sure I told yez that a few weeks ago.

His da was always gonna tell him "Seanie, there are heifers here calving all the time, no chance your fukking off to France...."

:lol:

The heifers ain't the problems it's the workload when all silage and hay has to be done in only week we get sun
And French could offer him all money but couldn't give him what he wanted - a decent ploughing championship.

 

[big ginger 8]

I'll just post this hear for the moment.

Leinster Rugby
15. Rob Kearney; 14. Dave Kearney, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 12. Gordon D'Arcy, 11. Luke Fitzgerald; 10. Jimmy Gopperth, 9. Eoin Reddan; 1. Cian Healy, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. Martin Moore, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Mike McCarthy, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Shane Jennings, 8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
16. Richardt Strauss, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Mike Ross, 19. Leo Cullen, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. Isaac Boss, 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Zane Kirchner


Ospreys
Ospreys
15. Sam Davies ; 14. Jeff Hassler, 13. Jonathan Spratt, 12. Ben John, 11. Aisea Natoga; 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb; 1. Ryan Bevington, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun-Wyn Jones (c), 5. Ian Evans, 6. Tyler Ardron, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Ryan Jones
16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Marc Thomas, 18. Dan Suter, 19. Lloyd Peers, 20. James King, 21. Morgan Allen, 22. Thomas Habberfield, 23. Matthew Morgan

Good to see some rotation...oh and Strauss is back!

That's a really strong bench. Hopefully the Ospreys won't be fully up for it and we can get as many tries as possible.

 

[lynam1104]

I really hope we can pull off the bonus point, but the O's are our bogey team at the RDS and thats not a push overpack. Great to see Strauss back was really worried he'd never play again when I initially heard he had a hear issue, timely return for two of our best front rowers. Also pretty much spot on the team that Snoop picked last sunday for tomorrow. I think we have em beat in terms of quality everywhere except the 2nd row and the front and backrows are quite close. Beat um up front and then we could score a heap of tries with that back line.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There's a good balance to that team. Up front there are 3 ball carriers in the form of Jamie Heaslip, Sean Cronin and Cian Healy. Shane Jennings and Mike McCarthy fill the annoying ******* quota. Moore, Toner and Ruddock are specialists at their jobs. The replacement front row can all come on after 60 minutes and make an impact. Jordi Murphy provides strong ball carrying off the bench too.

I get the feeling the coach learned a lesson from the Northampton double header and feels the need to freshen up the team. Let's hope it pay off.