The Leinster thread

[munstermuffin]

Reports say Leo favourite for job now that Gibbed has become the latest to withdraw. Rumours are Mick Dawson is the major issue

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Irish Times says Tony Brown, former All Black flyhalf and current Highlanders assistant coach, is the frontrunner for the head coaching job.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...leading-candidate-for-leinster-post-1.2239269

John Fogarty is likely to take over as scrum coach. I had an inkling that it might have gone to Mike Ross in a player-coach capacity. Ross turns 36 next season and with Marty Moore and Tadhg Furlong coming along nicely, next season may be his last as a player.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/leinster-appoint-kurt-mcquilkin-on-interim-basis-1.2240975

Five years after leaving his role as defense coach, Kurt McQuilkin returns for a two month stint in July and August in time for pre-season training. Under McQuilkin, Leinster boasted a brilliant defense. It'll be interesting to see how he can adapt to the game at this level five years on.

What it suggests is that Leinster either aren't close to finding a new head coach (or a new head coach has been found but isn't available yet) and Leo Cullen wanted some to add some depth to his lightweight coaching team early on.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I have no idea if there's any truth to this rumour but it's appeared on LF.com that Cathal Marsh is moving to Connacht. I think he's a terrific player who'll do well if given a chance. A move to Connacht would be great for his career because he's no getting past Jonny Sexton and Ian Madigan at Leinster any time soon. It's leave Leinster woefully short at 10 during the World Cup with only Ross Byrne, Steve Crosbie, Joey Carbery and Isa Nacewa as cover.

 

[big ginger 8]

I don't think he's a massive loss if he goes. He's simply never going to be big enough and his talent isn't near enough to make up for it. Byrne is our future 10 and we may as well be giving him time.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Byrne is our future 10 and we may as well be giving him time.

That's how I view things. Looking at the age profile of those in front of him, Jonny Sexton is 30 in a couple of weeks and Ian Madigan is 26. I suspect Ross Byrne will learn his trade for the B&I Cup team and in the Pro 12 for the next 3 years before being pushed forward as a viable 10 in the big games. If Cathal Marsh stays, it pushes out Byrne's apprenticeship even further.

 

[Groundhog]

Do you guys rate Byrne that highly to the extent he's guarenteed be the future? I'm sure you've seen a lot more of him than me, when I've seen him he's blown a bit hot and cold for the Under 20's, while still obviously talented.
Still, I think it's the best use of players if Marsh goes to Connacht. I really don't rate Connacht's 10's as anything more than Pro 12 players. If they want to be Champions Cup standard they need a serious operator.

 

[munstermuffin]

FWIW Mick D'Arcy signed for Munster on 3 month deal. Was superb in AIL. He is effectively replacing Luke O'Dea and well I think he wasn't offered any deal by ye guys.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Do you guys rate Byrne that highly to the extent he's guarenteed be the future? I'm sure you've seen a lot more of him than me, when I've seen him he's blown a bit hot and cold for the Under 20's, while still obviously talented.

He has all the tools required to make it but does need some polishing. Physically, he's similar in size to Jonny Sexton. He varies his passing, has an eye for a gap, has a long kicking game and is a good goalkicker. His decision making and accuracy of his tactical kicking need a bit of work but working with Sexton regularly will no doubt improve this. I think he has a big future if people are patient with him. Next season could be a steep learning curve for him should he see extended action in the Pro 12.

Still, I think it's the best use of players if Marsh goes to Connacht. I really don't rate Connacht's 10's as anything more than Pro 12 players. If they want to be Champions Cup standard they need a serious operator.

Yep, they definitely need help at 10. From an Ireland perspective, the more game time Marsh and Byrne get the better. I don't see any of Connacht's current 10s as being better than competent Pro 12 players.

 

[Peat]

I don't think he's a massive loss if he goes. He's simply never going to be big enough and his talent isn't near enough to make up for it. Byrne is our future 10 and we may as well be giving him time.

How big do you want your 10? Marsh is the same size as Jackson and twice as ginger, which has to count for something...

Still, I think it's the right call all round; Marsh needs game-time, Byrne gets more A time, Leinster potentially get to pick between the two in a few years and Connacht might get a good fly-half

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Tony Brown has turned down the Leinster head coaching job according to this link:
http://www.the42.ie/tony-brown-leinster-head-coach-highlanders-2174325-Jun2015/

 

[big ginger 8]

Kane Douglas is gone.

http://www.the42.ie/kane-douglas-leinster-release-2232004-Jul2015/

There's also some rumours of Te'o going back to league when his contract is up at the end of the season.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

According to the Sunday Times, Leo Cullen has been offered the head coaching job with a 2/3 year contract. It's awaiting ratification from David Nucifora.

On the face of it, it's an unremarkable appointment. Cullen's main strengths will be ensuring meritocratic selection rather than picking those he's friends with and improving the work ethic around the team after the drop in standards from Matt O'Connor's reign. He'd be wise to employ good technical coaches for both forwards and backs because I think those are areas where he lacks expertise/experience.

 

[Peat]

Is appointing a man who's been part of the team for the past X years genuinely the best way to ensure meritocratic selection?

One idly wonders whether the Irish provinces have a problem attracting coaching talent at the moment and if so, why.

 

[big ginger 8]

Is appointing a man who's been part of the team for the past X years genuinely the best way to ensure meritocratic selection?

One idly wonders whether the Irish provinces have a problem attracting coaching talent at the moment and if so, why.

I'd say we do, and the player management scheme and lack of spending power are probably the two biggest reasons.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think the main factor is Leinster couldn't attract a decent calibre top man so decided to build from within. Cullen may do well and seems to me to be like Foley in that he knows Leinster Rugby inside out and will use their strengths smartly. Hope Dempsey is moved up too.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why don't Leinster sign another former tigers backs coach in Burke.

 

[munstermuffin]

Why don't Leinster sign another former tigers backs coach in Burke.

Because they've a better 1 already within their ranks already.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Conrad Hoffmann, Sharks scrumhalf, is on his way to Leinster on a 3 month contract. I know nothing at all about him. Leinster could be short at that position during the World Cup with Eoin Reddan probably going, Isaac Boss a possibility and Nick McCarthy injured. Luke McGrath may have been the only pro scrum half remaining.

 

[big ginger 8]

[h=3]Leinster (v Edinburgh):[/h]15. Isa Nacewa
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Ben Te'o
12. Noel Reid
11. Darragh Fanning
10. Cathal Marsh
9. Luke McGrath
1. Michael Bent
2. Aaron Dundon
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Tom Denton
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Kevin McLaughlin (captain)
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne
17. Peter Dooley
18. Royce Burke-Flynn
19. Ross Molony
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ross Byrne
23. Garry Ringrose

Very exciting team. Also very strong considering we're missing 17 players to the World Cup.