The Leinster thread

[munstermuffin]

Its even worse than it appears.

You are behind us, who have been various shades of *****e brown throughout the year and Munster, who are rudderless under Axle.

Ospreys are in a transition phase, but seemingly more consistent than Leinster and Glasgow, who deserve to be top of the league.


With the maturity of that Leinster squad, they should be 2nd given the state of the league. Not 10 pts behind 2nd.

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Are they?

You could say there is one player removed from the team who is being replaced with another that is absolutely new to the setup. Te'o in for BOD. Even then, many want Fitz in there for a run.

I'd disagree with that.

Munster, while yes are still developing gameplan, it's hard to say we are rudderless. Yes Foley struggled in Europe but look at our pool. We were in transition but are reaping some fruit as our guys are further down line now. Guys such as TOD, CJ Cronin and Archer to mention a few.
Ulster have had injury issues and again a tough pool in Europe but again are down the line with experience. And had a disruptive preseason but have a good academy.

Leinster's issue is they're in transition but trying to fit a gameplan not suited to players. And lack consistency. For all you say about Munster or Ulster they are very consistent. Maybe it's the effects of having so many on Irish squads that there has to be so many changes in personnel when there's camps etc.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

the most damning thing for O'Conner is that his somewhat successful yet limited gameplan from last year has regressed and from a coaching point of view that can't happen.

This.

Ireland also play limited rugby but they do it with pace, accuracy and seem to have a coherent game plan. It's not pretty to watch but you know what they're trying to achieve. I've no clue what Leinster are trying to achieve under the current regime.

 

[Amiga500]

Yes.
Transition means more than just swapping in and out a few players.

So what are they transitioning?

From a (successful) precise and incisive gameplan that required high levels of skill and application to....?

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Munster, while yes are still developing gameplan, it's hard to say we are rudderless.

Whats the gameplan?



Same question as I put to gN10 - what are Leinster "transitioning"? What is their gameplan? What players don't fit and why?
Or are you referring to the same sort of transition milk does when it goes sour? That's all I see Leinster doing right now... only a matter of time before the bluemould starts growing in OarDeeShh.


Munster and Ulster are consistently average. We might improve now we can field our strongest 15 for a few weeks - but take 1 or 2 out and both our team performance nose dives unacceptably.




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Connacht are by far the best coached province in Ireland right now.

With a squad plainly not at the depth of the other 3, with the players by and by large nowhere near the quality of the other 3, Connacht have a plan and are doing a reasonable job of executing it. A few lapses every game is costing them (which is linked to the quality of player they have) - but at least they are going out to win games, not contain teams and try to live off scraps.

Paddy Heaney in the Irish News last tuesday was commenting on the state of Antrim football and hurling, he went on to talk about a speech Kevin Heffernan gave at a dinner. Heffernan talked about a manager or coach needing to have a vision, and if they didn't have a vision, then there would be no direction and coherency to anything they were doing. Failure was sure to follow (and this lack of vision in the Antrim board being a reason for them lurching from disaster to embarrassment).

Right now, Pat Lam is the only head coach in an Irish province with a vision of what he wants and knows how to get there. The rest are groping in the dark for something, they don't know what, but they hope they'll recognise it when (and if) they see it and they seemingly have no idea in which direction to walk to get to it.

 

[Groundhog]

Yes.

Transition means more than just swapping in and out a few players.

The fact is that Leinster have the strongest clubs, the strongest schools, the strongest academy and the biggest contribution to a hugely successful international team of any province regardless of the loss of key men such as BO'D. Given two years at the helm, it's clear that whatever he was trying has not worked. Leinster appears healthy at grass roots, and it's clear their players are talented and capable at the highest international level so I see no transition here.
I hate to be overly critical of a coach but O'Connor is the wrong man for for this team. Fans demand that Leinster play in a certain creative and attack minded way which may seem like entitlement but to be fair it's what's always yielded results for them, and while I think it was ok to say that no matter how negative the gameplan, a win was a win, they're not winning anymore, certainly not domestically. They reached the semi-finals which may seem like a virtue, but after an ideal run thusfar, that game yesterday was absolutely there for the taking, absolutely. Some people might view it as a valiant effort, but it's a game a well managed side of that talent without question should have won with Toulon playing like they were.

 

[goodNumber10]

So what are they transitioning?

From a (successful) precise and incisive gameplan that required high levels of skill and application to....?

