The Leinster thread

[Leinster Fan]

Will Sexton 1 year deal hurt the 2 lads development at 10? Or do we reckon maybe Harry will be starting next year with Sexton at 22 in big games

Frawley is arguably the first backup to Henshaw/Ringrose in the centre at the moment so he's alright. His biggest issue right now is keeping fit. Impressive whenever he gets a run of games but again we saw at the weekend getting hurt before the game and missed the week earlier.

Harry is clearly rated by Leinster, he's gotten as much time at 10 as possible this season and was named to start a European Cup game (even if he did get injured). What happens at 10 next season is probably up in the air. You'd have to expect there'll be an attempt to pass torch on but Sexton isn't going to let the jersey go without a fight and it's hard to drop a guy who's won you 4 European Cups. I do think he could he a great 22 though and it's a definite possibility.

Huge game this weekend, having Ross back is huge especially if Harry is out. If Harry is fit Ross could end up starting in the centre again. If both Harry and Frawley are out we're short a centre.

Team will probably be something like : Dooley, Cronin, Bent, Toner, Fardy, Murphy, Van der Flier, Ruddock, McGrath, Ross/Harry, Frawley/Ross/????, O'Loughlin, Kelleher, O'Brien.

Would want Penny in there especially after a great game last week but that backrow seems the most balanced option available.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Friday's Guinness PRO14 game against Zebre in the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (KO: 5.45pm – live on eir Sport).

There is a positive update on Harry Byrne who has progressed through the Graduated Return to Play Protocols and is expected to be available for selection.

In further positive news, Vakh Abdaladze took a limited part in team training last week as he continues to recover from a back injury and will again increase his involvement this week. He remains unavailable for Cullen but is building his involvement week on week.

A number of players require further assessment before a final decision will be made on their availability.

Ciarán Frawley injured his shoulder in the warm up against Glasgow Warriors and will have further assessment this week as will Josh van der Flier who was removed for a Head Injury Assessment against Ulster Rugby and will now follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols in Ireland camp.

Finally, Seán Cronin picked up a back injury and was removed from the match day squad to face Ulster Rugby as a result and he will be further assessed this week.

No New Injury Update – Unavailable for Selection:

Tommy O'Brien (ankle), Adam Byrne (quad), Caelan Doris (concussive symptoms), Dan Leavy (knee), Conor O'Brien (knee) and Max Deegan (knee)

 

[big ginger 8]

Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of the Guinness PRO14 game against Ospreys in the RDS Arena this Friday (kick-off: 8.15pm – live on Eir Sport).

There is positive news on Ciarán Frawley who is due to train this week after recovering from a shoulder injury.

A number of other players though require further assessment this week before a final call will be made on their involvement in the game on Friday.

Seán Cronin picked up a back injury and was removed from the matchday squad to face Ulster Rugby a few weeks ago but he took a limited part in training last week and will again look to increase his involvement this week.

Vakh Abdaladze will also again look to increase his involvement in team training this week as he continues to recover from a long-standing back injury.

From the game at the weekend against Zebre, Luke McGrath was withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment and will follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols as a result.

Unfortunately, both Cian Kelleher and Jimmy O'Brien will definitely be unavailable this week as both picked up minor hamstring injuries on Friday evening.

Cullen also confirmed that David Hawkshaw picked up an ankle injury in the win against Glasgow Warriors and had a procedure last week. He will be unavailable for a number of weeks as a result.

No New Injury Update – Unavailable for Selection:

Tommy O'Brien (ankle), Adam Byrne (quad), Caelan Doris (concussive symptoms), Dan Leavy (knee), Conor O'Brien (knee) and Max Deegan (knee)


I feel like I have a chance of lining up as an outside back this week.

 

[big ginger 8]

Leo has signed a one year extension.

Lancaster, McBryde and Contepomi have signed two year extensions

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Leo has signed a one year extension.

Lancaster, McBryde and Contepomi have signed two year extensions

Leo playing hardball for the big job. Yuuuuup

 

[Leinster Fan]

Lockdown is boring so I'm going to write out some kind of thing about the squad.

