Leinster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread XI (The Finals Countdown)

Shefwedfan

Madigan for 10 in 2021 6 nations......I want it to happen :-)

Paul Smeenus

Let's wait and see if he gets further than no. 22 for Ulster.

arsebiscuits1

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Let's wait and see if he gets further than no. 22 for Ulster.

Probably more for the Ireland/ Ulster thread but he is ex-Leinster so I'll throw it in here ha

If Madigan can get some consistency into his game again I think it would be a matter of when not if he gets the 10 shirt for Ulster let alone the 22 shirt and he would be in a really positive position to get more caps in green.

What he offers which we haven't seen in years is a combination of reliability, durability and physicality. I feel the lack of rugby he's played in recent years might actually stand to him in this regard - less miles on the clock!

He was a very underrated option at 12 for Leinster and put out some excellent performances there - including European games. Here he showed a willingness and ability to front up against some really physical challenges.

But he is a deceptively strong runner and was always excellent in contact.

Comparing him to the other viable options we have at 10 for Ireland he has the edge. He's a better kicker and much stronger than Carbery.

He's a better carrier and much quicker than Ross Byrne.

He's much more physical and a far superior tackler than Burns.

His tackling and carrying would also put him ahead of Carty for me too.

Of course all of this is moot if he can't get back to the level of his better days in blue. But he has kept himself in good shape and I think McFarland is a brilliant coach who's been getting the very best out of his players.

arsebiscuits1

Also - this Saturday cannot come quick enough!! I cannot wait

Presumably the team is going to be something along the lines of

1) Healy
2) Kelleher
3) Furlong
4) Fardy
5) Toner
6) Ruddock
7) VDF
8) Conan
9) McGrath
10) Sexton
11) Lowe
12) Henshaw
13) Ringrose
14) D Kearney
15) Larmour
16) Cronin
17) E Byrne
18) Porter
19) Baird
20) Can't call this one!
21) JGP
22) R Byrne
23) R Kearney

I think Ruddock still offers a lot of the grit that you need against Munster. But could just as easily see Deegan there

Conan hasn't played in 10 months - starting 8 might be a big step - possibly see Doris there too

20 shirt could go to any of Leavy, Conan, Deegan, Doris or Ruddock depending on who starts.

Not sure Rob is the best man for the 23 shirt - but I do think he offers enough and deserves a send off.

Do Leo and Stu go for consistency for the tail end of the season and rotate only a few guys between games or do they rotate a lot and get as many players meaningful minutes as they can?

AdamD

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Probably more for the Ireland/ Ulster thread but he is ex-Leinster so I'll throw it in here ha

If Madigan can get some consistency into his game again I think it would be a matter of when not if he gets the 10 shirt for Ulster let alone the 22 shirt and he would be in a really positive position to get more caps in green.

What he offers which we haven't seen in years is a combination of reliability, durability and physicality. I feel the lack of rugby he's played in recent years might actually stand to him in this regard - less miles on the clock!

He was a very underrated option at 12 for Leinster and put out some excellent performances there - including European games. Here he showed a willingness and ability to front up against some really physical challenges.

But he is a deceptively strong runner and was always excellent in contact.

Comparing him to the other viable options we have at 10 for Ireland he has the edge. He's a better kicker and much stronger than Carbery.

He's a better carrier and much quicker than Ross Byrne.

He's much more physical and a far superior tackler than Burns.

His tackling and carrying would also put him ahead of Carty for me too.

Of course all of this is moot if he can't get back to the level of his better days in blue. But he has kept himself in good shape and I think McFarland is a brilliant coach who's been getting the very best out of his players.

I think this is all a bit wishful thinking, this is the same player who couldn't get his game for Bristol or Bordeaux

arsebiscuits1

AdamD wrote: »

I think this is all a bit wishful thanking, this is the same player who couldn't get his game for Bristol or Bordeaux

It's absolutely wishful thinking! Sadly I haven't had anything to do but speculate for 6 months. I've gotten pretty good at it.

sydthebeat

He bit in....

Don't bite in Ian

El_Duderino 09

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Also - this Saturday cannot come quick enough!! I cannot wait

Presumably the team is going to be something along the lines of

1) Healy
2) Kelleher
3) Furlong
4) Fardy
5) Toner
6) Ruddock
7) VDF
8) Conan
9) McGrath
10) Sexton
11) Lowe
12) Henshaw
13) Ringrose
14) D Kearney
15) Larmour
16) Cronin
17) E Byrne
18) Porter
19) Baird
20) Can't call this one!
21) JGP
22) R Byrne
23) R Kearney

...

