The Leinster thread

[big ginger 8]

D'arcy will retire after the World Cup.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/13540.php#.VUNQjvlVikr

 

[lynam1104]

Absolute legend, such a servant to Leinster rugby. Also proved people wrong so many times coming back and perfuming after being written off by many (myself included). Hope he gets the send off he deserves in October.

 

[Feicarsinn]

17 years with the province and national side. An absolute trooper . Aside from a couple of seasons in the early to mid 00's he was probably never truly top class, but in terms of dedication and willingness to put his body on the line the man cannot be faulted. A true Leinster great, and a player I'll really miss.

How many left of the golden generation now? Just Strings and O'Connell? That's all the Leinster lads gone anyway, which is a big moment for a lot of us. That backline of Doc, Darce, Bod, Shaggy Hickey and Girve was immense.

-------------------------

Emotional stuff aside, I doubt he'll actually go to the world cup. Is he happy to hang around and play for Leinster during that period? If so, that's a class act.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Himself and BOD stopped the development of a generation of Irish centres from having the 12 and 13 jerseys to themselves. His ability to adjust his game throughout his career was the best I've ever seen and on the rare days where BOD wasn't on top form D'Arce always seemed to step it up a level.

His 2004 season was as good as any of BOD's apart from '09 and he'll go down as a legend in Irish rugby despite living in quite a large shadow. One of my favourite players though I was very critical of him circa 2011, he proved me wrong in the end.

 

[Peat]

His record speaks for itself; slightly sad day for rugby but, at the same time, nice to see him going on his terms, head held high with virtually every dream fulfilled.

 

[psychic duck]

Himself and BOD stopped the development of a generation of Irish centres from having the 12 and 13 jerseys to themselves. His ability to adjust his game throughout his career was the best I've ever seen and on the rare days where BOD wasn't on top form D'Arce always seemed to step it up a level.

His 2004 season was as good as any of BOD's apart from '09 and he'll go down as a legend in Irish rugby despite living in quite a large shadow. One of my favourite players though I was very critical of him circa 2011, he proved me wrong in the end.

If O'Driscoll hadn't been born then D'Arcy would have been an excellent 13, as it happened he was an average 12 enhanced by his outstanding centre partner.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If O'Driscoll hadn't been born then D'Arcy would have been an excellent 13, as it happened he was an average 12 enhanced by his outstanding centre partner.

Average at tier 1 international level I assume? I'd say he was better than most and probably would have fitted into every other tier 1 side bar NZ and SA at some point in his career, he did go through mediocre patches but that had a lot to do with Deccie.

 

[psychic duck]

Average at tier 1 international level I assume? I'd say he was better than most and probably would have fitted into every other tier 1 side bar NZ and SA at some point in his career, he did go through mediocre patches but that had a lot to do with Deccie.

All of the top 8 international sides have had better inside centres over the past decade or so. I maintain he wouldn't have played at 12 elsewhere as well, he was an excellent strike running 13 who played 12 because one of the greatest players of the era had that jersey and there weren't that many other non-Paddy Wallace alternatives after Maggs retired.

If he was Welsh for example there's little chance he would have ousted a fit Henson or Roberts, he would have however likely been a nice option at 13 to have fitted alongside and competed with Shanklin. Likewise if he was say Argentine, Contepomi was comfortably a better 12, but he would have been an excellent first choice 13 for them.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

All of the top 8 international sides have had better inside centres over the past decade or so. I maintain he wouldn't have played at 12 elsewhere as well, he was an excellent strike running 13 who played 12 because one of the greatest players of the era had that jersey and there weren't that many other non-Paddy Wallace alternatives after Maggs retired.

If he was Welsh for example there's little chance he would have ousted a fit Henson or Roberts, he would have however likely been a nice option at 13 to have fitted alongside and competed with Shanklin. Likewise if he was say Argentine, Contepomi was comfortably a better 12, but he would have been an excellent first choice 13 for them.

Meh, he probably would have been a 13 elsewhere but he was a world class 12 at times in his career but lacked consistency. He was a better 12 than Felipe too but Felipe was a best at 10. He wasn't a world beater apart from '04 and early '07 but he was international class throughout his career, definitely not average. I'd class him as similar to Stephen Jones, never the best in the world but consistently good at international level.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Three European Cup, four Celtic League/Pro 12 and two 6 Nations ***les is a hell of a haul for Gordon D'arcy. He'll be missed.

For my money his best season was 2003/04 after the disappointment of failing to make Ireland's World Cup squad. The much maligned Gary Ella gave him a chance to reinvent himself as a 13 in the absence of the injured Brian O'Driscoll. Eddie O'Sullivan deserves a lot of credit initially for playing him alongside O'Driscoll once he returned from injury. The left/right centre partnership rather than the more usual inside/outside partnership employed by European teams proved a stunning success with two rampaging gamebreakers tearing defenses to shreds. What might have been had he not morphed his body shape into that of a barrelling 12 with excellent leg drive who always got go forward ball. His defensive work was outstanding but he lost a bit of his edge in attack.

 

[Peat]

Interesting comments by Jennings referenced here - http://whiffofcordite.com/2015/05/12/the-state-of-denmark/ - anyone read the full interview/have any thoughts?

 

[lynam1104]

Not read the full thing, interesting but surprising though, theres clearly a lot wrong. Habits and the hard work are what the HEC and league winning sides were built on, so when things go awry those would be the fist most obvious in terms of problem. Also i'm pretty sure I read/heard either Shaggy/BOD making similar comments awhile ago.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Reading in between the lines one would have to assume that this lack of hard work, mentality or whatever you want to call it stems from the game plan. The game plan doesn't suit the players and they haven't bought into it which would result in Internationals not wanting to go from Schmidt's well oiled machine to O'Connor's kicking game executed on half backs that cannot kick. Same could be said on non-internationals not trusting the gameplan in international windows.

 

[Amiga500]

https://twitter.com/BrendanFanning/status/601296360202227712

Matt O'Connor parting company with Leinster. Players told first thing this morning. Leo Cullen likely to fill gap in short term

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

When did Christmas get moved to May???

On my phone and I can't link but Mr. O'Connor has left the building. To be sorely missed by a Munster fans everywhere O'Connor saw the development of Leinster from one of Europe's best to the Newport-Gwent Dragons whipping boys while simultaneously encouraging both his out-halves to be worse at their jobs. Goodbye Matt, you won't be missed by many.

Edit: Well there you go, thank you Amiga

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Saw the news happy for you.

He did the same thing for Leicester unfortunately Cockers wasn't particular experienced at the time for. DOR or backs coach.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What a time to be alive.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads just a word of caution. Leinster have a chance to fix it BUT Leo Cullen isn't the answer and shouldn't be left there short term. Girv Dempsey is in charge of emerging Ireland and knows Leinster academy guys which is vital. Surely he's a lot more experienced and better positioned especially with guys missing through RWC

 

[lynam1104]

I would rather Girv be given a chance than Cullen, got far more experience and time with the players he will have left during the WC.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Oh God,
At the fan's evening a couple of weeks ago Steve Diamond said they're looking for a new backs/attack coach but it's taking it's time,
He said this morning that they're closing in on one and it should be sorted by July