Well you're seeing much more passing from people like Heaslip and SOB etc.. and he's clearly trying to take them away from that play by play style that Schmidt favours to a game plane where individuals take responsibility for their on field actions and make decisions based on what's unfolding in front of them.

It's a less strike move based so obviously guys who have been drip fed 3-5 phase plays for the last three four years are going to take a while to transition to a system where the onus is on them to identify how they break down a defence in transition. And that takes a lot of time to bed down and to become natural, it's a serious shift in mentality and you can see the same players are comfortable again under Schmidt at international level with systems they have been familiar with for years.


As an aside, I find it interesting that when O'Connor won the league it was down to Schmidt, now they aren't top of the pile it's down to him?

 

[munstermuffin]

@AmIga.

Not sure if you watch much of Munster but it's very clear what we are trying to do. Reverting from Penneys wide game with forwards out with wingers to a more structure tight forward game with strike moves from wingers. If the question is what is Munster's gameplan. Basically we are trying to get more out of our set plays and have used our forwards as a core 8 a lot more especially with the use of the maul.
Regards transition. Matt O'Connor is trying to play a rugby league style with players that are more suited to trying to go around guys and in to gaps as opposed to bashing through. He has his pack playing more ball for example Heaslip has probably played more little slip passes this year than a lot of his career. I'm not saying MOC is right or anything but there is a transition in the players from mindset to playing styles which is clear to see. The question is will it get the best out of them? Maybe it won't but that's what transition is.

Regards Connacht.
You say they are the weakest squad yes but they shouldn't be excluded. They have great talent in guys like Aki, Henshaw and few more. Lam has had his issues too and while I agree he's probably the best coach the fact is Connacht have been dodgy too. And Lam's frustrations with Hodges are evidence of that. Also there is unrest in backroom staff up there so it's hard to say there is a clear vision.

Just because Schmidt's gameplan worked for Leinster it doesn't mean the next coach (MOC) would follow suit. He'd want to put his own stamp on things but also it all depends on a coaches vision and personality.
Factor in he inherited Gopperth off Schmidt who he may not have wanted and Kirchner (who's supposedly on resigned as there was no one decent at similar value). Like there's many factors why MOC may not be working out but to say Leinster aren't in transition is madness.
They've lost a worldclass 10 which is 1 factor.
The break up of argubally 1 of best centre partnerships of all time.
The blooding of new backrowers and injury to SOB etc.
Same with guys like Luke Fitz.

They're only minor factors. And again this isn't me sayin MOC isn't at fault or will work but there is a transition.

 

[Peat]

LOL! seriously? you sound like they are fighting off relegation.

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what's your point?

meh, fair enough i think you're being harsh for a team placed 5th in the league and just gone out of the Euro Cup at the semifinal stage. They are certainly in transition but hardly the whipping boys you lot are making out.

From Leinster's perspective, finishing 5th *is* being threatened with relegation.

You have to remember that like most leagues, the Pro 12 can be view as a series of mini-leagues - those fighting for top, those fighting for the last European place, those fighting to avoid bottom etc.etc. The mini-league for the top is Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Glasgow and Ospreys. Each and every one of those teams will be narked majorly if they finish outside of the play-offs as Leinster are now certain to.

I mean, I still think they're being a bit harsh. The building pillars of the Schmidtiverse have either gone or spent most of the season injured. Some key lieutenants are on the downwards slope. Sure, there's a lot of talent around the place, but to use the building analogy, they were the bricks - or in Leinster's case marble - the needed finishing touches but nothing without foundations and structure keeping it together. The absence of totem figures, leaders and generals such as BOD, Sexton, Nacewa... for Leinster to hate a truly successful period again, Leinster will need to find guys like that again.

However - he has been deathly dull while doing it and, crucially, his focus seems to extend only as far as the end of the season. And ultimately that's no good for the provinces. While I think a lot of Leinster fans are slightly in denial about the size of problem they have, I don't have an answer when they say "And so what is he doing about it?" because I can't see what he's doing about it either.

 

[Amiga500]

Well you're seeing much more passing from people like Heaslip and SOB etc..

I would strongly disagree that there is more passing and offloading now from the backrow than there was in seasons past. [I also wouldn't compare Schmidt's Leinster with Schmidt's Ireland - they are two completely different animals.]

and he's clearly trying to take them away from that play by play style that Schmidt favours to a game plane where individuals take responsibility for their on field actions and make decisions based on what's unfolding in front of them.