I think that's probably the strongest 22 and would be the choice for champions cup but given the need to rotate players and give everyone game time, plus the fact that Leinster are already qualified in the Pro 14, I'd say they will mix the team up even for the Munster match.

stephen_n

AdamD wrote: »

I think this is all a bit wishful thinking, this is the same player who couldn't get his game for Bristol or Bordeaux

He couldn’t nail down the starting jersey at Leinster either. Against a similar type player who has ended up not playing 10 either since he left Leinster. Ross Byrne is already a far superior 10 than Madigan ever was or will be. Unfortunately he is too slow to be a real attacking threat. Madigan is a superb utility back but not a great 10.

Paul Smeenus

stephen_n wrote: »

He couldn’t nail down the starting jersey at Leinster either. Against a similar type player who has ended up not playing 10 either since he left Leinster. Ross Byrne is already a far superior 10 than Madigan ever was or will be. Unfortunately he is too slow to be a real attacking threat. Madigan is a superb utility back but not a great 10.

He has a contract for a year to allow Lowry and Johnston time to develop. Same for Mathewson as regards allowing Finlay (and possibly Stewart) to start to leapfrog Shanahan.

Exclamation Marc

degsie wrote: »

Anybody else on here win in the #Lineout4Leinster competition? Have to say I'm looking forward to the event!

Yep me too. Looking forward to it, should be a bit of fun

Scottmactom

OneLungDavy

Scottmactom wrote: »

Ryan has some very impressive legs, even more impressive considering he's 6'7".

Sheep Shagger

Exclamation Marc wrote: »

Yep me too. Looking forward to it, should be a bit of fun

Me too.

Hoping the game still goes ahead given the senior munster player who tested positive and any knock on effect that may have to the rest of the squad.

sydthebeat

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Me too.

Hoping the game still goes ahead given the senior munster player who tested positive and any knock on effect that may have to the rest of the squad.

There was no senior munster player who tested positive

The Lost Sheep

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Me too.

Hoping the game still goes ahead given the senior munster player who tested positive and any knock on effect that may have to the rest of the squad.

a senior munster player didnt test positive. they live with an academy player who tested positive and are isolating as a result

Sheep Shagger

Apologies - got that confused.

Another injury from LR on facebook

Confirmation today that Conor O'Brien will be unavailable for a number of months after undergoing a procedure on a hamstring issue.

Get well soon, Conor. 🔵👊

Squidgy Black

Sheep Shagger wrote: »

Apologies - got that confused.

Another injury from LR on facebook

Confirmation today that Conor O'Brien will be unavailable for a number of months after undergoing a procedure on a hamstring issue.

Get well soon, Conor. 🔵👊

That's a big enough blow. With Tomane gone, we're probably a bit light at inside centre during the international windows now that COB is out. I'd imagine it'll be either ROL or one of Jimmy/Tommy O'B, who are all outside centres really, or potentially Frawley?

Scottmactom

Frawley has been playing 12 primarily in training FYI

arsebiscuits1

Scottmactom wrote: »

Frawley has been playing 12 primarily in training FYI

Possibly reading too much into it but Stu didn't mention Frawley when listing the 10 options in an interview the other week

I wonder are they looking at him at 12 going forward

El_Duderino 09

A lot of leinster players picking up significant injuries. Vakh having surgery on his back, Mcfadden calf injury estimated 6weeks, James Ryan significant (hamstring?) injury estimated 12 weeks. Connor o brien surgery on hamstring.

I gather Dan Leavy has had more difficulty than expected with his return to training. Back at the start of the pandemic they said that next time they play, he'll be in the squad. Now it's months later and he's still returning to full training.

I thought this break would be great for the players to have a proper rest and heal the injuries. Maybe it will be good for the ones who managed to avoid getting injured as they get back to full training.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2020/0817/1159656-mcfadden-ruled-out-for-six-weeks-with-calf-injury/

Scottmactom

James Ryan injured his shoulder.

arsebiscuits1

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

A lot of leinster players picking up significant injuries. Vakh having surgery on his back, Mcfadden calf injury estimated 6weeks, James Ryan significant (hamstring?) injury estimated 12 weeks. Connor o brien surgery on hamstring.

I gather Dan Leavy has had more difficulty than expected with his return to training. Back at the start of the pandemic they said that next time they play, he'll be in the squad. Now it's months later and he's still returning to full training.

