Each Provinces weakest position group:

PlayerTrader13

Leinster: lock
Munster: centre
Connacht: outhalf
Ulster: backrow

.ak

I'm not sure lock is Leinster's weakest position anymore. McCarthy and Toner are both capable internationals and Roux and Denton look to be coming good. If anything I'd say centre and scrumhalf are our problem area, especially post-BOD.

PlayerTrader13

.ak wrote: »

I'm not sure lock is Leinster's weakest position anymore. McCarthy and Toner are both capable internationals and Roux and Denton look to be coming good. If anything I'd say centre and scrumhalf are our problem area, especially post-BOD.

i considered centre, but thought better of it.. BOD and Darce are strong, while Reid and Macken haven shown noticeable improvement along with the options of Ferg and Fitz.

Scrumhalf is strong enough, at least until next season.

while i'd agree than Mac and Toner have been good this season, the third option leaves a lot to be desired..

Cullen is on his last legs, Denton and Roux haven't been overly impressive either.

Fireball07

Munster is centre, then probably scrum-half or tighthead.

Hagz

I think the weakest position group in Leinster at present is lock. We have a very good back-three, centre partnership, front-row, back-row and half-back combination (although the half-backs are unsettled at the moment). Our locks however, although still of a good standard, don't really match the other positions for quality.

Down the line there is a worry regarding outside centre, and the lack of young wingers coming through, but that's down the line and I expect the chequebook to come into play as well as some young talent emerging.

From a neutral's perspective of the other provinces, I think Ulster are in a really good position, and provided every one is fit, it's difficult to find a weak spot. Perhaps the lack of an established replacement 10 and some depth at openside. Down the line there is worries at loose-head and tight-head, but again, Humphreys is very good at recruiting.

I think the weakest spot at Connacht is out-half. I think Dan Parks is really running his course and not offering much direction or experience to the back-line. I think he came over and did what he was signed to do, but at this point it just doesn't compliment the rest of the Connacht team. Hard to know what specific positions will be vulnerable down the line. I think a common weakness is simply a lack of depth all round. They have a good first XV players, but the drop off behind them is pretty noticeable and an achilles heel.

In Munster I think the present weakest position group is tight-head. I think Archer, although much improved, is still weak at the top-level, and I think BJ Botha is in the twilight of his career and it's showing. Down the line I think it remains an obvious concern. But as long as the IRFU allows it, they should be able to recruit. I also think they need to establish some stability in the centre next season.

jamiedav2011

Hagz wrote: »

I think the weakest position group in Leinster at present is lock. We have a very good back-three, centre partnership, front-row, back-row and half-back combination (although the half-backs are unsettled at the moment). Our locks however, although still of a good standard, don't really match the other positions for quality.

Down the line there is a worry regarding outside centre, and the lack of young wingers coming through, but that's down the line and I expect the chequebook to come into play as well as some young talent emerging.

From a neutral's perspective of the other provinces, I think Ulster are in a really good position, and provided every one is fit, it's difficult to find a weak spot. Perhaps the lack of an established replacement 10 and some depth at openside. Down the line there is worries at loose-head and tight-head, but again, Humphreys is very good at recruiting.

I think the weakest spot at Connacht is out-half. I think Dan Parks is really running his course and not offering much direction or experience to the back-line. I think he came over and did what he was signed to do, but at this point it just doesn't compliment the rest of the Connacht team. Hard to know what specific positions will be vulnerable down the line. I think a common weakness is simply a lack of depth all round. They have a good first XV players, but the drop off behind them is pretty noticeable and an achilles heel.

In Munster I think the present weakest position group is tight-head. I think Archer, although much improved, is still weak at the top-level, and I think BJ Botha is in the twilight of his career and it's showing. Down the line I think it remains an obvious concern. But as long as the IRFU allows it, they should be able to recruit. I also think they need to establish some stability in the centre next season.

Saw an interview with Wigglesworth recently where he said they won't be allowed recruit a NIQ TH after Botha.

PlayerTrader13

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Saw an interview with Wigglesworth recently where he said they won't be allowed recruit a NIQ TH after Botha.

interesting.. Archer, Ryan and they have that young lad Burke in the academy.