Which seems to mostly be kick it. Really high and really hard.

It's a less strike move based so obviously guys who have been drip fed 3-5 phase plays for the last three four years are going to take a while to transition to a system where the onus is on them to identify how they break down a defence in transition.

Which doesn't remove the core problem - once Leinster have the ball for more than 1 phase, they seemingly are unable to ask serious questions of the defence.

Defence organisation is such these days, that making it up on the hoof doesn't work when play is anything but its most broken.

As an aside, I find it interesting that when O'Connor won the league it was down to Schmidt, now they aren't top of the pile it's down to him?

The team have been on a continuing downward spiral for a couple of years. They won the league last year, yes. But more by stumbling over the line against a Glasgow side having to make 5 injury-enforced subs on the day.

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Not sure if you watch much of Munster but it's very clear what we are trying to do. Reverting from Penneys wide game with forwards out with wingers to a more structure tight forward game with strike moves from wingers. If the question is what is Munster's gameplan. Basically we are trying to get more out of our set plays and have used our forwards as a core 8 a lot more especially with the use of the maul.

So Axle is taking them back what they've been doing for the last 15+ years of their lives (except the last 2 under Rob Penny). Shouldn't be too hard to coach then...

Regards transition. Matt O'Connor is trying to play a rugby league style with players that are more suited to trying to go around guys and in to gaps as opposed to bashing through.

Does the rugby league 10 or 12 frequently batter the ball 40 yards every other play?

He has his pack playing more ball for example Heaslip has probably played more little slip passes this year than a lot of his career.

Heaslip's game has changed markedly over the years, from being a wide midfield runner in the early days to a groundhogging 8 to let SOB do his thing from "7" to a hybrid of the 2 with Murphy at 7 and SOB at 6.

Regards Connacht.
You say they are the weakest squad yes but they shouldn't be excluded. They have great talent in guys like Aki, Henshaw and few more. Lam has had his issues too and while I agree he's probably the best coach the fact is Connacht have been dodgy too. And Lam's frustrations with Hodges are evidence of that. Also there is unrest in backroom staff up there so it's hard to say there is a clear vision.

There is a clear vision. Its fairly blindingly obvious. Compensate for lack of absolute ball carrying beef in the backrow with movement through the backs and backrow. Move the point of ruck as far and wide as possible unless the pick and go is working.

but to say Leinster aren't in transition is madness.
They've lost a worldclass 10 which is 1 factor.
The break up of argubally 1 of best centre partnerships of all time.
The blooding of new backrowers and injury to SOB etc.
Same with guys like Luke Fitz.

- Madigan has played 125 times for Leinster. He's not a man in need of "blooding".
- Gopperth is an experienced pro, if he is playing him at 10 instead of Madigan, then that experience moves from 10 to 12. They've McFadden there as well who was always a 12 by nature.
- He has Fitz there, but declines to play him at 13. His decision.
- Injury is not transition. Otherwise every team would be in transition for eternity!

 

[goodNumber10]

I would strongly disagree that there is more passing and offloading now from the backrow than there was in seasons past. [I also wouldn't compare Schmidt's Leinster with Schmidt's Ireland - they are two completely different animals.]

I didn't compare them, but it's clear that in two season Schmidt is only now starting to implement the multiphase strike moves with Ireland that he used with Leinster - it takes time to bed in new systems.

And I'm sure the move away from the schmidt multiphase planned attacks was player driven, I seem to recall either rugby World or Murray Kinsella talking about it.

Which seems to mostly be kick it. Really high and really hard.

Well as i said your 9/10/12 are clearly an issue and not up the task, but sexton is back next seaosn, hopefully Reddan will hit some form and you can shed Boss.

A question no one seems to be asking is where was Schmidts succession planning? Who bought Gopperth, not MOC afaiaw. A lot of the issues in lack of playing personnel/succession planning can be placed at Schmidts feet as much as MOC's.

Which doesn't remove the core problem - once Leinster have the ball for more than 1 phase, they seemingly are unable to ask serious questions of the defence.

No, but it does flag up a progress path they are aiming for...

Defence organisation is such these days, that making it up on the hoof doesn't work when play is anything but its most broken.

Simply not true.

New Zealand do it, the Chiefs and hurricanes play that style and a bunch of French teams do it, it works very well at the high end when there is genuine buy in from the players - but it doesn't happen overnight.

