Leinster Team Talk Thread (Love you Furlong time)

Balacoune can't stay healthy and has attitude concerns.

If any back 3 player is to be tempted away from another province I would love Bolton at Connacht. Looks a great player.

Think Baloucoune will be destroyed pretty soon with the amount of injuries he seems to pick up.

I think Baloucoune could be a good signing, the writing does seem to be on the wall at Ulster with him with Werner Kok playing on the right wing all season. The injury history is worrying but if he does get injured we are still in the same situation as we are now so it could be worth a shot.

I don't really agree with this part — if we signed him and he was injured the whole time, we've wasted space in our squad at a time where squad size is shrinking and cost ourselves a chunk of change in the process. We wouldn't be in any place to complain either — he's perennially injured so we should have seen it coming.

We need to up the quality on the wing. Players like Larmour, Jimmy O'Brien and Russell aren't good enough. Tommy O'Brien possibly could become good enough, but his body isn't resilient enough so we'll probably never know.

I'm sure we've looked at many wingers over the past 12 months and I'm hopeful we'll sign someone who can stay fit and be a level up on the wingers we have in the squad already. It sounds like Russell will be making way for whoever we do bring in, so that's the bar. We should be looking to comfortably clear that.

What I meant by it is worth a shot is that we would sign him on a one year deal and if it didn't pan out we could cut ties with him at the end of the season, we would still have the same players we have now and while it does take up a squad space it would be for just one season.

I think Larmour, JO'B and Russell are good players and I do think TO'B could be really good but other than James Lowe, I can't say with much confidence that we have a winger who is a true X Factor. Leinster have been crying out for speed on the right winger for the longest time, it would be fantastic if we add a speedster but at this stage and with no real rumors swirling around regarding it, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

I would imagine Harry wouldn't have any interest in going west and ultimately, the player can't be moved without his agreement.

I assume that he still has ambitions of breaking into the Leinster team and with Ross gone and Sam and Frawley internationals, he will likely get some gametime next season.

I thought either Bolton or Kilgallen would have been a good punt for Leinster last season, given they both have the athletic profile ye may be looking for. Kilgallen was probably a bullet dodged given the injury issues, and Bolton's now contracted through to 2026.

New contract for Luke McGrath

Didn’t think we would be seeing that this time last year but he has been great this season. Seems to be hugely popular around the group aswell.

Luke has stepped it up when it mattered this season. Possibly with a contract renewal incoming.

As one of his more vocal critics I am delighted to see the obvious improvement he's shown this season. Well earned.

He is Leinsters most senior player also in terms of his first cap for Leinster. I don't think we should overlook how significant that is. Particularly given that Healy and Byrne are gone at the end of this season with their 287 and 178 respective Leinster caps.

A squad needs senior players who've been through it.

I agree.

I wont apologise for the criticism I extended to Luke in the past because I think my criticism was objective.

No player should be above criticism. But every player should be recognised for obviously improving on facets that were being criticised

I still think his passing isn’t amazing but it’s definitely a bit more accurate than last year and he’s been better around the pitch. I remember BOD saying his pass speed wasn’t at the level required at international around 2019 which was why he hadn’t gotten past Murray who was playing poorly himself. He was an empty jersey at times last year-he was the only player who didn’t get off the bench in the 100min Champions Final last year for example.

Reckon it's because he had an offer from someone else tbh.

Despite the score, not overly impressed with France tonight. That chalked off try was a killer.

I hope Leinster are looking at this game and planning how to possibly get over the line against Toulouse.