Fireball07

We're in trouble if we can't make a signing, Archer is better but I still have doubts about his ability at the top level... unless we try and sign Andress or someone.

Hagz

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Saw an interview with Wigglesworth recently where he said they won't be allowed recruit a NIQ TH after Botha.

Well that's a major concern for them so. I don't think it will stop them competing for the Pro12, but I just can't see them winning a Heineken Cup (if one still exists next season) with Archer at tight-head.

Maybe the season after next they could look to pick up one of Leinster's tight-heads.

wp_rathead

Half-Backs without doubt for Connacht

Marimon aside we are not exactly blessed, and only matter of time when Marimon is called up to Irish squads so need cover. Can call Murphy a write off at this point, so only have POD as cover. Is evident to all that Parks is past it - fingers crossed Carty puts in good performance. I'm big fan of Ronaldson aswell but not sure how comfortable I'd be with having him as first choice out-half come next season

PlayerTrader13

Hagz wrote: »

Maybe the season after next they could look to pick up one of Leinster's tight-heads.

Leinster might have better depth than Munster but they don't have that much depth.

Ross is basically on his last contract, Moore and Furlong are pups and needed badly by Leinster.

No TH's in the academy behind Furlong.

rugby addict

Ulster's weakest area is definately the front row, don't have any quality behind Tom Court who is leaving at the end of the season. Back up hookers are average. It looks like Afoa could move on leaving them with injury prone Fitzpatrick who is no spring chicken or great talent. One of the young looseheads should migrate North.

rugby addict

Ulster's weakest area is definately the front row, don't have any quality behind Tom Court who is leaving at the end of the season. Back up hookers are average. It looks like Afoa could move on leaving them with injury prone Fitzpatrick who is no spring chicken or great talent. One of the young looseheads should migrate North.

PlayerTrader13

rugby addict wrote: »

Ulster's weakest area is definately the front row, don't have any quality behind Tom Court who is leaving at the end of the season. Back up hookers are average. It looks like Afoa could move on leaving them with injury prone Fitzpatrick who is no spring chicken or great talent. One of the young looseheads should migrate North.

thought about going front row, think it will certainly be the case next season..

Front line of Black, Best and Fitzpatrick is decent if they are all healthy.

behind that McAllister and Macklin are injury prone. Lutton is okay.

Hooker they are strong enough with although Annett has struggled with hooking. Herring looks promising.

Tox56

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

Leinster might have better depth than Munster but they don't have that much depth.

Ross is basically on his last contract, Moore and Furlong are pups and needed badly by Leinster.

No TH's in the academy behind Furlong.

Relative to the other provinces Leinster are spoiled for TH's. Moore will play for Ireland soon enough so 3 internationally capped TH's (all for Ireland), with Furlong still to come through, is a fair bit of depth.

PlayerTrader13

Tox56 wrote: »

Relative to the other provinces Leinster are spoiled for TH's. Moore will play for Ireland soon enough so 3 internationally capped TH's (all for Ireland), with Furlong still to come through, is a fair bit of depth.

your obviously including Bent in that.. Munster can have him by all means.

rugby addict

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

thought about going front row, think it will certainly be the case next season..

Front line of Black, Best and Fitzpatrick is decent if they are all healthy.

behind that McAllister and Macklin are injury prone. Lutton is okay.

Hooker they are strong enough with although Annett has struggled with hooking. Herring looks promising.

Fair points I think they still new props either side of the scrum. An experienced loosehead and a young tight head.

pickarooney

rugby addict wrote: »

Ulster's weakest area is definately the front row, don't have any quality behind Tom Court who is leaving at the end of the season. Back up hookers are average. It looks like Afoa could move on leaving them with injury prone Fitzpatrick who is no spring chicken or great talent. One of the young looseheads should migrate North.

Already confirmed with Gloucester.

Hagz

PlayerTrader13 wrote: »

Leinster might have better depth than Munster but they don't have that much depth.

Ross is basically on his last contract, Moore and Furlong are pups and needed badly by Leinster.

No TH's in the academy behind Furlong.

Yeh you're right. Ross will leave the season after next, so Leinster will be intent on holding on to both Moore and Furlong.

I think Munster's only hope is to source from within.