The team have been on a continuing downward spiral for a couple of years. They won the league last year, yes. But more by stumbling over the line against a Glasgow side having to make 5 injury-enforced subs on the day.

ok.

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@AmIga.

Not sure if you watch much of Munster but it's very clear what we are trying to do. Reverting from Penneys wide game with forwards out with wingers to a more structure tight forward game with strike moves from wingers. If the question is what is Munster's gameplan. Basically we are trying to get more out of our set plays and have used our forwards as a core 8 a lot more especially with the use of the maul.
Regards transition. Matt O'Connor is trying to play a rugby league style with players that are more suited to trying to go around guys and in to gaps as opposed to bashing through. He has his pack playing more ball for example Heaslip has probably played more little slip passes this year than a lot of his career. I'm not saying MOC is right or anything but there is a transition in the players from mindset to playing styles which is clear to see. The question is will it get the best out of them? Maybe it won't but that's what transition is.

Regards Connacht.
You say they are the weakest squad yes but they shouldn't be excluded. They have great talent in guys like Aki, Henshaw and few more. Lam has had his issues too and while I agree he's probably the best coach the fact is Connacht have been dodgy too. And Lam's frustrations with Hodges are evidence of that. Also there is unrest in backroom staff up there so it's hard to say there is a clear vision.

Just because Schmidt's gameplan worked for Leinster it doesn't mean the next coach (MOC) would follow suit. He'd want to put his own stamp on things but also it all depends on a coaches vision and personality.
Factor in he inherited Gopperth off Schmidt who he may not have wanted and Kirchner (who's supposedly on resigned as there was no one decent at similar value). Like there's many factors why MOC may not be working out but to say Leinster aren't in transition is madness.
They've lost a worldclass 10 which is 1 factor.
The break up of argubally 1 of best centre partnerships of all time.
The blooding of new backrowers and injury to SOB etc.
Same with guys like Luke Fitz.

They're only minor factors. And again this isn't me sayin MOC isn't at fault or will work but there is a transition.

^this.

 

[munstermuffin]

I would strongly disagree that there is more passing and offloading now from the backrow than there was in seasons past. [I also wouldn't compare Schmidt's Leinster with Schmidt's Ireland - they are two completely different animals.]



Which seems to mostly be kick it. Really high and really hard.




Which doesn't remove the core problem - once Leinster have the ball for more than 1 phase, they seemingly are unable to ask serious questions of the defence.

Defence organisation is such these days, that making it up on the hoof doesn't work when play is anything but its most broken.



The team have been on a continuing downward spiral for a couple of years. They won the league last year, yes. But more by stumbling over the line against a Glasgow side having to make 5 injury-enforced subs on the day.

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So Axle is taking them back what they've been doing for the last 15+ years of their lives (except the last 2 under Rob Penny). Shouldn't be too hard to coach then...



Does the rugby league 10 or 12 frequently batter the ball 40 yards every other play?



Heaslip's game has changed markedly over the years, from being a wide midfield runner in the early days to a groundhogging 8 to let SOB do his thing from "7" to a hybrid of the 2 with Murphy at 7 and SOB at 6.



There is a clear vision. Its fairly blindingly obvious. Compensate for lack of absolute ball carrying beef in the backrow with movement through the backs and backrow. Move the point of ruck as far and wide as possible unless the pick and go is working.



- Madigan has played 125 times for Leinster. He's not a man in need of "blooding".
- Gopperth is an experienced pro, if he is playing him at 10 instead of Madigan, then that experience moves from 10 to 12. They've McFadden there as well who was always a 12 by nature.
- He has Fitz there, but declines to play him at 13. His decision.
- Injury is not transition. Otherwise every team would be in transition for eternity!

Well I'll start with Heaslip. I think in last 18 months is really when he's improved to be a smarter 8. Not necessarily better but smarter. SOB hasn't been around much. Only played his 3rd Leinster game yesterday for season.

Yes Foley is bringing us back to a more tightened game but not the extent of before. But it works for us and well you can say it's not too hard to coach but he's grinding out the results and will build from foundations. Will it be a success or is it right I don't know but it's a transition of game plans and McGahan was trying similar stuff to Penney so not exactly a style planted in guys like TOD or POM.

Regards rugby league question both Madigan and Gopperth mixed it up yesterday but over season yes they're kicking needlessly.