Next few weeks are big for the season. Should be aiming for the double realistically. Silly league scheduling hasn't made life easier for anyone but whoever thought the week between playing the Six Nations and potential back to back European knockouts was a good time for the league final needs their head examined. Presumably we'll see the type of mish mash team that we sent out against Montpeilliers earlier this year before seeing a lot of internationals against Toulon. At least Munster have the same problem.

Loosehead - Not a hugely strong point. Healy is the incumbent but is old and doesn't do very much other than lock down the scrum anymore. Ed Byrne is okay, seems to have gained a spot on Andy's depth chart but isn't a top tier talent. Dooley is a good player, been a definite asset in the Pro14 this year and I can definitely see him playing some role in the various knockouts. No real standout talent coming though until you get down to Jack Boyle who's probably a few years away from senior rugby.

Hooker - Another position in a bit of a weird transitional state. Kelleher is great in the loose but darts are a worry in the tradition of Leinster hookers, still seems to be first choice even if it isn't completely nailed down. Cronin is on his last legs, still has something to offer but not the player he was a few years ago. Tracy is another good club guy who's been a real contributer in the last few years. Another guy who'll have a role to play at some stage of the next few weeks in all likelihood. Sheehan is a huge talent after those guys, someone who could be pushing European selection next season.

Tighthead - We're stacked here, we're as good as anyone in the world on this front. Two guys who can start internationally in Furlong and Porter and a perfect backup in Bent. Doesn't really matter who starts, although rotation is probably the most likely option. Bent could well play in the Pro14 final. Unfortunately we've been stripped of assets a bit behind those guys, although Vakh should be back soon and Clarkson had a good season when he was on.

Lock - Ryan is a beast obviously, after that things aren't clear. Toner and Fardy are great servants but Fardy is definitely in his last season and Toner will hopefully have another year but that's not clear yet. Baird is a huge talent and an athletic freak in a way we don't get often in Ireland and has broken into the Ireland 23 without really establishing himself as a starter for Leinster. With Ryan injured again things are up in the air here. No point guessing who'll play what. So long as Ryan is ready to start in time for Toulon, things should be okay. If needed, you'd also have faith in Molony if he had to step in. Next season could be a worry if we lose both Toner and Fardy, Molony will be rock solid but beyond that things are a bit scarce. Jack Dunne burst onto the scene a few years ago but hasn't done much since. He'll need to make a step up next year. Can see Josh Murphy playing here a fair bit too next season.

Backrow - Our beloved position of endless depth. Doris is the nailed on starter but is injured, hopefully he'll be back at some stage but can't be rushing head injuries. Ruddock is a club legend, has had a great season and probably has the 6 spot locked up for the time being. Conan seems to have come into some form and will presumably start at 8 in the absence of Doris. Deegan is talented but and ACL is an ACL. Has established himself as a valid European option when fit though. 7 with Connors and Van der Flier will be fine, horses for courses on that front. Penny has shot into serious form recently and I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see him involved on the back of that. Beyond that there's Dan Leavy (nothing to say here really), Josh Murphy (not a top talent but works hard, will continue to rack up Pro14 appearances and has stepped in with Europe when needed) and Soroka (young and clearly talented)

Pack is enough for me today, might add a bit in about the backs tomorrow.

 

[Groundhog]

Lockdown is boring so I'm going to write out some kind of thing about the squad.

Leinster are frankly overrated and shite. We don't have a single player in our squad who is more talented than Gavin Coombes, they've just been juicing since they left playschool. They've been begging Munster to put 50 on them for the last decade and next weekend it's finally going to happen!

I'd agree with most of this, but I'd say Coombes is not only talented he's also jacked and handsome though.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Can any of you lads tell me anything about this kid the Ospreys have signed called Will Hickey?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Can any of you lads tell me anything about this kid the Ospreys have signed called Will Hickey?

Captained his school, probably the best school in Ireland for producing talent, Leavy, Kelleher, Ryan and plenty of other pros went there. Don't know much else because his 20s year was cancelled.

