Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Barrett is on a 6 month sabbatical from NZRU

I think a lot of people seem to forget the injury profile factor of professional rugby, especially in the centre. Osborne, Ringrose and Ngatai have all already had long spells out this season. Henshaw has had similar over recent seasons. I very much doubt they’ll be too many occasions when all are fit.

The same argument was made when Aki first qualified for Ireland in 2017. We didn’t see him, Henshaw and Ringrose all available for selection until the 6N game vs England 2019.

Tbh I think the arrival of Nienaber, Snyman and Barrett all points to Leinster adopting a 'win now' approach. This loosening of the purse strings won't be permanent. Snyman is on a one year deal, Barrett is only for six months and I don't think Jacques will stay beyond the next World Cup.

In the last few years we've come up short in Europe and domestically. There have been plenty of articles on Leinster's lack of top quality NIQ players being the reason they can't win in Europe. This hopefully gives us the extra quality boost needed whilst also bringing along the Irish contingent.

The problem they are solving is that we weren't good enough to win the last few years.

They may have lost the final last year when Ryan went off but they may have won the final if Barrett was on the bench and came on for Henshaw rather than Ngatai (or vice versa).

Again, you're using the term 'need' like there is a glaring hole that they are ignoring.

Moving something from good to great is another way to win. If you aren't always looking at ways to improve you're going to fall behind.

Ouch

It isnt as simple as that though - we dont know the sums.

We don't know how much money Leinster have available and how much the different options cost.

Leinster can also only deal with what is on the market and who they can get approval for. TH is a specialised position so I doubt we'd get approval to sign a Barrett level talent.

I'd rather my team take gambles like this, especially when they do not impact us long term, than sitting on our hands and dealing with the hurt of just falling short. Even when you lose at least you know you did everything possible to try to win.

Bleyendaal

Synman

De Allende

Du Toit

Marshall

Cloete

Botha

Nankivell

BJ Botha

Grobler

Te Aiha

Mathewson

Saili

Jenkins

Taute

Fekitoa

Haley

Gallagher

Du Preez

Van Heever

Stander

Chisholm

Guinazu

Amorisino

I'm sure I've missed a few but it's not like munster have not been allowed sign player's from overseas in the last 10-12 years, yes some short term, some project player's etc

Regarding revenue, how many home knockout games have Leinster earned over the last few seasons compared to the other provinces? They are huge earners.

Regarding spend, how many top tier NIQ signings have Leinster made compared to other provinces over the last few years? Even Connacht have signed a top tier NIQ more recently than Leinster have.

The IRFU approach to central contracts is definitely a help, so I can understand Connacht and Ulster fans being disgruntled.

Munster however had the vast majority of the central contracts during their peak years and I remember zero calls from their fans for those central contracts to be shared around with other provinces, that Munster players should be forced to transfer to other provinces against their will, that Munster should be blocked from signing some of the best players in the world as NIQs during that period, or that the IRFU shouldn't take money that could have gone to other provinces and spend it on them redeveloping their stadium. Munster neglected the goose that laid the golden egg and it died - now are crying because Leinster wont share theirs with them. They might feel aggrieved but they have very little reason to given their history.

Munster however had the vast majority of the central contracts during their peak years

I'm curious if anyone has resources / data on the history of the central contracts.

Cos I don't think it's ever been as lopsided as it is now.