The Leinster thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

@Snoop really think Furlong could overtake Moore as he just seems to have that little bit extra. But regardless those 2 Archer ( who has improved) and Fitzpatrick and well it not bad considering where Irish rugby was before this fixture 2 years ago.

Again, I don't disagree with any of this. Furlong and Moore aren't identical players by any means. Each seem proficient in the scrum and strong defensively. Furlong may be a little more mobile, better on the ball and show leadership qualities while Moore may be a better rucker. Moore's cleanouts have impressed me this season. Jumping on the bandwagon, each of them could win 50 or more caps. Archer has been better this season and could become a decent player given his rate of progression over the last season. Fitzpatrick may not win many more (if any more) caps due to his injury history and better options coming up behind him. He won't let anyone down scrummaging though.

I saw a good point on another forum. This season we've seen Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Dave Kearney and (come Saturday) Jordi Murphy become full internationals. Devin Toner and Rhys Ruddock have delivered upon their potential. Tadhg Furlong and Jack Conan look to have the ability to achieve higher honours too. John Cooney, Brendan Macken, Noel Reid and Jack O'Connell appear to be developing into good Pro 12 options. From a player development standpoint, Matt O'Connor''s first season has been very successful. I think Leinster are a 13 and a second row partner for Devin Toner away from successfully overcoming their transition period and challenging at the very top again. The depth of young talent is certainly there and they're delivering in spades.

 

[big ginger 8]

Mike McCarthy's a pretty good partner for Toner, he was one of our best players before getting stamped on.

Have to say fair play to him Tom Denton has stepped up this year. Still not exactly a H Cup player but a good Rabo one who'll do a job.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

McCarthy's not a bad player at all. I certainly have no problem with him starting but the drop down to the third choice second row is quite large at this stage. Three interchangeable second rows would be ideal from a rotational standpoint.

Denton has been solid after struggling last year. As you say, he's a good option in the Pro 12. He's looked a lot better than Quinn Roux in my opinion. Denton stands a decent chance at being named in the matchday 23 against Toulon instead of Leo Cullen in my view.

 

[jhann]

What is the secret to Leinsters great defence?

 

[MunsterMan]

Ok Leinster Fans, with Fitzgerald finally back and playing well, what are the chances that Dave Kearney, after a decent Six Nations, won't make the Heineken Cup 23? Can easily see Luke and Ferg on the wings with Zane on the bench. Amazing depth Leinster have!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I suspect it'll be Fergus McFadden who misses out on a starting spot but his versatility will get him a spot on the bench. Zane Kirchner could miss out on the 23.

 

[big ginger 8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ross_(rugby_union)

[h=2]Overall summary[edit][/h]Michael Robert Ross Born on 21st September 1974 6ft 2 127kg (beast) Played club rugby for Fermoy (excellently) before going to UCC and then playing for Cork Con. Played with Cork Con (with whom he won Irish Cup 2006 and was clearly the best player) .At this time he was also in the Munster academy where he received 1 cap. Munster bottled it with him. At the age of 27 he moved to Harlequins to play top level rugby (like Munster should have given him) in England ,a total of 84 times scoring no tries but being the catalyst for many. In 2009 he made the big move to Leinster, he has over 100 apperances. His first try came on the 5th of April 2013 in Adams Park against London Wasps. His unbelievable try came on 45th minute where Ica Nacewa made a break getting caught just short of the line and who was in support, big MIKE ROSS to drive over the line. This try should have been voted try of the season but some fancy back got it. In 2009 he was also picked for the Ireland squad to go on tour to America/Canada . He got his first cap against Canada. From then he has received 38 international caps becoming Ireland's strongest scrummager and definetely the best in the world. Backs (like Drico and Kearney) and fancy forwards ( like Cian Healy and Heaslip) get all the credit but at the end of the day, most of Leinster's wins come down to the brick that is Mike Ross.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Peter O'Reilly in the Sunday Times is reporting Kane Douglas to Leinster on a 2 year contract as a done deal. He'll replace Leo Cullen and while lacking his leadership qualities, his performances on the field should be a lot better. Douglas, Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy is a strong rotation of front line second rows.

From the Leinster awards last night, it was annouced that Leo Auva'a and Andrew Goodman will depart at the end of the season. Peter O'Reilly has speculated that Quinn Roux will be released too.