Interesting he's gone to the Ospreys, probably just fell short of the grade and Leinster and had a relationship with Mike Ruddock through Lansdowne rugby club. Hopefully he goes well, might be too posh for rugby over there though!

 

[Welsh Exile]

Captained his school, probably the best school in Ireland for producing talent, Leavy, Kelleher, Ryan and plenty of other pros went there. Don't know much else because his 20s year was cancelled.

Interesting he's gone to the Ospreys, probably just fell short of the grade and Leinster and had a relationship with Mike Ruddock through Lansdowne rugby club. Hopefully he goes well, might be too posh for rugby over there though!

Ha ha.

Whats the latest on Leavy? Guy is a beast.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Ha ha.

Whats the latest on Leavy? Guy is a beast.

Came back from injury this year, played a fair bit but picked up another injury and is out for the rest of the season.

 

[irisht]

Can any of you lads tell me anything about this kid the Ospreys have signed called Will Hickey?

Captained his school, probably the best school in Ireland for producing talent, Leavy, Kelleher, Ryan and plenty of other pros went there. Don't know much else because his 20s year was cancelled.

Interesting he's gone to the Ospreys, probably just fell short of the grade and Leinster and had a relationship with Mike Ruddock through Lansdowne rugby club. Hopefully he goes well, might be too posh for rugby over there though!

He didn't make the irish 20's training squad that was selected in January, but he is very hard working, diligent rugby player but not the biggest backrow or the most athletic.. Was an 8 in school mostly, it will be interesting to see how he gets on in Wales.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Leinster Rugby (caps in brackets)

15. Max O'Reilly (6)
14. Rory O'Loughlin (78)
13. Jamie Osborne (5)
12. Ciarán Frawley (33)
11. Dave Kearney (163)
10. Harry Byrne (21)
9. Rowan Osborne (9)
1. Peter Dooley (89)
2. Seán Cronin (192)
3. Michael Bent (154)
4. Ross Molony (110)
5. Devin Toner (260)
6. Scott Fardy (73) CAPTAIN
7. Scott Penny (24)
8. Josh Murphy (44)

16. Dan Sheehan (9)
17. Marcus Hanan (2)
18. Thomas Clarkson (9)
19. Jack Dunne (14)
20. Seán O'Brien (1)
21. Hugh O'Sullivan (27)
22. Tim Corkery (1)
23. Andrew Smith (1)

Dev set to match D'Arcy's appearance record.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Serious achievement for a much maligned player at various times in his career.

I wonder if he'll finish up now or go one more season. Various reasons for both, he might not want to be competing with young lads like Chuck Ryan and Jack Dunne for starting pro14 spots but with Fardy almost certain to go too there's definitely a leadership role to be played in the dressing room.

 

[big ginger 8]

Serious achievement for a much maligned player at various times in his career.

I wonder if he'll finish up now or go one more season. Various reasons for both, he might not want to be competing with young lads like Chuck Ryan and Jack Dunne for starting pro14 spots but with Fardy almost certain to go too there's definitely a leadership role to be played in the dressing room.

He was on a podcast a few weeks ago saying he was negotiating an extension.

 

[irisht]

Skerries and Naas responsible foe the starting centre pairing. Great to see.

 

[big ginger 8]

Scott Penny won the Pro14 young player of the year award (called the next-gen star of the season).

Easy to forget he's 21 feels like he's been around for ages, younger than a lot of guys only getting a good run now.

 

[irisht]

Penny, Baird and Harry B are three class talents for the same age group.. the fact that they all went to the same school is ridiculous and that they never won anything in school.

 

[jcahill1]

Scott Penny won the Pro14 young player of the year award (called the next-gen star of the season).

Easy to forget he's 21 feels like he's been around for ages, younger than a lot of guys only getting a good run now.

Great achievement for him. I know exactly what you mean, crazy for example that he is younger than Dan Sheehan.

 

[irisht]

Penny has a lot of caps for someone so young.. also has had a fair few serious injuries.. double shoulder surgery for instance.. need to manage him, which they've done well to date.