I thought this break would be great for the players to have a proper rest and heal the injuries. Maybe it will be good for the ones who managed to avoid getting injured as they get back to full training.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2020/0817/1159656-mcfadden-ruled-out-for-six-weeks-with-calf-injury/

Only one of those injuries has been picked up since lock down - namely James Ryan dislocating his shoulder in training.

Vakh and COB have both had longstanding issues on their respective injuries.

McFadden also had problems with his calves and it is not uncommon in 34 year old outside backs.

Keep in mind that during the significant lockdown period, these felllas we're all training unsupervised. While they were obviously given instructions and guidance by physios and s&c staff but ultimately it was a massive compromise to the way an high performance team operate. There were bound to be issues.

Leavy was barely running on the pitch by the time the season was pulled and the players had to disperse. He'd need contact work before he can get back. They emphatically did NOT say "the next time we play he'd be in the squad". He was targeting a game back before the end of the season.

Also - regarding the injuries players have picked up over lockdown. Countless rugby players manage injuries during the season with the aim to rehab or get operated on over the summer. Those managing injuries in Feb may have been trying to get to the end of the season and then found that they weren't able to rehab properly or effectively as they had no physical contact with the physio.

To compound these issues further, all elective surgeries were cancelled over lockdown as the health service struggled to deal with the pandemic. It's why Henderson only had his hip done recently. Same as why Roux only had his hand done in late July

You're trying very hard to find a pattern with a very small sample size that really isn't relevant either

ionadnapokot

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Possibly reading too much into it but Stu didn't mention Frawley when listing the 10 options in an interview the other week

I wonder are they looking at him at 12 going forward

That would be a welcome change. He could be a good playmaking alternative to Henshaw.

Buer

Frawley has to look at other options if he wants to have a future at Leinster. He's realistically looking at being 4th choice outhalf next season but has experience at 15 and 12 where he could offer something different. His execution and pass selection simply isn't up to scratch to play outhalf consistently. Maybe that will improve with time but, with Tomane gone and COB injured for the next 2-3 months, he has a real opportunity to show his ability in the centre.

In terms of established, proven options, Leinster are quite light outside of the first choice players in the back line. Take Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, DK and Larmour out of the picture and it's very much up for grabs across the board. ROL is the highest profile player next off the line and has had a lot of injury problems in recent times. There's no reason that Frawley couldn't finish the season having made a very strong case for wearing the 23 jersey for big games.

arsebiscuits1

Buer wrote: »

Frawley has to look at other options if he wants to have a future at Leinster. He's realistically looking at being 4th choice outhalf next season but has experience at 15 and 12 where he could offer something different. His execution and pass selection simply isn't up to scratch to play outhalf consistently. Maybe that will improve with time but, with Tomane gone and COB injured for the next 2-3 months, he has a real opportunity to show his ability in the centre.

In terms of established, proven options, Leinster are quite light outside of the first choice players in the back line. Take Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe, DK and Larmour out of the picture and it's very much up for grabs across the board. ROL is the highest profile player next off the line and has had a lot of injury problems in recent times. There's no reason that Frawley couldn't finish the season having made a very strong case for wearing the 23 jersey for big games.

Need to start blooding some new European level players. Losing Tomane, Kearney, Daly and McFadden and not having A Byrne or COB (possibly being a bit generous about him being European level) for the foreseeable means there are some high level minutes up for grabs.

Keenan well able to make the step up imminently IMO.

Think JOB and Frawley will need to step up - both have the fundamentals to thrive.

Kelleher has been a nearly man for the last 6 years. Time is now as good as any to prove he can thrive at a higher level.

thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

Frawley has to look at other options if he wants to have a future at Leinster. He's realistically looking at being 4th choice outhalf next season but has experience at 15 and 12 where he could offer something different. His execution and pass selection simply isn't up to scratch to play outhalf consistently. Maybe that will improve with time but, with Tomane gone and COB injured for the next 2-3 months, he has a real opportunity to show his ability in the centre.

I could easily see Frawley moving to Munster as a stopgap for a year or so, replacing a Scannell or Haley who are out of contract. A lot depends on how Healy, Flannery and Crowley are developing in the academy.

Sheep Shagger

New EPRC rules temporarily scrapping the rule about how many non EU players you can have in a squad for the knockouts.......mmmmmm

https://www.epcrugby.com/2020/08/18/epcr-player-registration-and-rule-changes-for-2019-20-knockout-stages/

Scottmactom

thomond2006 wrote: »

I could easily see Frawley moving to Munster as a stopgap for a year or so, replacing a Scannell or Haley who are out of contract. A lot depends on how Healy, Flannery and Crowley are developing in the academy.

why would he move to Munster to be a stop gap?