 

[lynam1104]

Peter O'Reilly in the Sunday Times is reporting Kane Douglas to Leinster on a 2 year contract as a done deal. He'll replace Leo Cullen and while lacking his leadership qualities, his performances on the field should be a lot better. Douglas, Devin Toner and Mike McCarthy is a strong rotation of front line second rows.

From the Leinster awards last night, it was annouced that Leo Auva'a and Andrew Goodman will depart at the end of the season. Peter O'Reilly has speculated that Quinn Roux will be released too.

I'd be happy with all of that business, Douglas is a good club player and would complement Toner well. Roux failed to make any impact so if hes let go it would be understandble, the fact that he's quite short hasn't helped him. Auva'a was a one season wonder and Goodman was always a stop gap.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Okay, so foreigners on the books next season will be Douglas, Kirchner and Gopperth. Not stellar by any means, but a decent base to build on. Leaves us with an NIQ spot and a project player spot unless I'm mistaken.

I'd like to see us go after a centre, late in the day as it is. we're very bare there, as evidenced by the amount of game time Noel Reid has gotten this season. In terms or Irish talent out there there isn't much going on outside the provinces. Eamonn Sheridan seems to be doing okay at London Irish, while the man outside him Fergus Mulchrone would be IQ through lineage. Perhaps they could be coaxed to part with one of them what with Eoin Griffin heading over? Ian Whitten is still knocking about at Exeter, but certainly isn't good enough for Leinster.

I really feel we missed a trick by not going after Bundee Aki. Given how scarce good outside centres are at the moment (look at the journeyman Munster just signed) to let a good, uncapped guy go out west under our noses in a position we're weak in is very poor. Leinster's transfer record hasn't been great from some time now though.

 

[Peat]

One of the Planet Rugby posters reckons that Leinster players believe they'll be getting Henshaw sooner rather than later. A salty enough rumour, but I don't think it'd surprise anyone.

Tbh, I think its borderline retarded that Irish rugby has let Eoin Griffin slip through the collective fingers but I suppose from his point of view there wasn't too much sense in staying.

Common English poster consensus at the moment is that Sheridan's big and not a lot else and that Mulchrone's the better bet.

You can try asking Michael Allen I guess... wait no, got a nasty feeling we might end up needing him. Maybe you could convert Mike McComish into a centre?

 

[Feicarsinn]

One of the Planet Rugby posters reckons that Leinster players believe they'll be getting Henshaw sooner rather than later. A salty enough rumour, but I don't think it'd surprise anyone.

Tbh, I think its borderline retarded that Irish rugby has let Eoin Griffin slip through the collective fingers but I suppose from his point of view there wasn't too much sense in staying.

Common English poster consensus at the moment is that Sheridan's big and not a lot else and that Mulchrone's the better bet.

You can try asking Michael Allen I guess... wait no, got a nasty feeling we might end up needing him. Maybe you could convert Mike McComish into a centre?

We don't need another centre to make up the numbers, but rather one who has real front line quality. I don't see Allen and McComish being better than what we have at present, so I'm not sure there'd be much point going for them.

At the moment we have D'arcy, McFadden, Macken and Reid in the centres. Luke Fitzgerald wants to play there but never seems to be fit and I believe Zane Kirchner can do a job if required at 13. In the academy we have Jordan Coughlan and Collie O'Shea, however they're both around 21/22 and haven't shown enough to be considered real options imo. Maybe we'll see some of Thomas Farrell at 13 next year.

I agree, letting Griffin go was very silly. Leinster or Munster could have done with him.

 

[Peat]

Rumour of Griffin to Munster went on for ages and ages right up until he suddenly went to LI, which was a mild surprise induced by mo' money (I think). Would have been a really obvious fit there.

Would seem to me that McFadden back to 13 would make a certain amount of sense.

p.s. Anytime I am suggesting McComish on a rugby pitch I am either joking or trolling.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Rumour of Griffin to Munster went on for ages and ages right up until he suddenly went to LI, which was a mild surprise induced by mo' money (I think). Would have been a really obvious fit there.

Would seem to me that McFadden back to 13 would make a certain amount of sense.

p.s. Anytime I am suggesting McComish on a rugby pitch I am either joking or trolling.

Yeah, McFadden at 13 is most probable. We have some pretty decent options on the wing, and a few guys in the academy in the back three that I'm very confident will make the step up.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

One of the Planet Rugby posters reckons that Leinster players believe they'll be getting Henshaw sooner rather than later. A salty enough rumour, but I don't think it'd surprise anyone.

If this were true, Connacht should seek a lot in return. Ian Madigan, Jack Conan and Brendan Macken for starters.