In back row I think there has been more link play in last 2 years as it's more allowed but not exactly beneficial. Similar to POC out on wings Munster etc.

Leinster were always going down after Schmidt as the cycle of guys meant that and loss of Schmidt and Gibbs enhanced it.

On Connacht Lam will be tested as he's had 3 times the funding of rest of us but that will be cut now a bit and his coaching and vision will be tested.

Never said Madigan needed blooding don't know where/why you assumed that.
McFadden hasn't the hands or skill for 12.
Fitz was encouraged to play on wing by irish management in same way Earls was so MOC stuck with him there and let Teo continue. Again can't see your point.
Never said injury was transition but you need guys on field to learn new regime. They've had to blood in new faces and allow them learn the ropes. Guys like Conan, Furlong and Marshall. Others like Ruddock Murphy and even Moore and McGrath had to adapt to being more senior guys playing more minutes.
@Peat your right it is like a mini league. Leinster finishing 5th is awful as you loose out on prize money and TV money from playoffs. Get harder pool in Europe as seeding is based on previous season now and that in turn puts more pressure overall on getting results on both fronts

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Well as i said your 9/10/12 are clearly an issue and not up the task, but sexton is back next seaosn, hopefully Reddan will hit some form and you can shed Boss.

An excuse O'Conner doesn't deserve, persisting with the ever mediocre Gopperth for two years rather than allowing Madigan take the reigns and grow into the role was awful foresight. I'm certain the league would have been won last year and the team in a better place this year. D'Arcy was on serious form last year and Noel Reid is also a more than adequate 12.

A question no one seems to be asking is where was Schmidts succession planning? Who bought Gopperth, not MOC afaiaw. A lot of the issues in lack of playing personnel/succession planning can be placed at Schmidts feet as much as MOC's.

I imagine Gopperth was brought in as nothing more than a bit part player, a role he could have performed and been remembered fondly for in South Dublin. MO'C wants him to win big games, he did it once against Castres, Madigan has done it a few more times.

No, but it does flag up a progress path they are aiming for...



Simply not true.

New Zealand do it, the Chiefs and hurricanes play that style and a bunch of French teams do it, it works very well at the high end when there is genuine buy in from the players - but it doesn't happen overnight.

True, in two years though? There should be evidence of a game plan other than playing to the sides weaknesses. What would your opinion of a Wasps coach taking the reigns and telling Joe Simpson to play a kicking game while Andy Goode (I know he's leaving..) to run at every opportunity when he is in a process of changing the game plan? A process which there is no evidence of as well..

 

[munstermuffin]

An excuse O'Conner doesn't deserve, persisting with the ever mediocre Gopperth for two years rather than allowing Madigan take the reigns and grow into the role was awful foresight. I'm certain the league would have been won last year and the team in a better place this year. D'Arcy was on serious form last year and Noel Reid is also a more than adequate 12.

I imagine Gopperth was brought in as nothing more than a bit part player, a role he could have performed and been remembered fondly for in South Dublin. MO'C wants him to win big games, he did it once against Castres, Madigan has done it a few more times.





True, in two years though? There should be evidence of a game plan other than playing to the sides weaknesses. What would your opinion of a Wasps coach taking the reigns and telling Joe Simpson to play a kicking game while Andy Goode (I know he's leaving..) to run at every opportunity when he is in a process of changing the game plan? A process which there is no evidence of as well..

Not defending MOC. But Madigan hasn't been flying it at 10 in fairness. I'm not saying either is better or whatever but simply a coach can't be slated for backing 1 over the other when it's not clear cut. Yes he may have put Madigan there and let him grow but what is evident with the resigning of Sexton is that Madigan isn't viewed as a starting 10 in Leinster. And word is Gopperth was signed as a starter by Schmidt so he mustn't of been fully convinced either which could have been used again when Keatley was picked vs Italy.
The game plan is an issue yes.

 

[Amiga500]

http://www.the42.ie/joe-schmidt-david-nucifora-player-management-irfu-2065855-Apr2015/

Hopefully this will mean the IRFU tell MOC to slink his hook.


When the two men of most influence above you in the IRFU hierarchy have to come out and say things like:

The Leinster coach has also claimed that he has had access to his best players for only 30 per cent of the season, something which Nucifora underlined as not being wholly attributable to the player management system.

"There's been this magical 30 per cent number tossed around out there and I can tell you it is grossly inaccurate," said Nucifora at a media briefing called to specifically address criticisms of the IRFU's player management system.

"That 30 per cent number takes into account player injuries, non-selection, as well as the games affected by the player management system."

It is also understood that Leinster were pushed into deciding to use their front-liners either against the Dragons two weekends ago [a 25-22 defeat] or versus Ulster this evening, with the latter option taken.

However, Schmidt bluntly denied that there was any truth in that suggestion.
"That's not accurate," said Schmidt. It's unequivocally not accurate… They were not told anything."

Schmidt said he doesn't know why Leinster boss O'Connor has felt the need to break ranks over the issue of the player management system this season, merely saying: "I guess you could ask the same question of Axel Foley, Neil Doak, or Pat Lam."

Schmidt admitted that O'Connor has been the most "disadvantaged" of the four due to having such a high volume of his squad involved with Ireland and also hinted that other provincial coaches have been easier to negotiate with.

It can't be good for your long term employment prospects, especially when general perception is that you are under performing and not building for the future.

 

[Groundhog]

Foot, meet mouth.

 

[big ginger 8]

Guy Easterby called the original press confrence on the topic. It's natural enough that coaches want there best players available but probably not helped by the fact that we're greatly affected by it more than any other province but the Leinster management does seem to love using the media to negotiate. It's interesting to note that the coach who publicly at least has the biggest problem with the player welfare system comes from a coaching culture where the clubs are separate from the international side of things.

 

[Amiga500]

It's interesting to note that the coach who publicly at least has the biggest problem with the player welfare system comes from a coaching culture where the clubs are separate from the international side of hings.

That thought hadn't escaped me.

Your not in Leicester now O'Connor.

 

[Peat]

Well, this is interesting.

As noted by BG8, all the recent comments were made by Guy Easterby, not Matt O'Connor - http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...-review-player-management-rules-31146857.html - so why are people saying its MOC?

O'Connor has spoken out a little in the past - http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...-absence-of-leading-leinster-lights-1.2154804 - but this 30pc of the season quote? I can't see it in either article. Saying they were told not to play people against the Dragons? Well, yeah, that wasn't said either. It was noted that the player management scheme meant they couldn't do both, not that they'd been told what to do there. There is a difference there.

To be honest, it feels an awful lot like Nucifora and Schmidt are addressing points that Easterby and MOC never made, and haven't answered the main points of what he did say, and I'm wondering why this is. Doesn't bode well for MOC either way mind.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

O'Connor knew exactly what he was getting into, he knew of the player welfare system and has complained about it non stop since arriving. If he thinks not up to the task under current conditions he should leave, simple as.

 

[big ginger 8]

Well, this is interesting.

As noted by BG8, all the recent comments were made by Guy Easterby, not Matt O'Connor - http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...-review-player-management-rules-31146857.html - so why are people saying its MOC?

O'Connor has spoken out a little in the past - http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...-absence-of-leading-leinster-lights-1.2154804 - but this 30pc of the season quote? I can't see it in either article. Saying they were told not to play people against the Dragons? Well, yeah, that wasn't said either. It was noted that the player management scheme meant they couldn't do both, not that they'd been told what to do there. There is a difference there.

To be honest, it feels an awful lot like Nucifora and Schmidt are addressing points that Easterby and MOC never made, and haven't answered the main points of what he did say, and I'm wondering why this is. Doesn't bode well for MOC either way mind.

I think the original 30% comments were used a few weeks back but it was more talking about injuries on top of the player welfare scheme. From what I've seen the main point the Easterby and MO'C have is that the scheme needs to be re-examined given the new qualification process which really is fair enough. People need to read the quotes rather than just the slant the Indo or whoever is putting on it.

Also people complaining about MO'C (and just MO'C as you noted despite it mainly being Easterby) giving out need to realise that every single coach of the provinces has made comments that could be taken is them giving out about it. In fact when he was Leinster coach Schmidt regularly did so.

 

[Peat]

Well, I didn't search extensively through the google news feed for "Matt O'Connor Leinster" because I don't care that much and may be wrong, but that was about the only player management story I could see referencing actual quotes for him in the last couple of months...

Realistically the IRFU will probably change the rules there when they stop getting 2 play-off places guaranteed and not before. It would be wiser to do it before that point, but wisdom is in short supply in this world. Personally I suspect the answer lies in better NIQ use for patching these gaps as much as changing player management itself.