We'll find out who Leinster have signed/re-signed for next season on Tuesday apparently (per The Score).

 

[big ginger 8]

The current rumoured Australian lock to Leinster is Kane Douglas.

Mmm hmmm.

If Roux goes it is a real pity. He's still really young for a lock and powerful for one of that age. He could never really get a good run going.

Will obviously be lacking at centre next year and clearly no ideal option. I don't know if Aki (who is primarily more a 12 from what I've seen) and Griffin would definitely have been good options but they're not exactly top class either, at least not yet anyway. Going through our centres for next year their definitely is a lot of uncertainty.

D'arcy: nailed on starter but at an age where a sudden slump can happen, hopefully not as we really need him. Wouldn't be overly surprised to see him play 13 in at least a few games next season.

Reid: Has really come on this year. Loads of pace, very powerful for his size and has a good playmaking skillset. Still has the odd lose the head moment but has cut down massively and I'd still worry a bit about his defense. Good nose for the line.

Fitzgerald: Our best winger but could suit the teams more to have him at centre where he has shown some talent but isn't perfect by any means. Needs to get on the pitch first.

Kirchener: Has limited experience at 13 but is big enough has some pace and can tackle. Might be a decent option.

Macken: Still young but hasn't delivered on his promise. Seems to be in the middle of a conversion to wing where his skillset could be better utilised.

McFadden: Pretty good at 12, decent at 13. Doesn't seem to have the spatial awareness for a really good 13 but would be a solid option.

Byrne: Has played some rugby at 13 for u2's most likely to stay at wing for senior level.

Coghlan: Former backrow who hasn't really seemed to make the transition. Coming to the end of his contract but may be given an extra year in the academy due to his positional switch. The current rumour is he's going back to cricket. Go figure.

Crosbie: Seems to be playing at 10 primarily in the AIL despite Shaun Berne also being in the backline. Could offer a decent playmaking option at 12.

Daly: Big lump with some skill who can also placekick. Plays best at 12 imo. Will probably play most A level next year.

Farrell: Probably the other half of the A partnershio with Daly. Decent prospect and may get some senior gametime next year but I wouldn't hold my breath.

O'Shea: Had some serious injury problems so he may get another year in the academy. Could be a solid Rabo player next year.

Cronin: Serious wheels and carrying ability, slightly dodgy passing. Make it happen MO'C!

I'd say MO'C's preferred partnership will be D'arcy/McFadden but I wouldn't be incredibly surprised to see Reid/D'arcy.

 

[Peat]

Would you rather have those three or Henshaw?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Depends on whether Sexton comes back in a year. If he does then we could do without Madigan, particularly under O'Connor as the two just don't seem to work well together. Jack Conan looks a great talent, but we have an awful lot going on in the back row, even with Jennings nearing the end of his playing days. Heaslip and Jennings are our only two guys over 30, O'Brien and McLaughlin still have plenty of top class rugby left in them, and Ruddock, Murphy, etc. will all be wanting game time.

I like Macken, but he'll never be the player Leinster need at 13.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Would you rather have those three or Henshaw?

Tough one. Looking at it from a Connacht perspective, they'd be losing their best prospect so they'd have to get a replacement (Macken) and improve in other positions too. Conan and Madigan would shore up the 8 and 10 positions.

From a Leinster point of view, I probably wouldn't do it. Henshaw is talented no doubt but is very raw. It could be a couple of years before he blossoms into a top class 13 and by that stage, he could command a big wage away from Leinster.

 

[Peat]

Problem is, if you're Connacht, what guarantee do you have any of them are going to stay? I think Conan could have a very good career, I'd rather keep him if I were a Leinster fan although I wouldn't be too bothered if he left for reasons described - but if he started fulfilling his promise at Connacht, how long before someone steps in? I don't think Connacht could keep Madigan that long either. And maybe they won't keep Henshaw that long either, but he's a better bet to stay than the others, at least without IRFU intervention he isn't...

Its very possible imo that its a bargain that could end up lose-lose in a few years. If Henshaw was the complete article I'd do it as Leinster, and if I thought the players coming in were coming for 4-5 years/wanted to be there I'd do it if I was Connacht, but neither seems true.

Anyway.

In other more interesting news - Dave Kearney exposed as a pervert

Retweeted by Dave Kearney
andrew trimble ‏@andrew_trimble 3h
@kearney_dave get your hand out of my bum Davey you rascal!